GWXOA: Attempting to put Deck Gun on Type XXI

[TheNolan]

Pretty sure the Germans missed out not loading up U-boats with guns. Could easily fit 2 on the front deck, another on the conning tower replacing the aa, and another on the rear deck. With this configuration and a low profile the allied destroyers would become the prey!

[FUBAR295]

Originally Posted by TheNolan

Pretty sure the Germans missed out not loading up U-boats with guns. Could easily fit 2 on the front deck, another on the conning tower replacing the aa, and another on the rear deck. With this configuration and a low profile the allied destroyers would become the prey!

From the Uboat Commanders Handbook :


Section V
The Submarine as a Gunnery Vessel.
271.) The submarine as a gunnery vessel is in itself properly a contradiction in terms. Being
incapable of offering powerful resistance, and because of its low and unstable gunnery and
controlling platforms, which are directly exposed to the action of the sea, it cannot be said to
be built for artillery combat. In the use of gunnery, the submarine proper is fundamentally
inferior to any surface vessel of war, because every gunnery duel means that for the
submarine, unlike its adversary on the surface, everything is at stake, since a hit on the body
of the submarine may render it incapable of diving, and thus lead to its total loss.
A gunnery duel between the submarine proper, i.e., the torpedo-carrying submarine as a
weapon of attack, and surface vessels of war, is therefore impracticable.


Given these facts, multiple guns on Uboats not really a practical.

[Shadowblade]

Originally Posted by FUBAR295

Given these facts, multiple guns on Uboats not really a practical.

U-196: "I dont think so."
(two 10.5 cm SK C/32 deck guns, 240 rounds)


Second 10.5 cm deck gun would be nice, they are great against unarmed merchant ships

[FUBAR295]

Originally Posted by Shadowblade

U-196: "I dont think so."
(two 10.5 cm SK C/32 deck guns, 240 rounds)


Second 10.5 cm deck gun would be nice, they are great against unarmed merchant ships

As I said, more than one gun is not practical, no impossible.

[Shadowblade]

Originally Posted by FUBAR295

As I said, more than one gun is not practical, no impossible.

well, sinking merchant faster with 2 deck guns sounds practical for me

[Tabris]

not sure how much this helps you, but I use Evan82's XXI mod which includes his type XXI flak mod. As designed, the XXI was to have 30mm MK 303 cannons firing a 30×210mm cartridge, but the guns weren't ready in time so 20mm guns were used instead. The mod makes the guns a good deal more powerful. I've found they still don't effortlessly destroy patrol bombers, but they make short work of Avengers and they're very effective (a little too effective) against small ships. I frequently use the guns to attack merchants of less than 3000 tons and it often takes less than one belt to do so, especially if you're putting most of the hits below the waterline.

It's definitely not the same as an actual deck gun. You have to fire it manually of course, and the effective range is a little shorter unless you're in very calm seas. But as a frequent Type XXI driver, I find the guns more than adequate against typical deck gun targets.

[Shadowblade]

Originally Posted by TheNolan

Pretty sure the Germans missed out not loading up U-boats with guns. Could easily fit 2 on the front deck, another on the conning tower replacing the aa, and another on the rear deck. With this configuration and a low profile the allied destroyers would become the prey!

- well, artillery duel with destroyers sounds more like suicide
- it is always good to have some AA defense