how would you set up for an attack?

[zero2005]

so started my first campaign, 100% realism, bunch of mods.
off the coast of the UK for my first mission, and it gives me a point to patrol.
close to reaching the point, i get "smoke on the horizon", so i start scanning, and see multiple stacks of smoke from beyond the horizon. i plot a rough estimate of the direction and range, and begin an intercept course.

i get within about 7km, and completely forgot i didnt go to Periscope depth, so 2 destroyers from the convoy begin thier way over to me. so i dive.

long story short, i am now at persiscope depth, at a range of 3000 meters, running directly parallel the convoy, at my 270. i know thier speed is about 11-12 knots.

how would you go about setting up for an attack? obviously i cant run ahead and set up for a fast-90(edit: submerged anyways). would you drop back and trail for a bit then try to get distance and sprint ahead? or would you try the shot from 3000? for my first SH5 attack, i'd like to at least sink 1 of the cargo's. maybe try a simulataneous attack on 2 targets at once?

[Zedi]

I tried to start a career with 100% realism, was an epic fail. I also encountered a convoy, but without any escorts. With map contacts turned off, took me a while until I figured out their direction, not to mention that I got stormy weather with big waves so the boat was shaking all over and was really hard to keep the visual contact with the convoy from long range.

Finally I got into a good attack position, raised the scope and tried to figure out my targets speed, bearing and all I needed for shot. No luck. Map tools are useless, stadimeter is broken so I had no chance to figure out any ship speed. Then I just got pissed off and I started to shot randomly in the convoy and managed to hit 3 ship, 1 sunk. Then just surfaced and finished off few more with the deck gun.

People will point out TDW and Reaper's UI mod as help and tbh, those are the only help around to play with 100% realism. With stock game is no way to do it and that makes me very angry and full with hate against these amateurs who released SH5 in such a poor condition.

If any1 figured out a way to play on full realism with the stock game, pls share ...

[zero2005]

yea, as i said im runnin mods, including UI help, i've prolly got at least 15 mods activated. i didnt even bother loading up stock game for a maiden voyage, just installed mods and went with it.

[raymond6751]

I'd take note of the general direction of the convoy heading and speed. Try to work out their position in say, 12 hours or when it's dark.

Mark the map ahead using the ruler as to where you think they might be at that time in the future.

Turn away, surface as soon as out of contact, and race ahead to the marked spot. With luck you will be able to get there before they do.

If you can't better their speed on the surface, give that one up and look for easier prey.

[Pisces]

Are the destroyers still comming towards your direction or have you shaken them off? Don't bother with the attack if you are the one being hunted. Remember it is your first campaign. The objective is to return home. I suggest you first let them chill about you. When they go back to their patrol station near the convoy would I consider repositioning for the attack. And then first extending the range until I am a the limit of visibility. Moving on a course perpendicular to the convoy path makes you move away the quickest. You need the lateral seperation later anyway when you overtake the bunch.

[krashkart]

If it's anything like SH3 I would be on the surface and observing from a distance until I'd seen enough to plan a good intercept. You're in a good position with them 90 degrees off port, but you can only push 8 knots underwater to their 11-12kts. I dunno, I haven't played SH5 so it's hard to say. :hmmm:

[zero2005]

yea, im running at 8.5 knots to 9 knots, and im keeping 3000m distance, but it looks like they are slowly pushing ahead. they might be going only 10 knots.

as for the destroyers, they caught sight while i was on surface, but soon gave up, like within 5 minutes of searching where i went to depth, then returned to their escort duties, one way up front, the other way behind.

no evasive actions were taken by the convoy - at all, still on corse, and i think thier TC is about 057. so i'll plot it out to see if i can sprint ahead and get a night attack.

[krashkart]

Cool beans, zero. If they're not zig-zagging by now then you have a good chance of putting some hurt on them. Give us an after-action and tell us how it works out for you. :DL