Quote:
Originally Posted by olddriedseaweed
I like your premise, however, following the sinking of the Courageous, Kptlt. Otto Schuhart - U29 - was depth charged for 4 hours by four DDs, until they ran out of depth charges and then just wandered home. He states his depth was 180 meters, so, this might not be as reliable a tactic as you think.
Granted, 1939, Type VIIA, no albrecht and I suspect the depth charges were a fraction less damaging at that point in the war (Something I should research).
Again, I really like your premise. Food for thought and discussion.
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I based the concept, in part, on some research I had done in the past. I don't remember all that I'd encountered, but here are two (granted, it's Wiki
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- When a depth charge explodes it can take 15 minutes before the disturbance can settle down enough that sonar becomes effective. Many submarines escaped during the time after an unsuccessful depth charge attack. Since Hedgehog charges only explode on contact, sonar tracking of the submarine is less likely to be disrupted by an unsuccessful hedgehog attack.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog_(weapon))
- The explosion of a depth charge also disturbed the water, so ASDIC contact was very difficult to regain if the first attack had failed. It enabled the U-boat to change position with impunity.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Atlantic)