Enemy Taskforces - Intercept or avoid?

[FlankSpeed]

When you get a contact report of an enemy taskforce, do you tend to intercept and try your luck against the warships, or plot an avoiding course and continue to hunt for lone merchants and convoys? Do taskforces sail with formidable ASW screens?

[Jimbuna]

It depends on what they are made up of....some have carriers and or BB's but others have dedicated ASW platforms.

[Gargamel]

Usually you can't intercept them, as they are usually traveling to fast. Most often, you have to be run over, or just barely miss them to get a shot at them anyways.

[Lord_magerius]

I always intercept if possible, there could be a juicy BB or carrier sat in the middle of the group. If there isn't I turn tail and run like hell.

[HotiBomba]

I always look to intercept them if possible, even it is the hard to do it, cos they are moving at high speed... But sometimes if u get lucky you might be on their course.. Few patrols before i found large task force (3 BB, 4 or 5 Dido Cruisers, and 6+ Destroyers) i only manage to close up to 4,500 m and sunk two cruisers, manage to escape after taking some minor damage from depth charges.

I should maybe risk more

[Schwieger]

I usually try to avoid TFs. Especially late in the war; more risk than reward, usually.

[frau kaleun]

I'll check 'em out if it's possible to intercept, but as noted above they usually move so fast that unless they're coming right to you anyway it's easier said than done.

And I won't mess with them unless I've got enough water beneath my keel to go as deep as I can afterwards. If they're in near the coastline - fuhgeddaboutit.

[Bakkels]

Funny you should ask. I just installed the MEP environment mod + the high res fix. My computer is four years old (AMD64 2.2gig, 2Gig Ram, ATI Radeon x1600 512mb video card) and I was afraid I couldn't run it, but I thought what the hell let's try. To my surprise it works great. And I had no idea SH3 could look THIS good.
But anyway, the MEP environment mod extends your vision to 20km. So I had passed Scapa Flow in my new career (1939) and I can just make out 5 lines of smoke on the horizon. I'm curious so I let my WE identify the target (a little bit cheating at 18km but ok) and it was the HMS Hood. Never seen it before. My excitement didn't last long though, as this juicy task force was travelling at 23 knots at a course perpendicular to my own. So no way I was gonna get near them.
Generally, I don't try to intercept task forces. When it's pretty close, or if it's bound to cross my course anyway, I'll check them out, but I try to stick to realism; you're out there to hunt for merchants. As a rule of thumb I will attack Southampton class and anything that's bigger. The rest I let go.

[kroll688]

When a task force shows as a contact update I take note of the course and speed, and I will look for the chance of a long range intercept. I have ambushed a few TF when the map updates over the course of a day or so and shows the course pattern coming towards me over several grids.

Also, I never attempt anything with TF in shallow water, need plenty of room to maneuver.

Early war, they have to trip over you.

Late war, the only thing they're looking for, is Y O U.
I prefer to keep a low profile.

[Gerald]

Normally, I try to chase a TF which happens daily, or more accurately, every time I have a mission, the only thing are the speed, is high, and which must be carefully plotted to be able to access them.

Since I am playing in single mod on 100% realistic mode, I usually avoid task forces. On multiplayer, it's a total different thing, you have the power of the wolfpack with you.

[fitzcarraldo]

Originally Posted by FlankSpeed

When you get a contact report of an enemy taskforce, do you tend to intercept and try your luck against the warships, or plot an avoiding course and continue to hunt for lone merchants and convoys? Do taskforces sail with formidable ASW screens?

BdU will send you to a martial court, for cowardice in war duty.

Yes, I try to hunt the TFs, but not ever I have the needed luck...Better dead for the Fatherland than dead executed by resented nazis...

Best regards.

Fitzcarraldo

[raymond6751]

Historically, u-boats were strategically after the supplies going to Britain. If they got a shot at a capital ship - they took it.

Chances of hitting and sinking a big boy and living to tell about it, low.

I'd say - if they are coming your way, investigate. If not, waste of time trying to catch them.

[desirableroasted]

Use the math. Your intersection circles should tell you if contact is possible.

Treat TFs like any other convoy: if you can reasonably reach it with a course change and perhaps a few short hours at 12-14knts, then it is worth looking at. Like any convoy or contact.

Once there, do the reconn. If there are capital ships, it may be worth making an approach. Only DDs and small fry? Forget it.

If you do approach, remember that TF's act like a convoy. The capital ships will act like armed merchants, firing at you only if you are visible. They will serpentine, and will not join the escort's attack on you. The escorts will act as they usually would.