Here's what I did...
It's 3 AM, seas are 4 m/s, no fog, ships look medium grey against a star filled black sky. The two Nelson's and six escorts are approaching (speed 21 knots) from my starboard side in single file with one escort in the lead. I'm set up so when the convoy crosses my bow, they would be 1000 meters away.
First, I discovered what I think is a bug with the Nelson keel depth. The ID manual says 10.7, so if I set depth to 11.7 it runs too deep. I ended up setting the depth to 11 which seems to be just right. I'm using TII's.
I waited for the second Nelson to reach 2900 meters and fired one torpedo at the bridge. For some reason, the torpedo ends up passing just aft of this point (which is a good thing). I did this because I know the ships will slow down and veer to port when they begin evasive tactics.
On cue, the explosion gives everyone a reality check and the lead Nelson starts turning to port and slows to 10 knots. The timing places it about 20 degrees to starboard and closes to around 930 meters. I fire #2 at the high turret and #3 just aft of the smoke stack (keel shots). I wait until the torpedoes are halfway to target before firing #4 (also a keel shot) at the second Nelson's turret (it has started to take on water and squats low at the stern from the first torpedo hit).
Torpedoes 2 and 3 find their mark and within a minute or so the lead Nelson's sunk. The second torpedo hits and the remaining Nelson slows to 1 knot. Now for the big surprise. Because the first torpedo was fired from maximum range, the escorts...every one of them...head about 1500 meters to starboard of my position to start searching for me. I just sit still with my scope up watching them while my crew hurries with reloading tube #1.
As soon as it's ready, I fire an impact hit at the turret again. This finishes it off and it rolls over and sinks. I set speed for 2 knots and dive to 50 meters (heading SE). The escorts give up the search, form up, and steam off in their original direction. I barely had to use my batteries.
72000 tons with 5 torpedoes.
I think the escorts must have more trouble estimating your attack position when you fire at long range.
scrapser
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