So I finally decide to try A: The Run Silent Run Deep Mod and B: 100% realism.
I start a new career. Get the USS
Seadragon out of Cavite. First patrol is the South China Sea. Spend a few days enjoying Pacific sunrises and sunsets as RSRD does an efficient job of reducing traffic, then I get a flash traffic that Japanese warships are moving out of Cam Ranh Bay. I head off the intercept.
I find the task force headed southeastish. It's about 2 am. It's a while before I can identify the ships, but it seems like two heavy cruisers and escorts. I pace them, slowly drawing ahead, throughout the morning. I want to work my way ahead of them, then submerge for an attack. A close attack. A
very close attack. My TDC skills are minimal at best, and I plan to compensate by firing at a range where I could likely score hits with the .45 I keep stowed under the Captain's bunk.
I'm pretty sure, had I intercepted them sooner, I could've gotten into position before daylight. Alas, it's not to be, but I'm far enough ahead that I think that, perhaps, I can run in submerged at flank speed, cut in behind the lead escort, and get close enough to fire.
Judging by how big the cruisers looked in the periscope, it would've worked, in terms of getting into position, but alas, the lead destroyer detects me. He comes in at me, but curiously, sails right on by, then turns around for a DC run. I have my scope up just enough to see his bottom rolling in at me, turn away to avoid the charges. It works, I take no damage, and the DD starts a wide turn to come at me again....this takes him right across my bow.
I fire two torpedos by eye. I can see from the wakes they'll miss ahead of him. I fire tubes 3 and 4 immediately after, correcting. They hit him amidships and in the stern and down he goes. Then I dive deep, to get away from his rapidly approaching buddies.
I'm personally not of the opinion that 'real' players only use manual targetting. The biggest part of hitting stuff seems to be positioning your boat, and that's there with auto or manual. Nevertheless, I have to admit...
...that felt good.
