Hi Snowman,
just a (probably redundant) question according to alberich boats with mounted „Balkon-Geraet“ (please read the text below). If the „Balkon-Geraet“ was installed, did the Alberich boats also had mounted the GHG (24 hydrophones) around the hydroplanes resp. on the side of the bow? IMO that would be done twice.
Thanks in advance and regards
Falo
Gruppenhorchgerat (GHG)
The standard U-boat hydrophone, the GHG (Group Listening Apparatus) was installed in U-boats from 1935 onwards. It consisted of two sets of hydrophones mounted on each side of the bows, covering two arcs of 140 degrees on the sides of the U-boat. Because the hydrophones could not be rotated, the triangulation was most effective with sound sources coming from the sides, with deteriorating accuracy as the source moved to the front or rear of the boat. Consisting of 24 hydrophones, the GHG could pick up lone vessels up to 20 kilometers and convoys up to 100 kilometers away.
Balkon Geraet
The Balkon Great (Balcony Apparatus) was an improved version of GHG. Where the previous had 24 hydrophones, the Balkon had 48 hydrophones and improved electronics, which enabled more accurate readings to be taken. The Balkon was standard on the Type XXI and was also fitted to several Type VIIs.