When Do You Attack a DD?

groomsie · 03-19-09, 04:25 PM

Playing my career, it is September 1942 and I'm based in Austrailia patrolling the Solomons. Lots of activity nightly, high speed Tokyo Express type runs. But, almost always made up exclusively of DDs, 4 to 8 in a column running high speed. Now, I'm anxious for some action, but my head says these are low-percentage shots at shallow, fast moving targets with lots of friends who can hurt you and you gain only 1,000 tons and a DD on your scorecard.

So I ask, do most of you pass on these targets as well, or do you fire into the line and take out 1 or 2 and then trust you can evade or nab another?

Wicked Popsicle · 03-19-09, 04:33 PM

I usually to go for DDs when they are in a great. I guess I am just very Cautious. But when I go into a harbor and there is a lone DD patroling I definently go for it. The froggiest I have ever gotten was taking out a Wakatake Destroyer that had to gunboats with it and managed to take it out. I made a silent getaway while the gunboats were fishing for survivors.

rubenandthejets · 03-19-09, 05:06 PM

In the situation you describe, Tokyo Express running troops and supplies into Gudalcanal in the spring of 42 (southern hemisphere), I would go for it!

I tend to roleplay a bit ( all that AD&D in high school ) so I'd be picturing the marines abandoned by Fletcher and the carriers with IJN battleships hammering Henderson every few nights and massive Japanese assaults on land.

Unfortunately, the desperate situation isn't reflected in the renown or tonnage rewards. Depending on the mod you're runnning, you could try to ambush a few of the battleship bombardment task forces the IJN sent down there. Many of the campaign mods have the major battles included, so check a reliable source for dates and then give the IJN a little suprise off Savo! The Honiara resupply ship is in place I think, so I'd "spray and pray" at the DDs and then reload and refit and try it again!

tater · 03-19-09, 05:09 PM

He's gotta be running RSRDC, Stock has squat down there (except tankers (!?) heading to a huge port that doesn't even exist now (in a city that didn't exist until after the war).

V.C. Sniper · 03-19-09, 05:30 PM

I sink DDs all the time.

groomsie · 03-19-09, 05:56 PM

Currently running TMO 1.6.3 and RSRDC, yes, not stock.

Plugging the DD isn't the issue per se, it is balancing the risk vs reward of firing a Mk 14 (which in 1942 is still an iffy proposition on a shallow target) on a small, shallow, fast target when he has 5-7 of his buddies with him to work you over a bit after you attack, whether you are successful or not in your attack.

Historically I'm not sure what you would do--the known situation of the Marines on Guadacanal would lead you to attack and help protect that foothold from being taken back. But on the other hand there is odds of success being "less than ideal" and risk to crew higher than necessary.

03-19-09, 04:25 PM	#1
groomsie Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoughton, WI Posts: 140 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	When Do You Attack a DD? Playing my career, it is September 1942 and I'm based in Austrailia patrolling the Solomons. Lots of activity nightly, high speed Tokyo Express type runs. But, almost always made up exclusively of DDs, 4 to 8 in a column running high speed. Now, I'm anxious for some action, but my head says these are low-percentage shots at shallow, fast moving targets with lots of friends who can hurt you and you gain only 1,000 tons and a DD on your scorecard. So I ask, do most of you pass on these targets as well, or do you fire into the line and take out 1 or 2 and then trust you can evade or nab another?

03-19-09, 04:33 PM	#2
Wicked Popsicle A-ganger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 73 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	I usually to go for DDs when they are in a great. I guess I am just very Cautious. But when I go into a harbor and there is a lone DD patroling I definently go for it. The froggiest I have ever gotten was taking out a Wakatake Destroyer that had to gunboats with it and managed to take it out. I made a silent getaway while the gunboats were fishing for survivors. __________________

03-19-09, 05:06 PM	#3
rubenandthejets 中国水兵 Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 279 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	In the situation you describe, Tokyo Express running troops and supplies into Gudalcanal in the spring of 42 (southern hemisphere), I would go for it! I tend to roleplay a bit ( all that AD&D in high school ) so I'd be picturing the marines abandoned by Fletcher and the carriers with IJN battleships hammering Henderson every few nights and massive Japanese assaults on land. Unfortunately, the desperate situation isn't reflected in the renown or tonnage rewards. Depending on the mod you're runnning, you could try to ambush a few of the battleship bombardment task forces the IJN sent down there. Many of the campaign mods have the major battles included, so check a reliable source for dates and then give the IJN a little suprise off Savo! The Honiara resupply ship is in place I think, so I'd "spray and pray" at the DDs and then reload and refit and try it again! __________________ HMAS Sydney III "Thorough and Ready"

03-19-09, 05:30 PM	#5
V.C. Sniper Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 339 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I sink DDs all the time. __________________ I only need one torpedo.

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03-19-09, 05:09 PM	#4
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	He's gotta be running RSRDC, Stock has squat down there (except tankers (!?) heading to a huge port that doesn't even exist now (in a city that didn't exist until after the war).

03-19-09, 05:56 PM	#6
groomsie Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stoughton, WI Posts: 140 Downloads: 50 Uploads: 0	Currently running TMO 1.6.3 and RSRDC, yes, not stock. Plugging the DD isn't the issue per se, it is balancing the risk vs reward of firing a Mk 14 (which in 1942 is still an iffy proposition on a shallow target) on a small, shallow, fast target when he has 5-7 of his buddies with him to work you over a bit after you attack, whether you are successful or not in your attack. Historically I'm not sure what you would do--the known situation of the Marines on Guadacanal would lead you to attack and help protect that foothold from being taken back. But on the other hand there is odds of success being "less than ideal" and risk to crew higher than necessary.