GWX Team - convoy screen thoughts

Captain Nemo · 03-14-08, 08:15 AM

Perhaps you are too good!

Your suggestion about deploying 50% of the escorts at the front surely would leave the back door open, even though I agree with you that attacking from astern of the convoy is a much more difficult proposition from a manoeuvrability viewpoint. As you also point out, changing the way the escorts are deployed would not be accurate historically.

I believe that most u-boats made their approach to the convoy from the front, like you describe. Once an attack had been made the escorts immediately put plan Raspberry into operation. This plan was designed to combat u-boats that had sneaked past the escort screen and got in amongst the convoy. It was anticipated that once they had launched their attack the submarines would dive deep and lie silent, allowing the convoy to pass overhead then resurface behind the ships. Plan Raspberry called for the escorts to double back leaving the convoy to sail on. The escorts would then move behind the u-boat's estimated position, turn and in sailing back to rejoin the convoy, cross over where the sub was supposed to be dropping several patterns of depth charges.

If I remember rightly, the other plan the escorts used was called 'Pineapple' or 'Strawberry' can't quite remember which.

Nemo

Keelbuster · 03-14-08, 08:23 AM

Escorts in the front - they get you on the way in. Escorts in the back, they get you on the way out. Either way they get you

MarkShot · 03-14-08, 10:29 AM

The primary mission of the escort is to prevent the U-boat from sinking merchants. Killing the U-boat is just icing on the cake. So, I would argue in favor of making the attack harder even if that makes the escape easier.

I think sweeping the front of the convoy is probably the single most important thing which the escorts can do to prevent attacks. Unlike other subsims, given the limitations on moving any faster than a crawl, the front door is really the only viable option for submerged attack. In other games, you can come in from the flanks at better than a crawl while sacrificing your battery for a shooting position. This just isn't possible with GWX2.

MarkShot · 03-14-08, 10:31 AM

The back door is only open to surface attack. However, the existence of radar and accurate gunnery makes surfaced back door attacks pure suicide.

Jimbuna · 03-14-08, 02:11 PM

Usually (IMHO) the best method is to lie in wait ahead of the convoy in as good a strategic position as possible to warrant as little movement from the sub as possible.

Ideally, let the convoy come to you

Dowly · 03-14-08, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Usually (IMHO) the best method is to lie in wait ahead of the convoy in as good a strategic position as possible to warrant as little movement from the sub as possible.

Ideally, let the convoy come to you

Hear the man, also to add to this, if you like to play it safe turn your boat so it's parallel to the convoy's course. That way the ASDIC has the minimum change of hitting you.

MarkShot · 03-14-08, 02:29 PM

I am going to start working on something new today.

Instead of trying to slip in the front door at 25M at 1kts, I am going to try to come in at about 220M at 1kts. I think this will reduce the chance of ASDIC if I fail to nail the gap in the screen. Also, if they do detect me, it will be good to be deep. If I nail the gap, then I will blow ballast and pop up. Silent, of course.

03-14-08, 08:15 AM	#1
Captain Nemo Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 1,144 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Perhaps you are too good! Your suggestion about deploying 50% of the escorts at the front surely would leave the back door open, even though I agree with you that attacking from astern of the convoy is a much more difficult proposition from a manoeuvrability viewpoint. As you also point out, changing the way the escorts are deployed would not be accurate historically. I believe that most u-boats made their approach to the convoy from the front, like you describe. Once an attack had been made the escorts immediately put plan Raspberry into operation. This plan was designed to combat u-boats that had sneaked past the escort screen and got in amongst the convoy. It was anticipated that once they had launched their attack the submarines would dive deep and lie silent, allowing the convoy to pass overhead then resurface behind the ships. Plan Raspberry called for the escorts to double back leaving the convoy to sail on. The escorts would then move behind the u-boat's estimated position, turn and in sailing back to rejoin the convoy, cross over where the sub was supposed to be dropping several patterns of depth charges. If I remember rightly, the other plan the escorts used was called 'Pineapple' or 'Strawberry' can't quite remember which. Nemo __________________ "I'm afraid there is no disguising the fact that King's obsession with the Pacific and the Battle of Washington cost us dear in the Battle of the Atlantic". Sir John Slessor GCB, DSO, MC, DL AOC-in-C Coastal Command RAF ___________________________________________

03-14-08, 08:23 AM	#2
Keelbuster Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: BA 72 Posts: 1,092 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Escorts in the front - they get you on the way in. Escorts in the back, they get you on the way out. Either way they get you __________________

03-14-08, 10:29 AM	#3
MarkShot Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,134 Downloads: 93 Uploads: 0	The primary mission of the escort is to prevent the U-boat from sinking merchants. Killing the U-boat is just icing on the cake. So, I would argue in favor of making the attack harder even if that makes the escape easier. I think sweeping the front of the convoy is probably the single most important thing which the escorts can do to prevent attacks. Unlike other subsims, given the limitations on moving any faster than a crawl, the front door is really the only viable option for submerged attack. In other games, you can come in from the flanks at better than a crawl while sacrificing your battery for a shooting position. This just isn't possible with GWX2. __________________ War games, not wars! --- Only a small few profit from war (that should not stand)!

03-14-08, 10:31 AM	#4
MarkShot Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,134 Downloads: 93 Uploads: 0	The back door is only open to surface attack. However, the existence of radar and accurate gunnery makes surfaced back door attacks pure suicide. __________________ War games, not wars! --- Only a small few profit from war (that should not stand)!

03-14-08, 02:11 PM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,742 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Usually (IMHO) the best method is to lie in wait ahead of the convoy in as good a strategic position as possible to warrant as little movement from the sub as possible. Ideally, let the convoy come to you __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

03-14-08, 02:29 PM	#7
MarkShot Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,134 Downloads: 93 Uploads: 0	I am going to start working on something new today. Instead of trying to slip in the front door at 25M at 1kts, I am going to try to come in at about 220M at 1kts. I think this will reduce the chance of ASDIC if I fail to nail the gap in the screen. Also, if they do detect me, it will be good to be deep. If I nail the gap, then I will blow ballast and pop up. Silent, of course. __________________ War games, not wars! --- Only a small few profit from war (that should not stand)!

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