"Be More Agressive" or wait for sunnier days?

sharkbit · 05-27-08, 02:21 PM

I'm on my 1st war patrol(2nd overall, GWX2.1, SH3Commander), which has been fairly sucessful so far-7 ships sunk for about 22k tons. I have 2 eels left up front. Unfortuneately the weather has turned from bad to worse. It went from moderate visibility to poor visibility and has been like that for days. This is my first experience with poor visibility.

I tried to intercept a lone ship south of Ireland, heard him on the hydrophones and never saw a hint of him. I figured it was a long stern chase and gave up for easier pickings.

Next day, I intercept another loner. At first, all I can see is some smoke. I head that way. Eventually I see a shadow and it kinda looked like there might be 2 ships. All of sudden, out of the mist, a huge ship emerges about 700 meters away. By the time I get my bows around to shoot, he is way past and I don't have a very good solution. I try to outflank him and get a better position, but he disappears into the murk again and I say "f$%^ it, I'm going home."

Maybe the weather in the North Sea will be better and I can find some easier pickings.

So off I go around the west coast of Ireland. Sure enough, I get a report of a convoy northwest of Ireland. Still no improvement in the weather though. I figure I might as well try a intercept and hope the weather clears and I can get rid of my last 2 eels, if I find the convoy. I have yet to find one yet, but since I'm down to 2 eels and the weather is bad, I'll probably find this one.

Sure enough, I spot this convoy in the evening with poor visibility, rain, and very windy. I get ahead of the convoy and now a decision...:hmm:

Do I run in on this convoy with my 2 eels and poor visibility and try to pick someone off or do I back off, continue on my way home and hope the weather clears and find easier pickings?

My agressive side says "Go for it!!!" The escorts will have a very difficult time seeing me. I think if I had a full load out of eels in the tubes, I'd thnk this is a no brainer.

My cautious side thinks, "Save the eels for something easier. The weather is sure to get better."
Given my luck previously with the 2 lone ships in poor visibility, I'll have a very difficult time seeing targets until it is too late and I'll probably miss if I do shoot and waste torpedoes. Let's not mention the fact I could get run down like a dog by some freighter.

So I ask my fellow Kapitans-What would you do?

05-27-08, 02:21 PM	#1
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	"Be More Agressive" or wait for sunnier days? I'm on my 1st war patrol(2nd overall, GWX2.1, SH3Commander), which has been fairly sucessful so far-7 ships sunk for about 22k tons. I have 2 eels left up front. Unfortuneately the weather has turned from bad to worse. It went from moderate visibility to poor visibility and has been like that for days. This is my first experience with poor visibility. I tried to intercept a lone ship south of Ireland, heard him on the hydrophones and never saw a hint of him. I figured it was a long stern chase and gave up for easier pickings. Next day, I intercept another loner. At first, all I can see is some smoke. I head that way. Eventually I see a shadow and it kinda looked like there might be 2 ships. All of sudden, out of the mist, a huge ship emerges about 700 meters away. By the time I get my bows around to shoot, he is way past and I don't have a very good solution. I try to outflank him and get a better position, but he disappears into the murk again and I say "f$%^ it, I'm going home." Maybe the weather in the North Sea will be better and I can find some easier pickings. So off I go around the west coast of Ireland. Sure enough, I get a report of a convoy northwest of Ireland. Still no improvement in the weather though. I figure I might as well try a intercept and hope the weather clears and I can get rid of my last 2 eels, if I find the convoy. I have yet to find one yet, but since I'm down to 2 eels and the weather is bad, I'll probably find this one. Sure enough, I spot this convoy in the evening with poor visibility, rain, and very windy. I get ahead of the convoy and now a decision...:hmm: Do I run in on this convoy with my 2 eels and poor visibility and try to pick someone off or do I back off, continue on my way home and hope the weather clears and find easier pickings? My agressive side says "Go for it!!!" The escorts will have a very difficult time seeing me. I think if I had a full load out of eels in the tubes, I'd thnk this is a no brainer. My cautious side thinks, "Save the eels for something easier. The weather is sure to get better." Given my luck previously with the 2 lone ships in poor visibility, I'll have a very difficult time seeing targets until it is too late and I'll probably miss if I do shoot and waste torpedoes. Let's not mention the fact I could get run down like a dog by some freighter. So I ask my fellow Kapitans-What would you do?