Possible to survive this?

Kapt Z · 10-12-09, 08:37 PM

0450hrs
11July41
Quad EK??(don't remember the exact square)
Calm seas, light fog

U-123 returning to Lorient from successful South Atlantic patrol, 8 ships, 34000t. Four torpedoes remaining-2 forward, 2 aft.

Diesel engines malfunctioning with top speed of only 10 knots possible. No other damage.

Sighted two large vessels heading S at 9kts. Identified as hostile C2 and C3 cargo ships. Closed on the surface to 1300 m and fired both forward torpedoes one at each vessel. Leading C2 hit and sinks rapidly. C3 avoids torpedo and turns toward us, range now 990 m. Ordered back 1/3 and deck gun manned. Intend to slow down vessel with gunfire and finish her off with stern torpedo.

At this point I notice there is a deck gun on the bow of the C3.

Decided to chance it and opened fire anyway. Got off several shots that miss deck gun and after several return volleys they find the range and send a shell crashing into our hull just forward of the gun. Heavy flooding, but no system damage or crew casaulties. Damage control halts flooding and we fire stern torpedo in anger at fleeing ship which evades it and continues south.

So that is my situation. Trying to be as realistic as possible we are limping home on the surface as it would be impossible to dive the boat. If we make it back I intend to transfer a large number of the crew who were in the forward comparment and at the gun at the time of the hit off the boat. I'll pretend they were killed or wounded.

Now the as to the title of my post-

Do you think it is possible that a submarine could survive, even if just on the surface, after having it's pressure hull penetrated by a 4" shell? Or is it automatically doomed at that point?

I was thinking that since the ballast tanks were intact that if the surivors retreated to the control room and sealed the hatch could they pump compressed air into the forward comparment to hold the water at bay while at the surface?

Thanks for your ideas!

10-12-09, 08:37 PM	#1
Kapt Z Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ...somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. Posts: 909 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	Possible to survive this? 0450hrs 11July41 Quad EK??(don't remember the exact square) Calm seas, light fog U-123 returning to Lorient from successful South Atlantic patrol, 8 ships, 34000t. Four torpedoes remaining-2 forward, 2 aft. Diesel engines malfunctioning with top speed of only 10 knots possible. No other damage. Sighted two large vessels heading S at 9kts. Identified as hostile C2 and C3 cargo ships. Closed on the surface to 1300 m and fired both forward torpedoes one at each vessel. Leading C2 hit and sinks rapidly. C3 avoids torpedo and turns toward us, range now 990 m. Ordered back 1/3 and deck gun manned. Intend to slow down vessel with gunfire and finish her off with stern torpedo. At this point I notice there is a deck gun on the bow of the C3. Decided to chance it and opened fire anyway. Got off several shots that miss deck gun and after several return volleys they find the range and send a shell crashing into our hull just forward of the gun. Heavy flooding, but no system damage or crew casaulties. Damage control halts flooding and we fire stern torpedo in anger at fleeing ship which evades it and continues south. So that is my situation. Trying to be as realistic as possible we are limping home on the surface as it would be impossible to dive the boat. If we make it back I intend to transfer a large number of the crew who were in the forward comparment and at the gun at the time of the hit off the boat. I'll pretend they were killed or wounded. Now the as to the title of my post- Do you think it is possible that a submarine could survive, even if just on the surface, after having it's pressure hull penetrated by a 4" shell? Or is it automatically doomed at that point? I was thinking that since the ballast tanks were intact that if the surivors retreated to the control room and sealed the hatch could they pump compressed air into the forward comparment to hold the water at bay while at the surface? Thanks for your ideas!