Type IX Tactics

[Iron Budokan]

As I mentioned earlier I was a die-hard VIIC guy but of late have changed to a IXB and then updated to a IXC. Fine.

But in several threads I've heard kaleuns mention you have to change your tactics when commanding a Type IX. Okay, can you give me specifics? What changes do you make in attacking a convoy? Do you even attack convoys or do you hunt for single merchants (i.e. south of Feetown, in the Carribean, etc).

What tactics do you use in the face of heavier aircraft cover? What are these tactical changes everyone keeps talking about? Thanks!

[Jimbuna]

The same tactics you used in your type V!!......you now have the option of performing these tasks in far away places

[Mooncatt]

also if you get in very close to a convoy it takes longer to turn than a VII which can get tricky when trying to avoind DC`s

[STEED]

You must take in to account With a bigger boat slower turning and diving and so on. Much more planning and thinking is needed.

[AVGWarhawk]

She is a slow diver. Your watch can not lollygag on the tower. Some run deck awash to help aid in getting her down quickly.

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by Iron Budokan

As I mentioned earlier I was a die-hard VIIC guy but of late have changed to a IXB and then updated to a IXC. Fine.

But in several threads I've heard kaleuns mention you have to change your tactics when commanding a Type IX. Okay, can you give me specifics? What changes do you make in attacking a convoy? Do you even attack convoys or do you hunt for single merchants (i.e. south of Feetown, in the Carribean, etc).

What tactics do you use in the face of heavier aircraft cover? What are these tactical changes everyone keeps talking about? Thanks!

Hookay since i think hes referring to something i said.

What changes do you make in attacking a convoy?

That depends ENTIRELY on the convoy's disposition and year of war. The biggest difference Latewar i think however is i tend to dive IMMEDIATLY after firing torpedo's to get a head start on the destroyers to go deep. I dont crash dive, but i go as fast as the sea's allow without being heard very easily, and just put the dive planes into normal dive right after the last fish has left the tube.

Early war, its cake.. early war, your pretty much the night surface attack king. I'll shoot 3 two fish salvo's. First one at the farthest ship, second one somewhere in the middle, and the last salvo (sterm tube shot,) ill shoot after turning into the convoy (to close the distance and bearing), and start leaving the area - this is when ill set up my stern shot at the nearest ship (usually around 1400 meters away or so). If i time it right, all 6 fish hit within 10-seconds of each other, and ill be well out of the area stuffing more fish in the tubes long before the escorts have any idea where i am. If you mistime it, the last salvo will miss as the convoy will be evasive and spoil the shot.

Do you even attack convoys or do you hunt for single merchants

I NEVER duck a convoy. Infact im crazy enough to have done 3 seperate convoy attacks in an IXD2 in 1943. State of the sea is a very important factor. If the seas are rough (and they usually are), you pretty much have free reign of operation. I sink EVERYTHING that crosses my path. Fishing boats, schooners, you name it.

What tactics do you use in the face of heavier aircraft cover?

It varies. Depending on how often you get attacked with little warning. Normaly my SOP is to cruise on the surface enroute to my operational area. Once im a few grid squares (or even an entire sea sector) away from my operational area, ill submerge by day, and surface at night. I usually routine this. Dive before first greylight conditions (local time), and surface at o hour (again local time). Air patrols are usually heaviest in the day, and MOST dangerous at dawn or dusk. For the entire time your in your theater, you should never see the light of day except through your periscope. That, is my rule that i impose upon myself.

This rule changes if i find myself under air attack at night, and the RWR isnt picking up their radar. Night air atacks without warning are DEADLY. In this case its acutally better to reverse your routine and surface during the day when you can acutally see the planes coming.

Another note, do not run on the surface during the day when clouds are overcast at all.

Late war, the temptation to chase down sound targets for a end round attack is great. I will do this, but i'll do this with varying degrees of caution depending on where im at. If you surface during the day outside free town to get ahead of a sound contact, you are rolling the dice. In situations like this, i wont use very high TC, you can have to crash dive at any minute. 8 times out of 10 you will, espeicaly in 44. Here is all about how determined you are. If the air patrols are thick, you'll have to give up the chase or risk the boat over whats probably a tramp steamer. This is a harsh reality late war. Your basically turned into a floating minefield, only able to hurt what blunders accross your path.


The BIGGEST thing you have to learn about type9's is acutally when to dive, and when not to. Because your dive time is slow, if you try and crash dive, and the plane spotted is too close, you give him a really nice target when your boat has is bow down, and stern up out of the water like an ostrich. Planes in GWX are fast, and if you spot one.. at im guess is around 4000 meters or less, you cannot dive. If you dive then, you basically are trying to commit suicide. Your only recoruse is to go to flank, man the flak guns weather permitting, try and give him your broadside, and when he's closed the distance wee bit, turn into him.

WHat you dont want is to give him the long axis of your sub from stern to bow because his chances of missing that long target are slim. What your trying to do is spoil his aim by giving him the short axis (your 3- 9 line in flight sim terms), and keep turning into him to close the distance, and change your position. His bombs will release, and usually (though not always ) they'll fly right over the bridge and splash down on the other side. Thats when you straighten your rudder (so you dive quicker) and crash dive. Then you keep your happy butt down in the cellar for a time


Another thign is in high airpatroled areas, you really do want to go decks awash. It will eat fuel, but when you absolutly must be on the surface, it is your best chance. An IXD2, which normally takes around 45-50 seconds to crash dive, can be under the waves in about 15-20 seconds by running decks awash.

[Brag]

If air attack is likely, I run with a depth of 6 meters. It cuts my diving time in half. You pay with higher fuel consumtion.

[Iron Budokan]

That was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!