Convoy Attack Technique

Joefour · 04-13-14, 05:59 PM

Hi Guys,

I am submitting this post for criticism, constructive or otherwise.
I have done this a few times and figured it was time to get other peoples' input. I haven't seen this method in the manuals, nor in any of the past threads, so if someone has done this before please quote chapter and verse so I can go have a look at it.
This is the method I have developed for a convoy attack:
One caveat:I would NOT attempt this if the convoy has any flanking escorts on the side of the convoy closest to you. You can try it but you are really rolling the dice.
Second caveat: Don't use this method if the convoy's speed is faster than what you can do at flank speed while submerged.

First:Get as close as possible without being detected, either at periscope depth or with decks awash. That's a no-brainer, of course. Pick out a target, or targets as the situation allows. Then pick out what I call a "cover ship", preferably a big fat noisy cargo ship inside the convoy and IN FRONT OF your target(s). Just make sure your cover ship isn't carrying racks in back, if you get my drift. This might be a little difficult if you are attacking at night. especially if there is no moon. Fire off your torpedos at your targets and immediately head for your cover ship at flank speed, diving as quickly as possible to 25-30M. Just make sure you will be below the cover's draft with some room for safety.
Now this is where it gets a little tricky. Just as your about fire and then dive, mark the position and course of your cover ship. It will make it a bit easier with the hydrophone readout. The goal is to get directly underneath or just behind your "cover", keeping the hydrophone "tail" as short as possible. If you can hear the racket of the propeller and engine loud and clear just above your head you know you are in a good position. Your own noise is masked by the ship above you. Now using the hydrophone graphic, match course for course and knot for knot with the cover ship above you. This might be a bit difficult since once your torpedos have found their mark, everyone will be zigzagging like crazy. That's why it's better to use a ship inside the convoy rather than one of the outer ones.
The escorts will be running around with searchlights and lighting off star shells, looking everywhere except where you're at. Keep this up, until things calm back down, the zigzagging stops, and the escorts' positions look like they are back to guarding the flock rather than looking around out in left field for a sub that ain't there.
When you feel it's safe, rig for silent running and slink away. Surface at a safe distance and flank ahead of the convoy and repeat the dirty business as desired.

Does this sound legit? If not, feel free to dump on me. I have tried this with both SH3 stock and GWX, with good results. It sure beats hell out of getting D/C'd for hours.

It was kind of eerie. A couple of nights after I decided to write this post, I flipped on a Netflix Instant comedy with Kelsey Grammer called "Down Periscope". I thought it was going to be another loser, but actually enjoyed it, in spite of the usual gags like farting in a crowded submarine while at depth. Anyways, there is one scene where he is involved in a war game (rigged against him) and he and his crew infiltrate Norfolk, VA harbor following just behind a super tanker, using its propeller cavitations to mask their own noise from the other guys. Sent some chills up my back.

04-13-14, 05:59 PM	#1
Joefour Engineer Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: At periscope depth in the Puget Sound Posts: 215 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 0	Convoy Attack Technique Hi Guys, I am submitting this post for criticism, constructive or otherwise. I have done this a few times and figured it was time to get other peoples' input. I haven't seen this method in the manuals, nor in any of the past threads, so if someone has done this before please quote chapter and verse so I can go have a look at it. This is the method I have developed for a convoy attack: One caveat:I would NOT attempt this if the convoy has any flanking escorts on the side of the convoy closest to you. You can try it but you are really rolling the dice. Second caveat: Don't use this method if the convoy's speed is faster than what you can do at flank speed while submerged. First:Get as close as possible without being detected, either at periscope depth or with decks awash. That's a no-brainer, of course. Pick out a target, or targets as the situation allows. Then pick out what I call a "cover ship", preferably a big fat noisy cargo ship inside the convoy and IN FRONT OF your target(s). Just make sure your cover ship isn't carrying racks in back, if you get my drift. This might be a little difficult if you are attacking at night. especially if there is no moon. Fire off your torpedos at your targets and immediately head for your cover ship at flank speed, diving as quickly as possible to 25-30M. Just make sure you will be below the cover's draft with some room for safety. Now this is where it gets a little tricky. Just as your about fire and then dive, mark the position and course of your cover ship. It will make it a bit easier with the hydrophone readout. The goal is to get directly underneath or just behind your "cover", keeping the hydrophone "tail" as short as possible. If you can hear the racket of the propeller and engine loud and clear just above your head you know you are in a good position. Your own noise is masked by the ship above you. Now using the hydrophone graphic, match course for course and knot for knot with the cover ship above you. This might be a bit difficult since once your torpedos have found their mark, everyone will be zigzagging like crazy. That's why it's better to use a ship inside the convoy rather than one of the outer ones. The escorts will be running around with searchlights and lighting off star shells, looking everywhere except where you're at. Keep this up, until things calm back down, the zigzagging stops, and the escorts' positions look like they are back to guarding the flock rather than looking around out in left field for a sub that ain't there. When you feel it's safe, rig for silent running and slink away. Surface at a safe distance and flank ahead of the convoy and repeat the dirty business as desired. Does this sound legit? If not, feel free to dump on me. I have tried this with both SH3 stock and GWX, with good results. It sure beats hell out of getting D/C'd for hours. It was kind of eerie. A couple of nights after I decided to write this post, I flipped on a Netflix Instant comedy with Kelsey Grammer called "Down Periscope". I thought it was going to be another loser, but actually enjoyed it, in spite of the usual gags like farting in a crowded submarine while at depth. Anyways, there is one scene where he is involved in a war game (rigged against him) and he and his crew infiltrate Norfolk, VA harbor following just behind a super tanker, using its propeller cavitations to mask their own noise from the other guys. Sent some chills up my back.