How Do You Sink Ships In 1943 onwards...

[SilentSnake]

All the ships have radar and you cannot keep up with them submerged. What are the tactics?

[Gerald]

Have you tried any tactics,

[SilentSnake]

Theirs destroyers everywhere protecting the convoy. I guess Im asking does radar have any blind spots etc ... and I need some good training

[Gerald]

In 1943, enemy radar equipment,was more softicated an was a u-boats had, and the equipment that existed among the Germans was not 100% sure, and while using the equipment, so you reveal your location, so it was under real conditions during WWII,read a little about the real conditions,some links

http://www.uboat.net/technical/radar.htm

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/...51/ASW-14.html

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/u-boats.htm

[King_Zog]

If you are having trouble penetrating the destroyer screens then shoot from long range from outside of the convoy. With a bit of practice shooting from 5-6KM is perfectly doable aslong as the visibility isn't too horrid. You might miss out on some juicy targets sailing in the far columns, but you'll sink ships this way.

Also try not to 'chase' convoys, plot your intercepts so you arrive ahead of them and in a favourable position to observe the convoy's composition and/or begin your attack.

You may also want to try long range shooting with the ladder pattern FAT torpedos, if you can get the hang of programming them then they should give good results, they may be especially useful if the visibility and weather conditions are not favourable for long range attacks on specific targets with straight running torpedos.

edit: The back section of the GWX manual explains some good tactics for convoy attacks.

[Jimbuna]

You asked for tactics yes?

Here is one method.....

Track the convoy using hydrophones until you have a reasonable estimation of the course they are on.

Plot it on your navigation map then move away until you are beyond their radar range.

Surface and go at full speed to an interception point ahead of said predicted course.

Lie in wait and first sign of them submerge and wait.

SINK EM ALL!!

[SilentSnake]

Thanks guys, makes sense. What actually happened to prompt me writing this was i was about 8000m from a large cargo. I then noticed two small river class warships approaching me. I was not sure initially if they saw me however when I realised, I launched all 4 bow torpedoes towards two ships including the large cargo. I then crash dived to 115m and the river class did bugger all really and i got away. So this poses two questions, how do I know if the warships saw me or their radar detected me ( I did not get radar signals detected at that time, although I did when I surfaced for the attack chasing the convoy ) and unfortunately all but one of my torpedoes prematurely detonated, the waters were quite choppy, do you think this was the cause or just bad luck. My other torpedo missed.

Thanks

[Jimbuna]

Convoy escorts have intermittent 'loops' scripted into their wayponts and will often leave the convoy for a short sweep.

They'll usually pick up speed if they see you and or fire their weapons if your in range or put on their searchlight if it is dark.

Another method of knowing would be if your stealth meter changed from green to read (presuming you have it enabled).

[King_Zog]

Originally Posted by SilentSnake

So this poses two questions, how do I know if the warships saw me or their radar detected me ( I did not get radar signals detected at that time, although I did when I surfaced for the attack chasing the convoy ) and unfortunately all but one of my torpedoes prematurely detonated, the waters were quite choppy, do you think this was the cause or just bad luck. My other torpedo missed.

Thanks

You have to just be aware of and looking for sudden changes in an escort's behavior. If a destroyer detects you it'll generally drop everything it was previously doing and head straight for you at fast speed. If it loses contact on the way, I believe it'll still head straight for where it last detected you, and then start ASW sweeping.

Although be aware that escorts protecting the convoy's flanks will often break formation, speed up and head off on their own for a short ASW sweep of a particular area before returning to the convoy.

And leading escorts will often sail in a fast zig zag pattern ahead of the convoy, occasionally doubling back.

In my experience heavy weather seems to increase the chance of a magnetic prematurely detonating. Also it seems to me that if a magnetic has to make a very long run to target, then the chance of it prematuring is also increased. For long range shots I tend to just use impacts.

[Jimbuna]

I wish I'd said that

[King_Zog]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I wish I'd said that

haha

I didn't realise you'd already replied before I pressed submit

What is the effective radar range of an escort anyway, 10-15K or much less?

[SilentSnake]

They definitely saw me, they were heading straight at me and the closest one had shot of a flare. I can see why the U-Boats did not stand much of a chance with radar. When did sonar come in to pinpoint your depth?

Thanks guys

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by King_Zog

haha

I didn't realise you'd already replied before I pressed submit

What is the effective radar range of an escort anyway, 10-15K or much less?

LOL...depends on what environmental setting you have, 8 or 16km....but the weather parameters do play a significant part.

[Fish In The Water]

Originally Posted by SilentSnake

All the ships have radar and you cannot keep up with them submerged. What are the tactics?

To sum it up in a nutshell, you have to use your advances in technology to combat their advances in technology. (i.e. pattern running and acoustic torpedoes allow you to adapt your convoy attack tactics while hopefully staying out of their detection cone).

In other words, learn to attack from range...

[irish1958]

Originally Posted by King_Zog

haha

I didn't realise you'd already replied before I pressed submit

What is the effective radar range of an escort anyway, 10-15K or much less?

I believe all the radar in WWII were line of sight as are FM signals. Sitting atop the tallest masts, probably five or six Km or 10-12 Km.
Air craft a whole lot more.
Starting in 1943, when Adm King finally realized that the German subs meant business, air cover became the rule, with bases in Greenland, Iceland and finally, the Azores. In good weather, light escort carriers added further protection.
U-boats had nowhere to hide, and the war of the Atlantic was really over.
Almost all the U-boats after 1943 were sunk, and shipping loses for the Allies became minimal.
As for tactics after 1943, the best answer would be to transfer to the far East.