Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:07:57-4:09:32

Choosing between British T-, U-, and V-class submarines

The T class's extraordinary torpedo salvo must be weighed against the danger of deploying a large ocean-going boat in confined waters.

Royal NavySubmarinesT Class SubmarinesU Class SubmarinesV Class SubmarinesWorld War II
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Question

Which British Second World War submarine class would the panel choose to serve in?

Short answer

The T class attracts interest for its large torpedo salvo, while U or V classes are another choice; the discussion stresses the danger of assigning a boat to the wrong theatre.

Notes

The choices include the T class for its striking power and the U or V classes for their perceived lethality. A T-class boat could launch ten torpedoes at a convoy in one salvo. Its intended operating environment is described as the South China Sea and war against Japan. Deploying such a boat into the Mediterranean or the confined North Sea could expose it to conditions for which it had not been designed.