Task forces have two characteristics: they're well guarded by DDs and they move mondo fast--at least 20 knots.
That means that your cone of opportunity, that area you must be in ahead of them where you have the ability to close the range far enough to get some kind of shot off, is narrow. Most of the time you'll detect a task force, only to have to watch it steam away because you have no way to get a shot off at it.
Then, if you do find yourself in a position to attack, there is the destroyer screen. If they force you down for five minutes, it's over. The task force, at 20 knots will be past the point where any approach is possible (a hiding submarine works for the enemy).
Therefore you have to be able to loiter in a position where you can unleash as many torpedoes as possible from at least 2000 yards. It's a low probability situation with a huge payoff, and the prime targets are big, so this is a slam dunk, take it every time situation.
These CVs and BBs are hard to sink, so no multiple targeting here. If you can sit boadside to the task force so you can send 10 torpedoes for the biggest target that's what you should do. Shoot from an angle so that targets overlap, making a miss into a probable hit somewhere else.
Shoot 'em all and go deep. If you wound one he'll slow down and the task force will abandon him to your tender mercies. You might just get 10 misses, but that's not usually the case.
But you get one chance against a task force. Shoot everything you have.
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