How to intercept a convoy?

[ReM]

About the choice of targets, one piece of advice from the U-Boat Commanders Handbook:

It is better to destroy little than to damage much.

That's why I think it is better to pump 2 eels into each target, than to only use one. It does happen that a ship blows up after the first hit and thus that the second torp is a waste, but I think it is a calculated waste. If there are (big) tankers in the convoy, I always target them first, if not i go for the biggest vessels (they give you the most tonnage, and the goal of a Kaleun is to sink as much tonnage as possible)

There is also a rather crude method I use to make sure that torpedoes hit at approximately the same time; because the speed of a torp is about 30 knots I make this simple calculation: distance / 30.

For instance , 2 targets one 1800 and the other 1500....the calculation gives a rough travelling time of about 60 and 50. So you fire the torps at the 1800 target and at the other one 10 seconds later. They should explode not long after another, in any case before a zigzag becomes effective.

Happy hunting!

[SmokinTep]

I always send 2 eels per target. Rather have a chance of sinking 2 ships than having 4 with a little damage.

[predavolk]

Being in similar shoes, here's some advice from a fellow newbie learning to demo convoys:

1- NEVER use time compression. Silent Hunter has a GARBAGE bug that gives destroyers an advantage if you use time compression. Yes, time compression isn't realistic, but many of us have lives that don't allow for 2 hrs waiting for the convoy to appear. If you must use time compression, use it as far away as possible from destroyers. What happens is the destroyers, on TC, don't find you exactly, but seem to know that there is a sub in the are and start pinging. Then they find you, and game over!

If they do detect you, dive deep. 150 - 200M. Or, alternatively, go to flank and run in on the convoy anyhow. At flank speed, it's not too tough to dodge their depth charge runs. Read my thread here: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132644

for my own convoy challenges as a beginner, and some good advice from others (some repeated in this thread).

2- Pick out targets of opportunity that are easily approached. Fine, you miss the 10K tanker and get a 5K medium merchant or something, but that's a lot better than missing both and getting depth charged! Also, expect to make a certain kind of attack. Go in knowing when and where you want to fire (especially with respect to AoB).

3- What I like to do is carry a mix of electric and gas torps. Let the electrics go first, then the gas (on fast). They'll hit close enough together for you to hit the merchants before serious zig-zagging occurs. Furthermore, you should be hitting targets close enough that zig-zagging doesn't make a big difference if you're inside the convoy.

Finally, I have done all the training missions on 100% realism (vanilla, not GWX). I used assisted targeting to get the hang of AoB, but the rest is really easy. And actually, the manual way of targeting speed (plotting target over 3:15 minutes/seconds) is easier and more accurate than using the scope. I manually guess AoB, but I either set up my attack, or I'm close enough that small errors don't matter, or I'll send a spread of torpedoes to hedge my bet. One area that really helped, and continues to help me, is sending gas torps at 1M. Yes, the ships can see them, but I've never seen anything other than a destroyer dodge one. What it does do is give you a nice clear line to show where your torp headed, giving you feedback on your aim. Good luck!

[mcf1]

I usually place myself in front of the convoy, use the periscope to estimate the their course and to identify the targets. Then I move a bit to be between the colums with the greatest fishes.
This tactic allows me to fire both bow and stern torps. And also this way i cover my escape.