Convoys

[kknobl]

All,

I'm running SH3 with GWX 2.1 (excellent mod, BTW) and recently noticed something...

When reports of convoy sightings are plotted on the navigation map, sometimes the convoy is indicated with the traditional large square while other times, it is indicated by a circle.

My questions is two-fold: has anyone else noticed it and is there any significance to it (escorted vs. unescorted convoy, allied vs. neutral convoy)??

Oh yeah, it's February 1941 and I'm in the North Atlantic near the Belchen Supply ship - even saw a couple of icebergs. Very cool.

Thanks!

[skookum]

even saw a couple of icebergs

Count yourself lucky, those are rare indeed. As for the circular convoy symbology, you'll likely find that the convoys represented by a circle include a submarine among the vessels in the convoy. No idea why this affects the symbol for the whole convoy though.

[nirwana]

It happens when the sub of the convoy is the only remaining unit which is tracked. Same happens when escorts are fighting u and u loose contact to the rest of the convoy except to the escorts swarming it with max speed. It turns into a task force in the map.

[Jimbuna]

The convoy icon is representative of the lead vessel in the group.

In this case a submarine.

[nirwana]

Is there a standard spot in the convoy which makes the ship to the leader and what happens if i take it out ? Once i sunk that many ships of a convoy that its icon switched from a large convoy to a small one.

[Kielhauler1961]

If you sink too many ships from a convoy, the survivors run up Swedish colours and it becomes a Neutral convoy!

[bigboywooly]

As Jim rightly posted
The circle means the convoy is being reported by an AI German uboat ( the lead unit being the uboat ) this doesnt mean the uboat is in the front\middle or rear of the convoy
Just means for the campaign file purposes he is designated as lead unit so all navmap reports are circular
The uboats are nearly always found just stern of the convoy
Once that uboat is sunk the group will revert to being led by the next merchant in its campaign listing
And so on as more ships are sunk
Nav map reports showing as square again

If you sink a few ships from a " large " convoy it can show next time a " small " convoy

[Jimbuna]

How would you know....you never survive long enough to sink a few ships :rotfl:

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

How would you know....you never survive long enough to sink a few ships :rotfl:

:hmm:
Current moose on the loose



:rotfl:

[Jimbuna]

Pah! beginners luck

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by bigboywooly

As Jim rightly posted
The circle means the convoy is being reported by an AI German uboat ( the lead unit being the uboat ) this doesnt mean the uboat is in the front\middle or rear of the convoy
Just means for the campaign file purposes he is designated as lead unit so all navmap reports are circular
The uboats are nearly always found just stern of the convoy
Once that uboat is sunk the group will revert to being led by the next merchant in its campaign listing
And so on as more ships are sunk
Nav map reports showing as square again

If you sink a few ships from a " large " convoy it can show next time a " small " convoy

German, or UK/Allies?

[bigboywooly]

Well in GWX there are AI allied uboats in convoys but none as group leader
I only made German uboats as leaders to simulate reports coming from a shadowing boat

[Pisces]

I see, smart thinking. Don't they get hammered on then by DDs?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Pisces

I see, smart thinking. Don't they get hammered on then by DDs?

Oh yes....but not before they dish out some punishment of their own.

[Kielhauler1961]

I see, smart thinking. Don't they get hammered on then by DDs?

They were included as anti-submarine measure but only served to confuse and annoy the the escorts. The idea was soon dropped.