Now all we have to do is wait for the fat freighter to cross the firing point. In the meantime I set up the fish, here we'll fire a two-shot salvo with 2 degrees spread, using the leading edge of the bridge as the aimpoint. We select 4 meters running depth, impact pistol, and since they are electrics, cannot change the 30 knot speed. Fast running steam torpedos make this whole process much easier, as they can mask any errors. You must be more precise when firing electrics, or when using slow speeds on steamers. Spreads are the final failsafe, and will help to make up for any error in the solution. The torpedo doors are opened, and when the target crosses the firing bearing, the shot is taken.
Personally I take the shots from a steady wire. That is, I leave the periscope unlocked and steady ahead of the target, exactly on the firing bearing I intend, and when the part of the ship I intend to target 'crosses the wire', or the center of the reticle, then the shot is fired. This is how it was done in reality, the scope was not tracking the ship when the shot was fired. Either way works fine in the sim. The exact firing bearing I choose is based on how much I want to curve the shots. In most cases I want shots that impact the target at 90 degrees, and depending on my bow's relation to the target's track, or course, the gyros can be used to advantage tp square the impact. In most situations on a normal beam approach, the firing bearing will be whichever results in a gyro angle near zero (no curve), 345 in this case.
A quick look at F6 shows the fish looking good, if a bit behind. I might expect them to be leading just a bit more. Think of this as your soundman following the torpedos' screws. All hot, straight and normal Captain, blending with target. You can see U-123 is already moving onto the target's track to maintain a beam position for any follow up shots that may become necessary.
In this case, both torpedos hit after 65 seconds, though a few meters abaft the aimpoint. Either the target was making 9 knots, or my range was a bit short. Either way, it's a good hit.
She starts to slow and settle by the stern, as I ring up ahead full and right full rudder to bring the stern tubes to bear for a coup de grace. Normally I would give a ship stopped in this condition an hour or more to sink on it's own before firing a precious fish, but I thought, what the hell, it's for the guys at Frugs! But not to be, just as we were about to fire, she sank on her own. Note a new set of readings to generate a zero speed. Don't forget to do this or the solution would still reflect an 8 knot speed.
