First convoy engagement advice

[sharkbit]

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

1) 3) Dive. Don't wait around for the impact. If you are on the surface, or periscope depth, when your target is hit, you really can't complain if you are sunk later.

Early war, pre-radar, I have to disagree with this. Attack at night on the surface with decks awash, stay on the surface to evade after you let loose your eels. Don't ring up flank or full until after the eels start hitting and then pour the coals on, but only if you need to. By diving, you give up way to much mobility and flexibility. You totally lose the initiative.
One of the most satisfying moments you will have in this game is when you launch a sucessful night surface attack, your eels hit, and you are still on the surface watching the escorts searchlights and starshells off in the distance and they have no clue where you are while you are repositioning for a second surface attack.
Remember....Be More Agressive!

Now, if you make a submerged daylight attack, diving and getting the hell out of there before the eels hit is a wise choice of action. The escorts will be heading your way after the eels hit and the deeper you are and the further away. You are too slow to get too far away.

Later in the war when radar is prevalent and improved sonar is on the horizon and improved weapons(like hedgehogs <shudder>) start appearing, surface attacks become extremely difficult, if not impossible. Daylight submerged attacks become the lesser of the evils. Then the fire and dive to evade thing becomes even more important.