What do you do if you see enemy aircraft?

[Brag]

Obviously, I crash dive.

In shallow water, I keep to decks awash (depth 7 meters). If aircraft is sighted: order periscope depth and flank speed ahead. Begin a turn. Sit on the growler and prepare to S**t.

Under what circumstances is diving to avoid aircraft not an option. I've never been in a position where I couldn't dive.

[Paul Riley]

Originally Posted by Kielhauler1961

Herbert Werner, like the rest of the U-Bootwaffe, were "suckered" into believing this one. Metox was a 'passive' system for listening-out for signals only. It did not transmit so, therefore, could not be detected. It's like believing your hydrophones are giving your presence away to enemy ASDIC. British propaganda at its best - wonder how many boats were lost because they believed the story and turned the equipment off? The Germans became suspicious of Metox in the summer of 1943 because it suddenly seemed to have stopped working. Boats were being surprised by aircraft in the Bay of Biscay without a "peep" out of the RWR. This was because the Allies had moved to centimetric radar, something the Germans didn't think was possible to make small enough to fit in an aircraft. They were already suspicious of their own equipment and it only needed a little 'nudge' to tip them over the edge.

The main problem the U-Boats had was that they were too 'talkative.' Old technology brought up to date: High-Frequency Direction Finding (Huff-Duff) caught their radio transmissions 90% of the time from mid-43 onwards. That's why I keep 'schtumm' after leaving port.

Its very rare I break radio silence at all myself,the only time I use the radio if I have to,is at night after which I will make a mandatory dive for an hr or so just in case the signal was intrecepted,and when absolutely certain I am clear of any allied radar centres,like the main ones based at Britain for example.I will also use the radio if I need to report a contact that I was unable to sink due to various conditions,and again,I will make the standard dive just after broadcasting.

[Paul Riley]

Originally Posted by Brag

Obviously, I crash dive.

In shallow water, I keep to decks awash (depth 7 meters). If aircraft is sighted: order periscope depth and flank speed ahead. Begin a turn. Sit on the growler and prepare to S**t.

I like the decks awash tactic myself brag.Pity you cant use the diesels at 8m,with just the tower protruding,7m sometimes IS a bit high still.
I would have thought,as long as the main opening to the tower was free you could maybe go down 9m?,and still operate the diesels?. *I only wish*

[predavolk]

I wanted to ask in my earlier posts but forgot:

In my IXB, with two dual rapid 20s, and the quad 20s, what are my chances of taking out a single enemy plane with a flak-qualified watch officer, two flak NCOs and a full-ranked sailor? I would think that we could throw up quite the barrier of lead in the sky.

And if it's not suicide, would you recommend firing starting at long or medium range?

Frankly, I'm not keen on the idea, but I thought I'd at least explore the option. There have been times where the airplane emerges (usualy from poor-ish weather) too close for me to crash dive.

[Jimbuna]

Your chances would be fair, but remember, later in the war the crews reach 'elite' status which means they become more proficient at sinking the boats from underneath the feet of daring Kaleuns.

[nikbear]

I was wondering Jim,by what percentage do they improve to get to 'Elite' status from when they start in 39':hmm:also as has been mentioned,later in the war allied radio direction finding and chattering U-boats led to alot of them meeting there doom,is that modeled in GWX?...If so I will keep shtum in future:rotfl:

Originally Posted by nikbear

I was wondering Jim,by what percentage do they improve to get to 'Elite' status from when they start in 39':hmm:also as has been mentioned,later in the war allied radio direction finding and chattering U-boats led to alot of them meeting there doom,is that modeled in GWX?...If so I will keep shtum in future:rotfl:

I think it is modeled in GWX. The manual recommends not sending any status reports because of it if I remember correctly.

[Phaedrus]

For those of us playing DiD campaigns (dead is dead!)...


... this really isn't much of a question.



Dive.

Quickly.

Immediately.

[nikbear]

Originally Posted by Kraut

I think it is modeled in GWX. The manual recommends not sending any status reports because of it if I remember correctly.

Oh cr*pI don't remember reading that in the manualI really should pay more attention to itthanks for the heads up,it explains a few meetings I've had in a career thats reached late '43

[Paul Riley]

Originally Posted by predavolk

I wanted to ask in my earlier posts but forgot:

In my IXB, with two dual rapid 20s, and the quad 20s, what are my chances of taking out a single enemy plane with a flak-qualified watch officer, two flak NCOs and a full-ranked sailor? I would think that we could throw up quite the barrier of lead in the sky.

And if it's not suicide, would you recommend firing starting at long or medium range?

Frankly, I'm not keen on the idea, but I thought I'd at least explore the option. There have been times where the airplane emerges (usualy from poor-ish weather) too close for me to crash dive.

Myself,I would open fire at long range against ANY aircraft.Once or twice now I have suffered moderate damage even after what I thought was a well executed dive before the planes closed in.Some of their munitions seem really powerful,so I wouldnt wait til they were practically on you,open fire straight away!
I cant imagine ANY pilot wanting to fly near a stream of flak,even if they werent hitting him.
Having said that,if your crew is really elite as you said,then maybe you could hold fire until the planes drew closer,increasing your chance of hitting,but this is only practical against bombers,fighter planes are much faster and would also be firing at YOU,and probably even evading your flak.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by nikbear

I was wondering Jim,by what percentage do they improve to get to 'Elite' status from when they start in 39':hmm:also as has been mentioned,later in the war allied radio direction finding and chattering U-boats led to alot of them meeting there doom,is that modeled in GWX?...If so I will keep shtum in future:rotfl:

There isn't a precise percentage but rather a scripted date where the status change becomes automatic.

I'm unaware of radio chatter assisting the Allies ingame....it was obviously very different in RL.

I could be wrong....tis a while since I've read the manual

[baggygreen]

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]

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]

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.