RSRDC and Historic Accuracy

[Quillan]

I think I'm about to get right in the middle of the Marianas Island campaign. In my most recent patrol, I left June 12, 1944 from Majuro, ordered to deploy to the Straits of Luzon. So far, between 13 June and 16 June, I've had a host of flash traffic messages of massive IJN naval movement, all heading northeast in the direction of the Phillipine Sea. I did a little cut/paste in Photoshop to show you:



Let's see what I can find. So far, if the reports are accurate, it's at least 6 battleships, 4 fleet carriers and 11 cruisers, plus assorted other escorts and oilers. Wish me luck.

[AVGWarhawk]

The thing with RSRD is Lurker has created something very similar to what was experienced on patrols during WW2. Days upon days of nothing; then you find what you came out to find. It sort of makes you very aggressive to get a sinking! Sure, it would seem to be a cheat of sorts if you know when a major battle will take place and attempt to make it, but, as much as I have played with this mod, I have yet to be remotely close. You do get reports and with any luck, you are around to attempt a intercept. Rest assured, the ships are there to sink. Just have to find them. A successful patrol is bagging 2-3 vessels. Do this over a course of 5-6 patrols and you will move up to new construction. Most importantly, complete the assigned patrol area. I will not say that RSRD will frustrate you. It will...just as frustrated as the skipper and crews who patrolled for days and had nothing to show for it. Then, out of nowhere, your watch sees a vessel or vessels and all hell breaks loose.

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

I started a career in Task Force 8.5 out of Dutch Harbour and sailing East. Thought I'd never find an enemy TF but I ran into one heading towards Kiska Island which was as accurate since the Japanese occupied the island. Sank one Light Cruiser and a Freighter in an S-18. Sailing with the sun behind you is advantageous.

[Soundman]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

The thing with RSRD is Lurker has created something very similar to what was experienced on patrols during WW2. Days upon days of nothing; then you find what you came out to find. It sort of makes you very aggressive to get a sinking! Sure, it would seem to be a cheat of sorts if you know when a major battle will take place and attempt to make it, but, as much as I have played with this mod, I have yet to be remotely close. You do get reports and with any luck, you are around to attempt a intercept. Rest assured, the ships are there to sink. Just have to find them. A successful patrol is bagging 2-3 vessels. Do this over a course of 5-6 patrols and you will move up to new construction. Most importantly, complete the assigned patrol area. I will not say that RSRD will frustrate you. It will...just as frustrated as the skipper and crews who patrolled for days and had nothing to show for it. Then, out of nowhere, your watch sees a vessel or vessels and all hell breaks loose.

On the contrary, I don't feel frustrated, I like the realism. It would become quite boring if targets were constantly popping up. The hunt is what keeps things interesting. And, I agree with you Warhawk, that the anticipation makes the sinkings more fulfilling. I am having good luck finding the merchants, I'm just not finding them very challenging anymore, as most of them I have run accross are without escorts and my targeting has become quite superb (if I may say so). That is why I'm hoping to run into some IJN units to get my heartbeat up a bit.

[Soundman]

UPDATE! Hooray! Maybe I just needed to open my mouth for something to happen. Last night I finally ran accross a Task Force. No big boats, but 3 various DD's. Today I go home and see if I can put all three under with no damage to myself.

[Quillan]

Good luck with it, Soundman. I hope it works out better for you than my last encounter did. I was in the Phillipine Sea after my last post, when I got radar contacts of a 19 ship task force heading in my direction. They were moving at 19 knots, but I was well placed for an intercept, so I raced over and submerged well in advance because the IJN capital ships do have surface search radar. I closed under silent running, avoiding the leading escorts, and got close enough to start identifying ships. The lead ship was flying an American flag. It turned out it was one of the US fleets returning from the battle. I surfaced and passed through it, only to encounter another (slightly smaller) US task force just a few miles behind it. I didn't encounter any enemy ships until over near Formosa.

[M. Sarsfield]

I ran into one of those US fleets SW of Taiwan. I was very excited to see all of those blips on radar only to discover that they were on our side.

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

Yeah, good luck. After sinking two ships the DDs depth-charged me and searched me out for nearly 2 hours.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Soundman

On the contrary, I don't feel frustrated, I like the realism. It would become quite boring if targets were constantly popping up. The hunt is what keeps things interesting. And, I agree with you Warhawk, that the anticipation makes the sinkings more fulfilling. I am having good luck finding the merchants, I'm just not finding them very challenging anymore, as most of them I have run accross are without escorts and my targeting has become quite superb (if I may say so). That is why I'm hoping to run into some IJN units to get my heartbeat up a bit.

I like hunting the singletons. As far as not challenging, are you using TM or RFB with improved AI characteristics? RSRD changes campaign only and not AI reaction.

[Soundman]

AVG, ...I'm running TMO and RSRDC. We'll see how my Task Force engagement goes tonite. If those boys give me a waxing, I may be happy to go back hunting the Merchants again!

[tomoose]

I would agree with AVG, RSRD IMHO is great in that it is indeed frustrating as it was in RL. I do not go out on patrol looking specifically for IJN units or battles as my orders never state that. I go to my assigned patrol area and conduct my patrol and get frustrated when I don't see anything and my fuel is starting to get low and I'm forced to RTB.

This frustration makes the excitement at spotting smoke on the horizon or getting "ship spotted" yelled in my ear that much more enjoyable. I've had 3 patrols and bagged only one merchant so far and the satisfaction of spotting that merchant, closing then sinking was immense.

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

I get jumpy during heavy fog conditions. I was running at standard speed during those conditions and suddenly about 200 yards and sailing opposite me were 2 DDs and 4 Light Cruisers. For some reason they didn't see me. My lookouts had detected them and from now on I'm carry extra boxer shorts for these close encounters.