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bsalyers · 03-07-06, 02:41 AM

In my type IX-D2, late 1943, I recently got to hound a large convoy over several hundred kilometers as it worked it's way north from Gibraltar. I attacked 4 times, each time sinking ships, until I ran out of eels.
I used the same tactic each time, getting directly in their path, then hovering at 50 meters, silent running, engines off. As they approached, I waited until the lead escorts passed, the floated up to periscope depth and began my attacks. The last time, a DD passed over the top of my bow so close I could see his hull through my submerged periscope!
If you are completely quiet, they won't even ping you until it's too late. Your best bet to avoid attacks, IMHO, is to avoid ever being located in the first place; don't let their hydrophone guy acquire you. Go full- speed if you must to get depth, but go to ahead slow and silent running ASAP. Also NEVER ask your hydrophone operator for approximate range to targets; it's the same as pinging them.

03-07-06, 02:41 AM	#11
bsalyers Sparky Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 152 Downloads: 46 Uploads: 0	In my type IX-D2, late 1943, I recently got to hound a large convoy over several hundred kilometers as it worked it's way north from Gibraltar. I attacked 4 times, each time sinking ships, until I ran out of eels. I used the same tactic each time, getting directly in their path, then hovering at 50 meters, silent running, engines off. As they approached, I waited until the lead escorts passed, the floated up to periscope depth and began my attacks. The last time, a DD passed over the top of my bow so close I could see his hull through my submerged periscope! If you are completely quiet, they won't even ping you until it's too late. Your best bet to avoid attacks, IMHO, is to avoid ever being located in the first place; don't let their hydrophone guy acquire you. Go full- speed if you must to get depth, but go to ahead slow and silent running ASAP. Also NEVER ask your hydrophone operator for approximate range to targets; it's the same as pinging them.