Author Topic: FlaK U-Boat  (Read 1242 times)

Offline SMIDSY

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FlaK U-Boat
« on: December 18, 2005, 02:56:46 AM »
In my endless free time, I found this interesting goodie on a website about U-boats. It is a "Flak-Unterseeboot". it is armed with 2 quad 20mm mounts and a 37mm. it was designed to escort standard U-Boats and protect them from allied air cover. I havent found any information about their effectiveness against aircraft though.

Offline Lusche

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FlaK U-Boat
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2005, 06:36:54 AM »
While i have no exact numbers at hand right now, i can say that the overall effectiveness of this  measure was quite low. There were some spectacular successes, especially when such boats first showed up in 1943. But a small submarine makes a bad and unstable firing platform, constantly rolling and stompin in any but the calmes sea states. To fight it out with one ore more bombers was in fact a desperate measure by by the german navy, as the uboats were more frequently caught on the surface by radar equipped planes with no time to crashdive to a safe depth. In absence of any "true" submarines, there was the choice of a) fighting back or/and b) install a snorkel. In the long run, the snorkel was FAR better for survival than mounting additional flaks, even if it severly limited the tactical and operational capabilities of that boats.
Steam: DrKalv
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Offline Lusche

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FlaK U-Boat
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2005, 07:23:20 AM »
ahh, never fully trust your own memories ;)
According to this page , 125 aircraft were shot down by 91 uboats. On the other hand, 31 submarines were sunk during the attack or shortly after. Comparing the  cost and strategic value of a fully manned  uboat and a typical patrol bomber, it was a bargain for the allies...
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Offline Angus

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FlaK U-Boat
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2005, 07:34:20 AM »
Try this:
http://www.uboat.net


Nice site ;)
It was very interesting to carry out the flight trials at Rechlin with the Spitfire and the Hurricane. Both types are very simple to fly compared to our aircraft, and childishly easy to take-off and land. (Werner Mölders)

Offline SMIDSY

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FlaK U-Boat
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2005, 09:30:56 PM »
yah, thats where i got most of the info.