Early war hunting

Rg370 · 08-16-08, 01:39 PM

Hi all, i am interested where kaleuns are patroling in early war (before moving to french coast).
Do you sail along the east Britain coast, or go around Scottland to find convoys?
I have done a few patrols, and all ships i've sunk were some small ships(tugboat,
small merchant, small this, small that).
Where are the big ones? It is so frustrating to see that after carefull,calculated interception all i get is some friggin tugboat.

If this continues i am going to become a tugboat tonnagee king

nirwana · 08-16-08, 01:50 PM

I use to hunt AM13 for loners and AM52/53 for convoys in 39 and early 40. Air cover by the RAF is still sketchy.

Kielhauler1961 · 08-16-08, 06:06 PM

For unescorted singles, try the area SW of Orkney, and the Hebridies/Scotland channel. For convoys try AM 51/52/53.

Bronzewing · 08-16-08, 07:18 PM

Depends what boat you're using. Type 2 you cruise the north sea, type 7 you can try slipping out into the Atlantic.
Oh and if you got a type 2 port raiding is a rewarding passtime. you're small enough to get away with it (mostly), at least with the poor defender experience in 1939. It also avoids long searches, which a type 2's fuel tanks don't work with too well.
My favorite raid spot in 1939/40 before the big move was Hartlepool. I went there 5 times in all and every time sank a T2 tanker!

And sometimes there's another ship in the other half of the harbour too, making it a one stop shop for a type 2 patrol. (I usually took 2-3 shots to down the T2, an one or two for the other ship.)

Sailor Steve · 08-16-08, 09:42 PM

Being a realism freak I always go where they send me and stay there; but then I sometimes come home with a whopping 0 tons.

I just wanted to say WELCOME ABOARD!

papa_smurf · 08-17-08, 03:58 AM

I find the best patrol areas early war, are north scotland (especially AM19), and like Kielhauler1961 says, AM 51-53. This will most certainly guaruntee some kills, and if its a bit qiuet just travel along the east coast of England - I always get kills doing this.

Best of luck, and give 'em, hell!

Rg370 · 08-17-08, 06:05 AM

Thanks for replies and warm welcome.
I use type II so i need to be picky about my targets (really love that little boat).
Most of the time i patrol the passage between Scapa Flow and Lerwick sub base,but
the ships i've encountered there were either a patroling destroyer or some small merchant.
As for port raiding, i never tried it because mine usually doesn't give a second chance.

Kielhauler1961 · 08-17-08, 06:58 AM

Quote:

I use type II so i need to be picky about my targets (really love that little boat).

There are three great tweaks to enhance your Type II experience (also my favourite boat). If you're interested I'll dig them out for you.

KH.

Jimbuna · 08-17-08, 09:03 AM

Welcome aboard Kaleun Rg370

You should find no lack of opportunities along the east coast of England in the early days

Rg370 · 08-17-08, 09:20 AM

@Kielhauler1961
That would be nice, post 'em here.
Thanks.

Pisces · 08-17-08, 10:32 AM

An important consideration would be if you are playing stock SH3 or using a modded campaign. I played GWX (1.03 and 2.1) exclusively and found my targets to be pretty wel balanced. So I don't know what the stock Sh3 campaign provides. I allways go to wherever BdU assigned me my patrolzone. On the way I make regular (1 or 2 hour) hydrophone checks, as it extends twice further than your best visual range. It's like casting a bigger net. It can get boring though if you find nothing repeatedly.

But I would guess that the entrances to the Irish Sea (north and south) would be the best hunting grounds as convoys converge there.

papa_smurf · 09-07-08, 12:39 PM

Usual hunting spots for me early war are off the coast of England (be wary of minefields tho). And the ever reliable AM 52/53 and AN 14.

Jimbuna · 09-07-08, 03:39 PM

About 200/300 km west of Gib is good as well...if you've got the fuel.

Silver_Silence · 09-07-08, 11:30 PM

In the early war, I really love port hunting with VII. My favorites are Southend and Dover. After Feb 40, there would be 4 large troop transport between Southend and Dover. It get boring after a while. But hey you can nap some good tonnages before the real war begin when they are better defended. I used to hate storm because I can't use my deck gun. But after learning how to raid the ports, I love storm. It make me almost invisible and allow me to go over the net without being discovered. I wonder if type IX can raid the port the same way as VII.

08-16-08, 01:39 PM	#1
Rg370 Watch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 30 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	Early war hunting Hi all, i am interested where kaleuns are patroling in early war (before moving to french coast). Do you sail along the east Britain coast, or go around Scottland to find convoys? I have done a few patrols, and all ships i've sunk were some small ships(tugboat, small merchant, small this, small that). Where are the big ones? It is so frustrating to see that after carefull,calculated interception all i get is some friggin tugboat. If this continues i am going to become a tugboat tonnagee king

08-16-08, 07:18 PM	#4
Bronzewing Helmsman Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Leicester Posts: 104 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	Depends what boat you're using. Type 2 you cruise the north sea, type 7 you can try slipping out into the Atlantic. Oh and if you got a type 2 port raiding is a rewarding passtime. you're small enough to get away with it (mostly), at least with the poor defender experience in 1939. It also avoids long searches, which a type 2's fuel tanks don't work with too well. My favorite raid spot in 1939/40 before the big move was Hartlepool. I went there 5 times in all and every time sank a T2 tanker! And sometimes there's another ship in the other half of the harbour too, making it a one stop shop for a type 2 patrol. (I usually took 2-3 shots to down the T2, an one or two for the other ship.) __________________ "I say Number one, my end is diving. What the hell is your end doing?"

08-16-08, 09:42 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Being a realism freak I always go where they send me and stay there; but then I sometimes come home with a whopping 0 tons. I just wanted to say WELCOME ABOARD! __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-17-08, 03:58 AM	#6
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I find the best patrol areas early war, are north scotland (especially AM19), and like Kielhauler1961 says, AM 51-53. This will most certainly guaruntee some kills, and if its a bit qiuet just travel along the east coast of England - I always get kills doing this. Best of luck, and give 'em, hell! __________________

08-17-08, 09:03 AM	#9
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Welcome aboard Kaleun Rg370 You should find no lack of opportunities along the east coast of England in the early days __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-16-08, 01:50 PM	#2
nirwana Sonar Guy Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 380 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	I use to hunt AM13 for loners and AM52/53 for convoys in 39 and early 40. Air cover by the RAF is still sketchy.

08-16-08, 06:06 PM	#3
Kielhauler1961 中国水兵 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East of the Firth of Forth Posts: 273 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	For unescorted singles, try the area SW of Orkney, and the Hebridies/Scotland channel. For convoys try AM 51/52/53.

08-17-08, 06:05 AM	#7
Rg370 Watch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 30 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	Thanks for replies and warm welcome. I use type II so i need to be picky about my targets (really love that little boat). Most of the time i patrol the passage between Scapa Flow and Lerwick sub base,but the ships i've encountered there were either a patroling destroyer or some small merchant. As for port raiding, i never tried it because mine usually doesn't give a second chance.

08-17-08, 09:20 AM	#10
Rg370 Watch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 30 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	@Kielhauler1961 That would be nice, post 'em here. Thanks.

08-17-08, 10:32 AM	#11
Pisces Silent Hunter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: AN9771 Posts: 4,904 Downloads: 304 Uploads: 0	An important consideration would be if you are playing stock SH3 or using a modded campaign. I played GWX (1.03 and 2.1) exclusively and found my targets to be pretty wel balanced. So I don't know what the stock Sh3 campaign provides. I allways go to wherever BdU assigned me my patrolzone. On the way I make regular (1 or 2 hour) hydrophone checks, as it extends twice further than your best visual range. It's like casting a bigger net. It can get boring though if you find nothing repeatedly. But I would guess that the entrances to the Irish Sea (north and south) would be the best hunting grounds as convoys converge there.

09-07-08, 12:39 PM	#12
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Usual hunting spots for me early war are off the coast of England (be wary of minefields tho). And the ever reliable AM 52/53 and AN 14. __________________

09-07-08, 03:39 PM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	About 200/300 km west of Gib is good as well...if you've got the fuel. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-07-08, 11:30 PM	#14
Silver_Silence Seaman Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 38 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	In the early war, I really love port hunting with VII. My favorites are Southend and Dover. After Feb 40, there would be 4 large troop transport between Southend and Dover. It get boring after a while. But hey you can nap some good tonnages before the real war begin when they are better defended. I used to hate storm because I can't use my deck gun. But after learning how to raid the ports, I love storm. It make me almost invisible and allow me to go over the net without being discovered. I wonder if type IX can raid the port the same way as VII.