:huh: bye :dead:

I tried it out yesterday and I....survived!

I fired several torpedoes at long range between 3000 and 4000 meters, at two T3's, a T2 and a TT. One T3 was sunk after a single hit. The TT was hit as well and apparently sank after I don't know how many minutes - I got the message that it was sinking while evading submerged later on. I did have the event camera turned on, so I saw my T I steam torpedo (it happened to be in the tubes, I've stopped using them now though I still use the T I FaT and occasionally the LuT) hit a T2 tanker right between the bulge of the aftership and the rudder...I knew I'd hit the propulson and she was going to sit there, waiting for me to reappeer eventually and finish the job.

I did wait just a tad too long to dive (I love watching those torpedo runs), forcing me to fire at an oncoming warship. I sank it and neatly dived to 200m. I went silent at 1 knot at that depth in the direction of the convoy's heading. I had meant to await the results of my torpedoes and the escorts' actions. This way, I could opt to go to PD again if the escorts didn't find me the first time and fire again. Two warships were next observed to be converging on my position. I couldn't help being pinged a few times, and changing direction at least 180 degrees, but this time the BOLD may have actually assisted me - that must be a first! I kept waiting for them to ping me again but it never happened. I egressed the convoy at its rear. I then went to PD and searched the area where I had marked that stationary tanker. It wasn't long before my sonarman picked it up. Ironically, she took two more contact torpedoes before she went down, which was surprising considering a T3 and a TT had gone down after a single hit under their keels.

In my next patrol I finally got rid of the TI, but retained the TI FaT since after upgrading to the Type XXI, I no longer have the renown to purchase just any torpedo I want.

In my next patrol I also encountered a convoy. It consisted of about 6 to 8 small targets (CM's, SM's) and 4-5 C2's and a T2, protected by about 5-6 warships. I sank a warship in front of the convoy with a Zaunkönig and approached the merchants head on. This convoy battle was surprising in that only one of the warships actually made an attempt to intercept me after my first torpedo hit. I had to sink that one too - my second Zaunkönig success! I love those TV's! They have missed only once yet. Since no warships made their presence felt, I could set about firing plenty of torpedoes. Eventually I gave up this battle as the risk was increasing. As the convoy moved in my direction, so did the rear escort. Since I apporached the convoy head on, I had to fire a few down-the-throat shots at C2's. Despite the number of torpedoes I fired, I only sank the single T2 and 2 C2's. One C2 had already eaten up 3 torpedoes (at least two had hit her) but she still sped away at 4 knots.
After letting the convoy pass, I went back to PD and chased that final slow C2. She was protected by a lone escort that did something of a "Crazy Ivan" every now and then. Travelling at 9 knots with periscope surfaced I usually spotted instantly when the escort turned towards me. I slowed to 1 knot every time that happened. After completing this cycle 3-4 times, I was finally just ahead of the slow C2. Turning westwards, I got to within 400 meters before firing another torpedo. The escort didn't intervene at all.

That last convoy battle was rarely a battle; it resembled a Turkey shoot. The two escorts that did try to catch me were dealt with by the TV, of which I usually carry two. The others never even bothered. The earlier patrol, for which I enlisted your assistance, was muuuuuch harder. I think I have learnt a bit from this. Next time, I shall try and follow your instructions to the letter and see if I can survive AND score some tonnage.

Anyway, thank you all for helping me out. I'll use the remaining months of the war (it's 11-'44 now) to learn a few more evasion tricks in heavy convoy battles. Hoepfully, that will prepare me for a 100% DID NYGM/GW campaign in Type IX boats...:|\\

Kind regards,

Eichenlaub