Questions about patrol

FlyingTiger · 06-01-09, 11:35 AM

Hi guys,
I recently play SH4 and in need for advices about conducting a war patrol. Simple as I thought war patrol is when you bring your boat to a certain area and searching for ships there but still how does one do when making contact?
Will I just move along to that bearing or set up a good ambush? Because I try to follow the contact but it just like chasing the ships and make no point of a good plan. I know about the maneuvering tactic and how to set up a good firing position but there is something still trouble me during patrol. And may I ask, usually for you old skippers,how long do you stay on a patrol?
Thank you guys and please forgive me if these questions are ignorance.

Cheers,

SteamWake · 06-01-09, 01:29 PM

The biggest 'trick' is to get well ahead of the targets apparent course so that you can close to within 2,000 yards at a more or less 90 degree angle to their course and lay in wait.

In other words let them come to you. If they are already moving away it most likely is too late. You will simply burn up too much fuel trying to chase it down.

As to the last question I stay on patrol till either the torpedoes or ice cream runs out.

Stealhead · 06-01-09, 01:49 PM

In the game you can stay out forever if get refits but in real life they stayed away for about 60-70 days or until they completed ammo basicly they got a time alotted that was about 60 days or so. This is smart for many reasons gives crews time to rest puts less wear and tear on the sub and it also allowed the cycling of crewman which allows knowlege to be spread around the entire sub fleet.I stay out the same time mainly because I get a little bored doing the same patrol after a while another good reason in game not stay out too long is if you have performed well you may get a newer sub and could also be missing out on newer gear and from time to time your subs bridge gets improved as well.

Keep an eye on a convoy when you set up sometimes they may make a course change and if you dont see this you will go from the perfect set up to being passed by miles ceratinly if they make enitre direction change like form NW to W or something of that nature.I would say if you are very new it is best to start a career in 1943 so that you will have the SJ radar and have map contacts on this will help greatly in plotting and finding convoys.Hunting in the early war times without SJ radar can be very hard at first.Another trick in a Tambor,Gar,Gato,or Balao class you can dive to about 45ft and this will allow you to be nearly invisable to anything several miles away but will allow you to keep the radar running in older subs the deapth is a little shallower you dip between periscope and radar deapth for peeks with the radar.Just be sure to dive to scope deapth when they get within about 10,000 yds of you.Also you can click the icon on your sonar tab that says follow nearst warship the sound man will update the bearing and you can peek from time to time dont get thrown by the escourts they run a sweeping patern while the merchants will run a more direct patern. Once you get the range of one ship then you will know roughly how far away all the others are and that will help you plot your way in.I end to plan my plots to end up about 1,000yds closer than where i think they will be that way if they do sail farther away I will still be close enough

Akula4745 · 06-01-09, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

As to the last question I stay on patrol till either the torpedoes or ice cream runs out.

Ditto, SW!

Frame57 · 06-01-09, 05:36 PM

Also note that when your navmap contacts in red pop up you must check the time of it by clicking on it. Then estimate how far they have gone and intercept them. Chasing them is not preferred, but you can do a round robbin or knuckle around to get into a good firing position. Stay clear of the convoy escorts and note their radar ranges as well when you do this. Happy hunting.

Folducker · 06-01-09, 06:37 PM

Are you talking about a single target, or a convoy. What dates are you working from? Does your boat have radar?
This should work for a single contact;
When you first sight a contact, draw a line along it's anticipated course on the map. This gives you reference point as to which way the target is heading. Next, get in front without getting sighted. Go to flank speed if it looks like you don't have that far to go. Trying to overtake a contact from behind is a losing proposition. A stern chase is a really long chase. You want to do an end around and get out in front.
Once you are out in front, turn into the target, set a course directly at him. When the target gets close to you, submerge. If the target is a merchant ship. you don't have to worry about being heard, but it's a good idea to keep periscope up only for a short time. The sound traces are your best friend in this situation. Maneuver to a point about 1000 yards off the track you drew (You may need to adjust the position of the line you previously drew as the target gets closer). You want to set yourself up at around 1000 yards off the track of the target, lined up for a 90 degree shot. Use the TDC to lock on and wait for the arrow on the target in the periscope to go green. Be sure to open outer doors, (The Q key) before shooting as giving the order to shoot with doors closed will usually make you miss. (Takes time to open the doors). Nail the b*****d.
If your target happens to be a was ship, usually a destroyer you will have a more difficult time. Attacking destroyers was usually discouraged. since they are a lot faster, they have a tendacy to hear a torpedo and avoid it. Then you can be in for a bad time.

Highbury · 06-01-09, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folducker

If your target happens to be a was ship, usually a destroyer you will have a more difficult time. Attacking destroyers was usually discouraged. since they are a lot faster, they have a tendacy to hear a torpedo and avoid it. Then you can be in for a bad time.

Someone put a quote on the SHIII forums a few years back, I forget who had said it in real life, and the exact words, but the gist of it has stuck with me on every patrol since...

"My job is not to look for a fair fight. My job is to destroy the enemy's commerce." which to me means "I don't shoot at ships that shoot back unless I have to."

06-01-09, 11:35 AM	#1
FlyingTiger Watch Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 24 Downloads: 95 Uploads: 0	Questions about patrol Hi guys, I recently play SH4 and in need for advices about conducting a war patrol. Simple as I thought war patrol is when you bring your boat to a certain area and searching for ships there but still how does one do when making contact? Will I just move along to that bearing or set up a good ambush? Because I try to follow the contact but it just like chasing the ships and make no point of a good plan. I know about the maneuvering tactic and how to set up a good firing position but there is something still trouble me during patrol. And may I ask, usually for you old skippers,how long do you stay on a patrol? Thank you guys and please forgive me if these questions are ignorance. Cheers, __________________

06-01-09, 01:29 PM	#2
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	The biggest 'trick' is to get well ahead of the targets apparent course so that you can close to within 2,000 yards at a more or less 90 degree angle to their course and lay in wait. In other words let them come to you. If they are already moving away it most likely is too late. You will simply burn up too much fuel trying to chase it down. As to the last question I stay on patrol till either the torpedoes or ice cream runs out. __________________ Follow the progress of Mr. Mulligan : http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147648

06-01-09, 01:49 PM	#3
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	In the game you can stay out forever if get refits but in real life they stayed away for about 60-70 days or until they completed ammo basicly they got a time alotted that was about 60 days or so. This is smart for many reasons gives crews time to rest puts less wear and tear on the sub and it also allowed the cycling of crewman which allows knowlege to be spread around the entire sub fleet.I stay out the same time mainly because I get a little bored doing the same patrol after a while another good reason in game not stay out too long is if you have performed well you may get a newer sub and could also be missing out on newer gear and from time to time your subs bridge gets improved as well. Keep an eye on a convoy when you set up sometimes they may make a course change and if you dont see this you will go from the perfect set up to being passed by miles ceratinly if they make enitre direction change like form NW to W or something of that nature.I would say if you are very new it is best to start a career in 1943 so that you will have the SJ radar and have map contacts on this will help greatly in plotting and finding convoys.Hunting in the early war times without SJ radar can be very hard at first.Another trick in a Tambor,Gar,Gato,or Balao class you can dive to about 45ft and this will allow you to be nearly invisable to anything several miles away but will allow you to keep the radar running in older subs the deapth is a little shallower you dip between periscope and radar deapth for peeks with the radar.Just be sure to dive to scope deapth when they get within about 10,000 yds of you.Also you can click the icon on your sonar tab that says follow nearst warship the sound man will update the bearing and you can peek from time to time dont get thrown by the escourts they run a sweeping patern while the merchants will run a more direct patern. Once you get the range of one ship then you will know roughly how far away all the others are and that will help you plot your way in.I end to plan my plots to end up about 1,000yds closer than where i think they will be that way if they do sail farther away I will still be close enough Last edited by Stealhead; 06-01-09 at 02:23 PM.

06-01-09, 05:36 PM	#5
Frame57 Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: 1300 feet on the crapper Posts: 1,860 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Also note that when your navmap contacts in red pop up you must check the time of it by clicking on it. Then estimate how far they have gone and intercept them. Chasing them is not preferred, but you can do a round robbin or knuckle around to get into a good firing position. Stay clear of the convoy escorts and note their radar ranges as well when you do this. Happy hunting. __________________ "My Religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble minds." Albert Einstein

06-01-09, 06:37 PM	#6
Folducker Mate Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 53 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Are you talking about a single target, or a convoy. What dates are you working from? Does your boat have radar? This should work for a single contact; When you first sight a contact, draw a line along it's anticipated course on the map. This gives you reference point as to which way the target is heading. Next, get in front without getting sighted. Go to flank speed if it looks like you don't have that far to go. Trying to overtake a contact from behind is a losing proposition. A stern chase is a really long chase. You want to do an end around and get out in front. Once you are out in front, turn into the target, set a course directly at him. When the target gets close to you, submerge. If the target is a merchant ship. you don't have to worry about being heard, but it's a good idea to keep periscope up only for a short time. The sound traces are your best friend in this situation. Maneuver to a point about 1000 yards off the track you drew (You may need to adjust the position of the line you previously drew as the target gets closer). You want to set yourself up at around 1000 yards off the track of the target, lined up for a 90 degree shot. Use the TDC to lock on and wait for the arrow on the target in the periscope to go green. Be sure to open outer doors, (The Q key) before shooting as giving the order to shoot with doors closed will usually make you miss. (Takes time to open the doors). Nail the b*****d. If your target happens to be a was ship, usually a destroyer you will have a more difficult time. Attacking destroyers was usually discouraged. since they are a lot faster, they have a tendacy to hear a torpedo and avoid it. Then you can be in for a bad time.