Newbie Help-attacking Multiple targets

[suitednate]

Hello I did a search for this on the forums but can anyone clue me in on targeting multiple targets (with manual targeting on) in say.........in a situation like a night surface attack on a convoy (if you are familiar with the convoy attack scene in Das Boot you will know what I mean)......like putting in settings for 1 tube (or a couple tubes) and putting in different settings for a different tube.

Can I not put in the settings for the second target until I have launched the eels against the 1st target? I've noticed it doesn't save the info on each tube.

Any pointers??!

[maillemaker]

Can I not put in the settings for the second target until I have launched the eels against the 1st target? I've noticed it doesn't save the info on each tube.

To directly answer your question, no, you do not enter firing solutions for torpedo tubes independently.

There is only one firing solution - the current one defined by the TDC and where the periscope/uzo is pointed. That setting will guide any torpedo that is fired until you change the TDC inputs or point the scope/uzo somewhere else.

Steve

[Zosimus]

Maybe you can try varying the speeds of the torpedoes. If you let fly with one at slow then switch to fast, you can aim at others and still have a reasonable chance of the torpedoes arriving at the same time.

[suitednate]

Thanks for the replies everyone

[maillemaker]

I'm not very good at operating the TDC. So I make very simplistic, "90 degree" attacks. In this way, range does not matter.

I approach the convoy at a 90 degree angle, and then set my AoB in the TDC to be 90 degrees starboard or port, depending on whether my submarine is to the starboard or port of the target(s). Then dial up the target speed in the TDC. Rotate the scope/uzo until the gyroangle is 0 degrees. This should be 10-15 degrees to the left or right of your current heading, depending on whether the targets are coming in from the left or right of you.

Now just sit or drive towards the target, continuing your 90 degree intercept.

As the center of the target crosses the vertical reticule, fire your torpedo. If your target speed entry is accurate enough, you can actually fire at different parts of the ship as they pass through the vertical reticule.

Then just wait for another ship to cross your reticule. In this way, you can attack multiple targets without adjusting the TDC input.

You can repeat this exercise until an escort chases you away.

Range to target does not matter.

Steve

[banryu79]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

Range to target does not matter.

I almost agree, for some values of "does not matter"

Range to target really does not matter only in one case: if the two moving objects (torpedo and target) are on a collision course.
Given a 90° AOB on the target track, you still need to know:
- torpedo speed
- target speed
then you can compute which bearing you have to use for firing your fish so that torp/tgt are on a collision course and hence "range does not matter".

You can even put yourself at a different AOB (for example 110° or 70° or whatever) and if you correctly compute the "firing bearing" for your given torp speed and estimated target speed you can still put your fish on a collision course with the target, without regard for the range.

One can use precompiled tables (crossing AOB VS target speed for a fixed torp speed) to quickly get the "firing bearing".

>>> EDITED:
Obviuosly, I missed the fact that maillemaker is right AKA if you are pointing at 90° on target track, and you set up your TDC and fire your eels (as described by maillemaker) you are actually placing your torpedoes on a collision course with your target, hence range does not matter.

[Pisces]

Depth settings, pistol setting and speed settings can be set individually for each torpedo. (Select the right tube when you do) However there is a bug with selecting different torpedo speeds and selecting different tubes. The TDC aim calculation is not updated when you do. So set the speeds in all tubes the same to avoid them going in the wrong direction.. Make sure these are set well before you are in position and waiting. You do not want to make mistakes in this in the heat of the moment.

It's easiest if you focus on the ships in the same row. (ships are aside from each other) Do it one row at a time. If you try to hit ships behind each other (single column) or diagonally in the convoy then it is hard to get the timing right for simultaneous hits. And you risk some ships taking the torpedo intended for others.

I would set up on the side of a convoy, and pointing perpendicular to their course. It doesn't have to be perfect, within +- 5 degrees would simplify setting up the TDC and periscope. Be careful of getting too close to flank protecting destroyers.

Select the intended torpedo tube (forward or rear).
Point the periscope/UZO to 0 (or 180).
Go to the TDC screen (F6).
Flip the TDC Manual input switch to 0 (red).
Adjust the AOB arrow to 90 in the direction that the target will move through the periscope view. (Left to right points to the right/green, and vice versa)
Set the target speed (you should have figured this out before).
Range dial setting can be ignored (when gyro angle will be set to 000/180 later).
Flip the Manual input switch back to 1 (white).
Adjust the periscope between 5 an 15 degrees until the Gyro angle indicator indicates 000 for front torpedo attack, or 180 for rear torpedo attack.

Open all torpedo tubes in preparation of firing torpedoes.

Wait, until the ship in the furthest column crosses the aiming wire. Then fire. The torpedo moves straight ahead out of the tube.

Repeat, firing the next tube as each column ship starts to cross the wire.

If you set up the TDC and periscope such that the gyro angle indicator is 000 (or 180 if using the rear torpedoes) then the range setting can be ignored completely. This way each ship can be aimed at with the same periscope and TDC setting. No need to adjust the periscope any more. (Perhaps only up/down to avoid detection by nearby target) All that is required is waiting for each ship to pass the line an fire the torpedo intended for it. The most distant target is fired upon first. Each column will pas the line in the right order. The closest comes last.

When performed correctly the torpedoes should hit within seconds of each other depending on which part of the hull was on the periscope line when fired.

When the last torpedo is fired, make haste in getting deep. I usually also turn in the same course as the convoy. I don't really want to be below them when they sink. Though the defending destroyers do try to avoid collisions. So being below the convoy does help. When you are at a deep depth I would slow down to a speed around 1 knot to reduce noise. Silent running also applies of course.

[vanjast]

Originally Posted by Pisces

When the last torpedo is fired, make haste in getting deep. I usually also turn in the same course as the convoy. I don't really want to be below them when they sink. Though the defending destroyers do try to avoid collisions. So being below the convoy does help. When you are at a deep depth I would slow down to a speed around 1 knot to reduce noise. Silent running also applies of course.

+1 for Pisces advice, but I take a different course for my escape route.
I take a course that in midway between the front and closest side escort, directly into the convoy. I try to keep close to the sinking ships as possible

Keeping track of all ships on the hydrophone I worm my way out the back of the convoy, usually at a bearing of 210 or thereabout of 180 of convoy course, to avoid the last escort.

IF there are too many escorts/Carriers (later years) I make only one attack and then leave the convoy alone - You've already woken them up so why tempt fate the next day.

[maillemaker]

IF there are too many escorts/Carriers (later years) I make only one attack and then leave the convoy alone - You've already woken them up so why tempt fate the next day.

Yup. Late war, especially in calm weather, you had best shoot from 5+ km away with pattern running torpedoes and dive deep as soon as you shoot. If they pin you down with multiple escorts late war you're screwed. Especially with hedgehogs.

Unless you have homing torpedoes. Then it's an escort turkey shoot.

Steve

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by vanjast

+1 for Pisces advice, but I take a different course for my escape route.
I take a course that in midway between the front and closest side escort, directly into the convoy. I try to keep close to the sinking ships as possible.
...

Yes, but that limits your attack at only a few ships in front of you. Possibly the one behind you can be done with the rear tube. But that does increase the stress level having to handle both sides at once. So I wouldn't suggest it for beginners.

[EDIT]Here is a animated gif by Rockin Robbins to illustrate the attack setup that I had in mind:

[maillemaker]

That's a great gif of how it should work in theory.

With map contacts off, I don't try to shoot over more than one row anymore. I try to get into the convoy so that there is a row behind me and in front of me. I shoot at the ships that pass immediately in front of me and wait for the next guy in line to come along.

As the war goes on, though, I probably won't be able to attack from short range anymore.

Steve

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by maillemaker

That's a great gif of how it should work in theory.
...

It not only works in theory, it also does in practise. But yeah, as the war progresses you life duration may vary.