Need tonnage? Go to Tanker Alley

[Brag]

I see we have a lot of newer Kaleuns who feel deprived and want to join the ranks of the aces.

One place where you can become a fat-cat Kaleun is in the fabled TANKER ALLEY, the place where tankers come to die (If you are there, of course).

The alley extends from BE3933 to BE3977. Draw a line between these two positions and patrol it. You will be within sound range of lots of tankers and large freighter plus the occasional ocean liner.

Another method of establishing the route: Go to the NE corner of BE39 mark a spot 10 kilometres south, then extend a line running 240 degrees. That is the center of the Alley. You will hear ships on either side.

Sometimes traffic is heavy and you will get several contacts a day, sometimes you have to have patience. The bonus is that often you will have unescorted ships running in twos.

This is also a good area from which to intercept convoys.

Use this happy hunting ground before GWX 1.4 comes out. The evil GWXers have been bribed by Winston Churchill to ruin this popular Kaleun's playground.

Visit the Spinnennetz thread in the stickies section for more killing grounds info.
Visit my site for other helpful stuff.

[KeptinCranky]

And just to make Brag's eyes boggle, and make him reach for the old "stay out of shallow water" sign, :p I'll add that Intrepid young Kaleuns who want to make a name for themselves and don't mind getting a little sand on their boat might check out the Irish sea or st. George's Channel, these have the added benefit of being close to the French bases :D so if you feel uncomfortable being away from home for weeks on end, or just want a quick patrol, do check them out.

just be aware that it's within RAF range or this could be you:

http://home.planet.nl/%7Efourn003/images/incoming.jpg

note: I did survive that, but I'd rather not repeat the experience:o

[Stealth Hunter]

Damn, he found my hunting spot.:stare:

[bookworm_020]

You may have survived, but I don't think your pretty face would look the same after that!:huh:

[Stealth Hunter]

It's dangerous there. I nearly lost my U-boat and half my crew in 1940 in the Alley.
Watch yerself, laddie.:-?

[GoldenRivet]

that screen shot...

... just terrifying. :nope:

[Stealth Hunter]

"Goddammit! I can't find Bernard's ANTI-BOMB device! FRANZ! Get over here and h- SCHEISSE!!!"

[Brag]

Nasty drop from than Sundie :huh:

[Madna]

Ok, just one question, how do I know where those 4 number quadrants is? I can see two number quadrants on the map and smaller quadrants when zoomed in, but they don´t have any numbers.

[nikimcbee]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p

[papa_smurf]

Will be going to Tanker alley once I transfer to Lorient:arrgh!: .

[DirtyACE]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p
Where exactly is Cape Hatteras, I couldn't find it on the map?

I try to patrol the tanker alley submerged most of the time. Does it matter if I'm doing it at TC 512 or 256? I've read somewhere here that if you patrol on lower TC you spot more contacts, is it true?

[STEED]

I'm to busy sinking the RN, got a Battleship last night. :p :cool:

[Brag]

Ok, just one question, how do I know where those 4 number quadrants is? I can see two number quadrants on the map and smaller quadrants when zoomed in, but they don´t have any numbers.

You will find the detailed quadrant system in the Spinnennetz thread in the stikies section.

[minute]

Ok, just one question, how do I know where those 4 number quadrants is? I can see two number quadrants on the map and smaller quadrants when zoomed in, but they don´t have any numbers.
Just split the quadrant following the same pattern that you can see in the corner of the MK I map issued:arrgh!:
(otherwise known as the standard quadrant map in SHIII).

[Brag]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p
Where exactly is Cape Hatteras, I couldn't find it on the map?

I try to patrol the tanker alley submerged most of the time. Does it matter if I'm doing it at TC 512 or 256? I've read somewhere here that if you patrol on lower TC you spot more contacts, is it true?

At TC 512 you'll miss most of the traffic. I seldom go over 126. Have found the odd ship at TC256.

[Brag]

I'm to busy sinking the RN, got a Battleship last night. :p :cool:

Bravo, Steed! Have another pie :D

[STEED]

I'm to busy sinking the RN, got a Battleship last night. :p :cool:

Bravo, Steed! Have another pie :D

Yummy :D

[DirtyACE]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p
Where exactly is Cape Hatteras, I couldn't find it on the map?

I try to patrol the tanker alley submerged most of the time. Does it matter if I'm doing it at TC 512 or 256? I've read somewhere here that if you patrol on lower TC you spot more contacts, is it true?
At TC 512 you'll miss most of the traffic. I seldom go over 126. Have found the odd ship at TC256.

Thanks Brag. Need some good tonnage to get those diamonds to the oak leaves and swords :D

[nikimcbee]

I'm to busy sinking the RN, got a Battleship last night. :p :cool:

Where'd you see a battleship?:oops: I can never find them:roll:

[nikimcbee]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p
Where exactly is Cape Hatteras, I couldn't find it on the map?

I try to patrol the tanker alley submerged most of the time. Does it matter if I'm doing it at TC 512 or 256? I've read somewhere here that if you patrol on lower TC you spot more contacts, is it true?

CA-87 U-Boat naval map. aka Torpedo Juction -East Coast US,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Hatteras

[DirtyACE]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p
Where exactly is Cape Hatteras, I couldn't find it on the map?

I try to patrol the tanker alley submerged most of the time. Does it matter if I'm doing it at TC 512 or 256? I've read somewhere here that if you patrol on lower TC you spot more contacts, is it true?
CA-87 U-Boat naval map. aka Torpedo Juction -East Coast US,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Hatteras

Thanks nikimcbee. So you like Viktor Tzoy?

[nikimcbee]

You could go to Cape Hatteras! If you don't mind the trip, there are lots-o-tankers there. I came across a tanker convoy one time.:p
Where exactly is Cape Hatteras, I couldn't find it on the map?

I try to patrol the tanker alley submerged most of the time. Does it matter if I'm doing it at TC 512 or 256? I've read somewhere here that if you patrol on lower TC you spot more contacts, is it true?
CA-87 U-Boat naval map. aka Torpedo Juction -East Coast US,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Hatteras

Thanks nikimcbee. So you like Viktor Tzoy?

Yes, I think I have all of Kino's albums:rock:

[Fenris_Wolf]

Madness?....

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2695/planeslolli2.jpg

[DirtyACE]

Brag, is it more effective to be picking up traffic with hydrophones at 30 or 40 meters than at perescope depth, or it doesn't matter as long as you are submerged?

[Brag]

Brag, is it more effective to be picking up traffic with hydrophones at 30 or 40 meters than at perescope depth, or it doesn't matter as long as you are submerged?

In theory, you should be more effective at depth, away from surface noise, I don't think this is programmed in the game. However, you need at least 12 meters for hydrophone to work.

[Madna]

Ok, found this: http://www.operationspinnennetz.isaf.us/grid.gif picture and its abit clearer now, but still got a question, do I have to make these grids by myself using the ruler? And if so, when I zoom in I have no idea what "large quadrant" I´m in (for example BE or BD), is there some kind of way to figure this out?

[Brag]

I presume you mean the in game chart. Zoom in close enough so that you can see what grid you're in.

The easiest way to establish the position with precision is to make a transparent grid, which you can place on the screen.

I eye ball it. since the grid is divided 3x3, it is easy to establish where the 3rd. number is. Then that sector is again divided by 3 so your precise position is easy to establish.

I just keep a piece of paper with the grid next to my computer.

Good hunting, Kaleun Madna :up:

[KeptinCranky]

@ Brag, Sorry for hijacking your thread there for a bit with that screeny..:oops:

As to hydrophone hunting, I've found it's better to go a bit deeper because if you're listening yourself instead of letting your hydrophone-guy do it you will definitely get some interference at periscope depth, for cruising while listening I prefer a speed of 2 or 3 knots at 20 meters since you'll still be able to listen well and you'll also be able to receive radio messages, this helps in case of contact reports. Deeper than 20 meters, although it does vary per boat, the IX boats can go as deep as 23, you'll be able to hear marginally better but will not receive radio contacts, which might result in missing something juicy.

Good hunting :up:

[Brag]

Thanks for the input, Crank :D