Convoy attack in Oct 43

[Col Frost]

I'm considering attacking a convoy in Oct 43, but I'm concerned that the escorts (one has forward firing depthcharges-hedgehog?) will make mincemeat of me.

Is there any chance of getting away with it and how can I survive?

I'm in a type IXB in over 1000m .

Any tips gratefully received.

[klh]

Originally Posted by Col Frost

I'm considering attacking a convoy in Oct 43, but I'm concerned that the escorts (one has forward firing depthcharges-hedgehog?) will make mincemeat of me.

Is there any chance of getting away with it and how can I survive?

I'm in a type IXB in over 1000m .

Any tips gratefully received.

Well, that's what you're there for. Be more aggressive!

Seriously, though, make sure you place yourself in a good position in front of the convoy without being seen. Then go to silent running and allow the convoy to overtake you. Minimize your periscope sweeps. After you're inside the escort screen, take your shots, then make a turn, and go deep and silent in the confusion. If you're good, then they'll never know where you are and their ash cans will fall nowhere near you.

Now if that doesn't work, then use evasive tactics. Study section IV in the Uboat Commander's Handbook. As soon as they pass overhead and drop on you, then go to flank, turn left or right, and immediately change depths (don't forget you can also go up). Cut back to silent after about 20 seconds. Keep it up until you shake them.

[rik007]

Depends on the wheather. With storm I would certainly try it. Of course silent running and max.speed is 1 kts.

[Keelbuster]

Take longshots (>5km) from way outside the convoy. Use pattern running T1s if you have them. They several minutes to enter the convoy, and this gives you plenty of time to 'clear the datum'.

[Col Frost]

Originally Posted by Keelbuster

Take longshots (>5km) from way outside the convoy. Use pattern running T1s if you have them. They several minutes to enter the convoy, and this gives you plenty of time to 'clear the datum'.

Trouble is weather is not good and visibility is very limited.

To even see the ships I'd have to get right between the columns and then the destroyers would be close...

[Keelbuster]

Originally Posted by Col Frost

Trouble is weather is not good and visibility is very limited.

To even see the ships I'd have to get right between the columns and then the destroyers would be close...

Yea,...but all the more reason to use pattern runners. The whole point of them is to just get them approximately in the right zone and let the pattern find something. If you've got their exact speed from a radio report, then you can just dial it in, make a guess about the range (or send a ping or two), then launch a good spread set to slow speed and 1600m circuit, and let them do the work while you bail. It's a bit of a different strategy because you don't really pick your targets, but in late war with GWX 2.0, I find detection = death like 75% of the time.

[tomfon]

I find klh's strategy better. This is what i do and believe me it has proved to be very effective: get a position in front of the convoy, dive at 100 meters when your distance from the nearest visual contact is 10000 meters, turn the Uboat to where the convoy is heading and then keep contact using the hydrophone (this way you will also allow you to ''keep an ear'' on the destroyers, run at ahead slow=2 knots). Go to silent running when the nearest warship contact comes to middle range. When the nearest merchant contact comes to middle range go to 80 meters. ''Follow'' the destroyers and go to periscope depth when they pass above you or they are 270deg or 90deg port or starboard,respectively . Choose your targets and when they have finally come to bearing 330deg<periscope bearing<30deg -meaning they are in front of you-begin the attack procedures!
A clever way to sink fat ships and disappear after the attack in the confusion while the destroyers are spitting elsewhere!

[Danelov]

Well, only I can recommend some general considerations: minimum radio transmissions to avoid the interception by the enemy with the H/F D/F, take calculated risk and broke the contact in time, better to sink only two merchants and scape to fight another day, avoid the planes detection, certainly, he trasmit your last position to the escort and then you have, two, three or more escorts chasing your U-Boots for hours. Minimum time with the periscope Up, memorize the possible HDG and position of the targets.Go to the attack with all the parameters ready, torpedo tubes open, speed and depth, pistoles contact.Be not too longuer in the target selection, fire, dive and go for the depth with minimum noise.

[tomfon]

... + Patience

[Jimbuna]

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!...SINK EM ALL!!

[Grayson02sept1980]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!...SINK EM ALL!!

I'm at June '43 and happy when I get in at all.... plus when I get two good shots and sink around 20k I a happy..... :rotfl:

well I admit I use the big buss easy to see IX yet it is possible to sneak in if you are doing your planning well and timing is essential

When weather and the night are on your side... it is possible!

[_Seth_]

It's a h*ll of a task, operating from that short range...*But those who dares, wins..*
Listen to the fellow kaleuns, matey! Good advice is always welcome here at Subsim!
Good luck on your attack, Käpitanleutnant!