[Folducker]

Originally Posted by Stealhead

vanjast has the thr right ideas.Also if you like to run surface attacks better to have TMO or RFB. I can pull off outstanding surface attacks in TMO1.7 other day I was in an S-boat out of Cavite in '41 and ran into a landingship task force. Since i was in the slow old S-boat I knew by the heading of the task force I could only hope to hit the troop ships(the most vital target in this type of task force anyway.) So I ran at Flank speed a whopping 13knts in my sweet old sugar boat. I posted my sub so that I could come in and get hopefully 2 of the troop ships with the mk.10s but I just could not not get into range even at full speed so I had only one option the 4inch as I was only 6000 yds from the nearst troop ship(a very dark night)I felt this was pretty ballsy as there where 2 DD only about 8000yds away but for some reason all the DDs had stayed at the head of the task force leaving the flanks naked so I was able to sink one troop ship and badly damage a second before I had to turn away and dive to get away from the DDs. Surface attacks can be done but aginst ships with radar you can forget about it.The speed used in relation to the light condtions and coming in as much as head on as you can are most vital.Also I mostly use torpedos with surface attacks not the deck gun. A good torpedo attack on the surface at night can so confuse the bad guys they sometimes may start dropping charges thinking that you are under water!

Playing the stock 1.5 game, I have found that surface attacks against anything with an escort is pure suicide. So far, what works for me:
1 When you first spot a convoy, get close enough to get a decent radar track. Draw a line through the target course using the middle ship.
2 Ring up flank speed to get in front. I try to arrive right on the line I previously drew, reduce speed to slow and set an opposite course so I am closing with the convoy. At about 8 miles, dive to 300 feet, go silent.
3 watch the sound track for the lead escort. When you get real close and it shortens and finally shifts indicating he is behind you, it's time to get busy.
4 now, steer for a spot close to one of the lead ships, when you get close, turn 90 degrees and go to periscope depth. You have to time this just right. Surface too soon, you are too far away and the escorts are on you like a flash. Too close, and by the time you get to periscope depth, they have passed and you have a crummy firing solution.
5 On the way up, set all torpedoes to high speed if you are using MK14's. when you get to about 90 feet, cycle the tubes and open all outer doors.
Make sure your periscope is down.
6 When you get to periscope depth, raise the scope with it pointing to "0" There should be a line of ships in front, one following another. Shoot at the furthest ship first. Change targets, (Make sure you are NOT using the position keeper) to the closest ship in front, shoot him next. Spin the scope 180, you should have a target perfectly lined up for a stern shot, if you keep the boat turning you may be able to get a shot at the ship behind also. I shot two at the ship in back, one missed but hit a freighter that stumbled in the way.
Go back to 300 feet post haste, but hang around.
Using this, I hit 5 ships, sinking 4 right away. The 5th ship was dead in the water but not sinking. I waited for the escorts to finally get tired and leave. I cruised around at 300 feet while my crew reloaded three tubes. Going back, I got very close to the ship that was dead in the water. Once again, at silent running and stopped, I went to periscope depth. At 500 yards, there was my wounded freighter and an escort sitting dead in the water. Two quick shots at the escort, one at the damaged freighter and back to 300 feet to get the hell out of Dodge. Managed to kill the escort along with the wounded freighter.
Like shooting fish in a barrel with everything set to automatic. Next campaign I go to manual targeting. I think that will be a little tougher.