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Old 07-20-13, 02:56 PM   #1
Bubblehead1980
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Default Palawan Passage...October 1944

TMO RSRD USS Finback-Gato class.October 1944. 100 realism, cams and contacts on.

After 30 days off Indochina with 5 ships down(convoy battle of course of couple days) low on fuel, a tired crew(fatigue level was high) and two Mark 18's forward, four aft, headed for home.On the evening of October 22, 1944 approached Balabac Strait, At 1201, radar made contact, with some fish left, decided to check it out, soon on the scope could see we had either had a large convoy or TF, soon gathered a TF judging by the 13 counted escorts forming a loose ring around the main body in two long columns and the speed, estimated at 18 knots.

Spent the night getting ahead, finally at 0515 was in good position, ordered a dive and closed in at 100 feet.Lucky held as some of the forward screen made high speed runs out in left field, leaving a temporary opening, noticed this on scope as we dove, adjusted plot, moved in for stern shot.Avoiding the lead escort which came out way for a minute, we came back to scope depth, stern pointed towards main body, huger group of cruisers and BB's. Had a Takao Heavy cruiser at 2000 yards, fired all four Mark 18's at him, target was making 16 knots but after a long torpedo run, all four hit, leaving the CA on fire and listing.During the run I made the turn and brought bow tubes to bear on another CA, fired two at another Takao Heavy cruiser making 15 knots now and zigging after torpedoes impacted the other cruiser.Soon multiple DD's were closing in at high speed and pinging, but we stayed up to watch, soon both fish hit the second cruiser in the bow area, under the forward turret.Disappointed there was no explosion of magazine but just a small fire, we went deep and avoided a hailstorm of depth charges.
soon, the first cruiser exploded(heard it) and went down.About 15 minutes later, the second cruiser, severe flooding in her bow, stern in the air, went down as well.


After dodging an intense, prolonged depth charging, surfaced at 0800 and headed sped ahead to send another contact report.Around 1400 as the group slipped into Mindoro Strait, sent contact report and headed for home.


Only after the attack while waiting for torpedoes to hit second target did it occurr to me the date and that I had stumbled upon Kurita's Center Force on it's way to Leyte Gulf, which was attacked in same area by USS Darter and Dace in October 1944.Also discovered timing of attack was close as contact was made around midnight on 23 October and attack occurred at 0524. Darter and Dace together sunk and damaged several cruisers, including Kurita's flagship.

Once again, one of the cool parts of RSRD, major groups are at historicaly accurate time and location like that I stumbled onto it, always fun.Even more fun the attack times matched up.Few images...



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Old 07-20-13, 03:49 PM   #2
c13Garrison
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A very nice penetration! May I ask what speed you closed at? When I'm approaching an escorted TF I'm afraid to exceed 1/3.

Also, whoever built the keel for that cruiser deserves a medal- look at it stand tall without breaking off! That must have been the 2nd one that got your bow hits, correct?
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Old 07-20-13, 05:56 PM   #3
Bubblehead1980
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Originally Posted by c13Garrison View Post
A very nice penetration! May I ask what speed you closed at? When I'm approaching an escorted TF I'm afraid to exceed 1/3.

Also, whoever built the keel for that cruiser deserves a medal- look at it stand tall without breaking off! That must have been the 2nd one that got your bow hits, correct?

I closed at 1/3 on silent running. If need to go faster I go to 100 feet or 200 feet, wouldnt chance going above 2/3 though.Sea state plays a role, seas were pretty calm so i was cautious, i just put myself close to their projected track and took the opening when i saw the lead flank escort went for a jog in left field.Track a convoy long enough, will notice the flank escorts will run off sometimes for a good 5-10 minutes checking to see if anyone is following, that is when i slip in, usually for night surface attacks.I would have a difficult time getting a good shot, esp with stern tubes if escort had not left its station, so it worked out. After 5 hours of tracking, I had a good idea of their course, speed etc.

Also, try out the SH AI Fix from the downloads, it makes approaching escort targets more realistic.In the sim without the AI fix, escorts are always pinging(even if you cant hear it) so its why when you get close where they shouldnt be able to hear you that detect you, start hearing the ping. AI fix makes them listen only and only start pinging when target is detected, stops when contact is lost.This is more realistic, makes it a little easier (but realistic) to slip inside an escort screen.

Yes, the cruiser in the photo is the second one.Well they were pretty strong ships, tough to split them in two.Ive seen a cruiser split in two in the game a few times, just have to hit them just right.
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Old 07-21-13, 03:16 AM   #4
Kaleun
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Hi,

AI Fix??? are you refering to "easier escorts for TMO" or is there another mod i'm unaware of?

Thanks
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Old 07-21-13, 05:11 AM   #5
Bubblehead1980
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaleun View Post
Hi,

AI Fix??? are you refering to "easier escorts for TMO" or is there another mod i'm unaware of?

Thanks
Nope, referring to this gem right here.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=1936
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Old 07-21-13, 05:18 AM   #6
Kaleun
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Thanks, i'll have to give it a go! - i found RFB escorts too easy and TMO one too hard, so this might make be "middle ground" i'm looking for!
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Old 07-21-13, 02:09 PM   #7
Bubblehead1980
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Originally Posted by Kaleun View Post
Thanks, i'll have to give it a go! - i found RFB escorts too easy and TMO one too hard, so this might make be "middle ground" i'm looking for!

Well, they are still tough but this just makes their ability to first detect you more realistic, less supernatural. Basically, it makes getting inside a escort screen submerged more on level with how it was, but once they go "active" they are as vicious as ever.

I started a career in July 1943 with a Porpoise class, wanting to use the older less capable boats later in war(got the USS Pollack, which there is a book by one of her crew who served on her from 1943 until late 44, Captain C Kenneth Ruiz,book is called "The Luck of The Draw") I did fine with counter attacks until last patrol in January 1944.After a night surface attack on January 19, sank two ships out of a two ship convoy, escort never found me as night was dark. Next morning ran into a convoy heading for Tokyo with 5 ships and 3 escorts, evaded the screen, sank two ships, went to 250 feet, test depth.First few attacks evaded but then a couple accurate patterns just tore my boat up, flooding, tubes destroyed etc, they my boat in shambles, after 6 hours, they gave use, thinking I was dead.I limped home, four ships destroyed but boat was a wreck.

I might try the easier AI patch to see if they are still tough but little more realistic. I agree, its something that pushed me away from RFB was how easy the escorts were.Guess its all about balance.
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