Wolfpack in LSH3 2015

[Méo]

Hi all,

I'm back to SH3 now since I've recently tried the LSH3 supermod
(which I'm liking a lot for the moment)

My question concerns the wolfpack feature in this supermod:

How does it work?
(Assuming BdU orders you to shadow the convoy until the pack arrives)

Are there really AI U-boats firing torpedoes or is it somewhat simulated (finding some ships already on fire)

I just think this seems like a really interesting feature and I'm early in the war so far so I don't expect any of them soon...

[fastfed]

good question I'd like to know too, I think they dont do anything though, even if they do fire they stay on the surface and don't dive.

Or I'm just dead wrong on all accounts

[Méo]

Originally Posted by fastfed

even if they do fire they stay on the surface and don't dive.

That would be fine for me!

This was the whole wolfpack strategy, wait until nighttime (and other U-boat) and then multiple surface attack.

[Mittelwaechter]

You have to find a convoy and let your WO recognize three contacts to enable a contact report sent to BdU.

You may get the answer to shadow the convoy until a wolfpack is assembled.

You have to send regular contact reports - convoy speed and heading. Read the instructions how to do it.

The problem may be the weather, as is may be difficult to get your WO to repeatedly find three contacts of the convoy while staying undetected. Some ingame bug is helpful here.

After a few hours of shadowing, BdU gives you a go - and you proceed into a favourable attack position.

This happened: it was around midnight and while manouvering on the surface into the starboard forward convoy sector hell broke lose.

The leading destroyer was hit by a torpedo and sunk. The outward starboard frontline freighter was hit by a torpedo - but I didn't fire a single torpedo.

The second destroyer - following the convoy - was damaged and burning, but was firing at some unseen target to my backboard area.

I switched to F12 and hovered to this area to find a submerged Type VII, stationary and heading into the convoy.

I have no idea how this all is done - but you should give it a try yourself. The impression of a wolfpack attack is formidable and there are other uboats around attacking the convoy and successfully sinking ships.

[Méo]

Originally Posted by Mittelwaechter

The leading destroyer was hit by a torpedo and sunk.

Nice!!

Precisely what I wanted to know.

I thought it could be simulated in some way like random ships just burning with no real damage, but this looks promising.

Originally Posted by Mittelwaechter

The impression of a wolfpack attack is formidable and there are other uboats around attacking the convoy and successfully sinking ships.

Can't wait for this to happen!

So far all my response from BdU were things like: ''Full freedom of manoeuvre granted'' or ''Attack at discretion''

From what I've read, it might be because I'm too early in the war.

Thanks for the response.

[fastfed]

cant you download that wolfpack mission? you can test to make sure its working right

[Méo]

Originally Posted by fastfed

cant you download that wolfpack mission? you can test to make sure its working right

Do you mean the ''LSH3-2015 SingleMissions_NoCareer-FastLoad'' mod?

There doesn't seem to have any mod (execpt the ones that already comes with this supermod) compatible with LSH3

[bstanko6]

I have heard over the years about the h.sie Wolfpacks attacking on the surface only. I have to say I have been involved in several Wolfpack attacks and I have seen periscopes popping out of the water. I have never seen surfaced subs. Any one else seen surfaced h.sie subs?

And yes, if you are attacking a convoy in 39 or mid 40, you will hardly see a Wolfpack. It's written in the code.

What I would like to see is a Luftwaffe attack! Yet to see one in 11 years.

[fumo30]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

What I would like to see is a Luftwaffe attack! Yet to see one in 11 years.

Recently at the time of battle of Britain i saw Condor west of Bristol channel attacking lone destroyer that was coming hunting me. Very helpful, because it sank that destroyer and saved me from a depth charging.

Also saw bomber formations over english channel although they didn't attack anything. Same thing with ju 88's over biscay in later stages of war.

If you really want to see Luftwaffe(also italians and romanians) in action go to the Black Sea. They stole my kills numerous times

[bstanko6]

I will do that. Thanks!

[Dave Kay]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

.....What I would like to see is a Luftwaffe attack! Yet to see one in 11 years.

Wow~! Sounds like a fairly decent wolfpack simulation, thanks for the info~! Also, I too have seen Luftwaffe attack shipping in the early days of game-play, like '39-40, in the North Sea. At periscope depth I watched a lone Stuka dive-bomb my target as I was lining up my little TypeII for a shot--- that bit of realism just blew me away~!

[bstanko6]

Can't wait to see one. However, the Wolfpack attack is the absolute coolest. You work for it! But in the end, watching explosions and seeing escorts running around crazy while you line up a perfect shot is the greatest thing to be part of!
It is the absolute spirit of the u-boat. It was what they were designed for!

[Méo]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

However, the Wolfpack attack is the absolute coolest. You work for it! But in the end, watching explosions and seeing escorts running around crazy while you line up a perfect shot is the greatest thing to be part of!
It is the absolute spirit of the u-boat. It was what they were designed for!

I'm gonna give another try then... because I wasn't impressed to say the least (started a career in 1941 to test).

Originally Posted by bstanko6

You work for it!

Precisely, I did shadow the convoy. Constantly adjusting course, speed, and distance while keeping the deck awash for approximately 10 hours.

I was ordered by BdU to shadow and give hourly update. The next thing I know they attack without any notice in broad daylight.

I suddenly saw a tanker exploding at the horizon but if I joined the escorts would have quickly spotted me in such a beautiful day (2m/s, no fog, around 8 in the morning).

By the time I got into position and waiting for the convoy to stop evading manoeuvres, all the escorts had disappeared!! (there were 5 with at least 2 destroyers)

Of course it was like shooting fish in a barrel, I sank the whole convoy, but it felt kinda ''unnatural''. No quite realistic to say the least.

I felt like SH3 was just not made for the wolfpack strategy, but I'm gonna give another try.

[bstanko6]

It is a game. Realism can only go so far sitting at your computer.

Your scenario of a Wolfpack attacking in the day and no escorts attacking youwas not unrealistic! Remember that as the escorts are pummeling the other u boat, they can't hear you! And as far as sinking the whole convoy, good for you!

[Méo]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

It is a game. Realism can only go so far sitting at your computer.

Your scenario of a Wolfpack attacking in the day and no escorts attacking youwas not unrealistic!

What I meant by ''realism'' was the application of the wolfpack tactic according to Dönitz's orders, no rocket science here.

When enough boats have converged with the convoy, BdU would give the signal to attack, usually after dusk where the U-boats’ small silhouette made detection difficult.

I never had any signal, and it happened not after dusk but after dawn!

Whichever tactics employed, the general strategy was to attack by night, and withdraw by day, with continuous attacks lasting several days, as more boats arrived on the scene.

One of the most famous Wolf Pack attacks took place between the nights of October 16th to the 19th, 1940. Convoy SC7 was repeatedly attacked by a pack of seven boats, sinking 20 ships out of 34 in the convoy. The very next night, convoy HX79 was attacked with further losses of 14 ships, making a total of 34 ships in 48 hours. These attacks mounted against the two convoys became to be known as “The Night of the Long Knives”.

http://www.uboataces.com/tactics-wolfpack.shtml


Edit: Don't get me wrong, I'm not ''complaining''. I'm perfectly aware that modders are doing it for free. It just seems like SH3 isn't really suitable with the wolfpack tactic.