Quite a predicament!

[Schwuppes]

I say definately head home... don't risk it, you are crippled, and your crew is shaken up real bad. They are only human... and people under pressure can snap, make mistakes.... something you definately can't afford to have in a crippled boat.
And if a DD spots you you're screwed...considering you can't hold your depth at anything below 5 knots.

Better return to base, get repaired and live to fight another day!

I think thats what a real Kaleun would have done too.

I always check the skies before surfacing, I allow myself at least 2 or 3 minutes to check my surroundings with the observation scope.... sometimes even longer when I have one of my gut feelings. I believe that this was standard procedure in real life too.