SOS: Captain needs tactical "Hunt" aid..

[Pisces]

Here's a picture someone around here (Kylania by the looks of the link) once made, which sums it up pretty nicely in one go:

[Silverleaf]

Timbob,

Ok, you've given me more to think about. I like it and am always looking for more tactics!! :p

Meduza,

Your great reply led me to do more research and re-read the tutorial a few more times.

Pisces,

I wasn't completely following your post, though I went back and watched a couple videos. The light as they say hadn't completely come on. Then you added the excellent image. That completely cleared it up.

I shall report my next attempt within 24 hours, if we survive the current barrage of Depth Charges.

Follow-up Question:

Since it's daytime in this situation, why should I be on surface for an approach?

Wouldn't it be better to stay submerged, undetected and not give the target any reason to alter course?

I'm going at this from the standpoint that my Sonar guys been terribly late/non-existent with reports. In three instances (I can think of) I've personally spotted a contact at medium range closing fast using the attack periscope and then lo and behold Mr. No Ears himself screams it out.

What's the general opinion on such a situation?

Thanks guys - you've been a huge help. ^5ss

[meduza]

Originally Posted by Silverleaf

I shall report my next attempt within 24 hours, if we survive the current barrage of Depth Charges.

Good hunting, Herr Kaleun!

Originally Posted by Silverleaf

Since it's daytime in this situation, why should I be on surface for an approach?

Because of the speed. Unless you have Type XXI, your top speed is inadequate to intercept anything but a slow and close target. And you can maintain top speed only for a limited period of time.

Depending on a situation, once the target is in visual range you will either submerge and approach for attack, or estimate its course and speed, get out of visual range and start an overhauling maneuver that will lead into the position for submerged attack.

Originally Posted by Silverleaf

I'm going at this from the standpoint that my Sonar guys been terribly late/non-existent with reports. In three instances (I can think of) I've personally spotted a contact at medium range closing fast using the attack periscope and then lo and behold Mr. No Ears himself screams it out.

Give your sonarman the Radioman qualification, and he will do his duty much better. Consider using the hydrophones yourself, you can hear propeller noise from greater distance than your sonarman can.

[Silverleaf]

Meduza,

Ok, totally understand. The quick replies really help.

And thanks, I shall attempt to make the Fatherland proud.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by Silverleaf

Since it's daytime in this situation, why should I be on surface for an approach?

Wouldn't it be better to stay submerged, undetected and not give the target any reason to alter course?

I'm going at this from the standpoint that my Sonar guys been terribly late/non-existent with reports. In three instances (I can think of) I've personally spotted a contact at medium range closing fast using the attack periscope and then lo and behold Mr. No Ears himself screams it out.

What's the general opinion on such a situation?

Thanks guys - you've been a huge help. ^5ss

The target won't be able to see you when you are more than 16 km apart (or 8km, depends on which visibility range mod you have active). If it's bad weather or night it's even less. So if you start your intercept when your are 35 km apart you can close to 20 km before he has any chance of seeing you. Why close this distance slowly? Then he will have more chance of reaching his next waypoint before you find him. And then you might loose him due to his course change, invalidating your intercept.

Destroyers might be different though, since they have hydrophones too and might detect you passively further out if they care to listen. I'm not sure if they are that sensitive though at such ranges, and it might depend on what year you are in. I'm still early years, so no Uber-DDs yet, if at all. It's just something that came to mind in case you go after convoys.

Don't trust your sonar crew in reporting him. Listen yourself! You'll start to hear ships as then enter a 34km range, alot earlier than the crew. You might have to pump up the volume. Your speakers as well as the ingame amplifier knob on the hydro console.
As soon as your watch crew get a visual either submerge or turn to a parallel course and match speed (you allready know his general course/speed from the map report) to avoid getting too close. From then on you can start to think about your next plan: refining his speed and course.