Some escorts more 'easy' than others?

[Iranon]

Oh, I don't question that you will win gun fights against trawlers.
The question is whether it's worth it. Gun battles carry some risk despite a hypercompetent WO's range estimates (which I don't use) and surprising deck gun power at long range (DD sunk immediately after 2nd hit? Eek!); they can occasionally hit from several km away.
Playing DiD and trying my best to get my crew and boat back in perfect condition, I dislike unnecessary risks... things go pear-shaped on their own accord often enough.

I can kill armed trawlers with 1 torpedo the vast majority of times, but I don't have the near-perfect success rate I do against corvettes and destroyers.
Since the small fry is hardly worth an eel in the first place, this is annoying.

[Obltn Strand]

I too stopped surface attacks against armed trawlers and flower corvettes. Too easy prey.

Maybe wo without laser rangefinder makes surface battles more challenging. I like to take risks and it's rare occasion if I return to port with full hull integrity.

Does anyone know what kind of rangefinder WO used real in world?

[BulSoldier]

it is possible to destroy DDs or DEs with one two shots of the deck gun.I myself (IRC) sunk town class destroyer with 1-2 hits.Then it was rocked with few explosions and sunk.Though prolonged surface engagements are definetly unhealthy.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by BulSoldier

it is possible to destroy DDs or DEs with one two shots of the deck gun.I myself (IRC) sunk town class destroyer with 1-2 hits.Then it was rocked with few explosions and sunk.Though prolonged surface engagements are definetly unhealthy.

Sounds like you've been most fortunate and caused a magazine explosion

[floundericiousWA]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Sounds like you've been most fortunate and caused a magazine explosion

Can you set off torpedoes? That would blow a DD clean in half!!!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by floundericiousWA

Can you set off torpedoes? That would blow a DD clean in half!!!

Not as far as I am aware....I don't think they were given damage zone files

[Iranon]

When I managed to sink a destroyer with surprisingly few hits, it was usually from several kilometers away with plunging fire.

The really strange bit is that they sank with no fuss at all. No explosions, no breaking in half, no heavy tilting, no discernible noise.
Former submariners in charge of an ultra-efficient crew maybe?

'Crash Dive!'
'Aye aye, Sir!'

[floundericiousWA]

Originally Posted by Obltn Strand

I too stopped surface attacks against armed trawlers and flower corvettes. Too easy prey.

Maybe wo without laser rangefinder makes surface battles more challenging. I like to take risks and it's rare occasion if I return to port with full hull integrity.

Does anyone know what kind of rangefinder WO used real in world?

Identification manual and scale markings in the UZO? If you have to do that trigonometry in your head often enough, it becomes second nature.

[KL-alfman]

Originally Posted by floundericiousWA

Identification manual and scale markings in the UZO? If you have to do that trigonometry in your head often enough, it becomes second nature.

I envy you for your abilities!

[floundericiousWA]

lol

not me, man, not me! I'm math-enabled, but practice and theory are different!!!

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by floundericiousWA

not me, man, not me! I'm math-enabled, but practice and theory are different!!!

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, however, there is!