[Paul Riley]

I suppose the only thing you can do against air attacks then is pray.Its also better to allow the incoming planes to have their bombing run and then shoot it out with them,then just as they pass over in front of the uboat THEN make the crash dive,because once or twice on my last patrol the crash dive was nowhere near fast enough and I caught a glancing blow on the stern.
Just before I close this post then,let me know what you think of this strategy I formulated,which could be used to defend oneself from an impending air attack:
Average combat range of bombers during 42 = about 1000 miles/1600 km.
I next draw a ring around UK and Gib.,giving me an approximate danger zone.
I worked out from the bomber speed figure in the museum section that they have a rough maximum 4hr flying time.
I then make my first daylight dive and stay submerged for about 4 hrs,after which I surface if all is clear.I used the 4hrs because that will give the bombers enough time to fly back to their base again after their radar goes silent,due to the dive.
I repeat this strategy while I am still in the expected air attack zone,and this strategy could prove very useful to me before any effective uboat radar becomes available.Its like having an early warning system.
Now some of you may not agree with this strategy,but at the very least it would allow a uboat to stay surfaced longer during daylight hours. :hmm: