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msieving1 -> RE: The ZPK blimp (5/28/2014 12:25:32 AM)
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For what it's worth, here's an extract from United States Fleet Anti-Submarine Instructions, FTP 223A.
quote:
2600 AIRSHIPS
2610. The necessary deviations from standard instructions for aircraft and special instructions applicable only to airships are contained in this section.
2620. Attacks against submarines shall be conducted in accordance with the following instructions:
2621. The possibility that an airship can deliver a successful daylight bombing attack on a surfaced submarine that fights back is low. Under these conditions the airship shall summon support and maintain contact with the submarine. The airship should approach to just outside the effective gun range of the submarine and by feints attempt to keep the submarine's attention engaged and the submarine surfaced. The submarine shall be closely observed and on first indications of submergence the attack shall be launched. [emphasis added]
2622. Due to present lack of suitable illumination equipment for a night attack the airship must usually approach within a few hundred yards to identify the surface object. Normally the airship will be in such a position that it is better to attack than to attempt to withdraw if the craft proves to be an enemy. The airship, therefore, must make every approach on an unidentified surface craft with the intention to attack.
2623. After the submarine has been submerged for 30 seconds or more the attack shall be withheld and M.A.D. tracking procedure instituted, and contact maintained until support arrives or until a well developed M.A.D. attack is possible. Airships shall not normally attempt gambit tactics.
2624. In delivering an M.A.D. attack the airship should proceed along the estimated track of the submarine and when signature is received, release a marker. Course should be continued and six seconds later another marker released followed by a tight turn to the right of 330°. Head for the last marker dropped and release stick of bombs, straddling the last marker.
2625. If the initial contact is made with the submarine submerged, hydrostatically fuzed bombs shall be withheld in expectation that the submarine may show its periscope or surface, when a more profitable attack can be made.
The job of an airship in daytime was not to attack a surfaced sub, but to keep the sub under observation until other forces arrive. Only if the sub submerges would an attack be made.
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