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Old 02-04-12, 04:19 AM   #1
Tolkemec
Torpedoman
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: BCN
Posts: 118
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Default what would a kaleun do?

Hello meine herren. I need your advice on a small matter.

I am off the english coast, following a merchant who has a solid 90 degree course at 14 knots, so heading away from my patrol area.

My u-28 is 9000 meters behind at all ahead flank, reaching 15 sometimes 16 knots.

Based on what I saw (two conspicous masts), my previous encounters in this zone, and its speed, I am almost sure it is a small passenger ship of about 1600 tons. I don't know which flag she has, and could perfectly be a neutral (its september 39) heading to danmark.

So based on my calculations It will take me 4 hours aprox to be at 1500 meters and shell it (don't want to waste ammo).

What would a real kaleun do in this situation? We are talking of a very small tonnage and a real possibility of it being a neutral ship.

Would he consider it a waste of fuel and give up the chase? Is it even possible to run 4 hours at flank speed without burning the diesels? If not at flank I will not be possible to intercept it.

Would he go for it for a morale boost (morale is not an issue so far, being sept 17th and having shelled a small merchant the day before, exept for that pesky watch officer who is always unhappy)?

Would he give up?

Thx!
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