Manual TDC vs Destroyer...

[derrinurban]

Originally Posted by Immelman

My VIIB holds 14 eels only 12 internally. I can't afford to waste 6-8 eels on escorts. That's half my ammo assuming I aim right and get no duds or premature ej... errr detonations

I have found that wasting a few torpedos is well worth the effort, especially later in the war. I try not to waste 6-8 either. You only need to remember that the destroyer positions are fixed.

I like to take out the lead destroyer and/or the two destroyers on one side of the convoy and then escape. I escape and move ahead of the convoy for another run. I make sure at least an hour or two has passed since my first attack. This is so the convoy quits zig-zagging and goes back to straight running. By this time all destroyers have resumed their original positions. With no destroyers on my attack side of the convoy, it is easy to get into an ideal firing position and trash the convoy, row by row on multiple attacks. Also with no destroyers on my side of the convoy, I am long gone by the time the remaining destroyers come to look for me.

[maillemaker]

Sounds like a great plan, derrinurban!

[Immelman]

Originally Posted by derrinurban

With no destroyers on my attack side of the convoy, it is easy to get into an ideal firing position and trash the convoy, row by row on multiple attacks. Also with no destroyers on my side of the convoy, I am long gone by the time the remaining destroyers come to look for me.

Hmmm, never occurred to me to do that, its a good idea. But its more of a game exploit then anything else. I mean in real life they would have rearranged their patrol sectors. they wouldn't leave gaping holes in the convoy's defenses.

[derrinurban]

Originally Posted by Immelman

Hmmm, never occurred to me to do that, its a good idea. But its more of a game exploit then anything else. I mean in real life they would have rearranged their patrol sectors. they wouldn't leave gaping holes in the convoy's defenses.

True, it is a bit of an exploit. However, even if they did rearrange, after one or two such attacks, the gaps would be large (only 2-4 destroyers left) and the convoy would be vulnerable. You could get close have a look at the formation and re-position ahead to maximize the vulnerabilities. They would need to be rotating positions to have any chance of minimizing.