First DD encounter with RSRD - Pucker factor has gone to 11

Vaux · 01-09-12, 09:45 PM

I finally got away.

About 2 more hours after going to 325 feet and sub-25 RPMs, I lost all sound contact with the DDs. I stayed down, creeping along at 1 knot, for another hour. I then went to periscope depth and did a sweep with my attack scope. No visual contacts. I proceeded to radar depth and did another sweep. Again, no visual contacts. I then ordered ahead standard and surface. It was now mid-afternoon.

Before my diesels were completely started, the deck watch calls out "Ship spotted". It was one of the DDs at about 9,700 yards, bearing 150. She increased speed to 30+ knots and turned in my direction. I swear I heard a shell pass by overhead, but didn't see or hear a splash.

I ordered crash dive and headed back down to 325 feet. Just before going decks-awash, the lookout caught sight of the other Fubuki, bow on to me and moving "very fast". After passing the thermal layer, I ordered silent running, put my RPMs below 25, and made a 45 degree port turn.

Luckily the Fubukis mis-judged my position and started circling and dropping charges about 3,000 yards astern. They never got close to me again. This time, I stayed down until after dark. The encounter was finally over.

Whew! Final score: I got the Troop Ship and got away with no hull damage and only minor damage to my deck gun, AA gun, and paint. My able crew fixed the Night Scope.

These 2 DDs were the most tenacious and skillful/lucky team I have ever encountered. I've been in longer evasion scenarios, and have been sent to the bottom more than once, but usually that involved 4 or 5 DDs and flat-calm conditions (and maybe a bone-headed move or two on my part). Since this was my first DD encounter with RSRD, I was wondering if this was the "new normal" and that I'd have to rethink my SOP. Sounds like I may have just "gotten lucky". I'll see what the next encounter is like.

M escator: Interesting tidbit about the battery damage. I'll keep an eye on that. I did notice that, even though I was at Ahead Standard, the engine noise sounded like I was at Flank. I thought maybe it was just a bug, went to Ahead 1/3 and back to Standard and the engines sound about right now... I will keep a close eye on the fuel gauge. Thanks for the heads-up.

01-09-12, 09:45 PM	#4
Vaux Torpedoman Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 116 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	I finally got away. About 2 more hours after going to 325 feet and sub-25 RPMs, I lost all sound contact with the DDs. I stayed down, creeping along at 1 knot, for another hour. I then went to periscope depth and did a sweep with my attack scope. No visual contacts. I proceeded to radar depth and did another sweep. Again, no visual contacts. I then ordered ahead standard and surface. It was now mid-afternoon. Before my diesels were completely started, the deck watch calls out "Ship spotted". It was one of the DDs at about 9,700 yards, bearing 150. She increased speed to 30+ knots and turned in my direction. I swear I heard a shell pass by overhead, but didn't see or hear a splash. I ordered crash dive and headed back down to 325 feet. Just before going decks-awash, the lookout caught sight of the other Fubuki, bow on to me and moving "very fast". After passing the thermal layer, I ordered silent running, put my RPMs below 25, and made a 45 degree port turn. Luckily the Fubukis mis-judged my position and started circling and dropping charges about 3,000 yards astern. They never got close to me again. This time, I stayed down until after dark. The encounter was finally over. Whew! Final score: I got the Troop Ship and got away with no hull damage and only minor damage to my deck gun, AA gun, and paint. My able crew fixed the Night Scope. These 2 DDs were the most tenacious and skillful/lucky team I have ever encountered. I've been in longer evasion scenarios, and have been sent to the bottom more than once, but usually that involved 4 or 5 DDs and flat-calm conditions (and maybe a bone-headed move or two on my part). Since this was my first DD encounter with RSRD, I was wondering if this was the "new normal" and that I'd have to rethink my SOP. Sounds like I may have just "gotten lucky". I'll see what the next encounter is like. M escator: Interesting tidbit about the battery damage. I'll keep an eye on that. I did notice that, even though I was at Ahead Standard, the engine noise sounded like I was at Flank. I thought maybe it was just a bug, went to Ahead 1/3 and back to Standard and the engines sound about right now... I will keep a close eye on the fuel gauge. Thanks for the heads-up.