[Leandros]

Originally Posted by Mittelwaechter

From '43 on your only chance to survive is to avoid being detected.
Make good use of your torpedo's stand off capabilities and enjoy every home port sighting with no or only a few sinkings.

It is difficult but not impossible. I have come through the war on a couple of occasions, even with regular convoy attacks. If you start your career on a Type XXI in '44 it's actually quite easy. If you manage through the two first patrols with a reasonable result you can build up cred so you can bring 8-12 homers out with you.

Much of this is due to a certain defense technique against the escorts I have developed - bow or aft deflection shots with the T1 on max speed and magnetic fuze. This usually cuts down on the chasers when I am eventually put under. Even then it is possible to get away with active maneuvering on very slow speeds and silent mode.

I never go below 150 meters as I have selected random crushing depth. Also malfunctions and sabotage. When I start a career I as fast as possible see to that my repair and torpedo crews are upgraded, and there is enough of them, so I am ensured speedy repairs and reloads. The sonar people and AA and deck gun crews, too.

I never lay still when chased. The result is inevitable. Short sprints with course changes can be effective. Watch the sonar when he is turning his tail towards you. Get outside the circle.

From the Fall of 1943 home-seeking torpedoes are available. I see to save up on cred to get more than those normally allocated when possible. Correctly used those are real life-savers.

When one gets to the Type XXI summer '44 everything gets easier. More homers, faster submerged sprint speeds, better Bolds.

Advice: Whatever you do, do not attack a convoy in flat sea. Heavy seas help you a lot to get away.

If you are detected by a far-away escort in open sea, and he comes after you (he will), turn your tail to him and dive to max. depth on max. speed. Drop a bold halfway down and start a turn to 90 degrees off the diving course, switch to silent mode. Creep away. It shall usually start dropping d/c's at the point you dived. Oh, yes, I have the impression that it sometimes helps to change depth, even go up to periscope depth.

If/when you are getting desperate down there and there is only one subchaser prepare for a quick rise to periscope depth with a following fan shot. Decide on spread, torpedo depth and expected angles before you raise your periscope.

Don't give up! Or as some here say - be more aggressive!

Fred