What difference does it make?

It makes a lot of difference. A captain would have to decide what was more valuable: The fuel and materiel that makes the warship go or the warship itself. Standing USN orders were that capital ships, which we have here, take priority over other vessels, but the navy did not stricly enforce this policy, and left execution up to the individual commander at sea. This would seem very simple: That the BB should be the target, but bookworm only has 8 torpedoes left. The Yamato displaces 63k tons. Assuming the high rate of torpedo malfunctions it may or may not be enough to sink her.

Does he gamble and attack the battleship? Does he target a series of tankers? It is a conundrum.


EDIT: I forgot to give my opinon: I voted to take out the big Y. Given the malfunctions, the number of escorts described and the fact that your torpedoes are unevenly split between fore and aft tubes, you will probably not get more that one salvo off before you have to duck and run. Point your stern at her, empty the tubes and get under the thermal.

But in the game, what difference is it? Isn't it only about score, and that is just based on the number of tonnes?

It all depends on how you want to play the game. If you want to simulate USN submarine operations in the Pacific (simming), then operational authenticity means something to you. If you are concerned about posting a high score, a la Pac Man with subs (gaming), then it does not mean anything to you.

He asked about operations. He may have a different philosophy than you. It's his game, his style of play, and thusly, his question is legitimate.

Now I suggest that we stop hijacking his thread.

Forgot to mention: I voted for the Yamato as well.

Realistically, I wouldn't like going back to Pearl and having to endure 'You had a chance to torpedo the biggest ship in the world and you didn't take it?' followed by my removal from command.:D

Yamato. The morale-boosting articles in Allied papers and the morale-crushing equivalent in Japan as a result of sinking it would more than make up for any differences in actual strategic impact.

Not to mention the morale on your own boat, a guaranteed Navy Cross or MOH, and going down in history as a legendary skipper.

Ok so its "simulate USN submarine operations" or "high score, a la Pac Man with subs". I just wanted to hear that from someone else.

No worries. I don't intend on flying this thread off to another country. =P

I took out a heavy cruiser the other day with a single torp. It was a pure luck shot that I put under the upper front turret ... and I hit the magazine! The whole ship was aflame and sinking rapidly.

Without reading your original post I voted for the tankers. Tankers were a huge priority target but as others mentioned, sink the Yamato and you could name the job you wanted.

I feel putting 8 torps into a single Yamato is the correct choice in either case.

I took down Yamato with 6 contact torpedoes. If I can, then you can mate.

I don't know how you guys do it...I have tried campaigning in 1941 and 1942 and I never find any ships or convoys..All the contact reports I get are long range..I'm doing something wrong..It sure is boring and frustrateing...:cry:

I did a test run (I have the game saved, just as a gain contact with my new SJ radar:D) before I posted this thread. Both times I sank a Fuso and onced damaged a Yamato. I tend to approach from the front and run dwon the coloums so I can do a 90 degree deflection shot fore and aft at close range. IT also buys me time when they do realise that I'm there, as I have time to go deep.

I targeted the Fuso first because it was the closest and I got trigger happy (just couldn't resist taking the shot and waithing for the next target. I will hold on next time and go for the biggest fish.

Target the one's with better odds. :yep:

But as we all know bigger the tonnage better the renown. :roll:

Yar, me be huntin destroyers on these ruff seas. :arrgh!: