[desirableroasted]

Game Tactics

The example Gargamel presents is an excellent example of "the theoretical exception proves the rule." If I encountered one ASW escort guarding a BB and a flock of large merchants, whalers, etc., in 1939, then of course the escort is the first target -- I don't care the convoy is alerted, as even their zigzagging presents no great challenge.

But I would have to know in advance it was the only escort, and I am scratching my head trying to recall an instance when I would have had that perfect knowledge.

Even in broad daylight, clear visibility, you rarely can see to the far end of the convoy, unless you use the "X-ray vision lock" exploit. So how are you to know there are no escorts? And in optimal attack conditions (dusk, moderate visibility), you sure aren't going to know.

So, without that knowledge, what do you do? You take down the sheep, not the border collies. If there is only one escort on the flock, that will become apparent soon enough.

Reality

Here, it's just logic. If the merchants are being guarded so carefully by sophisticated escorts, it must mean they are valuable and worth sinking.

And here, the price of replacement, etc, is not particularly relevant. Even cargo value is not necessarily relevant. A box of machine tools, while costing far less than a destroyer, might be essential to making 20 new ones. A merchant and a cargo of wheat don't cost much, but losing 2-3 a week can be the crucial thing in public morale. far more demoralizing than the loss of a destroyer (which might not even be reported in the papers until weeks later).

Game tactics + Reality

Escorts are just a part of the day at the office, and a distraction. My job is to sink merchants. If doing that means I have to sink an escort -- perhaps once out of 25 patrols -- fine, but it is out of necessity. I consider it a wasted torpedo.


But

I like seeing the pesky maggots go KaBoom as much as anyone. But only once in 25 patrols.

Edit

BTW, if you do like taking on escorts and battleships, be up in Narvik on April 10-13, 1940. You will get your fill of both and you will learn more than you want to know about shallow-water defense tactics.