Attacking a convoy in bad weather.
 

Howdy Skippers,

I'm not very good at SH4. I'm currently using TMO_wTw. I've only been running up against single freighters during nice weather. And I haven't been very consistent - or challenged myself - with attack strategies. I've been relying on map updates mostly.

This evening I've run into a convoy that's got 12 merchant and 6 escorts. The weather is bad. The seas are choppy, it's raining, and visibility is about 100 yards. It's mid afternoon and we're NW of Guam.

I'm currently shadowing the convoy hoping for a break in the weather, but they'll reach their destination long before the weather lets up.

I see this now as a really good opportunity to learn some new tactics using sonar and radar. (It's late January 1945) Or some other tactics perhaps.

I'm open to suggestions on how to proceed. I know my skill set at the moment, and it's telling me to let the convoy go.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

-Matt

Welcome Matt. If you are using map contacts then the two tutorials below could help you out. Attacking a target in poor weather lends itself well to the Dick O'Kane method (as its known on this forum). Go to the link below and check out the two tutorials I have listed. With Dick O'Kane, all you need is 1. target speed, 2. target course, and 3. your course must be at 90 degrees to target course. The rest is cake. Check it out and good luck.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=146795
The Dick O'Kane Manual Targeting Video.......link fixed 10/17/2011
The Dick O'Kane Sonar Only (by God!!!) Video .......link fixed 10/17/2011

You can use your Deckgun to great effect.

Use your radar or sonar to get close, about 500 yards is good, then shoot down the bearing, you can't miss. Sometimes seas make it hard to shoot, but if you find the right current direction and time your shot with the waves, it's not hard at all.

Nice thing about bad weather is that there is a chance the ships will bump in to each other. Also a few shells can sink a large ship.. but it might take a while.