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Originally Posted by pdiddy

So my torpedoes are running straight and true, I should be periscope down and diving to safer depths, but I just have to stick around to see that explosion! Why do I like that so much?!

Actually you are correct to linger and observe
to prevent mis-claimed sinkings which was often the case. Much over-tonnage was claimed in pursuit of the Knight's Cross. Halsschmerzen — "sore throat" or "itchy neck;" was the term used to describe a reckless or glory-seeking commander, implying an obsession with winning the Knight's Cross. Adjustments to tonnage after the war have considerably lowered many a U-boat ace's over-all tonnage score between what was claimed, misidentified tonnagewise through a periscope, or the explosion..."must have sunk the target claimed" by a harried kaleun seeking the 'cellar' to get his lily guilded by an outraged escort!.. Black May