Fun with Convoys

[Hotspur1337]

Intercepted a convoy and let them come over me from their left front corner. Lined my self up in the space between the second and third columns, and set up a bow and stern shot for the two lead ships in those columns - both ore carriers.

The columns were about a thousand meters apart, so each shot was five hundred meters. I positioned my stern a little closer to the column it was facing so I could get off my bow shot and time the stern shot so both torpedos would hit at once. Set the depth for a meter under the keels with magnetic triggers.

Both went off as planned and both ships sunk. I think when you sink a ship by exploding under the keel, the AI doesn't know where the shots came from, so it doesn't know where to look. I just hit ahead slow, right turn to starboard, and dove slowly and nobody ever even came around me.

[Fish In The Water]

Very nice...

I especially enjoy watching the ore carriers light up, must have been great to hit two simultaneously. Good tactics, congrats! :up:

[Osmium Steele]

My favorite tactic as well, though I usually set up between the first and second columns.

Just wait till the real juicy row, usually third or fourth, come by. Shoot the furthest skimmer first and just wait till the others are in the crosshairs.

Then spin around and snap a shot at whatever passed my stern, dive ahead slow moving under the convoy.

Ahead flank after the first explosion for a minute or so, then silent.

Never been located unless I make a fat-fingered mistake.

But then, I'm only in June '42. :88)

[Tinman764]

I've tried to do this sort of thing so many times but each time the screen picks me up as I wait for the convoy to pass over me. I've tried various depths, positioning my boat to offer a low profile, silent speed.. I just can't get past the screen.. what's the secret? :P

[derrinurban]

I've tried to do this sort of thing so many times but each time the screen picks me up as I wait for the convoy to pass over me. I've tried various depths, positioning my boat to offer a low profile, silent speed.. I just can't get past the screen.. what's the secret? :P

I have only been caught the odd time and that was usually because of my own stupidity. Generally I am at periscope depth, do not need to be any deeper. My approach is as follows:

- when I get a report of or sight a convoy, move to get well ahead (intercept). I might shadow the side of the convoy to get preliminary target data, but mostly try to get 10-15 km+ ahead.
- I refine the path or convoy line so that I can position myself 4-5 km from centerline of convoy. This distance provides good clearance from the lead destroyer.
- Turn about 45-60 degress towards the convoy, periscope depth, silent running. Turning towards the convoy provides small profile.
- Move towards convoy, collecting data, refining TDC information. Make sure to stay at least 2 km from the course line of the lead destroyer.
- As lead destroyer approaches, I slowly turn perpendicular to convoy course. So that I present minimal profile to destroyer while getting into firing position.
- when perpendicular to target line (1.5-2 km from centerline/destroyer), let destroyer pass, slowly move forward into destroyer baffles. This is usually the tricky part. However, if you have been routinely raising and lowering periscope and watching the hydrophone to check on the destroyer, you should know his pattern (chugging along, sweeping forward and backward, etc). His pattern will dictate when you slip in behind him.
- Once in the destroyers baffles, you just have to move forward into your firing position and sink 'em all. As long as your firing position is not outside the first column (at least between the first and second columns), you should be clear of the outside/perimeter destroyers.

When I am moving into position, I keep silent running on and play with my speed. Close to the destroyer - 1 knot, in his baffles 2-3 knots (or more depending on where I want to position myself).

Hope this helps.

[Gerald]

Upload your boat with ammo, and then sail out on a hunting adventure, :yeah:

[Hotspur1337]

I agree with derrinurban. You have to place yourself so that the convoy sails over you in position. That means you have to plot its course and get ahead of them so you can be between the first and second, or second and third columns. This keeps you out of the lead destroyer's screen, and out of the screen of the one on the port flank. I imagine the same is true on the starboard side of the convoy, but I haven't tried it over there yet.

The key to this is patience, and a lot of plotting.

After I pulled off the double hit, I exited the rear of the convoy, then ran to the left of them far enough to be out of sight and sound, then outflanked them again and repositioned myself to do it again.

Same result. The escorts had no idea where to look for me.

I'm all out of stern torpedos now, so I'll have to wait until next patrol.

[Gerald]

Yes, patience is a "must" :yep: