Why the submarines have anti-air ability although low

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    • Historically WW2 subs had more and more anti air capabities as the war progressed. Many German captains traded in their bow 88 deck guns for dual or even later on quad 20mm guns to protect themselves against the ever present allied aircraft that could cover larger and larger patrol zones.

      Not much choice in the matter as sooner or later they would have to run on the surface on diesel engines to recharge the electric batteries. Even when the snorkel was introduced in late '43 it wasnt much help. Sure the sub could recharge while submerged (assuming clement seas) and thus have a smaller chance of being picked up on radar but that did nothing for visual observation. The tell tail long wake could still be spotted long ways from the air, but the sub being submerged could not spot the aircraft until it was too late...
    • Many people (myself included) think of submarines of a more modern era, such as 1970 and newer, perhaps even from the movie The Hunt for Red October



      Where submarines run deep and silent, barely detected except by sound.







      The truth of a World War 2 era "submarine" (as mentioned by Kanaris) is that they could submerge for a time while running on battery power, but needed to surface to run their diesel engines to recharge the batteries. This makes them vulnerable to attack by naval bombers, and also prompted the addition of anti air guns and flak for self defense.

      War is a game that is played with a smile. If you can't smile, grin. If you can't grin keep out of the way til you can. - Winston Churchill



      VorlonFCW
      Retired from Bytro staff as of November 30, 2020.

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