German U-boats and the "High Scope" Technique

Subnuts · 08-11-09, 04:53 PM

I was browsing through Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's U-Boat War today, and a few of the photos caught my attention. In many of the shots of U-96 in the storm, or in rough weather, one of the periscopes is raised about a third of the way up. In most of the shots of the boat in calm weather, both are lowered. I also noticed this in many of the photographs in U-boat War Patrol, though the weather was calmer in most of the shots.

Now, the use of the "high scope" was sometimes used by Fleet boats in the Pacific, although the pros and cons of the technique were hotly debated. But this is the first time I've ever noticed it being used by the Germans. It seems that at least two of the "Aces" used this technique (Willenbrock and Suhren), but damned if I can find any references to it in literature. Anybody have any good leads?

Thanks!

Chad · 08-12-09, 01:45 AM

What are the pro's and cons of using "High Scope" when used by the Americans in the Pacific?

I've never heard of this type of thing before

Melonfish · 08-12-09, 04:20 AM

pro's being that because your higher you can see farther over the horizon then you could at conning tower level.
cons? you're effectively sticking a silhouette on the horizon for other ships to see, if your using magnification and looking one way you could get jumped by a destroyer from behind.

tbh i've actually been doing this in game already, it does help a little to have a bit of hight to see those really far off smoke stacks

"Commanders riding his carousell again" - Das Boot.

rs77 · 08-12-09, 04:39 AM

this 'high scope' technique is so obvious that it's actually hard to believe that they didn't use it

in bad weather there's one more benefit from it

well the sea does not look like in the SH3 in bad weather, I think that water splashes would make it hardly impossible to see anything from the conning tower and 'high scope' brings some solution to this also

Sailor Steve · 08-12-09, 01:08 PM

On the other hand in rough seas the motion of the boat is exaggerated when looking through a raised periscope. The very small field of view would be in constant motion.

Hanomag · 08-12-09, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

On the other hand in rough seas the motion of the boat is exaggerated when looking through a raised periscope. The very small field of view would be in constant motion.

<HURL>

Jimbuna · 08-12-09, 02:10 PM

One should also bear in mind the darker weather conditions (usually) in the Atlantic.

nikbear · 08-12-09, 02:15 PM

Just the thought makes me

Jimbuna · 08-12-09, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikbear

Just the thought makes me

What's that?

This is puking

08-11-09, 04:53 PM	#1
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	German U-boats and the "High Scope" Technique I was browsing through Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's U-Boat War today, and a few of the photos caught my attention. In many of the shots of U-96 in the storm, or in rough weather, one of the periscopes is raised about a third of the way up. In most of the shots of the boat in calm weather, both are lowered. I also noticed this in many of the photographs in U-boat War Patrol, though the weather was calmer in most of the shots. Now, the use of the "high scope" was sometimes used by Fleet boats in the Pacific, although the pros and cons of the technique were hotly debated. But this is the first time I've ever noticed it being used by the Germans. It seems that at least two of the "Aces" used this technique (Willenbrock and Suhren), but damned if I can find any references to it in literature. Anybody have any good leads? Thanks! __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

08-12-09, 01:45 AM	#2
Chad ACE Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,274 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	What are the pro's and cons of using "High Scope" when used by the Americans in the Pacific? I've never heard of this type of thing before __________________

08-12-09, 04:39 AM	#4
rs77 Helmsman Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 103 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	this 'high scope' technique is so obvious that it's actually hard to believe that they didn't use it in bad weather there's one more benefit from it well the sea does not look like in the SH3 in bad weather, I think that water splashes would make it hardly impossible to see anything from the conning tower and 'high scope' brings some solution to this also __________________ GWX 3.0, OLCG2, Waterstream+Exhaust Combi v2.3, Lifeboats&Debris v4, Torpedo damage v2, TMT and a nice skin SH3 forever keep modding

08-12-09, 01:08 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	On the other hand in rough seas the motion of the boat is exaggerated when looking through a raised periscope. The very small field of view would be in constant motion. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-12-09, 02:10 PM	#7
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,474 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	One should also bear in mind the darker weather conditions (usually) in the Atlantic. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-12-09, 04:20 AM	#3
Melonfish XO Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Warrington, UK Posts: 417 Downloads: 106 Uploads: 0	pro's being that because your higher you can see farther over the horizon then you could at conning tower level. cons? you're effectively sticking a silhouette on the horizon for other ships to see, if your using magnification and looking one way you could get jumped by a destroyer from behind. tbh i've actually been doing this in game already, it does help a little to have a bit of hight to see those really far off smoke stacks "Commanders riding his carousell again" - Das Boot.

08-12-09, 02:15 PM	#8
nikbear Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northampton,UK Posts: 1,859 Downloads: 86 Uploads: 0	Just the thought makes me __________________ 'It is not surely known when the grey wolf shall come upon the seat of the gods' Ericksmal.