Tactical question

UnterseeBoogeyMan · 06-19-07, 11:39 PM

I'm on my 6th Kaluen now (2 KIA to software bugs, 3 KIA to the Royal Navy), and I have an opportunity that can really pay off if I do this right.

I am in AM 19 when I spot a convoy going SSE, escorted by two destroyers, one Tribal and one V&W. It's midnight, I see at least a Modern Medium Tanker and a Large Tanker. Probably at least ten other ships in the convoy. I have 2 ways to play this-

1. Take out the escort in the rear. Then, thru hit and run attacks, pick off the tankers and any medium sized ships in the convoy. With only one escort left, the convoy probably won't break up, and the lone DD will have his hands full. He will make depth charge runs, but he wont be able to stick around to ensure a kill becuase he has to stay with the convoy. Once the big ones are down and the convoy is smaller, pick off the last escort. With by this time there will be mostly Tramp Steamers and Small freighters. If the convoy splits up, hopefully there wont be as many to chase down. Also, I get the
tonnage with the deck gun becuase there's no more DDs t worry about.

2. The safe economical approach. Leave the escorts alone. Strictly go after the merchants. Advantage is I save torpedoes I would have fired at DDs. Disadvantage is I have to do mostly submerged attacks because the gap between the escorts is small. Probably a gap of 4-5000 meters.

Thoughts and opinions are as welcomes as Weihenstephaner with a good Bratwurst. This is more fun to talk about than a game crash or a software bug of evil.

CapZap1970 · 06-19-07, 11:50 PM

If I were you, I would go for the 1st option.
No doubt about it.

CapZap

TarJak · 06-19-07, 11:51 PM

I always go for the merchies and leave the escorts alone. If I can get a sure snapshot or I have a homing torp I might knock one out if I get the cahnce but you are there to sink tonnage not escorts.

What torps do you have? If you only have steamers then going for the escorts is risky.

headcase · 06-20-07, 12:11 AM

I prefer to rid myself of pesky DD's if at all possible. They can't kill me if they aren't there.

Canovaro · 06-20-07, 12:56 AM

Always stay away from the escorts!

Just my opinion.

17thcpikeman · 06-20-07, 02:07 AM

I am with canavaro stay away from escorts as much as possible I you miss them you have little chance of hitting the merchants as your hands are full with slipping away from the DD's I hit the tankers and large hide!

ReM · 06-20-07, 02:22 AM

Don't waste any eels on the escorts.

The torpedoes you have in the tubes came all the way from Germany to sink Allied merchant tonnage, as much as possible.

Valid military targets of opportunity....heavy cruisers/battleship/carriers are exceptions of course....but besides self-defense, attacking escorts is definitely a no-go....imho.

06-19-07, 11:39 PM	#1
UnterseeBoogeyMan Ensign Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Land of Cholla Cactus and Red Chile Posts: 224 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Tactical question I'm on my 6th Kaluen now (2 KIA to software bugs, 3 KIA to the Royal Navy), and I have an opportunity that can really pay off if I do this right. I am in AM 19 when I spot a convoy going SSE, escorted by two destroyers, one Tribal and one V&W. It's midnight, I see at least a Modern Medium Tanker and a Large Tanker. Probably at least ten other ships in the convoy. I have 2 ways to play this- 1. Take out the escort in the rear. Then, thru hit and run attacks, pick off the tankers and any medium sized ships in the convoy. With only one escort left, the convoy probably won't break up, and the lone DD will have his hands full. He will make depth charge runs, but he wont be able to stick around to ensure a kill becuase he has to stay with the convoy. Once the big ones are down and the convoy is smaller, pick off the last escort. With by this time there will be mostly Tramp Steamers and Small freighters. If the convoy splits up, hopefully there wont be as many to chase down. Also, I get the tonnage with the deck gun becuase there's no more DDs t worry about. 2. The safe economical approach. Leave the escorts alone. Strictly go after the merchants. Advantage is I save torpedoes I would have fired at DDs. Disadvantage is I have to do mostly submerged attacks because the gap between the escorts is small. Probably a gap of 4-5000 meters. Thoughts and opinions are as welcomes as Weihenstephaner with a good Bratwurst. This is more fun to talk about than a game crash or a software bug of evil.

06-19-07, 11:50 PM	#2
CapZap1970 Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: La Paz, Bolivia Posts: 1,965 Downloads: 275 Uploads: 51	If I were you, I would go for the 1st option. No doubt about it. CapZap __________________

06-20-07, 12:11 AM	#4
headcase Sparky Join Date: May 2007 Location: The wrong side of the tracks, Neverland Posts: 157 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	I prefer to rid myself of pesky DD's if at all possible. They can't kill me if they aren't there. __________________ It's like the Blues. You can't play em if you haven't lived em. GWX 3.0 DID

06-20-07, 02:22 AM	#7
ReM Commodore Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brewsky, Galore Posts: 618 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Don't waste any eels on the escorts. The torpedoes you have in the tubes came all the way from Germany to sink Allied merchant tonnage, as much as possible. Valid military targets of opportunity....heavy cruisers/battleship/carriers are exceptions of course....but besides self-defense, attacking escorts is definitely a no-go....imho. __________________ Daddy cool

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06-19-07, 11:51 PM	#3
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	I always go for the merchies and leave the escorts alone. If I can get a sure snapshot or I have a homing torp I might knock one out if I get the cahnce but you are there to sink tonnage not escorts. What torps do you have? If you only have steamers then going for the escorts is risky.

06-20-07, 12:56 AM	#5
Canovaro Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,062 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	Always stay away from the escorts! Just my opinion.

06-20-07, 02:07 AM	#6
17thcpikeman Seaman Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: UK Posts: 42 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I am with canavaro stay away from escorts as much as possible I you miss them you have little chance of hitting the merchants as your hands are full with slipping away from the DD's I hit the tankers and large hide!