Simulated aggravation

[Reverie]

This may interest some of you.
Sept. 9. 1939 16:00hrs Using Event Camera.
British Tramp Steamer sunk by VIIB waiting at periscope depth, location approx. 93nm SW of Plymouth England bearing 203.5 degrees.
Attack initiated on target while at 1700yds. AOB 55 ° starboard.

Tube One set at fast magnetic pistol, running depth 6.9 ft. Event Camera showed torpedo practically stroked keel; no detonation.
Tube Four was preset for fast impact pistol, running depth 5 ft. Fired as snap shot after Tube One torpedo failure. Event Camera showed eel ran under ship approx. 9 ft.
Tubes Two and Three fired as close spread snap shot, set for fast impact pistols running at depth of 5 ft.
No. Two torpedo struck target squarely, bounced with no detonation.
Heard detonation of either One or Four in distance at this time.
No. Three struck below water line and detonated at third mast.

Radio reports and the associated Bdu directive regarding magnetic pistol zone setting were preamble to our torpedo malfunctions.
This aspect of the software is topnotch, simulating virtual frustration.
Reverie

[Schöneboom]

Guten Abend, Reverie,

You'll go far in the Kriegsmarine with this attention to detail! But I'm curious about one factor that is not in your Schussmeldung: the sea state. Since the Tube 4 shot ran much deeper than its setting (in meters, I assume, if your figures were straight from the TDC panel) -- this would indicate either a depth-keeping malfunction (which I have not seen before in GWX), or the influence of intense wave action on the torpedo &/or the target.

Re the Tube 2 shot, perhaps at the point of impact there was just enough curvature of the hull in the vertical axis to cause the "ricochet". The odd thing is, a depth setting of 5 m. would normally work on almost any merchant ship. So, again, the sea state could have been a major contributing factor to the misfire.

Danke for the Auskunft. Mach's gut!

[Reverie]

Noticed that. Agreed. In the torpedo situation it would definitely be pertinent information. Sea State Two. Partly cloudy. Winds ?

And for the curious and confused, on a scale of One to Five interpret
Sea State One - calm, glass.
Two - rolling, gentle.
Three - chop, when you can't mount your guns, rolling and rocking, decks awash.
Four - up one hill then down the valley (tall waves), decks awash.
Five - the boat is pooped.

Ever try to match the winds with a weather report ?
Reverie

[Jimbuna]

Tube One: I'd guess it hit on the curved underside of the hull, just above the keel :hmm:
Tube Four: I'd have put down to the sea state normally :hmm:

[ahaseurus2000]

magnetic detonation in storm seas is a donkey

would impacts have worked if you set depth to 0?

[Reverie]

Not if the merchants crew have good Damage Control.
Reverie