No reason to disparage as I think the intent of the designers was to make fighting late in the war very hard. This is of course done to mirror reality.
I think the only things you can do is be selective and realize that some convoys may be too well defended to attack. Attacking in bad weather and at night helps, and take your shot and run like hell. If you're caught inside a convoy, steam directly underneath a merchant, one that's wounded is ideal. That way the escorts can't touch you and they will eventually leave. You can then finish off the wounded merchant at your leisure.
Attacking from greater range helps and take good advantage of the acoustic homers and FATS. The decoys can really save you if used properly. Also I don't hesitate to shoot at the destroyers anymore especially when I think I can't escape them. I steam at periscope depth and give them as inviting a target as possible. Wait until they're close, about 500 - 700 metres and let 'em have it with a stern shot, using an electric eel, magnetic impact. They almost always go down with one shot. You can eventually thin out the escort screen one-by-one and hopefully you have enough fuel - and patience - to mop up the convoy. It's very time consuming and you really have to be patient, but it is possible.
And I think you have to resign yourself to the fact that the glory days (the happy times) are over by 1944, so lower tonnage scores are to be expected.
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