WWI forum
World War One discussions.
Re: sunken tonnage claims
Posted by:
Brian
()
Date: March 14, 2003 12:40AM
<HTML>Though prematures are certainly a possibility, I would discount them as a regular feature of one specific sub. If they were reported consistently by several u-boote then it will certainly warrant look into it, but if only happens to one sub, and then only towards the end of the patrols, it arouses my suspicions.
Most of ther WWII prematures seem to have been caused by the faulty magnetic exploders, the numbers fell dramatically once it was removed from circulation by Germas, Americans and, in some cases, even the British
Also, when dealing with prematures, the target remains afloat and can be seen/heard to be getting away, which does not happen when a ship sinks - most of the crew is able to hear distinctive breaking-up noises even without the need for listening apparatuses. The firing distances in WWI were much much closer than those obtained in WWII with the assistance of fire-control analog computers. Many COs in WWI reverted to the use of the gun just because firing torpedoes was a very inexact science, and an expensive one at that, just think of the cost of torpedoes, IIRC the US Mk 11 ran 8,000 dollars at 1920 exchange.
Regards, Brian</HTML>
Most of ther WWII prematures seem to have been caused by the faulty magnetic exploders, the numbers fell dramatically once it was removed from circulation by Germas, Americans and, in some cases, even the British
Also, when dealing with prematures, the target remains afloat and can be seen/heard to be getting away, which does not happen when a ship sinks - most of the crew is able to hear distinctive breaking-up noises even without the need for listening apparatuses. The firing distances in WWI were much much closer than those obtained in WWII with the assistance of fire-control analog computers. Many COs in WWI reverted to the use of the gun just because firing torpedoes was a very inexact science, and an expensive one at that, just think of the cost of torpedoes, IIRC the US Mk 11 ran 8,000 dollars at 1920 exchange.
Regards, Brian</HTML>
Subject | Written By | Posted |
---|---|---|
sunken tonnage claims | Phil Cullen | 03/13/2003 08:34AM |
Re: sunken tonnage claims | Brian | 03/13/2003 03:56PM |
Re: sunken tonnage claims | David H | 03/13/2003 06:17PM |
Re: sunken tonnage claims | Brian | 03/14/2003 12:40AM |