Using SH5 to visualize Uboat attack tactic ?

[derstosstrupp]

Have to second pretty much everything Catfish has said. Generally, doctrine was to always be moving toward the target vs lying in wait, so often times they would approach even at five or six knots when running in from the front submerged, slowing down to take periscope peeks, then slowing to approach speed within 4-5000 m. The commander’s handbook stressed the shot needs to fall at the earliest possible moment.

I would show a U-boat on a parallel but opposite course, at periscope depth, perhaps 1500 m off the target track.

[McBeck]

Okay, so after May 1943, I guess the tactic shifted more to lying ahead in wait - would you agree?

I guess I need to review the handbook, but I have references stating that at some point the type VII and IX only got one shot because they couldn't catch up with the convoys after that.

[derstosstrupp]

I would say from that time on, many attacks were happening from outside of the perimeter of the convoy. Diving directly in front and approaching and entering the convoy from the front became a less viable tactic at that point.