[MarkShot]

Up to mid-1942; going to jump to start of 1943 for the next patrol. I've attacked and got away against 8-9 escorts.

Here are the steps (mainly there are many small tricks to learn; once you do, then it is not hard):

(0) Note I often run at 2048 TC. You ask how do I avoid getting ambushed like this. I watch the smoothness of the clock. If it stutters, then something is happening and I dive and listen. If I hear nothing, then I surface and run at 64 TC for an hour or two just in case.

(1) Make sure you get a general plot from the contact report of convoy. You should get an expanding cone and plot it. Take the speed an plot one hour positions from the base of the cone.

(2) Now place a partial line segment for movement to the top of the first hour. Then, place line segments showing movement of the convoy for each hour.

(3) Plan an intercept such that you will arrive in an area of uncertainty a few hours before the convoy using your navigator. I only attack submerged in daylight. Using your line segments from #2 and the navigator you can work out all the timings without any math equations.

(4) As you near the intercept area, start diving periodically to get a sound contact. Listen personally with the engines shut off, since you can hear the convoy at 34km, but your crew will only be able to pick them up at 20km.

(5) When you get the convoy heard by your crew, then zoom out just far enough that the you have single contact line. Plot it.

(6) Let another 15 or 30 minutes go by. Plot like above.

(7) Draw the convoy's course and extend it. Now, you have a very exact course.

(8) Position to lead the convoy by a couple of hours.

(9) Submerge and go down to 25m. Go silent and run at just 2kts (100rpm).

(10) Keep the convoy on your beam for best listening.

(11) You can use TC up to 8X periodically.

(12) Make sure to get 2-3km off center, since the leads will weave and cover the center.

(13) Forget about the scope and just use the sonar. You are at 25m, in case you need to slow to 1kts or less, you don't want to broach.

(14) Prepare your crew and tubes.

(15) Let the lead escorts go by. Lead escorts are very sensitive to scopes in their forward quarter, but practically blind to them in the rear quarter.

(16) Continue to beam the convoy. The lead escorts should pass you with about 1km clearance. If they get closer, then slow to 1kts or less.

(17) After the leads pass you, then come about turning your bow towards the center line to shoot. Come up to 13M.

(18) Only show enough scope to get convoy ships to show on the map; even if you cannot see them visually due to water splasing. You get the SA, you need.

(19) When ready to shoot, go full up scope and carefully pick your targets and shoot. I am using TII/TIII set for impact.

You will easily get inside the convoy like this. Unlike other games (AOD especially), the escort screen logic is quite weak. What makes GWX2 tough is sensitivity to detect you; not strong AI. Once you know all the tricks to plot, approach, understand formation, and avoid detection ... you are fairly safe to go in a shoot.

Getting away so far has been fairly easy with nothing but a little bit of noise.

1943/44 here I come!