Ach! This has really been bugging me, and I'm sure it's been answered MANY times before, but I need some education in the topic of US sonar:
I know the Germans used hydrophones as their source of "ears" for the ship, but what did the US use? It is my understanding that there was a retractable sonar antenna on the bottom of the hull fore of the conning tower. Did the sound op. just send out pings periodically, and see if he picked up anything? Wouldn't this give away their position to enemy ASW shipping? It is also my understanding that the Japanese used active sonar pings, thus giving their position away to US subs, so wouldn't it be wise of the US to use other means of sonar? Thanks
-A confused sailor