Question: How do you nail a zig zagger ?

[smilinicon]

I wait until they stop zigging. Fight the fight on your terms, not theirs.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by smilinicon

I wait until they stop zigging. Fight the fight on your terms, not theirs.

Yeah, definitely my preference. And they do seem to stop zigzagging and go back on a straight course if you stay submerged long enough.

It just depends on whether or not I think I'll get the chance to wait that long, given the location and the other ship's speed. If it looks like I'd have to get out of visual range and get ahead of her again on the surface, and this means getting myself deep into the range of Allied air cover or closer to a heavily patrolled area than I'd like... eh, I'd just as soon take my chances with a magnetic fuse and a fast eel at really close range.

[Jimbuna]

You could try to establish they're mean course and make a judgement/prediction on the change points occuring ie zigging and zagging.

One tip.....if at all possible, set for magnetic because of the acute AOB involved if you are slightly out on your guesstimate.

[bookworm_020]

Also aiming towards the stern helps, if they make a sudden change you still have a better chance of a hit.

[desirableroasted]

A magnetic at short range from the front is my way... works pretty well.

Or, since they zig-zag rhythmically, mark your chart whenever they are parallel to their true course and figure out the frequency... then go up the path a little and wait for a 90 AOB impact shot. Even if they see you sitting there (not advised with armed merchants!), they won't deviate from their zig-zag. Get close in (400-700m), use a fast torp, and even if your eyeballing is a little off, it won't matter.

If they are zig-zagging, you can just assume they have radioed for help. So there's little to be gained from being stealthy and careful, and much time to be gained from just whanging them one.

[sharkbit]

As jimbuna pointed out, even when zigging, they stay on their mean course. If you are in front of them, you can still set up a normal approach and get ahead and perpendicular to their course(ideally).
The only difference now is their speed over their mean course is slower, so you need to set target speed a knot or two slower(maybe more-I've never really tracked it) to compensate.
Like others have said, set your eels for a under keel magnetic shot. Probably a key point against a zigging target.

I hate shooting at zigging targets as well and have not really tried out the above technique, so I may be blowing smoke out my butt.

Usually the target is zigging because I missed already or he spotted me and I'm out of position to try again. Then, I usually end around again and get into position. By then the target has stopped zigging.

In desperation, I have tried a "Up the Kilt" shot with a AOB of 180 with mixed results. Usually ends up wasting too many eels though. Patience is key, grasshopper(like so many other aspects of the hunt).

[Alpha Von Burg]

If you had an acoustic homming torpedo, this shouldn't be a problem .

I'm just saying...

[U777]

This patrol was interesting, found two freighter sailing together and sunk one with my 2nd to last torpedo. Since the last one had to count I tried to do a point blank shot but the ship was armed and I had to dive. Due to storm currents I could only max out at 7 knots while the freighter was doing 8. No good. Surfaced and sailed away at an angle till we were side by side, hung a 90 degree turn and almost hit her with the last torpedo. Had to return to Lorient after that.