Battle of Leyte Gulf

Sandman_28054 · 04-17-10, 07:08 AM

Ok, here is the situation.

After being given a Photo recon mission, I'm on my back towards Luzon. (Map ref. A2) Turning south, I reduce speed to 2/3 hoping to find targets of opportunity.

Two days later I'm near the mouth of Manilla. Suddenly it occurs to me that the Battle of Leyte Gulf is due to commence in 15 days.

Situation 1: I went to the wikipedia and found a good spot to sit and wait for Kurita's Central Force.

Oct. 23, 1500pm, radar reveals a large task force to the SW heading SW.

This is a huge task force. I can't see any ships but count'em, 15, yes 15 escorts surrounding a central force of an estimated 15 ships.

Thinking ahead, I save the game.

I begin to manuver to a good ambush spot.

The task force closes to within 3000 yards. Raise periscope.

Damn! Rain, heavy seas, and think fog.

Since I'm really not that good at underwater sonar attacks, should I still advance and attack the task force?

Situation 2: Same as before except I sail further south and position myself between the Island of Negros and Mindinao. While waiting, a "jap submarine" is spotted. After a short chase and drawing to within 5900 yards, I open tube 3 and fire a cutie. 4 minutes later it is sunk. Back to my original position.

Oct. 23, 1200pm, radar picks up a task force moving SE from the NW.

This just happens to be Shima's task force. I immediately take a position straight in front where the task force is coming at me.

After an hour of playing cat and mouse, the result is Shima's Task force of:

2 Mogami Class Heavy Cruisers

1 Nana Light Cruiser

4 Escort Class DD's

Were sitting at the bottom of the sea.

Surface and save game.

Navigate back to my original spot.

One hour later, radar officer yells out another task force heading due east. (Obviously this is Admiral Nishimura's Task Force)

I head south attempting to intercept at a 90 degree angle.

No such luck.

At 6500 yards, I am picked up by a destroyer.

I order ahead flank (what the hell, they already know I'm here) and head for the first Fuso BB in my sights.

In this task force are

2 Fuso class Battleships

1 Mogami Class Heavy Cruiser

6 Destroyers of different classes.

Long story short, all that is left are two Mutsuki class DD's dropping DC's all over the place in a vain attempt to find and sink me.

Amazing how deep a Balao class sub will go if you have the guts to try. (500 ft. was where I hid)

After 3 hours of moving west at 1 knt, the two remaining DD's are moving away.

I surface and "save game".

Once I am convinced they are far enough away that they won't bother me, I send a status report.

Total of 18 shps sunk for 119028 tons.

One of the best days I've had in a long, long while.

Question, Kurita's task force is bigger, but due to weather, I did not attack and chose to strike at the southern forces. Should I load a previous save and attack Kurita's task force, or just let sleeping dog's lie?

What would you do?

I am interested in hearing your opinions.

04-17-10, 07:08 AM	#1
Sandman_28054 Captain Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 547 Downloads: 279 Uploads: 0	Battle of Leyte Gulf Ok, here is the situation. After being given a Photo recon mission, I'm on my back towards Luzon. (Map ref. A2) Turning south, I reduce speed to 2/3 hoping to find targets of opportunity. Two days later I'm near the mouth of Manilla. Suddenly it occurs to me that the Battle of Leyte Gulf is due to commence in 15 days. Situation 1: I went to the wikipedia and found a good spot to sit and wait for Kurita's Central Force. Oct. 23, 1500pm, radar reveals a large task force to the SW heading SW. This is a huge task force. I can't see any ships but count'em, 15, yes 15 escorts surrounding a central force of an estimated 15 ships. Thinking ahead, I save the game. I begin to manuver to a good ambush spot. The task force closes to within 3000 yards. Raise periscope. Damn! Rain, heavy seas, and think fog. Since I'm really not that good at underwater sonar attacks, should I still advance and attack the task force? Situation 2: Same as before except I sail further south and position myself between the Island of Negros and Mindinao. While waiting, a "jap submarine" is spotted. After a short chase and drawing to within 5900 yards, I open tube 3 and fire a cutie. 4 minutes later it is sunk. Back to my original position. Oct. 23, 1200pm, radar picks up a task force moving SE from the NW. This just happens to be Shima's task force. I immediately take a position straight in front where the task force is coming at me. After an hour of playing cat and mouse, the result is Shima's Task force of: 2 Mogami Class Heavy Cruisers 1 Nana Light Cruiser 4 Escort Class DD's Were sitting at the bottom of the sea. Surface and save game. Navigate back to my original spot. One hour later, radar officer yells out another task force heading due east. (Obviously this is Admiral Nishimura's Task Force) I head south attempting to intercept at a 90 degree angle. No such luck. At 6500 yards, I am picked up by a destroyer. I order ahead flank (what the hell, they already know I'm here) and head for the first Fuso BB in my sights. In this task force are 2 Fuso class Battleships 1 Mogami Class Heavy Cruiser 6 Destroyers of different classes. Long story short, all that is left are two Mutsuki class DD's dropping DC's all over the place in a vain attempt to find and sink me. Amazing how deep a Balao class sub will go if you have the guts to try. (500 ft. was where I hid) After 3 hours of moving west at 1 knt, the two remaining DD's are moving away. I surface and "save game". Once I am convinced they are far enough away that they won't bother me, I send a status report. Total of 18 shps sunk for 119028 tons. One of the best days I've had in a long, long while. Question, Kurita's task force is bigger, but due to weather, I did not attack and chose to strike at the southern forces. Should I load a previous save and attack Kurita's task force, or just let sleeping dog's lie? What would you do? I am interested in hearing your opinions.