I'm sure these tactics are commonly practiced, but I've found adequate success with them.
When I'm targeting a convoy that has more than two escorts, I'll usually try to swing behind them, running loud and fast to draw the attention of the escorts away from the transports. Once they've begun tracking me and heading towards me pinging away, I'll dive deep and turn back towards the transports. Once I've closed in I'll go silent and get up to periscope depth. By now the escorts are several thousand yards behind still searching for my sub, this gives me a decent amount of time to strike one or two transports before the escorts flank their way back. When the escorts get in range I'll usually try a stern shot then dive down again and go silent. From there I break off the initial attack but maintain sound contact while my tubes are reloaded and I assess the situation and determine whether or not to attack again or to break contact all together.
If there's two or less escorts I'll pull the stunt I saw in "Run Silent, Run Deep" with Clark Gable. I'll go head on against the escort and at 500-600yds, shoot two fish down the escort's throat and then crash dive and pull hard to port or starboard and get outta dodge. I'll repeat the process until both escorts are destroyed and from there I'll make my attack on the transports.
|