Merchants 1943+

[TarJak]

You need to be in front of the convoy and submerged, silent running to have any chance at all. You will need to come in at an angle of about 45deg to the convoy path to try to slip between the lead and first wing escorts.

Do a search and you'll find plenty of info on how to set up an attack.

You could also do yourself a big favour and read the U-Boat Commanders Handbook which explains a lot about the doctrine and attack tactics.

[Captain Birdseye]

Ah, that's what I was dreading.

I guess i'll just have to shadow the convoy and receive the radio position updates as you seem to get them frequently if you are near. Wait til I am infront, then turn around...

[meduza]

Originally Posted by Captain Birdseye

Ah, that's what I was dreading.

I guess i'll just have to shadow the convoy and receive the radio position updates as you seem to get them frequently if you are near. Wait til I am infront, then turn around...

You often receive radio updates, but more often you don't. So you'll have to do it yourself...

You should shadow a convoy from the edge of visibility to estimate its course and speed. Go slow and turn your smallest profile in order to avoid detection. Going deck awash also helps (setting the depth to 7m in order to have most of your hull under water).

Once you know its course, move beyond visual range and get ahead of it as fast as you can. You can plot the estimated position of the convoy on the map, based on its course, speed and time passed since the last contact. Convoys tend to change course, so it's usefull to check on it once in a while, either visualy or by hydrophones.

Once you're ahead of the convoy, change your course towards it. Try not to be directly in front of it, but slightly to one side. Idealy 2-3 km away from the nearest column.

When the convoy gets in a visual range, dive and maneuvre slowly (silent running on) to get to firing position. Watch out for the flanking escort - she can sometimes sail 1km from the nearest column, and every now and then she can wonder off, searching for subs.

Have your periscope up as little as possible. After you fired your last torpedo, dive silently as deep as you can.

Early in the war (until cca mid 1941) you should try surfaced night attack. It's much easier and much rewarding. You are much more maneuverable, and you can get up to a kilometar from a ship, without getting spotted.