[TarJak]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Let's start out with a lone Merchant. In a Type VIIc, on a dark night clear with some moon, how close can you get before taking deck gun fire? Is it reasonable to get within 1,000 meters?

Do not approach any armed merchantmen on the surface! This is a recipe for a short life. I've been as close as 400m on the surface without being spotted but conditions have to be right for that to happen, you have to be decks awash and you cannot go faster than a couple of knots in your approach.

Originally Posted by Platapus

Once you have launched your torpedoes, what is a good way to turn in such a way to avoid being spotted. Approaching a ship bow-on leaves a small silhouette but once I turn won't they see me and try to hurt me?

I usually turn to run parallel with the target and man the deck gun in case the torpedoes miss or the ship doesn't go down immediately. I usually get to aroun 1000m fire torps, make the turn and fully surface at about that range. Depending on the result of the torpedo hits I either spark up the DG or carry on my merry way.

Originally Posted by Platapus

Using GWX and OLC do you use the periscope for surface night attacks or is it mostly eyeballing it through the Uzo?

I moslty use the Uzo once I have the data I need and have set the TDC up for the shot. I sometimes use the scope if the sea is rough and using the uzo is made difficult.

Originally Posted by Platapus

If there is an escort, do you shoot the escort first or is a surface night attack not recommended if there is an escort?

I never take out the escorts first. If I attack and escorted convoy on the surface I fire then turn tail and speed up to standard to get as much distance between me and them before the torps go up. Once they hit I speed up to flank and then depending on their reaction either submerge to about 200m or keep going to clear at flank until I'm not getting chased any more. (Option 2 rearly happens).

Originally Posted by Platapus

I usually don't mess with escorted convoys but I would like to learn some techniques for attacking, but much more importantly, surviving convoys.

The approach is all important whether attacking on the surface or submerged. Keep slow and silent as possible and try to set up an approach at about 45deg to the path of the convoy. A bit of rough eather is your friend when attacking on the surface and always wait until moonset or before moonrise to make your attacks. I have had escorts pass at me at around 800m without seeing me on the surface so it can be done if you are quiet and careful. Always be ready to hit flank and dive. I almost never use the C key and got to flank forst for a moment or two before htting the D key and then setting the depth of the dive once I'm safely underwater. Once I hit about 100m I go silent then drift down to about 200m. I rarely need to take evasive action once in that position as if you move away from where the torpedoes were fired you have immediately made their search for you much harder.