SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - One of the more intense attacks I've had in TMO

Bubblehead1980 · 06-14-10, 01:23 PM

April 1944 100 realism TMO 2.0 Gato USS Muskallunge off Northern Luzon. Made radar contact around midnight with 6 ship two escort convoy heading North.Although no moon was visible due to clouds, one was out, between it and the stars, it was a bit bright out, flat clam seas and phosph was terrible but decided a long range stern shot on surface was just as risky as a submerged night attack in ideal sonar conditions.Also, just two days early endured 10 hours of depth charges and pinging, the crew wasnt having it.So we flanked ahead and prepared to fire stern tubes from 3800 yards.Suddenly the convoy zigged, time to get back into position.

Around 0400, found myself in position again, 3800 yards off projected path, manning aft TBT.Visibility was decent enough could see the lead escort clearly, a Type C Kaiboikan.Following it were two columns of ships moving at 7.5 knots, aft of them was an uknown escort.The last ship in closest column was big, looked like a big tanker(do not use the magic ID button at night, only when I can ID the ship myself) of Nippon Maru class.Set the solution into TDC and set all four Mark 14's in stern tubes to run at 18, 15, 10 and 3 feet(waterline hits work nice), opened out doors.The convoy moved a bit off path and was down to just 3000 yards from me, made me nervous but held position, kept stern pointed at lead escort until he passed then moved back for a 90* shot at convoy.Fired all four fish at the large tanker when he was at bearing 195, so torpedos could "meet" him and not chase.Torpedos set on low speed to give me more time to slip away.

While moving away at 3 knots and waiting anxiously while watching for signs of being spotted, noticedthe lead escort was back tracking, had I been spotted?

Then he just continued on his merry way, I was safe.As time for torpedos to hit approached.I sped up to 10 knots, then when spot light aboard the target slip came on, I went to all head flank/emergency, then suddenly BOOOM! first fish hit, then the second which caused a MASSIVE secondary explosion and giant fireball, tanker mustve had a load of high octane fuel aboard, then 3 and 4 hit for good measure, she was finished.I then began searching for the escorts.

Now the most intense part......As we sped away at 20 knots(prob closer to 21) star shells lit the sky but escorts did not seem to know where I was at moment.Soon I could see both the aft and forward escorts were heading my way with a bone in their teeth(bow wakes) I knew the Type C had the same max speed as I so he couldnt outrun or overtake me but could keep pace, but what was the other escort? A full sized DD or DE that could overtake me? Should I dive? I really didnt want to endure that again so soon, esp if could get away, plus I could get back for another attack.I chose to ride it out and try to ID the second escort.

Suddenly, the Type C began firing his deck gun from 5500 yards, shell streaked over the bridge and splashed into the water, no very close but an attention getter for sure.

Now after 0500 the sky was lighter and was able to see the second escort was an Etorufu subchaser, max speed of 19 knots.I then decided unless the shots got too close, I would risk a surface run.More rounds continued to poor in from Type C, a couple close but most went over.Suddenly a shell flew over the bridge and landed about 25 yards away, much too close for comfort.I nearly ordered a dive but we were opening the range slowly and this was a lucky shot I figured.The next 5 shots were not nearly as close.The second escort began to fire also, I now had a pattern of splashes landing around me, but I was getting away.

Finally after 30 minutes, the firing stopped, but they continued to pursue as the sky was growing even lighter.After one hour of chasing, they slowed and began to circle, then I heard splashes of depth charges and explosions, could see plumes of water being kicked up.They mustve though I submerged(didnt really know they did this in SH, was cool) mustve found a poor dolphin or whale lol.

I continued my high speed run for another 20 minutes, then conducted an end around, secured from GQ and planned for a dawn scope attack, was then time to save and go to bed.Kind of wish I had external cam on so couldve got some good screenshots.

The chase was very intense and was one of the more intense things I've had happen as of late on patrol.Being depth charged is always intense but you have some feeling of security because a lot of its luck on escorts part, having them chase at me and gunning away was something way different.Reminds of reading the books by Calvert, O Kane, Fluckey etc talking about being under fire while running away on surface. Gotta love the night surface.

06-14-10, 01:23 PM	#1
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,103 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	One of the more intense attacks I've had in TMO April 1944 100 realism TMO 2.0 Gato USS Muskallunge off Northern Luzon. Made radar contact around midnight with 6 ship two escort convoy heading North.Although no moon was visible due to clouds, one was out, between it and the stars, it was a bit bright out, flat clam seas and phosph was terrible but decided a long range stern shot on surface was just as risky as a submerged night attack in ideal sonar conditions.Also, just two days early endured 10 hours of depth charges and pinging, the crew wasnt having it.So we flanked ahead and prepared to fire stern tubes from 3800 yards.Suddenly the convoy zigged, time to get back into position. Around 0400, found myself in position again, 3800 yards off projected path, manning aft TBT.Visibility was decent enough could see the lead escort clearly, a Type C Kaiboikan.Following it were two columns of ships moving at 7.5 knots, aft of them was an uknown escort.The last ship in closest column was big, looked like a big tanker(do not use the magic ID button at night, only when I can ID the ship myself) of Nippon Maru class.Set the solution into TDC and set all four Mark 14's in stern tubes to run at 18, 15, 10 and 3 feet(waterline hits work nice), opened out doors.The convoy moved a bit off path and was down to just 3000 yards from me, made me nervous but held position, kept stern pointed at lead escort until he passed then moved back for a 90* shot at convoy.Fired all four fish at the large tanker when he was at bearing 195, so torpedos could "meet" him and not chase.Torpedos set on low speed to give me more time to slip away. While moving away at 3 knots and waiting anxiously while watching for signs of being spotted, noticedthe lead escort was back tracking, had I been spotted? Then he just continued on his merry way, I was safe.As time for torpedos to hit approached.I sped up to 10 knots, then when spot light aboard the target slip came on, I went to all head flank/emergency, then suddenly BOOOM! first fish hit, then the second which caused a MASSIVE secondary explosion and giant fireball, tanker mustve had a load of high octane fuel aboard, then 3 and 4 hit for good measure, she was finished.I then began searching for the escorts. Now the most intense part......As we sped away at 20 knots(prob closer to 21) star shells lit the sky but escorts did not seem to know where I was at moment.Soon I could see both the aft and forward escorts were heading my way with a bone in their teeth(bow wakes) I knew the Type C had the same max speed as I so he couldnt outrun or overtake me but could keep pace, but what was the other escort? A full sized DD or DE that could overtake me? Should I dive? I really didnt want to endure that again so soon, esp if could get away, plus I could get back for another attack.I chose to ride it out and try to ID the second escort. Suddenly, the Type C began firing his deck gun from 5500 yards, shell streaked over the bridge and splashed into the water, no very close but an attention getter for sure. Now after 0500 the sky was lighter and was able to see the second escort was an Etorufu subchaser, max speed of 19 knots.I then decided unless the shots got too close, I would risk a surface run.More rounds continued to poor in from Type C, a couple close but most went over.Suddenly a shell flew over the bridge and landed about 25 yards away, much too close for comfort.I nearly ordered a dive but we were opening the range slowly and this was a lucky shot I figured.The next 5 shots were not nearly as close.The second escort began to fire also, I now had a pattern of splashes landing around me, but I was getting away. Finally after 30 minutes, the firing stopped, but they continued to pursue as the sky was growing even lighter.After one hour of chasing, they slowed and began to circle, then I heard splashes of depth charges and explosions, could see plumes of water being kicked up.They mustve though I submerged(didnt really know they did this in SH, was cool) mustve found a poor dolphin or whale lol. I continued my high speed run for another 20 minutes, then conducted an end around, secured from GQ and planned for a dawn scope attack, was then time to save and go to bed.Kind of wish I had external cam on so couldve got some good screenshots. The chase was very intense and was one of the more intense things I've had happen as of late on patrol.Being depth charged is always intense but you have some feeling of security because a lot of its luck on escorts part, having them chase at me and gunning away was something way different.Reminds of reading the books by Calvert, O Kane, Fluckey etc talking about being under fire while running away on surface. Gotta love the night surface.