The same 278-gram BdZ 5127 fuse and 59-gram Amatol bursting charge was used for both types of projectile ( PzGr . 39-1 & PzGr . 39 / 43 ), requiring armoured targets of 30 mm or thicker to ignite after penetration for maximum behind-armour effects.
32.
While the thinner shell wall and absence of a central tube allowed the shell to carry far more bullets, it had the disadvantage that the bursting charge separated the bullets from the shell casing by firing the case forward and at the same time slowing the bullets down as they were ejected through the base of the shell casing, rather than increasing their velocity.
33.
In the end, the second forward turret was changed to a smaller two gun turret in exchange for better armour protection, reducing the broadside weight to below that of the nine gun arrangement . bursting charge of The armour-piercing capability of the gun and its ammunition is exhibited by the conning tower on the wreck of the German battleship " Bismarck ", provided with 14-inch thick armour, which is said to resemble a " Swiss cheese ".
