How to intercept a convoy?

[frenema]

I am embarassed to admit that having played this game for almost a year and I still don't know the basics of approaching and attacking a convoy.:down:

The main problems I face are:

1) Approaching a convoy: It seems that even though I am on a silent running or in a complete stop the escorts pick up my presence from kilometers away and start pinging me within minutes. I read some materials about avoiding destroyers and dog-leg approach, but I need a more elaborate explanations of it as I have trouble understanding the material.

2) Picking targets: Let's say I start with a good position (as in the last training exam). I usually get overwhelmed as to which ship(s) I should be targetting. I completed the training by using automatic targetting and destroyed the leading destroyer first before getting the rest with deck gun :nope:. I know that would never happen in a real game. So I was wondering how you choose your targets. I have few ideas, but I don't which is the 'right' one:
-Pick 1 or 2 juicy ones, fire slavo on them and evade.
-Try to get as many as possible by firing 1 torp per ship then evade.
-If you have a guidance system, fire in a general direction and hope for a hit.
-All of the above, use whatever is necessary depending on the situation.
-Other.

3) The last problem I have is how after the first hit the convoys start moving in zig-zag pattern making it impossible for me to go for another target. Am I supposed to fire all my torpedos so that they all hit approximately at the same time?

Also, just for a reference: I was wondering if anyone completed the torpedos and convoy training exams sucessfully in 100% realism setting.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated, thanks.

[Von Manteuffel]

I'm not sure about the DEs finding you so easily. It's never happened to me, so I may just jave been lucky.

I always try to adopt the same method of intercepting a convoy - plot it's track; get well ahead and wait at periscope depth and silent running just off the track and at right angles to it. Then wait. Minimal use of the periscope is also advisable during daylight - just a few quick views to identify targets.

As far as what to fire at is concerned I never waste ordnance on the escorts. If it's a mixed convoy with no really "juicy" targets I fire 4 in quick succession plumb centre at 4 different targets; then dive and evade.

If there's a valuable target in the convoy - e.g. a large tanker - I usually let it have 2 torpedoes, set at a depth to run under any ships which may cross the torpedo's path. ( I always use impact fuses )

And yes, the best way is to do a quick calculation and fire torpedoes so that they hit their targets as close to simultaneously as possible. Often this can be as simple as "furthest first, nearest last"

If you're using a mix of the old steam driven torpedoes and others, to get them to run at the same speed as the electric ones set their speed to "S" (Slow)

Best of luck.

[Brag]

What version are you playing?

On approaching a convoy, make sure your conning tower is not popping out of the water (broaching). what speed do you use (it shouldn't be more than 2 knots).

As far as selcting targets: I pick myself two nice ones if conditions are favorable and send two torpeoes each. Then dive deep.

If you haven't done so already, visit my kielman website where you will find articles on convoy attack and other interesting subjects.

Good hunting :up:

[JoeCorrado]

My method is to get ahead of the convoy and to place myself in a good position for insertion. Ahead and to one side of the convoy, close enough (but not foolishly close) that I can sit quietly and await the passing of the lead escort with engines at idle and at a depth that I know my conning tower will not broach the waves. The current yaer has much to do with how close, is too close. Detection abilities increase as the war goes on.

Once the lead escort passes by I proceed rigged for silent running and at very slow (manually selected at 2 knots) speed, moving toward the convoy at an angle of about 30 degrees from their heading. This allows for a good angle to fire and also allows sufficient room to avoid the less vakuable outer ships. The most valuable prizes will be located in the middle of the convoy and not on the edges.

I raise and lower the periscope for brief periods during the approach (never at more than 1x TC) and will choose two or maybe three of the choicest targets. The targets selected are based upon value, location in convoy, having a clear shot at a reasonable angle (sometimes traffic can be a problem) and weather conditions.

In calm, clear conditions I will use magnetic triggers since the damage inflicted is more effective and a single torpedo can sink or cripple a ship (leaving it helpless and awaiting your convenience) more often, in rough seas- I use impact instead. If using impact triggers I target just two ships and send two torpedos set for appropriate depths and at a 1.5 degree angle. Don't forget to use the "Q" key to open torpedo doors before firing.

After my initial salvo, I will immediately switch off of silent running to allow my crew (which I have fresh and at 100% capacity) a little time to reload a torp or two while under cover of the noise and confusion. I will also consider any targets of convenience for my rear torpedo. I will not wait or seek out a target, but will take a quick shot if one is there for the taking.

Do not become so consumed with your targets that you fail to keep close tbs on what is happening around you in terms of the escorts or any smaller ships that are nearby and who may decide to ram you if you are sited- or just happen to be in their path. If there is threat of immediate detection by passing ships or escorts be very vigilant and remember descretion is the better part of valor!. Usually you will have a few minutes grace before the escorts get turned around or are able to close. Use the time wisely.

it is just a matter of your skill and confidence in how far you push your luck but this has been a good strategy for me. My initial tagets either die quickly or are left helpless awaiting my next run. That is the key... you do not have to eat the whole elephant at one sitting. Take the best targets and then escape / evade and set up for your next attack.

Sometimes, in very bad weather- you must follow the convoy just out of site for a day or two until weather gives you the opportunity you are looking for. High waves and bad visibility are a bad combination. Smooth water and less than optimal visibility are your friends. You do present a smaller footprint than your prey so stealth is your best ally... use this strength, but be careful to not get stepped on in your eagerness.

[danurve]

My method is to get ahead of the convoy and to place myself in a good position for insertion. Ahead and to one side of the convoy, close enough (but not foolishly close) that I can sit quietly and await the passing of the lead escort with engines at idle and at a depth that I know my conning tower will not broach the waves. The current yaer has much to do with how close, is too close. Detection abilities increase as the war goes on.

Once the lead escort passes by I proceed rigged for silent running and at very slow (manually selected at 2 knots) speed, moving toward the convoy at an angle of about 30 degrees from their heading. This allows for a good angle to fire and also allows sufficient room to avoid the less vakuable outer ships. The most valuable prizes will be located in the middle of the convoy and not on the edges...

Spot On. :up:
Rest of the post was good to but I use a very similar method. Been picking out good tonnage and getting to depend on electrics, including the early homing eels. (They have on occasion gone off and blasted the wrong target.) And yeah escape/evasion mid `42 and on is getting tricky.
"The Brittish have stopped making mistakes." :ping:

[Jimbuna]

You'll get plenty of advice here....we were all in your position at some time or other http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[frenema]

Thanks for all the valuable tips guys! I guess I just need more practice and learn from each tries.:up:

[ReM]

About the choice of targets, one piece of advice from the U-Boat Commanders Handbook:

It is better to destroy little than to damage much.

That's why I think it is better to pump 2 eels into each target, than to only use one. It does happen that a ship blows up after the first hit and thus that the second torp is a waste, but I think it is a calculated waste. If there are (big) tankers in the convoy, I always target them first, if not i go for the biggest vessels (they give you the most tonnage, and the goal of a Kaleun is to sink as much tonnage as possible)

There is also a rather crude method I use to make sure that torpedoes hit at approximately the same time; because the speed of a torp is about 30 knots I make this simple calculation: distance / 30.

For instance , 2 targets one 1800 and the other 1500....the calculation gives a rough travelling time of about 60 and 50. So you fire the torps at the 1800 target and at the other one 10 seconds later. They should explode not long after another, in any case before a zigzag becomes effective.

Happy hunting!

[SmokinTep]

I always send 2 eels per target. Rather have a chance of sinking 2 ships than having 4 with a little damage.

[predavolk]

Being in similar shoes, here's some advice from a fellow newbie learning to demo convoys:

1- NEVER use time compression. Silent Hunter has a GARBAGE bug that gives destroyers an advantage if you use time compression. Yes, time compression isn't realistic, but many of us have lives that don't allow for 2 hrs waiting for the convoy to appear. If you must use time compression, use it as far away as possible from destroyers. What happens is the destroyers, on TC, don't find you exactly, but seem to know that there is a sub in the are and start pinging. Then they find you, and game over!

If they do detect you, dive deep. 150 - 200M. Or, alternatively, go to flank and run in on the convoy anyhow. At flank speed, it's not too tough to dodge their depth charge runs. Read my thread here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132644

for my own convoy challenges as a beginner, and some good advice from others (some repeated in this thread).

2- Pick out targets of opportunity that are easily approached. Fine, you miss the 10K tanker and get a 5K medium merchant or something, but that's a lot better than missing both and getting depth charged! Also, expect to make a certain kind of attack. Go in knowing when and where you want to fire (especially with respect to AoB).

3- What I like to do is carry a mix of electric and gas torps. Let the electrics go first, then the gas (on fast). They'll hit close enough together for you to hit the merchants before serious zig-zagging occurs. Furthermore, you should be hitting targets close enough that zig-zagging doesn't make a big difference if you're inside the convoy.

Finally, I have done all the training missions on 100% realism (vanilla, not GWX). I used assisted targeting to get the hang of AoB, but the rest is really easy. And actually, the manual way of targeting speed (plotting target over 3:15 minutes/seconds) is easier and more accurate than using the scope. I manually guess AoB, but I either set up my attack, or I'm close enough that small errors don't matter, or I'll send a spread of torpedoes to hedge my bet. One area that really helped, and continues to help me, is sending gas torps at 1M. Yes, the ships can see them, but I've never seen anything other than a destroyer dodge one. What it does do is give you a nice clear line to show where your torp headed, giving you feedback on your aim. Good luck!

[mcf1]

I usually place myself in front of the convoy, use the periscope to estimate the their course and to identify the targets. Then I move a bit to be between the colums with the greatest fishes.
This tactic allows me to fire both bow and stern torps. And also this way i cover my escape.