Would you attack?

[AriesRCN]

I am playing SH 3 (GWX 3 gold).

Im currently in command of U-1 (type IIA) and i am trying to attack a small convoy off the east coast of Scotland. Problem is that some of the merchants are armed and there are three Tribal Destroyers.

I am to the east (speed @ 13 kts) and they are travelling SWS @ 6kts. It is a clear night and I can close to about 2500 yards before i am spotted. I have tried to attack them several times (loading a saved game is cheating i know) but they see my steam torpedos and turn or they see me. I am too slow to aproach under water, and i have hit some ships but it is usually one torp and they keep sailing along.

Do you think I should leave it alone or try to attack?

If attack, any advice?

[Sailor Steve]

End-around.

Run around them at the maximum distance you can still see them. Dive and lie in wait in front of them. That way you don't have to catch them - they come to you, and suspect nothing.

[AriesRCN]

That is a good idea, and i am going to try it, but the tribals seem to be anticipating this. I got the contact report too late, and the convoy may be too close to land to intercept.

Oh well, lets try it anyways, luck favors the insane.

[Raptor]

A Tribal Destroyer is nothing with which to trifle. Three of them at once is, IMO, tandamount to suicide. Here's another place where SH3 is not realistic. England did not have enough escorts to put three escorts - especially not 3 big Tribals - on a small coastal convoy early in the war. Armed merchants didn't appear until early 1941. If it's that late, why are you still in a type IIA?

Your only saving grace is the small profile of your boat. ASDIC should have a hard time seeing it, especially from dead astern or ahead.

Me, I don't like the odds and would pass, but if you feel you must attack, run ahead of them on the surface as suggested earlier, fire from about 3000 meters, then slowly go deep and silent, put your stern towards the escorts, and creep away. Do this only at night so the bubbles from your eels are harder to see.

[AriesRCN]

It is Nov 1939. I was kinda surprised to see three Tribals, and i think i am going to pass on this convoy.

U-1 is too slow and im in the wrong spot to sneak in.

I will have to find a nice fat merchant that is all alone.

Thank you all for your advice.

[Gerald]

Tribals, In commission from 1938 IRL :yep:

[HundertzehnGustav]

i red to this point:
the merchants are armed and there are three Tribal Destroyers.

then i shook my head.
No.

These kinds of convoys, come back in a series 7 sub - and still be careful as fark. Them Tribals are true Warriors, much better equipped than any old V&W DD, trawler or such.

As you said... Merchants, LONE merchants are your targets.

[Laufen zum Ziel]

Pass on this one. There are plenty of single merchants in 1939. If there was only one escort I would plot the course they were on and surface out of their range and get in front of them, submerge and try to take out the single escort.

[Gargamel]

Wait, Merchys arent armed yet in Nov '39.

Somethings amiss here :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Q Ships, Armed Merchant Cruisers plus the odd merchantman.

[VONHARRIS]

With a type II against a convoy protected by 3 Tribal class DDs?

Attack if you have death wish.

I agree with Laufen

Pass on this one. There are plenty of single merchants in 1939.

[sublynx]

Hmm.. What are you doing in those shallow waters anyways? I think I would attack. It's night, the sky is clear, so the sea state might be favorable for a decent shot with a reliable estimation, even from a long distance. I would hope I got one lucky hit that would stop or even sink one merchant.

(However I have H.sie's and Stiebler's latest mod that makes one's boat harder to detect in shallow waters :D)

It would be better not to get detected here. I would not attack with steam torpedoes during day light. If I couldn't attack at night time I would let the convoy pass.

Depending on the weather I think you might be able to sneak closer if you keep your bow towards the nearest escort, approach very slowly and deck awash.

[vanjast]

Capt: "Down periscope, return to course, depth 60m, Number 1"...
Number1: "But sir...."
Capt: "That's an order.... see to it".......

[The Dean]

Tribals? No thanks.

[HundertzehnGustav]

aries has not posted in this thread for some time now.
i conclude he ignored our advice and needs a posthumous medal for bernad'ing and dying for the consequences.
:D