Will we face enemy torpedoes?

Incubus · 12-04-06, 04:08 PM

The IJN had a substantial fleet of DDs equipped with type 93 Long Lances. While these were generally used against surfaced ships I can't see why they wouldn't try to use them against subs at periscope depth. Similarly, Japan also had excellent torpedo bombers as well. I would definitely like to see torpedoes used as a weapon.

PARTICULARLY with realistic damage. I had heard that in SHIII torpedo hits against your own sub are bad, but not insta-kills. What gives? A torpedo, even a light, aircraft-dropped one, would turn a submarine inside out!

MobyGrape · 12-04-06, 04:38 PM

That would be nice..Destroyer commander had active torpedos..The dd used them against subs at peri debth with good results..

having read UnderSea Victory, subs would shoot at each other and many Japanese subs were lost in this way..to even odds..it would be nice if AI could fire torps also..

Incubus · 12-04-06, 04:42 PM

The thing I'm thinking is that while in theory it would be kind of tricky to hit a sub with a torpedo, these DDs are firing SPREADS of 5 per launcher

not only that but you have to deal with crash dives. Imagine trying to set up a shot on a convoy only to hear your sonarman say,

"Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!"
"Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!"
"Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!"
"Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!"

Torplexed · 12-04-06, 11:16 PM

I know of no instance where a Japanese escort ever tried to use a torpedo on a submarine. If he did he probably would have been chastised for wasting such a powerful asset on such a small target with a relatively shallow draft. Torpedoes were mainly used by the surface Japanese fleet in salvoes as the ultimate first strike weapon in night surface battles. They weren't cheap weapons like shells. Besides, with torpedoes being mounted in multiple tubes on the beams they would have taken quite a bit of manuvering to bring to bear which means more time for an radar equipped US sub to get wise and get away. The standard procedure upon surprising a surfaced submarine would have been to open up with the quick firing surface guns by which time any US submarine skipper worth his salt would have pulled the plug and gone under.

_Seth_ · 12-05-06, 05:47 AM

But if the DD's firing torps at battleships etc, and you get in the way with your sub, it would be possible that this could cause a bad day... I hope i see torpedo wakes in SHIV, that isnt caused by me...

stabiz · 12-05-06, 07:12 AM

Gotta love torpedo wakes. i get excited every time, thats why I still use steamers during the day.

ijozic · 03-08-07, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Torpedoes were mainly used by the surface Japanese fleet in salvoes as the ultimate first strike weapon in night surface battles.

Does anybody know of some website where some historical data is available on the use of the torpedoes by surface boats? Seeing the Japanese 61 cm torpedo referenced and it's maximum range of 40 kms, I fail to see how that range is useful in practise.

RaisinCain · 03-08-07, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ijozic

Does anybody know of some website where some historical data is available on the use of the torpedoes by surface boats? Seeing the Japanese 61 cm torpedo referenced and it's maximum range of 40 kms, I fail to see how that range is useful in practise.

Here ya go, assumed from the question you are looking at Japanese torpedoes:

http://www.combinedfleet.com/torps.htm

12-04-06, 04:08 PM	#1
Incubus Planesman Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 195 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Will we face enemy torpedoes? The IJN had a substantial fleet of DDs equipped with type 93 Long Lances. While these were generally used against surfaced ships I can't see why they wouldn't try to use them against subs at periscope depth. Similarly, Japan also had excellent torpedo bombers as well. I would definitely like to see torpedoes used as a weapon. PARTICULARLY with realistic damage. I had heard that in SHIII torpedo hits against your own sub are bad, but not insta-kills. What gives? A torpedo, even a light, aircraft-dropped one, would turn a submarine inside out!

12-04-06, 11:16 PM	#4
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I know of no instance where a Japanese escort ever tried to use a torpedo on a submarine. If he did he probably would have been chastised for wasting such a powerful asset on such a small target with a relatively shallow draft. Torpedoes were mainly used by the surface Japanese fleet in salvoes as the ultimate first strike weapon in night surface battles. They weren't cheap weapons like shells. Besides, with torpedoes being mounted in multiple tubes on the beams they would have taken quite a bit of manuvering to bring to bear which means more time for an radar equipped US sub to get wise and get away. The standard procedure upon surprising a surfaced submarine would have been to open up with the quick firing surface guns by which time any US submarine skipper worth his salt would have pulled the plug and gone under. __________________ --Mobilis in Mobili--

12-05-06, 05:47 AM	#5
_Seth_ Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In Tromsoe, @Tirpitz' final resting place.. Posts: 3,277 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	But if the DD's firing torps at battleships etc, and you get in the way with your sub, it would be possible that this could cause a bad day... I hope i see torpedo wakes in SHIV, that isnt caused by me... __________________

12-05-06, 07:12 AM	#6
stabiz Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 4,224 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Gotta love torpedo wakes. i get excited every time, thats why I still use steamers during the day. __________________

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12-04-06, 04:38 PM	#2
MobyGrape Frogman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mid Pacific Posts: 292 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That would be nice..Destroyer commander had active torpedos..The dd used them against subs at peri debth with good results.. having read UnderSea Victory, subs would shoot at each other and many Japanese subs were lost in this way..to even odds..it would be nice if AI could fire torps also..

12-04-06, 04:42 PM	#3
Incubus Planesman Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 195 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The thing I'm thinking is that while in theory it would be kind of tricky to hit a sub with a torpedo, these DDs are firing SPREADS of 5 per launcher not only that but you have to deal with crash dives. Imagine trying to set up a shot on a convoy only to hear your sonarman say, "Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!" "Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!" "Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!" "Torpedo in the water! Bearing XXX!"