[Tachyon]

Originally Posted by AS

Here´s what I know for sure from various readings (all figures refer to VIIb and c): - unlike the US Navy the German Navy calculated a security factor of 1.5 and 2.5, which means: 100m operational depth - (multiplied by 1.5: 150m maximum depth, e.g. when in danger, multipled by 2.5: 250m calculatzed cruch depth) - the (secret!) crush depth was considered to be around 250m for VIIb/c, but this was a calculted, theoretical figure - several U-Boats, the real U-96 being among them, went much deeper, e.g. U-96 was at about 280m and returned home - later in war, when commanders were more experienced, they normally went to 200m without hesitating, but they were careful not to go way deeper. - today´s scientific calculations estimate the actual cruch depth around 290 or 300m . the BIG problem about crush depth is that the hull didn´t usually just implode ("crush"), but the weak spots became more and more problematic, leading to flooding etc. So the relevant question isn´t so much about "when did the hull actually collapse", but "How ddep could they go without causing so unstoppable flooding"? - whereas SH3 is totally wroing about crush depth, GW is too optimistic, since they have 500m as a standard value. This is certainly exaggerated. I believe in the experience U-96 made and today´s calculation because they both say the same: lethal depth must have been around 300m. Cheers, AS

U-96 nearly buckled under all that pressure. The bolts were flying off so fast, it was like a pinball game inside the sub. Well, that's German engineering for you, you can push any vehicle to the limit, and have enough time to pray to God before the hull cracks up.