U53 positioned in the Irish Sea, weather is apalling. Hydrophone pinpoint towars a merchant coming my way. Visibility less that 500m. Using hydro readings i map the targets course, surface to position myself quickly and at a 90 degree angle. Submerge at 10m periscope up.
All i can see is rain and waves. According to my hydrophones, target is at bearing 350. I finally see her, Large Merchant no escorts. But i barely can get a good look at it and its only 400m away! As the distance is very short, i choose Tube 1 , low speed magnetic (they usually arm quicker than impact). Fire! and Dud!! Tube 2 fires and explodes before it reaches the target (probably due to extreme weather?).
The Merchant is now at bearing 030 and i dont want to risk a shot at this angle at this weather. I change course and follow it. I move away, surface and reposition myself ahead again at 90 degrees . Waiting for her to come and here she is. F**k magnetic. 2 more Tubes, set to impact fire both. And i do. Distance 420m. First one impact, second one a Dud (again!). And it has nothing to do with angle of fire it was perfect. Probably distance. Merchant hit. But wont go down. I follow her for 45 min game time and even though the weather is terrible she is still afloat.
No option for deck guns as i cannot man due to weather. Tube 1 reloaded. Coup de Grace and thank god, no dud this time. But it took me 5 torps to bring her down and im still on a VIIB - so not much room to spare.
Next time i will try for a longer, hydropone shot....
Suggestions?
