How effective were depth charges in WWII?

In the Pacific Theater of World War II, Japanese depth charge attacks initially proved fairly unsuccessful against U.S. and British submarines. Unless caught in shallow water, a submarine would just dive below the Japanese depth charge attack. The Japanese were unaware that the submarines could dive so deep.

What is the effective range of a depth charge?

Modern depth-charge launchers are computer-controlled mortars that can fire 400-pound (180-kg) depth charges in patterns 2,000 yards (1,800 metres) away from a ship. Atomic depth charges are fitted with a nuclear warhead and have a vastly increased killing radius because of their great explosive power.

How many depth charges would it take to sink a submarine?

To actually sink a submarine with a depth charge you need to get within 10 to 20 feet. So, unless a ship got very lucky and caused major damage the sub could wait out the attack. Some subs reported surviving more than 300 depth charges in extended attacks. U-427 survived an attack of 678 depth charges. There were a few notable exceptions.

How many depth charges were used in WW2?

In WW II the Royal Navy recorded 5,175 depth charge attacks with 85 kills, a ratio of about 65:1. In terms of depth-charges, what was far more effective was the invention of the “Hedgehog” by the Royal Navy.

How many depth charges does it take to destroy a U-boat?

Most U-boats sunk by depth charges were destroyed by damage accumulated from a long barrage rather than by a single charge. Many survived hundreds of depth charges over a period of many hours; U-427 survived 678 depth charges fired against it in April 1945.

When was the first depth charge used?

First Depth Charges. The first depth charges were developed by the British in World War I for use against German submarines or U-boats, beginning in late 1915.