Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ComradeP
I just thought of something: how would an U-boot commander know whether the ship he attacked actually went down the drain, if he had no visual or audio contact and no air support to confirm it?
|
If it was a lone vessel, then the U-boat would stay to confirm the sinking.
If it was part of a convoy attack, then I assume the U-Boat captain would make sure he put enough torps towards his target to either make the vessel drop back from the convoy (so the u-boat could return to finish the job) or to make sure it sank on the first try.
There was always the hydrophone, an experienced operator could probably distinguish the sounds of breaking bulkheads and severe flooding. I suspect it would be a very daunting sound.
However, realistically many claimed sinkings were not confirmed, the ones that were confirmed were probably done so through captured logs or espionage.
Or maybe the British newspapers.:rotfl: