Regarding malfunctions, I'd say in reality you'd have the option to assign your crew to doublecheck systems that may be prone to sabotage, run tests, detect the problems before they occur in battle. If something is detected you have the option of a quick yard repair (insteaad of waiting the full 2-3 weeks standard in port). Doable? Yes. Simple? No.
The example of "torpedo duds" is the only one that kinda stands but even in reality the source of the problems was design of the system rather than sabotage. Also note that when torpedo malfunctions were implemented, many player controlled factors were taken into account - dud chance is based on impact angle, premature chance is based on sea state and torpedo running depth. As in real life, the player has some control - but he has the benefit of historic hind sight.
Aircraft, destroyers, depth charges, are also related to player performance and choice of tactics.
And I will never give up "thinking", its in my blood
