In the case of submarines, the main constraints were a low submerged speed and limited range underwater which made the lengthy pursuit of a target impossible. This caused some tactical constraints which were partly removed after the introduction of torpedoes equipped with gyro-angling gear which allowed changing the course of the torpedo after it left the tube. In the case of fixed tubes, it was necessary to aim by changing the course of own ship. Torpedoes launched from trainable torpedo tubes could be fired independently of own ship’s course. ![]() Trainable torpedo tubes were installed on the decks of destroyers, cruisers and battleships. ![]() Fixed torpedo tubes were installed on the decks of torpedo boats and in submarines. The procedure employed for aiming and launching straight-running torpedoes depends on whether the torpedo tubes are fixed or trainable. In such conditions, attacks performed by single submarines launching a small number of torpedoes were effective. Generally, the attacking submarine was not spotted so there were no evading maneuvers. The submarines performed torpedo attacks when submerged or – in poor visibility conditions – on the surface. In such cases, enemy evading action was compensated for by a large number of torpedoes launched by many vessels. ![]() Joint attacks of surface vessels could be easily spotted and proper countermeasures could be taken – i.e. Surface vessels – torpedo boats, destroyers, cruisers – usually attacked jointly while the submarines attacked individually – even when operating in groups, attacks of individual submarines were not coordinated. The way torpedo attacks were performed depended on whether the attacking vessel was a submarine or a surface vessel.
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