Great patrol - loving SH4

[knight76]

I played SH3 a lot and had a long gap from playing, recently picked up SH4 and wasn't sure I could get straight back in to it, but it didn't take long for the familiarity to return.

I'm playing the 1.5 patched version with RSRD and TMO mods. Realism is at 8%5 I think, basically all aids turned off except the manual targeting. Playing no holds barred, if I get sunk on patrol, I re-start campaign from scratch. Luckily this has not happened yet. Playing this method really adds tension and enjoyment to the battles, real risk carries greater satisfaction.

Love it.

Ok, patrol story. Late 1942.

This Patrol I was sent to patrol just north of Truk, arrived on station and spent some time patrolling to no result. Got a flash message about the enemy bring supplies to the solomons and I could motor on down there in time to do a run through the slot.

Arrive in the slot and immediately found a string of military contacts heading down the slot at fast speed, turned to begin interception but the lead three picked me up straight away and I spent the next few hours dodging depth charges and slowly sneaking away.

After escaping I refueled and was going to head back out to do some hunting near Toko, but got another flash message about 3 convoys heading for Truk.

I had time to steam up there at Flank speed to catch the last two convoys. Arrived on station and sunk 3 merchants whilst waiting for a convoy to show up.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/knight76/Misc%20Stuff/SH4Img2013-04-20_203556_546_zpse9ea192f.png

Then whilst down to the left of truk I picked up a radar contact moving fast. I tracked it's path (Marked A)and set a long course to intercept (Marked B) speeding at flank speed to stay in front of it and keep it just on the edge of radar range.

I arrived at my ambush location, dove to 100 feet and waiting to pick up a sound contact. After waiting a while nothing eventuated. Then I did pick up a sound contact, but this time North of me to the left. This showed up as a task force of two ships, I tracked their path and marked it on the map (Marked as C).

What to do? Do I wait it out and hope the warship I had been tracking had not turned direction? Or do I head for the new targets.

I decide to head for the new targets and start turning, now heading for the new contacts my initial contact appears travelling along it's path, bugger.

Now I have 1 military contact coming up the track from point A, and a task force coming from point C with me sandwiched in the middle. I decide to stick with my initial plan and attack the first contact. This then gives me an easier escape route south away from the task force who I figured would pick me up and come looking for me.

My target comes in to periscope view and is a light cruiser. So far the biggest target I have had.

On board I had a mix of Mark 14 and Mk 23 torpedoes. I launched 4 torpedoes at the cruiser, the two Mk 14 I set for resonance and the two slower Mk 23 I set for contact detonation.

Two dud torpedoes later I was wondering if I had just rattled the cage of a very large beast, with backup on the way, but thankfully the last two hit home and slowed the cruiser dramatically. I dove to 160 and watched. The cruiser slowed just north of me, a few explosions later it was on it's way down.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/knight76/Misc%20Stuff/SH4Img2013-04-20_1755_zpsbbf6c270.jpg

But, I had attracted the attention of the escort in the task force. So I dove to 250 and slowly crept away, I had a large lead so did not have to withstand any depth charges. Hiding further down south, I waited for the escort to give up. Just as he did and left, another sound contact appeared to the west, a lush convoy of 4 merchants arrived on the scene headed straight for me.

First picking off the three merchants, then the light cruiser and now some merchants served up on a platter with no escorts. What started out looking like a disappointing patrol was proving very fruitful.

Only 4 torpedoes left and with them having a liking for malfunctions I picked the largest merchant (Zinbu Maru) and headed for it. Hit it with 1 of three torpedoes which left it sinking in the stern. With only 1 torpedo remaining I headed for a smaller merchant, hit it but again, a dud.

Headed back for the Zinbu and laid in wait for nightfall ata bout 1500 yards. Surfaced and sunk 6 high explosive rounds in to her with return fire from bow and stern mounted guns, luckily no hits from the inbound fire. Returned to 100 feet and waited for my HE rounds to do their work sinking the Zinbu. Strangely no little sunk ship icon for the Zinbu.

Headed for home.

[raymond6751]

A big well done, captain!

I've never had any luck in finding good targets. Always singles.

Are you manual targeting?

[knight76]

Not manual targeting, that is the only aspect of realism settings I have left relaxed.

I should check out a tutorial on manual targeting to see how it is done. It would be great to be able to do the setup manually.

Edit, I just checked out a youtube vid on manually targeting and with a little practice I think it is something I can come to grips with. I already do much of the prep for shooting, with plotting the course, intercept course etc, I generally attack at 90 degree angle anyhow.

Attacking a convoy must be hectic work and I can now appreciate why real captains used to pick a target that overlaps with another ship in the background, so if one torpedo misses it can still go through to hit the ship behind.

[knight76]

I've now switched to 100% realism and I must say my enjoyment of the game has shot up for sure. Much more satisfaction slamming torpedoes in to the sides of ships when you have planned the attack in detail and executed it all yourself, vs just popping up scope and firing when ready.

I've been using the O'Kane 90 degree method first of all, then will move on to the 45 degree method which is pretty much the same, then want to move on to manual targeting from any angel using the stadimeter and position keeper.

[Father Goose]

Wife didnt appreciate it when recently whilst she was talking i quiped.....\"rig for silent running\".

I suspect the above was followed by...ALARM!!!!! CRASH DIVE!!!!!

Good report knight76. I just started a career similar to you (dead is final) but with manual targeting which I've never done before on a campaign. Stumbled upon a lone merchant which was a good learning experience for me and sunk it. I then took out 5 Japs on a lifeboat with the deck gun as I was still "ticked off" over Pearl Harbor. I can only imagine how hectic it will get when engaging a convoy.

I figured I would just dive into manual targeting with a sink or swim attitude.
Insert smart remarks here________________________________________

[knight76]

Yeah some depth charges were certainly headed my way after that one :rotfl2:

My first attack on a freighter resulted in my first salvo missing just astern, let the freighter head on, surfaces and ran ahead for another shot, this one I really messed up and my torpedoes headed parallel to the target. My mistake this time was that I didn't re-send the range/bearing info when I was in position with the preiscope pointed at my aiming track.

Ran ahead again, third time lucky, lined it up and slammed three in to her.

The next freighter I hit first time no worries, I've got the steps down pat now.

I highly recommend everyone go 100% realism, it does take a little to get your head around the attack procedure, but it is pretty simple, and very rewarding.

[knight76]

Out for another patrol Jan 21 1943. Happy to be ordered to patrol an area off Palau Islands as I knew I could get some time in the Truk region which proved a happy hunting ground last patrol with a light cruiser sunk.

Arrived on station without incident, didn't see a single plane. The first week on patrol brought some luck with a small fry entering my sights and taking the plunge.

Completed patrol duty and headed straight for Truk to try my hand in that area. On the way picked up another loner, small target and sent it to the bottom.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/knight76/Misc%20Stuff/SH4Img2013-04-23_0008_zps3564b13a.jpg


With 2 Kasagisan freighters and cargo that won't be arriving at their destinations I was feeling lucky.

Got a flash message about a small convoy heading for the Truk area, ordered flank speed but could not get there in time but who knows, I may pick up a straggler or a ship that struck mechanical problems.

My luck held and I picked up a radar contact about 180nm from Truk. Plotted my intercept, planned my attack and laid in wait.

I had a massive lead time on her which resulted in three torpedoes slamming in to her for two explosions. Dropped periscope and waited for the inevitable slowing down and listing of the ship. The captain of the freighter had other plans and just kept motoring on by dropping only three knots.

Infuriated by this I headed for the surface to exchange pleasantries but the rough seas restricted my deck gun use, not so for the freighter who put a round in to my side causing minor damage and flooding.

Time to return to the safety of the deep for some repairs and consideration. Do I abandon the attack or move in for another strike. Deciding to finish the job I ran out wide and once a good distance away surfaced to head out at flank speed to reach radar range and jump ahead to plan another ambush.

It was at this point another salvo from the freighter ripped a new hole in the boat re-starting the flooding and again causing widespread but minor damage. A fantastic 5000 yard shot from the freighter no less. I had to give it to him, whoever was manning that gun had a keen eye.

After spending some more time in the deep for repairs I was this time able to get away cleanly and jump ahead to lay in wait for my pray. But they had changed course again leaving me out of position. A quick adjustment and re-plotting of my attack and I was ready to settle the score. Now only 85nm out from Truk it was now or never, if I missed this chance I would not have time to get out and re-position in time for another attack most likely, I had already dodged two planes on my way to this second ambush. She entered my kill zone and I slammed another three torpedoes in to her this time all three detonated sending the Nagara Maru on her way.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/knight76/Misc%20Stuff/SH4Img2013-04-23_2309_zps09660e78.jpg


Running low on fuel it was time to head for home. Pu8t in March 5 and after another good patrol and bagging 12060 tonnes I was hoping to secure a new boat, instead I was pointed to the direction of the dry dock for repairs, I guess they weren't too happy with how I had been treating the old girl.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y242/knight76/Misc%20Stuff/SH4Img2013-04-23_2311_zpsde291392.jpg