Tell us what you're up to in current campaign (lets get this one going lol)

[Bubblehead1980]

Continuation of previous post "9 hours and 15 minutes"


After 12 1/2 hours under attack, lost contact with enemy destroyers.

Remained submerged until dark. Avoided two DD's hunting in area.
Surfaced and exited North end of pass into Sulu Sea en route to patrol area B4 in South China Sea.

Battery Power was down to 5 percent, compressed air reserve at 70 percent due to high speed maneuvering, deep submergence below 600 ft and battle damage (Compressed air drained after close depth charge and compressor damaged, as well as notice usage when beyond 600 ft.)

[Rhodes]

TMO Update BH V2.0


USS Paddle - 10 January, 1944, 26 February, 1944
Destination: Yellow Sea, obj: dropping of a agent to a sampan!


Un-eventual voyage during the first days. When crossing Corridor II area, radar pick up several ships, a convoy. 2 rows, 4 ships each, just 2 escorts.

Reported to COMSUBPAC and they ordered to attack, Tankers were the priority.



Starboard side, textual attack, score one merchant. After exiting northeast an reload the torpedos, new attack. The ships were back in formation and slow, just zig-zaging. Escorts were trying to find me south.

3 more ships went down, another merchants and 2 tankers.

Escaped at full speed and dived to boat since it was near dawn - realoded the remaining torpedos.



After also voyage days with out any contact, arrived at the destination.

Dropped the agent of and return to base, after message from SUBPAC. Low fuel.



When I approach the sampan, I did with my duck gun manned and loaded. Was expecting something fishy...

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Rhodes

TMO Update BH V2.0


USS Paddle - 10 January, 1944, 26 February, 1944
Destination: Yellow Sea, obj: dropping of a agent to a sampan!


Un-eventual voyage during the first days. When crossing Corridor II area, radar pick up several ships, a convoy. 2 rows, 4 ships each, just 2 escorts.

Reported to COMSUBPAC and they ordered to attack, Tankers were the priority.



Starboard side, textual attack, score one merchant. After exiting northeast an reload the torpedos, new attack. The ships were back in formation and slow, just zig-zaging. Escorts were trying to find me south.

3 more ships went down, another merchants and 2 tankers.

Escaped at full speed and dived to boat since it was near dawn - realoded the remaining torpedos.



After also voyage days with out any contact, arrived at the destination.

Dropped the agent of and return to base, after message from SUBPAC. Low fuel.



When I approach the sampan, I did with my duck gun manned and loaded. Was expecting something fishy...

"Was expecting something fishy" lmao. Good move, being prepared. I mean it could happen, there are neutral and unfriendly fishing boats (some armed) etc in area usually.

Funny you say that though, I considered placing hostiles very close to those areas so player might confuse them but don't believe ever got around to it. Perhaps in next patch lol.



Nice job on the convoy

[Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

"Was expecting something fishy" lmao. Good move, being prepared. I mean it could happen, there are neutral and unfriendly fishing boats (some armed) etc in area usually.

Funny you say that though, I considered placing hostiles very close to those areas so player might confuse them but don't believe ever got around to it. Perhaps in next patch lol.



Nice job on the convoy

After your reply to my post, I began to suspect that you could have add something more to that new kind of missions. Like the sampan having a gun or signal an appearing ASW ship - shallow water, near coast...
Of course, I don't know if the game can be programmed for it.



I could had done more in the convoy, still shooting from a distance and the first salvo of my bow tubes only 2 hit and sunk a ship.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Rhodes

After your reply to my post, I began to suspect that you could have add something more to that new kind of missions. Like the sampan having a gun or signal an appearing ASW ship - shallow water, near coast...
Of course, I don't know if the game can be programmed for it.



I could had done more in the convoy, still shooting from a distance and the first salvo of my bow tubes only 2 hit and sunk a ship.

Well I added a few different surprises in different missions, whether they occur is kind of in the air. Test a patrol objective 4 times, may happen properly 2/2/ or 2/3 or 1/3 and then different other times, really depends on player when they arrive etc, when things spawn, its quite dynamic in that sense. Boat you rendezvoused with should have been in shallow waters.

Nothing wrong with sinking one ship en route to your special mission.

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update BH V2.0
100 difficulty. Cams and contacts off.

Departed Milne Bay, New Guinea on 1 January 1944. Assigned area in the Truk-Rabaul shipping lanes.


January 6, 1944
1423
1-36N
148-56E

SJ radar picked up two contacts bearing 010 26329 yards. Increased speed to intercept. Called General Quarters-Torpedo.

Soon became clear the contacts were moving at high speed on
a Northerly course. Even at flank speed, CISCO was having
difficulty pulling ahead.

Eventually, in distance could make out a large vessel and a DD in column, DD making sweeps ahead. Vessels were plotted on course 358 at 18 knots.

After some time moving ahead, submerged for attack. Went to 400 feet and flank speed to close to proper firing range. Upon reaching plotting point of track, began turn to bring stern tubes to bear in order
to utilize the new MK 18 electric torpedoes in stern tubes, taking
advantage of their lack of wake.


At periscope depth, identified the large vessel as a Aikoku Maru
class Auxiliary Cruiser 14280 tons. The DD was of Fubuki or similar class.


At 1556 fired tubes 7,8,9,10. Range 3300 yards. Torpedo (Tube 7) suffered
gyro malfunction and took a 50 degree jog to starboard, other torpedoes
deployed correctly.

At 1559, torpedo (tube no 9) impacted the stern of the target, other torpedoes missed. A large fire developed on the stern of the cruiser as it slowed. Engine/prop noises slowed, believe torpedo disabled the screw/rudder. Began turn to bring bow tubes to bear as DD was a bit ahead at time of impact and did not seem aware of CISCO's location.


About five minutes after impact, the fire on stern of target was burning and
she appeared dead in water, the torpedo hit had definitely disabled her prop and/or rudder. However, enemy DD seemed to have idea of CISCO's location
and bean closing at very high rate of speed, with pinging commencing.


CISCO rigged for depth charge and silent running, went to 450 feet. DD began a series or intense but inaccurate attacks, with CISCO leveling off at 500 feet. At 1653 noises of a ship breaking up following by explosions were clearly audible through the hull, emanating from the last bearing of the aux cruiser.


At 1653, 14280 ton AIKOKU MARU Class Auxiliary Cruiser sunk at 1-43N 148-55E. 330 NM NE Kaveing, New Ireland.


Intensity of depth charge attack ramped up after the cruiser went down. in spite of best evasive tactics was unable to shake the enemy DD. CISCO was forced 650 ft at one point, where the enemy had difficulties tracking, but continued with a persistent and accurate attack. A few minor leaks developed
during depth charging.


Eventually, DD "went silent" , clearly listening for CISCO as she plodded along at 650 ft. Night had now fallen and ship was rigged for red.
A few sporadic sound contacts were made with DD as she slowly moved about then went silent again.


At 2340 rose to periscope depth, then SJ depth, no contact with enemy DD. Secured silent running and GQ. Surfaced at 2350.

Always exciting, your stories! I always read them and hope to one day get to play them too.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by easy

Always exciting, your stories! I always read them and hope to one day get to play them too.

Thank you, glad you enjoy them.

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update BH V2.0
100 difficulty. Cams on, map contacts off.



USS CISCO SS-290
War Patrol Four. Patrol off Palau prior to Lifeguard Duty in support of
Operation Desecrate I (air strikes on Palau and Yap by carriers)



On 21 March received ULTRA regarding enemy submarine departing southern entrance to Palau sometime on 23 March. On 22 March proceeded to assume position from patrol area south of Angaur Island, Palau.



Arrived position 10 miles off Southern entrance to lagoon morning of 22 March,
submerged for patrol through the day, surfaced at 2200. Avoided a PC in area.

At 0505 made SJ contact at 29,000 yards on a small convoy preparing to enter the lagoon. Called General Quarters and began tracking. Convoy
was identified in the pre dawn light as one AK, one AO, one DE escorting course 070 10 knots. With dawn breaking, conditions were not suitable for surface attack, so submerged for attack.


At 0616 fired six MK 23-1 torpedoes from tubes 1,2,3,4,5,6. Three at AO, three at AK.


Three torpedoes hit the tanker, setting it on fire and breaking it in two.


The AK slowed and began turn to port when torpedoes hit the tanker, causing two to miss ahead, but one torpedo hit the bow, cause severe visible damage and fire.


The Momi Class DD/DE began pinging almost immediately. CISCO rigged for depth charge and silent running, and dove for 450 ft.


The DE was soon above as CISCO neared 350 ft and leveled off to avoid
stern sticking protruding during the depth charge attack. As DE roared above, went Ahead Flank for speed burst for 35 seconds, then slowed to 1/3 speed with 15 degrees port rudder.

Depth charges exploded, two were close, causing minor damage in
aft torpedo room, including minor leaks and flooding, which was quickly controlled.

After this, CISCO continued on to 450 ft, while DE set up for another run.

Soon it was apparent that this escort was the enemy's first team, as stayed with CISCO and made increasingly accurate runs, causing damage each time.

CISCO leveled at 550 ft and the escort seemed to have difficulty tracking, but still stayed too close for comfort, making repeated depth charge runs.



A brief period of silence occurred, while he listened for CISCO, followed by
a prolonged period of pinging and then a very accurate DC attack, which caused forward torpedo room to take on some water, but flooding was quickly controlled.

CISCO now at 600 ft, was continually attacked by the persistent DE. Although he made several attacks not close to CISCO, as was having trouble
keeping accurate contact with her.


However, a close run revealed he had found the depth, CISCO went on to 650 ft and then 675. Although pinging continued for some time and many charges dropped, none were close enough to do more than shake the boat a bit and enemy lost contact. A total of 105 depth charges were tallied during this attack. Over next few hours more explosions were heard as CISCO slipped away at 675 ft. Secured from GQ , maintained silent running.

In the afternoon came to periscope depth, to find the DE still hunting in area of attack, dropping occasional depth charge. Also spotting a low flying MAVIS , scouring the area for CISCO.


In the later afternoon secured silent running and reloaded torpedo tubes,
surfaced after dark and patrolled in area, hoping to catch the enemy sub, if had not departed undetected or departed from another entrance.


At 2109, came to all stop to listen with hydrophones.

At 2111, sounds of distant light props were heard, set course to close
contact.SJ showed no contact.


Soon a surfaced submarine was spotted at 8200 yards on course 195, zigging. Obviously the submarine departed, but alerted to earlier attack,
was zigging. Submarine gave no indication had detected CISCO. Submarine was identified as a I-Class Japanese submarine.


Due to distance and difficulty tracking via radar, decided to go for the attack on surface. Called GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE . Brought stern tubes to bare on target and backed down at 8 kts, slowing to 5 was we closed range.

Plotted the enemy's zigs along base course, which were roughly every 45-60 seconds 60 or so degrees in each direction. Submarine was maintaining speed of advance of 10 knots, even with the wild zigs. Calculated spread to fire two at middle of target, one at stern, and one at bow. With the spread and intervals for firing, this provided excellent coverage.


At 2140 Fired tubes 7,8,9,10 at I Class Submarine. 3050 yds. All four MK 23-1 torpedoes ran hot, straight, and normal.



2142 Two torpedoes missed ahead as sub made its swing to starboard, away from CISCO, but the third torpedo, which had been aimed at stern, impacted
the stern, in a sort of "up the pipes" shot as the AOB of the sub was about 170 degrees when torpedo hit. The explosion was large, and massive. A huge fireball flashed and loomed. About 4 seconds later, a massive secondary explosion, and a large, but smaller than first secondary also occurred, likely torpedoes cooking off in aft torpedo room.. The submarine sunk in 43 seconds at 6-52N 133-56E.
Further explosions were heard over next couple minutes as sub descended to the depths.


CISCO cleared area and secured GQ.


A busy but productive day with two ships sunk, one damaged.

Sunk:

AO ARARE MARU 2800 tons

I-Class Submarine 1800 tons


Damaged:

AK SURABAYA MARU 5186 tons.

thrilling !

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by easy

thrilling !

Glad you enjoyed it.


Yes, was quite thrilling, especially the sub encounter. A lot of tension and satisfaction when make a shot like the one on the sub and it works s planned.

Sobering as well, since AI subs in TMO fire torpedoes, could easily be my boat.

Had many close calls since they've been present in game and been sunk once by a AI sub off Pearl in December 1941, at night. Never knew they were there until torpedo hit.

[Rhodes]

TMO Update BH V2.0+patches

USS Paddle - 28 April, 1944, 5 May, 1944
Destination: Area 14 - patrolling and anti-shipping actions.



The trip to the patrol location was fine, notting to report. Area 14 East of the Marianas Islands proved empty.

After 15 days and some enemy patrols/task forces detected, the
USS Paddle was ordered to patrol the Carolinas Islands.



Detected a merchant with a small escort, score one torpedo of a shot of 2. After evading the escort and the ship left, ended the Maru with a aft shot.



Convoy detected after 2 days, attack from the starboard side, no escorts each side. 2 rows of ships, 10 torpedos shot (bow+aft) only 2 hit the target.

Calculated speed was off. Had to abandon the attack do to escorts finding and chasing me.

They had to had radar...


After a few hours of depth charges and going to 500 ft with some damages here and there, manage to escape.



2nd convoy detected near West of Truk, direction NW ,10 knts. After some shadowing for a night surface attack, 3 merchants and 1 tanker sunk.

Light escort, 2 rows of ships, shot all tube from 3500 yards.

After evading the escorts on surface, ended the last ship that was still floating with the deck gun.



Return voyage with incidents.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Rhodes

TMO Update BH V2.0+patches

USS Paddle - 28 April, 1944, 5 May, 1944
Destination: Area 14 - patrolling and anti-shipping actions.



The trip to the patrol location was fine, notting to report. Area 14 East of the Marianas Islands proved empty.

After 15 days and some enemy patrols/task forces detected, the
USS Paddle was ordered to patrol the Carolinas Islands.



Detected a merchant with a small escort, score one torpedo of a shot of 2. After evading the escort and the ship left, ended the Maru with a aft shot.



Convoy detected after 2 days, attack from the starboard side, no escorts each side. 2 rows of ships, 10 torpedos shot (bow+aft) only 2 hit the target.

Calculated speed was off. Had to abandon the attack do to escorts finding and chasing me.

They had to had radar...


After a few hours of depth charges and going to 500 ft with some damages here and there, manage to escape.



2nd convoy detected near West of Truk, direction NW ,10 knts. After some shadowing for a night surface attack, 3 merchants and 1 tanker sunk.

Light escort, 2 rows of ships, shot all tube from 3500 yards.

After evading the escorts on surface, ended the last ship that was still floating with the deck gun.



Return voyage with incidents.

Nice haul and job on the night surface attack

Do you feel the night surface attacks are: Too easy or just right balance?

Yes, possible at least one of the escorts had radar. Depends on the class of vessel.

Area 14 is busy that time of the war until June but over time convoy routes do change up some though, some move closer to the islands , others moved further our in the open ocean where easier to avoid detection. I believe you may have just missed the lanes. Overall N/S traffic running east of Marianas does die down after feb 1944 though, when Truk was essentially neutralized by the Operation Hailstone air strikes Feb 1944.

[Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Nice haul and job on the night surface attack

Do you feel the night surface attacks are: Too easy or just right balance?

Well, for me and until this date, I think that they are right balance. Why?

1. One time, current campaign (the one of the latest reports) I spot a small convoy - one escort and 3 or 2 ships. Clear sky, crystal flat water, moon light.
Approached slowly, let them come tome me, try always to to be in a angle of 45º, etc.
At 3000-2000 yards, the merchants spotted me. Began to fire all their weapons, flood lights at me, etc. Had to dive. Possible I should have done a submerge attack, with all that clarity.


2. Convoys that the escorts detect me, by any means. So it is not always: "it's easy peasy".


3. Until this time, I only manage to get inside a convoy once.

[Mad Mardigan]

Originally Posted by Rhodes

Well, for me and until this date, I think that they are right balance. Why?

Feedback, is important, more so if things are not as they should be... & without that info, well... modder's (too many to try & name all here... *nod to all of them*) won't know what needs tweaking to either dial it back or amp it up if a response times off either way... in short, feedback is necessary in order to make... course corrections, dependent on what those are & where they are needed to be.


So.... if you do run into an issue, always strive to make sure to gather every last shred, scrap, miniscule bit of info to give... so that when the modder goes to find what is causing a problem... they'll know where to start looking.... & be able to see just what is the cause of it & what to do to solve/correct/fix it. Or to be able to narrow it down & confer/confab with other modders, in figuring out what can be done to do so... as sometimes... 2 heads (or more) are better than 1.











M. M.