What is the right way to attack a convoy ?

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 06:58 AM

Ok, I just receive my copy of Silent Hunter IV, on my very first patrol., playing with on realism options on except Manuel Targeting and No Map Contacts Updates. On my way to patrol next to Formosa, I meet a Small Modern Composite Vessel, sunk it with ease, then I meet a huge convoy consisting of 10 Small Passeger Vessels, 3 Light Cruisers and about 6 Destroyers.

I went to periscope depth and rigged for silent running. I got into position for a 90 degree starboard shot. So I wait for gyroangle to go to 0 degree and shot 3 torpedoes at 1 of the light cruisers, 1 of them exploded prematurely and the convoy started evasive manuevers, the other 2 torpedoes competely misses, though they have not detected where am I yet. In my frustration I quit the patrol. I was using the Salmon Class and Mark 14 Torpedoes by the way...

So, now my question is, what is the best way to approach a convoy and get into position for a 90 degree shot?

kv29 · 06-05-07, 07:43 AM

in 100% realism, I run at 30 meters, pass through the dd umbrella and go to periscope depth when Im around the middle of the convoy (a little ahead of it). This way the vessels are much closer (around 500/700 meters) and I don´t need to use the tdc for the nearest targets, using both bow and stern torpedos indiscriminately :p .

Is a bit of a mess when they start evading, but you should be able to take down a few.

A task force is another story, they are usually faster and more dangerous, no time for hide & seek. If Im at a good firing position ahead of them, I take my time to get a good solution and go for the biggest prizes (carrier or battleship).

AVGWarhawk · 06-05-07, 08:21 AM

Short and sweet....I get in front of the convoy, submerge and let them come at me. Normally the lead DD will be basically zigging and zagging searching. Try to evade him by coming in on his port/starboard side. Do not attempt to go under him. Usually he can pick you up on sonar. Once he is passed, go to periscope depth and pick the merchants you want to sink. You will not sink them all so be happy with 2-3 sunk or damaged. Once the party starts, plan on evading out of the rear of the convoy. Plan you plot for a endround and get in front of them again. This means, run parallel to the convoy heading out of sight to get ahead again. Repeat your attack!

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 08:49 AM

So you pass through the DD umbrella without silent running? Won't the DDs detect you?

kv29 · 06-05-07, 08:57 AM

not if you are not so close.

AVGWarhawk · 06-05-07, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Di3lta-303

So you pass through the DD umbrella without silent running? Won't the DDs detect you?

Sorry, thought that was a given. Yes, I manually put in 2kts and run silent. Sometimes I just drop below a thermal layer at 3 kts (around 200 feet). Once the DD passes, up to periscope depth to pick a juicy target!

Di3lta-303 · 06-05-07, 09:13 AM

Ok thanks, will try that out later. It all over for the convoy once I break through the umbrella.

06-05-07, 06:58 AM	#1
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	What is the right way to attack a convoy ? Ok, I just receive my copy of Silent Hunter IV, on my very first patrol., playing with on realism options on except Manuel Targeting and No Map Contacts Updates. On my way to patrol next to Formosa, I meet a Small Modern Composite Vessel, sunk it with ease, then I meet a huge convoy consisting of 10 Small Passeger Vessels, 3 Light Cruisers and about 6 Destroyers. I went to periscope depth and rigged for silent running. I got into position for a 90 degree starboard shot. So I wait for gyroangle to go to 0 degree and shot 3 torpedoes at 1 of the light cruisers, 1 of them exploded prematurely and the convoy started evasive manuevers, the other 2 torpedoes competely misses, though they have not detected where am I yet. In my frustration I quit the patrol. I was using the Salmon Class and Mark 14 Torpedoes by the way... So, now my question is, what is the best way to approach a convoy and get into position for a 90 degree shot?

06-05-07, 08:21 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,279 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Short and sweet....I get in front of the convoy, submerge and let them come at me. Normally the lead DD will be basically zigging and zagging searching. Try to evade him by coming in on his port/starboard side. Do not attempt to go under him. Usually he can pick you up on sonar. Once he is passed, go to periscope depth and pick the merchants you want to sink. You will not sink them all so be happy with 2-3 sunk or damaged. Once the party starts, plan on evading out of the rear of the convoy. Plan you plot for a endround and get in front of them again. This means, run parallel to the convoy heading out of sight to get ahead again. Repeat your attack! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

06-05-07, 07:43 AM	#2
kv29 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 342 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	in 100% realism, I run at 30 meters, pass through the dd umbrella and go to periscope depth when Im around the middle of the convoy (a little ahead of it). This way the vessels are much closer (around 500/700 meters) and I don´t need to use the tdc for the nearest targets, using both bow and stern torpedos indiscriminately :p . Is a bit of a mess when they start evading, but you should be able to take down a few. A task force is another story, they are usually faster and more dangerous, no time for hide & seek. If Im at a good firing position ahead of them, I take my time to get a good solution and go for the biggest prizes (carrier or battleship).

06-05-07, 08:49 AM	#4
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	So you pass through the DD umbrella without silent running? Won't the DDs detect you?

06-05-07, 08:57 AM	#5
kv29 Watch Officer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buenos Aires Posts: 342 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	not if you are not so close.

06-05-07, 09:13 AM	#7
Di3lta-303 Swabbie Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	Ok thanks, will try that out later. It all over for the convoy once I break through the umbrella.