The tactic turned an anti-submarine weapon into a barrier against surface attack craft. Radar helped the Fairmile arrange an interception ahead of a fast Schnellboot rather than trying to win a direct stern chase. The British boat could fire, drop depth charges across the opponent's path, and force the pursuing craft toward the explosions while it maneuvered under gunfire. Nearby underwater blasts could disorient the crew and destabilize the hull long enough for shells to finish the engagement. Coastal warfare rewarded timing and weapon improvisation as much as nominal speed.
Notable Point · 41:00-41:45
Using depth charges against a pursuing S-boat
Radar-assisted Fairmiles could maneuver ahead of a fast S-boat, lay depth charges across its path, and engage it while the explosions disrupted the crew.