ASDIC Blind Spot...

[Murr44]

I was on the 2nd patrol of a new career & I think that I experienced the closest "shave" that I've ever had playing SH III. It was July '41 & we had intercepted a large convoy in BF 14. I got us inside the convoy & past the first escort without being noticed. I lined us up on an Empire-Type Freighter and launched a T1. That one hit her and I was all set to deliver a second shot when I heard a big metallic sounding "CLUNK". I had a look around & it turned out that we had bumped into a Flower Class corvette! At that point I thought that's it, we're dead. But apparently she didn't even flinch; just passed by without dropping anything at all. I never did get a chance to finish the freighter off as the collision screwed up my aim & I didn't want to push our luck so we went to silent running and headed for the deep. I figure that we must have passed through the asdic's blind spot (I remember reading somewhere that it was an area around 500 feet from the asdic equipped vessel).

Lesson to new players (and maybe some old ones too): don't allow yourself to get fixated on your target.

[Jimbuna]

The chances are he didn't hear you because you were running at slow and near the surface.

[predavolk]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

The chances are he didn't hear you because you were running at slow and near the surface.

I agree. Especially if the surface was rough. Enjoy it while it lasts. In about a year, the ocean will become entirely transparent out to 1000M+ with their improved sonar!

[Murr44]

Yes we were at about 13-14 meters & the sea was rough. Probably a good thing that I didn't immediately try to dive. She probably would have detected us then.

[Erich dem Roten]

Lucky you, I'm in December '41 and am now having trouble getting past the first line of escorts. I managed to sight a convoy and position myself in front of it, about 110m down. All Stop, rigged for silent. I am repeatedly getting picked up, then blasted with active sonar.

I might have to revert to my old tactic of eliminating the lead escort by baiting them into charging at me and hoping a down-the-throat shot works.

[Jimbuna]

Try to minimise your profile by keeping your bow pointed toward the escort and not allowing him a side on profile.

[predavolk]

And stay 1000M+ away from them. 1941 it shouldn't be TOO tough to infiltrate a convoy. Make sure the sea state is poor though. In calm waters, they'll pick you up no matter how deep or quiet you are if they get close!

[Erich dem Roten]

That's probably the problem, its a great day for sailing - no wind or weather. I've been keeping my aspect as close to bow-on as I can, but I simply must close to with several hundred meters in order to get a shot at the bigger ships.

[BasilY]

It's already late 42 for my IXB and I attack convoys the safe way. Fire from the side of the convoy, 4 T-1 torp spread from 5000-7000M at night, (slow, impact at depth 1). Retreat immediately back and deep. If I got anything, great. At least I will be safe.

3 passes on 1 convoy; plus a couple loners, then go home to reload.

[Sailor Steve]

Knew I had this somewhere.



It's not just how close you are, it's a combination of closeness and depth.

[Murr44]

Thanks for the diagram. Explains things better. We'd hit the Flower Class' bow. I threw our boat into reverse but remained at 13-14 meters & at slow. What I can't get over is the fact that the Flower Class' crew failed to notice that something had bumped into their vessel. It's been stated here before that, even with GWX's improvements, the AI is still somewhat stupid at times and I guess that was one of those times.