Airplane overkill?

[Hadrys]

Ok, some time ago i wanted more aggresive gameplay etc, now in 43 it's hardcore or rather HARDCORE. I'm crawling home between Rockall Bank and England, trying to fix my conn tower after one more precise bomb from hundreds dropped. With longer repair mod I needed about 1,5 hrs to fix most important things. Now surfaced 20th time? and still didn't fixed all. Looking at the map I'm in the same place. Planes come every 5 minutes? If there is a window of 20 minutes we wonder did the war just ended or what?

I understand that planes were subs greatest enemy but sorry, ~30 min underwater to loose the heist, 5 mins surface for a quick breath and fixing conn, crash dive on radar signals... Day and night! Now I've counted 6 signals, already was doing flank before dive, finally decided to crash. External cam... 2 Catalinas, 4 (FOUR) Liberators, they dropped their cargo behind my bow as it was still shallow. Didn't have time to count, it was like 40 bombs in half a minute?????? This is crazy! It looks like Tommies have millions of planes, full of bombs, searching every centimeter of Atlantic non stop. It's not the thrill if this time Tommies will be faster. No, I simply can't surface because I already know there is a plane waiting... I can go for the whole day underwater, zig-zag, either way just after surface in 80% there will be a plane. Add to this no alert when using the scope, just TC drops to x1...

In this area I was sunk 5 times now? Still crawling. I accept my errors and eat those bombs but crew shouts too late, no info through the scope, or they surface just under a plane just like that and stay quiet until we're under attack. I'm getting sick and tired of this.

:damn: :damn: :damn:

[papa_smurf]

I've not experienced this kind of air attack as i've yet to make it to '43.
All I can really say is that you've been REALLY unlucky.

[Tontoman]

You using the Grey Wolves expansion? A while back when I played SH3 I had the same problem, air attacks every 5 minutes until it got to the point my gaming time was all spent diving and surfacing over and over. Ended up downloading a mod to lessen air power to playable (imo) levels. Sorry I can't remember the name or location, but sure it's out there.

Playing GWX now but still early years so not sure if it's going to happen again and/or if the mod I mentioned is included.

T.

[Hadrys]

You using the Grey Wolves expansion? A while back when I played SH3 I had the same problem, air attacks every 5 minutes until it got to the point my gaming time was all spent diving and surfacing over and over. Ended up downloading a mod to lessen air power to playable (imo) levels. Sorry I can't remember the name or location, but sure it's out there.

Playing GWX now but still early years so not sure if it's going to happen again and/or if the mod I mentioned is included.

T.

Sure it's gwx. It started in 42 with my campaign from Bergen but looked like after leaving the Fjord, forces were waiting for me as intel did well. Airplanes + small killer group. After 300km away it was calm and very reasonable. Plane out of nowhere from time to time, my pants full. But now it's unplayable... i'll try messing with Airstrike.cfg

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Spoiler Warning!

In SH3, enemy units that encounter you "report" your last encountered position to the game engine... and any forces local to the area are vectored to it... both air and surface.

(The same thing would happen in real life! Once they found a U-boat, ALL available means to destroy it were brought to bear and U-boat hunts might last for days or even weeks.)

Solution: Stay submerged for a couple of hours or longer as you continue your course. The enemy will search for you at your last known location and the surrounding area. If you are again immediately on the surface... vectored enemies are far more likely to find you... especially aircraft.

In short... be sneakier. Afterwards you should be able to stay on the surface a bit longer before you are found. Also remember that the enemy concentration is denser closer to allied holdings.

Being on the surface during the day is also more risky. The enemy units will be able to see you more easily and will not have to rely on radar as much to find you.

Darkness is one of your few friends.

Keep the big picture in mind and try to think what you would do to find and kill U-boats if you were an allied commander. Its hard to do that when you are in the thick of it... but doing so will put you one step ahead.

[Hadrys]

Keep the big picture in mind and try to think what you would do to find and kill U-boats if you were an allied commander. Its hard to do that when you are in the thick of it... but doing so will put you one step ahead.

I am... I can stay submerged during the whole day, go slowly till my batteries empty, no sonar contacts for the whole time, change course, surface during the dark night and... hello, wanna eat a bomb? I stopped going all day submerged cause I didn't have time to recharge, compress air etc, missed contact reports. I keep radio silence. Trust me I do what I should, I've learned my lessons. There are rare and short moments I can proceed normally.

DD have a very small capability of radar detection but planes... I can dive just after a warning and very often they drop bombs very precisely into my position... good that I have 70m of water till than.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Well, based on a great deal of research and testing regarding the aircraft capabilities and coverage as implemented in GWX... I disagree with your assessment and have answered your question as best as I can.

Overall test reports mostly indicate the contrary... as does my own testing experience at low TC.

Best of luck to you.

[Heffalump]

Get a schnorkel as soon as you can. It is difficult to last long in 43 or later without one.

[GoldenRivet]

i would encourage you to check out this thread...

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=118568

according to the documentary, air attacks were constant. The allies learned very quickly that if you sent aircraft over the sea to patrol grid squares their radar would almost always find a target -and as the war progressed the radar would be able to pinpoint something the size of a periscope sticking out of the water too! sending and receiving radio messages also helped the allies pinpoint the location of the boat so the aircraft would be able to narrow their search grid down to an area the size of a large city... once they narrowed the search - radar took care of the rest.

After early to mid 1943 you should feel as if the entire world is bearing down on you... you should feel helpless... useless... on the run. You should feel like the war is already lost and its all you can do to sink a single ship out on patrol. You should feel like you are always having to look over your shoulder... GWX captures this perfectly IMHO

[Hadrys]

You should feel like...

Ok I can feel it :|\\

I've read a book of Herbert Werner who made it through the whole war and he didn't mention constant airstrike. It was very hard for sure, he made a lot effort to find a Schnorchel for his boat, they lived in constant fear but in GWX this is insane. Exactly the whole world is looking for me... Currently testing new ideas after another perfect bombing... it makes no sense to start over a new campaign as this is patrol 2... but 10k on my account ;)

PS Were Tommies flying in groups like in GWX or rather single planes? Haven't done much research on that topic, in "10 years 20 days" also it wasn't mentioned, maybe I didn't get that far and now don't have that much time...

Thx everyone for enlightning! If it's supposed to be that way, let it be...

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Just a tidbit... I read "Iron Coffins" by Herbert Werner (twice too! Good book!)

I seem to recall him crashdiving rather often due to spotting aircraft... and he was one of the lucky very few who survived to the end... Most did not.

Infact, one of Mr. Werner's U-boats was damaged by an aircraft-dropped mine just beyond the pens while he was watching. (He was not on board at the time but did observe it.)

Regarding group attacks in GWX... wherever we find that a situation has you being attacked by a wad of planes... we adjust it. Should usually be single aircraft... sometimes two but rarely so.

(Not trying to be argumentative or to pick on you.)

[GoldenRivet]

i can tell you for sure it is very RARE for any airborne combat element to fly solo... they are almost always in groups of 2 or more.

what would be more likely to happein is they would fly as a pair to the search area and then "Split" to cover 2 different segments of the search area - if one finds something the other is only a couple of minutes flight away.

I think what Kapt. Lehmann is trying to say about his "Spoiler" is that it will be more true to real life. in the following way i assume...

... in reality, an air patrol sights and attacks a submarine. the air patrol radios in a "hot contact" to nearby friendly aircraft and ships. The aircraft know and the ships know that the sub can only travel at a slow pace underwater, and that he will have to surface for air within about 24 hours. the new search area is now increadibly focused. Other aircraft join the search, other surface ships join the fight. By now it is only a matter of time before the u-boat must surface once more to recharge air and batteries, and it is again that they find you. each time their search area grows smaller and smaller.

this style of ASW leaves you with only two real options - surface and surrender... or die. escpae is possible... but highly HIGHLY unlikely.

more U-boats than i care to think about met their end this way.

[Hadrys]

Just a tidbit... I read "Iron Coffins" by Herbert Werner (twice too! Good book!)

Regarding group attacks in GWX... wherever we find that a situation has you being attacked by a wad of planes... we adjust it. Should usually be single aircraft... sometimes two but rarely so.

Couldn't remember english title, need to read it one more time.

As to group attacks, in 42 from Bergen most of the time it was a single AC, fighters were in pairs. When surprised by a single AC, flak fire usualy destroyed it (especially with C/3) or prevented from accurate drop. But now very rarely I see one AC, most of the time 2 catalinas, 2 sunderlands, 4 liberators, 4 mosquitos (double hull)?

Just for the GWX record ;)

[Penelope_Grey]

My solution is simple:

GUNS!!!!

Shoot to kill!

[Ubåtskapten]

Yap, having just finished reading the book I agree that herr Werner seemed to have a hard time with many crash dives because of aircrafts from ‘43 and onwards. And he did not get a boat equipped with a schnorkel until the allied had almost overrun Brest and he had to flee for Norway.

This after his previous boat U-415 had struck the mine in the harbour. Rather interesting occasion since his new inexperienced chief took the boat out for sea trials by order from the flotilla's Chief Engineer, while Werner himself had overslept. And if I remember correctly the mine exploded because of the chief used the diesels instead of the e-maschinen and by doing so had activated the mine's acoustical detonation device.
Must also recommend this very good book, and fascinating life story for those of you who haven't read it already! .)

While playing DiD I have not yet seen the hard times of 1943 in GWX, but if I survive that long I guess I'll have to wear out the C-button to survive.:arrgh!:

[IrischKapitan]

My solution is simple:

GUNS!!!!

Shoot to kill!


Would these be vinallia 20mm or the quad flak?? :lol::dead:

[Hadrys]

My solution is simple:

GUNS!!!!

Shoot to kill!


Would these be vinallia 20mm or the quad flak?? :lol::dead:

Penelope, after setting realism to 0 I might give it a try :p

I was very impressed when equipped my boat with C/3 turm... single aircraft couldn't stand a chance, I was just watching how my ammo storage shrinks in seconds while guys were doing "ratatatata" from 2x C38 and 1x Vierling :arrgh!: Closer to Britain and Reykjavik I didn't encounter single aircrafts and this was the end of my career...

[Stealth Hunter]

Ok, some time ago i wanted more aggresive gameplay etc, now in 43 it's hardcore or rather HARDCORE. I'm crawling home between Rockall Bank and England, trying to fix my conn tower after one more precise bomb from hundreds dropped. With longer repair mod I needed about 1,5 hrs to fix most important things. Now surfaced 20th time? and still didn't fixed all. Looking at the map I'm in the same place. Planes come every 5 minutes? If there is a window of 20 minutes we wonder did the war just ended or what?

I understand that planes were subs greatest enemy but sorry, ~30 min underwater to loose the heist, 5 mins surface for a quick breath and fixing conn, crash dive on radar signals... Day and night! Now I've counted 6 signals, already was doing flank before dive, finally decided to crash. External cam... 2 Catalinas, 4 (FOUR) Liberators, they dropped their cargo behind my bow as it was still shallow. Didn't have time to count, it was like 40 bombs in half a minute?????? This is crazy! It looks like Tommies have millions of planes, full of bombs, searching every centimeter of Atlantic non stop. It's not the thrill if this time Tommies will be faster. No, I simply can't surface because I already know there is a plane waiting... I can go for the whole day underwater, zig-zag, either way just after surface in 80% there will be a plane. Add to this no alert when using the scope, just TC drops to x1...

In this area I was sunk 5 times now? Still crawling. I accept my errors and eat those bombs but crew shouts too late, no info through the scope, or they surface just under a plane just like that and stay quiet until we're under attack. I'm getting sick and tired of this.

:damn: :damn: :damn:

Welcome to 1943: worst year for U-boats and it gets even worse. Enjoy your stay in hell. Pray to God that you aren't killed...:dead:

[bigboywooly]

Ave it

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/bigboywooly/ScreenHunter_329.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/bigboywooly/ScreenHunter_330.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h22/bigboywooly/ScreenHunter_331.jpg

As to 1943

http://uboat.net/fates/losses/1943.htm

The beginning of the end

[Hadrys]

Ave it

As to 1943

http://uboat.net/fates/losses/1943.htm

The beginning of the end

late 42... VIIC/2 (http://mrhadrys.com/silenthunter/flak.jpg)

[Penelope_Grey]

My solution is simple:

GUNS!!!!

Shoot to kill!

Would these be vinallia 20mm or the quad flak?? :lol::dead:

Vinallia? Im not familiar with this, do you mean Vinigar? If so, an acid cannon on a U-Boat... there's an idea... MUSH!!:lol:

[Penelope_Grey]

Penelope, after setting realism to 0 I might give it a try :p

I don't play on your level of realism granted, but I do play at 60% which is slightly below the Hard setting in the realism screen, and wayyyy above the normal setting.


I say GUNS enthusiastically because with a bit of practice, a calm sea, and a hint of luck its quite possible to blast anything out of the sky.

[filefool]

Since you're in '43 you might wanna give the VIIC/4 conning tower a try when it's available. I know it isn't very historical to use it because the flak u-boats were escorts rather than combat boats.
And you'll probably have to sacrifice 5% of your hull integrity for every downed plane, but after all that up and down it's nice to give those catalinas and sunderlands a little bit of their own medicine.:cool:

Show them their broadside and zig-zag at flank speed and they're going down like rocks.

BUT:
Never mess with Mosquitos!

[TarJak]

Never mess with Mosquitos!
the only way to mess with Mossies http://www.lasoutdoors.com/images/Mosquito%20coils%20CS42.JPG

[nikbear]

What on earth is that TJ?:doh:

[TarJak]

A Mosquito coil. Its an Aussie invention for keeping the bloody annoying buggers at bay when you are sitting outside on a balmy night.

You set light to one end and it emits a pungent odor that will either keep the mossies away or drive your nostrils mad so you have to go inside.:lol:

[CapZap1970]

A Mosquito coil. Its an Aussie invention for keeping the bloody annoying buggers at bay when you are sitting outside on a balmy night.

You set light to one end and it emits a pungent odor that will either keep the mossies away or drive your nostrils mad so you have to go inside.:lol:
:rotfl: :rotfl: :yep:
That is so true TJ... I usually end up getting in the house....
CapZap

[Ubåtskapten]

A Mosquito coil. Its an Aussie invention for keeping the bloody annoying buggers at bay when you are sitting outside on a balmy night.

You set light to one end and it emits a pungent odor that will either keep the mossies away or drive your nostrils mad so you have to go inside.:lol: :rotfl: :rotfl: :yep:
That is so true TJ... I usually end up getting in the house....
CapZap
They are indeed good to keep the mosquitos at a distance.
We use them here in northern Sweden as well, though I didn't know that the Aussies invented the thing.:D

[Dowly]

A Mosquito coil. Its an Aussie invention for keeping the bloody annoying buggers at bay when you are sitting outside on a balmy night.

You set light to one end and it emits a pungent odor that will either keep the mossies away or drive your nostrils mad so you have to go inside.:lol: :rotfl: :rotfl: :yep:
That is so true TJ... I usually end up getting in the house....
CapZap They are indeed good to keep the mosquitos at a distance.
We use them here in northern Sweden as well, though I didn't know that the Aussies invented the thing.:D

Yeh, we have them here too. But like everyone in Finland, them mossies are too stubborn and it usually ends in litting the whole house ablaze just to get rid of them. :yep:

[nikbear]

Dear god:oyou must have some fearsom mozzies:huh:

[CapZap1970]

Dear god:oyou must have some fearsom mozzies:huh:
It is believed that in general you don't notice when a damn mozzie is stinging... :rotfl:
Wait until you see one those SOB's around here... it feels like a hypodermicall siringe... :shifty:
CapZap

[antikristuseke]

You just have to learn to ignore the bastards, or do like i do, wear a long leather coat and a gas mask :rotfl:

[CapZap1970]

You just have to learn to ignore the bastards, or do like i do, wear a long leather coat and a gas mask :rotfl:
:rotfl: :rotfl:
Try that with 35ºC (something like 80ºF)
CapZap

[Kpt. Lehmann]

...hypodermicall...

"Hypodermicall" ????? :huh: Is that like a "hematusion?":p

[CapZap1970]

...hypodermicall...

"Hypodermicall" ????? :huh: Is that like a "hematusion?":p
:rotfl: :rotfl:
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t1/capzap1970/syringe.jpg
Now, imagine this with wings...
CapZap

[Tontoman]

I knew the realism point would come up, but depending on your time and personal tastes it also comes down to playablility. As I had limited free time for gaming, I didn't want to spend all my time doing dive, wait, surfance, dive, wait etc.... whether it's realistic or not. Not sure if I'll hit the same thing in GWX, but before on a lightly modded SH3 I had to add an air mod to lessen some of the air cover as even running deep for hours, after surfacing I'd be picked out again in 30 min. Which means on a decent travel distance you could spend an hour doing just diving. Realistic torps, damage, AI, destroyers etc. all fine for me.. just not the air if it comes to that again.

It's not a criticism of the mod, just playablility according the players tastes/time.
Dont' want to spend all my time shooting down airplanes either.. after all it's a sub game for sinking ships :p

BTW, those green spiral PICs (what we call them in Canada) actually kill mosquitos, just wave one under a bugger that has landed on a wall :). While treeplanting the trick would be to have a tiny piece of one working in your closed tent when you go for your night shower (remove all the sweat and deet) to kill off all the bugs. But being small it would burn out and hopefully air out, so by the time you got back your tent would be bug free and the pic smoke gone (you don't want to be breathing that stuff in).

T.

[Corsair]

Time to put on your warm clothes and go hunting for the Murmansk convoys...;)

[S Rafty]

My solution is to fill the sky full of Flak. I often get behind the sights and blat out myself.

Short controled bursts at vectoring targets. Helps if you have other guns aswell. Use the deck gun aswell....may not hit anything but you'll feel allot better.

[johnno74]

My solution is to fill the sky full of Flak. I often get behind the sights and blat out myself.

Short controled bursts at vectoring targets. Helps if you have other guns aswell. Use the deck gun aswell....may not hit anything but you'll feel allot better.

Heh thats an amusing thought.... a direct hit in the nose from your '88 would wreck any plane's whole day.... and make a great screenshot too.

Anyone up for the challenge....? :sunny:

[Kaleu. Jochen Mohr]

look here... 1939

11 Okt 1939
0847 Feindfahrt 5
U-124, U-Flottille Saltzwedel
Ausgelaufen: Oktober 11, 1939, 08:47
Von: Wilhelmshaven
Befehle: In Planquadrat BE83 patrouillieren

12 Okt 1939
2055 AN 41 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Nyholt (Großer Ladung), 6570 BRT
2342 AN 14 Schiff versenkt! Segelschiff, 8 BRT

13 Okt 1939
0012 AN 14 Schiff versenkt! M/V Tordene (Mittelgroßer Frachter), 4631 BRT
0036 AN 14 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Iberville (Großer Ladung), 6571 BRT
0115 AN 14 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Empire Heritage (Großer Ladung), 6572 BRT
0419 AN 13 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Baltanglia (Trampdampfer), 2481 BRT
0959 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1001 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1001 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1023 AN 13 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Paricutin (Großer Ladung), 6564 BRT
1029 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Anson
1030 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1030 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Anson
1030 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1031 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1132 AN 13 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1256 AN 15 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Hurricane Mk IIC
1303 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1303 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1303 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1306 AM 36 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Santa Isabel (Großer Ladung), 6565 BRT
1400 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1401 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1410 AM 36 Schiff versenkt! Segelschiff, 8 BRT
1809 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1809 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1829 AM 36 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Argonaut (Küstentanker), 1285 BRT
1833 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1835 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Hurricane Mk IIC
1836 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1836 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1940 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1941 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1941 AM 36 Flugzeug abgeschossen! Swordfish
1947 AM 36 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Olga (Trampdampfer), 2482 BRT
2122 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! Bewaffneter Trawler, 540 BRT
2140 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! Bewaffneter Trawler, 540 BRT

14 Okt 1939
0008 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! HMS Illustrious (Flugzeugträger Illustrious - Klasse), 23000 BRT
0009 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! HMS Hood (Schlachtkreuzer Hood), 48360 BRT
0009 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! HMS Rodney (Schlachtschiff Rodney), 36000 BRT
0011 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! HMS Nelson (Schlachtschiff Nelson), 36000 BRT
0803 AM 38 Schiff versenkt! S.S. Koll (Kleiner Ladung), 3704 BRT

0843 Ergebnisse
Verluste: 0
Versenkte Schiffe: 18
Zerstörte Flugzeuge: 24
Versenkte Tonnage: 191881 Tonnen

[Hadrys]

look here... 1939
Ergebnisse
Verluste: 0
Versenkte Schiffe: 18
Zerstörte Flugzeuge: 24
Versenkte Tonnage: 191881 Tonnen

Geeeeez Mohr, this is insane. When I finally get back after a month with 50-60k tons I say I was very lucky - to get back. Most of the time it's 10-20k as I only hunt for >=10k or some larger warships. Staying in the shadows but alive is more important for me.

Swordfish is not a plane, Berdnard farted and they were going down like flies. Had many on my account during arctic campaign as they were most of the time alone and harmless.

[Kaleu. Jochen Mohr]

look here... 1939
Ergebnisse
Verluste: 0
Versenkte Schiffe: 18
Zerstörte Flugzeuge: 24
Versenkte Tonnage: 191881 Tonnen
Geeeeez Mohr, this is insane. When I finally get back after a month with 50-60k tons I say I was very lucky - to get back. Most of the time it's 10-20k as I only hunt for >=10k or some larger warships. Staying in the shadows but alive is more important for me.

Swordfish is not a plane, Berdnard farted and they were going down like flies. Had many on my account during arctic campaign as they were most of the time alone and harmless.

this one's were with 4 at the same time...
somtimes the ansons joined them to bomb me... got only 1 hit though.
and if bernard farts... they come to bomb you

[bgeorgalas]

I am at september 1943 and have the same problem with aircrafts.....i use the following technique that seems to work (but i do also think that is a bit unrealistic) boat is a IXB:
1. crash dive once you spote a plane from a fair distance (radar warnings included), disactivating battery charging in order to gain some more speed and stay submerged at 30m with 2knots speed untill oxygen reaches 50%
2. once oxygen reaches 50% do a hydrophone check and if clear surface at ahead flank (at least if smth, awaits you above you'll have a little speed...)
3. If you receive new radar warning contacts try to stay up as long as you can in ahead flank (no battery recharge) in order to replenish air, once air is replenished crash dive ASAP
4. If your crew spots an aircraft that's really close head towards him at ahead flank with flak guns firing wait for him to make the first pass (he will probably miss you) and then crash dive
5. Try to stay surfaced only at night
6. When you're in bad wheather or heavy/medium fog you're sure no aircrafts are around so head to your assigned quadrant at full speed ahead (in order to recover the time lost travelling underwater at low speed)

Sometimes if I am unable to recharge the battery due to constant air attacks i prefer to lay at 30-40m with engines stopped untill the air becomes unbreathable....then i hit the ahed flank and surface....
I Have to admit that I had serious problems with the snorkel in my previous carrers...somehow enemy aircraft started bombing without warning, while recharging batteries with the snorkel at 2kt....since then i prefer to use the snorkel with engines stopped....

[mowgli99]

Surprisingly in the atlantic i have had few plane encounters. Always bombers never fighters. In my penang campaign once i get around sri lanka there are the said waves after waves of bombers doing run after run. Well i guess i sorta enjoy aircraft encounters because i shoot them down easily.I only submerge when caught off guard or out of ammo. P.S Have any of yall experienced patrols but have never been spotted. This hapens in 39'. --mowgli

[S Rafty]

look here... 1939
Ergebnisse
Verluste: 0
Versenkte Schiffe: 18
Zerstörte Flugzeuge: 24
Versenkte Tonnage: 191881 Tonnen

Geeeeez Mohr, this is insane. When I finally get back after a month with 50-60k tons I say I was very lucky - to get back. Most of the time it's 10-20k as I only hunt for >=10k or some larger warships. Staying in the shadows but alive is more important for me.

Swordfish is not a plane, Berdnard farted and they were going down like flies. Had many on my account during arctic campaign as they were most of the time alone and harmless.



That "Non Plane" was the reason the Bismarck was sunk to no loss of the Swordfish. Excellent aircraft. :arrgh!:

[Heibges]

I am at september 1943 and have the same problem with aircrafts.....i use the following technique that seems to work (but i do also think that is a bit unrealistic) boat is a IXB:
1. crash dive once you spote a plane from a fair distance (radar warnings included), disactivating battery charging in order to gain some more speed and stay submerged at 30m with 2knots speed untill oxygen reaches 50%
2. once oxygen reaches 50% do a hydrophone check and if clear surface at ahead flank (at least if smth, awaits you above you'll have a little speed...)
3. If you receive new radar warning contacts try to stay up as long as you can in ahead flank (no battery recharge) in order to replenish air, once air is replenished crash dive ASAP
4. If your crew spots an aircraft that's really close head towards him at ahead flank with flak guns firing wait for him to make the first pass (he will probably miss you) and then crash dive
5. Try to stay surfaced only at night
6. When you're in bad wheather or heavy/medium fog you're sure no aircrafts are around so head to your assigned quadrant at full speed ahead (in order to recover the time lost travelling underwater at low speed)

Sometimes if I am unable to recharge the battery due to constant air attacks i prefer to lay at 30-40m with engines stopped untill the air becomes unbreathable....then i hit the ahed flank and surface....
I Have to admit that I had serious problems with the snorkel in my previous carrers...somehow enemy aircraft started bombing without warning, while recharging batteries with the snorkel at 2kt....since then i prefer to use the snorkel with engines stopped....

I use basically the same procedure.

In 1943. I try to stay submerged at night, because my crew can observe during they day.

[Mush Martin]

My solution is simple:

GUNS!!!!

Shoot to kill!

Would these be vinallia 20mm or the quad flak?? :lol::dead:
Vinallia? Im not familiar with this, do you mean Vinigar? If so, an acid cannon on a U-Boat... there's an idea... MUSH!!:lol:


Ill see what the lab boys can come up with sweetie.
M:|\\