Hi,
Going (very slowly) through my first career (this is an excuse for saving as soon as contact is made, and retrying to make the most of each situation
), I have just encountered a mini-convoy consisting of a destroyer and a large modern composite going 18 knots on a fairly clear day. I am in Porpoise class sub, so my flank speed is 18 knots. Also, I an not in a position well ahead enough of them to sneak in at low speed so as to lie in wait, so in order to close, I have to use that flank bell.
So, on the surface, at flank I closed the distance somewhat, and using the dick o'kane, without the 90 degree part, I fired off a salvo of 4 torps from about 4000 yards or so, 2 on the surface and 2 at just a bit less than keel depth, contact and contact/magnetic respectively.
Following the torps with external cam, I could see that the solution was pretty accurate, trouble is that as the torps got close, the darn merchie swerved right causing them to miss ahead, and then the destroyer started looking for me...
So, question is, what would you sub gurus do in a situation like this? How do you get close enough without being detected? Would I be better off to shadow them and wait for nightfall so I can get in closer? Downside is that to keep up with them I'd have to be at flank speed all day...
Anyway, I'd love to hear your opinions, I'm quite sure I could learn lots!
Cheers