Quote:
Originally Posted by Rconch
Not to count my chickens before they hatch, however I am close to the time that escorts will have radar for the most part.
Need some advice on successful convoy attack strategies if any.
So far my only plan is to get in front and stay submerged hoping there is not an escort at the front of the convoy. If there is, I got no plan at all.
Thanks for any tips.  |
This is the root of the problem the KM itself never solved so don't feel to bad if your options seem limited.
- Changing your patrol area to coastal waters or deep water choke points simplifies your convoy locating problem and greatly increases the chances of both detecting and being ahead of a convoy. Successful open ocean operations in GWX late war is almost entirely a matter of luck. Possible concentration areas include AM51, BE33 and CG88.
- Some report decreased probability of being detected by flooding down the boat. I have had mixed results but try to spend as little time surfaced as possible.
- Use long-range torpedo shots and salvoes using FATs, air at night and electric by day. Air FATs can often reach the main body of the convoy from outside the screen decreasing the probability of an effective counter-attack. Build your targeting solution on the entire convoy rather than one ship and use the TDC screen to correctly plot the path of the FAT relative to the convoy.
- As soon as you can afford them, dump straight running torpedoes for pattern-runners and acoustics. Do not expend the latter except in self-defence. Gunning for escorts in 44-45 is a good way to end a career.
- You might want to consider re-activating the renown reward for remaining on station and returning to base that are deactivated in GWX. Late in the war, merely surviving more than one patrol might be taken as an impressive feat of captancy. At a time when 10,000 tons represents an impressive patrol result, gaining the renown for patrolling and returning allows you to acquire the FATs and acoustics that can increase your chances of survival and success in what is truly a hostile environment.
- Use Updated Map Contacts, yah, it sucks but you will not have the time to create the resulting plots AND conduct the approach AND do all the other duties required to remain situationally aware.
- If you know that you have been detected and you have radar fitted it might be worth using it to better your fire control solution.
- Know when to cut your losses and let a convoy pass without an attack. Late war convoy ops are far less tolerant of risks than earlier in the war. Escorts tend to be better, there are more of them and Coastal Command is waiting in the wings to pounce.
- Once you have your snorckel consider coastal operations where single ship traffic still exists late in the war. The negatives are shallow water, mines, increased air threat and the possibility of encountering swarms of escorts but it can offer some good targets.
Late war patrols can be tedious and frustrating but I think are also the most interesting and challenging aspects of SH3/GWX.
Good Luck and Good Hunting, Comrade.