where to find ships: New Guinea 42

[Bilge_Rat]

I started a RFB/RSRDC patrol, left Midway oct. 1 42 and travelled a great circle route to my assigned patrol area north of New Guinea, roughly half way between the Palaus and Rabaul.





RSRDC may be historical, but no one has ever accused it of having a lot of traffic.

It is now oct. 21 and in 20 days, I have no sighted a single ship but have encountered IJN patrol planes 6 times including twice today.

Without getting into specific dates for convoys/ships, I am trying to figure out where I am more likely to find traffic. The options are:

1. stay roughly where I am to intercept Palaus-Rabaul traffic;
2. move closer to the New Guinea coast to intercept coastal traffic;
3. move to Truk (700 miles away) to intercept inbound/outbound traffic;
4. move closer to Rabaul to intercept Rabaul-Palaus/Rabaul-Truk traffic.

I have already used 30% of my fuel so I am leaning towards going towards Truk which also brings me closer to Midway.

Any thoughts, Skippers?

[Hylander_1314]

Since your home port is Midway, Truk is the most likely place to prowl. Unless you have other ports that are closer where you can top off the tanks. If you do, like Tulagi in the Solomons, head for the area to the west of Rabaul inbetween New Britain, and New Ireland. Lots of merchant and Naval activity through there on a regular basis. So if you aren't in a good position to intercept, you can position yourself closer to that location in wait for the next group to come through.

[Bilge_Rat]

south of Manus Island?

I guess I have enough gas for a look see.

thanks.

[Bilge_Rat]

on my way to Rabaul.

Is'nt the South Pacific lovely in late october...

[Armistead]

Most of the traffic in 42, including the battles are in the Solomons or NW of the Solomons in the Ontong Java area. Many TF leave Truk for the several large battles, others leave Rabaul and Shortland. After the large battle of Guadalcanal in Nov. 42, things cool down, but several smaller battles take place. With RSRD several convoys spawn from Palau to Wewak, Wewak to Rabaul. There is one invasion force that lands near Lae, but can't remember the date. You would be better to sit in the Bismark closer to Rabaul. You'll start seeing flash messages for traffic in the area late 42-43, near Rabaul you should be able to intercept.

Do yourself a favor, around Nov 11-16th be near Savo Island. Shortly, 12th-15 you'll see enough action 3 nights in a row that your head will spin...plus some large surface battles. You can refit at Tulagi, you'll need all the torps you can get.

[Bilge_Rat]

Spent 3 days off Wewak without spotting anything. Have now been ordered to patrol off Truk, maybe I will have better luck. Be there in 72 hours.