Type IX for a change

[Tupolev]

So after several attempts to follow in Schee's and Topp's career path ( II to VIIC) and being sunk in the North Atlantic over and over, I've decided to try my hand at the IX.

Just took U-122 down to Freetown September-November1941. Sunk 5 ships for about 20,000 GRT. The 90ish day patrol was a refreshing change to the 12-30 days I was getting with the smaller boats.

This is a big ass boat though. Quite unnerving making a surface approach on a convoy, even at decks awash. I didn't have the courage to sneak inside 2000m range before firing torpedoes and ended up missing about 50% of my shots. I think I'm going to stick to stalking lone targets. Makes life much better in this cow of a boat!

Next patrol should consist of the 2nd wave to the US East Coast!

T

[David I]

Topolev,

In the IX you command a commerce raider, not a Convoy hunter. Keep that in mind as you cruise distant waters.

EU 88 in the Freetown area is a good patrol spot. Just out of aircraft range with lots of traffic.

Cape Hateras off the US East Coast is great in early - mid '42. You have deep water during the day and can make night runs in close to the coast.

I'll give you some more locations in the Caribean when I get home. I've had 100,000 + ton patrols there in '42. Gets pretty hairy in '43 though, lots of planes, convoy system in place, etc.

Make sure to go slow (8 knots) on the way out to your destination. Use your fuel on catching radio/Bdu intercepts and then come home as fast as your fuel allows after you've shot up your torps.

David I

[David I]

Topolev,

Hope your still watching the forum. Anyway, if you off to the Caribbean in you brand new Type IX boat, don't forget to visit ED-44 and ED-55. Lots of big fat tankers sailing all by their lonesome.

Good Hunting.

[Tupolev]

Absolutely!

I appreciate the info on the hunting grounds.

I just returned from a long patrol around Freetown. I returned to Lorient in time for the second wave to the US east coast. Will be departing shortly...

T

[sublynx]

Originally Posted by Tupolev

Next patrol should consist of the 2nd wave to the US East Coast!

Feel free to leave all convoys alone At least the initial first 6 type IX U-boats in the American coast were apparently ordered to attack only single shipping (10th of December, under the section General):

http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDUKTB30301A.htm

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100 days at sea. Damn, I feel tempted to try the type IX bluewhale again...

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But it's just too scary for me. I think I'll instead try a Newfoundland patrol with a type VIIC - if NYGM has U-boat tankers or supply ships.

On the other hand how will I ever get to the Newfoundland coast in a type VII. I'll just stumble into some convoy before south of Iceland and be out of torpedoes or dead in no time.

I wonder if the type VII's in the American coast campaign of early 1942 did have orders to attack only single shipping? I know that later boats did attack convoys if they met them.

Good luck with your patrol, anyways Gute Fahrt und Fette Beue!

[the dark knight]

I loved my Type IX. Put the long tower on, quad 20mm on the rear wintergarten, and dual 20mm's you can tear most aircraft to shreads until late 43 or so. I like the additional torpedo's as well. The IXD2 was hard to drive though. Slow on the crash dive, slow in the turns, crawls when submerged..... but her top speed is nice when on the surface.

I love to sit with my Type IX between the west coast of Cuba, and Cancun, Mexico. Big fat unescorted tankers, and if the weather is good, you can use the deck gun. That 105 will set a tanker ablaze very quick, and will sink fast as well. On my way to that spot I liked to pass by the Azores, it is hit or miss, but you can sometimes find tankers there in a 2-3 ship all tanker convoy.

And if you feel really frisky, I like to hunt off the coast of New York. The water is shallow though, and you have to be very weary.

[U1260]

Originally Posted by David I

Topolev,

Hope your still watching the forum. Anyway, if you off to the Caribbean in you brand new Type IX boat, don't forget to visit ED-44 and ED-55. Lots of big fat tankers sailing all by their lonesome.

Good Hunting.

I second that. My favorite hunting spot in the Caribbean.

[Rammstein0991]

Lol Type IX isnt so bad, in fact I enjoy it more than the VII for a variety of reasons, including its large store of torpedos, plus the range on that thing is a beaut

[buddha96]

forgive me. I been looking for how to get a type 9. I know its lorent but what flotilla is that to join. ty sie

[ivanov.ruslan]

Look this topic http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=81088

Hmm, I think this list is not complete

[bstanko6]

2nd flotilla.

Just fueled in Los Palmas in my IXB. As others have said, this is a single ship attacker. But I have made good attacking convoys, the method is the same, you just need to set up your shot well as the boat manuevers like a sloth.