What would you do?

kdv · 05-22-09, 11:34 AM

Renown in game may give you nothing - but the real life U-Boat captain who can claim a cruiser (as well as other sunk merchants from prior engagements) would garner more respect than not sinking the cruiser - but sinking 2 more ships.

Also, destroying a cruiser takes one more 'escort' away from future convoys, making them easier pickings for you and your fellow captains. It takes alot more resources and time to build a cruiser than a transport ship.

Just my humble opinion - I always go for anything bigger than a DD first, and have started to take out escorts before attacking convoys just to make my life easier.

But you're the captain of your boat - YOU do what you like

.

Jimbuna · 05-22-09, 02:50 PM

I agree with mookiemookie....tis always nice to bag a big hitter

BasilY · 05-29-09, 12:05 PM

I have been in similar situations many times west of Gibraltar. I will go after the Light Cruiser every time (even a 5000 ton Dido, and spend 2 torps for each). That what a real u-boat captain will do.

The tonnage war is about Destruction Vs. replacement. The objective is to sink more ships that the allies can replace. Two 10,000 ton merchants are easier to replace than One 10,000 cruiser, not to mention the 800 or so limeys on board compared to at most a hundred in any cargo ship.

Murr44 · 05-29-09, 12:36 PM

A few days ago in my present career we came across a "convoy" consisting of 5 DD's and DE's in CO42. It was after midnight, clear, calm with no moon & for a second I was tempted to have a go at one of them (hadn't seen any merchants up to that point in the patrol). Decided that it really wasn't worth the risk so we took off in the other direction. The next morning we sank an unescorted large merchant in the same grid square. Sometimes it pays to be little "cowardly"...

Kptlt. Siegmann · 05-29-09, 01:06 PM

For me, any warship CL or higher, I prioritize higher than freighters. If a convoy is lightly escorted (1 or 2 DE/DD) I may opt to sink the escorts to get free pickings, though that's something I would rarely do when in a Type II like I am right now, trying to go through the entire war in a canoe

BasilY · 06-01-09, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murr44

A few days ago in my present career we came across a "convoy" consisting of 5 DD's and DE's in CO42. It was after midnight, clear, calm with no moon & for a second I was tempted to have a go at one of them (hadn't seen any merchants up to that point in the patrol). Decided that it really wasn't worth the risk so we took off in the other direction. The next morning we sank an unescorted large merchant in the same grid square. Sometimes it pays to be little "cowardly"...

The Mediterranean don't have the large convoys like the Atlantic. The usually prey consists of a few small merchants in protected convoys. Add to it the fact that in the Med you really can't shot at everything that moves (the Italians being around) At least I make an effort to ID before every attack.

In the Med, it's about big game hunting. Namely, the British Fleet coming in and out of Alexandra. Even that gets boring after a while.

Venatore · 06-01-09, 10:29 PM

Check depth, this is your only friend once you give your position away. If in shallow waters then this is a high risk target environment. If you are in deep waters than go for it !

Sgtmonkeynads · 06-02-09, 02:13 AM

If the SouthHampton is the only escort, sink it. Use Deckgun on all others, machinegun the decks first to set them ablaze for the fun of it.

Only if they are unarmed, but even if they are just get ahead of them or out of their range. Early in the war, my rule is that torpedoes are for escorts and to only put one in the side of any large ship to make it easier to finnish with deck gun.

But then again I'm the bastard that will machinegun sloops,tugs, and any other small craft, just to save ammo.

05-22-09, 02:50 PM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,818 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I agree with mookiemookie....tis always nice to bag a big hitter __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

06-02-09, 02:13 AM	#8
Sgtmonkeynads Ships Secretary Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MilesCity Montana Posts: 583 Downloads: 614 Uploads: 0	If the SouthHampton is the only escort, sink it. Use Deckgun on all others, machinegun the decks first to set them ablaze for the fun of it. Only if they are unarmed, but even if they are just get ahead of them or out of their range. Early in the war, my rule is that torpedoes are for escorts and to only put one in the side of any large ship to make it easier to finnish with deck gun. But then again I'm the bastard that will machinegun sloops,tugs, and any other small craft, just to save ammo. __________________ Just help someone.....it makes a difference

05-22-09, 11:34 AM	#1
kdv Loader Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 85 Downloads: 37 Uploads: 0	Renown in game may give you nothing - but the real life U-Boat captain who can claim a cruiser (as well as other sunk merchants from prior engagements) would garner more respect than not sinking the cruiser - but sinking 2 more ships. Also, destroying a cruiser takes one more 'escort' away from future convoys, making them easier pickings for you and your fellow captains. It takes alot more resources and time to build a cruiser than a transport ship. Just my humble opinion - I always go for anything bigger than a DD first, and have started to take out escorts before attacking convoys just to make my life easier. But you're the captain of your boat - YOU do what you like .

05-29-09, 12:05 PM	#3
BasilY Weps Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 359 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I have been in similar situations many times west of Gibraltar. I will go after the Light Cruiser every time (even a 5000 ton Dido, and spend 2 torps for each). That what a real u-boat captain will do. The tonnage war is about Destruction Vs. replacement. The objective is to sink more ships that the allies can replace. Two 10,000 ton merchants are easier to replace than One 10,000 cruiser, not to mention the 800 or so limeys on board compared to at most a hundred in any cargo ship.

05-29-09, 12:36 PM	#4
Murr44 Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 913 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	A few days ago in my present career we came across a "convoy" consisting of 5 DD's and DE's in CO42. It was after midnight, clear, calm with no moon & for a second I was tempted to have a go at one of them (hadn't seen any merchants up to that point in the patrol). Decided that it really wasn't worth the risk so we took off in the other direction. The next morning we sank an unescorted large merchant in the same grid square. Sometimes it pays to be little "cowardly"...

05-29-09, 01:06 PM	#5
Kptlt. Siegmann Machinist's Mate Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Docked at Kiel Posts: 128 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	For me, any warship CL or higher, I prioritize higher than freighters. If a convoy is lightly escorted (1 or 2 DE/DD) I may opt to sink the escorts to get free pickings, though that's something I would rarely do when in a Type II like I am right now, trying to go through the entire war in a canoe

06-01-09, 10:29 PM	#7
Venatore Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia:- Sydney Posts: 2,049 Downloads: 68 Uploads: 0	Check depth, this is your only friend once you give your position away. If in shallow waters then this is a high risk target environment. If you are in deep waters than go for it !