Paul Riley
04-19-09, 12:23 PM
Not sure if this has been discussed in a previous post.
I am,as I speak,creating and compiling my own specific tactics for dealing with convoys,taken from historical references together with some of my own ideas,as the allies have certainly improved their ASW techniques since last I met a convoy.What I would like,is to hear some of your methods for dealing with convoys during 1942 and beyond.The biggest problem I had,before developing my techniques,was obviously radar,which is by now far more sensitive than earlier on in the year.I shall for the sake of the topic detail my own methods for observing,tracking,intercepting and finally engaging.Also,it needs to be said that I havent actually engaged the current convoy in my campaign,but i'm sure there is a good chance it may work.
The initial radio signal of the sighted convoy.
I recieved the radio signal about 12 hrs earlier in my current patrol,and calculated whether I could intercept it from my current position.The calculations were made and I estimated that it would take no more than 2 days,longer than I would normally attempt to chase a contact.The convoy was sighted in AK48,heading NE at 9 kts.I worked out my fuel allowance for the journey and set speed at full.As I got nearer to my future position another radio signal was recieved,and the convoy was coming within reach.Visual contact was finally made,and I dived to PD,and took a rough observation of the convoy,it was confimed at 53 degrees,and at 9kts.While I was doing this 2 warships (WSs) appeared on the horizon heading my way,I was obviously picked up on radar.My first real experience with a convoy's improved radar capability.I prepared for the inevitable,and Dcs were dropped,with no hits.I went to 200m and set speed at slow,silent.More DCs were heard,fading.I stopped my engines to check for the WS's engines,which could be heard,but fading.I had slipped through.After about 1 hour I did a standard sound check,and the WSs were not in my immediate area,and so I went to PD,and checked the horizon,at normal magnification,and at zoom,nothing.I surfaced at slow speed,with no air from the tanks,so as to mask my submerged noises as much as possible,you never really know do you.I then contemplated the current position I was in,and decided to make thorough plans on paper,which is where I am now.This was the first phase in my scenario,and now i'll move onto the second,the observation phase (OP).
The observation phase - observing convoy composition,strength,and future marked targets
This for me,is where I take all neccessary information needed for a successful attack on the convoy.I need to check exactly whats in the convoy,number of lanes,depth of the lanes,military strength of the convoy,and to mark targets deemed important and a priority.I have decided the best position to be in for doing this is from either of the front corners of the convoy,and facing 45 degrees into the convoy,so as to get better views of overlapping ships.Naturally daylight is needed,with extremely strict measures on using the Periscope (PS),as I have been detected using it before.Observations will be carried out all the time as the convoy approaches and finally passes me.I could attack from here if I wanted,but I don't like rushing into things,and a methodical approach is what is needed,for me that is.I then plot a tracking course (will be explained soon) perpendicular to the convoy,then move onto phase 3,the Tracking Phase (TP).
The tracking phase - Surveillance of the convoy,keeping it within sound range.
This phase I have called the tracking phase.What my idea was,was to keep the convoy under close surveillance using the hydrophones,all the while keeping myself out of their radar.I did a few tests earlier and worked out that a convoy's radar range in late 42 is approx 15km,as at this range I have no more incoming WSs to my position.I run on my current course,15km from the convoy,and do the first sound check,to confirm the convoy is not changing course etc.I then surface and repeat the sound checks at intervals of about 30mins.During other times I normally conduct sound checks on the hour,but in this case 30mins is needed,as I need precise bearings on the convoy.I keep doing this until the convoy's sound signature is at about 270 degrees or 90 to my position.This then tells me that I am now on a precise run for an interception.This takes me to the next phase,the Interception Phase (IP).
Interception Phase - Plotting a course for the interception of the convoy
The scenario is now in its last stages,and as the above states I now attempt to intercept the convoy at a point dictated by myself,allowing me to pick the battle on my terms by deciding whether it will be at day or night,or any other condition I might want.What I do here is give myself a run of about 2 hours,then turn 90 degrees into the convoy,at the distance of my choosing,and await the convoy.This then takes me to the final and critical phase,the attack!.
The Attack Phase
This is the part that has took the most thought and effort by myself,using many possible methods of attacking,working out my chances with each method,ultimately giving me my preferred method for engaging convoys,and I think this may,and I say may be the best method.What I wanted was as I stated earlier to put myself at a very precise point relative to the convoy,allowing for surgical attacks on the convoy,while minimizing risk as much as possible,as it is less chaotic than other methods,like racing straight in on the surface,which may have been useful earlier on in the war,but allied radar is too deadly now I have observed.Earlier during the OP,I would have picked targets deemed 'juicy',have them marked,and concentrate all efforts on sinking JUST those ships.I have noticed in this convoy I am engaging consists of many merchants,but in the 2 centre lanes are tankers,and I have also noticed a troop carrier.These are my marked targets.The convoy is huge (biggest so far I have encountered,others added up to say no more of about 10-15 vessels),and I have observed between 60 and 70 vessels,in 6 lanes,about 10-12 deep,with a strong screen of 6 WSs including a destroyer escort up front.My plan is to put myself on the centre lanes,approx 500 metres from the first vessel I am targetting.In the OP I would have made lines representing the 2 centre lanes,with points where the marked targets should be,give or take a few metres.I have also worked out there are approx 1.2km between each lane,vital information I think.I have decided to penetrate the convoy from within,as this gives me a greater chance of hitting targets due to the short range involved,and also allows me to pass under and out the rear after the attack,using the noise from the convoy to try and mask my own.Standard evasion methods will be used at this point to evade the enemy.While this allows for very precise hit and run style attacks,it is possibly the most dangerous,due to the close proximity to WSs if I am detected,and I wouldnt have much time to make an emergency dive if things screw up.But in all honesty,I do prefer this methodical surgical style,and rushing in is just opposite to my character also.I will try to engage 2 ships if possible,but if doubts in my mind arise for whatever reason,I will then concentrate on just the one,maximizing my concentration and efforts,in effect slowly breaking down the convoy.I will also be on silent operations during the entire process,except of course just seconds before the actual torpedo launch.Even if I havent been detected I think its good practice to carry out all precautions,and use them all the time,ensuring safety as much as possible.Ideally attacks will be at night,masking the PS,but daylight attacks are also to be carried out if needed,allowing for round the clock attacks.If a daylight attack is to be carried out I will position myself outside the convoy perimeter,and attack from about 1-2km,and at a 45 degree angle,so I can see the overlapping targets,which would otherwise be obscured possibly.If I score a hit,no matter what happens to the stricken vessel I will immediately dive as deep as possible at 1/3,and attempt to exit the convoy's rear,using the hydros to check on the convoy.I will then run under for 1 hour,then come to PD,and repeat all the previous to set up for a second attack.Approx 4-5 hr intervals between attacks.This then will be continued until the convoy has been depleted of the marked targets,or I run out of torpedoes.And for good measure I have also made it a standard to carry one homing torpedo in the aft tube,just in case this fox is in trouble trying to get out of the chicken coup before the farmer arives with his DCs.
This then concludes my post,and I want to hear your comments on my method,and to also hear some of your methods.Also,I dont assume this is the best method,but it is the method preferred by me,and feels safer.
Cheers :salute:
I am,as I speak,creating and compiling my own specific tactics for dealing with convoys,taken from historical references together with some of my own ideas,as the allies have certainly improved their ASW techniques since last I met a convoy.What I would like,is to hear some of your methods for dealing with convoys during 1942 and beyond.The biggest problem I had,before developing my techniques,was obviously radar,which is by now far more sensitive than earlier on in the year.I shall for the sake of the topic detail my own methods for observing,tracking,intercepting and finally engaging.Also,it needs to be said that I havent actually engaged the current convoy in my campaign,but i'm sure there is a good chance it may work.
The initial radio signal of the sighted convoy.
I recieved the radio signal about 12 hrs earlier in my current patrol,and calculated whether I could intercept it from my current position.The calculations were made and I estimated that it would take no more than 2 days,longer than I would normally attempt to chase a contact.The convoy was sighted in AK48,heading NE at 9 kts.I worked out my fuel allowance for the journey and set speed at full.As I got nearer to my future position another radio signal was recieved,and the convoy was coming within reach.Visual contact was finally made,and I dived to PD,and took a rough observation of the convoy,it was confimed at 53 degrees,and at 9kts.While I was doing this 2 warships (WSs) appeared on the horizon heading my way,I was obviously picked up on radar.My first real experience with a convoy's improved radar capability.I prepared for the inevitable,and Dcs were dropped,with no hits.I went to 200m and set speed at slow,silent.More DCs were heard,fading.I stopped my engines to check for the WS's engines,which could be heard,but fading.I had slipped through.After about 1 hour I did a standard sound check,and the WSs were not in my immediate area,and so I went to PD,and checked the horizon,at normal magnification,and at zoom,nothing.I surfaced at slow speed,with no air from the tanks,so as to mask my submerged noises as much as possible,you never really know do you.I then contemplated the current position I was in,and decided to make thorough plans on paper,which is where I am now.This was the first phase in my scenario,and now i'll move onto the second,the observation phase (OP).
The observation phase - observing convoy composition,strength,and future marked targets
This for me,is where I take all neccessary information needed for a successful attack on the convoy.I need to check exactly whats in the convoy,number of lanes,depth of the lanes,military strength of the convoy,and to mark targets deemed important and a priority.I have decided the best position to be in for doing this is from either of the front corners of the convoy,and facing 45 degrees into the convoy,so as to get better views of overlapping ships.Naturally daylight is needed,with extremely strict measures on using the Periscope (PS),as I have been detected using it before.Observations will be carried out all the time as the convoy approaches and finally passes me.I could attack from here if I wanted,but I don't like rushing into things,and a methodical approach is what is needed,for me that is.I then plot a tracking course (will be explained soon) perpendicular to the convoy,then move onto phase 3,the Tracking Phase (TP).
The tracking phase - Surveillance of the convoy,keeping it within sound range.
This phase I have called the tracking phase.What my idea was,was to keep the convoy under close surveillance using the hydrophones,all the while keeping myself out of their radar.I did a few tests earlier and worked out that a convoy's radar range in late 42 is approx 15km,as at this range I have no more incoming WSs to my position.I run on my current course,15km from the convoy,and do the first sound check,to confirm the convoy is not changing course etc.I then surface and repeat the sound checks at intervals of about 30mins.During other times I normally conduct sound checks on the hour,but in this case 30mins is needed,as I need precise bearings on the convoy.I keep doing this until the convoy's sound signature is at about 270 degrees or 90 to my position.This then tells me that I am now on a precise run for an interception.This takes me to the next phase,the Interception Phase (IP).
Interception Phase - Plotting a course for the interception of the convoy
The scenario is now in its last stages,and as the above states I now attempt to intercept the convoy at a point dictated by myself,allowing me to pick the battle on my terms by deciding whether it will be at day or night,or any other condition I might want.What I do here is give myself a run of about 2 hours,then turn 90 degrees into the convoy,at the distance of my choosing,and await the convoy.This then takes me to the final and critical phase,the attack!.
The Attack Phase
This is the part that has took the most thought and effort by myself,using many possible methods of attacking,working out my chances with each method,ultimately giving me my preferred method for engaging convoys,and I think this may,and I say may be the best method.What I wanted was as I stated earlier to put myself at a very precise point relative to the convoy,allowing for surgical attacks on the convoy,while minimizing risk as much as possible,as it is less chaotic than other methods,like racing straight in on the surface,which may have been useful earlier on in the war,but allied radar is too deadly now I have observed.Earlier during the OP,I would have picked targets deemed 'juicy',have them marked,and concentrate all efforts on sinking JUST those ships.I have noticed in this convoy I am engaging consists of many merchants,but in the 2 centre lanes are tankers,and I have also noticed a troop carrier.These are my marked targets.The convoy is huge (biggest so far I have encountered,others added up to say no more of about 10-15 vessels),and I have observed between 60 and 70 vessels,in 6 lanes,about 10-12 deep,with a strong screen of 6 WSs including a destroyer escort up front.My plan is to put myself on the centre lanes,approx 500 metres from the first vessel I am targetting.In the OP I would have made lines representing the 2 centre lanes,with points where the marked targets should be,give or take a few metres.I have also worked out there are approx 1.2km between each lane,vital information I think.I have decided to penetrate the convoy from within,as this gives me a greater chance of hitting targets due to the short range involved,and also allows me to pass under and out the rear after the attack,using the noise from the convoy to try and mask my own.Standard evasion methods will be used at this point to evade the enemy.While this allows for very precise hit and run style attacks,it is possibly the most dangerous,due to the close proximity to WSs if I am detected,and I wouldnt have much time to make an emergency dive if things screw up.But in all honesty,I do prefer this methodical surgical style,and rushing in is just opposite to my character also.I will try to engage 2 ships if possible,but if doubts in my mind arise for whatever reason,I will then concentrate on just the one,maximizing my concentration and efforts,in effect slowly breaking down the convoy.I will also be on silent operations during the entire process,except of course just seconds before the actual torpedo launch.Even if I havent been detected I think its good practice to carry out all precautions,and use them all the time,ensuring safety as much as possible.Ideally attacks will be at night,masking the PS,but daylight attacks are also to be carried out if needed,allowing for round the clock attacks.If a daylight attack is to be carried out I will position myself outside the convoy perimeter,and attack from about 1-2km,and at a 45 degree angle,so I can see the overlapping targets,which would otherwise be obscured possibly.If I score a hit,no matter what happens to the stricken vessel I will immediately dive as deep as possible at 1/3,and attempt to exit the convoy's rear,using the hydros to check on the convoy.I will then run under for 1 hour,then come to PD,and repeat all the previous to set up for a second attack.Approx 4-5 hr intervals between attacks.This then will be continued until the convoy has been depleted of the marked targets,or I run out of torpedoes.And for good measure I have also made it a standard to carry one homing torpedo in the aft tube,just in case this fox is in trouble trying to get out of the chicken coup before the farmer arives with his DCs.
This then concludes my post,and I want to hear your comments on my method,and to also hear some of your methods.Also,I dont assume this is the best method,but it is the method preferred by me,and feels safer.
Cheers :salute: