SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - TF/Convoy intercept help

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TF/Convoy intercept help

I often attack lonely merchants so attacking convoys is new. Although, I once "ran" into a TF and popped a few fish before disappearing, so that doesn't count!
The convey is traveling from the NW. Do I turn into the convoy or try and cut them off by going top speed to an area perpendicular to a possible future position? The other question is when do I go to periscope depth? I have gone when the escorts were 5nm away, which I think is too far b/c I can't pass them below water.

TIA!

Lee

First thing is this: stay out of view of the target at all times.

Now, doing that, you want to get in front of them and into an attack position, then submerge and lie in wait until they arrive. This means that unless they are coming towards you, you have to do what is called an "end around". You'll need to run at high speed, on the surface, until you get well out in front of them, then move in towards the course they're taking. Once you get to your firing position, come to a stop and submerge.

Visibility varies depending on time and weather. During a bright and clear day, they can see you up to about 5 miles away. I try to stay 10 miles away during daylight. At night, I'd stay at least 5 miles away. Also, large IJN warships like battleships and carriers do have surface-search radar, so if you suspect any of these are in the opposing force, I'd try to stay 10-15 miles out. You cannot outrun anything submerged, so you need to get where you're going on the surface.

You should calculate out their course for a good long distance (be as accurate as possible), stay out of visual range but inside radar range and get in front of them, give yourself as much time to set yourself up as possible, there's no rush. In most cases try and stay at least 10 - 15 nm from your targets. When calculating course and speed use one of the frieghters as a reference, the escorts shift around alot and you wont get good readings from them, the freighters will all have the same course and speed. If your playing stock a good firing position is to be between the nearest side escort and the freighters, this gives you an optimal firing position and you can hide under the convoy once the depth charging starts. If it's a task force then you're better off going for the long shot (around 1500 yards from the nearest escort and 90 degrees to the course is a good position). I always wait to submerge until I reach my firing position, just make sure you never get within visual range of the escorts whilst on the surface. Once they get close make sure your on silent running/battlestations and try not to move unless absolutly nesacary(spelling?). Also, use the periscope as little as possible, especially if it's a daylight attack.

Good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gimpy117

tf???

tf = task force

As regards coming to a stop when in a good firing position, how realsitic would this be? I think that some forward momentum would be required to make the diving control officers' job a little easier?

I know the game doesn't seem to simulate this aspect of sub warfare. Am I right? Could this be modded in?

WB.