At what point do the escorts get down right nasty?

[MarkShot]

By the way, I learned the technique by just creating save points and running attacks repeatedly to learn what would work.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by MarkShot

By the way, I learned the technique by just creating save points and running attacks repeatedly to learn what would work.

Well, there you have it!

The real reason the U-boats failed starting in 1943 wasn't because of the Allied introduced long-range aircraft, improved sonar, hedgehogs, etc.: it was because the U-boat commanders forgot to create save points before they attacked, and thus were unable to return from death to take advantage of their new-found knowledge of what would work and what wouldn't work! :p

I guess this means this we didn't make GWX tough enough.

We'll obviously have to go back to the drawing boards after we finish V2.1 and rethink what will really make the convoys a lot tougher.

Pablo

[Grayson02sept1980]

your above list has some little problems for people using OLC's GUI and 100% realism.. no ships on the map

Everyathing else I say: Thanks a lot for that nice instruction

[MarkShot]

When I play, I do the DID thing. But there is nothing wrong with using your careers to create and save a realistic set of practice scenarios to learn from.

That's another reason why noobs find SH3/GWX2 so hard in the early years. They get very little training time in, since it only happens when they encounter a convoy. Training for the player is very realistic. All military staff train during peace time and war time. So, I would not call this cheating even if some might (no different than reading the tips in the GWX manual).

Also, you can do most of what I suggested even without contacts on the map. It just becomes more tedious, but the principles still work fine.

[MarkShot]

Okay, I am heading out on patrol on 01/15/43. That should do it right? I am going to meet still opposition which if I am not careful should get me killed when attacking convoys?

Thanks.

[MarkShot]

The screen shot illustrates the basic intercept approach based on a contact report. We see:

(1) The corridor of probability.

(2) Hourly positions based on 8kts.

(3) The double line shows where I think the convoy will see the sunrise.

(4) The convoy should reach the sunrise position in about 5.5 hours. We will reach the area base on the navigator in 3.5 hours.

(5) The circle gives us some idea where we should able to hear to convoy.

(6) When we reach this area will begin dives every 30 minutes to try pick up the sound of the convoy.

Once we can hear the convoy, we start plotting a detailed track and from their planning our attack. Generally, I have tried to stay beyond visible range (except in bad weather). So, that has meant giving the convoy 15-20km bearth. Now, with the convoy maybe being fitted out with radar this presents a problem.

What is the radar detection range of mast mounted radar? 12nm, 20nm, 30nm? Do we have any tables?

This alone could pose a major problem to my hunting of convoys, since previously sonar always gave me the advantage of long range detection. Perhaps, the advantage has shifted. Well, we'll see.

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by MarkShot

Okay, I am heading out on patrol on 01/15/43. That should do it right? I am going to meet still opposition which if I am not careful should get me killed when attacking convoys?

Thanks.

Hi!

Actually, things didn't get really tough until May 1943 (aka "Black May").

Pablo

[bookworm_020]

In the later years you'll learn the usefulness in having a homing torpedo in the aft tube ready to go. it's saved my bacon quite a few times.

[MarkShot]

I must say 1943 is beautiful change.

Attacking and sinking merchants was no harder than it was in 1942, but now for the first time I am surrounded by four escorts and they are all pinging away. They are sticking with me and dropping DCs.

Wonderful!

Yes, I am having fun now!