Early war hunting

[Rg370]

Hi all, i am interested where kaleuns are patroling in early war (before moving to french coast).
Do you sail along the east Britain coast, or go around Scottland to find convoys?
I have done a few patrols, and all ships i've sunk were some small ships(tugboat,
small merchant, small this, small that).
Where are the big ones? It is so frustrating to see that after carefull,calculated interception all i get is some friggin tugboat.

If this continues i am going to become a tugboat tonnagee king:arrgh!:

[nirwana]

I use to hunt AM13 for loners and AM52/53 for convoys in 39 and early 40. Air cover by the RAF is still sketchy.

[Kielhauler1961]

For unescorted singles, try the area SW of Orkney, and the Hebridies/Scotland channel. For convoys try AM 51/52/53.

[Bronzewing]

Depends what boat you're using. Type 2 you cruise the north sea, type 7 you can try slipping out into the Atlantic.
Oh and if you got a type 2 port raiding is a rewarding passtime. you're small enough to get away with it (mostly), at least with the poor defender experience in 1939. It also avoids long searches, which a type 2's fuel tanks don't work with too well.
My favorite raid spot in 1939/40 before the big move was Hartlepool. I went there 5 times in all and every time sank a T2 tanker! ;) And sometimes there's another ship in the other half of the harbour too, making it a one stop shop for a type 2 patrol. (I usually took 2-3 shots to down the T2, an one or two for the other ship.)

[Sailor Steve]

Being a realism freak I always go where they send me and stay there; but then I sometimes come home with a whopping 0 tons.

I just wanted to say WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

[papa_smurf]

I find the best patrol areas early war, are north scotland (especially AM19), and like Kielhauler1961 says, AM 51-53. This will most certainly guaruntee some kills, and if its a bit qiuet just travel along the east coast of England - I always get kills doing this.

Best of luck, and give 'em, hell!:arrgh!:

[Rg370]

Thanks for replies and warm welcome.
I use type II so i need to be picky about my targets (really love that little boat).
Most of the time i patrol the passage between Scapa Flow and Lerwick sub base,but
the ships i've encountered there were either a patroling destroyer or some small merchant.
As for port raiding, i never tried it because mine usually doesn't give a second chance.
:nope:

[Kielhauler1961]

I use type II so i need to be picky about my targets (really love that little boat).

There are three great tweaks to enhance your Type II experience (also my favourite boat). If you're interested I'll dig them out for you.

KH.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard Kaleun Rg370 http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

You should find no lack of opportunities along the east coast of England in the early days http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

[Rg370]

@Kielhauler1961
That would be nice, post 'em here.
Thanks.

[Pisces]

An important consideration would be if you are playing stock SH3 or using a modded campaign. I played GWX (1.03 and 2.1) exclusively and found my targets to be pretty wel balanced. So I don't know what the stock Sh3 campaign provides. I allways go to wherever BdU assigned me my patrolzone. On the way I make regular (1 or 2 hour) hydrophone checks, as it extends twice further than your best visual range. It's like casting a bigger net. It can get boring though if you find nothing repeatedly.

But I would guess that the entrances to the Irish Sea (north and south) would be the best hunting grounds as convoys converge there.

[rifleman13]

Want to devastate some convoys? :yep:

Try doing it in Dec. 1939 in the area 500 km due south of Ireland... :know:

Some convoys have 1 to 2 escorts, take 'em out and it will be tonnage heaven! :arrgh!:

[Greystone]

A poster above mentioned the Irish Sea. I agree. Try the narrows at the northern entrance to the Irish Sea. Submerge and man the sound station yourself. I managed to sink 11 merchants there within 26 hours on my first patrol in GWX2.

[papa_smurf]

Usual hunting spots for me early war are off the coast of England (be wary of minefields tho). And the ever reliable AM 52/53 and AN 14.

[Jimbuna]

About 200/300 km west of Gib is good as well...if you've got the fuel.

[Silver_Silence]

In the early war, I really love port hunting with VII. My favorites are Southend and Dover. After Feb 40, there would be 4 large troop transport between Southend and Dover. It get boring after a while. But hey you can nap some good tonnages before the real war begin when they are better defended. I used to hate storm because I can't use my deck gun. But after learning how to raid the ports, I love storm. It make me almost invisible and allow me to go over the net without being discovered. I wonder if type IX can raid the port the same way as VII.