Merchants 1943+

Captain Birdseye · 06-08-09, 01:23 PM

Hi guys,

I am in December 1942, and it seems that there are no more lone merchants, only convoys, but mainly task forces.

Do lone merchants still operate? If so, where can I find them? i've had a few patrols with 0 tonnes recorded

Thanks.

andym · 06-08-09, 02:57 PM

Try off the coast of Portugal and intowards the Gib straits and then the north Morrocan coast,you can usually pick a few single and often multiple unescorted ships.

jobezark · 06-08-09, 07:01 PM

That's funny, because I came across this same problem in the early going of 1943 this morning in my campaign. However, I parked myself at periscope depth in grid BE58 and soon enough an unescorted C3 and small merchant came chugging through. After sinking those two I continued on SW and came upon a lone C2.

So they're out there in the middle Atlantic still; I suppose it's just a matter of chance in finding them. The Mediterranean is packed with small and coastal merchants every time I sail in there as well.

BasilY · 06-08-09, 10:42 PM

If you have a IX, try the coast off Florida, you might even bag a US fleet carrier once in a while on her way to Panama, (but she's always escorted, and fast).

Anyway, after 1942, you should learn to enjoy attacking convoys. My advise: learn to enjoy the thrill and excitement of convoy attacks. You will be seeing a lot more of that.

Also if you have stay in the Mediterranean, operating a VII away from home port. You will get a large number of Italian vessels (good size too) escorted by the Soldati class destroyers (which has no DDs in GWX 2.1, don't know about GWX3.0).

Torplexed · 06-09-09, 01:09 AM

I've had good luck in a Type IX catching lone merchants off the coast of Brazil and French Guiana in 1943 and well into 1944. There is also the odd Brazilian fishing vessel and gunboat to beat up on too. However, there are well-escorted convoys along this route as well. Make the sure whatever ships you spot are alone.

RoaldLarsen · 06-09-09, 01:24 AM

In stock there are far too many lone (or even worse, twin) merchants throughout the later years. Especially look in the southern part of the Western Aproaches.

Vipper · 06-09-09, 03:05 AM

Once i did not saw any lone merchant in almost 2 weeks and it happened 1939...lol...bad luck, i guess. But later in the war they really preferred convoys.

Leandros · 06-09-09, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Birdseye

Hi guys,

I am in December 1942, and it seems that there are no more lone merchants, only convoys, but mainly task forces.

Do lone merchants still operate? If so, where can I find them? i've had a few patrols with 0 tonnes recorded

Thanks.

Position yourself between Lands End and the Scillies. They are coming there all the time, a nice mix of large and small. DD pickets also patrol there regularly. When you have recorded their tracks you can line up and wait for them......short distance from your base, too...

Captain Birdseye · 06-09-09, 05:58 AM

Thanks guys. I guess i'll just have to learn how to take on a convoy.

My problem is, I go flank speed on the surface, and try get as close to the rear of the convoy as I can so I can fire off some eels at them. I usually get no closer than 4000m, before I get spotted anyway.

Then ensues depth charging "torpedo's missed sir!" and we lose the convoy.

Will someone send me back to U-Boot school please?

TarJak · 06-09-09, 06:01 AM

You need to be in front of the convoy and submerged, silent running to have any chance at all. You will need to come in at an angle of about 45deg to the convoy path to try to slip between the lead and first wing escorts.

Do a search and you'll find plenty of info on how to set up an attack.

You could also do yourself a big favour and read the U-Boat Commanders Handbook which explains a lot about the doctrine and attack tactics.

Captain Birdseye · 06-09-09, 06:04 AM

Ah, that's what I was dreading.

I guess i'll just have to shadow the convoy and receive the radio position updates as you seem to get them frequently if you are near. Wait til I am infront, then turn around...

meduza · 06-09-09, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Birdseye

Ah, that's what I was dreading.

I guess i'll just have to shadow the convoy and receive the radio position updates as you seem to get them frequently if you are near. Wait til I am infront, then turn around...

You often receive radio updates, but more often you don't. So you'll have to do it yourself...

You should shadow a convoy from the edge of visibility to estimate its course and speed. Go slow and turn your smallest profile in order to avoid detection. Going deck awash also helps (setting the depth to 7m in order to have most of your hull under water).

Once you know its course, move beyond visual range and get ahead of it as fast as you can. You can plot the estimated position of the convoy on the map, based on its course, speed and time passed since the last contact. Convoys tend to change course, so it's usefull to check on it once in a while, either visualy or by hydrophones.

Once you're ahead of the convoy, change your course towards it. Try not to be directly in front of it, but slightly to one side. Idealy 2-3 km away from the nearest column.

When the convoy gets in a visual range, dive and maneuvre slowly (silent running on) to get to firing position. Watch out for the flanking escort - she can sometimes sail 1km from the nearest column, and every now and then she can wonder off, searching for subs.

Have your periscope up as little as possible. After you fired your last torpedo, dive silently as deep as you can.

Early in the war (until cca mid 1941) you should try surfaced night attack. It's much easier and much rewarding. You are much more maneuverable, and you can get up to a kilometar from a ship, without getting spotted.

06-08-09, 01:23 PM	#1
Captain Birdseye Watch Officer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sat behind my desk at BdU tapping away on my Enigma machine. Posts: 339 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Merchants 1943+ Hi guys, I am in December 1942, and it seems that there are no more lone merchants, only convoys, but mainly task forces. Do lone merchants still operate? If so, where can I find them? i've had a few patrols with 0 tonnes recorded Thanks.

06-08-09, 02:57 PM	#2
andym Weps Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 365 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 2	Try off the coast of Portugal and intowards the Gib straits and then the north Morrocan coast,you can usually pick a few single and often multiple unescorted ships. __________________ GWX 3.0 GOLD,SH3 Commander.

06-09-09, 01:24 AM	#6
RoaldLarsen Weps Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Control Room Posts: 355 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	In stock there are far too many lone (or even worse, twin) merchants throughout the later years. Especially look in the southern part of the Western Aproaches. __________________ 100% realism, DiD Harbor Traffic 1.47(incl. RUB) Using SH3 Commander to implement many custom realism tweaks Covered 1939-1945; now restarting in 1939 again. Completed 39 careers, 210 war patrols, 4.7Mt sunk, 19 subs lost

06-08-09, 07:01 PM	#3
jobezark Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 7 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That's funny, because I came across this same problem in the early going of 1943 this morning in my campaign. However, I parked myself at periscope depth in grid BE58 and soon enough an unescorted C3 and small merchant came chugging through. After sinking those two I continued on SW and came upon a lone C2. So they're out there in the middle Atlantic still; I suppose it's just a matter of chance in finding them. The Mediterranean is packed with small and coastal merchants every time I sail in there as well.

06-08-09, 10:42 PM	#4
BasilY Weps Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 359 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	If you have a IX, try the coast off Florida, you might even bag a US fleet carrier once in a while on her way to Panama, (but she's always escorted, and fast). Anyway, after 1942, you should learn to enjoy attacking convoys. My advise: learn to enjoy the thrill and excitement of convoy attacks. You will be seeing a lot more of that. Also if you have stay in the Mediterranean, operating a VII away from home port. You will get a large number of Italian vessels (good size too) escorted by the Soldati class destroyers (which has no DDs in GWX 2.1, don't know about GWX3.0).

06-09-09, 01:09 AM	#5
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I've had good luck in a Type IX catching lone merchants off the coast of Brazil and French Guiana in 1943 and well into 1944. There is also the odd Brazilian fishing vessel and gunboat to beat up on too. However, there are well-escorted convoys along this route as well. Make the sure whatever ships you spot are alone.

06-09-09, 03:05 AM	#7
Vipper Machinist's Mate Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 122 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	Once i did not saw any lone merchant in almost 2 weeks and it happened 1939...lol...bad luck, i guess. But later in the war they really preferred convoys.

06-09-09, 05:58 AM	#9
Captain Birdseye Watch Officer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sat behind my desk at BdU tapping away on my Enigma machine. Posts: 339 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Thanks guys. I guess i'll just have to learn how to take on a convoy. My problem is, I go flank speed on the surface, and try get as close to the rear of the convoy as I can so I can fire off some eels at them. I usually get no closer than 4000m, before I get spotted anyway. Then ensues depth charging "torpedo's missed sir!" and we lose the convoy. Will someone send me back to U-Boot school please?

06-09-09, 06:01 AM	#10
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	You need to be in front of the convoy and submerged, silent running to have any chance at all. You will need to come in at an angle of about 45deg to the convoy path to try to slip between the lead and first wing escorts. Do a search and you'll find plenty of info on how to set up an attack. You could also do yourself a big favour and read the U-Boat Commanders Handbook which explains a lot about the doctrine and attack tactics.

06-09-09, 06:04 AM	#11
Captain Birdseye Watch Officer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sat behind my desk at BdU tapping away on my Enigma machine. Posts: 339 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Ah, that's what I was dreading. I guess i'll just have to shadow the convoy and receive the radio position updates as you seem to get them frequently if you are near. Wait til I am infront, then turn around...