General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: Small Calibre guns penetrating pressure hull?
Posted by:
Ken Dunn
()
Date: April 27, 2011 04:14PM
Hi Guys,
The .303 was generally only dangerous to the U-boat crew.
Also note that a .50 cal or even a .20mm hole in the pressure hull would not necessarily stop a U-boat from diving as small holes could be plugged at least temporarily. Additionally U-boats had bilge pumps that could handle some leaks if the boat wasn't too deep. However they might well stop the U-boat from diving deep or staying down for an extended period of time. Of course returning to the surface when the enemy was still there could be fatal.
As Thomas points out the curved shape of the pressure hull would also tend to cause some of these rounds to glance off rather than penetrate. Additionally any round that hit below the waterline would be significantly slowed down by the water.
The bottom line is that the .50 cal should not be considered effective against a U-boat and the .20mm only marginally so. Holes in the conning tower weren't that destructive as there was a hatch between the conning tower and the control room that could be shut. There would of course be a balance problem with a conning tower full of water. Still enough small holes in the pressure hull or even 1 big one would be a serious problem for a U-boat and a big one could keep the U-boat from being able to dive at all. Just how big the hole would have to be I don't know.
Regards,
Ken Dunn
The .303 was generally only dangerous to the U-boat crew.
Also note that a .50 cal or even a .20mm hole in the pressure hull would not necessarily stop a U-boat from diving as small holes could be plugged at least temporarily. Additionally U-boats had bilge pumps that could handle some leaks if the boat wasn't too deep. However they might well stop the U-boat from diving deep or staying down for an extended period of time. Of course returning to the surface when the enemy was still there could be fatal.
As Thomas points out the curved shape of the pressure hull would also tend to cause some of these rounds to glance off rather than penetrate. Additionally any round that hit below the waterline would be significantly slowed down by the water.
The bottom line is that the .50 cal should not be considered effective against a U-boat and the .20mm only marginally so. Holes in the conning tower weren't that destructive as there was a hatch between the conning tower and the control room that could be shut. There would of course be a balance problem with a conning tower full of water. Still enough small holes in the pressure hull or even 1 big one would be a serious problem for a U-boat and a big one could keep the U-boat from being able to dive at all. Just how big the hole would have to be I don't know.
Regards,
Ken Dunn
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
Small Calibre guns penetrating pressure hull?
|
Simon D | 04/27/2011 10:56AM |
|
Re: Small Calibre guns penetrating pressure hull?
|
ThomasHorton | 04/27/2011 02:14PM |
|
Re: Small Calibre guns penetrating pressure hull?
|
Ken Dunn | 04/27/2011 04:14PM |
|
Re: Small Calibre guns penetrating pressure hull?
|
Simon D | 04/27/2011 10:49PM |