Deck gun or Torpedo

JazzJR · 10-03-11, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Really? Have a look through these lists and see how many ships were sunk by deck guns. I think you'll find that "playing it historically" means using the deck gun as little as possible.
http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/listing.php

Reinhard Hardegen used the deck gun very often.

And he survived the war and is still living. You could ask him.

VONHARRIS · 10-03-11, 04:42 AM

I use the deck gun (10,5 cm on a IX) at small UNARMED and UNESCORTED targets and from a safe distance - the closest I get is 1000m.
I keep a parallel course to the enemy ship and shell it.
I like to think that coming very close to the target , makes my crew a target for small arms fire.

I have changed the number of rounds my IX carries:
130 10,5 cm rounds
None 3,7 cm rounds - the early war heavy flak is useless.
1000 2 cm rounds.

Osmium Steele · 10-03-11, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzJR

Reinhard Hardegen used the deck gun very often.

And he survived the war and is still living. You could ask him.

No need. His story is all over various media.

The vast majority of his tonnage was unarmed merchants off the N. American coast. The deck gun was the obvious choice in those situations.

He was transferred to a school command before the U.S. routinely armed their merchants.

desirableroasted · 10-03-11, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzJR

Reinhard Hardegen used the deck gun very often.

And he survived the war and is still living. You could ask him.

Yeah, well, is he playing GWX?

JazzJR · 10-03-11, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

Yeah, well, is he playing GWX?

I think he has more knowledge about it then we all together.

soopaman2 · 10-03-11, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

Yeah, well, is he playing GWX?

I'd be willing to bet he had his fill of submarine adventures. After all a depth charge attack was alot more "real" for him than us.

He would make a kick-butt modder for this game, talk about realism!

Zedwardson · 10-04-11, 01:05 PM

one lone ship, with no guns on it - sure.

otherwise, eels it is.

10-04-11, 01:41 PM

Otto Kretschmer had the right idea, but I take it further. "One shell, one ship." I haven't had any success yet, but I know my stratagem is sound!

JazzJR · 10-04-11, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hans Uberman

Otto Kretschmer had the right idea, but I take it further. "One shell, one ship." I haven't had an success yet, but I know my stratagem is sound!

Oh you must have some kind of nuclear super shell from krypton and ahead of all other commanders.

BigRich · 10-04-11, 04:08 PM

I have approached lone merchants @ night on a calm sea and taken them on with my deck gun, despite them being armed. If I can get close enough I target their gun first, even with my AAA which are capable of quickly destroying a gun mounting.
However, if my first shots are not placed accurately and she has a chance to shoot back, or if I failed to spot a smaller secondary gun then I have lost entire gun crews that way.

Fish In The Water · 10-04-11, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRich

I have approached lone merchants @ night on a calm sea and taken them on with my deck gun, despite them being armed. If I can get close enough I target their gun first, even with my AAA which are capable of quickly destroying a gun mounting.
However, if my first shots are not placed accurately and she has a chance to shoot back, or if I failed to spot a smaller secondary gun then I have lost entire gun crews that way.

In real life I doubt I'd play with the lives of my crew that way, but in-game it's a real rush!

Sailor Steve · 10-03-11, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzJR

Reinhard Hardegen used the deck gun very often.

And he survived the war and is still living. You could ask him.

Really? Are you sure? Okay, let's check the records.

Augvald: 1 torpedo.
Ganda: 2 torpedoes, finished off with deck gun.
P.L.M. 22: 1 torpedo.
Oberon: 1 torpedo.
Rio Azul: 1 torpedo.
Auditor: 1 torpedo.
Aurania: 2 torpedoes.
Cyclops: 2 torpedoes.
Norness: 3 torpedoes.
Coimbra: 2 torpedoes.
Norvana: 1 torpedo.
City of Atlanta: 1 torpedo.
Malay: Attacked with deck gun, finally hit with 1 torpedo. Malay survived the attack.
Ciltvaira: 1 torpedo.
Culebra: Deck gun. Culebra fired back, resulting in five hits on U-123, any one of which could have killed the gun crew or Hardegen himself. I'm not an expert, but I'd say this makes him both foolish and lucky.
Pan Norway: Deck gun (out of torpedoes).
Muskogee: 1 torpedo.
Empire Steel: 2 torpedoes. Deck gun fired at burning wreck to hasten demise.
USS Atik (Q-ship): 2 torpedoes. Ship stopped by 1 torpedo. Attempt to finish target with deck gun resulted in 1 man killed on U-123. Ship finished by second torpedo.
Liebre: Deck gun.
Oklahoma: 1 torpedo.
Esso Baton Rouge: 1 torpedo.
Esparta: 1 torpedo.
Gulfamerica: 1 torpedo. Finished with deck gun.
Leslie: 1 torpedo. The last one.
Korsholm: Deck Gun. Out of torpedoes.
Alcoa Guide: Deck Gun. Out of torpedoes.

So, out of 21 ships sunk, only 4 were sunk solely with the deck gun, and 3 of those were because he was out of torpedoes. Hardly "very often". He also suffered damage twice while using the gun, and was lucky he didn't lose his life in the process.
http://uboat.net/men/hardegen.htm

JazzJR · 10-03-11, 02:04 PM

So it is better to have and use a Deckgun, so you can sink ships, even if you're out of torpedos. I won't waste a torpedo on a small sailing ship.

Sailor Steve · 10-03-11, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazzJR

So it is better to have and use a Deckgun, so you can sink ships, even if you're out of torpedos. I won't waste a torpedo on a small sailing ship.

Nor would I. I just don't make it my primary weapon, unless the target is small and undefended.

JazzJR · 10-03-11, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Nor would I. I just don't make it my primary weapon, unless the target is small and undefended.

Thats what i am talking about. But in 1941 there is no unarmed ship anymore.

10-04-11, 01:05 PM	#7
Zedwardson Sparky Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 154 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	one lone ship, with no guns on it - sure. otherwise, eels it is. __________________ SH3 - GWX3 & Commander 3.2 Realism- 43%, D.I.D. (I play with unlimited fuel and with Auto-ID targets)

10-04-11, 01:41 PM	#8
Hans Uberman Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Otto Kretschmer had the right idea, but I take it further. "One shell, one ship." I haven't had any success yet, but I know my stratagem is sound! Last edited by Hans Uberman; 10-04-11 at 03:59 PM. Reason: spelling

10-03-11, 02:04 PM	#13
JazzJR Lieutenant Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Germany - Berlin Posts: 263 Downloads: 98 Uploads: 0	So it is better to have and use a Deckgun, so you can sink ships, even if you're out of torpedos. I won't waste a torpedo on a small sailing ship. __________________

10-03-11, 04:42 AM	#2
VONHARRIS Konteradmiral Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 1,992 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	I use the deck gun (10,5 cm on a IX) at small UNARMED and UNESCORTED targets and from a safe distance - the closest I get is 1000m. I keep a parallel course to the enemy ship and shell it. I like to think that coming very close to the target , makes my crew a target for small arms fire. I have changed the number of rounds my IX carries: 130 10,5 cm rounds None 3,7 cm rounds - the early war heavy flak is useless. 1000 2 cm rounds.

10-04-11, 04:08 PM	#10
BigRich Sailor man Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 50 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	I have approached lone merchants @ night on a calm sea and taken them on with my deck gun, despite them being armed. If I can get close enough I target their gun first, even with my AAA which are capable of quickly destroying a gun mounting. However, if my first shots are not placed accurately and she has a chance to shoot back, or if I failed to spot a smaller secondary gun then I have lost entire gun crews that way.