Ideal range for sonar only attack on a lone merchant

Fish40 · 01-04-11, 09:36 AM

I tried a sonar attack only once, and by chance it was a success. I came across a 3 merchant convoy in horrible weather. Visibility was about 700yds. I knew there would'nt be enough time to properly ID the target, and get a range useing the Stadimeter, so I decided to use a DO style attack. Since I had radar, getting course and speed were easy useing the 3min rule. After outflanking the ships, I headed 90 degrees to their course, dove to PD, and slowly closed the range, always tracking on sonar. I could hear they were pretty close, but could not see them. The beauty of the DO method is that range is not really a factor. I couldn't ping for a range, because there was an escort in the area. When the target sound was loudest on the appropriate bearing, I fired the fish and crossed my fingers. Not long after came the sounds of impact! It was a very impressive kill if I do say so myself!

01-04-11, 09:36 AM	#5
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	I tried a sonar attack only once, and by chance it was a success. I came across a 3 merchant convoy in horrible weather. Visibility was about 700yds. I knew there would'nt be enough time to properly ID the target, and get a range useing the Stadimeter, so I decided to use a DO style attack. Since I had radar, getting course and speed were easy useing the 3min rule. After outflanking the ships, I headed 90 degrees to their course, dove to PD, and slowly closed the range, always tracking on sonar. I could hear they were pretty close, but could not see them. The beauty of the DO method is that range is not really a factor. I couldn't ping for a range, because there was an escort in the area. When the target sound was loudest on the appropriate bearing, I fired the fish and crossed my fingers. Not long after came the sounds of impact! It was a very impressive kill if I do say so myself!