What range you close into for a convoy attack?

[Shelton]

Hey guys

How close do you guys get to attack a convoy? Like within 1000metres or like 3000 meters away and you fire 1 !

[xlbob]

I always try to get as close as possible to the convoy, 400 to 500 m from the outermost column. There were times when I attack from inside the convoy. I usually stay and fire all my torps before dive and sneak away from the convoy.

Of course, I never last long ... usually have to start a new career after my 6th patrol

[GoldenRivet]

the only time i fire at a distance greater than 1500 meters is if im on the surface, they are behind me, im in shallow waters and im going to make a run for it as soon as the fish leaves the tube.

In all normal attacks in deep water, i never engage at less than 1500 meters and my preference is to be within 300 to 1,000 meters when firing at the target.

[TarJak]

It depends on what year I'm playing. In 1939 thru early '42 I try to get as close as I can (~800-500m). After that I'm further away (~1500-3000m) cos the escorts harass me when I try to get too close, but in '44 or '45 I actually don't go near convoys that are not headed directly at me and go for single ships whenever possible.

[Heibges]

I agree with TarJack.

[Shelton]

yea i think the closer you get during the later yrs the more trouble ur asking for!

[Lzs von swe]

Yes, early war I try to get into some 800m. range but later I use the greater stand off range of the newer torpedo types that becomes available.
Fire torps from 4-5000m, scope down, slow ahead, silent running, dive and break away (clear datum, as someone said) is my tactics for late war attacks.

[Sardaukar67]

Submerged, 700-800m in early war and you rarely miss (unless your torpedoes are duds or malfunction). Usually means you can hit 2 ships in convoy with same attack (by firing first against someone bit further and then giving the good news to your intended target).

Also, if you get within 1.5-2km without being detected, you can usually half the distance with little patience unless enemy is moving away.

Well, I play NYGM, but early war convoy attack is for me: Sneak close to 800m (preferably inside the convoy lines), fire at 2 targets (3 if there is ample target for stern tube). Dive and turn to follow the course of convoy while reloading, in hope to pick stragglers. And pray you won't be picked up by escorts in process...

[Von Manteuffel]

Early War - submerged - I try to take a position at right angles to the course of the convoy and 2,500 metres from the line of the file of ships furthest away. That means that if a shot misses, it will at least have the "legs" to run right through the convoy and might get lucky.

I usually wait until the second rank of ships is level with my position, then fire all torpedoes separately at different targets. Down 'scope, go deep and turn to parallel the course of the convoy. If the escorts start to get too close, I go to silent running; plot the convoy by hydrophone; wait until it's passed a safe distance and any hunting escorts have rejoined it, then surface; de-rig silent-running to complete reloading the tubes; send a contact and patrol report; finish off any ships the first attack has slowed down, or crippled; then loop around the convoy at a safe distance as fast as possible to take up a similar position further down its course for a second attack.

Late War I use the greater range of the later model torpedoes to give myself more sea-room and a greater safety margin. Sometimes, especially against heavily-escorted convoys at night, I will even set the old steam torpedoes to medium, or even slow speed to increase the range at which I can fire and get away clean. I've found that doing this during the day can lead to the target(s) spotting the torpedo's wake and taking evasive action.

[KeptinCranky]

It dpeends, if you're doing your targetting manually, get as close as possible, if not you can safely take a bit more distance, especially when using T1 steamers at night, set those to medium and you can still hit a lot of ships that are near the edge of visual range.

when attacking from the sides of the convoy the main factor is whether the flanking escorts are close to the convoy, if they're real close, I then fire from long range, or if they are further out, say 2km away I try to get as close to the merchies as possible

[Brag]

Submerged. I get inside the convoy, usualy closer to one of the flanks. Select 2 or 3 targets, fire and dive deep immediately toward center of convoy while doing the wiggle-waggle. At around 40 meters, I reduce speed to 1 knot. This allows me to drift down to 80 meters quietly.

I go for high value targets and try to keep tonnage average to 5,000 tons per torpedo or better.

The wiggle waggle: 20-30 seconds at flank speed & PD. change course 20 degrees (the wiggle). Begin dive. Reach 40 meters, change course 20 degrees and go silent. 1 knot.

Once established on new course, set rudder to 5 degrees, either port or starboard.

[Kaleu. Jochen Mohr]

right in the middle where the escorts cant reach you that good
then i start sinking the ships (escorts first if possible)

[sunvalleyslim]

KJM,
I agree with Brag on this point. Early in the war you can get inside the convoy and make some succesful attacks. But later they going to be on your butt. Get inside as well as possible, select good targets, make the shoots, and scamper for deeper water. Because someone is going to want to kick your "ASS"............

[Kaleu. Jochen Mohr]

its kinda easy to get inside the convoy.
plot a intercepting course well ahead and wait till the first escort passes you

[HMCS]

It depends. Surface attack: 1000-1500m to the outermost column or less with decks awash.

Submerged: I try to line up my bow with the outermost column, dive to 60m, run silent, and as soon as the lead escort pulls to my 120/280 deg. I pull up to periscope depth, do a ninety deg. turn and head for the centermost column where all the juicy targets are. I try to pull whithin 1000 m for a sure kill.