Deckgun versus aircraft

ridgewayranger · 05-19-08, 07:21 AM

Hi Piersyf,
As a British submariner of the 50s, when we all had a deck gun, I am pretty sure we never had time fuzed ammo. We had H.E. only. Why would you want A.P. when the gun was only used against thin skinned targets. Even then, watch out for defensive armament. One hit on the Pressure hull and it was time to sing Abide with Me! Our only A.A. defence was a couple of Lewis guns, but since the best defence against aircraft is to get the hell out of it, why bother? The A.A.defence mounted by American boats gave them a better chance, because of the huge distances involved they had to stay surfaced as much as possible in transit, whereas we would dive all day and surface only at night.
R.R.

05-19-08, 07:21 AM	#3
ridgewayranger Frogman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ipswich, England Posts: 302 Downloads: 281 Uploads: 0	Re Deck gun ammo Hi Piersyf, As a British submariner of the 50s, when we all had a deck gun, I am pretty sure we never had time fuzed ammo. We had H.E. only. Why would you want A.P. when the gun was only used against thin skinned targets. Even then, watch out for defensive armament. One hit on the Pressure hull and it was time to sing Abide with Me! Our only A.A. defence was a couple of Lewis guns, but since the best defence against aircraft is to get the hell out of it, why bother? The A.A.defence mounted by American boats gave them a better chance, because of the huge distances involved they had to stay surfaced as much as possible in transit, whereas we would dive all day and surface only at night. R.R.