Wasting Torpedoes

Hitman · 11-17-08, 03:02 PM

Back to the original topic

U-Boats in the Mediterranean did shoot at anything they found; targets were too scarce to save torpedoes, so they wasted them on fishing boats if necessary.

In turn, during the happy times torpedo saving was stringly favoured by aces like Otto Kretschmer, whose motto was "One torpedo, one ship"

Simply different reactions for very different situations, as was logic.

The official doctrine (U-Boat commanders Handbook) encouraged in 1943 to expend as many torpedos as necessary and "not hesitate in shooting salvoes as long as full target destruction was ensured. Better one sunk ship than two damaged ones!" Another paragraph also indicated that the commander must take whatever opportunity he has: "What you have, you have. Don't let torpedo saving considerations deter you from doing the most effective attack"

11-17-08, 03:02 PM	#13
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Back to the original topic U-Boats in the Mediterranean did shoot at anything they found; targets were too scarce to save torpedoes, so they wasted them on fishing boats if necessary. In turn, during the happy times torpedo saving was stringly favoured by aces like Otto Kretschmer, whose motto was "One torpedo, one ship" Simply different reactions for very different situations, as was logic. The official doctrine (U-Boat commanders Handbook) encouraged in 1943 to expend as many torpedos as necessary and "not hesitate in shooting salvoes as long as full target destruction was ensured. Better one sunk ship than two damaged ones!" Another paragraph also indicated that the commander must take whatever opportunity he has: "What you have, you have. Don't let torpedo saving considerations deter you from doing the most effective attack" __________________ One day I will return to sea ...