hi there captains... sorry if i necro this thread but i really had experience with this subject...
1) let me tell you that in 1939, there was at least one ship sinked by type II u-boot using 20mm. i've read about that years ago, i'm trying to point the exact case but there are too many war patrols to review, i will reply with the vessel.
2) many coast guard vessels across the globe use 20 to 40mm guns against merchant ships (mostly fishing ships and factory fishing ships). 100 2cm holes in a hull can make a lot of flooding, furthermore they will surpass the hull and hit machines and other vital components. 20mm and 37mm guns were very capable guns against small (less than 3000tn) ships.
3) This was correctly reflected on stock SH3, in which you could sink a small vessel with around 300 to 400 rounds of 20mm (i've done that in early games consistently). Only tried with small ships like tramp steamers and ships alike. the tactic was to attack at night at less than 100mtr. in Stock version flooding wasn't a key factor so shoothing all over the ship did the trick (better if moving magazine by magazine from bow to stern).
4) GWX3 nerfed all the submarine guns due (mainly) to the fact that they were a little overpowered against aircraft and escort ships compared with real life. Instead of rising the aircraft and escort hitpoints they nerfed all the AA and AS cannons. I guess this was an easier way, don't really know.
5) That change bring up an "unexpected" increase on civilian ships "resistance" to cannons, this was mainly "OK" since it gives a little more of a challenge (nor really) to 88 and 105mm guns.
6) the change also ****ted all over Type II's which now can't shoot anything heavier than 1500tn ship except if previously damaged. (20mm can still ultimate previously torpedoed targets, but be prepared to waste 1/2 your ammo on something like a Granville-Type Frigate already half ass baked by a torp that didn't actually made the trick in order to save the need of 1 extra torp wasted in a not-so-valuable ship).
I repeat, i have tried to sink by 20mm a small passenger ship, 800 rounds after i gave up... the little ship kept going on.
7) While still being posible to finish up a medium sized merchant already damaged, it is a tedious task to do. not so tedious on smaller ship who eat a torp in a bad spot. Only use 20mm for that
8) Haven't tried 37mm, i was wondering if they could aliviate the need for the 105mm since my Type IX only carries 110 rounds, but for what i've read, its almost the same story as the 20mm.
i might edit damage back on 20mm to restore the lost historical accuracy, moreon since i'm not using any AA for intended purposes except in port when air strikes are massive anyway and no AA can save your ass anyway
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