GERMAN SUBMARINES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25142, 5 February 1943, Page 5

GERMAN SUBMARINES

“A TOUGH PROPOSITION”

(Rec. 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 3. The New York Sun in a survey of submarines says: “Modern submarines are speedier and much stronger structurally than those used in the last war. They can operate at a greater depth and take far more punishment. The most effective U-boats, which are about 150 feet long and of 700 tons displacement, are only half the size of the American types. They have a speed of 18 knots on the surface and 10 knots submerged. Their skins are thicker, and they can crash-dive 200 feet in 20 seconds. They are equipped with listening devices of such accuracy that they can fire torpedoes without putting their periscopes above water, though this is not comparable with visual aiming. “The German submarine is a tough proposition, as it escapes damage or crippling unless a depth charge explodes within 15 feet of the hull. The present-day submarines are simpler to operate than the 1917 model, for which reason the training of crews is less difficult. There is no evidence that the morale of the crews of U-boats is cracking. On the contrary, the average crew is confident and competent.”