Attackinng a convoy in 1943

[Keelbuster]

Originally Posted by Heibges

I agree, in that I have evaded many times staying at pd, silent running, speed 1 kt, and cruised right out the back of the convoy. Plus staying at PD, I can use the periscope to really see what is going on.

177.) "If the submarine remains at PD after the attack, it will have the advantage of being able to observe the methods and extent of the enemy counteraction, besides finding fresh opportunities to attack. In this way the submarine is also enabled to discover gaps in the pursuing forces of the enemy.

I would always rather stay silent at PD, but if I have to dive because I think the escorts have detected me, I don't want to be caught slow and blind at an unsafe depth.

The analogy I always think of is the depth between 13m and 175m, is the the area between the serviceline and the baseline in tennis: no man's land.

And the best chance you have of getting killed by DC's in SH3, as in real life, is that first drop after you have fired your torpedos. Of course much or this is determined by escort location at the time of your attack.

I agree; stay at PD - only dive when you _have_ to. Don't give up the visual advantage. I wouldn't go at 1kts though. You need to make distance. Right after you fire your torps, go to Ahead 1/3. Go through the convoy (along the course of your torps). The escorts will converge on where they think your torps were fired _from_.This strategy is opposite to what is written in the UBoat Commanders Handbook. They say to go away from your torpedoes. But, I've found that the turning maneuver wastes time, and, worse, lines you up to encounter the side escort as he converges on your position. Rather, go straight and pass through the convoy lanes, and drop to ahead slow when the escorts are ~1.5km away. They will tend to get tangled up in the convoy lanes; even if they hear you, they won't be able to make a straight approach. Distance Distance Distance. And keep your eye on them.

Kb