[torpedobait]

I don't do much surface attacking, even in the early "easy" years. But if I find a weakly escorted convoy like I did this morning, watch out. I found a convoy in CG85 with only two escorts. The lead was a Polish destroyer (first one I ever encountered in the Atlantic). He spotted me first and started firing as I paralleled the convoy on the surface. I sent a report, then dove to P depth and ran at flank speed for a few minutes. Went to ahead-slow, silent running, and changed course 20 degrees right. He ran in and depth charged the spot he thought I should be in, then circled around and picked me up on his ASDIC. I let him come in and went to flank speed hard-to-port as he began his run. Turning away gave me just enough room to avoid his water bombs. Then I immediately cut speed and turned back towards his course. He slowed, moved straight ahead about 150 meters, and then slowly turned to port to cross about 350 meters in front of me. I set a torpedo to Fast/Impact at 1.5 meters depth, and fired when he was at about 20 degrees to starboard of my course. I confess to using automatic calculations - I hate Math! - I used an aiming point just behind his bow wave and ripped one at him. He went down like a pole-axed logger after a Saturday night barn dance. Liking my chances with only one escort remaining, I stayed at P depth, went to flank speed and headed for the convoy. The Black Swan trailing the convoy heard me and charged. I used exactly the same tactics, which almost backfired, because he had those damn side launching K-charges (I think that's what they are). Almost got me with one, but it went off too deep. I slowed, let him turn in front of me as he came around for another search, and broke his back with a second bow shot. SWEET!

Now with no escorts, I surfaced and ran amok in the convoy. Total haul was 19 kills including the two escorts (that count includes 3 merchants I nailed on the way to my patrol area) for 85,750 tons gross (83,102 merchants and 2,648 for the escorts. I totally wiped out the convoy using all remaining torpedos and my deck gun.

Nice way to start a Monday morning!

I have used these escort-kill tactics on a number of occasions with great success. Just make sure you can evade the initial charge, have a bow and stern torpedo set to very shallow depth to catch him no matter which way he turns, fire within 301-500 meters, and make extra sure he is roughly perpendicular to your course within 20-40 degrees anyway. He won't be able to evade, trust me!

One other effective anti-escort tactic is to use a cripple as a shield. If I hit a medium cargo with just one shot, they often take forever to sink. If the escorts are being their usual aggressive selves, I sneak along side the merchant at P depth, match speed or hover if she's dead in the water, and wait. The escorts usually ping me, and then start circling the cripple. He may come by too close for a bow shot, but that means he'll be just right for the stern tube. Repeat as needed!

Good hunting, Captains. And remember, it's a Jungle Out There!