Zigzagging convoys

UnterseeBoogeyMan · 05-17-07, 11:27 PM

GWX-
I'm on my 1st patrol in 1939, I've sunk 30,000 tons via one torpedo and deck gun so far. Over the last few days I see radio reports of a fast warship headed my way. I make visual at 17,000 meters and I see a V&W destroyer, then a Southampton, then a Fiji, another Fiji and a HMS Illustrious-class carrier. I am maintaining at 10-12 k when 2 Swordfish show up at 188 degrees bearing. If I dive, I intercept the convoy beyond a range I want to fire at - 7+ kms. So I stay on surface and man deck gun. The Swordfish stall and then go into their dive. At that point I order a hard turn to port, then 90 degrees to starboard. I crank away on the 20mm. I clip one of them, since he's trailing smoke. They still loose their bombs though. I down the one, but he kills my AA gunner. He died gloriously for the Fatherland - RIP, son. I order my repair crew to stop flooding and clean out the water. I order another poor unlucky one on the AA gun. The last Swordfish comes around for a pass. I am firing away, but the flooding makes the ship heave from side to side, I can't get him. His bomb kills my other AA gunner.

Luckily the last plane heads for home back to the HMS Illustrious. In the meantime, my repair crew gallantly fixes all that is broken - batteries, diesel engines, flak gun, hydrophones, radio, periscopes, etc. Meanwhile, I notice on the Fiji a turn to port by 40 degrees. I adjust accordingly. Then I zoom on the HMS Illustrious. She is 40 to port, 1 minute later she is 10 degrees to port. Then 40 then 17 then 10. This is a zigzagg! So, somewhere in the middle of 40 and 10 degrees port is the base course and that is the true heading I use for the intercept. Shout out if this is a wrong assumption. I remember reading about this in Run Silent Run Deep. It was common to train for zigzags, but as long as they found the base course they could intercept.
I am at 18 knots, convoy is at 17 knots. It is 1700 hours. I will shadow ahead of this convoy until dark. I will successfully set up an intercept for the base course - provided there are no more Swordfish out there! I got one of their number, so maybe they're spooked. Here's hoping.

Any suggestions you guys have for zigzaggers are awesome. Also, I am going to try three torpedoes on the Illustrious and reserve one for the Southampton or a Fiji. This will be fun and incredibly hairy.

Henri II · 05-18-07, 01:27 AM

Usually I just wait them out. They only start zig-zagging if they have been alerted to your presence. If you wait long enough they will return to a straight course eventually, provided you remain undetected from now on.

Jimbuna · 05-18-07, 02:07 AM

Their initial course (first spotted) is usually the base/mean course. Once the start to zigzag I think it works to your advantage because it obviously takes them longer to om A to B

SmokinTep · 05-18-07, 05:24 AM

Remind me not to get qualified as a gunner on your boat.............

Brag · 05-18-07, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Their initial course (first spotted) is usually the base/mean course. Once the start to zigzag I think it works to your advantage because it obviously takes them longer to om A to B

Stealth and cunning are the U-boat's primary weapon. Once you've been detected, if you press the attack is the shortcut to the grave.

Meanwhile congratz, you started with nice tonnage.

maillemaker · 05-18-07, 01:11 PM

I agree - typically once ships start zig-zagging it's because they know you are there. They will stop once things are calm.

This, again, is why I never surface attack with torpedoes. The last thing you want is to fire your torpedoes and then have them start zig-zagging on your after it's on its way.

UnterseeBoogeyMan · 05-18-07, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokinTep

Remind me not to get qualified as a gunner on your boat.............

But you'll make the History Channel! Think about the 2 seconds of fame you'd miss out on

UnterseeBoogeyMan · 05-18-07, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maillemaker

I agree - typically once ships start zig-zagging it's because they know you are there. They will stop once things are calm.

This, again, is why I never surface attack with torpedoes. The last thing you want is to fire your torpedoes and then have them start zig-zagging on your after it's on its way.

I agree with you and Bragg, however I was 14 kms ahead of the furthest detroyer when the Swordfish found me. Hopefully, no more planes come until dark and I can make my run.

05-17-07, 11:27 PM	#1
UnterseeBoogeyMan Ensign Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Land of Cholla Cactus and Red Chile Posts: 224 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Zigzagging convoys GWX- I'm on my 1st patrol in 1939, I've sunk 30,000 tons via one torpedo and deck gun so far. Over the last few days I see radio reports of a fast warship headed my way. I make visual at 17,000 meters and I see a V&W destroyer, then a Southampton, then a Fiji, another Fiji and a HMS Illustrious-class carrier. I am maintaining at 10-12 k when 2 Swordfish show up at 188 degrees bearing. If I dive, I intercept the convoy beyond a range I want to fire at - 7+ kms. So I stay on surface and man deck gun. The Swordfish stall and then go into their dive. At that point I order a hard turn to port, then 90 degrees to starboard. I crank away on the 20mm. I clip one of them, since he's trailing smoke. They still loose their bombs though. I down the one, but he kills my AA gunner. He died gloriously for the Fatherland - RIP, son. I order my repair crew to stop flooding and clean out the water. I order another poor unlucky one on the AA gun. The last Swordfish comes around for a pass. I am firing away, but the flooding makes the ship heave from side to side, I can't get him. His bomb kills my other AA gunner. Luckily the last plane heads for home back to the HMS Illustrious. In the meantime, my repair crew gallantly fixes all that is broken - batteries, diesel engines, flak gun, hydrophones, radio, periscopes, etc. Meanwhile, I notice on the Fiji a turn to port by 40 degrees. I adjust accordingly. Then I zoom on the HMS Illustrious. She is 40 to port, 1 minute later she is 10 degrees to port. Then 40 then 17 then 10. This is a zigzagg! So, somewhere in the middle of 40 and 10 degrees port is the base course and that is the true heading I use for the intercept. Shout out if this is a wrong assumption. I remember reading about this in Run Silent Run Deep. It was common to train for zigzags, but as long as they found the base course they could intercept. I am at 18 knots, convoy is at 17 knots. It is 1700 hours. I will shadow ahead of this convoy until dark. I will successfully set up an intercept for the base course - provided there are no more Swordfish out there! I got one of their number, so maybe they're spooked. Here's hoping. Any suggestions you guys have for zigzaggers are awesome. Also, I am going to try three torpedoes on the Illustrious and reserve one for the Southampton or a Fiji. This will be fun and incredibly hairy.

05-18-07, 02:07 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,481 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Their initial course (first spotted) is usually the base/mean course. Once the start to zigzag I think it works to your advantage because it obviously takes them longer to om A to B __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-18-07, 01:27 AM	#2
Henri II Sparky Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 156 Downloads: 47 Uploads: 0	Usually I just wait them out. They only start zig-zagging if they have been alerted to your presence. If you wait long enough they will return to a straight course eventually, provided you remain undetected from now on.

05-18-07, 05:24 AM	#4
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Remind me not to get qualified as a gunner on your boat.............

05-18-07, 01:11 PM	#6
maillemaker Sea Lord Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,639 Downloads: 75 Uploads: 0	I agree - typically once ships start zig-zagging it's because they know you are there. They will stop once things are calm. This, again, is why I never surface attack with torpedoes. The last thing you want is to fire your torpedoes and then have them start zig-zagging on your after it's on its way.