Quote:
Originally Posted by MrMojok69
I guess it's because of their radar?
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That's very likely the case. You need to have an exact idea of what your target is doing and then approach far enough away on the surface so you don't get detected. Then you submerge and approach for the final attack. This is actually very similar to your current strategy, just a bit more refined.
Example:
You spot a convoy. Estimate speed and heading as much as possible. IRL Kaleuns frequently used a method called "Ausdampfen". For this method you try to match speed and course of your target, i.e. you configure your boat in such a way that the bearing of your target remains constant. This method takes some time, but is very precise.
Once you have established a reasonably accurate target track you pull ahead at full speed. Once you're about 6-7 nm ahead of the target you turn in towards the track at maybe a 45° angle, still at full speed. About 1 nm from the track you turn on an opposite but parallel course to your target and then submerge and keep approaching at slow ahead at PD. About 2 nm before you meet the target go to ahead 1/3 still submerged and turn your boat in to the convoy, s.t. your bow points exactly to the track. Slow down again to 1-2 kts. Then wait for the targets to show up in front of your boat and torpedo them.
Another method that gives you a very good solution is to cross the target's bow. Once you reach 0° AOB, that is you look exactly at the target's bow from straight ahead of the target you plot a long straight line from your boat on the bearing of the target. This gives you the target's track.
Of course as I said, you always need to keep a safe distance from your targets and if they are escorted that distance may easily be 10-12 km. I think it was called 'nibbling at the horizon'. Sometimes only the smoke plumes of your targets may be visible. You can only close in once you have a reasonably accurate solution and you need to be silent in order not to get detected too soon.