Yeah I was thinking maybe something along the lines of AC cover myself, but seeing as aircover over the Eastern seaboard was an unknown, it would be prudent to bring externals along in case (as it turned out) AC cover was insignificant.
As for the lighter load, 10 externals couldn't have weighed more than 5-10 tons at the most I'd guess - but maybe it would have been to much of an extra load in terms of fuel efficency.
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"Sieben Tankern schlug die letze Stund,
die U-Falle sank träger.
Zwei Frachter liegen mit auf Grund,
Versenkt vom Paukenschläger."
- Reinhard Hardegen, U-123 |