Enemy Taskforces - Intercept or avoid?

FlankSpeed · 02-27-11, 04:28 PM

When you get a contact report of an enemy taskforce, do you tend to intercept and try your luck against the warships, or plot an avoiding course and continue to hunt for lone merchants and convoys? Do taskforces sail with formidable ASW screens?

Jimbuna · 02-27-11, 04:53 PM

It depends on what they are made up of....some have carriers and or BB's but others have dedicated ASW platforms.

Gargamel · 02-27-11, 05:47 PM

Usually you can't intercept them, as they are usually traveling to fast. Most often, you have to be run over, or just barely miss them to get a shot at them anyways.

Lord_magerius · 02-27-11, 06:05 PM

I always intercept if possible, there could be a juicy BB or carrier sat in the middle of the group. If there isn't I turn tail and run like hell.

HotiBomba · 02-27-11, 06:16 PM

I always look to intercept them if possible, even it is the hard to do it, cos they are moving at high speed... But sometimes if u get lucky you might be on their course.. Few patrols before i found large task force (3 BB, 4 or 5 Dido Cruisers, and 6+ Destroyers) i only manage to close up to 4,500 m and sunk two cruisers, manage to escape after taking some minor damage from depth charges.

I should maybe risk more

Schwieger · 02-27-11, 08:07 PM

I usually try to avoid TFs. Especially late in the war; more risk than reward, usually.

fitzcarraldo · 02-28-11, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlankSpeed

When you get a contact report of an enemy taskforce, do you tend to intercept and try your luck against the warships, or plot an avoiding course and continue to hunt for lone merchants and convoys? Do taskforces sail with formidable ASW screens?

BdU will send you to a martial court, for cowardice in war duty.

Yes, I try to hunt the TFs, but not ever I have the needed luck...Better dead for the Fatherland than dead executed by resented nazis...

Best regards.

Fitzcarraldo

raymond6751 · 02-28-11, 08:37 PM

Historically, u-boats were strategically after the supplies going to Britain. If they got a shot at a capital ship - they took it.

Chances of hitting and sinking a big boy and living to tell about it, low.

I'd say - if they are coming your way, investigate. If not, waste of time trying to catch them.

desirableroasted · 03-01-11, 05:03 AM

Use the math. Your intersection circles should tell you if contact is possible.

Treat TFs like any other convoy: if you can reasonably reach it with a course change and perhaps a few short hours at 12-14knts, then it is worth looking at. Like any convoy or contact.

Once there, do the reconn. If there are capital ships, it may be worth making an approach. Only DDs and small fry? Forget it.

If you do approach, remember that TF's act like a convoy. The capital ships will act like armed merchants, firing at you only if you are visible. They will serpentine, and will not join the escort's attack on you. The escorts will act as they usually would.

Obersteuermann · 03-01-11, 07:27 PM

I tried intercepting a few TFs once I'd installed the warships mod. All I ever came across (in mid-1940, anyway) were flotillas of torpedo boats.

Which are even more annoying in a battleship than in a u-boat! At least you can dive away from them in the submarine....

VONHARRIS · 03-02-11, 05:17 AM

I try to avoid them.
If I run into one I will engage , but I will not go looking for major trouble by intercepting them especially after late 1942.

02-27-11, 04:28 PM	#1
FlankSpeed Seaman Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 32 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	Enemy Taskforces - Intercept or avoid? When you get a contact report of an enemy taskforce, do you tend to intercept and try your luck against the warships, or plot an avoiding course and continue to hunt for lone merchants and convoys? Do taskforces sail with formidable ASW screens?

02-27-11, 04:53 PM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,544 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	It depends on what they are made up of....some have carriers and or BB's but others have dedicated ASW platforms. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

02-27-11, 05:47 PM	#3
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,273 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Usually you can't intercept them, as they are usually traveling to fast. Most often, you have to be run over, or just barely miss them to get a shot at them anyways. __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

02-27-11, 06:05 PM	#4
Lord_magerius Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Right by the hydrophone station Posts: 724 Downloads: 96 Uploads: 0	I always intercept if possible, there could be a juicy BB or carrier sat in the middle of the group. If there isn't I turn tail and run like hell. __________________

02-27-11, 06:16 PM	#5
HotiBomba Mate Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Croatia Posts: 54 Downloads: 77 Uploads: 0	I always look to intercept them if possible, even it is the hard to do it, cos they are moving at high speed... But sometimes if u get lucky you might be on their course.. Few patrols before i found large task force (3 BB, 4 or 5 Dido Cruisers, and 6+ Destroyers) i only manage to close up to 4,500 m and sunk two cruisers, manage to escape after taking some minor damage from depth charges. I should maybe risk more __________________ - 'Enemy is pinging us, sir!' - Again? Well... Ping them back, maybe they will leave then

02-27-11, 08:07 PM	#6
Schwieger Commodore Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: U-142 Posts: 624 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	I usually try to avoid TFs. Especially late in the war; more risk than reward, usually. __________________ Support U-Boot_HAHD: Install Dropbox Click Here & Increase The Teams Dropbox space and get 2.25GB of free online Storage space for yourself.

02-28-11, 08:37 PM	#8
raymond6751 Admirable Mike Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,338 Downloads: 421 Uploads: 0	Depends Historically, u-boats were strategically after the supplies going to Britain. If they got a shot at a capital ship - they took it. Chances of hitting and sinking a big boy and living to tell about it, low. I'd say - if they are coming your way, investigate. If not, waste of time trying to catch them. __________________ Game Designer: Close The Atlantic - World War Three https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/...orld-war-three

03-01-11, 05:03 AM	#9
desirableroasted Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: In the mountains, now. On the edge of the sea before. Posts: 933 Downloads: 47 Uploads: 0	Use the math. Your intersection circles should tell you if contact is possible. Treat TFs like any other convoy: if you can reasonably reach it with a course change and perhaps a few short hours at 12-14knts, then it is worth looking at. Like any convoy or contact. Once there, do the reconn. If there are capital ships, it may be worth making an approach. Only DDs and small fry? Forget it. If you do approach, remember that TF's act like a convoy. The capital ships will act like armed merchants, firing at you only if you are visible. They will serpentine, and will not join the escort's attack on you. The escorts will act as they usually would. __________________ "Well, now, that's true... the IXC is a bit of a chick magnet..but you really can't beat the VIIB for off-road fun."

03-01-11, 07:27 PM	#10
Obersteuermann Shore leave Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 70 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	I tried intercepting a few TFs once I'd installed the warships mod. All I ever came across (in mid-1940, anyway) were flotillas of torpedo boats. Which are even more annoying in a battleship than in a u-boat! At least you can dive away from them in the submarine....

03-02-11, 05:17 AM	#11
VONHARRIS Konteradmiral Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 1,992 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	I try to avoid them. If I run into one I will engage , but I will not go looking for major trouble by intercepting them especially after late 1942.