How close will the taskforce be when it passes in front of you? If you aren't in position (I like to be about 1000-1500m off the center of the TF), then you have some quick decisions to make.
You are ok on the surface for a few minutes... maybe. I'd submerge when they are still 8km out... If its sunny and clear, perhaps even further. You can still travel at flank underwater at this range, until they are about 5km out. Then I'd go to silent running.
I like to use the Fast-90 method to set up a fast shot (Dick O'Kane to the fleet-boaters out there). I find this easier in a uboat than a fleetboat since you can let off all your forward tubes within seconds of each other. Note I haven't experimented too much with this in the fleetboats (PK off!), but in the uboat the TDC calculates the AOB for you so you can fire at oblique angles. When the first ship passes ahead of you I target the 2nd ship (usually around 30-35 degrees off) and loose torps, then swing back and fire at the first ship. Generally speaking the torpedos all hit within seconds of each other, and you are well on your way to the safe deeps, sometimes you can even get your stern around and let off a couple more at a third ship.
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