Live and let live convoy attack

08-09-13, 11:32 AM

Ahoi! It's April 1941 north of the Canary Islands when I got a report of a large enemy convoy heading north with slow speed. I moved to intercept course at once, made sound contact just before sunset. As BdU ordered individual attack, I decided to do a usual night surface run at the convoy.

BUT!!! After 2 unexpected hard days I decided to give up chasing.
My stats during these 2 days:

9 approaches from port, 5 from starboard
11 surface approaches, 3 submerged
2 visual contacts with a merchant
12 times forced to dive and depth charged by escorts

In addition, weather got overcast firstly then foggy decreasing visibility to merely 1000 m. Since depth charging damaged the hull of my boat plus fuel level dropped drastically (to say nothing of the nervous system of my crew) I eventually decided to let this convoy get away and continue patrolling my assigned grid.

I feel terribly ashamed of retreating but for me the integrity of my crew and boat comes first and only then the tonnage. I know it's not the best philosophy from a U-boat commander but I think it's foolish to throw the lives of my men away for nothing.

By the way, that convoy seriously abounded in escorts that must have been equipped with radar since they almost always knew my position even in complete darkness. Due to harsh sea midday submerged attack was also a pain to perform.

I looks like the Tommies learned their lesson and Happy Times are about to end.

VONHARRIS · 08-09-13, 02:09 PM

No reason to me ashamed!
There will be other convoys to attack.

Consider this : you are alive to fight another day.

sublynx · 08-09-13, 02:50 PM

You're alive to fight another day with some valuable experience. You showed quite a lot of resilience by attacking that many times and in horrible visibility too. Better luck next time

Sailor Steve · 08-09-13, 03:11 PM

First rule: It's hard to conduct a proper attack if you're dead.

SnipersHunter · 08-09-13, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

First rule: It's hard to conduct a proper attack if you're dead.

Thats right

08-09-13, 11:32 AM	#1
allievo Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Live and let live convoy attack Ahoi! It's April 1941 north of the Canary Islands when I got a report of a large enemy convoy heading north with slow speed. I moved to intercept course at once, made sound contact just before sunset. As BdU ordered individual attack, I decided to do a usual night surface run at the convoy. BUT!!! After 2 unexpected hard days I decided to give up chasing. My stats during these 2 days: 9 approaches from port, 5 from starboard 11 surface approaches, 3 submerged 2 visual contacts with a merchant 12 times forced to dive and depth charged by escorts In addition, weather got overcast firstly then foggy decreasing visibility to merely 1000 m. Since depth charging damaged the hull of my boat plus fuel level dropped drastically (to say nothing of the nervous system of my crew) I eventually decided to let this convoy get away and continue patrolling my assigned grid. I feel terribly ashamed of retreating but for me the integrity of my crew and boat comes first and only then the tonnage. I know it's not the best philosophy from a U-boat commander but I think it's foolish to throw the lives of my men away for nothing. By the way, that convoy seriously abounded in escorts that must have been equipped with radar since they almost always knew my position even in complete darkness. Due to harsh sea midday submerged attack was also a pain to perform. I looks like the Tommies learned their lesson and Happy Times are about to end.

08-09-13, 03:11 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	First rule: It's hard to conduct a proper attack if you're dead. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-09-13, 02:09 PM	#2
VONHARRIS Konteradmiral Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 1,992 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	No reason to me ashamed! There will be other convoys to attack. Consider this : you are alive to fight another day.

08-09-13, 02:50 PM	#3
sublynx Sea Lord Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: In the conning tower of my VIIC scanning the sea through the periscope Posts: 1,698 Downloads: 173 Uploads: 7	You're alive to fight another day with some valuable experience. You showed quite a lot of resilience by attacking that many times and in horrible visibility too. Better luck next time