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the question intrigued me so I did some serious pervitin induced homework over breakfast. Nothing is particularly extant on torpedo storage other than it was dangerous, time consuming and only suited to calm waters; which the winter Atlantic was decidedly not! they key to the myriad aspects of the issue was the closing of the Mid-atlantic Gap. Only low maintenance G7a eels could be carried externally as every other type (G7e's ZaunK's, Foxers ) required high battery maintenance-new fact for me! I'll be more authentic in SH-V!! Also, torpedos in the external containers were susceptible to depth-charge attacks and were often damaged. No astute commander following such an attack would risk the amount of time 'hazarding his vessel' against the futility of a defunct eel lugged inside the pressure hull. For certain, the type XI's wouldn't have wasted the always precious fuel-consuming weight on its capacity for 10 eels stored topside As mid ocean Milch-cow resupply subs got scarcer

 

Ten boats of this type were commissioned:

• U-459, commissioned 15 November 1941, scuttled 24 July 1943
• U-460, commissioned 24 December 1941, sunk 4 October 1943
• U-461, commissioned 30 January 1942, sunk 30 July 1943
• U-462, commissioned 5 March 1942, sunk 30 July 1943
• U-463, commissioned 2 April 1942, sunk 15 May 1943
• U-464, commissioned 30 April 1942, scuttled 20 August 1942
• U-487, commissioned 21 December 1942, sunk 13 July 1943
• U-488, commissioned 1 February 1943, sunk 26 April 1944
• U-489, commissioned 8 March 1943, sunk 4 August 1943
• U-490, commissioned 27 March 1943, sunk 12 June 1944

The Mid-Atlantic Gap is a geographical term applied to an undefended area beyond the reach of land-based RAF Coastal Commandantisubmarine (A/S) aircraft during the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War. It is frequently known as The Black Pit, as well as the Atlantic Gap, Air Gap, Greenland Gap, or just "the Gap". This resulted in heavy merchant shipping losses to U-boats. The gap was eventually closed in May 1943, as growing numbers of VLR Liberators (Very Long Range models) and escort carriers became available, and as basing problems were addressed. Increasing availability of escort carriers reduced the hazard of the Gap. After a crisis in March which nearly had Churchill and the Admiralty abandon convoys altogether, the Mid-Atlantic Gap was finally closed in May 1943, when RCAF VLRs became operational in Newfoundland, by which time the Battle of the Atlantic was largely won.

• • Given the decisive 'Black May' of 1943: 18 Uboats lost w/o corresponding damage to allied merchant vessels in the Atlantic; with 43 total due to losses in other theatres, 14 (most from all powerful aircraft) causing loss of experienced crews: especially the junior officers also intended as the next generation of kaleuns, the 'jig was up' in the first semester of '43. Wanze, foxer, Zaunkönig, and radar vulnerable schnorkels could not undo May '43. Döenitz stopping the Uboat campaign pulled all his boats on the 24th of the 'merry' month of May....for the allies-FIDO, Johnny Walkers 'creeping attacks', Liberator B-24's, and escort carriers! von C's ON WAR Rule one: "In all things be 'very strong"; two:"whenever possible increase firepower(numeric superiority-not just technical superiority; three: " Never count on your opponent doing what your plan call for him to do...." for Germany all 3 rules met with: "war is simple but sometimes the simple thing is hard!" My bet is, externally stored U-boat eels began declining in June 1943 when Doenitz resumed his futile efforts...saving the Reich a few RieichsMarks for the Russian front ...pending further investigations of course!