The Royal Netherlands Navy built the K XI class for patrols in Dutch colonial waters and kept two boats in service through most of the Second World War. Their armament mixed 21-inch bow tubes with 17.7-inch bow and stern tubes, plus an 88 mm deck gun. The larger torpedo promised greater power and range, but carrying two incompatible sizes made racks, reloads, and shore supply less efficient. K XIII was eventually scuttled during repair to prevent Japanese capture, while K XI and K XII continued Allied service.
Notable Point · 58:21-1:00:26
K XI and the logistical penalty of mixed torpedo calibers
Dutch K XI-class boats paired long colonial patrols with two torpedo sizes, creating storage and supply complications.