Harbor raiding

[Renesisfury82]

Anyone ever peek in harbours if there is no other action? If so what are you tactics?

[Dogfish40]

The Skippers on this site call it "Harbor Raping". Yes, it's not only the way to go to fill out a lackluster patrol but it was a tactic used by many sub commanders for various reasons. As far as tactics go, it depends on the size of the port and how much protection is in there. Since most (or all) ports are very shallow, I like to go in at night, scope out the place then make my plan (and sink the gunboat or DD first). Harbor raping is fun because I usually get to surface attack, which means I've got all of the Subs speed on my side. I also don't hang around very long after attacking a port, I like to get out of there PDQ.
I'm sure you're going to get a lot of Skippers advice on this subject so you'll have a lot to chew on.
Good Hunting
D40:salute:

[Rockin Robbins]

That about covers it. There were a limited number of harbor raids during the war, as harbor raping was a bit more hazardous in real life than it is in the game. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...:arrgh!:

[General Tso]

That about covers it. There were a limited number of harbor raids during the war, as harbor raping was a bit more hazardous in real life than it is in the game. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...:arrgh!:

Yea I read his book to. :haha:

He was also the first to launch a rocket attack from a submarine.

I really liked his book - it was an excellent read. He definitely put a lot of time into research. I like how he explains what the Japanese convoys where doing in the days before and after his attack.

[Renesisfury82]

So just kill the escort and nothing else for tips?

[Rob1986]

It very much depends on the harbour.if it's lightly defended sink the defence if possible and pick off a juicy tanker,If it's full of destroyers on harbour raid defence training it may be best to use caution.watch the depth gauge and go in dark,and have an escape route!

[WernherVonTrapp]

I raid harbors quite a bit when the action gets a little stale. Even with the difficulty levels added by the mods, it still doesn't reflect the real life hazzards like RR says. In the stock version, harbors are a piece of cake. RFB and TMO add different types/levels of difficulty to make it more interesting. Last time I raided Rabaul, I had to take out two ships patrolling the harbor first, then I had to slither past the coastal guns that are manned (seemingly) by artillery snipers with mega-scopes. The docked vessels all have guns (including the merchies) and their crews are deadly accurate to ranges unthinkable in the stock version.
Still, it adds a level of adventure for me when days are long.

[Diopos]

Harbor raiding came into play later in the war when torpedoes were more steady in their depth keeping and the "oceanic" traffic of Jap merchies was reduced. Fleet boats resorted in ambushing in the "shallows" to impede coastal traffic. Harbor raiding occured (Fluckey) but it certainly was not the norm.


.

[commandosolo2009]

So just kill the escort and nothing else for tips?

Well, you have to be under cover of darkness, but the drawback is determining mast height. In darkness, move at decks awash, TC 32 max whether infested or apparently empty port. You never know when a gunboat, a chaser, or a destroyer might show up. In fact, he could be well inside the port, waiting for you. Dont let periscope up for too long. Stay away from lighthouses. Watch the port decks, as you may hit a reef if you're not closely monitoring your position and speed. Finally, Ship yards inside the port, are the worst if not the most tiring. You have to be Aob 0 on target (straight run) and have the crew ready at all times. Move submerged at 1 kt, unless the port is guarded by cannon units only, where you can do a stretch upto 38 km at flank before the battery dies. Always before heading to a port, have a full charged battery.

Thats about it. If I remember anything else I'll include here.

[commandosolo2009]

That about covers it. There were a limited number of harbor raids during the war, as harbor raping was a bit more hazardous in real life than it is in the game. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...:arrgh!:

Just read about it. This guy is balls deep :woot:

[Armistead]

and watch for those shore guns....they'll blast ya fast and accurate.

[Renesisfury82]

and watch for those shore guns....they'll blast ya fast and accurate.

Yeah, I have been dropped out of TC with everyone screaming before, so I know all about those stupid shore guns.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Yeah, I have been dropped out of TC with everyone screaming before, so I know all about those stupid shore guns.And, be very careful (TCing at all) near some ports which might contain mines or subnets.

[General Tso]

I've only had limited experience with harbor attacks but I'd say: Go in at night. Find the best group of targets that you can hit at one time. Fire away. Then head for deep water by the best route possible.

[Armistead]

And, be very careful (TCing at all) near some ports which might contain mines or subnets.

Playing RSRD, I've snuck in there more than once. I was shocked when I looked at the ME and saw all the minefields there at all openings. Don't know how I ain't hit one, course I go in on the surface at night. If Lurker would've put several shore guns at the entrances would really make for some fun.

[Renesisfury82]

And, be very careful (TCing at all) near some ports which might contain mines or subnets.

I can't recall seeing mines or nets anywhere. The mines are self explantatory, but what do the nets do?

[Gerald]

Nets stop incoming eels, and prevents you from achieving important goals,as an example

[Dogfish40]

So just kill the escort and nothing else for tips?

Well, I think everyone here says it best, If you're attacking a high priority port, say, the coast of Japan, You best be very careful, stock or mod. I also suggest getting this mod; Nav Map Make-Over v1.1

This mod will change the appearance of your nav map but most importantly, it will give you the icons for enemy ports, airbases and it updates as your career progresses (keeps the important game icons).
You will have a better idea which ports you have to take more care with.
The Tips; Attack at night, be mindful of the shallow water, Mind the coastal defences (if any), and as always....Surprise is your best weapon.
PS: (most humorous), double check your aim. I've sank quite a few docks because my view through the periscope was hiding the dock alongside the ship:har:.
There are many, many smaller ports south and east of Japan that will be good practice without having to take on Tokyo bay right off the bat.
Good Hunting
D40:salute:
PSS:Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...:arrgh!:

I was reading "Sink 'em all" and Lockwood has a differant take on the train sinking, I just thought I would put that in, it seems to be a very good book.
I forget who posted the link for it or I would credit him, but it's on this site recently.:salute:

[Renesisfury82]

Nets stop incoming eels, and prevents you from achieving important goals,as an example

Do you see bouys or any other sign of them? also can your sub get stuck?

[Gerald]

The nets are below water line, and it is so that you get stuck, you can get damage to the hull

[razark]

Do you see bouys or any other sign of them?
The only warning I've ever gotten was a loud clanging sound and large amounts of damage. You can see them underwater if you use the external view.

also can your sub get stuck?
Yes. And the it just starts taking damage until you die. :damn:

[WernherVonTrapp]

Playing RSRD, I've snuck in there more than once. I was shocked when I looked at the ME and saw all the minefields there at all openings. Don't know how I ain't hit one, course I go in on the surface at night. If Lurker would've put several shore guns at the entrances would really make for some fun.When I was playing RFB/RSRDC, I had to drop a spy at Okinawa (I think). Just as I was coming to a stop, right before the "deploy boat" menu appeared, a large explosion and ball of fire occurred in the water just off my port stern. No damage occurred to my boat but it was very unnerving. There were no follow-up explosions and I didn't see any shore guns. The only thing I could attribute it to was a mine. Had my sub been a little closer, I think it would've been game-over for me.

[Renesisfury82]

Any ports to stay away from? High minefields?

[WernherVonTrapp]

Any ports to stay away from? High minefields?I don't know them offhand (not in-game at the moment) but the mods have reference maps that denote the mined ports.

[Ducimus]

The Skippers on this site call it "Harbor Raping".

I don't know who coined that term, but I've never liked it.

[Armistead]

I don't know them offhand (not in-game at the moment) but the mods have reference maps that denote the mined ports.


Don't trust em with RSRD and my guess is Ducimas has mines other that that stock map shows. RSRD has em in many places not on the map.

[Dogfish40]

I don't know who coined that term, but I've never liked it.

I agree, even though it's obviously meant to be taken lightly, it's a hard word to find any humor in.:nope: I'm just as guilty for using it in this post and I thinks I'll quit using it now that you mention it.
D40:salute:

[Mhtsos]

Just do not engage battleships in piers.The game doesn't take into account ships sank in swallow waters.:cry:
I sank a Ise in Yokosuka, she capsized but nothing happened,
I spent 4 torps for nothing :damn:
Ships even or smaller than Heavy Cruisers/large tankers seem to sink normally and you do get the kill.


I harbor raid alot but I never seen a minefield or a net.:hmmm:
I use TMO2+RSRDC
There are truly nasty and when I was playing SH3/GWX I never even got close to harbors.

[Renesisfury82]

Just do not engage battleships in piers.The game doesn't take into account ships sank in swallow waters.:cry:
I sank a Ise in Yokosuka, she capsized but nothing happened,
I spent 4 torps for nothing :damn:
Ships even or smaller than Heavy Cruisers/large tankers seem to sink normally and you do get the kill.


I harbor raid alot but I never seen a minefield or a net.:hmmm:
I use TMO2+RSRDC
There are truly nasty and when I was playing SH3/GWX I never even got close to harbors.

I just had that happen tonight, fed a large tanker 5 fish and I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't sink!!