Extended use of full engine power

[Leandros]

Originally Posted by GJO

Thank you Fred - you have provided an answer to a real life situation that we have had for some time. The old Kelvin diesel on our boat does just that after extended inland waterway runs at >250 rpm (I often get covered in small droplets of black oil from the diesel exhaust!) and it needs a real blast at 500+ rpm every now and then to clear it.
I believe that similar orders about the management of diesel engines were issued to German tank crews.

Another issue in this context might be the visibility at sea of the exhaust fumes.

Fred

[GJO]

Originally Posted by Leandros

Another issue in this context might be the visibility of the exhaust fumes.

Fred

Indeed, according to my father (who was in the Royal Artillery HQ section during the Normandy landings) that was how they spotted the German tanks - it soon became known that (in his words) "The 'Jerry' would punctually start all their tank engines at the same time every morning and run them fast initially sending up clouds of dirty smoke and this gave the gunners the range and target" - the range was calculated with a stopwatch by comparing the time elapsed between sighting the initial exhaust smoke and then hearing the noise. Possibly a case where the renowned German punctuality was not such a positive asset . . .