Wlofacks - a true option?

Anyone know how many u-baots were actually out at sea at one time? Could they call eachother for help? Would aircraft help out with spottings?

[CCIP]

Historically?

Have you read about Wolfpack operations? These were more than just "oh, let's go help U-## now!" - Doenitz had developed very organized wolfpack tactics years before the war started (based on his own experiences in WWI, where his boat was the first to attempt a cooperative operation with another - but it didn't work out; however he saw real opportunities in the tactic as an answer to the convoy system).

Wolfpacks were very tightly organized and their operations were commanded by BdU personally.

The tactic was first use to significant effect in 1941 when enough boats became available; after May 1943 it became impractical, although a "snorkel wolfpack" of sorts was used in British coastal waters in 1944.

The largest wolfpack operation ever gathered was against convoy ONS-5 in , with 55 U-boats engaging it at one point or another. This force was composed of several individually-arranged Wolfpacks, the largest of which was "Fink" - of 28 boats.
http://uboat.net/ops/convoys/battles.htm?convoy=ONS-5

In terms of aircraft help, this was something the Condor aircraft were intended for. However, very few of these were available, and were lost by 1943. Regardless, they could not have an effect in the main Wolfpack areas - which were deliberately placed outside even Allied air cover.

In any way, you (as the captain of the boat) wouldn't coordinate with the other boats, wouldn't contact them, and would have only a rough idea where 2-3 nearest boats may be.

Wolfpack's were implemented on a strategic scale back home by Doenitz.

Real captains actions in the wolfpack would be :
a) Sit in the patrol square assigned by BdU and make sure that you cover it and detect anything coming through it, and in case of convoys or taskforces, report them to BdU;
b) When BdU says that a convoy has been detected (through other boats, planes, spies, whatever), attack the convoy.

The game does get these actions mostly right - what it doesn't model is other subs attacking the convoy at the same time as you. In order to be realistic, in 'wolfpack' eras the convoys you encounter should sometimes be partly damaged or already under attack; And you should sometimes encounter ships that are damaged by a trop, but not sunk yet, and left behind by the convoy.

The wolfpack attack was a continous (not simultaneous) attack - if wolfpack was attacking the convoy, the subs didn't coordinate with each other (they can't communicate in any way while remaining undetected by escorts); they simply attacked at the same nights continuously - a destroyer pursuing one sub leaves a hole that another sub may exploit, so having others attack at the same night as you is a clear advantage - but you don't have to do anything differently just to 'wolfpack' - it's just the same detect-report-catch-attack.

[Dowly]

Man, would it be nice to have somekind of ramdomizer on the convoys! When you spot a convoy, some of them would be on fire or listing to one side etc. As if they´re attacked by another boats.

That would be cool!

[gdogghenrikson]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Man, would it be nice to have somekind of ramdomizer on the convoys! When you spot a convoy, some of them would be on fire or listing to one side etc. As if they´re attacked by another boats.

That would be cool!

It would be cooler if other u-boats were there with you

[CCIP]

But it was really not very common for boats to see each other at all. I think your chances of actually seeing another U-boat during a wolf-pack operation are about the same as chances of an enemy merchant seeing a U-boat during a wolfpack operation. There was, in fact, a serious need to keep the U-boats separated - as illustrated by the unfortunate fate of U-254, which was sunk after being accidentally rammed by another U-boat.

You certainly wouldn't want any other boats too near you when you go for the convoy, be sure of that.

Have you read about Wolfpack operations?

I wouldn't be asking if I did

In any way, you (as the captain of the boat) wouldn't coordinate with the other boats, wouldn't contact them, and would have only a rough idea where 2-3 nearest boats may be.

I thought the contact report or mission report would do this...

It would be cooler if other u-boats were there with you

Maybe for some renown, you could buy some help from your buddies, either in port or in the mission (an IOU when you get back to port, unless you "accidently" sunk your buddy on the way home) ?!