WOW! Strange encounter!

[Zakalwe]

It`s Nov `39.

On my way to BE31 I intercepted a convoy NE of Ireland heading east. It`s early evening and running silent I slip past the leading destroyer. I fired one torps each at a medium and a big merchant at around 3k metres, and than was going deep.

Two explosions.

While going deeper and being at the hydrophones, I suddenly discovered something I would judge as a sub.

Well, the escorts never found me, so after some time I surfaced, trailing the convoy.

Shortly later the watch called out a sub.

There she was, a S-type sub in the last row of the convoy. I`m no expert, but where subs assigned to convoys? I would have expected a cruiser or a BB at this position, but a sub?

Z.

PS.: btw. the medium freighter happily sailed along with the convoy while burning, the big freighter fell behind and was sunk with the gun.

Z.

[bigboywooly]

Yep
Subs sailed in convoys - not all the time
Only to a prearranged point then left for patrol
Except for Norway convoys where they stayed till the end

Unfortunately due to game limitations once a sub is in it stays in

[Zakalwe]

THX,

again learned something new. What was the idea behind?

Heaving big guns in a convoy for sure ain`t a bad idea, but a sub? IIRC only very few subs were sunk by subs in WWII.

Z.

[3Jane]

If it's on the surface, it can use it's deck gun. Otherwise it's nothing to worry about as A.I submarines can't fire torpedos (yet).

[Zakalwe]

I`m not talking about SH3 here, but the real deal.

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

THX,

again learned something new. What was the idea behind?

Heaving big guns in a convoy for sure ain`t a bad idea, but a sub? IIRC only very few subs were sunk by subs in WWII.

Z.

Probably more for surface raiders than subs

[Paajtor]

You know, it's pretty cool to join a convoy yourself...I've done it in a XXI, escorting convoys just outside the Bergen-fjord.
We were always sailing ahead of the convoy, providing intel and launching 1st strike.
Late-war, chances are high that you will have to deploy some force haha.

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by Paajtor

You know, it's pretty cool to join a convoy yourself...I've done it in a XXI, escorting convoys just outside the Bergen-fjord.
We were always sailing ahead of the convoy, providing intel and launching 1st strike.
Late-war, chances are high that you will have to deploy some force haha.

A little OT

Not joined a convoy but had my @ss saved by one once
Left Bergen and overtook a Ge convoy heading south
A little while later in the fog I got entangled with 3 Brit DDs
Try as I might I couldnt get away
Headed north while evading and hydro picked up contacts closing slow
Twas the convoy

The escorts duked it out and saved my bacon that day
Did have some pics somewhere

[Paajtor]

Yes, that's a great recipe...if you have to run, hide in the chaos.

[Zakalwe]

another OT:

Paajtor,

the same from Simhq (I think). Il-2 or BoB??

Back on topic:

Ok, surface raiders could have been a reason, but a rather useless one IMO. I doubt a sub had a chance coming into a firing position against attacking warships as their speed was usually very high at that point.

But OTOH WWII often had strange tactics and/or weapons in the hindsight.

`night

Z.

[Paajtor]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

another OT:
Paajtor,
the same from Simhq (I think). Il-2 or BoB??

Yes, SimHQ...but I stopped playing Il2 after almosty 5 years.
I was Intel-officer, for a Russian squad, flying Il2's exclusively (the 61ShAP).
But sorry...can't recall your name.:hmm:

[Zakalwe]

No prob,

I was banned there IIRC in 2002(?) after getting in a pissing contest over US politics with Andy Bush (one of the mods) in the WCE forum.

I`m still (somewhat) active in EJGrOst in Il-2 though, I think we`ll have our 10th anniversary this year.

Z.

[Venatore]

Since the GWX team have taken this game under their wing it has become the biggest present with many layers of wrapping paper, just when you think your getting close to the heart of it, another layer is found...like the submarine escort.

I think I will be an old man by the time I unwrap all the layers

[Paajtor]

Then I'm sure you know LukeFF and Ivan Putski too, Zakalwe...they tend to hang around there as well.

Venatore...you're right. SH3 is one of my best-ever buys.
And kudos to the modders.

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

THX,

again learned something new. What was the idea behind?

Heaving big guns in a convoy for sure ain`t a bad idea, but a sub? IIRC only very few subs were sunk by subs in WWII.

Z.

Wasn't that few, 13 U-boats were sunk at the hands of Royal Navy submarines alone. Aside from the Norway and Med campaigns RN subs didnt have much else to in Europe, so it not surprising some of them went after U-boats.