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bstanko6 · 04-19-16, 02:18 AM

Newbies attack everything!

Truth: I was this guy! Everyone does it. A true U-boot commander was taught to take opportunities as they came. It was actually written in the u-boat commanders handbook.

Doenitz actual recommendation was, if you are not sure... Attack!

The actual truth was every commander had other men he was responsible for. They wanted to get back home.

Commanders selected the right opportunities, communicated to BDU often, attempted wolf packs, and really weighed out all options.

Options being: weather, time of day, escort package, convoy importance, and depth of ocean.

Weather: this limits the visual range, and speed of other ships. 15 m/s winds made the ocean choppy that assisted in masking u-boat signatures!

Time of day: you should know this. Night time is always the best option. It just stinks when you find the convoy at 9:00am!

Escort package: if I am alone and there are 8 destroyers, I ain't doing it! I may perform some night surface attacks. That's it!

Convoy importance: what I mean is, if it is a group of tramp steamers with a serious escort... I don't think so. I want tankers and ammo ships. We need to stop the British war effort!

Depth of ocean: this is the most important to me! I want to know if I have a chance to get away if possible. It takes depth charges longer to hit at 250 meters than 100. Gives my engines time to rev up and get out of the area! Think about it.

In the end, whether you attack a ship or convoy, take your time and plan. This convoy may make or break your career. No commander rushed in. Use your navigation map, plot and plan, make marks on the grid even if your math is bad and consider all options. It will pay off.

04-19-16, 02:18 AM	#5
bstanko6 Admiral Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Murwik Naval Academy Posts: 2,130 Downloads: 390 Uploads: 13	Newbies attack everything! Truth: I was this guy! Everyone does it. A true U-boot commander was taught to take opportunities as they came. It was actually written in the u-boat commanders handbook. Doenitz actual recommendation was, if you are not sure... Attack! The actual truth was every commander had other men he was responsible for. They wanted to get back home. Commanders selected the right opportunities, communicated to BDU often, attempted wolf packs, and really weighed out all options. Options being: weather, time of day, escort package, convoy importance, and depth of ocean. Weather: this limits the visual range, and speed of other ships. 15 m/s winds made the ocean choppy that assisted in masking u-boat signatures! Time of day: you should know this. Night time is always the best option. It just stinks when you find the convoy at 9:00am! Escort package: if I am alone and there are 8 destroyers, I ain't doing it! I may perform some night surface attacks. That's it! Convoy importance: what I mean is, if it is a group of tramp steamers with a serious escort... I don't think so. I want tankers and ammo ships. We need to stop the British war effort! Depth of ocean: this is the most important to me! I want to know if I have a chance to get away if possible. It takes depth charges longer to hit at 250 meters than 100. Gives my engines time to rev up and get out of the area! Think about it. In the end, whether you attack a ship or convoy, take your time and plan. This convoy may make or break your career. No commander rushed in. Use your navigation map, plot and plan, make marks on the grid even if your math is bad and consider all options. It will pay off. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] BSTANKO6'S SH5 NAVAL ACADEMY http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPbe...W2NArCA/videos DISCORD https://discord.gg/6tFeTSUmVc Last edited by bstanko6; 04-19-16 at 03:12 AM.