loading external torps during foul weather & night

[Heibges]

Originally Posted by ddiplock

I lost an officer because he was "killed in a barfight" just before my 4th patrol!!!!

Really, what's the state of the uboat force coming to when men die in such stupid instances!!! Fighting over who gets the whore is just downright petty!!! lol

An Officer killed in a bar fight?

Jeez Louise

From what I've read, loading of external torpedos required daylight and calm weather.

An intersting side note: late in the war (1943 - 44), most Type VII and Type IX boats did NOT carry externals due to the threat of airplanes. The exception to this was the boats that traveled to the South Atlantic and Indian ocean.

[dcb]

I am sticking to a self-made rule: no external reloads when wind force is over 10. However, I do night time external reloads, because I think a trained crew should know how to handle things even in low light conditions.

[kaptain klank]

i don't load torps unless i'm allowed to use my deck gun & a.a. or during daylight.

btw, how much did a torpedo weigh? 1200 lbs maybe?

i'm guessing it would be impossible to load a 1200 lb. torpedo at night or during rough weather.

people would be getting crushed.

[joea]

I follow the same rules as you do Klank.

[Heibges]

Originally Posted by kaptain klank

i don't load torps unless i'm allowed to use my deck gun & a.a. or during daylight.

btw, how much did a torpedo weigh? 1200 lbs maybe?

i'm guessing it would be impossible to load a 1200 lb. torpedo at night or during rough weather.

people would be getting crushed.

Plus, I think they cost 20,000 RM, so I would imagine the Captain would be in big trouble if he lost one overboard, due to not following procedure.

There must have been a KM Manual regarding this, but there is no mention of it in the Uboat Commanders Handbook. There is mention of maximum seastate for launching surface and submerged torpedo attacks.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by kaptain klank

i don't load torps unless i'm allowed to use my deck gun & a.a. or during daylight.

btw, how much did a torpedo weigh? 1200 lbs maybe?

i'm guessing it would be impossible to load a 1200 lb. torpedo at night or during rough weather.

people would be getting crushed.

Actually around three times that:
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WTGER_WWII.htm

Originally Posted by Heibges

There is mention of maximum seastate for launching surface and submerged torpedo attacks.

Well? Don't keep me in suspense! What are they! Please, I must know!

[Heibges]

78) A rough sea state restricts the use of the submarine as a weapon of war:

a) as regards the underwater use of torpedoes: as soon as the underwater steering gear can no longer be controlled at periscope depth. In the case of small submarines the dividing line will be between sea No. 5 or 6, for medium and large boats, sea No. 6 or 7, approximately.

b) as regards the surface use of torpedoes: the dividing line in this case is reached in somewhat less rough conditions than apply to the underwater use of torpedoes, on account of the unfavorable influence of the rough sea on the maneuverability of the vessel on the surface.

100) Favorable Conditions for attack.

c) wind 3 to 4 and sea 2 to 3 are most favorable for making the attack because the sea then washes over the low-lying periscope, without interfering with the view of the target, while the action of the underwater steering gear is not adversely affected.