I don't usually attack destroyers unless it's detected me, or I'm trying to make an intercept and I haven't time to spend creaping under it for 2 hours or so. However this does depend on the type. While I avoid most I will sink any Tribal (or Fletcher or Somers after the US navy joins in) that gives me a shot. I figure the big ones are just about worth a Torpedo. But only if they're giving me a good shot, I won't chase them.

If i can do an "O'Kane Down the Throat Shot", then I'll give it a try....otherwise live to sink another Merchant.......:salute: :salute: :salute:

That was my standard practice 6-7 careers ago. Now I find it highly un-realistic. Now I sneak it to take down the biggest cargo ships and avoid entanglement with DD's. I find my new practice more exiting and satisfying when successful.

However, in response to the original question, I WILL sink a DD traveling in straight lines unaware of my presence provided that:

1. at night, or I have electric torpedo. So if I missed, the target didn't know I am around.
2. No other DD's within sonar range.
3. I don't have the maneuver into firing position.

I did it for realism, even though this isn't very helpful in the tonnage war.

BTW. The fleet destroyers Fletcher and Sommes can be found in Eastern US sea board and Caribbean. with tonnage similar or higher than a smaller cargo ship. Also remember, taking down a Destroyers cause more casualty to the enemy.

One more thing, I once explain how to sink a destroyer with deck gun IN THIS GAME (GWX2.1 100%). Probably not a smart thing to do in the real war.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=144846

Ordinarily I leave escorts alone but I will attack them if they blunder into a favourable position (for me). I recently ambushed 2 C&D's in BF18 in a night attack. The weather was clear with 4m waves & they were sailing along in a line at about 12 kts, coming towards me at a 20 degree angle off my port side. I reduced speed from flank to 1/3 & went to decks awash and let them get closer. At about 2900m I still hadn't been detected so I submerged to periscope level & went to slow speed. At 2500m I launched the 1st torpedo. That one detonated right under the 1st ship & broke her back. Before the 2nd C&D could react I launched my second eel (we were now about 2100-2000m from her). The second torpedo went off underneath her stern & she exploded.

I don't attack alone DDs because most of the time I miss and if i do its a waste of torpedoes.I like to conserve my torpedoes for convoys but if im attacking a convoy and see a DD nearby with a good chance of hitting ill go for it.:o

As some have said, I'll take a shot if they happen to be passing alone in a straight line easily crossing my path. That might have been the DD that gets me or a fellow sub down the road!

If it's a lone escort with a convoy early in the war, yes I'd sink it.

If it's detected you, and come straight at you, yes I'd sink it

If it's the only thing I've seen after weeks on end and it's dumb enough to steam in front of torpedo tubes, yes I'd sink it.

If it's part of a hunter killer group or convoy, and it hasn't detected me, no I wouldn't.

:up: