Type IX virgin

[PavelKirilovich]

I'm a VIIB and VIIC veteran recently converted to the IX-series. I miss the manouvreability of my smaller Type VII boats, to be sure, especially in coastal waters and when I attack harbours (not recommended at the best of times). That said, the IXC very much made up for it with the 105mm deck gun and the almost-ridiculous number of spare torpedoes stowed aboard.

You'll want to dive at the first hint of an air contact. When you fit a radar warning receiver (RWR), listen carefully to it: the second you get a contact, flip over to your navigation map and zoom in on your boat. Should give you an azimuth and you can guesstimate the range. Watch it for a few seconds. If the azimuth doesn't change but the range starts decreasing, it's very likely a RAF Coastal Command or similar maritime patrol aircraft coming in on you with their surface-search radar set on*, so get under the waves quick and alter course to shake up their last datum. If the range is not changing rapidly, it's a destroyer/frigate/other surface warship. If the azimuth isn't changing, it is likely coming in towards you as well: that will be more difficult to shake than an MPA.

* - this is contrary to known SOP for the maritime patrol aircraft; the MPAs were supposed to locate the target with radar, then flick it off, then take intermittent and irregular checks to potentially confuse the RWR operator. Leaving the radar on and closing with the target was done only in the final stages of an attack in less-than-good visibility; otherwise it provided the target with too much warning. Be thankful the SH3 AI MPAs do not practice this tactic.

The ASDIC cross-section relative to the Type VII has already been mentioned. Be cautious. Be sure to shoot escorts first when attacking convoys; you'll have plenty of spare torpedoes to reload your tubes with when the time comes to attack the merchantmen. I find the tactic of killing the sheepdog first to be more effective than attempting to pick sheep off from the flock with regards to convoy attack, when operating the IX-series U-boats.