In WWII, we were unable to even get our early torpedoes to explode on contact. No shit. Our torpedoes had been given a new controller, ("fuse"), and it simply didn't work.
The Germans had seen the value of their subs in WW I and had continued their development ever since. True for tanks, also.
We had not, and our subs and tanks (especially our Sherman Tanks), just weren't good, in comparison. Can you imagine a gasoline engine driving a tiny tank with a tiny gun, and almost useless armor?
Torpedoes in WWII were "aim and fire", and unable to "acquire" a target and follow it. There was no facility to fire a torpedo, upward. They're longer than you think, so the tubes are only horizontal (bow and stern).
We did develop a proximity fuse which was great, but that came about later in WWII.
It's interesting that the Russians have a vectored thrust new fighter plane, the Brits have had one for a decade or two, and just unveiled a brand new unmanned fighter concept plane. Canada is buying the new F-35 vectored thrust fighter. And we're still giving our Navy pilots F-18's that are 35 years old, to fly in war zones.
But YOU BET! we are "supporting the troops"!
