grrrrr duds

[bigboywooly]

April 1940

U 48 reported 2 triple spreads in the evening on a large cruiser, no hits scored, 4 self detonators. THis report of failure, together with those of U 51 and U 25 give rise to extreme doubts as to the effectiveness of magnetic fuse in Zone O. The question of torpedo failure appears to threaten the success of the entire operation. The following reflections are given and relevant measures taken

On 11 April and during the night of 11/12 the following W/T messages were received:

11.4 T.O.R. 1350:
W/T message T.O.O. 1246........2 destroyers torpedoed on the evening of April 10th. Effect of explosion not observed. U 25.

11.4 T.O.R. 2340:
W/T message 2115. Triple spread miss on Cumberland, one detonation at end of run. Triple spread on York cruiser in grid 5617 at 2115. Spread fused prematurely. Depth 7 meters, zone - 4. Position grid 5672. U 48.

12.4 T.O.R. 0305:
W/T message 2250. 2 failures, one detonated at safety distance, one after 30 seconds, 100 meters off large destroyer. U 51.

http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDUKTB30262.htm