Surface Convoy Attack
 

Ok -- now back to the Atlantic after playing a full campaign in a fleet boat in SH4 -- time to return to my roots.
Question is -- I have always been cautious in making convoy attacks submerged, now its time to be more agressive.

In anyone's opinion, what is the latest you could make a successful surface convoy attack? By that I mean 1-2 kills and then escaping unscathed without being picked off by destroyer gunfire?

By which time did escort radar become advanced enough to make a surface attack untenable.

Spring '41

The best time for a convoy attack is the so-called 'Happy Time', 1-3 years after war begin.
A german skipper who became Admiral after the war, Otto Kretschmer, said that the best place for a sub to be when making a convoy attack is plain in the middle, inside the convoy at night. (*)
It's the last place where a watcher would look for a sub. Also the sub would be difficult to spot because the convoy had the habit to illuminate the outside zone of the convoy when attacked. so actually u-boats didn't have to dive and make submerged attacks in such situations (but every situation is different!)

But I highly doubt SH3 / SH5 simulates all this, if you go for it you probably will be an easy kill for the destroyers and armed Q-ships.

(*): Reference: Interview with Otto Kretschmer in the sub game's video section Aces of The Deep.

Good luck,

I have managed to pull one off early-42. It's combination of skill and luck during later years. Wolfpacks and convoys already under attack helps...a lot.

At least in SH3, this is not simulated. I'd love it

If you mean wolfpacks and convoys under attack they are simulated. h.sie patch gives you wolfpacks and Sergbutos AI uboats or something gives convoys under attack. Which is cool btw. I'm not sure about the last mod but I think Stiebler included it in NYGM.

I Kinda figured that -- from Spring / April 40 to about May 1941.

Into Nov 1939 now and have only spotted ONE convoy -- so far my kills have ranged from C2 and the rest aree small/coastal merchants.

Can't range too far in a type VIIB based in Kiel, but we will see.

Pass aft of the side escort at night move aft of the convoy and then reverse and get inside!