Battleship tonnage or the merchant shipping?

[JohnnyBlaze]

It's november 1940. U-83 IXB class out of Lorient, France.


I spotted a large enemy convoy at AM29 heading east. As I made my first attempt to get in to a firing position at the middle of the night I got spotted by one of the ships in the outer column. Distance to the ship was 2000meters. I immediately break off from the convoy as a flower class corvette came after me. I could out run him on the surface, but I thought it would be a lot harder to approach the convoy on my second attempt so I decided to engage in a surface duel with the corvette. At about 4500m distance I order my gunners to aim for the turrets on the corvette. After about 15-20 shots later I had crippled the corvette and his guns when I realized his buddy (the rear escort) is blazin his guns at me about 3000m away. I didn’t want to take the risk to do a surface battle again cuz my boat took some damage from the first duel. So I flank away from the escort which happened to be a flower class also.

The escort went back to his post after chasing me about 20 minutes.
Now I'm trying to locate the convoy again to get some tonnage out of it.

There was a Revenge class battleship in the middle of the convoy and a couple of fat tankers on the next column.

What do you guys think should I go for the Revenge class or just settle for the tankers that are a bit closer to the side of the convoy? The two Tankers are about 16000t for each and the Revenge class is 31000t.

I only have 4 torpedoes left so I have to choose wisely. And that's when you guys come in :lol:

Any thoughts?

[headcase]

I say put 2 in the BB, and one apiece for the tankers. Spread the love man!

[Ivan Putski]

My thoughts on the subject would be take out the tankers, my way of thinking would be to keep fuel from reaching the allies. While a lot of people may choose the battleship to me, she would be less important than fuel. Puts

[papa_smurf]

Go for the Tankers, as they go up nicely:arrgh!: .

[Platapus]

what do you really think you can do against a Revenge class battleship with four torpedoes

Assuming that they hit
Assuming that they are not duds

I think you would be pretty lucky to sink a Revenge class battleship with four torps. Not saying it can't be done.

Now two torps each on 16,000 ton tanker? There I think you have a much better chance of sinking them.

Of course it would be cooleo to sink the Revenge class battleship with torps and then deck gun the tankers :arrgh!:

But if I had the choice, I would go for the two tankers.

Of course if you really had any nuts you would go after the Revenge class battleship with deck guns :up:

[papa_smurf]

Of course if you really had any nuts you would go after the Revenge class battleship with deck guns :up:

Tried that once for a laugh - lasted about 30 seconds:doh:

[Brag]

For pretty sure kills if you are in a good position --2 torps for the BB and 2 for on tanker. You'll get maximum tonnage.

[GoldenRivet]

For pretty sure kills if you are in a good position --2 torps for the BB and 2 for on tanker. You'll get maximum tonnage.

agreed and dont forget the stern tube(s)... try and get a hit on anythig behind you.

you might not sink the BB with only two fish but if this is the case you will slow him up quite a bit and finish him off when the DDs leave the area.

but then again, 2 in the BB, 2 in the tanker and 1 stern shot at anything esle could likley result in 70 - 80K tons!

[JohnnyBlaze]

Thanks for the support guys! :up:

The closest I can propably get to the BB is 5000m without being spotted on the surface. Although now that the front escort is immobilized I could try a submerged attack.
If I can get in to a good position I will propably put 2 in to the BB and 2 for a tanker.
And yes lets just hope that none of them eels turn out to be duds.

Earlier in my career I encountered another BB. I was able to sink it with 3 torpedoes.

originally posted by GoldenRivet
agreed and dont forget the stern tube(s)... try and get a hit on anythig behind you.
Unfortunately I have nothing to shoot from the stern tubes..other than Bernard maybe :rotfl:

originally posted by Ivan Putski
My thoughts on the subject would be take out the tankers, my way of thinking would be to keep fuel from reaching the allies. While a lot of people may choose the battleship to me, she would be less important than fuel. Agreed that the fuel might be overall more important for the allies, altough it would be morally more devastating loss if I could sink the BB.

[Flamingboat]

My thoughts on the subject would be take out the tankers, my way of thinking would be to keep fuel from reaching the allies. While a lot of people may choose the battleship to me, she would be less important than fuel. Puts

I agree. I know the battleships and the big toys are sexy but it is the bullets and beans that keep the whole machine turning. We've all been there. Who wants to sink some boring cargo ship when you can take out something sexy like a battleship. With a modern war machine though it simply can't move without fuel, spare parts, bullet and beans.

[Hartmann]

whith 4 torpedoes ??

go for the tankers. i doubt that you can finish the battleship with 4.


Time ago i sunk a battleship but i needed 6 torpedoes

[Steel_Tomb]

Four fish will easily sink a BB with a good spread. Personally I'd just fire everything at the BB, although merchant shipping is the priority, a BB is a high value target. Always embarassing to loose such vessels so Doenitz will be pleased when you bring back news of a BB sinking. Remember such vessels were what prevented the Kreigsmarine from sending surface raiders into the North Atlantic in force, so you are aiding the war effort either way.

[JohnnyBlaze]

All right I finally managed to fire my torpedoes. After third attempt I got into a position to shoot at the two tankers which both went down in 15 minutes.

I had to let the BB go cuz I didn’t want to put my boat at too much risk.

Four torpedoes, two targets, three hits and about 34000tons.

It's still dark so it's pretty easy to get out of the convoy without being spotted. Now heading back to base after another successful patrol. 5 ships sunk and about 58000tons of cargo.

[NealT]

Nice work!

But in the words of one humble kaleun that haunts these forums...

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!

:rotfl:

[siber]

2 torps to each tanker.

Last time I duked it out with HMS Rodney, she took 5 eels (4x fore tubes and the rear!) and still refused to sink! She just sat there, and listed. I thought it might have done some good because it looked like a Medium Merchant would run into her rear, but it stopped with about 50m to spare!
Verdammt! :damn:

[Sailor Steve]

I agree that it's probably better to sink two tankers than to damage on battleship. On the other hand, if you could guarantee the BB, it's pretty much impossible for them to replace, whereas the tankers are a dime a dozen. Denying fuel is important, but the morale effect on both sides is vitally important as well.

Tough decision, but with only four torpedoes I too would choose the tankers.

[predavolk]

I agree with your decision. If the BB had been closer, it would have been the better target. The effects on moral, as well as the lessening of pressure on the German surface fleet, would have been more significant than losing two tankers IMO. But if it was a long shot, with few torpedos, two tankers make a pretty nice consolation prize!

[Von Manteuffel]

Merchants every time, for me.

The whole concept of the U-Boat was to seal Britain off from materiel and supplies from outside its own shores - to starve Britain's war-time industries of raw-materials and fuel; its military of equipment and ordnance; and even its people of food.

Sink the tankers and industry can't run its machinery; lorries can't deliver ;and warships can't sail.

Since the actual economic, industrial and morale effects of our predations isn't and can't be modelled into the game - we can't win the War - , it's a matter of personal choice - max out your tonnage, or fight a war in a "realistic" way, using your U-Boat for its intended purpose.

Both are totally acceptable. You just pays your money and takes your choice.

[jas39]

what did you say? the revenge? are you kidding me? Fire 2 torpedoes, aim for the two forward turrets, but you have to make sure that 2 explosions result. If you are sure of that, every time, the revenge class will sink.

there seems to be something about the revenge bb-every time i tried, as long as i fired 2 explosions, one each under the turrets (magnetic, under the keel), the BB will sink every single time.....make sure to aim for the turrets!

however, with the nelson, i usually aim 4 torpedoes at the 3 forward turrets, and still she doesn't sink.

[bruschi sauro]

FAT TANKERS...ONE SHOT ONE DEAD....I HOPE:lol:

[Sigurd]

what did you say? the revenge? are you kidding me? Fire 2 torpedoes, aim for the two forward turrets, but you have to make sure that 2 explosions result. If you are sure of that, every time, the revenge class will sink.

there seems to be something about the revenge bb-every time i tried, as long as i fired 2 explosions, one each under the turrets (magnetic, under the keel), the BB will sink every single time.....make sure to aim for the turrets!

however, with the nelson, i usually aim 4 torpedoes at the 3 forward turrets, and still she doesn't sink.
The problem is if any torpedoes turn out to be a dud, he runs the risk of not being able to sink anything. If the two torpedoes miss (or one of them at least), or detonate prematurely, then at least one more torpedo needs to be launched. Problem is that the BB might be alerted to his presence by then, and would likely speed up/begin evasive maneuvers (unless it has depth charges).

Its tough to let tonnage go, but I think he made the right choice.

[JohnnyBlaze]

Thanks guys for the support and opinions.

I dont think there's right or wrong decision here. You just have to go by the situation at hand. I would have probably engaged the BB if I had been able to get any closer.
With 4 torpedoes and noway to get closer than 6500m of the BB I thought I had a better chance to sink the tankers.
And since this would have not been my first BB sunk it was easier to let it go.

Where are those big aircraft carriers? :arrgh!:

Anyway the crew is happy that we're heading home and most importantly everyone's still alive and well

[Tessa]

I agree that it's probably better to sink two tankers than to damage on battleship. On the other hand, if you could guarantee the BB, it's pretty much impossible for them to replace, whereas the tankers are a dime a dozen. Denying fuel is important, but the morale effect on both sides is vitally important as well.

Tough decision, but with only four torpedoes I too would choose the tankers.

Part of your decision/view is based on your own perceptions/goals in the war. To be more like a true u-boat kaleun you'd go for the tankers. Had I been in that same situation (at that point in actual history) the BB would feel to be the better target.

Germany didn't have much of a surface fleet to begin with, and with all the English capital ships and cruisers made it very hard for them to operate. If you go after warships (except DD's) and reduce their ability wage war to me seems like a more valuable return. Big warships are expensive and difficult to replace. With the larger German warships like the Bismark being able to move out into the Atlantic without having to worry so much about a fleet of a dozen+ ships that could come chasing after her and instead there were only 4 available Capital ships the odds shift dramatically. First you remove the English surface fleet will allow the warships to go after convoys, and instead of having to dodge the escorts they'd easily be outmatched by the BB. 1 BB could've sank an entire convoy, cruised around looking for more till fuel or ammo ran low.

[buglepong]

BBs can go down with surprisingly few torps, but I play GWX so perhaps the sinking mechanic helps quite a lot :yep:. I once came across HMS Ramillies in a convoy and managed to get a hit on her bow, and another lucky hit right on her stern. She listed and after about half and hour went to the bottom.

A really important thing is to spread the torps along the length of the ship and not try to hit the same spot unless you know for sure it's a critical hit area (like under the turrets). I find fore and aft are good points to attack and can get you surprising tonnage even with one fish on big merchants after some time to allow for sinking :arrgh!: