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perisher · 05-20-07, 08:36 PM

There is another aspect to researching patrol reports that we need to take into consideration. There was a tendency to over estimate the tonnage of targets, just as fighter pilots tended to over estimate kills and no Luftwaffe pilot was ever shot down by a Hurricane.

I am not questioning the ability, veracity or bravery of any submarine skipper, but it is a fact that post war analysis of sinkings reduced the total tonnage sunk by US submarines by almost 50%. If a patrol report says the deck gun alone sank a 3,000 ton ship, the chances are it was somewhat smaller.

05-20-07, 08:36 PM	#11
perisher Frogman Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Posts: 300 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	There is another aspect to researching patrol reports that we need to take into consideration. There was a tendency to over estimate the tonnage of targets, just as fighter pilots tended to over estimate kills and no Luftwaffe pilot was ever shot down by a Hurricane. I am not questioning the ability, veracity or bravery of any submarine skipper, but it is a fact that post war analysis of sinkings reduced the total tonnage sunk by US submarines by almost 50%. If a patrol report says the deck gun alone sank a 3,000 ton ship, the chances are it was somewhat smaller. __________________ "Pitt was the greatest fool who ever lived to encourage a mode of war which they who commanded the seas did not want, and which, if successful, would deprive them of it." Earl St.Vincent (allegedly)