Low visibility operations question...

treblesum81 · 06-12-15, 10:00 PM

I've found a couple of ships in extremely poor weather conditions near Java in early 1942. Conditions are such that if I were to attack them now, it would be a sonar only, sight unseen attack. With this in mind, should I go ahead and attack them, or should I track them until conditions improve so I that I could ID them to make sure they are enemy prior to attacking, keeping in mind that this could mean days of shadowing before conditions clear thanks to the persistent weather conditions in SH4.

Thoughts?
Thanks.

Crannogman · 06-12-15, 10:32 PM

Even in the worst weather you can see about 500y. So long as neither is a warship, I say go for it. Best is likely an almost-parallel closing course at decks awash or deeper

treblesum81 · 06-12-15, 11:50 PM

Seems a little iffy... at that range if they turn out to be warships, even a crash dive won't prevent damage...

EDIT: I'm also pretty sure they are warships as they are cruising at 15kts

deathwest · 06-13-15, 04:55 AM

I love hunting in the fog , get a range and bearing and let the hot lead fly.
When you hit the ship, it lights up the fog

and I can see like down town NY.

Armistead · 06-13-15, 10:06 AM

Much depends on your mods. As stated, most stay on the surface and use the deckgun shooting by bearing, but you aren't gonna sink a warship that way, unless maybe a DD or escort. If stock, fairly easy to sink even DD's with the deckgun, they don't see u, they just act dumb and take a pounding.

Obvious, if you have cams on you can cycle and see what ships, but more realistic to keep them off. Another flaw, as stated, you can often see the outline of the ship you hit in the fog when a shell hits.

Almost always, you get close enough to get a visual, they see you at the same moment and blast away. Be aware, later war some DD's and many capital ships have radar and you'll get chased down in the fog.

granite00 · 06-13-15, 01:18 PM

Maybe the water is too rough, but sonar may be able to determine if they are war ships or merchants by listening to turn counts.

james_nix · 06-15-15, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deathwest

I love hunting in the fog , get a range and bearing and let the hot lead fly.
When you hit the ship, it lights up the fog

and I can see like down town NY.

That's what I do! Deck guns are for fog.

merc4ulfate · 06-15-15, 04:32 PM

06-12-15, 10:00 PM	#1
treblesum81 Frogman Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 308 Downloads: 71 Uploads: 0	Low visibility operations question... I've found a couple of ships in extremely poor weather conditions near Java in early 1942. Conditions are such that if I were to attack them now, it would be a sonar only, sight unseen attack. With this in mind, should I go ahead and attack them, or should I track them until conditions improve so I that I could ID them to make sure they are enemy prior to attacking, keeping in mind that this could mean days of shadowing before conditions clear thanks to the persistent weather conditions in SH4. Thoughts? Thanks.

06-12-15, 10:32 PM	#2
Crannogman Watch Officer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 343 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	Even in the worst weather you can see about 500y. So long as neither is a warship, I say go for it. Best is likely an almost-parallel closing course at decks awash or deeper __________________ "The sea shall ride over her and she shall live in it like a duck" ~John Ericsson

06-12-15, 11:50 PM	#3
treblesum81 Frogman Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 308 Downloads: 71 Uploads: 0	Seems a little iffy... at that range if they turn out to be warships, even a crash dive won't prevent damage... EDIT: I'm also pretty sure they are warships as they are cruising at 15kts Last edited by treblesum81; 06-13-15 at 12:00 AM.

06-13-15, 04:55 AM	#4
deathwest Watch Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Marble PA. USA Posts: 28 Downloads: 183 Uploads: 0	I love hunting in the fog , get a range and bearing and let the hot lead fly. When you hit the ship, it lights up the fog and I can see like down town NY. __________________

06-13-15, 10:06 AM	#5
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Much depends on your mods. As stated, most stay on the surface and use the deckgun shooting by bearing, but you aren't gonna sink a warship that way, unless maybe a DD or escort. If stock, fairly easy to sink even DD's with the deckgun, they don't see u, they just act dumb and take a pounding. Obvious, if you have cams on you can cycle and see what ships, but more realistic to keep them off. Another flaw, as stated, you can often see the outline of the ship you hit in the fog when a shell hits. Almost always, you get close enough to get a visual, they see you at the same moment and blast away. Be aware, later war some DD's and many capital ships have radar and you'll get chased down in the fog. __________________ You see my dog don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it.

06-13-15, 01:18 PM	#6
granite00 Torpedoman Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 113 Downloads: 170 Uploads: 0	Maybe the water is too rough, but sonar may be able to determine if they are war ships or merchants by listening to turn counts. __________________ granite00

06-15-15, 04:32 PM	#8
merc4ulfate DILLIGAF Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: florida Posts: 2,058 Downloads: 210 Uploads: 0	__________________ Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is. ~Isaac Asimov~ Mercfulfate 将補日本帝國海軍