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Originally Posted by StandingCow
thermal layers are apparently much deeper in the Atlantic than they were the the pacific.. deeper than subs could go
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I keep reading on posts on this forum where people state, matter of fact, that thermal layers were deeper than WWII subs could reach. I wanted to attempt to clear this up, but in the end may simply add to the confusion (hopefully not).
Disclaimer: I am no scientist and this is post is not directed at you or anyone in particular.
I believe thermal layers were well within the reach of subs. As a phenomenon, random element, I'm guessing these would be pretty dynamic and geographically localized. From what I have read, admittedly little, these could occur within the oceans thermocline layer. This is the layer directly below the mixed layer and where the temperature of water changes rapidly with depth. We know that once you get below the mixed layer (isothermal conditions) and prior to reaching the deep layer (isothermal conditions again), the temperature of the water decreases. As I understand it, the thermal layer is the phenomenon where you get a temperature increase within a thin boundary layer, before it would decrease again. There are many accounts where submariners during WWII said they managed to get below these in the Atlantic.
Again, I'm no scientist, so I'm simply going on what limited research I've done myelf. It's just that I keep seeing posts by people exclaiming, in a matter of fact fashion, certain things as fact. Fair enough, though if you're uncertain, then please indicate this -- or at least be prepared to cite your sources. I'm not suggesting you're doing this, I'm simply generalizing here (myself included). It's not limited to this topic either, trust me. Things become confusing to readers and risk becoming perpetuated when people, unsure about things, state them as fact.
Ubisoft's developers interviewed Jürgen Oesten (Kptlt. and commander of the 9th Flotilla in Brest) and asked him about thermal layers during WWII in the Atlantic. I've included a link to an audio file you can download from Ubisoft's ftp that features this audio interview.
Jürgen Oesten
http://www.uboat.net/men/oesten.htm
Audio interview with Jürgen Oesten
ftp://ftp.ubi.com/uk/silenthunteriii...rmal_layer.zip
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so that is one reason they were not added.
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According to Ubisoft's developers, thermal layers were added SH3. At least I never read anything from them to the contrary after the fact. During SH3's development, at community Q&As, the devs were asked about thermal layers. They explained they would be modeled within the game. And who's to say they're not -- I think it's one of those things where it would be difficult to model to the extent you would know for certain whether or not you managed to slip under one.
SH3 Devteam Q&A Part 1 (see #19)
http://www.silenthunteriii.com/uk/devteamquestions1.php
SH3 Devteam IRC Live Chat 04.08.04 (see question by U-658)
http://www.silenthunteriii.com/uk/livechat040804.php
Cheers,
flintlock