Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military
From: r_anderson@flyppr.enet.dec.com
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: WWII Submarine Navigation and Attack Terminology
Message-ID: <1990Sep24.002015.24721@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 24 Sep 90 00:20:15 GMT
Sender: military-request@att.att.com
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp.
Lines: 40
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: r_anderson@flyppr.enet.dec.com

I have started reading some books concerning WWII submarine
operations and tactics.  These books were written by submarine
Commanders and Execs, so they are fairly detailed and extremely
technical.  Unfortunately, they are written for people versed
in navigation technics and terminology.

Never having been in the Navy (or a ship for that matter), I
have some basic terminology questions that would help clarify
the tactics being described (why don't these books come with
manuals? :-)).

1.  When a target's bearing is "marked" through the periscope,
is the angle relative to submarine (0 degrees being the bow, 180
degrees being the stern), or relative to the "true" geographic
course?

2.  Can someone clearly explain the term "angle on the bow" and
how this information is useful in determining a torpedo attack?

3.  Can someone clearly explain what an "Is-Was" is and how it
works?

4.  Can someone clearly explain what a "TDC" is and how it works?

Thanks in advance!
Rick

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