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amurph182 · 08-14-07, 09:06 AM

I find engaging multiple targets to be fairly easy.

Using SH4 1.3 and TM1.5, the most common multiple ship encounter I have is the two ship convoy (if it can be called that). My method of attack is as follows:

1) identify both targets. decide which is the primary and which is the secondary target, usually based on tonnage but sometimes I will not be in a good attack position because of a target course change and so must go after whichever presents the best opportunity.

2) begin tracking primary:
a) get range
b) wait a few minutes, get range again
c) determine course and speed
d) based on course, enter AOB
e) activate PK

3) decide which torpedos to fire at each target. Set torpedo depth and speed, open tubes.

4) when ready to fire, raise scope one last time for last second bearing and range check.

5) fire on primary target.

6) switch to secondary. you already know the course and speed of the target, so all you have to do is get a range and then adjust AOB, which is simply a matter of adjusting the AOB dial until the TDC shows the correct target course.

7) fire on secondary target, and begin manuevering for follow-up shots from stern tubes if required.

If the sea is calm, I can fire my first torp at the second target within 5 seconds of firing the last torp at the primary. It helps that you can point the scope at whatever you want, and can even get range before you're done shooting at the first target. Until you actually send the data to the TDC, the PK tracks the first target. In heavy seas, it's obvously not as quick.

The only time I have problems here is when the convoy makes a course change in the middle of my approach, then you have to wait for all of your targets to get on the same course. And when the seas are rough, you need more time to get the range so it can screw up your planning.

If I time it right, it's not too hard to have your torps hit both targets at the same time, although sometimes that means firing at the smaller target first which can cause your solution for the second target to be rushed and mabe a bit off.

Something I haven't tried yet but want to: firing a spread at a convoy without aiming at particular ships. Get a solution on a ship in the middle, and then fire all ten tubes only making torpedo gyro adjustments, and then see how many I can hit. From my reading, this was done often when engaging convoys on the surface at night, when you didn't have time to set up on each individual ship and just needed to hit whatever you could.

08-14-07, 09:06 AM	#23
amurph182 Seaman Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 35 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	I find engaging multiple targets to be fairly easy. Using SH4 1.3 and TM1.5, the most common multiple ship encounter I have is the two ship convoy (if it can be called that). My method of attack is as follows: 1) identify both targets. decide which is the primary and which is the secondary target, usually based on tonnage but sometimes I will not be in a good attack position because of a target course change and so must go after whichever presents the best opportunity. 2) begin tracking primary: a) get range b) wait a few minutes, get range again c) determine course and speed d) based on course, enter AOB e) activate PK 3) decide which torpedos to fire at each target. Set torpedo depth and speed, open tubes. 4) when ready to fire, raise scope one last time for last second bearing and range check. 5) fire on primary target. 6) switch to secondary. you already know the course and speed of the target, so all you have to do is get a range and then adjust AOB, which is simply a matter of adjusting the AOB dial until the TDC shows the correct target course. 7) fire on secondary target, and begin manuevering for follow-up shots from stern tubes if required. If the sea is calm, I can fire my first torp at the second target within 5 seconds of firing the last torp at the primary. It helps that you can point the scope at whatever you want, and can even get range before you're done shooting at the first target. Until you actually send the data to the TDC, the PK tracks the first target. In heavy seas, it's obvously not as quick. The only time I have problems here is when the convoy makes a course change in the middle of my approach, then you have to wait for all of your targets to get on the same course. And when the seas are rough, you need more time to get the range so it can screw up your planning. If I time it right, it's not too hard to have your torps hit both targets at the same time, although sometimes that means firing at the smaller target first which can cause your solution for the second target to be rushed and mabe a bit off. Something I haven't tried yet but want to: firing a spread at a convoy without aiming at particular ships. Get a solution on a ship in the middle, and then fire all ten tubes only making torpedo gyro adjustments, and then see how many I can hit. From my reading, this was done often when engaging convoys on the surface at night, when you didn't have time to set up on each individual ship and just needed to hit whatever you could.