first run in with a convoy

panzermeyer · 07-05-07, 08:52 AM

First run in with a convoy…

So I am sailing with my VIIB round the British Home Isles, so I can get into open waters off the Irish West coast to hunt some convoys and unsuspecting lone merchants. However my plans are to be a little altered.

I am about 150km south east of Scapa Flow, I am about to go between it and the other island there so I can go around the British Isles, since going trough the English Channel is a no go!

As am I sailing, I get a report of a convoy heading in my direction, moving slowly. I am ecstatic, a convoy heading in my direction, I am basically in an intercept position already all I have to do is wait. However I immediately realize, the depth here is only 127m, a bit shallow. I contemplate avoiding the convoy as it is not deep enough for me to escape if I need too. But this is my 3rd patrol and first convoy encounter if I stick around. On top of that I am in a perfect position, or so I think.

I quickly decide to stay and risk it, or at least see what type of escorts this convoy has. Eventually the convoy comes into view; I order to dive to periscope depth. The convoy is going is at bearing 40 degrees to my boat and about 4000m away. I am looking for a juice target first and also looking for a ship with a good angle, something around 70-100 will do, to make sure my torpedo doesn’t just bounce off the hull.

I spot a large merchant and a tanker, perfect juice targets. While I am looking around I look for the escorts…OH SH*T! They spotted me already, and I am pretty sure I know why. I should of already been submerged when waiting for the convoy and it didn’t help I was 1345 hours, only a few clouds, clear day. So I got a V&D class destroyer coming straight at me, his range only 450m now off my bow. I quickly target him and let loose a torpedo hoping for a hit, at the same time I go to flank and order a dive to 80m with a change of course.

Not to my surprise to torpedo just bounces off the destroyers bow, so much for that. He drops his depth charges, luckily no where near where I am. I keep my depth, already running at silent and keep my rudder at 5 degrees port. I think to myself how plump and juice some of these targets in the convoy are and here I am, getting depth charges because my crew wanted some sunshine…ugh.

At this point I am not sure how many escorts the convoy has, I didn’t have chance to look. I need to check, since it’s been quite for a while with no depth charges, the destroyer must have lost me, so I order periscope depth. I look around and there is 1 destroyer and 2 armed trawlers, not much for an escort, if only I can sink that destroyer.

But it’s not to be, the destroyer seems my scope or hears me and makes a run at me, I dive at flank speed, setting the rudder at 10 degrees starboard and going to 90m. Before the last charge goes off I slow down to 1knt and just wait. I think the hunt of this convoy is over…sadly. I now wait, the destroyer keep dropping charges but no where near. I think about trying to sink it, but he keeps moving, too fast for me to try anything. A few hours (game time) go by and the convoy moves on and eventually so do the escorts. I surface, I suffered no damage and no crews lost and wasted 1 torpedo, I feel like I let the crew down, I feel like Bernard could have done a better job than me. I was in a perfect position, and instead of waiting submerged I was on the surface spotted before I could dive. So an entire convoy, which was lightly escorted, got away.

But live and learn I guess next time I will wait for it submerged and try to make sure it’s night. If could of easily sunk the destroyer if I didn’t spot me, and then it would have been a turkey shoot. Next time….next time.

SmokinTep · 07-05-07, 08:57 AM

A couple of rookie mistakes during that first convoy sighting. Always get to periscope depth as soon as possible. Also, I usually keep a couple of magnetic torps just for destroyers. I like to let them come to me, then let loose with a torp right down their throat. I naturally try and avoid them as much as possibe.

Maybe next time.........

Captain Nemo · 07-05-07, 09:07 AM

If you know the direction the convoy was travelling, why not try and plot an intercept course and have another go at it? I have made several attacks on the same convoy by doing this. Then you can get your revenge on that destroyer.

Nemo

Brag · 07-05-07, 09:22 AM

Congratulations, you made it alive!
There's some good advice above. I always have a magnetic torp ready in case a DD comes for me while at PD.
Your thinking and tactics are the right ones.
When in doubt, ask your sound man to report on nearest warship contact. Good luck with your next convoy. There are plenty more!

CapZap1970 · 07-05-07, 09:28 AM

Panzermeyer:
i am glad you survived the experience, and next time I am sure you will be able to catch some big fish.
As Smoking Tep said, it's also a very good idea to keep a couple of extra magnetic torps, just in case.

CapZap

Jimbuna · 07-05-07, 09:32 AM

As Captain Nemo said....keep going back and have a little nibble, then slink off and set up another attack.

I often spend a week in game time harrassing a convoy

Canovaro · 07-05-07, 08:59 AM

Not every convoy attack works out. Most important: you're "still alive". Time to put that Pearl Jam record on the gramophone, and continue patrol.

Maraz · 07-05-07, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panzermeyer

First run in with a convoy…

a convoy heading in my direction, I am basically in an intercept position already all I have to do is wait.

Don't lie waiting a convoy, it might change its course before coming to you. Go towards it !

The same thing when targeting a ship: even if she is coming towards you, always try to close distance, things that now are favourable might change in few minutes. The ship can alter course, etc.

(This is a thing I learnt from the U-Boot commander's manual).

Anyway your decision not to pursue the convoy in shallower waters was very wise, so you will live to meet another convoy!

Maraz

Puster Bill · 07-06-07, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maraz

Quote:

Originally Posted by panzermeyer

First run in with a convoy…

a convoy heading in my direction, I am basically in an intercept position already all I have to do is wait.

Don't lie waiting a convoy, it might change its course before coming to you. Go towards it !

The same thing when targeting a ship: even if she is coming towards you, always try to close distance, things that now are favourable might change in few minutes. The ship can alter course, etc.

(This is a thing I learnt from the U-Boot commander's manual).

I've never had that happen to me in the game. I once had a single individual ship hit a waypoint and turn, screwing up a perfect setup, but I've never had a convoy do that (although I suppose it is possible, though it has to be rare).

Jimbuna · 07-06-07, 09:13 AM

Your lucky....follow one for long enough and you'll find they do occasionally change course

07-05-07, 08:52 AM	#1
panzermeyer Watch Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NC Posts: 29 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	first run in with a convoy First run in with a convoy… So I am sailing with my VIIB round the British Home Isles, so I can get into open waters off the Irish West coast to hunt some convoys and unsuspecting lone merchants. However my plans are to be a little altered. I am about 150km south east of Scapa Flow, I am about to go between it and the other island there so I can go around the British Isles, since going trough the English Channel is a no go! As am I sailing, I get a report of a convoy heading in my direction, moving slowly. I am ecstatic, a convoy heading in my direction, I am basically in an intercept position already all I have to do is wait. However I immediately realize, the depth here is only 127m, a bit shallow. I contemplate avoiding the convoy as it is not deep enough for me to escape if I need too. But this is my 3rd patrol and first convoy encounter if I stick around. On top of that I am in a perfect position, or so I think. I quickly decide to stay and risk it, or at least see what type of escorts this convoy has. Eventually the convoy comes into view; I order to dive to periscope depth. The convoy is going is at bearing 40 degrees to my boat and about 4000m away. I am looking for a juice target first and also looking for a ship with a good angle, something around 70-100 will do, to make sure my torpedo doesn’t just bounce off the hull. I spot a large merchant and a tanker, perfect juice targets. While I am looking around I look for the escorts…OH SHT! They spotted me already, and I am pretty sure I know why. I should of already been submerged when waiting for the convoy and it didn’t help I was 1345 hours, only a few clouds, clear day. So I got a V&D class destroyer coming straight at me, his range only 450m now off my bow. I quickly target him and let loose a torpedo hoping for a hit, at the same time I go to flank and order a dive to 80m with a change of course. Not to my surprise to torpedo just bounces off the destroyers bow, so much for that. He drops his depth charges, luckily no where near where I am. I keep my depth, already running at silent and keep my rudder at 5 degrees port. I think to myself how plump and juice some of these targets in the convoy are and here I am, getting depth charges because my crew wanted some sunshine…ugh. At this point I am not sure how many escorts the convoy has, I didn’t have chance to look. I need to check, since it’s been quite for a while with no depth charges, the destroyer must have lost me, so I order periscope depth. I look around and there is 1 destroyer and 2 armed trawlers, not much for an escort, if only I can sink that destroyer. But it’s not to be, the destroyer seems my scope or hears me and makes a run at me, I dive at flank speed, setting the rudder at 10 degrees starboard and going to 90m. Before the last charge goes off I slow down to 1knt and just wait. I think the hunt of this convoy is over…sadly. I now wait, the destroyer keep dropping charges but no where near. I think about trying to sink it, but he keeps moving, too fast for me to try anything. A few hours (game time) go by and the convoy moves on and eventually so do the escorts. I surface, I suffered no damage and no crews lost and wasted 1 torpedo, I feel like I let the crew down, I feel like Bernard could have done a better job than me. I was in a perfect position, and instead of waiting submerged I was on the surface spotted before I could dive. So an entire convoy, which was lightly escorted, got away. But live and learn I guess next time I will wait for it submerged and try to make sure it’s night. If could of easily sunk the destroyer if I didn’t spot me, and then it would have been a turkey shoot. Next time….next time. __________________ "I am nothing; We are everything!*" - Kurt 'panzermeyer' Meyer

07-05-07, 09:07 AM	#3
Captain Nemo Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 1,144 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	If you know the direction the convoy was travelling, why not try and plot an intercept course and have another go at it? I have made several attacks on the same convoy by doing this. Then you can get your revenge on that destroyer. Nemo __________________ "I'm afraid there is no disguising the fact that King's obsession with the Pacific and the Battle of Washington cost us dear in the Battle of the Atlantic". Sir John Slessor GCB, DSO, MC, DL AOC-in-C Coastal Command RAF ___________________________________________

07-05-07, 09:22 AM	#4
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Congratulations, you made it alive! There's some good advice above. I always have a magnetic torp ready in case a DD comes for me while at PD. Your thinking and tactics are the right ones. When in doubt, ask your sound man to report on nearest warship contact. Good luck with your next convoy. There are plenty more! __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

07-05-07, 09:28 AM	#5
CapZap1970 Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: La Paz, Bolivia Posts: 1,965 Downloads: 275 Uploads: 51	Panzermeyer: i am glad you survived the experience, and next time I am sure you will be able to catch some big fish. As Smoking Tep said, it's also a very good idea to keep a couple of extra magnetic torps, just in case. CapZap __________________

07-05-07, 09:32 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,525 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	As Captain Nemo said....keep going back and have a little nibble, then slink off and set up another attack. I often spend a week in game time harrassing a convoy __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-05-07, 08:57 AM	#2
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A couple of rookie mistakes during that first convoy sighting. Always get to periscope depth as soon as possible. Also, I usually keep a couple of magnetic torps just for destroyers. I like to let them come to me, then let loose with a torp right down their throat. I naturally try and avoid them as much as possibe. Maybe next time.........

07-05-07, 08:59 AM	#7
Canovaro Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,062 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	Not every convoy attack works out. Most important: you're "still alive". Time to put that Pearl Jam record on the gramophone, and continue patrol.

07-06-07, 09:13 AM	#10
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,525 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Your lucky....follow one for long enough and you'll find they do occasionally change course __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!