Quote:
Originally Posted by commandosolo2009
neat, but one thing, what was your speed and depth on entry? As far as I know, the submarine cannot go in past 18m or she will rub the belly against the seabed, and the shoreline is packed with coastal artillery. Please explain how.
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I can't explain what you should do to complete your mission. I can explain the procedure that I use (every time) I raid Rabaul. I have developed my tactic by using pointers that I've picked up from everybody else here. I certainly am not the first to raid this harbor and I have tailored what I have learned from others into a tactic which not only works for me but, I also feel comfortable with.
I always approach from the shallows where you see my sub departing in the second picture. I approach on the surface at Standard or 2/3 speed. Once I'm past that small shallow inlet, I'll dive to PS depth and take a listen on sonar. Usually at this point I'll have a contact, usually two. Mind you, when I do this, it's always early evening and dark enough to approach on the surface, preferably during a new moon.
Once I have my contact location and distance, I'll run at "decks awash" (for every class of sub this depth is different) until I get a visual. I then go to PD with the intent on sinking what usually turns out to be a patrol boat or two between myself and the harbor.
On this particular attempt, 3 Mutsuki DDs were heading right toward me at flank speed. This was before I crossed the shallows and was still in St. George's Channel. I did not engage these DDs and headed further east to avoid them. They passed harmlessly at 5000yds and continued south on their merry way. You don't have to engage these ships right away. Try to determine their course and if possible, bypass them.
After sinking any warships in the outer bay, I surface and proceed at 2/3 or standard speed (given the situation) until I approach the shallows of the harbor inlet. Here, you have to be careful since there are almost always shore batteries at both opposing points of land near the harbor inlet. I go to about 32' depth and proceed (under the cover of darkness -reminder) until I'm safely out of range of these points (usually 4500 to 5000yds). I try to pass these points at equal distances, say 3000yds on the left, 3000 on the right. Then I return to decks awash to gain some more speed. Usually, there is another patrol/warship inside this shallow bay, not to mention a fishing boat or two, maybe a tug and a sampan. I usually avoid them but will take them out if need be.
I continue toward the docks keeping equal distances from any land outcroppings since this is where gun emplacements are usually located. If my crew spots a shore battery, I go to 32' depth and slow my speed to lessen the wake. I'll take out any parked war ships at distance first, usually 6000yds or further. They're easy to hit since they're not moving but they can fire at you at range or, even worse, send up star-shells for the shore gunners to spot you. Once they're gone, I pick off all the docked ships from 4300yds or closer. I repeat the same tactic when I exit. So, there you have it.
Sorry if it's long but, there's really no way to explain this in one or two sentences.
PS: If you only knew how long it took for me to type this, with my skills.
