Pre-war T-class boats used fixed, non-reloadable tubes to increase immediate salvo weight, while their reloadable tubes supported later attacks. The 1943 boats shifted more fixed tubes aft, giving a withdrawing submarine extra ways to fire while escaping. HMS Trident's Mediterranean record raises the practical problem of spending scarce torpedoes against small merchant and sailing targets. An arrangement optimized for a mass attack on a carrier or battleship was less economical when patrols offered smaller ships one at a time.
Notable Point · 36:03-40:45
T-class torpedo layouts and salvo tactics
T-class arrangements favored a large opening attack, then gave later wartime boats rearward tubes for breaking contact.