My first post and first wartime patrol

claretabroad · 04-26-10, 01:53 PM

I've been a mild forum stalker for a while now and have been digesting as much of the invaluable information here as possible. Initially I applied it to individual missions on vanilla and then GWX and a few days ago I took the plunge and started a career through Commander. I timed my days in port so as to be on the approaches to the channel at the start of the war. When war was declared U-30 was in prime position and we quickly took out a small cargo ship and then had a deck gun duel with an asw trawler for virtually no damage. It all went quiet for a few hours as we chugged around the BF teens looking for a target and then a radio convoy report came in and we went to intercept.

It hove into view in the small hours of the morning, 5 columns of juicy targets with one lead destroyer and one bringing up the rear. Time to pick the unfortunate targets and set a course that would put me in between two of the columns so as to be able to fire off a stern torpedo. I brought up the external camera (sorry 100% guys) and immediately noticed something large bang in the centre of the convoy. Whats this? in fact, its not large its huge. 3 massive forward turrets and a ridiculously large superstructure. It's a battleship, either the Rodney or the Nelson! I accidentally forgot (ahem) the radio message about not sinking capital ships and worked my way to a point that would give me decent firing solution. The next 10 minutes can only be described as the most heart-pounding, palm-sweating, nerve-shattering time of my life as I waited for the monster to cross my sights. Eventually it did and I gave it all four tubes and a then a quick look to my stern and a fish at a tramp steamer for good measure. She took all four and was going down after the third but overkill wasn't an option on this one. The destroyer escorts weren't too happy and made my life a misery for the next hour and a half but I'm now well and truly hooked much to the annoyance of my girlfriend. This game is trouble but that little line in the captains log that says HMS Rodney, 36000 tons is going to keep me coming back for a lot more. I have yet to get back to home base and am hoping I don't get a massive renown hit for disobeying a direct order but surely a young sailor can be forgiven a little enthusiasm?

sergei · 04-26-10, 02:00 PM

Welcome aboard.
Good first post. Great first patrol

Oh yeah, this game is addictive as hell.
And it just get's better

frau kaleun · 04-26-10, 02:10 PM

Ahoy and welcome.

I have yet to encounter a big warship but even without them, convoy attacks are nerve-wracking! My first one also involved me getting right in between two columns - took out two large merchants and then dove for all I was worth and got away clean. I was lucky that my two chosen targets were in the first 2-3 rows so I just turned 90 degrees to port and headed straight back underneath the rest of the convoy - by the time they had all passed overhead I was running silent at 130m and the escorts never picked up on my position at all.

I still can't believe I pulled it off.

sergei · 04-26-10, 02:14 PM

Oh yeah.
Getting right in the middle of a convoy, then slipping away un-noticed.
Sure is a sweet feeling.

KL-alfman · 04-26-10, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

by the time they had all passed overhead I was running silent at 130m and the escorts never picked up on my position at all.

how I wish all convoy-attacks would turn out to end like this!

welcome to the pack, claretabroad!

Brag · 04-26-10, 02:31 PM

Claretabroad!
Welcome aboard. Excellent first patrol. Drinks are on you

04-26-10, 01:53 PM	#1
claretabroad Nub Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 4 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	My first post and first wartime patrol I've been a mild forum stalker for a while now and have been digesting as much of the invaluable information here as possible. Initially I applied it to individual missions on vanilla and then GWX and a few days ago I took the plunge and started a career through Commander. I timed my days in port so as to be on the approaches to the channel at the start of the war. When war was declared U-30 was in prime position and we quickly took out a small cargo ship and then had a deck gun duel with an asw trawler for virtually no damage. It all went quiet for a few hours as we chugged around the BF teens looking for a target and then a radio convoy report came in and we went to intercept. It hove into view in the small hours of the morning, 5 columns of juicy targets with one lead destroyer and one bringing up the rear. Time to pick the unfortunate targets and set a course that would put me in between two of the columns so as to be able to fire off a stern torpedo. I brought up the external camera (sorry 100% guys) and immediately noticed something large bang in the centre of the convoy. Whats this? in fact, its not large its huge. 3 massive forward turrets and a ridiculously large superstructure. It's a battleship, either the Rodney or the Nelson! I accidentally forgot (ahem) the radio message about not sinking capital ships and worked my way to a point that would give me decent firing solution. The next 10 minutes can only be described as the most heart-pounding, palm-sweating, nerve-shattering time of my life as I waited for the monster to cross my sights. Eventually it did and I gave it all four tubes and a then a quick look to my stern and a fish at a tramp steamer for good measure. She took all four and was going down after the third but overkill wasn't an option on this one. The destroyer escorts weren't too happy and made my life a misery for the next hour and a half but I'm now well and truly hooked much to the annoyance of my girlfriend. This game is trouble but that little line in the captains log that says HMS Rodney, 36000 tons is going to keep me coming back for a lot more. I have yet to get back to home base and am hoping I don't get a massive renown hit for disobeying a direct order but surely a young sailor can be forgiven a little enthusiasm?

04-26-10, 02:31 PM	#6
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Claretabroad! Welcome aboard. Excellent first patrol. Drinks are on you __________________ 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/

04-26-10, 02:00 PM	#2
sergei Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 1,788 Downloads: 405 Uploads: 29	Welcome aboard. Good first post. Great first patrol Oh yeah, this game is addictive as hell. And it just get's better

04-26-10, 02:10 PM	#3
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Ahoy and welcome. I have yet to encounter a big warship but even without them, convoy attacks are nerve-wracking! My first one also involved me getting right in between two columns - took out two large merchants and then dove for all I was worth and got away clean. I was lucky that my two chosen targets were in the first 2-3 rows so I just turned 90 degrees to port and headed straight back underneath the rest of the convoy - by the time they had all passed overhead I was running silent at 130m and the escorts never picked up on my position at all. I still can't believe I pulled it off.

04-26-10, 02:14 PM	#4
sergei Sea Lord Join Date: May 2008 Location: London UK Posts: 1,788 Downloads: 405 Uploads: 29	Oh yeah. Getting right in the middle of a convoy, then slipping away un-noticed. Sure is a sweet feeling.