33 DEGREE ANGLE SHOT
So you have gotten good at the 90 deg set up shot! Good, if you are attacking single ships. But what about convoys? Shooting at odd angles are no different in set up as a 90 deg shot, you just have to set up for it.
Convoys travel in columns, and there is a reason for that... to make high priority targets harder to sink!
Tankers, ammo ships, and troop ships are going to be in the middle columns, and a 90 deg shot will certainly hit the smaller, less critical cargo ships before you will get to the good targets.
The main difference in a 33 deg shot versus the 90 deg, is setting up far ahead of the convoy, to allow you to set up a zero gyro angle, and still be close enough for your to make the shot. It's called timing.
1) Determine your target course and speed. Get ahead far enough to flank in close on the surface and turn in 33 deg into their course. You need to get close enough and far ahead enough to set the 0 zero gyro angle before the target crosses it.
2) Set your U-boat to a 33 deg attack course, pending the target's course, and lead into the convoy. Always check the AOB on your target, adjusting your course to a 33 deg attack angle doesn't mean the target is 33 deg. Always check.
3) Keep your periscope set to 0 deg, click the TDC lock button (shows red) and set your TDC AOB to 33 deg (port or starboard). The idea is to set up a 0 gyro angle. Make sure your TDC lock button is on (shows green) after set up.
5) Now that the TDC is set, along with target speed, range, and such, you should be able to move your periscope around to find the 0 gyro angle, and now you wait.
6) Always use periscope discipline! Keep it down as long as possible and as low in the water as possible! Your target should always be washed out by waves every so often. At this angle you are moving into the convoy, so escorts are going to get close to you. Use silent running and be sure your motor RPM's are no more than 50 as the escorts get close. Stop motors if you have to.
7) When your target crosses the 0 angle, fire and enjoy the show!
Remember!!! Always double, triple check your work. You may have to recheck target course, AOB, range, and speed, to ensure your kill. Being at a dead stop is always recommended for your calculations as it is most accurate, so it is important to set your boat far up ahead, and close enough for the attack.
Do you have questions? Concerns? Just PM me or click my signature!
Happy Hunting!
Last edited by bstanko6; 06-29-16 at 11:30 PM.
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