Interesting citation on the effectiveness of "keel" shots
 

I will be posting this in the SH3 forum as I would be very interested in reading other people's thoughts on this topic.

Newpower, A (2006) Iron Men and Tin Fish London: Praeger Security International p. 147

* Citation for Cochrane quote:

Letter from Vice Admiral E. L. Cochrane to Blandy, 26 March 1943, RG 38, Correspondence of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, National Archives

This is an interesting piece of information. I have always read that under keel shots are the preferred way to destroy a ship. But in my more cynical moments, I wonder if this is not one of those issues where because it is repeated so many time over so many years that it becomes accepted as fact.

In reading this type of information, one must always keep in mind the intra-service rivalry between BuOrd and BuShips. But I find it hard to believe that Vice Admiral Cochrane would deliberately lie.

And as always, when interpreting and analyzing history, it is most important to only consider the information the participants had at that time.

So my question is: Only considering the data available in or before 1943, Do you think that Admiral Cochrane's comments were valid?

From what I read in various texts it seems that BuOrd did not do their homework with regards to the magnetic exploder and other issues with the torpedoes early in the war. On paper an under the keel explosion is an ideal way to sink a ship providing the device works. It saddens me to think that BuOrd was in denial of the torpedo problems for so long. I am thankful that Lockwood stood up to them and helped turn the tide of the war.