Convoy attack in Oct 43

[Col Frost]

I'm considering attacking a convoy in Oct 43, but I'm concerned that the escorts (one has forward firing depthcharges-hedgehog?) will make mincemeat of me.

Is there any chance of getting away with it and how can I survive?

I'm in a type IXB in over 1000m .

Any tips gratefully received.

[klh]

Originally Posted by Col Frost

I'm considering attacking a convoy in Oct 43, but I'm concerned that the escorts (one has forward firing depthcharges-hedgehog?) will make mincemeat of me.

Is there any chance of getting away with it and how can I survive?

I'm in a type IXB in over 1000m .

Any tips gratefully received.

Well, that's what you're there for. Be more aggressive!

Seriously, though, make sure you place yourself in a good position in front of the convoy without being seen. Then go to silent running and allow the convoy to overtake you. Minimize your periscope sweeps. After you're inside the escort screen, take your shots, then make a turn, and go deep and silent in the confusion. If you're good, then they'll never know where you are and their ash cans will fall nowhere near you.

Now if that doesn't work, then use evasive tactics. Study section IV in the Uboat Commander's Handbook. As soon as they pass overhead and drop on you, then go to flank, turn left or right, and immediately change depths (don't forget you can also go up). Cut back to silent after about 20 seconds. Keep it up until you shake them.

[rik007]

Depends on the wheather. With storm I would certainly try it. Of course silent running and max.speed is 1 kts.

[Keelbuster]

Take longshots (>5km) from way outside the convoy. Use pattern running T1s if you have them. They several minutes to enter the convoy, and this gives you plenty of time to 'clear the datum'.

[Col Frost]

Originally Posted by Keelbuster

Take longshots (>5km) from way outside the convoy. Use pattern running T1s if you have them. They several minutes to enter the convoy, and this gives you plenty of time to 'clear the datum'.

Trouble is weather is not good and visibility is very limited.

To even see the ships I'd have to get right between the columns and then the destroyers would be close...

[Keelbuster]

Originally Posted by Col Frost

Trouble is weather is not good and visibility is very limited.

To even see the ships I'd have to get right between the columns and then the destroyers would be close...

Yea,...but all the more reason to use pattern runners. The whole point of them is to just get them approximately in the right zone and let the pattern find something. If you've got their exact speed from a radio report, then you can just dial it in, make a guess about the range (or send a ping or two), then launch a good spread set to slow speed and 1600m circuit, and let them do the work while you bail. It's a bit of a different strategy because you don't really pick your targets, but in late war with GWX 2.0, I find detection = death like 75% of the time.