Stick with my VIIC or get a IXC?

[Grayson02sept1980]

had my first Convoy attack in september 41 ...

I found the convoy around the section between Ireland England and France... where the water is not so deep... so sneaking away was never the task.

though I am one "rauf und ran"( best way I translate it is: "up and hit em") type of kaleun I always try to sneak into the convoy and pick the big targets first...but
I was discovered surfaced!... what dumb mistake I made! It was one of those times ... could have avoided that

Well I sunk the little Corvette that saw me.. but it called for helped and all I managed before a frigate homed in on my was a lous double shot on a heavy freighter I could not sink atm. Sunk the frigate and just when the next torp was loaded the next corvette was there... sunk it.... then I shot another heavy freighter (this time perfect position... perfect aiming) hit the fuel bunker and blew it up with one shot.
then... you know what comes... another frigate etc etc etc.

I sunk 6 warships with my first attack run and two heavy freighters (the first onw I couldn't sink at once sunk by taking up too much water - lucky me )

then I had no torps left and drew back.... saved it and went to bed

So far all your comments helped a lot! And I have experieced just what you wrote.

The IX though with more firepower (atm two torps more and the chance to kill the rest of the helpless convoy) is on heavy boat and moves like paralyzed Elefant when dived...surfaced it is as fast and agile as my old VII ... et I have to say both are good... both have pros and cons.

My tactic almos always is to try to sneak in and if that fails kill the guards (I have found three working strategies to hit them 98% sure depending how the approch my position - of course the AI gets better at evading my torpedos... seems they "know" when I fire at them or when I aim at them ...)

The question is still not clear.

At the first attack run I sunke 28kt including the 6 warships and could have been if not for a bug 40kt as I hit a big whale-fabric-ship (dunno the english expression) and hit it at his engine... slowed down and just as I want to finish it of it sunk... sunk sign on the map...big cheers from my crew... but not listed and no tonnage accounted... darn.

till this point I could have made it with my VII too I guess but I am not sure (two Eels less! )

Still have no clue.

Tje IX completle upgraded costs 10k renown ... the alberich upgrade for my VII just 1k ...

Guess when I want to keep raiding escorted convoys I better stick with my VII... or get my ar$e blown up in the IX by depth charges. (I was also extremly "lucky" this time that the 4 guards of the convoy called in two more frigates )

... bigger not always is better... :rotfl:

I need to think this over again... both boats have their advantages ... both have weaknesses

Both are good... what I like more I dunno yet.

[Gezur(Arbeit)]

The IXC has 22 Torps......

And you killed the escorts oO How did you do that? ^^

[Grayson02sept1980]

Originally Posted by Gezur(Arbeit)

The IXC has 22 Torps......

And you killed the escorts oO How did you do that? ^^

The IXc at this moment had 14 Torps! (I can't get the reserves while dived! )

and shooting a dumb corvette heading for you without zigzagging is like taking... well I don't like candy

and the Frigates even when zig zagging... a T1 fired with speed set to high at 400m is hitting

and even if not... let them run over you making a hard turn away left or right at Full speed when the escort is at ~400m and in 75% of all cases you won't be damaged by charges.

then the escort goes into a slow turn showing the full broadside with only making a speed of ~12-15 ... easy target

OK Ok OK I use the help of my trustworthy 1WO but in 98% of all cases I need just one torp per enemy ...

[Grayson02sept1980]

I tested around a bit yesterday and for my tactics the IX is overall when it comes to tonnage better.

Though I am able to sneak in with the VII more easy the area I usually go "fishing" is not very deep so escaping is not possible... I have to fight.

The best result I got when I attacked a big convoy with the IX and shooting three of the four escorting warships.. took 3 torps.

I then made an attack on the convoy itself shooting all my torps before the last DD even could reach me and I then went off... he followed me and caught one of my stern torps... then I reloaded and made a second attack.

Sunk 75kt with being hit only at the tower and that was easy to repair.

The IX is different for sure... whet the VII was fast and sneaky dived the IX is quick and stuborn surfaced... the additional torps really pay off once I have killed all escorting ships.

I will stick with the big IX and change my tactics according to the slow and big boat.

Again: Thanks for your advices.

After all it is a matter of taste and how to attack a convoy.

Gute Fahrt und reiche Beute ihr Himmelhunde!

[NealT]

Good luck and good hunting...

You will find your boat 'interesting' to say the least...