Ive sunk about 15 dds in my 22 patrols.

yes, but only when:

1) sinking the DD will give me chance to safely attack valuable cargo ships
2) my sub is under attack and I have chance to disable attacking DD (to reduce the number of enemy hunters)

In the term "sink them all" DD's are also included :arrgh!:

I always try to sink a DD if he steps in my ploted course and is close enough. However at early war I'm leting myself do this only at night since electro torps are not available yet. And I have no intention to bring unnecesary attention to my boat if I miss to hit :arrgh!:

If there are enough merchants...and only 1 escort...I may contemplate it. My thinking in this situation is once the lone escort is gone I can sink the merchies at my leisure. That would probably be the only time other than self-defense.

If there is low number of escorts yes you're thinking correct. Ridding of biggest threat will open you possibilities in finishing your job without disturbances :yep:

Escorts are evil!
 

Yes, I always attack DD if the option arises. Feels good to hunt instead of being hunted... I strongly believe in that attack is the best defense. It´s so nice when the DD is coming straight at you to deeptcharge and you deliver the element of surprise... a torpedo right back at them...

I used to attack lone DD's, but I don't anymore except for self-defense. I just let them pass on by.

The reason is that apart from the fact that it's a waste of a torpedo, in real life attacking a destroyer would let all the naval forces in the area know where you are, without any real benefit.

That's not to say that I won't attack warships, anything from a light cruiser and up is fair game, but stuff smaller than that? Only if I have to.

DD is a fast sinking target at least in the game. Historically they had little time or maybe even none to send a message. As I assume when torpedo hit the DD the order followed to abandon ship. Or if torpedo hits the ammo section it is an instant kill. Even if DD managed to send a mayday message. You have plenty of time to leave the area sufraced or submerged depending on circustances.. And the intel of your location is pretty blind not knowing your course.

Waste of torpedo ? One torpedo is nothing compared to how much one DD cost to build. So I think they are worth to be sunk along with the merchants. :yep:

Just wanted to add that any unit of enemy nation is a matter of resource. The financial drain out of the enemy is leading enemy straight to capitulation. So I think - historically u-boats had to sink everything what was floating under Allied flag. Having in mind blockade of England even schooners were sunk if weather allowed..

I'm sure the crew of the U-boat would disagree.

It's like attacking a Brown Bear with a 9mm Handgun. Sure, it's possible that you'll kill it... but it's more likely that you're just going to make it angry and get yourself killed.

On the other hand, by avoiding tough situations you won't be a kaleun very long either.....:DL

Don't remember getting any radio traffic from BDU telling me to be more careful and not take so many risks.... :haha:

When I hit them, it means usually too late for getting angry :haha:

So generally, no, I tend to dive and creep past them. Generally if they sink they always call in their friends.
I did whack one off the Scottish coast and less than half an hour later another one came through and drove past his friend, presumably collecting survivors. I was quite impressed :up:

If this is a lonely DD you have a safe bet to escape from him even if you miss in early war. I usually use a hydrophone to check and make sure there is no more warship company around. If not it's a green light to engage.
The depth is also important factor when planing to attack a DD. I'm not going into risking my arse if there is less than 100 meters depth under me..

If usually you are keen to engage DD's but after weighting the risk you think it's better not to attack this or that one it is ok.

Cautiousness doesn't bring the shame. Cowardness does. :arrgh!:

If I am cranky ...yes! :arrgh!:

But normally... no!

The DD is lucky if I have already had my morning coffee.

That explains something for me. Disabled a cargo in a convoy. Had to spend a bit of time dodging 2 escorts, took quite a pounding. They finally lost me so I crept back up to periscope depth.
One escort had his bow right up against the cargo while the other was cruising slowly about a k away.
He sat there for quite a while could not figure out what he was up to. Then there was some thrashing at the stern and away they went to rejoin.