Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by CCIP

This picture is brought to you in latest real-o-vision technology




(actual pic of Pampanito I took last year)

Nice. What visual mods are you using here?

[gi_dan2987]

Date: 6MAR1943
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Game Version: SH41.5 RFB2.0
Patrols: 5
Commander, USS Silversides (Gato Class)
After Action Report regarding patrol from 5JAN2943-6MAR1943.

On 5 January my crew and I departed from Brisbane to conduct an agent insertion into Tsurusaki, Japan. My boat had been loaded out with 24 Mk10 torpedoes that we had brought with us from Pearl Harbor. We set course for the Coral Sea, and set cruise speed for 10 Knots.

After a few days underway in the Coral Sea, my radar man observed multiple contacts which appeared to be heading toward our direction. After a series of range and bearing readings I was able to determine the course of the unidentified convoy to be 190 and a speed of 11 knots. We slipped into position approximately 1200 yards from the proposed edge of the convoy. Once sonar contacts were suggesting medium range and bearings nearing zero, I raised the attack scope to ID the targets. I could clearly ID two carriers, the USS Wasp and the USS Hornet. I would assume this task force was returning from the recent engagements in the Solomons. I remained submerged so as to not spook friendly gunners into opening fire on my boat, and once the task force had passed I surfaced the boat and returned to course.

The next few weeks were spent sailing around the eastern side of the solomons, then turning NNW towards the Marianas and Guam. No contacts were sighted.

On 30 January, approximately 300 nautical miles due north of Rabaul, my radar man started seeing contacts. I set course to maintain contact with the unidentified radar signals, and determined it to be a convoy sailing course 220 @ 9 knots. I assumed position off the port side of the projected course line, submerged to periscope depth, and waited. Once sonar contact had been established, I made note of the bearings of the contacts combined with their course to figure the AOB. With this critical information in place, all I needed to do was verify the information continuously until the targets were within range to fire. Convoy maintained course and speed, and I selected three targets, two torpedoes each from the bow tubes. As my torpedo gyro reached zero, I went to my sonar man, found contact one, pinged, sent range and bearing, adjusted AOB for the course, and fired two with a one degree spread. I acquired and fired upon the other two targets in rapid succession using the same method as the first. Upon being discovered, I set new depth to test depth, and all ahead flank. At approximately 150 feet I ordered silent running, and it was at this time that I started hearing torpedo impacts. All six fish had hit their mark, and within 45 minutes all three targets were on their way to the bottom for a total of 15,000 tons. I ran silent for over 3 hours until clear of the area, surfaced, and returned to course.

On 12 February I encountered another convoy approximately 200 nautical miles SW of Guam, sailing 010 @ 9 knots. I set up and attacked this convoy using the same methods as before. I scored 4 of 6 torpedoes hit for 10,000 tons sunk.

On 15 February I encountered an IJN task force sailing 125 @ 13 knots approximately 100 nautical miles due west of the previous convoy. I set up and fired my remaining torpedoes for a total of 7,000 tons sunk.

On 20 February the watch crew spotted a single Japanese Hog Island Type A Freighter steaming 270. Having depleted all my torpedo stores, I ordered the deck gun to be manned and engage the freighter. After firing a total of 60 4/50 caliber shells, the freighter capitulated and dipped beneath the waves for an additional 6,000 tons. I sent a status report to ComSubPac at Brisbane, and decided to abort my mission to Tsurusaki due to lack of fuel and armament. We had been at sea for 45 days and made it as far as the Philippine Sea before beginning our return voyage.

20 February through 6 March was spent sailing our return course to Brisbane for refit. We encountered several enemy radar contacts north of Rabaul, but did not initiate any attacks due to complete lack of armament.

We arrived at Brisbane on 6MAR1943 with our agent, all hands, zero torpedoes, 50 gun shells remaining, and a grand total of 38,000 GRT confirmed on our books. All personnel have been granted a three week liberty in celebration while our boat undergoes refit and rearm.

END OF REPORT

[Armistead]

It's been awhile since I played in earnest, but have been playing the last week. I decided to not use RSRD and try TMO's traffic, while not historic as RSRD, has better zig patterns, speed and overall AI reaction. I decided to play a serious career, only base saves, 93%, no cams, contacts on.
I did go into TMO traffic and add about 16 extra ships, more traffic and tweaked the settings, some harder some just a tad easier.

I will say the second convoy attack was probably the longest and most difficult convoy attack I haveever played.

I started a career in 43, moved to Fremantle and decided to go through Java to the Palawan. I picked up a large convoy in overcast weather of nine merchants, 4 escorts, APR showed no escorts with radar. Water depth was only 89 ft. With TMO groups zigs about every 10nms, it was hard to set up. I had high winds, but didn't want to get caught in shallow water, so decided to track until dark, but a nice storm came in so I decided to slip in the convoy and take them out with the deckgun and 40 bofar.


I came in the convoy and used the guns by radar, taking them out one at a time, while sonar tracked the escorts. I did make one mistake, one merchant ran up on me while I was on the deckgun shooting another and used it's machine guns and killed two men and 4 others health below 20. I used all my ammo and had to shoot one torp by radar to finish the last one off, sunk all 9 merchants and slipped out under the cover of the storm.


I then headed towards Palawan, but some hours later ran into another large convoy. several escorts, one having radar. I was still in a heavy storm. I had no gun ammo, so decided to attack with torps by radar and sonar.

Several times I tried to set up, but the convoy zigged or I got picked up on radar and had to run or dive to lose radar contact and plot again. Having no cams on, I wasn't paying much attention to outside, mostly at the attack map, but did check weather which stayed stormy. Finally the group took a radical zig south. I got on the port flank some miles ahead and got picked up on radar, 3 escorts came hauling arse my way. The plan was when they got within a few miles to dive and then turn into the convoy at flank while the escorts searched where I once was. I was able
to stay 6000 yards from the escorts and with stormy seas wasn't worried about their sonar at that distance.

I came up to radar depth in the storm, the escorts were about 8000 yards behind me as planned searching where I dived. Water depth was now about 65ft. With a good storm, I figured I would set up, shoot and run away on the surface to deeper water, dive and use flank to haul off again if the escort radar got me. There was one escort way off on the other flank. I didn't load better SS's, this one is at the attack map and only shows the one lead merchant of the group, the others are barely off the screen. At radar depth, I had a fairly good fix on my first target, I would shoot at the others more guessing hoping overlap would get some hits.



Mistake number two...I looked in the scope and was in one of those rare moments in game as weather changes. I was shocked to see light rain, clearer skies and ships...damn it. Weather transitions in game happen fast as you will notice. Now I couldn't get on the surface, the merchants would blow me out of the water and the escorts could probably see me and give chase and I'm stuck in 65ft of water, some deeper water a mile or so SE. Got lucky I got to scope depth instead of radar depth before the merchants saw me.



So what to do. I still had high wind, so good rough seas, so I take my stad measurements, The 3 escorts were almost 5nms away still searching. I decided to shoot and turn and flank to deeper water. With the escorts far away, rough seas, I should be about to put enough space so they couldn't
find me when they returned. I set up, convoy has seen my scope, started mild zigs, I shoot at a longer range than I wanted all bow, turn all sterns hoping for hits. I sunk only two due to the zigs, but notice
in minutes how much more the weather has cleared.



The following SS shows how it played out. I ran south. The escorts are NE of me now coming back to the convoy, one escort on my pointer. I was going to use flank and attack the escort from the port side as the group was going slow, but I was afraid the returning escorts would come over me heading back. Wasn't sure it they would go to the sinkings or return to the group, so I held back in 80 ft of water.



Again, the group zigged headed east, like going in a big circle. Again, one radar ship, clear skies,and shallow water, what to do. Very hard to get in close, radar gets you, you dive, then have to use speed to get in shooting range, possibly they could hear you. Only fools attack in 60-80 ft of water.
I tracked, got a full battery charge and let dark roll in. Then another group appears on radar, it's a small TF. I thought about attacking it, but couldn't ID it yet. I got within 5nms of it and the groups escorts got me on radar and headed my way fast. I turned and ran and heard shell splashes, dived and stayed flank and was able to put enough distance, they started searching where I dived. It was one of TMO's sub killer groups containing 6 DD's. I bet they dropped 100 charges where they thought I was, but I had enough distance and heavy seas proably saved me. Finally I surfaced, by now lost the convoy on radar, but had them on sonar and went back to tracking.

I tracked them to attack in the deepest water, 120ft. After that it was shallow for another 100nms. I still had rough water. I would come bewteen the lead and starboard escort that was fairly far on the starboad side, with rough seas I should be able to get between them without being heard,
attack and escape with rough seas, risky, but either that or let it go.

Things looked good as the group approached, I then noticed another weather transition, wind was calming down....fast. I would click weather and every ten secs or so wind dropped another kt. I was too close to run away. Within two minutes winds went from 15 to 0....I knew I was probably dead. I kept my bow pointed at the lead escort at all times. He finally passed by me at about 1000 yards. How he didn't get me...don't know. Here is the setup, the group heading NE.



I came up to scope depth. The lead escort you can see NE by sonar line, but not in scope view. Obvious other escorts close. I either traced wrong, but feel the group zigged again. I was too close and the merchants saw my scope and went evasive, but all I could do is shoot. I already heard
soft sonar pinging me from a distance.. I shot 10 torps, fast, had to guess somewhat. I got four duds that hit a ship that got close that I wasn't shooting at, the rest missed. I bungled the attack, now stuck
in 120 ft of water with 0 wind and 4 escorts coming, including one I ID'ed as the dreaded DE Matsu....I had played this probably 6 hours, no saves, I knew I was dead.



Then something that has never happened happened. I was gonna come up and fight it out and try to sink one or two escorts and try to escape or dive again, but I had no gun ammo from the first convoy attack. All I could do is stay at 110 depth and helm and pour on speed. I can't explain this.
The escorts ping was fast and loud. They came from every direction, they dropped 100's of charges and not once did they get close. It almost seemed if they were doing circles around me, but no runs over me . Yea, I pulled every trick I knew, but never have I escaped 4 TMO escorts in shallow water with 0 wind, being pinged on fast scale. This went on for 3 hours playing in real time. I couldn't figure it.

I escaped with no damage and went back to base with a total of 11 merchants sunk for about 31K tons, most were small merchants. How we lived, I'll never understand it.

[Diopos]

Great read there Armistead!
Only one question. Palawan is in/near the Phlipines right? Why the hell did you elect the route via Java Sea and not Celebes/Sulu Sea? You elected to advance and attack through a minefield sir!
Sure seems the andrenaline rush was compensation enough ...

.

[commandosolo2009]

Indeed. I wish I have the excitement you sea boys have now... Stuck with them flyboys and the hog and the shark...

[Caustic]

I'm looking to contribute to this thread but I can't figure out how to remove the HUD from my screenshots without cropping the image.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by Diopos

Great read there Armistead!
Only one question. Palawan is in/near the Phlipines right? Why the hell did you elect the route via Java Sea and not Celebes/Sulu Sea? You elected to advance and attack through a minefield sir!
Sure seems the andrenaline rush was compensation enough ...

.

I haven't looked at TMO's minefield traffic, sure it's a lil different than RSRD, but I don't think many minefields exist in Java, never hit one there in years of playing either.

TMO and RSRD both use what I call the Palawan shipping lane for traffic, runs from Singy, west coast of Borneo up to the Palawan, just what I call it, but it's a great shipping lane.

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

With SH4 press the ./Del button on the number pad that is on the right side of the keyboard to remove the HUD.

[Caustic]

Originally Posted by Kptlt. Hellmut Neuerburg

With SH4 press the ./Del button on the number pad that is on the right side of the keyboard to remove the HUD.

Thanks, I'm surprised it's not listed in the manual or in the game's control options. It would be a good idea to add this information to the first post of this thread. I think it's necessary for good screenshots!

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Caustic

Thanks, I'm surprised it's not listed in the manual or in the game's control options. It would be a good idea to add this information to the first post of this thread. I think it's necessary for good screenshots!

Look inside your SH4 game folder. You'll find two files labeled 'SH4_Q-Ref_Card.

The one labeled 'Back' says "NumPad Del = Hide/Show Interface".

[Diopos]

Originally Posted by Armistead

I haven't looked at TMO's minefield traffic, sure it's a lil different than RSRD, but I don't think many minefields exist in Java, never hit one there in years of playing either.

TMO and RSRD both use what I call the Palawan shipping lane for traffic, runs from Singy, west coast of Borneo up to the Palawan, just what I call it, but it's a great shipping lane.

The "minefield" was just a figure of speach. As for "Palawan Shiping Lane" I wouldn't voluntarily operate in the shallows. If my fate is to go "down" let it be deep!

.

[gi_dan2987]

Originally Posted by Diopos

The "minefield" was just a figure of speach. As for "Palawan Shiping Lane" I wouldn't voluntarily operate in the shallows. If my fate is to go "down" let it be deep! .

Good point, I'm always iffy about attacking in shallows. I'll usually wait to intercept the convoy in deep water where I can get below the thermal layer and slip away silent.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by Diopos

The "minefield" was just a figure of speach. As for "Palawan Shiping Lane" I wouldn't voluntarily operate in the shallows. If my fate is to go "down" let it be deep!

.

Oh, I agree, but knowing you're basically blind to sonar in heavy seas in the game, it was worth the risk. I have no problem using storms as cover in shallows, what was so frustrating about the two attacks on the last convoy, first the skies cleared, then the last attack the water went dead calm in 10 seconds.

One of the reasons for the last attack was it was obvious the convoy was heading to a certain port, so I picked the deepest water of 120 ft, after that it was roughly 60 ft of water for the next 100 miles to port where the group would probably despawn...

One thing the game is missing in TMO and RSRD is much of the convoy traffic along the shallow coast of China and was heavily mined. These convoys almost hugged the coast line and used small islands an reefs as cover. Only a few sub captains had the balls to go after these, such as the famous sub "Barb" I put in a lot of China coastal traffic, minefields, more shore guns and coastal lights, so I enjoy the challange of hard attacks in shallow waters, but I always try to live and attack when it's smart.

[Caustic]

Anchored off Guadalcanal - August 1942

[WernherVonTrapp]

Aerial acrobatics.