General patrol questions

[JMaxey]

I've recently began playing this game again and its taking me some time to reaquaint myself. I've started a new career piloting a VIIb in Feb 1940. I'm looking for some general rule of thumb patrol tactics to make sure I am doing this right. Such as:

is there an ideal depth for sonar to be most efficient?

Ideal speed?

Are the random contacts I receive on my map screen (not from my SO) contacts from other boats? How do you guys/gals handle these contacts?

I normally patrol at periscope depth during the day at ahead slow. Then at night use the darkness to my advantage to recharge my batteries and get fresh air. I usually submerge periodically and make a 90 degree course change just to make sure nothing is around before I surface again.

Thanks much. This site's resources are incredibly helpful.

[Brag]

Welcome aboard, JMaxey!

The deeper you go, less chance to get caught by sonar.
In rough weather, near the surface you are difficult to detect. But, be careful no to broach.

When near escorts keep speed down to 2 kts. or less.
If you have been detected, spped one knot.

Visit my Kielman webbie for detailed tactics. For entertainment read my book.

Gute Jagd.

Brag.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard JMaxey.....all the knowledge and information you need are contained within this forum

[kgsuarez]

Originally Posted by JMaxey

I normally patrol at periscope depth during the day at ahead slow. Then at night use the darkness to my advantage to recharge my batteries and get fresh air. I usually submerge periodically and make a 90 degree course change just to make sure nothing is around before I surface again.

I think you're being a little too cautious. The surface is relatively safe for us from the beginning of the war until later when the Allies start to use radar. (I forget what year they start using that junk) Of course it all depends where you are patrolling. If you are well into the Atlantic you have nothing to worry about, but if you are close to the Allied air reach it might be good measure to stay under during the day.

I prefer to be up top when possible, being that I can make more speed and cover more ground (so to speak), thereby increasing my chances of detecting something (remember, our U-boats are relatively slow). Also, when patrolling I like to submerge to 30 - 90 meters for an hour twice a day for a sound check (at 00:00 and again at 12:00).

Anyway, welcome aboard!

[meduza]

Check this, you'll find info on intercepting the radio contact (or any other contact).

I agree with what others have said, there's no need to spend the whole day submerged early in the war. I spend most of my patrol on surface, cruising at 1/3 ahead, diving to periscope depth every 50 km for manual hydrophone check with my engines stoped.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by JMaxey

I've recently began playing this game again and its taking me some time to reaquaint myself. I've started a new career piloting a VIIb in Feb 1940. I'm looking for some general rule of thumb patrol tactics to make sure I am doing this right. Such as:

is there an ideal depth for sonar to be most efficient?

Ideal speed?

Brag allready covered detection by enemy. First there's a difference between "sonar" and "hydrophone". Sonar emits sound pulses to get a range. That means it is an active sensor and that can get you into trouble (the enemy get's to know you are there, or even where). The hydrophone is passive, it only listens. So your enemy will never know you are there and that means it is preffered over sonar. The drawback is that it can only give a direction and the range is quite vague(loud, moderate or faint, so it's: far, medium or close range). The hydrophone device starts working just above periscope depth (11-12 meters in my type-7) I don't think there's any difference depending on the depth you are. But who knows for sure, I never really investigated it.

Speed isn't the real issue. Flownoise of the water doesn't seem to be modelled. You just do not want the noise of your electric engine buzzing in your ear. So all-stop while listening, but you do not have to wait until you are motionless. Important point! You yourself are better at picking up hydrophone contacts (ultimately 34km) than your crew (ultimately around 24km).

Are the random contacts I receive on my map screen (not from my SO) contacts from other boats? How do you guys/gals handle these contacts?

Those contacts are not actually discovered by someone. Think of it as Dönitz having a 6th sense or predicting dream. The game just gives you them based on random chance and a certain time period. And within a certain range of you, 250km for GWX 2.1. I increased it to 600km since I figured out I can reliably 'catch' contacts before they have moved beyond 175km. (where the hydrophone-range still fits between the two extremes of his course-range). Depending on your speed and position, and his speed, it is sometimes possible to get there even when you start out 600km apart. Now I decide, instead of the game, if it is smart to go after them.

I normally patrol at periscope depth during the day at ahead slow. Then at night use the darkness to my advantage to recharge my batteries and get fresh air. I usually submerge periodically and make a 90 degree course change just to make sure nothing is around before I surface again.

Too conservative imho aswell. If you cannot hear contacts on hydrophone you can be sure they are not anywhere within 34 km. And since your eyes (16 km or less, depending on your mod) are worse than your ears there's nothing to worry about actually running into them soon after you are surfaced. The only exception are planes overhead which you won't hear on your hydrophone but can be found with your periscope (if they are there, and you have enough patience to search the sky).

Although the different types of hydrophones do have one or more 'deaf sectors' (aka 'baffles') I have yet to be unable to hear them when they are in it. Your crew will loose them in those sectors. I don't know yet how crowded the seas become later in the war, but in the beginning is seems quite empty. So don't be scared of being too vulnerable in daytime while transiting the seas. Just be quick to react when something has been sighted.

If I am in a place where ships are likely to move through I periodically dive to listen. Between 1 and 2 hours. But out in the open seas this is becomming very tiresome soon. It's very empty. Still, it is THE BEST sensor you have and can depend on!