Strategy Help Attacking a Large Convoy in Shallow Water

[TexanInSoFL]

I spent the better part of my Saturday experimenting with various ways to attack a large convoy in shallow water. I died...oh...20 times before figuring out something that worked (see below), but I'm not happy with it. So, I'd very much like to get your thoughts on better strategy here.

The overview...so I'm attacking a convoy with 8 merchants, a light cruiser and something like 8-10 escorts (destroyers, sub chasers and minesweepers). The escorts are in a circle, and the merchants and cruiser are tightly packed in the center of the circle. The water is very shallow...only like 10 feet below the keel when at periscope depth. It's at night, and visibility is relatively poor.

I started a variety of my attempts by going silent, very slow and no periscope while waiting for the convoy to approach my firing position, but I wasn't able to go deep because of the depth. Whenever the escort line got close to me, the escorts would go nuts...lights, active sonor, depth charging, etc.

In the end, I was able to get off a constant bearing attack while the escorts were pounding me, firing at two ships in quick succession. Then I slammed the engines to flank and ran around firing torpedoes at the rest of the merchants at 600 yards or so. I felt like one of those people who jumps the wall at a baseball game and runs around dodging the security that's chasing him. While I was ultimately successful, it seemed completely unrealistic. No one would put their crew and boat at risk like that.

So, what do you guys recommend instead? A few questions:

1. Is this just a bad setup? Should I just chalk this up to "too hard" and look for easier targets? I thought about trying to plot the convoy's long-term path and pick a different, deeper spot. But the convoy was in the Java Sea...no deep water anywhere close.

2. Would people just sit outside the escort ring and take pot shots from long range? This document seems to recommend long-range "browning shots": http://www.history.navy.mil/library/...onipubno23.htm I don't have a lot of success sinking multiple ships from 3,000 or so yards, though.

3. Is there something else I can do to better avoid the escorts while still getting a few more good shots in? With other convoys in looser formation, I can typically get off at least two rounds of constant bearing attacks (2 ships at a time).

Thanks in advance for the advice.

[SteamWake]

Yea this is a tough situation and nearly suicidal later in the war.

Laying in wait and taking long shots as you mentioned is about the safest yet least effective method.

Its amazing how those escorts can pick you up when your sitting there at dead stop running silent. But then again about all they have to do is look over the side

[Rockin Robbins]

Yes, in that situation hanging outside the escort screen and taking long shots is your best bet. I'd turn tail and run just as soon as the torpedoes leave the tube. Once you establish 3000 yards from the nearest escort their pursuit is less than dogged.

Shallow water attacks on well-guarded convoys are only doable under conditions of poor visibility and rough seas. If it's smooth and daylight you're best off by not making the attack at all. Radio in the position for some renown points and get the heck out of Dodge.

[gutted]

Night time AND poor visibility?

Thats easy...

Stay on the surface!!! You should be able to get into fast torpedo range (and closer), fire, and then get away without them ever finding you. As you get closer, run decks awash (or close enough to it to keep the diesels on) and keep the speed between 6-9kts max. After attacking, stay decks awash as you are heading away at max speed. When you notice they are not "on" to you.. surface and waive good-bye.

I attack convoys at night all the time, and 90% of the time... I'm never found. I'm usually only found when i race around the convoy to the other side and attack again from extremely close range and submereged while the escorts are on the other side "looking for me" in my original attack.

[Rockin Robbins]

And what gutted says is doubly true in TMO. The one place you're not particularly vulnerable to sonar is on the surface! What seems foolhardy is really your most stealthy approach. And the most exciting.

[G2B]

Myself depending on where they are located I would wait for someplace dark and deep

Just watch out for them moving Islands when in shallow water.



What maniac sends a submarine to patrol an area with an average depth of 60 feet

"I sure hope that's a flock of birds coming our way if not were ********* Sir." or "Quick hide behind that Island and we can jump that Task Force when they come around the bend."

[Bubblehead1980]

Night surface attack is your best bet, if too much moonlight, try to shadow the convoy and seen if moon changes or take advantage of the Mark 14's slow speed setting and fire at 5-6000 yards, I have done so with success on 100 realism.10 feet below periscope depth is pretty much suicide in TMO unless seas are really rough or the is a area of deeper water nearby for which you can reach after firing.

I would try to go for night surface attack though, I use this often, TMO has some dark nights that help you pull this off.I have had escorts as close as 900 yards on surface at night and not notice me.Thing is the moment you fire, you need to get the boat turned around and headed away from convoy, so when torpedos hit, you can go to flank speed and get the hell out of there before you are spotted.Sounds tough, not all that tough but definitely risky, but I do it all the time and only once was I spotted on surface so.Takes some getting used to but def fun and best for really shallow waters.

[TexanInSoFL]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

Radio in the position for some renown points and get the heck out of Dodge.

So how many renown points do you get for reporting the convoy? I can't seem to find this anywhere.

[bill clarke]

What's TMO ?

[sergei]

Stands for Trigger Maru Overhauled.
One of the supermods. Very good but very challenging.
See here
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=132330

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by david-dutch

I'll skip the renown points.
Sitting in my beat-up S-Boat in 60 ft of water, with 4 fish left, I radio in my contact report and immediately receive the order to engage enemy warships.

Yeah, I know, "Be more Aggressive"

Just don't. Leave anyway and later ask for a new mission by radioing in. Or use your last 4 torpedoes on targets of your own choosing and return to base. You are still ahead by reporting. Wish I knew how much renown you actually received for the report.

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by TexanInSoFL

... Then I slammed the engines to flank and ran around firing torpedoes at the rest of the merchants at 600 yards or so. I felt like one of those people who jumps the wall at a baseball game and runs around dodging the security that's chasing him.

like that part - hehe