Daring Surface Attack

[Penelope_Grey]

I found a convoy while skulking about in AM39, which as you know is inside the British frontier and of course shallow waters. Found the convoy over the deepest part thankfull which was about 190m from the surface to the bottom.

I was going towards the convoy they were coming towards me. So it being pitch dark with a slightly overcast, I put the boat low in the water and sneaked in past the armed trawlers. This next part is absolutely beautiful.

After the escorts were behind me and scanning the convoy I found they were all tiddler ships, at the back in the row nearest me, what do I see? A large cargo... ok thinks I. In front of it are a passenger/cargo and in front of that, a small merchant.

So I brought the boat back up to standard surface trim and then crept at ahead slow, into firing position, fired off tube 1 and the small merchant a T1, speed slow. Fired off tube 2 at the Passenger/Cargo following right behind it. Both torpedoes impacted at the same time it was literally Just boom, but louder!

So now, Its up to ahead flank... got the Large Cargo in my sights. opens tubes 3 and 4, off I goes... lines up, closes at flank to 800m ready to fire, I have no been spotted, searchlights are on me, torpedo away, torpedo away... ALARRMMMMM!!!!

Now this was un real, the gunners on those two armed trawlers must have been blind, how they missed me was phenomenal but a relief. I usually just go straight down to 80m, down I goes, silent speed...

3 kills in the shallows... would you believe I got away without being depthcharged once!?

The cheif wasn't clinging on for dear life, and I wasn't getting jittery with ahead flank every time and Armed Trawler went over the top of me. I escaped... wow.

It was so Das Boot like my attack, (yep I seen DB now) and I carreid out a surface attack on a fairly well escorted convoy and got away unscathed!

Of course I reported in the convoy too, like I normally do. So that was all good.

[KeptinCranky]

Congrats! well done:up:
now hope you get a well-deserved medal when you get back to base:smug:

[GoldenRivet]

no offense penelope - but i could listen to a woman talk like that all day. :rotfl:

[bigboywooly]

Nice one
Me no like shallow water
Tooooooo many sunk uboats and bad memories

[Kpt. Lehmann]

It is also good to see it re-confirmed that night surface attacks are quite feasible in GWX. Some feel that such things are impossible in GWX... yet over the last couple of days I've read four accounts detailing successes using this M.O.

At any rate Ms. Gray, nice intense account there! :arrgh!:

[_Seth_]

Excellent work, Frau Kaleun!!! :up::up::up::up:

[ReM]

It is also good to see it re-confirmed that night surface attacks are quite feasible in GWX. Some feel that such things are impossible in GWX... yet over the last couple of days I've read four accounts detailing successes using this M.O.


I too thought that it was next to impossible in GWX; which is too bad because night time surface attacks were standard practice during at least some part of the war. It should be posssible, especially in '39-'42.
After reading the stories here it appears that my attacks failed because of poor judgment or just plain bad luck.

Can't wait to fire up SH III after I get home from work and let KaLeun Eisenschwein conduct a nice and smooth surface attack in the dark.!

And last but not least: well done, Penelope Grey!

[Jimbuna]

Surface attack......the favourite method of possibly the greatest kaleun ever...Otto Kretschmer.
Captured after a depth charge attack by HMS Walker in March 41 because a junior officer ignored or forgot to follow his kaleuns standing orders 'try to outrun on the surface before diving' :arrgh!:

Further evidence of GWX adhering closely to historical accuracy :D

[Brag]

Daring and well executed, Frau Kaleun! :up:


Oddly enough ,for a minimal risk taker like me, I did a surface attack last night (May 1941).

While searching for a convoy that had changed course at night, in rain/low visibility, sighted a large freighter 150 meters ahead. Fired one magnetic under its stern. It armed and Kaboom!

All hell broke loose. Somehow I had stumbled into the middle of the convoy. Searchlights, flares and artillery convinced me to promptly dive. The freighter sank, escorts dropped rippling DC salvoes, making a lot of continous noise all over the place.

We dropped back. The following evening, the weather cleared, fired last 2 torpedoes at a tanker. Now heading home for a couple of drinks.

[HunterICX]

:damn: this...is embarasing for ...me

I got my ass kicked by fighting it out on the surface with.....with....an.

armed trawler.....:dead:

Job wel done Penelope,

ps. I rather attacked them from the skys then in a Uboat.

[bigboywooly]

Ah you're not alone Hunter mate
Got owned by a trawler as I exited the channel :oops:
And that was after a deck gun duel with a V&W which I won

[Penelope_Grey]

It is also good to see it re-confirmed that night surface attacks are quite feasible in GWX. Some feel that such things are impossible in GWX... yet over the last couple of days I've read four accounts detailing successes using this M.O.

At any rate Ms. Gray, nice intense account there! :arrgh!:
Thanks Kap,

Believe it guys, if I could do it, anybody can! The trick is to not go too fast until you are lined up and ready to attack. Then you can floor it... "buckle up kids - mammy's putting the hammer down!":arrgh!:

I also made use of putting the boat low in the water just to sneak past the escorts then I came back to surface trim for optimal speed and turning, and also I attacked the back of the convoy too, and I also used silent running while surfaced, just in case. :)

In short, don't rush it. There are many advantages of surface attacks, for one thing, the speed and agility afforded, second, you are immune to both asdic and hydrophones, and lastly, its very Das Booty.

Thanks for all the thumbs up, Ive come a long way from what I was before! This convoy attack was cigar worthy let me tell you!

[rik007]

Yesterday I tried it in a moonless night (1940). First I checked convoy speed by measuring time needed for the ships to travel 300m and then I positioned my u-boot so that I could pass the destroyer at maximum distance but still could reach the rear of the convoy. At low speed I turned in and passed the destroyer at about 2 km who just left the convoy for a search - maybe he heard me. So my U-boot was between the convoy and the destroyer. At 1.5 Km I used the UZO to find the merchants. I must say that it was a fantastic sight to see the ships filling the UZO. I enjoyed it briefly as I was worried about the destroyer that would return and the merchants that could spot me. With two salvo's I destroyed two large merchants. As one ship was stilll exploding the destroyer turned in on me and I dived as fast as I could to sneak under the convoy to disappear silently through the back. A dream experience which I will repeat for sure!

[Jimbuna]

Text book action kaleun....congratulations :up:

[Sebbe02]

Can you explain how you approach the convoy exactly? Perpendicular to its course? And in front or behind the escorts at its side?

And one other thing? I presume that you don't compute a torpedo course after hitting the gas, but just aim by guessing?

Great action, by the way. Must have been a real adrenaline kick:rock:

[Jimbuna]

In a perfect setting (if there is such a thing)...perpendicular and ahead :arrgh!:

[bigboywooly]

Hi and welcome Sebbe02

The ideal attack is as Jim said
Very rarely do you get into an ideal attack position

[Sebbe02]

Thnx, I tought it would be like that, but wanted to be sure.
I'm more of the "lay completely still and make a stealth shot" type, but I might combine it with that technique, if only for the fun of it.:smug:

Thank you for the welcome, bigboywooly, but actually I'm not new. I picked up SH3 after a 6month pause, and had to reregister. (for some reason, my old one wouldn't work anymore, I couldn't post messages...:shifty: ). My former one was simply Sebbe.

My new campaign is in a 7B out of St. Nazaire, by the way. Started in '40.

[Penelope_Grey]

Welcome to all noobs :D

I did it again!

Another successful surface attack. Too out 3 ships, almost lined up for the stern tube but a Star Shell lit up right above me so it was alarm time.

But yes, surface attacks are lots of fun and muchly intense.:D

[Brag]

Welcome to all noobs :D

I did it again!

Another successful surface attack. Too out 3 ships, almost lined up for the stern tube but a Star Shell lit up right above me so it was alarm time.

But yes, surface attacks are lots of fun and muchly intense.:D

You have become as nutty as the rest of us. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Canovaro]

Well done Penelope, but I don't think I am going to try this in my precious career, I don't like to take risks with escorts :oops:

[Jimbuna]

....and I like to hear the band on my return and sample the fine French wine/women :arrgh!:

[Canovaro]

Yes and that as well

[Brag]

In a convoy attack nothing ever works according to plan. Recognizing the "This is as good as it gets" moment, firing And getting the hell out is the secret for the payoff of gliding to a stop at the dock. Music, girls, flowers, wine. :sunny:

[rik007]

Brag, you are right and that is why this game is so great. One stupidity and your plan is void. If GWX is reality how many of us would be alive in 1945?

[Jimbuna]

Not many I fear :nope: ...and I include myself in that number :lol:

[Penelope_Grey]

I am making it my personal goal to survive the war

[sunvalleyslim]

Congrats Penny............you go girl...........Excuse me Herr Kapt........Good Luck surviving the War............

[MarkShot]

It is also good to see it re-confirmed that night surface attacks are quite feasible in GWX. Some feel that such things are impossible in GWX... yet over the last couple of days I've read four accounts detailing successes using this M.O.

Mid-41, I had a very protracted night surface attack in what appeared to be hurricane conditions. Visibility was about 500M and due to the heavy seas it was possible to get sporadic sound contacts while maneuvering on the diesels. Using a high periscope resolved any issues that would have made the UZO hard to use. Despite about five escorts or so, it was possible to maneuver within the convoy totally unhampered.

Finally, after causing a fair bit of trouble, an escort showed up. I crash dived, but didn't need to do much evasion. Simply creeping a little bit from where I went down and the escort's natural tendency to sweep back and forth, put them out of visual range. So, I was able to quickly surface with the escorts very close, and then sprint out their clutches; leaving them to hunt a ghost sub. Then, I resumed reloading and hunting for more prey. (Yes, someone was kind enough the other day to let me know that the escorts would be tied for about 30 minutes hunting the sub that wasn't there.)

It seems a storm presents a wonderful opportunity to hunt!

[rik007]

Yesterday I again did a surface attack on a convoy. Although the destroyers pretty much stayed tight with the merchants still holes remained to sneak into a half in front of the convoy position. Watersurface was smooth, no moon. I destroyed a merchant and then all searchlights lit up. I was forced to dive and to make my escape. I was DC'ed but everything went well untill I thought I was safe enough to use TC. Destroyed suddenly re-appeared and destroyer my scope. Had to return.

[bigboywooly]

Stormy conditions are your friend though they can make attacks harder the chances of being spotted are reduced also
Not sure how realistic it would be to conduct a convoy attack in such weather though
Moonless nights are another godsend

[Penelope_Grey]

When the weather is too severe you simply cannot operate.

When conditions are Clouds: Overcast, Rain: Heavy, Windspeed: 15 m/s. There is no way you can successfully operate against a convoy in that, so I don't even try.

Generally speaking, I will attack in rough seas, provided the visibility is good enough to actually see where I am shooting.

[rik007]

What I'm wondering if there is someone who did escape at the suface as well. I think that is the main challenge rough sea or not.

[Penelope_Grey]

I don't think trying to escape on the surface is feasible. Not realistically, they knew U-Boats attacked on the surface, so, the minute something went boom they would throw searchlights everywhere to try and find you.

[Jimbuna]

In RL in the early years it was actually the favoured means of escape :arrgh!:

[Corsair]

What I'm wondering if there is someone who did escape at the suface as well. I think that is the main challenge rough sea or not.

Early in the war if you are lucky that closest escorts are Flowers, you can outrun them on surface. On a dark night it works.

[MarkShot]

Penelope,

Think about it ...

No radar.

Visibility is 500M perhaps even with search lights.

I can easily crawl 200M since the last DC attack.

The sweeping searching destroyers can easily be between 100-1000M from me as they hunt. They are hunting passive and active. They don't really care about the surface.

So, they readily create a condition where I can surface unobserved. At which point, they can neither hear my engines or ping my boat. Compared to my 1-2KTS crawl, when I hit the surface, I can sprint at 14-17KTS. Within a few minutes, they have lost any chance of possibly reestablishing contact with me.

In the meantime, as Kpt. Lehmann has indicated, they are going to spend 30 minutes trying to reestablish contact. Thus, I have two escorts tied up in a fruitless search while I can run off and sink more merchants.

With the heavy seas, I get a combination of deck watch and sound reports making it not that hard to locate the merchants.

Definitely give it a go. It's not as wreckless as it would seem. :)

[Penelope_Grey]

I'll give it a try, but well, Radar will be hitting the scene soon, and I am in 1941 so they are getting better. So my window of opportunity is closing.

[bigboywooly]

Even with radar you can out run a corvette
He will be able to follow you though and they do
For ever
Till you lose complete contact

[Penelope_Grey]

Covettes if I am right, like Armed Trawlers, do not posess ASDIC. Diving and using Silent Speed is by far the most efficient way to get away from them.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Note to self: Change lost contact time in GWX v1.04 to kill spoiler presented on this thread:shifty: .

[MarkShot]

Party pooper!!! :)

[Kpt. Lehmann]

My scientific response:

NEENER NEENER!!! :p :arrgh!:

(Jeez, I need more coffee.)

[MarkShot]

My scientific response:

NEENER NEENER!!! :p :arrgh!:

(Jeez, I need more coffee.)

By the way, if my pace of comparing SH3/GWX to every other subsim ever published has slowed down, it's because I received a copy of CAW (Carriers at War) the other night. :)

[Kpt. Lehmann]

My scientific response:

NEENER NEENER!!! :p :arrgh!:

(Jeez, I need more coffee.)

By the way, if my pace of comparing SH3/GWX to every other subsim ever published has slowed down, it's because I received a copy of CAW (Carriers at War) the other night. :)

LOL, so I guess you are saying that the onslaught is "to be continued later" yes?

<sigh>:-? Wonnnnderfullllll.:dead:

[CapZap1970]

Kpt Lehmann:
Just a question:
Is it possible to include these variations as optional for 1.04?
Thanks
CapZap

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Kpt Lehmann:
Just a question:
Is it possible to include these variations as optional for 1.04?
Thanks
CapZap

What variations exactly are you asking for. It is not clear to me.

[CapZap1970]

Note to self: Change lost contact time in GWX v1.04 to kill spoiler presented on this thread:shifty: .

Sorry, Kpt Lehmann
I was looking at this...
I think I got confused :oops:
CapZap

[rik007]

What I'm wondering if there is someone who did escape at the suface as well. I think that is the main challenge rough sea or not.

Early in the war if you are lucky that closest escorts are Flowers, you can outrun them on surface. On a dark night it works.

Corsair, it is a good point that you mention that you should recognize escorts and check speed to make sure you can outrun them. Early in the war the attacks were all surfaced - from begin until the escape.

[rik007]

Note to self: Change lost contact time in GWX v1.04 to kill spoiler presented on this thread:shifty: .

Kpt. Lehman. I also have another note for you or maybe a question. Whenever I attack a convoy always searchlight light up after the first torpedo hit. I wonder if that is 'realistic'. Did all merchants have searlights then? I never read it. I think it was rather unusual.

The problem is that you cannot complete your attack when everything lights up and you are blinded by the searchlights.

[Lagger123987]

Can anyone theach me how to surface attack like her?

[Penelope_Grey]

You know you could have always asked 'her' I'm sure 'she' would have been prepared to offer help.

[Penelope_Grey]

Surface attack. If others have stuff to add or correct I hope you do as I am new to this really.

Firstly, darkness is a must. Preferrably with some overcast clouds and light fog. You want to see them but them not seeing you. But you can surface attack on clear nights, but its quite dangerous. The best attack conditions for surface attack are calm to moderate seas, partial cloud cover, and of course a bit of light fog.

Secondly, attack the convoy just as you would attack a lone surface ship at a 90 degree angle, preferably slightly ahead of the convoy.

Thridly, don't rush, and have silent running engaged on the surface so your watch crew don't yell out "ship spotted" (not sure if this makes a diff, but its realisitc!) Also you may have to come to a complete stop, if this is the case, do it. Hit your engines in reverse and bring the boat to a halt. Sometimes its better to keep still and this hard to see and let the target come to you, than rush about trying to get it in your sights, that is a good way to get caught.

Fourthly, keep your speed as low as possible, where possible try not to go quicker than 10 knots. Also, try not to be side on to ANY ship as if you are pointing your bow or stern at them, you are harder to see. Do not run side on to the convoy at close range.

Fifth, wait to see what is there to attack. Don't just bomb in. Find your targets, check your TDC (if not on manual targeting) to see what the torpedo hit is likely to be. And try to work out how best to shoot, as in... to make sure all torpedoes hit at about the same time. If one goes off too soon, the convoy starts zig zag procedure and the others could miss. So try to get them as sychronised as possible.

Sixth, if needbe, to finish the attack and empty your tubes, run to ahead flank and to get into position and do a 'fast attack run' safety permitting. If not, dive.

Seventh, don't be too fussy with everything being perfect, as said before and other threads, no such thing as a perfect attack.

Some tips:
Use silent running on the surface to stop your crew shouting. (Helps immersion)
Low speed when getting into firing position.
Flank speed when you are detected as you need to move quick.
Have your tube doors open ready before you start shooting.
Have your torpedo depth settings and speed and pistol type set ready for each thing you decide to attack.
Be prepared for it to result in a royal balls up.

and most important. Don't try this when the allies have got radar.

[MarkShot]

I say wait until dark and very real nasty storm. You'll have some viz and sound contacts while surfaced. There will be 50 ships about.

4-5 of these are escorts, but you can easily ID them by sound and simply avoid them at surface running speeds. Remember they cannot hear or see you. That leaves 45 merchants and yourself groping around blind in the dark, but you're the one with torpedoes! :) You'll know what to do.

One thing to be careful with following your sucessful AOB 90 shot at 700-500M, remember to come hard over on the rudder so that you don't ram your target! You lose a lot of crew respect when you crash into things that you were suppose to be sinking.

[bigboywooly]

You know you could have always asked 'her' I'm sure 'she' would have been prepared to offer help.

:rotfl:
Attitude girl
I like it
:rotfl:

[TarJak]

@Ms Grey

the only thing I'd add to your otherwise splendid tutorial is to ensure that you are running decks awash to cut your visible profile down. this does make a big difference to your chances of being spotted.

Other than that have your finger hovering over the C key after your have fired. If the spotlights lock onto you, it's best to just bug out ASAP.

[MarkShot]

LOL, so I guess you are saying that the onslaught is "to be continued later" yes?

<sigh>:-? Wonnnnderfullllll.:dead:

Herr Kpt. Lehmann, Ich bin zuruck gekommen. :)

[KeptinCranky]

decks awash :rock:

I deckgunned a hapless fishing boat tonight, which caused a destroyer to come take a look at 34 knts while I was still making my escape, and me being between him and the point the fishing boat went down. It was light fog but the moon was out, decided to see if I could evade on the surface, it was fairly shallow there, went to 7 meters, 6 knots and pointed my stern at him, he got to within 1500 meters but didn't spot me, then turned around and came slowly sailing along again getting as close as 1100 meters, I didn't have a rear fish anymore or I would have taken him out.

That was a fairly tense 30 minutes before he finally left visual range.:ping:

[Sebbe02]

how do you make your torpedo solution while moving? Or do you come to a stop when you're close enough?

[MarkShot]

Although I am not playing full real, I think a surface attack in a storm is an easy problem. You simply go to F6 and pre-enter a bore sited AOB 90 solution at zero off the bow for about 600M or so. Then, you just maneuver the boat into position and "Los"! Since it is pre-entered, you'll have adequate time to shoot.

[MENTAT]

Penolope,

I love surface attacks,
I hate foggy & bad weathers. Torpedoes go off before impact frequetly in bad weathers and fog brings too much surprises. But i will try your suggestion.

I didnt know that silent speed was useful on surface?? AFAIK, silent speed is restricted with 3 knots. (and This is also valid for surface conditions, is that not?) aint this cripples your manuever flexibilty?

You say, cruise with tubes open, what is the draw back of it? does it affect your speed? fuel consumption?

@Markshot, As I understand, you suggest running away while surfaced is more advantageous during night strikes? with low speed i guess? This will surely ruin ones nerves :doh:

How to know what is the visibilty rate, say on a regular night with moon?

Another question, might be off topic; what is the max. depth a torpedo can be fired?

[Sebbe02]

thnx markshot, I heard of that tric before. Might try it tonight, I found a small convoy with two nice targets in.

[Penelope_Grey]

@MENTAT

I didn't mean silent speed on the surface lol. I meant engage silent running so your men keep quiet. Its handy as well because in a crash dive scenario you are already silent so saves you one thing.

But more often than not, I just use silent running on the surface to stop my watch crew yelling "Ship Spotted" at me.

On the surface you use ahead slow. Which on a VII is about 7 knots, fast enough, if you go too fast, you make yourself more spotable.

There is no draw back to manually opening your tubes before you shoot. Far as I know, they close automatically after you fire.

Also use the shallow depth meter if needbe to put the boat low in the water. So a Type VII's normal surface trim is 5m, you put it at 6m for example and she will run low in the water, that is very handy to reduce your chances of being seen.

[MarkShot]

The enemy only listens for you when you are submerged. Now, if a storm if you are out of viz range ... how do you know for sure ... well, if you cannot see them, then they cannot see you ... also you will still be getting random hydrophone contacts due to huge swells ... viz is going to be under 1,000M. So, if you hold an escort at long or medium range, he/she is not going to see you.

Then, I say go to flank. Maximum displacement in minimum time.

By the way, I also think torpedos should be set to run a couple of meters deeper in storms to avoid broaching and going off track, but that is just speculation, I have no serious research behind that.

[MENTAT]

...Then, I say go to flank. Maximum displacement in minimum time.


But aint they hear your engines roaming with hydrophone checks? :o

Do they use hydrophones and sonar together by the way?

[Sebbe02]

They can't use both together, and both are useless on the surface... (I think)

[rik007]

Indeed I do not have the impression that they will detect you at the surface with hydrophone so they do not work then. I think it is merely sighting what is the problem. Diesel will make more noise than electrocal engines but still you can approach a convoy to about 1.5 km undetected at the surface. Trouble start when the fishes start to hit targets when you still at the surface.

[MarkShot]

The whole point ... in a storm at night those explosions are not problem. You are practically invisible without radar. You can stay on the surface and maneuver at significant speed. The last thing you want to do is dive and provide the escorts with a means to locate you.

Even if they do get lucky to get visual contact on you, then as I have said dive, get enough separation to be outside of visual range and, then, surface and run for it while they continue circling where you went down.

I've done this. A severe storm at night is the most amazing boost to the lethality and stealth of your boat.

[Nuoz]

Yesterday I tried it in a moonless night (1940). First I checked convoy speed by measuring time needed for the ships to travel 300m and then I positioned my u-boot so that I could pass the destroyer at maximum distance but still could reach the rear of the convoy. At low speed I turned in and passed the destroyer at about 2 km who just left the convoy for a search - maybe he heard me. So my U-boot was between the convoy and the destroyer. At 1.5 Km I used the UZO to find the merchants. I must say that it was a fantastic sight to see the ships filling the UZO. I enjoyed it briefly as I was worried about the destroyer that would return and the merchants that could spot me. With two salvo's I destroyed two large merchants. As one ship was stilll exploding the destroyer turned in on me and I dived as fast as I could to sneak under the convoy to disappear silently through the back. A dream experience which I will repeat for sure!
Are you really immune to hydrophones while surfaced? If you are, it doesnt make much sense to me as i can detect surfaced vessels by hydrophone. I don't get it :88)

[Sebbe02]

Good point Nuoz, that's something that doesn't ad up.

I performed a surface attack today. Found myself a good firing position, came to a stop, shot the torpedo's and started moving towards the convoy with a spare torpedo, ready to finish any victims of.

I was surprised about how quickly they saw me. Only 3 seconds after impact, and the bullets where allready flying... Sure, it was open sky, but don't they need to find you with the spotlights first?

[rik007]

Yesterday I tried it in a moonless night (1940). First I checked convoy speed by measuring time needed for the ships to travel 300m and then I positioned my u-boot so that I could pass the destroyer at maximum distance but still could reach the rear of the convoy. At low speed I turned in and passed the destroyer at about 2 km who just left the convoy for a search - maybe he heard me. So my U-boot was between the convoy and the destroyer. At 1.5 Km I used the UZO to find the merchants. I must say that it was a fantastic sight to see the ships filling the UZO. I enjoyed it briefly as I was worried about the destroyer that would return and the merchants that could spot me. With two salvo's I destroyed two large merchants. As one ship was stilll exploding the destroyer turned in on me and I dived as fast as I could to sneak under the convoy to disappear silently through the back. A dream experience which I will repeat for sure!
Are you really immune to hydrophones while surfaced? If you are, it doesnt make much sense to me as i can detect surfaced vessels by hydrophone. I don't get it :88)

Hi Nuoz, I'm not saying you are immune and I will not advice to run flank at 1.5 km from the merchants but if the enemies hydrophones do work as well as ours we would be easily detected from miles and miles away and surface attacks would be impossible for sure.

While running slow or standard a surface approach with some waves and dark night it is very well possible.

[rik007]

Good point Nuoz, that's something that doesn't ad up.

I performed a surface attack today. Found myself a good firing position, came to a stop, shot the torpedo's and started moving towards the convoy with a spare torpedo, ready to finish any victims of.

I was surprised about how quickly they saw me. Only 3 seconds after impact, and the bullets where allready flying... Sure, it was open sky, but don't they need to find you with the spotlights first?

Sebbe02, that 3 seconds is visual contact after you wakened them up a little bit... The point with surface attacks is the escape after the torpedoes hit. The best way to set up the attack is to torp a distant target and while the fishes are running start aiming at a nearby target so all torpedoes start exploding when you have already started the escape. With a surface attack that is a bit difficult as the nearest target is 1.5 km away etc. Still it is a shame that they do find you that easily.

[MarkShot]

Just to be clear, I am talking about attacking at night, overcast skies, winds at 15M, and rain is good too. Either my SH3/GWX installation is hosed or under such circumstances, you are invisible. Even for you to spot merchants you need to first close to about 600-500M. However, after the spotting, then you can probably hold the visual contact up to about 800M.

Now, if you attack on the surface on a clear bright moonlit night with winds at 0 meters, you are definitely going to get what is coming to you.

[Mush Martin]

@Ms Grey

the only thing I'd add to your otherwise splendid tutorial is to ensure that you are running decks awash to cut your visible profile down. this does make a big difference to your chances of being spotted.

Other than that have your finger hovering over the C key after your have fired. If the spotlights lock onto you, it's best to just bug out ASAP.
I would add the finer points maybe In her first attack she induced
simultaneous detonation of her first two torps. Practicing enough
with the timing differentials of torp tracks fore and aft fast and slow
at well practiced range estimates allows simultaneous or near
simultaneous detonations of all torps. done at enough range.
this type of Strike First Strike Fast Strike hard technique, can
have you well on the way to a total evasion before the escorts
are aware of your presence as well as prohibiting late evasive
maneuvers on the targets. Using oblique firing angles
for and aft shots alternately fast and slow torps and differentiated
target ranges are the techniques that need to be practiced.
simultaneous detonations of six torps in sh3 and Potentially ten in sh4
is one very satisfying experience. My best is seven with a three out of
synch in sh4. all six in sh3 I have done many times albeit this is not
really for manual shooting.

p.s. Hi Jack.

M
of all

[rik007]

... Using oblique firing angles for and aft shots alternately fast and slow torps and differentiated target ranges are the techniques that need to be practiced. simultaneous detonations of six torps in sh3 and Potentially ten in sh4 is one very satisfying experience...

And that will be the new level to be reached by us all: surface attack + simultaneous detonation.

[Penelope_Grey]

Now, if you attack on the surface on a clear bright moonlit night with winds at 0 meters, you are definitely going to get what is coming to you.

Not to brag or anything, but.... um.... I managed it! :D

[Sebbe02]

Still, they found me way too fast!

I tought you guys went in with a spare torp to try to torp anything on point blank range:D Guess not...

[robj250]

I certainly don't know how you get away with a night surface attack. I have never been successful at it yet.

I have a large convoy on a dark night, just on the ledge of 1000 m keel. It has a Clemson, a V&W and 3 Flower Corvettes. I am having problems. That Clemson is leading and is a pain, and when I sink it to get in, or if I don't sink it to get at the merchants and also full of neutrals (1940) all the escorts come-a-running.

Rob

[KeptinCranky]

Hmm,

If the leading escort is a hassle, you might want to try a shot from in front of the convoy as follows.

you are of course decks awash at 7 meters, otherwise, do this first:D

the following trick is doable with manual targeting provided you know the convoys course and speed. AOB can be calculated from that and you can do shots like described below.

position yourself about 3km in front of the convoy, and about 1500m off the outer row closest to you. and perpendicular to their course. then turn the boat about 20 degrees towards them. you will now be in position to shoot at several of the leading ships in one quick series. you'll have to use magnetics though because of bad AOB for impact. then pick 2 of the leading ships, if possible in the middle of the convoy.

you should start shooting when the farthest ship you'll target is about at 350 degrees, the lead escort shout bear between 0 and 10 now

If they're in range for electrics, that's 3500 meters, use those, if not use steamers at medium speed, then fire at the farthest ship first, then the nearer, for tankers use 2 eels for cargos just one. you should now have one electric eel left with the closest ship being the lead escort, if this hasn't seen you yet and is moving slowly in a straight line, fire your electric at it, for a Clemson set it to 5 meters magnetic. If not, don't bother fire the eel at the closest merchant you haven't yet fired on. Then do a quick 180 and out of there, with the lead escort bearing 210 on your rear, if you're feeling aggresive, you might try firing your rear tube at the leading ship of the outer row which by now should be on a nice gyroangle, I usually don't but it could be done, then keep up that course at 8knots or so until the first fish hits, this should be the lead escort. Ideally the two ships you targeted earlier should be hit almost simultaneously, it works out that way because the distance the eels need to travel is shorter for the second ship and the escort but the eels were fired later. I haven't got the maths to prove it but doing this by seat-of-the-pants calculation has worked several times for me.

If the lead escort is hit it will sink, maybe not immediately, depends on where it's hit but it's out of the fight. You now have a window to escape, go to 12 or more knots same course as the convoy but angling away from it a little to get as far away from the lead flanker as possible. If they don't have radar, you'll get away clean.

If the lead escort does not get sunk it will head towards the point where you fired from, keep your stern pointed at him and stay at 8 knots or so, with any luck you'll be far enough away to not be found, if detected, (starshelled, searlighted or plain fired upon) crashdive and do the whole underwater evasion routine

good luck and good hunting :up:

edit; didn't see the bit about the neutrals...damn that doesn't help. my thoughts: shoot them anyway they're not supposed to be in a convoy anyway!

[robj250]

This is basically what I have"

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9691/convoysx3.jpg

Rob

and I get the s****t knocked out of me :damn: 3 out of 5 times. I've only been able to get the tanker and C2 in the front row before I get attacked. One of the neutrals is a passenger liner in the third row

You mention to take out the Clemson using magnetic at 5 m depth. It's draft is only 2.8 so I have been trying to use 3.3 m

[Penelope_Grey]

I think the only real thing you can do is be patient, that is the secret, when you see an opening then go for it.

Putting the boat low in the water helps too, but really the only thing for it, is patience. You just have to take it steady and don't rush.

[robj250]

I think the only real thing you can do is be patient, that is the secret, when you see an opening then go for it.

Putting the boat low in the water helps too, but really the only thing for it, is patience. You just have to take it steady and don't rush.

hehe, I quit for 40 days, then trying to take this convoy I have started up again. Never ever had any trouble with a convoy like this one. Oh, I am at periscope depth.

I've been letting the Clemson go past. It has only a draft of 2.8 m so I been using magnetic at 3.3 m, (? 5 m)

[KeptinCranky]

Rob, you're right, clemson very shallow draft , was going by memory there, obviously faulty :oops:

what year is this?

as for a good attack... I think you're in the wrong position, that convoy is going to plow right over you, you should ideally be outside it. on the side with the single flower, I don't think there's enough time to get back in position though.

If you do manage to reposition I'd sit between the northen flower and the c2, but in front of them. you can still take out the leading C2 and T2 and maybe escape on the surface.
if not I'd attack submerged in this case. but if that clemson is sweeping in front he might just be pinging and find you at pd.

odd though that all the escorts come after you, I'd expect the two flankers on the other side to just keep doing their thing...:hmm: that still means 2 escorts on top of you the flower and the clemson, the point of taking out the clemson is that a VIIc sub can outrun a flower (barely) at least you can go just as fast and maintain distance, which in this case could be a lifesaver.
especially if that flower is the only one to react, you might be dodging shells for a while, but flowers only have a puny popgun and at long range in the dark that's survivable, if you keep running away from the convoy for say 20 minutes you only have 1 flower to contend with, which should be doable, you can then crashdive and go silent, the other escorts are then so far away that they don't come to help the poor flower, which should be killable with a stern-shot or one of the torpedoes you reloaded while hightailing it outta there for 20 minutes.

If however that V&W DD also comes for you, even though it does have to go through the convoy which should slow it down enough for it to loose you, you're screwed, crashdive, go below 200 meters and make like a hole in the water.:-?

hope that helps

[robj250]

Rob, you're right, clemson very shallow draft , was going by memory there, obviously faulty :oops:

what year is this?

as for a good attack... I think you're in the wrong position, that convoy is going to plow right over you, you should ideally be outside it. on the side with the single flower, I don't think there's enough time to get back in position though.

If you do manage to reposition I'd sit between the northen flower and the c2, but in front of them. you can still take out the leading C2 and T2 and maybe escape on the surface.
if not I'd attack submerged in this case. but if that clemson is sweeping in front he might just be pinging and find you at pd.

odd though that all the escorts come after you, I'd expect the two flankers on the other side to just keep doing their thing...:hmm: that still means 2 escorts on top of you the flower and the clemson, the point of taking out the clemson is that a VIIc sub can outrun a flower (barely) at least you can go just as fast and maintain distance, which in this case could be a lifesaver.
especially if that flower is the only one to react, you might be dodging shells for a while, but flowers only have a puny popgun and at long range in the dark that's survivable, if you keep running away from the convoy for say 20 minutes you only have 1 flower to contend with, which should be doable, you can then crashdive and go silent, the other escorts are then so far away that they don't come to help the poor flower, which should be killable with a stern-shot or one of the torpedoes you reloaded while hightailing it outta there for 20 minutes.

If however that V&W DD also comes for you, even though it does have to go through the convoy which should slow it down enough for it to loose you, you're screwed, crashdive, go below 200 meters and make like a hole in the water.:-?

hope that helps

It is Sept 1940, and yes you are correct, the convoy plows right over/ around me. Is there a passive device that the DD are using now that have an affect on the torpedoes that cause them to miss the DD?:hmm:

You mentioned in another post to fire the T1's at medium speed, do you mean at the Clemson?

If I find I cannot reposition myself, and have to stay where pictured, I'll have to take out the Clemson, preferably with a stern torpedo as it goes by because it's going to be a real pest if I don't.

[bigboywooly]

I always set my mag torps 1m below the keel Rob
Less chance of a downward movement in the ship as it rides waves and the torp bouncing off the rounded bottom of the hull

[robj250]

I always set my mag torps 1m below the keel Rob
Less chance of a downward movement in the ship as it rides waves and the torp bouncing off the rounded bottom of the hull

Hi BW, Okay for the Clemson 2.8 draft, set it at 3.8 then. Will give it a try.

Rob

[KeptinCranky]

:D<lecture mode>:know:

No, NEVER fire T1s at escorts unless heavy fog and heavy seas, otherwise they spot them and instantaneously go to 30 knots and dodge, even at night.

The T1s should be used on merchants and on medium for 3 reasons:

a: they take longer so more time for you to escape

b: they run longer, have longer range, this means that even if you miss your intended target it carries on into the convoy. it's happened to me a few times that I accidentally hit a ship way on the other side, which is good because it gets me tonnage and makes the escorts look for you in the wrong place

c: if you make the long range shots with t1s at medium and the shorter shots with T2s the timing is better, more chance of simultaneous impact which not only looks cool but makes sure the merchies don't start zigzagging

as for passive devices well..eyeball mk.I for spotting the bubble trail and hydrophones, IRL they can hear torpedos, just like you can they make a very distinctive noise, I don't think that's moddeled in SH3 though because t2s if correctly fired always hit, they may not detonate because of bad magnetic detonators or sharply angled impact but the escort doesn't react to the CLONK of a dud eel hitting it.

as to positioning, if you can't relocate: submerge, go silent and turn 90 degrees on the convoys course. then stop and wait and blow up the first non-neutral to cross your bow. try to have one row of ships sail right behind you, like 100 meters or so this gives you more time to calculate and plan your shots from the forward tubes. don't use the stern tubes, they probably won't hit so it's wasteful.
after firing your forward eels at 1 or 2 ships, go to 4 knots set rudder 10 degrees away from lead escort and dive, when at 70 meters go silent and go as deep as you dare.

If that clemson somehow finds you while you're at a dead stop and submerged (and this might happen, although in 1940 the odds are still good that he won't) usually it finds you when it gets real real close or is pinging, don't hesitate and crashdive, live to fight another day and when diving head into the convoy, they make noise and hamper the escorts movement. go silent when you hit 70 meters or so, set rudder 10 degrees away from the escort but stay underneath the convoy. go at least 150 meters down but 200 is better an undamaged VIIc should be able to go at least 210 meters without imploding. I've done that regularly in the Med in 42 where you absolutely have to to get away.

the downside of taking out the clemson is that you probably won't be able to attack merchants afterwards because they will start zigzagging and at least 2 other escorts will come to get you. what you could do is evade those (eventually) and then overtake the convoy again. since it's now short a lead escort is should be a cakewalk to ambush them from right in front of them by getting in front, lying in wait submerged and taking out whatever juicy target takes your fancy.

that's planning ahead, if there's enough night left when the escorts stop hunting you for an end-around and second attack that may be your best option. although not very realistic, they wouldn't have done that in ww2

</lecture mode>:D
good hunting :up:

[Penelope_Grey]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v324/Spider-Hulk/Penny/convoy.jpg

This here picture should prove beyond all shadow of doubt just how close you can get to the convoy at night if you are careful and don't run round like a crazy person on the surface.

As you can see, not a great deal of distance between me and the ships.

Though this surface attack was not flawless far from it. I made a silly mistake, I attacked two ships in the line closest to me and got machine gunned by the destroyer, I dived with Hull at 83% so really, surface attacks are really cool, but... they can get your ass riddled like swiss cheese.

[robj250]

:D<lecture mode>:know:

No, NEVER fire T1s at escorts unless heavy fog and heavy seas, otherwise they spot them and instantaneously go to 30 knots and dodge, even at night.

I have always used G7a on as I never use anything but T1s and I wait until the DD or DE is within 500 yrds and fire bow shot and I always get them, well, 99 % of the time because they cannot move out of the way fast enough when the T1 is fired fast and magnetic.

I used T1s right to the end of the war with my other sub VIIB with no problems.

The T1s should be used on merchants and on medium for 3 reasons:

a: they take longer so more time for you to escape

b: they run longer, have longer range, this means that even if you miss your intended target it carries on into the convoy. it's happened to me a few times that I accidentally hit a ship way on the other side, which is good because it gets me tonnage and makes the escorts look for you in the wrong place

c: if you make the long range shots with t1s at medium and the shorter shots with T2s the timing is better, more chance of simultaneous impact which not only looks cool but makes sure the merchies don't start zigzagging



as for passive devices well..eyeball mk.I for spotting the bubble trail and hydrophones, IRL they can hear torpedos, just like you can they make a very distinctive noise, I don't think that's moddeled in SH3 though because t2s if correctly fired always hit, they may not detonate because of bad magnetic detonators or sharply angled impact but the escort doesn't react to the CLONK of a dud eel hitting it.

as to positioning, if you can't relocate: submerge, go silent and turn 90 degrees on the convoys course. then stop and wait and blow up the first non-neutral to cross your bow. try to have one row of ships sail right behind you, like 100 meters or so this gives you more time to calculate and plan your shots from the forward tubes. don't use the stern tubes, they probably won't hit so it's wasteful.
after firing your forward eels at 1 or 2 ships, go to 4 knots set rudder 10 degrees away from lead escort and dive, when at 70 meters go silent and go as deep as you dare.

If that clemson somehow finds you while you're at a dead stop and submerged (and this might happen, although in 1940 the odds are still good that he won't) usually it finds you when it gets real real close or is pinging, don't hesitate and crashdive, live to fight another day and when diving head into the convoy, they make noise and hamper the escorts movement. go silent when you hit 70 meters or so, set rudder 10 degrees away from the escort but stay underneath the convoy. go at least 150 meters down but 200 is better an undamaged VIIc should be able to go at least 210 meters without imploding. I've done that regularly in the Med in 42 where you absolutely have to to get away.

the downside of taking out the clemson is that you probably won't be able to attack merchants afterwards because they will start zigzagging and at least 2 other escorts will come to get you. what you could do is evade those (eventually) and then overtake the convoy again. since it's now short a lead escort is should be a cakewalk to ambush them from right in front of them by getting in front, lying in wait submerged and taking out whatever juicy target takes your fancy.

that's planning ahead, if there's enough night left when the escorts stop hunting you for an end-around and second attack that may be your best option. although not very realistic, they wouldn't have done that in ww2

</lecture mode>:D
good hunting :up:[/quote] Okie dokie

[robj250]

This was my first attempt at attacking the convoy and I had to take out the Clemson. Following are 3 snaps I took in order. 1) fire tube 5 at Clemson, 2) Impact with Clemson then indicator shows a C2 behind it at over 1,000 m and 3) Clemson sinking.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8002/snap0318ii9.jpg

Fire five at Clemson

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7918/snap0319et0.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7918/snap0319et0.jpg)

Clemson hit, shows C2 behind it

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4343/snap0317fe7.jpg (http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4343/snap0317fe7.jpg)

Clemson sinking!

But then I had to crash dive.

Rob

[MENTAT]

IPutting the boat low in the water helps too, but really the only thing for it, is patience. You just have to take it steady and don't rush.

Correct me if ia am wrong, aint Putting your boat low in the water makes your watchcrew close the hatches and move in? So practically it will be a submerged postion no matter how your coning tower is surfaced?

or am i wrong?

BTW, if i set the range of a torpedo to say, 1200m and DD is 700m away (Set to magnetic) will it run deep when near to DD at 700m or will it do it in 1200m (and hit DD and bounce off on the way)?

[Canovaro]

Tried a surface shadow intercept. The flank frigate came take a look and flashed his lights. It came closer and closer and i dodn't know if he spotted me or not. Suddely I realized it was getting too close and before I knew it I was being rammed. :huh:

Got out undamaged after being depthcharged for an hour.

No more decks awash for me :nope:

[robj250]

IPutting the boat low in the water helps too, but really the only thing for it, is patience. You just have to take it steady and don't rush.

Correct me if ia am wrong, aint Putting your boat low in the water makes your watchcrew close the hatches and move in? So practically it will be a submerged postion no matter how your coning tower is surfaced?

or am i wrong?

Well actually, running decks awash can be done two ways, depending on your depth; one is what you mention above and the other is slightly shallower and have your gun crew on deck. It all depends on the depth you select.

BTW, if i set the range of a torpedo to say, 1200m and DD is 700m away (Set to magnetic) will it run deep when near to DD at 700m or will it do it in 1200m (and hit DD and bounce off on the way)?

I don't know what you mean when you say you set the running distance (range). Each specific torpedo has it's own running distance. i.e.: T1 fast 5,000m; medium 7,500 m and slow 12,500 m; T2 7,500 max. So, you torpedo will run that distance unless something gets in it's way, like a ship, or you have a dud.

[KeptinCranky]

hmm if you set the eel deep enough say 9 meters magnetic the dd won't trigger it so it goes on to maybe hit something else.

back in the stock SH3 days I put my uboat right underneath a small merchant, matched its course and then went to periscope depth with it about 20 meters in front of my boat. then fired a steamer straight ahead set to 12 meters it passed underneath the small merchant without detonating because it wasn't armed and too deep to trigger the magnetic pistol so it blew a hole right in the engine of the T3 in front of that merchant, I never raised my scope above the water for that attack just raised it a little to see if I was still on the same course

Admittedly that was a silly thing to do, especially without external view. I did sink the T3 but it turned out to be neutral :oops:

[robj250]

hmm if you set the eel deep enough say 9 meters magnetic the dd won't trigger it so it goes on to maybe hit something else.

back in the stock SH3 days I put my uboat right underneath a small merchant, matched its course and then went to periscope depth with it about 20 meters in front of my boat. then fired a steamer straight ahead set to 12 meters it passed underneath the small merchant without detonating because it wasn't armed and too deep to trigger the magnetic pistol so it blew a hole right in the engine of the T3 in front of that merchant, I never raised my scope above the water for that attack just raised it a little to see if I was still on the same course

Admittedly that was a silly thing to do, especially without external view. I did sink the T3 but it turned out to be neutral :oops:

Well I just finished my attack on the convoy, but I had to cut it short after sinking 3 ships including the Clemson, as the other escorts were buzzing around me like bees in a hive.

Rob

[Kitzbuell]

[quote=Kpt. Lehmann]It is also good to see it re-confirmed that night surface attacks are quite feasible in GWX. Some feel that such things are impossible in GWX... yet over the last couple of days I've read four accounts detailing successes using this M.O.

Then you can floor it... "buckle up kids - mammy's putting the hammer down!":arrgh!:

..., its very Das Booty.

Thanks for all the thumbs up, Ive come a long way from what I was before! This convoy attack was cigar worthy let me tell you!

Love it!

[rik007]

Night attacks are very well possible in GWX and they are great! I conducted three of them during the last week. One included an escape over the surface after the torps had been fired and that was one of the most spectacular attacks I ever did. A Fregat fired some shells short and tried to follow me but it was too far away and I outrunned it. In the mean time I observed one of the victims, a tanker. Which started to burn more and more fiercely to become one blazing inferno in my UZO before it when down.

[Penelope_Grey]

I got a night attack on the surface ready to go. I saved the game with my boat in prime attack position all I gotta do is creep closer into firing range, then head away to reload then come back.

Fingers crossed though it works out. Sometimes it doesn't.

Does anybody have any tips for escaping on the surface without getting caught?

[robj250]

Hi Peneolpe_Grey

Wishing you luck in your attack.

I have an IXB, pure black, so maybe I might be able to make a surface night attack. Will have to wait and see.

When you are on the surface, doesn't the escorts hear your motor noise?

Rob

[abel29a]

Does anybody have any tips for escaping on the surface without getting caught?

What works for me is trying to keep the pursuer at 180 and then gradually turning left or right to get some sideway separation. Whenever they fire off starshells I manouver to get it between me and the pursuer as it seems the lights makes it difficult for them to see in the darkness on the other side (as it would in real life). If a starshell explodes above my boat I use FLAK to shoot it down. Once they start up with searchlights and they are not actually training them on me I move sharply left or right for a few second before pointing my stern at them again, all to keep the DDs guessing as to what direction I'm travelling. Given enough of a headstart this usually allows me to escape.

[WolfOfCampscapel]

I actually passed 50m in front of a small merchant without being spotted, in the front row of a convoy. 1500-2000m behind the front escort. Rather tense, that, but didn't want to zigzag and "stir the waters", so to speak.

Worked out well, that one. Two eels at each of two large merchants, wait for the pretty noises, crash dive and creep out the back.

Another time I jinxed it by crash diving too early - nervousness... The whole convoy probably heard my coxswain bellowing and zigged just by way of flinching.

[robj250]

I'm heading toward a convoy with my black coloured IXB. It is 1900 and I have a ways to go to intercept a large convoy, but am hoping it will be before sunrise.

Will let you know how I fair.

Rob

[Penelope_Grey]

Just did a convoy attack, never had to dive at all! I was extremely lucky, seems the escorts for this convoy were spread thin indeed! Another nice and realistic touch from the GWX boys.:up: Did have to outrun a corvette though to reload forward tubes, sank 3 large cargoes and one modern medium tanker.

Not too shabby!

[Brag]

Just did a convoy attack, never had to dive at all! I was extremely lucky, seems the escorts for this convoy were spread thin indeed! Another nice and realistic touch from the GWX boys.:up: Did have to outrun a corvette though to reload forward tubes, sank 3 large cargoes and one modern medium tanker.

Not too shabby!

Good show!
But don't dig into your lucky bag too often, the damn rhing is often empty, or worse, exhausted ;)

[KeptinCranky]

Yep,
that's just when you get a perfect firing solution on an Illustrious Carrier, get the shot off, and 2 eels prematurely detonate, the other 2 just plain don't explode, even though they went underneath it at the perfect depth and angle :damn: x10

I'm now off to sulk in a corner about the whole Illustrious thing.
Don't get too confident, brave Kaleun(ette) = dead Kaleun(ette) :D

[Penelope_Grey]

Oh I sank and Illustrious, I'd recommend it to everybody.:up:

@Brag:

You are totally right. When Radar comes along I am really really going to miss my surface attacks. :(

[Brag]

Oh I sank and Illustrious, I'd recommend it to everybody.:up:

@Brag:

You are totally right. When Radar comes along I am really really going to miss my surface attacks. :(

I haven't even seen an aircraft carrier, yet. :cry:
During my last patrol, made a succesful sureptitious surface approah to a fast, armed freighter, only to Bernard my last torpedo. End of 1941, end of an era.

Oh well. We'll keep on frogging convoys :rock:

[KeptinCranky]

I've sunk one, but that was in heavy fog, only got a 2 second glimpse of it, just enough to know it was within 400 meters, I hit it with 4 eels and it went down but I didn't get to see it :-? that was during the Norway campaign in 40, at almost the exact same spot where I met this one in 42.

would've liked to show off the pictures for this one, broad daylight, no fog, oh well

[rik007]

Oh I sank and Illustrious, I'd recommend it to everybody.:up:

@Brag:

You are totally right. When Radar comes along I am really really going to miss my surface attacks. :(

I crossed the Illustrious yesterday and with a calm sea, near full moon, those warships and dusk it was even daring to attack it under water. Checking again and again, got everything right and fired a spread of four from 2.5 Km distance. And I agree that is was a recommendable experience when they all struck the doomed ship.

[TarJak]

There is a TF that crosses from Scotland to the Norwegian coast that contains the Illustrious. I've sunk here about 6 times but she just keeps on coming back:damn: :lol:

[robj250]

There is a TF that crosses from Scotland to the Norwegian coast that contains the Illustrious. I've sunk here about 6 times but she just keeps on coming back:damn: :lol:

She has an automatic "respawn mechanism in her hull" :rotfl:

[Jimbuna]

Perhaps one of the unavoidable downsides of the game.....especially when you work out the sailing route of those 'one off' vessels eg: Hood :yep:

[KeptinCranky]

Nah, You're all confusing Illustrious with Impervious :nope::p:D

[rik007]

There is a TF that crosses from Scotland to the Norwegian coast that contains the Illustrious. I've sunk here about 6 times but she just keeps on coming back:damn: :lol: I found the Illustious west of England. Chance to meet here there again.

[MENTAT]

Well actually, running decks awash can be done two ways, depending on your depth; one is what you mention above and the other is slightly shallower and have your gun crew on deck. It all depends on the depth you select.


Rob, yesterday i tried to lower the boat for a decks awash running.. Shallow meter shows 5ms depth when i am at the surface, when i set it to 6m, hatches closed and all crews moved in, starting electric engine instead of running with diesels as well. So, my boat was practically at surface but i ran like submerged? So what is the idea to run decks awash?

[Jimbuna]

The idea behind running decks awash is that your boats profile will be lower and therefore harder to spot. Try setting your depth to 7/8 metres :arrgh!:

[Penelope_Grey]

Rob, yesterday i tried to lower the boat for a decks awash running.. Shallow meter shows 5ms depth when i am at the surface, when i set it to 6m, hatches closed and all crews moved in, starting electric engine instead of running with diesels as well. So, my boat was practically at surface but i ran like submerged? So what is the idea to run decks awash?

In GWX and some of the other major supermods, the U-boats are set up so that you can put the boat low in the water without completely submerging, you must be running a different version to us, because in stock you couldn't do that.

In the main game folder, data then submarine, you'll see folders like... NSS_Uboat2A, NSS_Uboat7c
and so forth... I believe that the GWX team altered the cfg files in there so that the Uboat could run decks awash. Because in stock the Boat thinks anything less than its standard surface trim and its underwater.

[MENTAT]

In GWX and some of the other major supermods, the U-boats are set up so that you can put the boat low in the water without completely submerging, you must be running a different version to us, because in stock you couldn't do that.
Ah, that was the answer i was seeking... Thx Pen. Yes, it is still stock i am playing.

I downloaded GWX and stands still on my HDD, but i just couldnt decided yet to switch to it or not. If it would be too difficult, i could be frustrated :88)

[Penelope_Grey]

GWX is a big step up from Stock, but, look around at all the satisfied customers here. Trust me. It will make a difference. Im not gonna lie to you, it is not a walk in the park, it is harder than stock, but its not harder to the extent it alienates lower level players, heck I should know... I can play it. :up:

Use SH3 commander with it too, and you can really get great content and maximum control.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

This thread seems relevant to more than a few current questions, complaints, etc.

BUMP!:|\\