Naval Gaming Introduction

The bent line screen is primarily an anti-submarine formation and is the most commonly used screen for anti-submarine work. It is used when there are not enough escort ships to completely surround a main body, or when the maximum anti-submarine coverage is required for the minimum number of ships. This type of screen provides only minimal anti-aircraft protection for the ships escorted.

A bent line is a combination of two or three lines of bearing and/or line abreast. The angle of the bend is always greater than 90°. Normally the ship at the angle in the bent line is the guide. In the case of a double bent line, a secondary guide is at the second angle. The "bend" in a bent line always occurs at the position of a ship, never between ships.

A bent line screen is always positioned ahead of a main body along the force's direction of advance. If the force changes course, then the screen is repositioned either just prior to the course change, or as part of the course change.

The bent line is not a maneuvering formation. Once formed, the formation only moves forward. It is possible to perform a simultaneous turn, but this changes the focus of the formation and reduces its effectiveness. Normally if a bent line is to change course, the formation is broken and ships proceed directly to their new stations.

The bent line is not a good night steaming formation. It suffers from the same problems as the line of bearing at this time. It is still used, however, when anti-submarine protection is required at night.