What do you do if you see enemy aircraft?

baggygreen · 08-21-08, 07:09 AM

Normally i dive, but its my first encounter with an allied aircraft in 2.0 (outside of WaW where i dive automatically.).

I have an IXC/40, so i thought bugger it, i hit flank and manned the flak guns. ordered the WO to engage target and next thing i know the twin 38mms are going bananas, the heavier single shot semi is pounding away, and the bloody deck gun crew has decided they want in on the action as well!!

Managed to throw up enough lead, and accurately enough, that the bastard never dropped a bomb and went down in flame after his second pass. Scored a few MG hits though, did a littl damage.. what have those catalinas got?? 50x 0 calibre MGs?!?

will be diving in future though.

Murr44 · 08-21-08, 08:23 AM

Currently on my 3rd patrol with U-73 out of Salamis. During this "feindfahrt" we've been pestered by a Catalina & a Wellington (I think: it was nearly pitch black when the 2nd attack happened) that came out of nowhere. The Catalina inflicted some minor damage (flak gun) that was easily repaired. The Wellington(?) hosed our turm & deck but didn't wound or kill anyone as we went "downstairs" as soon as it was spotted. No damage that time either...I wonder when our luck will run out. Nasty things these "bees"!

I only send a patrol report when I'm on my way home & close to the base.

predavolk · 08-21-08, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the answers. One BIG reason to stay on the surface and fight it out is realism. This was indeed what Doenitz ordered boats to do for quite some time in the later stages of the war, coasting a lot of them their lives. Diving whenever you see an airplane may be wise, but it's not realistic. So I'm going to try to fight it out at least once I think.

BasilY · 08-26-08, 02:29 AM

The simple answer to your question is --- DUCK (hard turn and dive)! You submarine is NOT designed to attack planes, while those planes are designed to attack you.

However, if you want to fight, as I did in one of my careers this is what you need:
1. A conning tower with 3-4 flaks,
2. specialised flak crew (2-4 trained Warrant officers and Watch Officer)
3. flak guns with fast firing rate (320/min)
4. a good repairing team standing by.
5. A engine compartment with full efficency (to make fast turns)
6. Willingness to loss a few crews once in a while
7. enough H/I to last through the fight.

Even with all the aobve, NEVER fight if there are more than 3 planes.

During the career that I have all the above, I got a grand total of 7 planes... Many times a wounded plane (more than 20+) will excape back to base. My submarine obviously is in no position to chase down a plane, even a wounded one.

The conclusion is, DUCK!

Jimbuna · 08-26-08, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BasilY

The simple answer to your question is --- DUCK (hard turn and dive)! You submarine is NOT designed to attack planes, while those planes are designed to attack you.

However, if you want to fight, as I did in one of my careers this is what you need:
1. A conning tower with 3-4 flaks,
2. specialised flak crew (2-4 trained Warrant officers and Watch Officer)
3. flak guns with fast firing rate (320/min)
4. a good repairing team standing by.
5. A engine compartment with full efficency (to make fast turns)
6. Willingness to loss a few crews once in a while
7. enough H/I to last through the fight.

Even with all the aobve, NEVER fight if there are more than 3 planes.

During the career that I have all the above, I got a grand total of 7 planes... Many times a wounded plane (more than 20+) will excape back to base. My submarine obviously is in no position to chase down a plane, even a wounded one.

The conclusion is, DUCK!

You forgot to mention the lucky rabbits foot :p

Sailor Steve · 08-26-08, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by predavolk

Thanks for the answers. One BIG reason to stay on the surface and fight it out is realism. This was indeed what Doenitz ordered boats to do for quite some time in the later stages of the war, coasting a lot of them their lives. Diving whenever you see an airplane may be wise, but it's not realistic. So I'm going to try to fight it out at least once I think.

It's only realistic if you want your career to end now. Yes, they were ordered to stay surfaced and fight it out. And they died. Even the much-vaunted U-Flak was fairly easy prey to a small, fast target.

With guns.

Lots of guns.

And rockets.

If you're playing GWX you might want to re-think that plan.

predavolk · 08-26-08, 10:52 AM

Oh, I'm not saying it's a healthy idea to stay and fight, but many people here are striving for realism (isn't that what GWX is all about?). Given that many people also like to play Dead-is-Dead, I thought I'd mention that DiD is a lot less DiD if you ignore reality and avoid airplanes. Avoiding airplanes is, from a realism and difficulty viewpoint, about the same as reloading after dying from a tough convoy attack IMO. For the record, I ignore both (DiD and Doenitz's orders- I wanna live!).

BasilY · 08-26-08, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by predavolk

Oh, I'm not saying it's a healthy idea to stay and fight, but many people here are striving for realism (isn't that what GWX is all about?). Given that many people also like to play Dead-is-Dead, I thought I'd mention that DiD is a lot less DiD if you ignore reality and avoid airplanes. Avoiding airplanes is, from a realism and difficulty viewpoint, about the same as reloading after dying from a tough convoy attack IMO. For the record, I ignore both (DiD and Doenitz's orders- I wanna live!).

Doenitz also mentioned, in the Laconia Order, that the first priority of a Uboat skipper is the safety of the boat and crew. In the real world (for the sake of realism), your crew might very well mutiny if they think you are exposing them to un-necessary danger (maybe they will make you walk the plank

). So here is a compromise for you, and myself (doing DiD), fight the first aerial encounter out (I just did, in my latest career, with HI 80% left). Then, with the danger of air attack and futility of fighting back etched on the mind of everybody in the boat, duck the rest.

Sailor Steve · 08-26-08, 02:08 PM

You act like the crew and boat are real. Like there's something really at stake in the way you play.

I like that. Back when I played SH1 I would do a lifeguard mission, then imagine what it was like for the poor flyboys to be cooped up in my boat for a few weeks.

predavolk · 08-21-08, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the answers. One BIG reason to stay on the surface and fight it out is realism. This was indeed what Doenitz ordered boats to do for quite some time in the later stages of the war, coasting a lot of them their lives. Diving whenever you see an airplane may be wise, but it's not realistic. So I'm going to try to fight it out at least once I think.

08-26-08, 02:08 PM	#9
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	You act like the crew and boat are real. Like there's something really at stake in the way you play. I like that. Back when I played SH1 I would do a lifeguard mission, then imagine what it was like for the poor flyboys to be cooped up in my boat for a few weeks. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

08-21-08, 07:09 AM	#1
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Normally i dive, but its my first encounter with an allied aircraft in 2.0 (outside of WaW where i dive automatically.). I have an IXC/40, so i thought bugger it, i hit flank and manned the flak guns. ordered the WO to engage target and next thing i know the twin 38mms are going bananas, the heavier single shot semi is pounding away, and the bloody deck gun crew has decided they want in on the action as well!! Managed to throw up enough lead, and accurately enough, that the bastard never dropped a bomb and went down in flame after his second pass. Scored a few MG hits though, did a littl damage.. what have those catalinas got?? 50x 0 calibre MGs?!? will be diving in future though.

08-21-08, 08:23 AM	#2
Murr44 Grey Wolf Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 913 Downloads: 16 Uploads: 0	Currently on my 3rd patrol with U-73 out of Salamis. During this "feindfahrt" we've been pestered by a Catalina & a Wellington (I think: it was nearly pitch black when the 2nd attack happened) that came out of nowhere. The Catalina inflicted some minor damage (flak gun) that was easily repaired. The Wellington(?) hosed our turm & deck but didn't wound or kill anyone as we went "downstairs" as soon as it was spotted. No damage that time either...I wonder when our luck will run out. Nasty things these "bees"! I only send a patrol report when I'm on my way home & close to the base.

08-21-08, 08:52 AM	#3
predavolk Weps Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 369 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the answers. One BIG reason to stay on the surface and fight it out is realism. This was indeed what Doenitz ordered boats to do for quite some time in the later stages of the war, coasting a lot of them their lives. Diving whenever you see an airplane may be wise, but it's not realistic. So I'm going to try to fight it out at least once I think.

08-26-08, 02:29 AM	#4
BasilY Weps Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 359 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	The simple answer to your question is --- DUCK (hard turn and dive)! You submarine is NOT designed to attack planes, while those planes are designed to attack you. However, if you want to fight, as I did in one of my careers this is what you need: 1. A conning tower with 3-4 flaks, 2. specialised flak crew (2-4 trained Warrant officers and Watch Officer) 3. flak guns with fast firing rate (320/min) 4. a good repairing team standing by. 5. A engine compartment with full efficency (to make fast turns) 6. Willingness to loss a few crews once in a while 7. enough H/I to last through the fight. Even with all the aobve, NEVER fight if there are more than 3 planes. During the career that I have all the above, I got a grand total of 7 planes... Many times a wounded plane (more than 20+) will excape back to base. My submarine obviously is in no position to chase down a plane, even a wounded one. The conclusion is, DUCK!

08-26-08, 10:52 AM	#7
predavolk Weps Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 369 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Oh, I'm not saying it's a healthy idea to stay and fight, but many people here are striving for realism (isn't that what GWX is all about?). Given that many people also like to play Dead-is-Dead, I thought I'd mention that DiD is a lot less DiD if you ignore reality and avoid airplanes. Avoiding airplanes is, from a realism and difficulty viewpoint, about the same as reloading after dying from a tough convoy attack IMO. For the record, I ignore both (DiD and Doenitz's orders- I wanna live!).