What do you do when a convoy or ship is going away from you?

IcyWaters · 04-27-12, 11:17 AM

I've seen videos and read stories about subs lying in wait along a convoy's path, then ambushing the convoy as it passes, but what are a captain's options if the convoy was heading AWAY from the sub's location? Not necessarily directly away from the sub, but shall we say "not in the sub's general direction"? Or what happens if the convoy/ship WAS heading directly away from the sub?

Sailor Steve · 04-27-12, 11:24 AM

One thing you can do is what the Americans called the "End-Around". Wait until they are on the horizon, surface, go to flank speed and head at a angle to them, so they are always on the horizon and you slowly get in front of them. Depending on the situation this can take a day or more, so you have to be patient. Then you'll be in front of them so you can make a decent attack. Sometimes it helps to dive and get a good sound bearing, then surface and take up the chase again.

Another thing you can do is approach as close as you dare, making the final run in on the surface after dark. This could work in real life, but the game can be finicky about how well they can see you at night.

04-27-12, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

One thing you can do is what the Americans called the "End-Around". Wait until they are on the horizon, surface, go to flank speed and head at a angle to them, so they are always on the horizon and you slowly get in front of them. Depending on the situation this can take a day or more, so you have to be patient. Then you'll be in front of them so you can make a decent attack. Sometimes it helps to dive and get a good sound bearing, then surface and take up the chase again.

Another thing you can do is approach as close as you dare, making the final run in on the surface after dark. This could work in real life, but the game can be finicky about how well they can see you at night.

+1

I swear by this method, its like a huge thanksgiving platter of leftovers in the fridge, you keep on coming back and attacking at your leisure, on your terms.

IcyWaters · 04-27-12, 12:00 PM

Ah, I see. I have read a bit about this procedure. So there is no other way aside from the end-around? And is a surfaced sub always faster than the transport/frieghter/target ships? I mean, are there any ships that are "gone" once they are heading away from you?

finchOU · 04-27-12, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcyWaters

Ah, I see. I have read a bit about this procedure. So there is no other way aside from the end-around? And is a surfaced sub always faster than the transport/frieghter/target ships? I mean, are there any ships that are "gone" once they are heading away from you?

90% of the time yes...you are faster than most of your prey. Alot of Juicy targets are faster than you on the surface...say a troop transport....so if you happen to be in a good position, ie in front of them when you make contact...you might have a fleeting oportunity to sink one....ie Luck ie right place right time right tactic.

The end around is the anwser...yeah..it takes time...but being slow patient and methodical is what is going to not only keep you alive...but make your attacks more successful.......maintain your stealth while repositioning for another ambush. Use environmentals to your advantage...aka Dark, lower visiblity. I would use the smoke on the horizon during the day (early on)...then close it in as the sun goes down. Use your hydrophone to varify the position of the convoy if you lose sight...or cant get close enought to maintain visual. Convoy=big noisy smoky=easy to see/ hear = advantage for you! Now take advantage!

IcyWaters · 04-28-12, 05:42 PM

Thank you for that info!

Next question I guess is how do you determine if it is worth chasing a contact for days and days? I assume if it's a convoy, that's just too good a target to pass, but what if it's a single ship or maybe two or three? Is there a certain point wherein you can say you can't be bothered to chase it?

GT182 · 04-27-12, 11:29 AM

You could try for a shot at the rear of the ship. Destroy the props and they ain't going anywhere. Tho you'll have to wait out the destroyers that will attack you.

I've done it in SHIII a few times with success, but it should work in SH5 too.

I've done the ol sneak off and then run to the front trick. Takes time getting far enough away to surface and then run at full speed to get ahead of them. Try plot their course and hope they stay with it.

Edit: You beat me to it Steve. LOL

04-27-12, 11:17 AM	#1
IcyWaters Mate Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 54 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	What do you do when a convoy or ship is going away from you? I've seen videos and read stories about subs lying in wait along a convoy's path, then ambushing the convoy as it passes, but what are a captain's options if the convoy was heading AWAY from the sub's location? Not necessarily directly away from the sub, but shall we say "not in the sub's general direction"? Or what happens if the convoy/ship WAS heading directly away from the sub?

04-27-12, 11:24 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	One thing you can do is what the Americans called the "End-Around". Wait until they are on the horizon, surface, go to flank speed and head at a angle to them, so they are always on the horizon and you slowly get in front of them. Depending on the situation this can take a day or more, so you have to be patient. Then you'll be in front of them so you can make a decent attack. Sometimes it helps to dive and get a good sound bearing, then surface and take up the chase again. Another thing you can do is approach as close as you dare, making the final run in on the surface after dark. This could work in real life, but the game can be finicky about how well they can see you at night. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

04-27-12, 11:29 AM	#7
GT182 Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Castle of Delaware Posts: 3,231 Downloads: 658 Uploads: 0	You could try for a shot at the rear of the ship. Destroy the props and they ain't going anywhere. Tho you'll have to wait out the destroyers that will attack you. I've done it in SHIII a few times with success, but it should work in SH5 too. I've done the ol sneak off and then run to the front trick. Takes time getting far enough away to surface and then run at full speed to get ahead of them. Try plot their course and hope they stay with it. Edit: You beat me to it Steve. LOL __________________ Gary No Borders, No Language, No Culture =s No Country I'm a Deplorable, and proud of it.

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04-27-12, 12:00 PM	#4
IcyWaters Mate Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 54 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	Ah, I see. I have read a bit about this procedure. So there is no other way aside from the end-around? And is a surfaced sub always faster than the transport/frieghter/target ships? I mean, are there any ships that are "gone" once they are heading away from you?

04-28-12, 05:42 PM	#6
IcyWaters Mate Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 54 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	Thank you for that info! Next question I guess is how do you determine if it is worth chasing a contact for days and days? I assume if it's a convoy, that's just too good a target to pass, but what if it's a single ship or maybe two or three? Is there a certain point wherein you can say you can't be bothered to chase it?