Quote:
Originally Posted by Storm501
Perhaps I didn't write my question specific enough 
Why didn't Kriegsmarine U-boats submerge at night for the purpose of listening for merchant shiping on the hydrophone. Surely you can hydro-hear a darkened ship/convoy further at night than you can see it?
Yes, once a hydro contact is made and perhaps rough position/course established, U-boat would surface and race at full speed intercept course for the hydro contact, and perhaps to listen again a bit closer to check that the intercept course is correct. |
Probably for the same reason they didn't do it during the day; doing so is looking for a needle in a haystack, i.e.
That's what rdf, other boats sightings/beacons, BdU info. etc. was for.