Q ships

[She-Wolf]

Best Beloved has just been telling me about the Q ships of WW1 and II ( not from personal experience you understand) - fascinating. I had to look the topic up on Wiki to see what that said, and learned that the US navy also used Q ships in the Pacific... made me wonder if the IJN did as well, and whether in SH4 I might fall foul of one of these beasties....? Don't suppose so but worth an ask :)

[iambecomelife]

Best Beloved has just been telling me about the Q ships of WW1 and II ( not from personal experience you understand) - fascinating. I had to look the topic up on Wiki to see what that said, and learned that the US navy also used Q ships in the Pacific... made me wonder if the IJN did as well, and whether in SH4 I might fall foul of one of these beasties....? Don't suppose so but worth an ask :)

The only Japanese Q-Ship I know of was the "Delhi Maru". She was sunk on her first mission by the "Swordfish" on January 15, 1944.

As far as I know, nobody has modded her. If this is done, she should be scripted in the campaign to appear near the entrance to Tokyo Bay on the day before her loss. She was about 2,000 tons, so I suppose the small Q-Ship created for Silent Hunter III could be imported to represent her.

There's some evidence that regional Japanese commanders may have designed Q-Ships, but these reports were never confirmed. "Delhi Maru" was the only official IJN-designated craft.

[She-Wolf]

thankyou IABL, I shall watch out for her at the appropriate time - just in case :)

[Bubblehead1980]

Best Beloved has just been telling me about the Q ships of WW1 and II ( not from personal experience you understand) - fascinating. I had to look the topic up on Wiki to see what that said, and learned that the US navy also used Q ships in the Pacific... made me wonder if the IJN did as well, and whether in SH4 I might fall foul of one of these beasties....? Don't suppose so but worth an ask :)


TMO has a qu ship made out of the small "Taihosan Maru" freighter, they are pretty tough actually.Just wish it appeared more.

[She-Wolf]

ahh..... I am in TMO :D

[Sailor Steve]

Q-Ships were most effective in the First World War because the policy of the U-boat service of that time was to surface, check the papers and cargo and then allow the ship to move on or allow the crew to abandon ship and sink it. This made a disguised ship with guns very deadly, taking the u-boat completely by surprise. The Germans then decided to protect their boats by torpedoing by surprise, and the British then cried "foul".

On the other hand the British of the First War took it to extremes, even having extra crew just to abandon ship when they saw the u-boat coming.

In World War 2 it's a tactic that works if the sub is trying to sink an apparently unarmed ship with the deck gun. Otherwise it's just another targt.

[Ewall007]

From 43 on aircraft patrols both Amearican an Britsh. Did a better job sinking U-Boats...:D

Ewall007
"Ranging Far, Sweeping Wide"
Quote from Victory at Sea 1955

[Bubblehead1980]

Q-Ships were most effective in the First World War because the policy of the U-boat service of that time was to surface, check the papers and cargo and then allow the ship to move on or allow the crew to abandon ship and sink it. This made a disguised ship with guns very deadly, taking the u-boat completely by surprise. The Germans then decided to protect their boats by torpedoing by surprise, and the British then cried "foul".

On the other hand the British of the First War took it to extremes, even having extra crew just to abandon ship when they saw the u-boat coming.

In World War 2 it's a tactic that works if the sub is trying to sink an apparently unarmed ship with the deck gun. Otherwise it's just another targt.

Also worked well when the q ship had a very shallow draft.Fluckey fouled up(admitted so in his book) and attacked a ship with torpedos that was a Japanese q ship with a shallow draft off Luzon in 1944.Several escorts soon boxed him in, they endured a depth charging for it.

[donna52522]

Joe Grenfell had a couple close calls with Q-ships in the USS Gudgeon, what appeared to be armed merchants that turned out to be shallow draft vessels complete with mid ship depth charge throwers....and this was in March 1942.

This is a drawing Grenfell turned in. Hope the scan out of the book, "Find'em, Chase'em, Sink'em" comes out ok.

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j408/donna577/scan0002.jpg

[Char]

Correct,They are in TMO.They are a very nice deterrent to make Night Surface attacks with the Deck Gun.

They look pretty much like the Regular Taihosan Maru,and you usually don't catch on to them until it's too late.

[TorpX]

The Japanese also had some merchants with depth charge throwers or guns/mortars. I don't think these were Q-ships per se. Sometimes they tried to ram subs during an attack.

[Dread Knot]

The Japanese converted a large number of merchant vessels into gunboats and patrol ships. Given the reluctance of the IJN to give up it's destoyers and frigates for ASW duties, there simply weren't enough purpose built escort vessels available to meet the growing demand. Armament would vary from 2 to 4 small guns, like 3-inchers, and some light AA. It's possible that they were equipped with sub detection devices. I've read that the Japanese produced a hydrophone that was designed for installation into a merchant ship hull. Some of them appear to have carried depth charges, but whether that capability was any more advanced than a provision for dumping them over the side is hard to say. I doubt if the Japanese ever thought of these vessels as Q-ships, as no attempt was made to hide their aramament from view. They were converted mostly just to fend off an easy surface attack by a submarine or PT-Boat and to provide a modicum of air defense.

Throughout the war, the Japanese mounted depth charges on the most unlikely platforms. Even the carrier Unryu was armed with 30 depth charges, which would have been almost unthinkable for an Allied carrier.

Here's a model from a Japanese site of what one of these converted marus would have looked like. Not too different from the Grenfell sketch above.

http://ww6.enjoy.ne.jp/~iwashige/chojusanmarumod.jpg

[Fish40]

They're also in RFB as well. I just sunk it while sneaking into the harbor south of Naha on Okinawa. I must admit, this is actually my first harbor raid while playing this game. I am in the USS Trout in 42'. I was asked to patrol the waters near Okinawa, and after limited success, I decided to have a closer look in the harbors. I wasn't disappointed either. They're loaded! Naha proved too difficult due to the layout which put the ships behind protective seawalls. This would mean I would have to enter the Harbor proper, which is alittle too close for my comfort. The harbor to the South has proved easier. The ships are in the open!

This "Q" ship, actually listed as an Auxilliary Gunboat, is a small freighter. It was patrolling the harbor perimeter when it got too close for comfort and I pumped two fish into her. After the first impacted as a dud, her search lights opened up on me and she let loose a salvo from her deck guns. Soon after my second fish hit her and she erupted in a massive secondary explosion! Presently, I'm still sneaking my way into the harbor.




Edit: After the "Q" ship went down, I managed to get within range of a nice, fat Large Composit Freighter and finished her at her mooring with a spread of 3 torps, one being a dud. During my hasty departure I pumped 2 fish into a Medium Tanker. Both fish detonated which resulted in a massive fire, but because of the shallow bottom, she settled with most of her superstructure above water, and I didn't get credit for the sinking. The big freighter on the other hand rolled to one side covering most of her with water, so I did get the credit for that one!

Presently, I'm at the mouth of the harbor waiting to see if any traffic will try to leave.

[WernherVonTrapp]

According to one of my books, "Japanese Radar And Related Weapons of WWII" by Yasuzo Nakagawa, it alludes that the Japanese had inferior passive sonar microphones. Their submarines used the type 93 sonar developed in 1933 which used a dynamic microphone. During the mission to Germany in 1941, the Japnese learned that the Kriegsmarine was using "Rochelle Salt" in sonar and passive receiving. A much superior quality than the Jpanese were using. A model of the "Rochelle Salt" sonar was delivered to the Japanese on a return mission at Yokohama in October of 1942. A Japanese representative from NEC examined the German sonar and declared it "superior to anything Japan had at the time". It wasn't until early 1945 that Japan was ready to begin production of the new sonar at the Komukai plant of the Toshiba company in Kawasaki City, but the plant was subsequently destroyed during a B-29 Bomber attack. In light of this, that is, if this is true, it is highly unlikely that the Japanese were ever successful in placing effective sonar devices in merchant ships. If they did, they were most likely to be old, skeletonised, makeshift devices that produced little results, if and when they were even working properly.

I must admit, this is actually my first harbor raid while playing this game. I am in the USS Trout in 42'. I was asked to patrol the waters near Okinawa, and after limited success, I decided to have a closer look in the harbors. I wasn't disappointed either. They're loaded! Naha proved too difficult due to the layout which put the ships behind protective seawalls. This would mean I would have to enter the Harbor proper, which is alittle too close for my comfort. The harbor to the South has proved easier. The ships are in the open!

These harbors are regulars on my list of targets. Itoman is in fact easier, but Naha is by no means impregnable. Since the ships are all docked, you can use long range attacks while remaining just below the surface at battery depth. I usually attack from two angles from both the north and south openings. This way, I can hit almost every ship in the harbor. And yes, these two harbors are always filled with merchants, usually some large and medium tankers too.

[She-Wolf]

coo, lots of interesting and useful info here - thank you all :)

[CaptainD]

HI!
During first world war, german subs used to attack british fishing ships in the north sea
They surfaced nea the flottillas and gunned the ships, kiling so the crews.
So the RN decided to build a trap with a british sub towed by a trawler.
The british sub was towed under sea during daylight and surfaced at night to reloads the batterys.
There was a telephone line with the toweing line.
I know that the trap functionned two times.
Each one, the U-Boote surfaces to gun the fishermen and was torpedoed by the RN sub and the germans stopped attacking the fishing flottilas till they understood what had happend.
I will search to some details about theses actions.

Edit: These comme from the book "By Guess and by God" by Lieutnant W. G. Carr in a french translation from 1931 which tell about the operation of british submarines during WWI.

The first fight came on June 23th 1915 by C24,Lieutnant Taylor, towed by trawler Taranaki and her target was U40.
The second one came on July 20th 1915 by C27, Lieutnant Commande Dobson, towed by Princess Louise, target U23.
The two targets were destroyed.

[torpedobait]

If you are really curious and want to go see one of the TMO 2.5 Q ships (Taihosan Maru-type) try sinking a ship or two in or near the mouth of the Bungo Strait. It won't take long for you hear an approaching destroyer followed by the maru. I assumed it was a small convoy and easily took out the "escort", thinking I would surface and gun down the maru. No chance. Before I could manouver to a better position, the maru was making a DC run on me! Three passes and I went down with my crew. A very humbling experiece. Have not encountered that combination anywhere else, but I'd be careful taking them on if I were you. That maru is skippered by an expert sub-killer, perhaps modeled after "Bungo Pete", but without the accompanying submare (I think).

Good hunting!

[CaptainD]

I have read that Bungo Pete has been implemented in TMO but I don't know how it had been done.
I have also read that Bungo Strait is the only place where you can find an Akikaze type destroyer and maybe, if the ships come as you say, the only method to kill them is the same as in the movie.
Is the DD with the maru an Akikaze?

Edit: The trawlers, I tell about in my previous post had military crews and were under command of RN officers.
In the second case, just before the C27 second torpedo killed the U-Boote, the Princess Louise showed the White Ensign... and her Guns.

[torpedobait]

I have read that Bungo Pete has been implemented in TMO but I don't know how it had been done.
I have also read that Bungo Strait is the only place where you can find an Akikaze type destroyer and maybe, if the ships come as you say, the only method to kill them is the same as in the movie.
Is the DD with the maru an Akikaze?

Edit: The trawlers, I tell about in my previous post had military crews and were under command of RN officers.
In the second case, just before the C27 second torpedo killed the U-Boote, the Princess Louise showed the White Ensign... and her Guns.

Don't remember what the DD was - will repost when I get a chance to find it again on aother patrol.

[Daniel Prates]

:yeah:

Damn! I stay away for less then 6 months and two lady-captains appeared on this forum? That's an improvement!

[Torplexed]

:yeah:

Damn! I stay away for less then 6 months and two lady-captains appeared on this forum? That's an improvement!

We had a nun here for a while, but I haven't seen her lately. :D

[Sailor Steve]

:yeah:

Damn! I stay away for less then 6 months and two lady-captains appeared on this forum? That's an improvement!
Which two? Donna's new, but ?

Unless, as Torplexed said, you meant Sister Julie?

[Armistead]

Donna is really Ted Nugent.......I know that for a fact......:yeah:

[Sailor Steve]

:o

Who knew?

I wonder if Donna even knows who Ted Nugent is. She's five years younger than my youngest kid.

Unless of course she really is Ted Nugent.
:rotfl2:

[Daniel Prates]

There was also a 'she-wolf' posting just there, so that accounts for the second one. Of course that could also be an alias for some other weirdo guitarrist... :hmmm:

[DrBeast]

There was also a 'she-wolf' posting just there, so that accounts for the second one. Of course that could also be an alias for some other weirdo guitarrist... :hmmm:

Dave Mustaine...? Weirdo enough, and he's written a song called She Wolf! :haha:

[Sailor Steve]

She-Wolf has also been a registered member here since 2007.

[Able Brown]

I developed a habbit of finishing off damaged merchants with the deck gun back in my "Aces of The Deep" days: That has turned out to be a really bad idea in the pacific, as just about any Japanese ship can match or beat my deck gun's firepower. In a sense they're all Q-boats!

There was a thread here that linked to 1944 Navy doctorine on submarine warfare. The doctorine made it clear that the torpedo was the primary weapon and discouraged the use of deck guns and AA except as a last resort.

Section 6
Defense Against Small Surface Craft


The offensive weapons of a submarine are torpedoes, mines, and guns. Submergence in time to avoid detection or attack, or both, is the best and therefore the primary means of defense. Evasion by use of high speed on the surface at night or in low visibility is preferable. Submarines will avoid engagement with aircraft when possible to do so.
Unless the submarine is unable to dive, combatant ships should not be engaged by gunfire, except they be of the small patrol type (more dangerous because of their depth charges than because of their guns), definitely preventing the accomplishment of a vital mission. In the latter case, the probable chance and relative advantage of possible destruction of the patrol vessel must be weighed against the disclosure of the submarine's presence or position, and the probable damage that may be received. Gun attacks on important merchant vessels will normally not be made, as the submarine will usually find itself out-gunned and at a disadvantage. When engaging surface targets, endeavor to do so as a surprise and from a position that will be poorly protected by lookouts and where the minimum number of enemy guns can bear. Engage on bearings that will permit the best service to own guns.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/SS-Doct/index.html (http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/SS-Doct/index.html)


Donna is really Ted Nugent.......I know that for a fact......


Now that you mention it, I've never seen them photographed together. Donna has described herself as an "aggressive hunter" on more than one occasion. The same is true with Ted.

Donna has been silent lately, and then there's this:

"Secret Service Looking into Ted Nugent's Anti-Obama Rant"

http://news.yahoo.com/secret-looking-ted-nugents-violent-anti-obama-rant-215204802.html

[torpedobait]

Don't remember what the DD was - will repost when I get a chance to find it again on aother patrol.

Went back to the straits - What a surprise when the Maru came searching for me with active sonar! And, although they weren't apparent from an external view, she fires Y guns in addition to the stern-rolled DCs. She missed me (barely) on her first pass, inflicting moderate damage. As she went by I went to ahead-flank, turned away from her stern and kept turning to port, seeing that that was what she did too. As she came around to about 210 degrees relative and the range hit 505 yards, I let her have 3 MK14 on shallowest depth setting, high-speed, and magnetic detonators. One passed underneath her, one was a dud, but the 3rd blew her bottom out and she quickly sank. I thought I was home free until the companion, that turned out to be Patrol Boat (!) rolled right over me and destroyed USS Balao in one pass. Beware the Bungo Strait, Captains! Thar be more than whales there!

[Daniel Prates]

I developed a habbit of finishing off damaged merchants with the deck gun back in my "Aces of The Deep" days: That has turned out to be a really bad idea in the pacific, as just about any Japanese ship can match or beat my deck gun's firepower. In a sense they're all Q-boats!



Good point. Almost every single japanese merchant has some teeth to show...

[She-Wolf]

I thought this thread had died a natural death but then come back to find fellas intriguing about female identities. :hmmm:

I can assure you that both Donna and She-Wolf are 100% real live ladies - no weird or suspicious characters lurking here, guitarist or otherwise - I can't speak for Donna, but I have probably been around the Subsim forums longer'n a good few of you boys. There also used to be a lady called Penny ( I think).

[Sailor Steve]

Well, the original lady subsimmer was Sharkstooth, and I and several others can vouch for her. We also had The Avon Lady for awhile, and of course besides yourself and Donna there is SheGeek72 and of course Frau Kaleun. "Penny" was Penelope Grey, and that's not entirely clear, but it seems likely that "she" was indeed a fraud.

I'm sure I'm missing a few.

[She-Wolf]

Oh, I am sad to think Penny was a fraud, she was ( is?) so, well, ladylike.... I started off on Subsim under another name, but got embarrassed by talking to chaps who posted comments thinking I was another chap, and would themselves have been embarrassed, I think, had they realised I was not, so decided I had to make my gender clear... :)

[Daniel Prates]

"Penny" was Penelope Grey, and that's not entirely clear, but it seems likely that "she" was indeed a fraud.



"how" that fact could have been verified would sure have made for a good anecdote.

[Sailor Steve]

It's not verified. Let's just say somebody did some investigating and things didn't add up.

[WernherVonTrapp]

"how" that fact could have been verified would sure have made for a good anecdote.There are certainly flags that are indicators of impersonators (hmmm, that rhymes:D). Police use them all the time while lurking chat rooms in search of pedophiles. The same methods can be used to determine if someone is (possibly) a male or female, or the same person using two different screen names. Verifying it is a little more involved and beyond the abilities of the average web surfer, but there are certainly common flags that would raise a reasonable person's suspicion.;)

[Daniel Prates]

There are certainly flags that are indicators of impersonators (hmmm, that rhymes:D). Police use them all the time while lurking chat rooms in search of pedophiles. The same methods can be used to determine if someone is (possibly) a male or female, or the same person using two different screen names. Verifying it is a little more involved and beyond the abilities of the average web surfer, but there are certainly common flags that would raise a reasonable person's suspicion.;)

Yeah, I know. But in my mind, it could have happened in a 'funnier' way... :arrgh!:

[WernherVonTrapp]

Yeah, I know. But in my mind, it could have happened in a 'funnier' way... :arrgh!:Oops, OK, I think I get it now. You were hoping for some physical evidence?:haha:

[Armistead]

Oh, I am sad to think Penny was a fraud, she was ( is?) so, well, ladylike.... I started off on Subsim under another name, but got embarrassed by talking to chaps who posted comments thinking I was another chap, and would themselves have been embarrassed, I think, had they realised I was not, so decided I had to make my gender clear... :)

Funny, I onced posed as a woman on another sub forum......but Wern exposed me, so I came out with the truth and they all forgave me years ago.....I prolly should've shaved better before I posted that pic of me in a wig and dress.....but hey, I've seen a few women that needed to shave.

[Sailor Steve]

Funny, I onced posed as a woman on another sub forum......but Wern exposed me, so I came out with the truth and they all forgave me years ago.....I prolly should've shaved better before I posted that pic of me in a wig and dress.....but hey, I've seen a few women that needed to shave.
I have a friend who did the same, only in a chat room, back before there were forums. He told me he only made a couple of posts just to show his kids how they couldn't trust people they didn't know. He also said that until they actually saw him do it they didn't believe the messages were from him.

[WernherVonTrapp]

He also said that until they actually saw him do it they didn't believe the messages were from him.I had the same thing happen where I work. It wasn't until we located the source of the threat and an older son confessed that the parents believed it was a sibling prank upon his younger brother.;)

[Daniel Prates]

.....but hey, I've seen a few women that needed to shave.

Ah yes. The beauty concept they practice in portugal.

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwlTJLnhegDI3_UTqiDbs9gp4aUgtF7 zk_MDfERtTVZGwEVFI69UrcrvqF

[Able Brown]

At first I saw this and laughed....


Armistead:
Donna is really Ted Nugent.......I know that for a fact......:yeah:

But we haven't heard "Donna" respond...:hmmm:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=622&pictureid=5617

Well, maybe it's rabbit season, or duck season...

"Penny" was Penelope Grey, and that's not entirely clear, but it seems likely that "she" was indeed a fraud.

Female impersonation? This looks like a job for the FBI!

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=622&pictureid=5615

...or maybe not.:DL

[She-Wolf]

Chaps, knock it on the head now please. Donna hasn't responded because she has better things to do, not because she isn't who she claims to be. As this thread is/was about Q ships not female impersonation, enough has been said I think.:yep:

[Hylander_1314]

Well, ..................... I don't know She-Wolf............... Q Ships are kinda like impersonators, aren't they? :D

[Armistead]

At first I saw this and laughed....


Armistead:


But we haven't heard "Donna" respond...:hmmm:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=622&pictureid=5617

Well, maybe it's rabbit season, or duck season...



Female impersonation? This looks like a job for the FBI!

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=622&pictureid=5615

...or maybe not.:DL

Donna gets the Ted Nugent thingy....:O:

That's the good thing, we can be anyone online, but I'm rather sure Donna is a female

[donna52522]

IT IS NOBODY'S BUSINESS TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME, ON THIS SITE I AM JUST ANOTHER SUB SKIPPER.

The way you guys sit around gabbing in a little sewing circle, it makes me wonder if your actually men.

[Sailor Steve]

Yes we are! We're men (Manly Men!) in tights (Tight Tights)!

[Daniel Prates]

Yes we are! We're men (Manly Men!) in tights (Tight Tights)!

:haha:

[Armistead]

When I posed as a women I used this as my picture and Wern questioned it...I'm not sure what gave me away.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/42-19673831-1.jpg

[WernherVonTrapp]

When I posed as a women I used this as my picture and Wern questioned it...I'm not sure what gave me away.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/42-19673831-1.jpg:haha: Yeah, well that's because the picture you sent me was a bit more provocative.:O:

[DrBeast]

"Are there any women here today?"

http://youtu.be/MIaORknS1Dk

[She-Wolf]

sigh...men..

.. Hylander, I never thought of that :)

[Able Brown]

Sailor Steve
Yes we are! We're men (Manly Men!) in tights (Tight Tights)!

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=622&pictureid=5633
Like these guys!

Getting back to the Q-boat thread: What is the solution to the problem of small fast coastal gunboats:

-Their draft is too shallow for torpedoes.
-Their guns can severely damage a fleet boat's pressure hull in a surface attack.
-They seem to have a direct line to the IJN and the japanese air force.
-Some of them have even been known to dump an ash can or two.

Could it be that the mighty fleet boat should best flee these cheap, little relics?

[TorpX]

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=622&pictureid=5633

Could it be that the mighty fleet boat should best flee these cheap, little relics?
Wasn't that the usual "solution" ?

[Hylander_1314]

Pesky little gunboats look like they should be cruising up and down the Mississippi, not some huge harbor!

Although if the water is calm, and you have Mk27 (?) Cutie, set the depth as shallow as it will allow, and set the detonator to magnetic, the Cuties dispatch them pretty quick.

[USS Drum]

That Ship that always accompany's Bungo Pete got me sunk once.:cry:

[She-Wolf]

I have been sniffing around those straits on the last two patrols and I ain't seen nuffink of Bungo Pete yet...

[Hylander_1314]

Had a couple nasty encounters with Pete. I managed to damage him with 2 homing torpedoes, so it slowed his boat down, and gave it a perminent 15 degree list, but the guy doesn't give up easy.

He still depth charged us for almost 4 hours before breaking off and makig a b-line up the straits. Thankfully I was in a Balao boat, and was down around 650 ft so when he dropped ashcans, they were easy enough to avoid. A few came close enough to rock the boat a couple times, but that's it. I think what made it difficult for him the most, is I would turn to follow his path and then cut inside it which forced him to make 2 to 3 loops before he could make another run on us.

Only sunk him once though. He got me too though. The first 2 encounters with him, were rather shocking.

[torpedobait]

You'd think we'd learn after one or two encounters with Pete. I didn't. Went back deliberately to the strait at the end of a very long patrol. Sank a Zimbu, and that drew him in like a fly to something unsavory. Unfortunately, I was down to my last 2 torpedos, all bow loads, and was forced to dive because I was not paying attention to the sonar - he came up from my stern as I watched the Zinbu burn. I got caught in 300 feet of water. He and his patrol boat companion DC's me mercilessly for about 3 hours before a massive pattern from his Q ship nailed me. One thing, he got me so rattled I forgot that I had added a decoy dispenser in my last refit! Never used them. :damn:

In my next career life I think I'll stay in the deeper water and try to remember the full defensive capabilities of my boat. Another lesson learned (hopefully). :wah:

[Hylander_1314]

It's the challenge. He's the toughest DD to get, and the satisfaction of sinking him is all the better if we can.

[Ruff EL]

q-ships huh? nice little tidbit of history i read up on there....that sure explains those 2 taihosan's and an auxiliary subchaser identified as a task force i ran into just outside manila harbor near the top of the palawan passage in early 1944....i nailed the subchaser with a mk14 and to my surprise the 2 marus came a chargin my direction with search lights and active sonar! at this point i had no idea that the marus were even capable of that so i was looking around franticly for another warship bearing in on me when i got back to the closest maru in my scope and the bastard was about 100 yds from me trying to ram my periscope! So i crashed dived and avoided it only to hear multiple bursts from DC's being fired. I couldnt take it anymore and popped onto the external camera and low and behold BOTH marus were circling my position firing chingos of DC's in the hedgehog pattern....I mean one run from one maru had to have fired 15 charges at me in huge patterns.....all the while they were pinging the crap outta me......

eventually i got to a point where i evaded them enough to come to periscope depth and snap off some mk27s at each of em and they both hit, one destroyed the screw of one maru and the other slowed down considerably but not to a halt like the other. This to me presented the perfect opportunity to move away and surface to take out these little buggers with the 5/25 deck gun i just installed (i also wanted to guage the quality of my new toy)....BIG mistake! The maru that still had power to engines opened up with 3 or 4 seperate gun batteries and tore into my ship just bad, to the tune of 93% hull damage and 8 KIA's before i ended up sinking it......after this i couldnt go deeper than periscope depth, so i had to circle to a blind spot in the firing arcs of the other maru to sink it with my gun (was outta torps at this point). Once she went down i limped my ass back to freemantle but i survived the day.....one hell of a surprise engagement that i thought was gonna be an easy target. I tell you what, I dont think Ive cussed at a computer game like that in a long time when i was getting pounded by cargo ship depth charges. Im glad i found out that that was put into the mod intentionally lol. fun experience (i cuss outta enjoyment also lol)