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Hooston · 09-01-24, 05:49 AM

For all its flaws SH3 is a simulation and usually doing the historically accurate thing is the best approach.
Until late 1943 uboats operated on the surface whenever possible, even in daylight. As you have found, a submerged boat is so slow it is often just a spectator. To attack a target the boat would do an "end around" at full speed on the surface just at the edge of visual detection to position itself ahead, whilst establishing the target's speed and heading. It would then lie in wait slightly to one side of the target track.
During the night the attack would be carried out surfaced with torpedoes. it was very possible to fire torpedoes and escape on the surface without being detected at all. In daytime a submerged attack would be used if the target was able to defend itself.
The game is a lot better if you wind up the "realism" and turn off the auto targeting. Sinking escorts becomes very difficult and rarely worth it. Take a look at Tonci87's series on Youtube to see how much more complicated things get.

09-01-24, 05:49 AM	#11
Hooston Frogman Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 293 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	Get real For all its flaws SH3 is a simulation and usually doing the historically accurate thing is the best approach. Until late 1943 uboats operated on the surface whenever possible, even in daylight. As you have found, a submerged boat is so slow it is often just a spectator. To attack a target the boat would do an "end around" at full speed on the surface just at the edge of visual detection to position itself ahead, whilst establishing the target's speed and heading. It would then lie in wait slightly to one side of the target track. During the night the attack would be carried out surfaced with torpedoes. it was very possible to fire torpedoes and escape on the surface without being detected at all. In daytime a submerged attack would be used if the target was able to defend itself. The game is a lot better if you wind up the "realism" and turn off the auto targeting. Sinking escorts becomes very difficult and rarely worth it. Take a look at Tonci87's series on Youtube to see how much more complicated things get.