What range you close into for a convoy attack?

GoldenRivet · 08-12-07, 10:20 PM

the only time i fire at a distance greater than 1500 meters is if im on the surface, they are behind me, im in shallow waters and im going to make a run for it as soon as the fish leaves the tube.

In all normal attacks in deep water, i never engage at less than 1500 meters and my preference is to be within 300 to 1,000 meters when firing at the target.

TarJak · 08-12-07, 10:27 PM

It depends on what year I'm playing. In 1939 thru early '42 I try to get as close as I can (~800-500m). After that I'm further away (~1500-3000m) cos the escorts harass me when I try to get too close, but in '44 or '45 I actually don't go near convoys that are not headed directly at me and go for single ships whenever possible.

Heibges · 08-12-07, 11:15 PM

I agree with TarJack.

Shelton · 08-13-07, 02:17 AM

yea i think the closer you get during the later yrs the more trouble ur asking for!

Lzs von swe · 08-13-07, 03:43 AM

Yes, early war I try to get into some 800m. range but later I use the greater stand off range of the newer torpedo types that becomes available.
Fire torps from 4-5000m, scope down, slow ahead, silent running, dive and break away (clear datum, as someone said) is my tactics for late war attacks.

Sardaukar67 · 08-13-07, 04:06 AM

Submerged, 700-800m in early war and you rarely miss (unless your torpedoes are duds or malfunction). Usually means you can hit 2 ships in convoy with same attack (by firing first against someone bit further and then giving the good news to your intended target).

Also, if you get within 1.5-2km without being detected, you can usually half the distance with little patience unless enemy is moving away.

Well, I play NYGM, but early war convoy attack is for me: Sneak close to 800m (preferably inside the convoy lines), fire at 2 targets (3 if there is ample target for stern tube). Dive and turn to follow the course of convoy while reloading, in hope to pick stragglers. And pray you won't be picked up by escorts in process...

Von Manteuffel · 08-13-07, 04:46 AM

Early War - submerged - I try to take a position at right angles to the course of the convoy and 2,500 metres from the line of the file of ships furthest away. That means that if a shot misses, it will at least have the "legs" to run right through the convoy and might get lucky.

I usually wait until the second rank of ships is level with my position, then fire all torpedoes separately at different targets. Down 'scope, go deep and turn to parallel the course of the convoy. If the escorts start to get too close, I go to silent running; plot the convoy by hydrophone; wait until it's passed a safe distance and any hunting escorts have rejoined it, then surface; de-rig silent-running to complete reloading the tubes; send a contact and patrol report; finish off any ships the first attack has slowed down, or crippled; then loop around the convoy at a safe distance as fast as possible to take up a similar position further down its course for a second attack.

Late War I use the greater range of the later model torpedoes to give myself more sea-room and a greater safety margin. Sometimes, especially against heavily-escorted convoys at night, I will even set the old steam torpedoes to medium, or even slow speed to increase the range at which I can fire and get away clean. I've found that doing this during the day can lead to the target(s) spotting the torpedo's wake and taking evasive action.

08-12-07, 10:20 PM	#1
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	the only time i fire at a distance greater than 1500 meters is if im on the surface, they are behind me, im in shallow waters and im going to make a run for it as soon as the fish leaves the tube. In all normal attacks in deep water, i never engage at less than 1500 meters and my preference is to be within 300 to 1,000 meters when firing at the target. __________________

08-12-07, 11:15 PM	#3
Heibges Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,633 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I agree with TarJack. __________________ U.Kdt.Hdb B. I. 28) This possibility of using the hydrophone to help in detecting surface ships should, however, be restricted to those cases where the submarine is unavoidably compelled to stay below the surface. http://www.hackworth.com/

08-13-07, 03:43 AM	#5
Lzs von swe Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norrkoping, Sweden Posts: 1,074 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	Yes, early war I try to get into some 800m. range but later I use the greater stand off range of the newer torpedo types that becomes available. Fire torps from 4-5000m, scope down, slow ahead, silent running, dive and break away (clear datum, as someone said) is my tactics for late war attacks. __________________

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08-12-07, 10:27 PM	#2
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	It depends on what year I'm playing. In 1939 thru early '42 I try to get as close as I can (~800-500m). After that I'm further away (~1500-3000m) cos the escorts harass me when I try to get too close, but in '44 or '45 I actually don't go near convoys that are not headed directly at me and go for single ships whenever possible.

08-13-07, 02:17 AM	#4
Shelton Planesman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 195 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	yea i think the closer you get during the later yrs the more trouble ur asking for!

08-13-07, 04:06 AM	#6
Sardaukar67 Machinist's Mate Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 126 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	Submerged, 700-800m in early war and you rarely miss (unless your torpedoes are duds or malfunction). Usually means you can hit 2 ships in convoy with same attack (by firing first against someone bit further and then giving the good news to your intended target). Also, if you get within 1.5-2km without being detected, you can usually half the distance with little patience unless enemy is moving away. Well, I play NYGM, but early war convoy attack is for me: Sneak close to 800m (preferably inside the convoy lines), fire at 2 targets (3 if there is ample target for stern tube). Dive and turn to follow the course of convoy while reloading, in hope to pick stragglers. And pray you won't be picked up by escorts in process...

08-13-07, 04:46 AM	#7
Von Manteuffel Commander Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 473 Downloads: 411 Uploads: 0	Early War - submerged - I try to take a position at right angles to the course of the convoy and 2,500 metres from the line of the file of ships furthest away. That means that if a shot misses, it will at least have the "legs" to run right through the convoy and might get lucky. I usually wait until the second rank of ships is level with my position, then fire all torpedoes separately at different targets. Down 'scope, go deep and turn to parallel the course of the convoy. If the escorts start to get too close, I go to silent running; plot the convoy by hydrophone; wait until it's passed a safe distance and any hunting escorts have rejoined it, then surface; de-rig silent-running to complete reloading the tubes; send a contact and patrol report; finish off any ships the first attack has slowed down, or crippled; then loop around the convoy at a safe distance as fast as possible to take up a similar position further down its course for a second attack. Late War I use the greater range of the later model torpedoes to give myself more sea-room and a greater safety margin. Sometimes, especially against heavily-escorted convoys at night, I will even set the old steam torpedoes to medium, or even slow speed to increase the range at which I can fire and get away clean. I've found that doing this during the day can lead to the target(s) spotting the torpedo's wake and taking evasive action.