The Nature of a Predator

DavyJonesFootlocker · 02-07-08, 06:50 AM

I was thinking (yeah, I do that sometimes) whether attacking a convoy is better or going after single ones. I concluded in my feeble mind that going for the lone ship is better. I was studying the common denominator of animal hunters and they often go for weak, easy victims. Why should subs be any different? Going after convoys is a risky business as we all know. If it's merely recon that's ok. But evading a DD screen is hard and the outcome dubious at best. Or maybe not so dubious as you may very likely be dead. So on patrol I found that the lone merchant ship is almost a surety with a deck gun (in TM at least) or torp. Bloody call me anti-social, but parties ain't my thing.

Torplexed · 02-07-08, 06:56 AM

Yeah. But animal hunters rarely need more than one prize to feed. You're trying to help win a war. Mutiple targets mean possible mutiple sinkings. The quicker you unload those torpedoes, the quicker you can get back home to stock up on more. Plus, those ships sailing alone historically should become harder and harder to find.

DavyJonesFootlocker · 02-07-08, 07:24 AM

They are harder to find. But you build up tonnage faster with lone ships. Your chances of getting killed attacking convoys is greater. And being dead won't help the war effort. For instance I got close to 10000 tons with those 2 ships. If I did that with a convoy what are the chances of getting those? Not with a screen of 4 DDs and a whole bunch of Subchasers.

AkbarGulag · 02-07-08, 07:45 AM

While I concur that lone ships are safer for tonnage... isn't there a thrill in 'wounding' a convoy, then slipping away, just to outsmart them as they try and continue to their destination... only to pop up 50km or so later just to 'wound' them some more... There's satisfaction in watching the numbers dwindle over several days of chase, I like to imagine the terror of the sailors on board as they watch their friends being picked off, seemingly without mercy. Not that I have anything against those sailors, but i'm an American sub Commander and this is WWII. Just imagine the morale of the Japanese Imperial Navy, knowing their DD's are not enough to stop the carnage. Then imagine the morale of the merchant navy, when they know the Imperial Navy just can't protect them. All of this contributes to the wars outcome and should not be underestimated.

Afterwards, just before I clean the Nav map of all those wonderful X's, lines and circles, I can re-live the thrill as I see the litany of confirmed kills stretched over 100's of kilometres... knowing, I was smarter than they were.... our navy is better than theirs, and we are going to win

DavyJonesFootlocker · 02-07-08, 08:01 AM

Yes the thrill.

I forgot.

DrBeast · 02-07-08, 08:04 AM

Shoot to thrill, as Angus Young and company would put it

AkbarGulag · 02-07-08, 08:06 AM

I'm manning the planes, and your attaching limpet mines in your frog suit.. and i'm talking about 'thrill' :p Whats wrong with this picture

I guess there's a thrill in popping up unsuspecting on a lone merchant, just to enjoy the merciless pounding of your deck gun and listening to the screams

02-07-08, 06:50 AM	#1
DavyJonesFootlocker The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stink Drunk in Trinidad Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 138 Uploads: 0	The Nature of a Predator I was thinking (yeah, I do that sometimes) whether attacking a convoy is better or going after single ones. I concluded in my feeble mind that going for the lone ship is better. I was studying the common denominator of animal hunters and they often go for weak, easy victims. Why should subs be any different? Going after convoys is a risky business as we all know. If it's merely recon that's ok. But evading a DD screen is hard and the outcome dubious at best. Or maybe not so dubious as you may very likely be dead. So on patrol I found that the lone merchant ship is almost a surety with a deck gun (in TM at least) or torp. Bloody call me anti-social, but parties ain't my thing. __________________ "Silence means death. Stand on your feet. Inner fear your worst enemy."- Sepultura. My Silent Hunter 5 mantra is this......"Torpedo missed, sir!" A P-400 is a P-40 with a Zero after it. A proud member of the Wikipedia Haters Club

02-07-08, 06:56 AM	#2
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Yeah. But animal hunters rarely need more than one prize to feed. You're trying to help win a war. Mutiple targets mean possible mutiple sinkings. The quicker you unload those torpedoes, the quicker you can get back home to stock up on more. Plus, those ships sailing alone historically should become harder and harder to find. __________________ --Mobilis in Mobili--

02-07-08, 07:24 AM	#3
DavyJonesFootlocker The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stink Drunk in Trinidad Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 138 Uploads: 0	They are harder to find. But you build up tonnage faster with lone ships. Your chances of getting killed attacking convoys is greater. And being dead won't help the war effort. For instance I got close to 10000 tons with those 2 ships. If I did that with a convoy what are the chances of getting those? Not with a screen of 4 DDs and a whole bunch of Subchasers. __________________ "Silence means death. Stand on your feet. Inner fear your worst enemy."- Sepultura. My Silent Hunter 5 mantra is this......"Torpedo missed, sir!" A P-400 is a P-40 with a Zero after it. A proud member of the Wikipedia Haters Club

02-07-08, 07:45 AM	#4
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	While I concur that lone ships are safer for tonnage... isn't there a thrill in 'wounding' a convoy, then slipping away, just to outsmart them as they try and continue to their destination... only to pop up 50km or so later just to 'wound' them some more... There's satisfaction in watching the numbers dwindle over several days of chase, I like to imagine the terror of the sailors on board as they watch their friends being picked off, seemingly without mercy. Not that I have anything against those sailors, but i'm an American sub Commander and this is WWII. Just imagine the morale of the Japanese Imperial Navy, knowing their DD's are not enough to stop the carnage. Then imagine the morale of the merchant navy, when they know the Imperial Navy just can't protect them. All of this contributes to the wars outcome and should not be underestimated. Afterwards, just before I clean the Nav map of all those wonderful X's, lines and circles, I can re-live the thrill as I see the litany of confirmed kills stretched over 100's of kilometres... knowing, I was smarter than they were.... our navy is better than theirs, and we are going to win __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."

02-07-08, 08:01 AM	#5
DavyJonesFootlocker The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stink Drunk in Trinidad Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 138 Uploads: 0	Yes the thrill. I forgot. __________________ "Silence means death. Stand on your feet. Inner fear your worst enemy."- Sepultura. My Silent Hunter 5 mantra is this......"Torpedo missed, sir!" A P-400 is a P-40 with a Zero after it. A proud member of the Wikipedia Haters Club

02-07-08, 08:04 AM	#6
DrBeast The Old Man Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Somewhere Out In Space Posts: 1,408 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Shoot to thrill, as Angus Young and company would put it __________________ Let the Beast inside you free!

02-07-08, 08:06 AM	#7
AkbarGulag Samurai Navy Join Date: May 2007 Location: cfgdatsimZOMGddstgasns Posts: 571 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 1	I'm manning the planes, and your attaching limpet mines in your frog suit.. and i'm talking about 'thrill' :p Whats wrong with this picture I guess there's a thrill in popping up unsuspecting on a lone merchant, just to enjoy the merciless pounding of your deck gun and listening to the screams __________________ "6 days into his patrol, the first enemy ship was spotted... a trawler... ...It was at this point, Captain AkbarGulag realised how green his crew was..."