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sharkbit · 04-22-08, 09:25 AM

Late December 1939
I'm on my 4th patrol. The first 2 were in a IIA. I upgraded to a VIIB after my second patrol.
My patrol area on this patrol was north-west of England, where I sank one large freighter travelling alone. After my 24 hours on station, I moved over to about grid AM18 where I sank 4 other ships travelling alone.
I then get a report of a large convoy travelling east at 6 knots. I set up a intercept course, using what I've learned from this forum and used very sucessfully against single ships, and I reach the intercept point about 8 hours later. No convoy shows up. I dive and listen for them-nothing. Pop back up and back track down their projected course-nothing.

I figured they probably changed course. I pick off another single and cruise around the western portion of square AM for a while.

So I get another convoy contact report of a large convoy heading east. This time, I think maybe they will change course to the ESE or SE, so I plot an intercept on that possibility. Same result.

I swan about the area looking and listening but still nothing. I manage to find and sink another lone ship however.

I know convoys probably aren't easy to find(if they were, the war would be over very quickly), but I'm on a convoy route and am getting contact reports, but I just cant' find them.

I think one or more of 4 things may be happening:
1.) I'm patrolling at a point where they may be turning from an easterly course to a SE course to port and I may just need to search further west.

2.) The convoys are making a sharp evasive turn immediately after the contact report-maybe picking up the signal and turning. I dont' know if the AI is that smart though.

3.) I'm heading too slow for the intercept point. I need to plot a faster speed for the intercept and try to intercept them sooner.

4.) I'm just screwing up the intercept course. Doubtful though-I use the same process for the single ships and have only missed finding one so far.

I think I may try 1 and 3 and see what happens. I have just under 50% of my fuel left and plenty of torpedoes left to keep looking. I'm still pretty pleased with the results of the patrol so far-6 ships for over 20000 tons(and I saved the game last night on an intercept of another, to be hopefully finished off today after work, however it is pretty stormy and the seas are bad), but I definitely want more and I want a crack at a convoy.

So, does anybody have any suggestions?
Thanks.

04-22-08, 09:25 AM	#1
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	Can't Find the Convoys Late December 1939 I'm on my 4th patrol. The first 2 were in a IIA. I upgraded to a VIIB after my second patrol. My patrol area on this patrol was north-west of England, where I sank one large freighter travelling alone. After my 24 hours on station, I moved over to about grid AM18 where I sank 4 other ships travelling alone. I then get a report of a large convoy travelling east at 6 knots. I set up a intercept course, using what I've learned from this forum and used very sucessfully against single ships, and I reach the intercept point about 8 hours later. No convoy shows up. I dive and listen for them-nothing. Pop back up and back track down their projected course-nothing. I figured they probably changed course. I pick off another single and cruise around the western portion of square AM for a while. So I get another convoy contact report of a large convoy heading east. This time, I think maybe they will change course to the ESE or SE, so I plot an intercept on that possibility. Same result. I swan about the area looking and listening but still nothing. I manage to find and sink another lone ship however. I know convoys probably aren't easy to find(if they were, the war would be over very quickly), but I'm on a convoy route and am getting contact reports, but I just cant' find them. I think one or more of 4 things may be happening: 1.) I'm patrolling at a point where they may be turning from an easterly course to a SE course to port and I may just need to search further west. 2.) The convoys are making a sharp evasive turn immediately after the contact report-maybe picking up the signal and turning. I dont' know if the AI is that smart though. 3.) I'm heading too slow for the intercept point. I need to plot a faster speed for the intercept and try to intercept them sooner. 4.) I'm just screwing up the intercept course. Doubtful though-I use the same process for the single ships and have only missed finding one so far. I think I may try 1 and 3 and see what happens. I have just under 50% of my fuel left and plenty of torpedoes left to keep looking. I'm still pretty pleased with the results of the patrol so far-6 ships for over 20000 tons(and I saved the game last night on an intercept of another, to be hopefully finished off today after work, however it is pretty stormy and the seas are bad), but I definitely want more and I want a crack at a convoy. So, does anybody have any suggestions? Thanks.