How often do you see the big warships, sunk two Taiho Fleet Carriers!

[Sandman_28054]

[quote=Systemlord]

Originally Posted by Sandman_28054

Can you tell me how to get the DD's away from the convoy, I would love to know how you do that! Me don't got much in the way of attack skills, share you skills with me.

Thanks Sandman!

Well, it depends on the time of day.

If it is during the daylight hours, I tend to run on the surface until I'm within 6000-5000 yards, by this time they have seen me, and are turning towards me with guns firing. When that happens, several things may happen.

First off, the destroyers will turn right at your position full steam firing with their deck guns until you dive, then when they get within 1000-2000 yards, they will slow down to 12 knts. But be warned, it takes time for your boat to dive. Usually about a minute, a lot can happen in a minute and in mostlyhood, you will take a few hits.

Once one or two of the DD's are coming at me, and I'm at periscope depth, I try to turn 90 degrees one way or the other depending on which way they are coming at me. Once I have them at a 45-90 degree angle perpendicular to my position, I'll order rudder amidhips and ahead 1/3 and creep along at 3 knts until they are lined up with me for a shot from the Aft tubes, lowering and raising my periscope occasionally to varify that what I want to hapen, is happening. I can usually take one out this way. But they is always the side escort coming also. You can turn away from him, have your next shot lined up where he is coming straight at you from the rear, (180 degrees) set the torp depth at 4-4.5 ft. and set it also at "contact influence", and wait until they are within 1200 yards to fire. This will usually go under the Bow and explode resulting in a kill.

This is one way it might happen.

Secondly, I have drawed them off, dove deep, 220 meters, ordered ahead 1/3, silent running, once below the thermal layer, let them pass and come up to periscope depth and set up for a shot.


At night, it is easy to draw them off by simply diving when you are close by, and ordering ahead flank briefly. If they are listening with their active sonar, trust me, they will hear you and turn. Likewise, follow the same proceedure.

But sometimes, at night, it is best to just "sneak: up on the convoy, and cut loose. the last patrol I was on, this happened to me. I spotted a large convoy, snuck to within 1200 yards of the ships on the closest side to me, fired one torpedo at the center ship in the convoy, and the destroyers went to the far side thinking I shot from over there.

If you can get in front of the convoy, and be very close as they approach, and fire a torpedo at the ship on the far side of the convoy, then the DD's will think your over there and go to the far side to hunt for you leaving you most likely with on one DD on your side to deal with.

Funny thing about most destroyers is they are very thin skinned. One shot either under the bow, or from the side is enough to sink them.

Now if you are lucky enough, you can run on the surface in the daylight, let them see you. And when they start firing at you, dive deep, between 165-220 ft., Reduce speed to 3 knts, and order silent running, it is possible to let them pass overhead, and you continue on towards the convoy. They will continue go on a little ways, and circle while dropping DC's. The only drawback to drawing destroyers away from their convoys is that once you have taken the time to set yourself up for the perfect shot, the convoy has shifted tract and are heading, or have turned away from you.

As a general rule, I don't bother with the DD's unless I have to. I like to try to sneak up as close as I can, usually right between the outside ships and the side escort. Fire my tubes, and dive deep. Since I'm in a Sargo Class boat, (I think) I have 6 "fish" in the front tubes, which usually means 3 kills. Usually. Sometimes I have had those med and lg freighters that just refuse to sink.

If I have taken out 2 or 3 of the escorts, then it real easy to take the rest of the convoy out.

As always, there are exceptions to the rule. I approached one convoy that was loaded with tankers, and before you know it, I was under the gun from 4 escorts.

Early in the war, now realize I don't have any mods installed at this time, just playing the stock patched version 1.4, but early in the war, convoys that I have run across have mostly 3 DD's as escorts. Later on, as the war progresses, you may see 3, 4, or even 5 escorts with a convoy. When that happens, its like a game of "cat and mouse."

Read through the threads here, there is a lot of useful advice being passed on from more experienced Captains than me.

I can only tell you what works for me. This may or may not work for you.

It is easy to approach a convoy, save the game, and try differnt tactics until you find one that works for you, or try to develop your own approachs. If mine don't work for you and you get sunk, you can always reload that save, and try somebody elses tips.

After a year of playing SH3, I got SH4 as a birthday present, and have been playing this game for only a month now.

But, I have found that the lessons I learned playing SH3, have helped playing SH4.

Just read the threads, learn what everybody passes on, play the game, and experience will come. Who knows, you may the next "hot-shot" here.

Good luck and good hunting Captain.