Night convoy attacks and crew awards

[MinskMariner]

Hello everyone,

I am working through my first career in SHIII and have encountered the following problems along the way. If you would take the time, I would appreciate any responses:

1. So far, I am in the early years of the war and have only encountered lone merchants in my patrols in the North Sea. My next patrol is in the Atlantic west of England where I anticipate encountering a convoy. My question is related to convoy attack tactics. I know the German U-boats used to sneak into the convoy at night on the surface, attack with all of their loaded torpedoes, and run for life from the destroyers. But I've noticed that even when attacking lone merchants, in the dead of night without moonlight, with my engines on low, the merchant can still see me when I am 1000+ meters away (judging by my stealth meter turning red). So, how does one attack a convoy at night on the surface without being detected? (Also, are there any good resources on the web about SHIII convoy attack tactics?).

2. The SHIII manual says that one can promote, qualify, and reward your sailors after a mission but it does not clarify by what criteria one should assign these things. How should one determine which of his crewmembers to reward, promote, and qualify?

Thanks, guys!

[3Jane]

Going in with 'decks awash', that is set depth for 7 metres will help you get a lot closer than being fully surfaced. With luck it is possible to get past the first lane of the convoy. As soon as your torpedos hit, the convoy ships arround you will light up with searchlights, so dive as soon as you have fired. Always check the depth under keel before going into an attack, and have your repair crews selected. Depending on which fatigue model you might be using, it's another element to keep in mind. Keeping fatigue levels as low as possible throughout the crew, thus having enough fresh crew to make repairs when they are needed.
The BE and BF squares are good places to find lots of the larger lone merchants and convoys.
As for which crew members to promote/reward, I select the same names for the same jobseach time. That is engine rooms, watch, control room/radio & hydrophone crews. So I know who was doing what, or at least whom it might have been if I can't recall

[Brag]

Privet podvodniku Minsk!

In the game, especially if you have GWX, I recommend submerged attacks.

You might be interested in the articles on attack, evade, and survive tactics on my Kielman website.

Zhelaya uspeha,

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard Kaleun MinskMariner

You've come to the right place....enjoy your stay

[MinskMariner]

Thanks for the responses and welcomes, all! Brag, your website was very helpful about convoy attacks and I like 3Jane's decks awash idea - I'll have to try it out.

But I'm still confused about crews - do they become more qualified/motivated because of the awards and promotions that you give them?

[Jimbuna]

YES

[Brag]

Originally Posted by MinskMariner

Thanks for the responses and welcomes, all! Brag, your website was very helpful about convoy attacks and I like 3Jane's decks awash idea - I'll have to try it out.

But I'm still confused about crews - do they become more qualified/motivated because of the awards and promotions that you give them?

The crew's overa;; efficiency improves with each patrol (when I start a crreer, I do 2-3 trips around the harbour before going on a combat patrol).

Medals also improve performance, the more medals the less rest they need. So I give medals to the officers first. Once they have the German cross, they never get tired.

I give promotions & specilities to improve certain departments. (look at my crew management article)

Best

[andylegate]

The crew's overa;; efficiency improves with each patrol (when I start a crreer, I do 2-3 trips around the harbour before going on a combat patrol).

And was the choir on deck practicing during these warm up cruises Brag?

[Brag]

I suppose Balz takes proper advantage of the time uninterrupted by the vagaries of war. :rotfl: :rotfl:

[TarJak]

Wilkommen Zum Subsim Herr Kaleun!

Hope you enjoy your stay with this motley crew.

Gute Jagd!

[Jimbuna]

The crew's overa;; efficiency improves with each patrol (when I start a crreer, I do 2-3 trips around the harbour before going on a combat patrol).

I do hope you adjust your days in port/between patrols accordingly :hmm:

[PapaG39]

Using Commander...What are/should be the standard days in port?

It only gives "Random" and then you specify a number of days figure...

I have been using *28* days for want of a better idea..

[papa_smurf]

Welcome aboard MinskMariner!

When attacking lone merchants, I always attack submerged (day or night) with torpedoes, which usually sinks em. If not, I surface and finish off with my deck gun, which is okay during 39 till the end of 1940. After that, its submerged attacks only.

As for convoys, stick with Brags tactics and you will fine.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by PapaG39

Using Commander...What are/should be the standard days in port?

It only gives "Random" and then you specify a number of days figure...

I have been using *28* days for want of a better idea..

leave the randomize number of days unticked and type your own figure in the box next line down.
U-boats were often in for a few months depending on what battle damage they sustained.
However, 28 days is not unrealistic for a boat that returned unscathed