Convoy Tactics change from SH3

[Lost@Sea]

Once of my favorite convoy tactic in SH3 was to try and pick off the engines or props of various merchants in SH3, then wait for the rest of the convoy to abandon them to their fate. It seems the Japanese were far more loyal to their countrymen. Each ship in the convoy now seems to slow to match the slowest or most injured ship until it is dead in the water, and even then, hesitate to move on. Looks like I`ll have to refine my convoy tactics more. :roll:

On a bright note, I`ve discovered that most escort destroyer crew must never have taken any driver training for a series of standard 3 point turns while submerged, drives them crazy and I loose them quite easily.:lol:

[Werewolf13]

SH4 convoys are weird. They don't act right. From what I've seen they just keep steaming right on along their course regardless of what's happening.

On the other hand: The Japanese didn't even use convoys until '43 or so. Ships moved along by themselves usually.

And when the Japanese did start using convoys the escorts were usually not the best of the best because of the bushido thingy. Herding sheep was not the most choice assignment for a Naval Officer.

Finding a convoy in early '42 with 4 escorts - just didn't happen.

[Dreamer]

A convoy with four escorts is exactly what I found in my last patrol however unrealistic that may be. Sadly, the AI appears to be lacking or was the IJN that pitiful? I was able to cruise directly underneath one escort and start picking off cargo ships at will while the escorts searched outside the perimeter of the convoy. I sped up to full ahead and then they heard me but were sadly lacking in tactics to try and sink me. I managed to pick off all four escorts (two with torpedos and two with the deck gun) and then eliminate the rest of the 10 ship convoy. It was high times, to be sure, but I felt relatively unchallenged. I did notice the rest of the gang slow down when one was hit, too, but after that they just scattered, turning all directions.

Martin

[OddjobXL]

Based on everything I've been reading it seems there is a huge variable in terms of crew quality for escorts. You read about some that are super aggressive and effective and others that seem to be at a complete loss. I've picked up a book called "Thunder Below" and it includes IJN reporting from convoys and escorts. Many of these guys seem very diligent and determined to kill subs while others just want to cut losses and move on after picking up survivors. It's even possible different convoys have different orders about how to deal with sub attacks?

[hmatthias]

Also, is it possible those destroyers in "task forces" are more aggressive then destroyers in "convoys", once again due to the Bushido thingie? In other words, destroyer crews protecting task forces feel it is more worth their time to seek out subs than those protecting meesly merchants and tankers?

[Keelbuster]

A convoy with four escorts is exactly what I found in my last patrol however unrealistic that may be. Sadly, the AI appears to be lacking or was the IJN that pitiful? I was able to cruise directly underneath one escort and start picking off cargo ships at will while the escorts searched outside the perimeter of the convoy. I sped up to full ahead and then they heard me but were sadly lacking in tactics to try and sink me. I managed to pick off all four escorts (two with torpedos and two with the deck gun) and then eliminate the rest of the 10 ship convoy. It was high times, to be sure, but I felt relatively unchallenged. I did notice the rest of the gang slow down when one was hit, too, but after that they just scattered, turning all directions.

Martin
That's exactly what I did last night. It was my first SH4 war patrol - just messing around, found a convoy, entered it. I took a few shots and missed all but one. Then I realized that I was ahead flank (because the flank setting is now close to where ahead slow was in SH3). No bother - escorts didn't hear a thing. I fired off all my torps and missed like crazy. Then I got bored and decided to get detected. Not so easy. I blared along at flank with my peri up, right beside an escort. He kept signalling like a dufus and then sailed away. I was pissed, so I surfaced, TCed a bit, then dived to PD again. I see the escort - he's now turned towards me - about 4km away. But that's it. He snake searches towards me a bit, then turns away. Hmm...blind, eh? So I surface and get in among the convoy. I start deck gunning some merchants. Not a peep from the escorts. I have my way with a few of them. Then..finally...like 10 minutes later, an escort comes sailing up. I dispatch him with AP rounds through the bow. He never fired a shot back. I keep working on convoy ships. Now the convoy is stopped and ships are pointing in all directions. Another escort decides to come over for tea. I put him down with a few ap rounds up the Bushido. Same for the final escort. Then I finish all the ships. Then I sail away.

[DeePsix501]

I seem to constantly have a problem when I torpedeo the first cargo in the convoy, the rest of the convoy slows to 0knts and makes easy pickings while the DD's came after me.