Without knowing how closely SH5 emulates the magnetic fuse, it's pretty pointless to find similarities between history and this software.
WW2 magnetic fuses worked well with a depth set to 1..1,5 meters below the keel. Possibly more on large ships. German proximity fuses derived from the typical moored mine fuze developed during WW1. Large metal objects will create a small local anomaly in earth natural magnetic field; these deviations are however usually strong enough to influence a compass at least at close distance. Essentially, the proximity fuse was a magnetized needle triggereing a battery operated explosive primer.
For the first two years Garmans had trouble with them. All kind of conjectures were made to why they didn't work and, as a result, most Kaleuns simply didn't use them. It took a complete redesign to solve the problem about 1941.
Others more sofisticated magnetic influence detonators based on electronic detectors were developed later in the war but this simple design bolted on till the end of WW2
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Last edited by msxyz; 03-10-10 at 07:15 AM.
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