Is this a realistic tactic?
 

On my second Career in a Type II after I had a DiD encounter in mid 1940.


I try to stick to my assigned grid just for realisms sake, and usually what I end up doing is creeping along at SLOW dropping down to periscope depth to listen for a few hours, then back up to recharge.

I end up doing this while up and down rollercoaster pattern multiple times unitl I get a contact.

Im wondering is this realistic?

Did U-Boats rely on hydrophones primarily for initial contact, or should I stay on the surface more?

Just wondering.


Also what was the typical torpedo lauch range? I find myself cutting it to the edge with 400-500 yard shots all the time, but wonder if thats too close for reality except in extreme circumstances.

Hydrophones where indeed the primary means of finding contacts. Through most of the
war hydrophone dives where taken twice daily as a minimum in a combat zone.
However, to stay realistic, don't linger in one place for too long. Keep moving.

400-500 yards is close, but I see nothing wrong with that. However, bear in mind that
as the war progresses you will want to take much longer shots.
Here is my personal rule of thumb:

1939-1940: ~500m
1941-1942: ~1500m
1943-1945: ~3000m+ if I am lucky!

Doenitz's instructions were to try shoot between 600 - 800 meters. Whatever range works and gets out alive is realistic. :D

Yes, hidrophone was primary means of detection .

Up until late 41 initial detection was usually visual smoke plumes....but as radar and air cover became more prevalent for the Allies the U-boat would usually lie in wait listening along the likely convoy route.

Unfortunately for the Germans, the breaking of the Enigma more often than not meant that convoys were often rerouted north or south of the known location of the U-boats.

As soon as SH3 start modelling this tactic, our happy days will be over. (Now that will be realism...)

To the original question, I too use Hydrophone as my primary dectecting method as well, that's why my Sonar/radio guys are always the first to be promoted and given medals.