[Graf Paper]

My own remarks and observations pertained to the general conversation and were not necessarily directed specifically at everything you had to say, Kafka. Context is at least as important as grammar. However, since you insist on coming at me like this...

Originally Posted by Kafka BC

What is this? Nowhere did I mention anything about the sharpness of the horizon at night as seen by the naked eye, so why you are trying to give me a Pseudoscience lesson is beyond me.

Originally Posted by Kafka BC

Having, in my youth, been out many times on clear moonless nights with plenty of stars (something no one seems to have considered as a light source) in the country away from lights and the glow from a city, I can attest to the fact that you can see the contrast difference between the sky and land.

(emphasis added).

That is the definition of a horizon.

Also, you say sky and land. I believe the discussion here concerns sky and sea.

Originally Posted by Graf Paper

I don't recall any of them saying they could spot mastheads at 35 kilometers with the naked eye...

Actually, it was you who failed to comprehend. I used the collective pronoun "them" in reference to the testimonies of crew serving aboard u-boats, which is plainly obvious by the active pronoun "they", as in "the persons who perfomed this action" in regards to the actual spotting of the mastheads in question.

Originally Posted by Graf Paper

Coal-fired vessels could be easily spotted from very great distances, some estimates around 50 miles..

Actually, one source for this figure comes from the direct statements of Lt. Robert Atkinson, DSC, RNR of K-137, H.M.S. Pink. I'd dare say that a commanding officer of a WWII Royal Navy corvette, serving as convoy escort, knows a few more things about ship's smoke and u-boat tactics. He ought to be ashamed of himself for misleading us all!

Originally Posted by Kafka BC

long ago I studied to become a marine engineer

You prove nothing by this statement. Being a such a mechanic does not qualify you for anything other than to work on marine power trains. Additionally, in studying to be a marine engineer, it in no way follows that you actually became one or served aboard any ocean-going vessels. This is pure grand-standing on your part, meant to intimidate others into silence by the perception this somehow makes you an authority on the matter. All sources you have cited thus far also happen to be among the first twenty or so hits one finds when typing "u-boat visual range" into Google's search engine.

You may belittle my reasoning by labeling it as "pseudoscience" yet you use your photography hobby as the basis for your "expertise" on visual properties as applied to u-boat tactics. Taking pictures of sunsets does not give your arguments any additional weight over what others here have said.

And then you attempt to humiliate me further by calling my use of language "High-handed"? You read into it only what you wish. If you feel intimidated by complete sentences and florid words, like "diffraction", that should not be my problem. It is the way I speak when using the written word and I owe no man an apology for it.

I have been polite and even supported some of the points you made. Then you repay that by tearing into me? What I say next must be said.

Disagreement with you is not an attack on your character, but you seem to wish to respond as though it were. "Overly aggressive", indeed! The only two things you have managed to prove thus far is the boorishness of your behavior and the cunning to suck up to Hitman while you continue to dish out insults to the rest. He is no more blind than the rest of us.

You even succeeded in raising the anger of Makman, one of this mod's authors and someone I rarely have seen respond with anything other than civility. You top that dubious achievement by marginalizing h.sie and Rubini, as well. All three of them have made real, lasting contributions to this community and should be shown respect, if only for their generosity.

The intent behind this entire thread, as stated by the mod's authors, was to reveal some measure of accuracy from the aggregate of opinion and knowledge contributed by this community. Your combative stance stifles that. You are free to disagree with others, but there is no reason it cannot be done with polite discourse.

You may continue to draw insult where there is none, bully your way over others, and shout down those who contradict you. However, I would advise that you reconsider your undirected anger before you make yourself unpopular.

As a postscript, I apologize to everyone here for contributing to any further derailment of this thread. I feel it necessary to not only stand up for myself publicly in the face of this hooligan, but for h.sie, Rubini, Makman, and others I hold in high regard because they have always been gentlemen, even when I have not. Keep the colors flying!

I've had my say and promise, henceforth, to stay on topic.