Evading: when to go flank speed?

[dfscott]

I've read several different opinions on evading escorts, particularly with regard to when to go flank speed and try and get some distance away. Here are some of the techniques I've heard:

1) Go flank as he passes overhead. You'll be in his baffles and he won't hear you.

2) Go flank when the depth charges hit the water -- he's already started his attack.

3) Go flank (and change direction) when the ashcans start exploding -- you need to get out of there now and he's likely moved past.

4) Same as #3, but only if you're actually getting DC'ed -- if the escort is not dumping them on you, going flank will give you away even with the explosions going off.

5) Go flank (and change depth) when you're getting the reverb ping (i.e., the loud ping-ping) -- this means he already knows where you are, so no sense trying to hide.

Ofc, this assumes a single escort -- things get more complicated with multiple ASW ships.