Torpedo effectiveness

divingbluefrog · 08-14-10, 02:24 AM

Radio messages are eye candy but historically correct, at least the ones I use (RadioLog_Expanded Updated V2 by Danurve) and I've stuck this one on the notepad in the scope view :
Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine|Deutsche Seeverbände||05 June 40||Discontinue all use of magnetic detonation. Impact only setting is to be used for all attacks.||OKM
This order remained active until Dec 42.
At this time, if I've survived the war from 39 (I start all my carriers that year), well, I don't feel the need to test a new and hazardous way of sinking ships...

K-61 · 08-14-10, 08:38 AM

Just before I shut down last night I made one last attack on a lone freighter on a dark and stormy night. Due to the poor visibility I was travelling submerged at 25 metres and using hydrophones. My hydrophone operator picked up a contact which I tracked for several hours game time. She was moving faster than I could submerged, so I made a number of higher speed surface runs and dives for updated sound bearings. Eventually we spotted her, making 10 knots. The high waves kept drowning out my diesels so I had to spend quite some time catching up to her. I also ordered the engineer to stop charging batteries as I needed to squeeze out every possible knot [I'm in a VIIB.] Rather than risk trying to pull alongside her, have her start turning and make my shot even more difficult, or call in help from the numerous patrol craft that sail in the Hebrides area, I decided to risk a magnetic pistol from dead astern from about 500 metres. We crossed our fingers, set the depth for one metre under the keel and hoped she didn't hop up as it sailed under her. We lucked out and were satisfied to see the detonation. She went under in about ten minutes and we hauled it out of there before diving again to resume our patrol.

If I have to risk a magnetic pistol in rough seas, I try to fire it from as close as possible in order to minimize the chances of a premature detonation. Sometimes a "Hail Mary" is your best option.

BulSoldier · 08-14-10, 09:29 AM

Good shot ! I believe magnetic pistol problems tend to be very rare after may '40

08-14-10, 08:38 AM	#2
K-61 Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 795 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Just before I shut down last night I made one last attack on a lone freighter on a dark and stormy night. Due to the poor visibility I was travelling submerged at 25 metres and using hydrophones. My hydrophone operator picked up a contact which I tracked for several hours game time. She was moving faster than I could submerged, so I made a number of higher speed surface runs and dives for updated sound bearings. Eventually we spotted her, making 10 knots. The high waves kept drowning out my diesels so I had to spend quite some time catching up to her. I also ordered the engineer to stop charging batteries as I needed to squeeze out every possible knot [I'm in a VIIB.] Rather than risk trying to pull alongside her, have her start turning and make my shot even more difficult, or call in help from the numerous patrol craft that sail in the Hebrides area, I decided to risk a magnetic pistol from dead astern from about 500 metres. We crossed our fingers, set the depth for one metre under the keel and hoped she didn't hop up as it sailed under her. We lucked out and were satisfied to see the detonation. She went under in about ten minutes and we hauled it out of there before diving again to resume our patrol. If I have to risk a magnetic pistol in rough seas, I try to fire it from as close as possible in order to minimize the chances of a premature detonation. Sometimes a "Hail Mary" is your best option. __________________

08-14-10, 09:29 AM	#3
BulSoldier Samurai Navy Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Burgas/Bulgaria Posts: 550 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Good shot ! I believe magnetic pistol problems tend to be very rare after may '40 __________________ By the hour !

08-14-10, 02:24 AM	#1
divingbluefrog Medic Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 164 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 1	Radio messages are eye candy but historically correct, at least the ones I use (RadioLog_Expanded Updated V2 by Danurve) and I've stuck this one on the notepad in the scope view : Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine\|Deutsche Seeverbände\|\|05 June 40\|\|Discontinue all use of magnetic detonation. Impact only setting is to be used for all attacks.\|\|OKM This order remained active until Dec 42. At this time, if I've survived the war from 39 (I start all my carriers that year), well, I don't feel the need to test a new and hazardous way of sinking ships...