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Originally Posted by P_Funk
For instance recall that scene in Das Boot where the captain fired a torpedo at a stationary tanker that he had already hit to finish it off. If he wanted to milk his patrol for every merchant he could, then he likely would have used the deck gun instead.
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Sinking a ship with the deck gun, even a damaged one, could take an hour or more. Using the deck gun was only permitted in safe waters, where there was no risk of the U-boat being surprised by aircraft or enemy vessels. Therefore using an extra torp to finish off a ship was common and wasn't a way for the Commander to bring his boat home earlier.
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Originally Posted by P_Funk
So then couldn't some Kaleuns have been a little less rigorous in their fuel economy so as to expedite their return to base?
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Since every Commander had to report to Donitz after his patrol, and their patrol was examined in minute detail, then I doubt anyone could have gotten away with it. This also applies to using too many torpedoes on a single target. I think they would rather risk death at sea than face the wrath of the B.D.U.
As for me, I use U-123's Drumbeat patrol as a guide. Hardegen wrote in his KTB: "Total distance: 8,277 nautical miles. Total submerged: 256". Besides it was only advisable to submerge if the weather was bad, or if there was a danger of aircraft. The U-boats place was on the surface at all other times. For speed I use 9 knots, but only because I read it here! I did try going to the US at 4 knots on the surface, but it was a disaster fuel wise.