What is the right way to attack a convoy ?

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 06:58 AM

Ok, I just receive my copy of Silent Hunter IV, on my very first patrol., playing with on realism options on except Manuel Targeting and No Map Contacts Updates. On my way to patrol next to Formosa, I meet a Small Modern Composite Vessel, sunk it with ease, then I meet a huge convoy consisting of 10 Small Passeger Vessels, 3 Light Cruisers and about 6 Destroyers.

I went to periscope depth and rigged for silent running. I got into position for a 90 degree starboard shot. So I wait for gyroangle to go to 0 degree and shot 3 torpedoes at 1 of the light cruisers, 1 of them exploded prematurely and the convoy started evasive manuevers, the other 2 torpedoes competely misses, though they have not detected where am I yet. In my frustration I quit the patrol. I was using the Salmon Class and Mark 14 Torpedoes by the way...

So, now my question is, what is the best way to approach a convoy and get into position for a 90 degree shot?

kv29 · 06-05-07, 07:43 AM

in 100% realism, I run at 30 meters, pass through the dd umbrella and go to periscope depth when Im around the middle of the convoy (a little ahead of it). This way the vessels are much closer (around 500/700 meters) and I don´t need to use the tdc for the nearest targets, using both bow and stern torpedos indiscriminately :p .

Is a bit of a mess when they start evading, but you should be able to take down a few.

A task force is another story, they are usually faster and more dangerous, no time for hide & seek. If Im at a good firing position ahead of them, I take my time to get a good solution and go for the biggest prizes (carrier or battleship).

AVGWarhawk · 06-05-07, 08:21 AM

Short and sweet....I get in front of the convoy, submerge and let them come at me. Normally the lead DD will be basically zigging and zagging searching. Try to evade him by coming in on his port/starboard side. Do not attempt to go under him. Usually he can pick you up on sonar. Once he is passed, go to periscope depth and pick the merchants you want to sink. You will not sink them all so be happy with 2-3 sunk or damaged. Once the party starts, plan on evading out of the rear of the convoy. Plan you plot for a endround and get in front of them again. This means, run parallel to the convoy heading out of sight to get ahead again. Repeat your attack!

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 08:49 AM

So you pass through the DD umbrella without silent running? Won't the DDs detect you?

kv29 · 06-05-07, 08:57 AM

not if you are not so close.

AVGWarhawk · 06-05-07, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Di3lta-303

So you pass through the DD umbrella without silent running? Won't the DDs detect you?

Sorry, thought that was a given. Yes, I manually put in 2kts and run silent. Sometimes I just drop below a thermal layer at 3 kts (around 200 feet). Once the DD passes, up to periscope depth to pick a juicy target!

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 09:13 AM

Ok thanks, will try that out later. It all over for the convoy once I break through the umbrella.

Snuffy · 06-05-07, 09:45 AM

Actually I take the DDs out first.

PepsiCan · 06-05-07, 09:56 AM

but the fact that you have manual targetting off, doesn't mean you don't have to do any targeting.

What automated targeting does is calculate the trajectory of the fish, given your own speed, the target speed, bearing and heading etc. But you need to select the target and ensure that the computer translated trajectory gets updated so that the torpedo will take the right course.

Secondly, MK 14 torps had bugs in real life and these are mimiced in the game. The issues were
1) duds, caused by the detonator being crushed on impact with the target
2) torpedos typically ran 10 -15 feet too deep, so adjust the depth of your torp upwards (you can still influence all of this when doing auto targeting)
3) premature explosion due to a) shallow waters (see 2) and b) the wake of a previously fired torpedo setting off the detonator. this can be prevented by launching at 3-5 second intervals
4) sometimes, the torpedo gyro will be completely off and the torpedo will circle back at you and destroy you. So, after you've launched, DIVE!! (for two reasons, the enemy and your own torpedo)

All of this is simulated in the game. By mid 1943, depending on which command you belong to, the bugs on MK 14 will be fixed.

Hope this helps!

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 11:33 AM

Ok... I have another question, For example, I want to hit the turret section of lets say a Heavy Cruiser, how do I know much spread angle to use?

06-05-07, 01:03 PM

Do you guys attack convoys when you are in shallow waters (mostly around Java sea) so you can dive up to 30 m?

donut · 06-05-07, 01:44 PM

Dive to ck.thermal depth,& see if you have one ? Slip under,& PD.for action

Snuffy · 06-05-07, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julius Caesar

Do you guys attack convoys when you are in shallow waters (mostly around Java sea) so you can dive up to 30 m?

I attack only when I think I have sufficient fish to do the job on the escort, the rest can be handled by the deck gun(s). [Lately I've been prone to shootin up sampans, junks, fishing boats and the like with the 20s.] Great fun!

06-05-07, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julius Caesar

Do you guys attack convoys when you are in shallow waters (mostly around Java sea) so you can dive up to 30 m?

I attack only when I think I have sufficient fish to do the job on the escort, the rest can be handled by the deck gun(s). [Lately I've been prone to shootin up sampans, junks, fishing boats and the like with the 20s.] Great fun!

But most convoys have 3+escorts.
So, would you attack such a convoy?
I had no luck trying to escape.
I even tried hiding below sinking ship; destoryes still wouldn't go away and he kept firing depth charges.

It is almost impossible to run away in clear weather in shallow waters.

byss · 06-05-07, 02:43 PM

i sneak in between the lead dd and right side dd then line up on the main bulk of the convoy and wait then i'm usually in good shot for middle of the pack send 2 fish at high at the middle one in the middle of the pack then 2 on slow at the closest one in the middle then a quick 180 on the scope to target the the side dd escort with aft and send 2 fish on high at him i can usually sink 1 of the freighters or carriers or get lucky and get both but 95% of the time i usually always sink the dd then do some evading cause i usually have 1 or 2 of the other escort dd's comming fast. sonar man "warship closing moving fast!!" but then i get really aggressive 70% of the time i'll poke scope up and try to take out the incomming dd's cause even if i run silent and don't poke the scope they never seem to go away. got lucky last night on a convoy did the above hit middle of pack and the closest of the middle at the same time with 2 fish each and the side dd behind me at the same time with all the fish all 3 destroyed then went hard to port waited a bit poked scope up looked around a bit saw a dd in front and back popped 2 fish on each one of the front fish almost took me out it exploded too soon long story short used all my fish on the dd's taking all them out then surfaced to use deck gun on rest of convoy good times

06-05-07, 06:58 AM	#1
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	What is the right way to attack a convoy ? Ok, I just receive my copy of Silent Hunter IV, on my very first patrol., playing with on realism options on except Manuel Targeting and No Map Contacts Updates. On my way to patrol next to Formosa, I meet a Small Modern Composite Vessel, sunk it with ease, then I meet a huge convoy consisting of 10 Small Passeger Vessels, 3 Light Cruisers and about 6 Destroyers. I went to periscope depth and rigged for silent running. I got into position for a 90 degree starboard shot. So I wait for gyroangle to go to 0 degree and shot 3 torpedoes at 1 of the light cruisers, 1 of them exploded prematurely and the convoy started evasive manuevers, the other 2 torpedoes competely misses, though they have not detected where am I yet. In my frustration I quit the patrol. I was using the Salmon Class and Mark 14 Torpedoes by the way... So, now my question is, what is the best way to approach a convoy and get into position for a 90 degree shot?

06-05-07, 08:21 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Short and sweet....I get in front of the convoy, submerge and let them come at me. Normally the lead DD will be basically zigging and zagging searching. Try to evade him by coming in on his port/starboard side. Do not attempt to go under him. Usually he can pick you up on sonar. Once he is passed, go to periscope depth and pick the merchants you want to sink. You will not sink them all so be happy with 2-3 sunk or damaged. Once the party starts, plan on evading out of the rear of the convoy. Plan you plot for a endround and get in front of them again. This means, run parallel to the convoy heading out of sight to get ahead again. Repeat your attack! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

06-05-07, 09:45 AM	#8
Snuffy XO Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 420 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Actually I take the DDs out first. __________________ ----------------- Snuffy!

06-05-07, 09:56 AM	#9
PepsiCan Planesman Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 189 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Maybe superfluous but the fact that you have manual targetting off, doesn't mean you don't have to do any targeting. What automated targeting does is calculate the trajectory of the fish, given your own speed, the target speed, bearing and heading etc. But you need to select the target and ensure that the computer translated trajectory gets updated so that the torpedo will take the right course. Secondly, MK 14 torps had bugs in real life and these are mimiced in the game. The issues were 1) duds, caused by the detonator being crushed on impact with the target 2) torpedos typically ran 10 -15 feet too deep, so adjust the depth of your torp upwards (you can still influence all of this when doing auto targeting) 3) premature explosion due to a) shallow waters (see 2) and b) the wake of a previously fired torpedo setting off the detonator. this can be prevented by launching at 3-5 second intervals 4) sometimes, the torpedo gyro will be completely off and the torpedo will circle back at you and destroy you. So, after you've launched, DIVE!! (for two reasons, the enemy and your own torpedo) All of this is simulated in the game. By mid 1943, depending on which command you belong to, the bugs on MK 14 will be fixed. Hope this helps! __________________ =================== AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.1Ghz 1Gb RAM MSI NVidia 6800 128MB MSI motherboard Realtek soundcard Windows XP Pro SP2 ===================

06-05-07, 01:44 PM	#12
donut The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Shifting, Whispering Sands, NM Posts: 1,463 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Rockm,& Sockm Dive to ck.thermal depth,& see if you have one ? Slip under,& PD.for action

06-05-07, 07:43 AM	#2
kv29 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 342 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	in 100% realism, I run at 30 meters, pass through the dd umbrella and go to periscope depth when Im around the middle of the convoy (a little ahead of it). This way the vessels are much closer (around 500/700 meters) and I don´t need to use the tdc for the nearest targets, using both bow and stern torpedos indiscriminately :p . Is a bit of a mess when they start evading, but you should be able to take down a few. A task force is another story, they are usually faster and more dangerous, no time for hide & seek. If Im at a good firing position ahead of them, I take my time to get a good solution and go for the biggest prizes (carrier or battleship).

06-05-07, 08:49 AM	#4
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	So you pass through the DD umbrella without silent running? Won't the DDs detect you?

06-05-07, 08:57 AM	#5
kv29 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 342 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	not if you are not so close.

06-05-07, 09:13 AM	#7
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	Ok thanks, will try that out later. It all over for the convoy once I break through the umbrella.

06-05-07, 11:33 AM	#10
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	Ok... I have another question, For example, I want to hit the turret section of lets say a Heavy Cruiser, how do I know much spread angle to use?

06-05-07, 01:03 PM	#11
Julius Caesar Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Do you guys attack convoys when you are in shallow waters (mostly around Java sea) so you can dive up to 30 m?

06-05-07, 02:43 PM	#15
byss Nub Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	i sneak in between the lead dd and right side dd then line up on the main bulk of the convoy and wait then i'm usually in good shot for middle of the pack send 2 fish at high at the middle one in the middle of the pack then 2 on slow at the closest one in the middle then a quick 180 on the scope to target the the side dd escort with aft and send 2 fish on high at him i can usually sink 1 of the freighters or carriers or get lucky and get both but 95% of the time i usually always sink the dd then do some evading cause i usually have 1 or 2 of the other escort dd's comming fast. sonar man "warship closing moving fast!!" but then i get really aggressive 70% of the time i'll poke scope up and try to take out the incomming dd's cause even if i run silent and don't poke the scope they never seem to go away. got lucky last night on a convoy did the above hit middle of pack and the closest of the middle at the same time with 2 fish each and the side dd behind me at the same time with all the fish all 3 destroyed then went hard to port waited a bit poked scope up looked around a bit saw a dd in front and back popped 2 fish on each one of the front fish almost took me out it exploded too soon long story short used all my fish on the dd's taking all them out then surfaced to use deck gun on rest of convoy good times