Large circle on the chart

[19Herr_Rapp86]

I got a radio message about a large convoy heading ESE, but this is new. Instead of the large square appearing on the map for convoy it's a large circle. What does this mean?

[GoldenRivet]

In every SH3 convoy there is a "lead ship" - it will not necessarily be the ship out in front... when a circle appears it means a submarine is the lead ship in the convoy, so you will want to be on the look out for one of two things.

1. an enemy submarine within the convoy on the surface serving as an escort.

2. Other friendly U-boats attacking the convoy.

* if it is #2 you will likely arrive after the fight is over, be on the lookout for damaged freighters

[19Herr_Rapp86]

Thank you very much. I had never seen that before

[GoldenRivet]

any time

[Raptor]

Both the convoy symbol's shape and color are dependent upon the designated lead ship. As stated, if it's a sub, the convoy symbol is a circle. If it's a neutral vessel, the convoy symbol is green.

You are far more apt to see the latter than the former. Most convoy symbols will be red squares (lead ship is an enemy-flagged merchant). Most convoys before Dec 07, 1941 will contain both enemy (red) and neutral (green) vessels.

On very rare occasions, you'll encounter a small, totally neutral, convoy led by a single escort. These are usually found coming out of the Straits of Gibraltar into the Atlantic.

[RustySubmarine]

On my present patrol of one of the two careers I have going, (January 1941) just south west of Iceland. I came up a Blue Circle convoy. There were three Flower Class Corvettes on escort, one leading and two at the rear. The Convoy consisted of about twenty enemy ships and a neutral. I didn't see any submarines, at all. I managed to sink a small merchant on the outside column, nearest to me, from about 3000 yards, but I think it was a lucky shot, because I was a bit far away. I just fired one kipper for the centre of the convoy just to see if I could score a hit. Luck was on my side, then I had to submerge to avoid one of the escorts, who was heading my way. Finally I shook them off and continued on my previous set course towards the Irish Sea. The ship I sunk was added to my Captains log as a small coastal freighter of 2450 tons.