Mines

Old Dog · 05-09-07, 10:39 PM

Do we have anyone versed in Naval mines here-abouts ?
Setting mines at sub periscope depth in 1500 feet of water just doesn't make sense to me. Those mines were out in the middle of nowhere.

If I'm laying mines, they're going in the shallows that are also "choke points" i.e passages between islands or reefs, and they're going to be shallow enough to collect surface ships which are much more numerous than subs. Transiting subs would also be effected because of the shallow depth.

I recall running into a minefield in SH III in my old V-II as I tried to sneak up the Channel to get home to Kiel. The placement of the field was perfect...just off the French coast where the Channel narrowed. I hit the mine just as I surfaced, which was good news for the crew. They spent the rest of the war in Canada.

Old Dog

05-09-07, 10:39 PM	#12
Old Dog Torpedoman Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: MA. US Posts: 112 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 1	Do we have anyone versed in Naval mines here-abouts ? Setting mines at sub periscope depth in 1500 feet of water just doesn't make sense to me. Those mines were out in the middle of nowhere. If I'm laying mines, they're going in the shallows that are also "choke points" i.e passages between islands or reefs, and they're going to be shallow enough to collect surface ships which are much more numerous than subs. Transiting subs would also be effected because of the shallow depth. I recall running into a minefield in SH III in my old V-II as I tried to sneak up the Channel to get home to Kiel. The placement of the field was perfect...just off the French coast where the Channel narrowed. I hit the mine just as I surfaced, which was good news for the crew. They spent the rest of the war in Canada. Old Dog Last edited by Old Dog; 05-10-07 at 05:47 PM.