Don't Waste That Second Torpedo

[Brag]

You shoot a torpedo and your target keeps sailing merilly along. Blam, you let it have another one and feel a warm glow as the target sinks. But, was that second torp really needed?

(See also I Resign, Thread)
When I set off on my last patrol on 27 Feb 1941, it was with the objective of perfecting one torpedo technique per GWX ship ( Ihad it down pat on stock SH3). Though the seas were mostly rough through most of the patrol, visibility was good.

I fired 18 torpedoes, sunk 15 ships (2 with deck gun). Used 2 torpedoes to sink the first target (large freighter) because I thought one torp didn't do the job. That was an error, the ship would have sank with one. A couple of torpedoes missed during 2 convoy attacks. With exception of that first ship ALL ships hit went down with ONE torpedo.

I aimed at only one point in all shots--under the forwardmost mast of all ships. Small freighters, medium and large. Did not hit any pyro of whale factory ships.

In all cases the ships sank within half an hour, most between 8 - 15 minutes.

None of the ships appeared to have received catastrophic damage at first--thus tempting to send another fish to make sure.

The first indication that the hit is lethal is a small reduction in speed by the stricken vessel. After 3-4 minutes, you will notice a slight lowering of the bow.

I don't know how far away from you the ship must sink for you to lose credit for the kill. With the exception of convoy attacks , I followed the target until they sank. They sink faster in rough weather.

I think that if you try this method, your kill ratio per torpedo will increase. Good hunting.