Convoy questions

Herr Russ · 11-07-06, 11:12 AM

Spotted a convoy in the fog about 5 km north of my position (1800).. So far undetected.. Dove to periscope & have spotted a few coastals, a couple of C2's and 3 escorts (V&W??). I quickly saved the game as soon as I got the 'convoy spotted' report. I surfaced and proceded to run a parallel course at flank speed. Unfortunately, I probably should have gone SE to increase the range between me and the escorts and shouldn't have been in TC

Well, the first sign that I was spotted at TC was breaking glass noises and damage reports coming in.. Dang..

Should I have radioed in a contact report first?? Do you get any credit for radioing contacts??

Hate learning these lessons the hard way since I won't live long enough to make all of them..

melnibonian · 11-07-06, 11:16 AM

No you don't get any credit for contact reports. If you are close to a German base you might get some help (usually air cover) but that's all.

As far as the convoy is concerned try to be ahead of it in a perpendicular course to maximize your chances for a good AOB. Usually I try to pepetrate the lines to cause more damage but that depends on the escorts and the conditions I guess.

Best of luck

AVGWarhawk · 11-07-06, 04:13 PM

As stated above. If you hit a convoy, get a drink and get comfortable. TC will kill you. Take your time, plan your work and work your plan!

stabiz · 11-07-06, 04:16 PM

And dont save the game again while you are submerged!

Herr Russ · 11-07-06, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stabiz

And dont save the game again while you are submerged!

Good idea from all the problems I just read about..

Thanks!!

3Jane · 11-10-06, 11:50 AM

I always hope for very rough seas and stormy weather when finding a convoy. not sure if this would be the case in later years in the war with better escorts radar and HFDF, I am currently in July 1941 in a VIIC. A surface attack in those conditions I found will allow me to get, with care, through the escort screen and very close to the merchants without being detected. The stormy sea as well as limting visibility and risk of detection, I also found impedes the speeds of the escorts giving you a much more relaxed time frame to select your targets. In the ideal aproach with the compliment of three or four visible escorts, one in front of the convoy, one left and right etc, I have been able to sink two or three merchants ships before having to dive. Loosing escorts in that kind of sea state has been a cinch. Even running at full ahead, diving to 80 metres + and the escorts tracking and depth charging was way off. Rising to above 80 metres though I had to slow down, at those depths they could detect the boat. This of course enabled me to keep heading towards my next selected target at a speed which would either match it or close on it. Periscope attacks in rough seas are awkward at best, but if the escorts have really dropped the ball (you

) a rapid surface and UZO attack is possible. Tracking the targets with e-motors is hell on the battery life, but the increased ease of loosing escorts compensates for that. I found batterys of 25 % or just under was nothing to worry to much about. Between 2 and 8 minutes to loose escorts at slow speed in silent running mode has been the norm so far.

RedMenace · 11-10-06, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

As stated above. If you hit a convoy, get a drink and get comfortable. TC will kill you. Take your time, plan your work and work your plan!

Definetly, TC shouldn't even come into your head, you got so many things to do at once its crazy.

robj250 · 11-10-06, 01:17 PM

I have yet to receive a convoy report using TGW. I see an occassional ship appear on the screen, but they were not "Spotted" by my watch officer, so, in reality, I don't know they are there.

AVGWarhawk · 11-10-06, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robj250

I have yet to receive a convoy report using TGW. I see an occassional ship appear on the screen, but they were not "Spotted" by my watch officer, so, in reality, I don't know they are there.

What year are you bobbing around the Atlantic in? Early war I do not see any. Later war you find them everywhere. Escorted like prom dates. You'll wish for the lone steamer again because you have a hell of a time getting within reach to sunk one?

Krumenacker · 11-10-06, 02:04 PM

If you are using manual targetting and send a contact report, you get some nice info to plug into your TDC. It will also help you set up your attack approach.

Jimbuna · 11-10-06, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robj250

I have yet to receive a convoy report using TGW. I see an occassional ship appear on the screen, but they were not "Spotted" by my watch officer, so, in reality, I don't know they are there.

Oh you will...soon enough my friend (troopships and passenger liners included)

11-07-06, 11:12 AM	#1
Herr Russ Officer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 246 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Convoy questions Spotted a convoy in the fog about 5 km north of my position (1800).. So far undetected.. Dove to periscope & have spotted a few coastals, a couple of C2's and 3 escorts (V&W??). I quickly saved the game as soon as I got the 'convoy spotted' report. I surfaced and proceded to run a parallel course at flank speed. Unfortunately, I probably should have gone SE to increase the range between me and the escorts and shouldn't have been in TC Well, the first sign that I was spotted at TC was breaking glass noises and damage reports coming in.. Dang.. Should I have radioed in a contact report first?? Do you get any credit for radioing contacts?? Hate learning these lessons the hard way since I won't live long enough to make all of them..

11-07-06, 04:13 PM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	As stated above. If you hit a convoy, get a drink and get comfortable. TC will kill you. Take your time, plan your work and work your plan! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

11-07-06, 04:16 PM	#4
stabiz Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 4,224 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	And dont save the game again while you are submerged! __________________

11-10-06, 11:50 AM	#6
3Jane Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: York. Northern England. Posts: 1,004 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I always hope for very rough seas and stormy weather when finding a convoy. not sure if this would be the case in later years in the war with better escorts radar and HFDF, I am currently in July 1941 in a VIIC. A surface attack in those conditions I found will allow me to get, with care, through the escort screen and very close to the merchants without being detected. The stormy sea as well as limting visibility and risk of detection, I also found impedes the speeds of the escorts giving you a much more relaxed time frame to select your targets. In the ideal aproach with the compliment of three or four visible escorts, one in front of the convoy, one left and right etc, I have been able to sink two or three merchants ships before having to dive. Loosing escorts in that kind of sea state has been a cinch. Even running at full ahead, diving to 80 metres + and the escorts tracking and depth charging was way off. Rising to above 80 metres though I had to slow down, at those depths they could detect the boat. This of course enabled me to keep heading towards my next selected target at a speed which would either match it or close on it. Periscope attacks in rough seas are awkward at best, but if the escorts have really dropped the ball (you ) a rapid surface and UZO attack is possible. Tracking the targets with e-motors is hell on the battery life, but the increased ease of loosing escorts compensates for that. I found batterys of 25 % or just under was nothing to worry to much about. Between 2 and 8 minutes to loose escorts at slow speed in silent running mode has been the norm so far. __________________ Fate opposes me in vitality and morality, forced ever onward, burdened, always in shackles. So this very moment, without tarrying, pluck the quivering strings. Because fate punishes the one who plays, all lament with me. (http://hosted.filefront.com/KatherineRowan)

11-07-06, 11:16 AM	#2
melnibonian Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reading UK Posts: 3,473 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	No you don't get any credit for contact reports. If you are close to a German base you might get some help (usually air cover) but that's all. As far as the convoy is concerned try to be ahead of it in a perpendicular course to maximize your chances for a good AOB. Usually I try to pepetrate the lines to cause more damage but that depends on the escorts and the conditions I guess. Best of luck

11-10-06, 01:17 PM	#8
robj250 Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Port Hardy, BC, Canada 75 yo with M.S. & C.O.P.D. & heart problems Posts: 1,930 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I have yet to receive a convoy report using TGW. I see an occassional ship appear on the screen, but they were not "Spotted" by my watch officer, so, in reality, I don't know they are there.

11-10-06, 02:04 PM	#10
Krumenacker Watch Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 19 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	If you are using manual targetting and send a contact report, you get some nice info to plug into your TDC. It will also help you set up your attack approach.