Setting up for convoys?

[Captain Vlad]

Originally Posted by jgbishop

1. When you encounter a convoy, do you do your best to sink every ship? Or do you sink the larger boats and get away?

Depends on the convoy. In most cases, my priority targets are, of course, the larger vessels. Sometimes not, though, as I might have recieved orders to go after a specific kind of vessel or even the escorts. If so, I plan my attack accordingly.

2. Once a convoy is alerted to your presence, they start zig-zagging all over the place, and they usually increase their speed a little. Let's assume that you missed one of your targets, and the convoy knows you're out there somewhere. How do you get back into position to try and hit the convoy again? It's nearly impossible to overtake them underwater (without your battery running out), and if you surface, you'll get shot at.

In my experience, trying to get back in position immediately following an attack is useless. However, think long term: There's nothing to prevent you from breaking contact, doing an end around, and attacking again once the convoy has reformed. Sometimes I shadow convoys until nighttime or rough weather to make the attack easier, too. Best to be patient in a submarine.

3. Let's assume that I'm in prime position for an approaching convoy. I'm facing them (at a 90 degree angle) and they pass by me. Obviously, I want to take out as many of these ships as possible. I launch two or three torpedoes at one ship, then launch a torpedo or two at a few of the smaller ships. When the first torpedoes hit the first ship, the rest of the convoy will begin taking evasive maneuvers, increasing the odds that the torpedoes you fired at smaller boats will miss. How do folks here handle firing at multiple targets in a convoy? Or do you single out one ship and go for that?

When firing at multiple targets, fire your fish at the most distant target first. This will give the torpedoes time to get most of the way to the target before the convoy is alerted.

Sometimes, though, it can be best to center your attention on a single target. Remember, it's better to sink a little than to damage a lot.