A good understanding of manual targeting comes in handy when your target is zig-zaging. For example, you've hit your target with a torpedo or two but it does not sink, thus it begins to zig-zag as its speed begins to reduce.
Auto mode may give you a target speed but it will be incorrect. What you really need is its relative speed from point A to point B which will be less than its actual speed due to the zig-zags. Plus, the target speed will slowly reduce due to the slow rate of sinking that is going on.
Also, the auto mode will not give you the correct AOB due to the zig-zags. You need to use the tagret's original base course to calculate the AOB.
Distance to target (distance of torpedo run) is not critical as long as the torpedo offset angle is less than 15-degrees (you're shooting straight ahead). The greater the torpedo has to turn, the more significant the target distance will be.
Hope this is helpful.
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