Genghis Khan
04-27-07, 04:23 AM
Hello all Kriegsmarine Aces :D
Just again sharing my impressions on an extremely aggressive convoy attack,I commenced on January 4th,1940 with my Type VIIB U-49.
Interception was made in BF operations area.After getting a report from BDU,saying large target group bearing South,heading course East I lied on exact interception course and started shortening distance at about 16 knots speed,on surface.
After first sonar contact I submerged to periscope depth and again,on "Full Forward" continued my fast advance on the head of convoy.Actually,I was spotted by convoy escorts,and they immediatly started intercepting me.
They came very close,I was receiving constant messages from radio man "We are detected",and similar warnings.
I decided not to dive,and stay on periscope depth,with periscope initially retracted.
After,that I started such evasive maneuvering:
1.Engine "pulsation".That actually means that,general engines mode is "Full Silent",but is very frequently (approximately each 3 seconds) turned on "Full Forward".That visually results that,"stealth indicator" frequently changes it's colour from Red,through Brown to Green.I made I conclusion that,such engines usage,actually spoils the sonar detection ability of a destroyer.:)
2.Frequent course changes.My initial goal was to come as close as it possible to a destroyer so that his depth charges would explode away and below U-49 position.
Destroyer,was actually trying to ram me :o ,but that showed no effect for him.
The result of those actions was that my lovely U-49 came into ideal torpedo firing course onto convoy main ships.There were T3 tankers,merchants and so on.
Then even more interesting.Escorts have blocked firing lines on the convoy,exposing themselves to my torpedo fire.
I started the attack.Fired first 4 torpedoes in just four seconds,with chaotic targeting (cannot rise up my periscope for more than couple seconds as escorts would have blown it out with their deadly gun fire).Nevertheless,after this attack four enemy ships were hit (100 percent acurracy - thanks to great gas operated T-I torpedoes).
After that,making the same aforementioned maneuvering I reloaded all four bow launchers in "Safe in Silent mode".Fired them all within just seconds.Two ships destoryed (50 percent accuracy).
Convoy started splitting escorts separated from remaining ships,while those started moving north.
I dived down to 200 meters and finally evaded all escorts,lyed on the course of the rest of convoy.
Night was ending and it was calm at sea.Observation officers on the deck (I have already surfaced to recharge batteries) spotted - a remaining three ships of night convoy.One C2 was actually on-fire.
Fast pursuit,accurate 88 mm deck gun fire and I ended the convoy massacre of 4th January,1940.
9 ships were sunk in total:
2 Warships:
Destroyer
Fregate
7 Commercial Ships:
Two T3 Tankers
Various transports
Total patrol tonnage:44 900 tonns. :D
I have a little question.Type VIIB submarine has got external torpedo reserves (you can view them in weapons officer menu).How could I transfer them into bow launchers sections?Thanks for advices.:)
I would be very glad to read your comments on such convoy interception method.Notice the fact,all action was at night.
Good Hunting to all Kriegsmarine Aces of the Deep :D :up:
Just again sharing my impressions on an extremely aggressive convoy attack,I commenced on January 4th,1940 with my Type VIIB U-49.
Interception was made in BF operations area.After getting a report from BDU,saying large target group bearing South,heading course East I lied on exact interception course and started shortening distance at about 16 knots speed,on surface.
After first sonar contact I submerged to periscope depth and again,on "Full Forward" continued my fast advance on the head of convoy.Actually,I was spotted by convoy escorts,and they immediatly started intercepting me.
They came very close,I was receiving constant messages from radio man "We are detected",and similar warnings.
I decided not to dive,and stay on periscope depth,with periscope initially retracted.
After,that I started such evasive maneuvering:
1.Engine "pulsation".That actually means that,general engines mode is "Full Silent",but is very frequently (approximately each 3 seconds) turned on "Full Forward".That visually results that,"stealth indicator" frequently changes it's colour from Red,through Brown to Green.I made I conclusion that,such engines usage,actually spoils the sonar detection ability of a destroyer.:)
2.Frequent course changes.My initial goal was to come as close as it possible to a destroyer so that his depth charges would explode away and below U-49 position.
Destroyer,was actually trying to ram me :o ,but that showed no effect for him.
The result of those actions was that my lovely U-49 came into ideal torpedo firing course onto convoy main ships.There were T3 tankers,merchants and so on.
Then even more interesting.Escorts have blocked firing lines on the convoy,exposing themselves to my torpedo fire.
I started the attack.Fired first 4 torpedoes in just four seconds,with chaotic targeting (cannot rise up my periscope for more than couple seconds as escorts would have blown it out with their deadly gun fire).Nevertheless,after this attack four enemy ships were hit (100 percent acurracy - thanks to great gas operated T-I torpedoes).
After that,making the same aforementioned maneuvering I reloaded all four bow launchers in "Safe in Silent mode".Fired them all within just seconds.Two ships destoryed (50 percent accuracy).
Convoy started splitting escorts separated from remaining ships,while those started moving north.
I dived down to 200 meters and finally evaded all escorts,lyed on the course of the rest of convoy.
Night was ending and it was calm at sea.Observation officers on the deck (I have already surfaced to recharge batteries) spotted - a remaining three ships of night convoy.One C2 was actually on-fire.
Fast pursuit,accurate 88 mm deck gun fire and I ended the convoy massacre of 4th January,1940.
9 ships were sunk in total:
2 Warships:
Destroyer
Fregate
7 Commercial Ships:
Two T3 Tankers
Various transports
Total patrol tonnage:44 900 tonns. :D
I have a little question.Type VIIB submarine has got external torpedo reserves (you can view them in weapons officer menu).How could I transfer them into bow launchers sections?Thanks for advices.:)
I would be very glad to read your comments on such convoy interception method.Notice the fact,all action was at night.
Good Hunting to all Kriegsmarine Aces of the Deep :D :up: