DMCH Wrote:
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> 2) What sort of damage was common from depth
> charge attacks? I'm curious what sort of damage
> might force a uboat to surface for repairs after
> it had evaded the enemy? Engine damage seems like
> a possibility, but I'm curious how exactly a depth
> charge would damage the submarines engine.

The uboat could be forced to surface due to:
- serious leaks and loss of neutral buoyancy
- batteries damage and chlorine gas exhalation
- exhaustion of oxygen and accumulation of carbon dioxide
due to fire on board
Diesel engines were relatively fragile to depth charges
explosions - they were picked from foundations, the exhaust
valves were leaking, the fuel feeding lines were damaged.
But Diesel engines damages rahter didn't cause the surfacing
the boat.
During submereged evasion maneuvers damage of electric motors were
often reason for surface. They could be short-circuit, flooded,
get on fire, the bearings could overheat, jam.
The shaft lines were also fragile - if bent from shock, could be
unusable. With shaft lines were related main thrust bearings -
if damaged, the boat could not be propelled.
In the end - the damages of diving planes and (less) main rudder
could led to loss of boat.

--
Regars
Maciek