I have about an 80% success rate at down the throat shots.
You'll need a positive ID of the target, as you will have to accurately set your depth to not much more than .5 meters under keel.
Bad weather is bad because the target is pitching up and down on the waves. If your torpedo hits the hull, it will be a dud almost certainly.
You must use magnetic pistol.
I try to run away from them at top speed, pointing my stern directly at them. Or bow if I have to make a bow shot. This requires constant adjustment if they are zig-zagging on approach.
You want the torpedo to have to turn as little as possible when it leaves the tube, so that the course is as true as possible.
Fire with 0 speed in the computer so you have a point and shoot solution.
If the target is coming in in a straight line, you can fire at any point under 1000 meters if you have electric torpedoes. Longer than 1000 meters and you risk premature detonation. Magnetics generally do not prematurely detonate under 1000 meters. Be careful, though, as they can start zig-zagging at any time.
If they are coming in zig-zagging, or if you have steam torpedoes, then you must wait until they stop zig-zagging or until they are about 500 meters away. At that range they cannot dodge a high-speed steamer.
It is very very dicey waiting for them to start their attack run before shooting. Once they stop zig-zagging you are right on the edge of torpedo arming. I find they usually arm at 200-300 meters. Once they stop zig-zagging and come right for you, line them up and shoot.
If you hit them, usually it sinks them. If not, it will frequently blow off their screws and steering gear. However, if you hit a convoy escort and it does not sink them or incapacitate them, the game makes them immediately ignore you and return to their original escort position around the convoy. If you surface they will use their guns but they won't make depth charge runs on you. I guess they are "out of action" or something.
If you miss, you better go flank and take evasive action. You may very well get rammed (which sometimes sinks the escort and often damages your boat), and you may very well get nailed with depth charges.
If you're very good and daring after a miss, as soon as they pass you you can try for another shot from the other end of your boat as they come around for another pass.
Steve
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