What are your favourites territories for hunting besides North Atlantic?

06-10-13, 05:40 AM

Last time I was sunk by depth charging off the coast of Ireland during a harsh convoy battle in March '42.

It was one of my longest and most successful careers in the Atlantic starting in September '40 with a Type IXB achieving over 250,000 GRT. Now I'm kinda' looking for new types of challenges somewhere else than the stormy and rainy North Atlantic waters but haven't yet decided where exactly.
I wonder what you think the best hunting areas in the game. At the moment I'm keen on the Far East or the Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico. They're far from the usual convoy routes and there are no significant ASW though there's less frequent traffic in these regions.
My questions would be:

Is it worth plotting a long course from France all the way down to Curacao or Sumatra for less dangerous waters but less traffic, too? In other words, does hunting on these territories mean lots of easy-kills against single merchants and juicy tankers (relative to Western Approaches) or just an endless dull patrol lasting for months with hardly a ship per one or two weeks.
What are your best successes in the regions other than the main convoy routes? If you've an interesting patrol or just any thoughts about the topic I'd be glad to read it.

Thanks for your answers!

11Bravo · 06-10-13, 06:32 AM

Start a new campaign. Get a Type IIA and use SH3 Commander to select AN84 for every patrol and 20 days in port. In general, restrict your operations to grid squares that touch AN84. Exception would be to support invasion of Norway.

Go through the Channel on your first patrol and bag your first and likely only channel sinking. Raid Dover on your second and bag a light cruiser at the dock. Open up the game editor, load the campaign, and preview the scripted layer for each patrol. "Assist" German efforts where possible. I have provided support to German destroyers on minelaying missions off British ports.

I'm currently on patrol 11 approaching 100K tonnage. Last night I was being pounded by 3 destroyers and a torp boat 40 km off Lowefenwhatever in a shallow water minefield. 2 hours of silent running and I made it out. I read later that my U-13 was sunk at the same spot on the same day historically in WW2.

RConch · 06-10-13, 09:52 AM

I am in October 1941 and if I don't go to AM 52, I would head to CG 84-86 area. Just have to watch out for neutrals and aircraft at this stage of the War.

Herr-Berbunch · 06-10-13, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11Bravo

Raid Dover on your second and bag a light cruiser at the dock.

I sneaked in once, simultaniously fired aft at the troopship, and fore to the cruiser. Then the patrol vessel came racing at me, dropped some DCs and promptly sunk himself in the shallows.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=171191

11Bravo · 06-10-13, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I sneaked in once, simultaniously fired aft at the troopship, and fore to the cruiser. Then the patrol vessel came racing at me, dropped some DCs and promptly sunk himself in the shallows.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=171191

Exactly as planned, Herr Kaleun. I noticed your link is dated 2010.

Here is a 2007 link to the first time I did that Dover mission...
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom//sho...d.php?t=104554

It is a testament to how great this game is that we are still remembering, playing, and replaying these missions. I still get scared sneaking into Dover and I do it every time I start a career.

VONHARRIS · 06-10-13, 01:09 PM

Answering the original question:

1. The port of spain area and Curacao are full of tankers either alone or in fast convoys but plenty of air patrols and escorts from mid 1942 onward

2. Around Australia , off the port of Darwin : plenty of liners in lighty defended convoys late 1943 onwards

3. The entrance of the Persian Gulf: Tankers come and go sometimes unescorted early 1944 onwards

For areas 2 and 3 you either need a IXD2 and refuel to reach them and return to home port - if you ever make it back - or to have been transferred to the Monsun flotilla (10th)

Archer7seven · 06-19-13, 07:30 PM

Yes, the west coast of Australia is a good hunting ground and also makes for less harassment. I took the Admiral Scheer there Late in 43, it was worth it.

Jimbuna · 06-20-13, 12:01 PM

250 km west of Gibraltar.

iambecomelife · 06-20-13, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

250 km west of Gibraltar.

I second that. If you're running one of the supermods you'll find lots of lone merchants or two ship "convoys" sailing not far from Gibraltar & the Strait.

Jimbuna · 06-21-13, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iambecomelife

I second that. If you're running one of the supermods you'll find lots of lone merchants or two ship "convoys" sailing not far from Gibraltar & the Strait.

Rgr that

Steve Gad · 08-18-13, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I sneaked in once, simultaniously fired aft at the troopship, and fore to the cruiser. Then the patrol vessel came racing at me, dropped some DCs and promptly sunk himself in the shallows.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=171191

I crept into Gibraltar and Liverpool too, and on both occasions I wish I hadn't. The entire places lit up like a Christmas tree as son as I fired a shot. I'd planned on going in under cover of darkness and use the deck gun to cause as much damage as possible.
Suffice to say, both patrols were preceeded by 'safe distance saves' and both patrols soon made use of those saves, after being sunk, to load up again from said safe distance, and then get the hell out of dodge. Pronto!!

Some ideas really are just plain silly, but I doubt I'm the first one to try out the Das Boot suicide run.

ExFishermanBob · 08-18-13, 02:59 PM

I've just (2 hours ago) fled from Gib, having launched a full salvo at HMS Nelson: struck her twice, but she did not sink. On the way out of the Straits, met an incoming convoy, loosed all I had and then spent 6 hours at 1 knot and 130 metres.

Sitting off the mouth of the Straits is usually productive, especially early in the war. Having said that, I've never made it past late '41 yet.

Still haven't lifted my creels, either.

Jimbuna · 08-18-13, 03:05 PM

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!

Aktungbby · 08-18-13, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExFishermanBob

I've just (2 hours ago) fled from Gib, having launched a full salvo at HMS Nelson: struck her twice, but she did not sink. On the way out of the Straits, met an incoming convoy, loosed all I had and then spent 6 hours at 1 knot and 130 metres.

Sitting off the mouth of the Straits is usually productive, especially early in the war. Having said that, I've never made it past late '41 yet.

Still haven't lifted my creels, either.

You'll love Freetown and Cape Verde Islands too; the merchants tend to be pooly armed and poorly escorted ...as yet.

ExFishermanBob · 08-19-13, 02:36 AM

Hmmm....not too far south of Gib, I'll have to give the Cape Verdes a try. Thanks for the hint.

06-10-13, 05:40 AM	#1
allievo Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	What are your favourites territories for hunting besides North Atlantic? Last time I was sunk by depth charging off the coast of Ireland during a harsh convoy battle in March '42. It was one of my longest and most successful careers in the Atlantic starting in September '40 with a Type IXB achieving over 250,000 GRT. Now I'm kinda' looking for new types of challenges somewhere else than the stormy and rainy North Atlantic waters but haven't yet decided where exactly. I wonder what you think the best hunting areas in the game. At the moment I'm keen on the Far East or the Caribbean & Gulf of Mexico. They're far from the usual convoy routes and there are no significant ASW though there's less frequent traffic in these regions. My questions would be: Is it worth plotting a long course from France all the way down to Curacao or Sumatra for less dangerous waters but less traffic, too? In other words, does hunting on these territories mean lots of easy-kills against single merchants and juicy tankers (relative to Western Approaches) or just an endless dull patrol lasting for months with hardly a ship per one or two weeks. What are your best successes in the regions other than the main convoy routes? If you've an interesting patrol or just any thoughts about the topic I'd be glad to read it. Thanks for your answers!

06-10-13, 06:32 AM	#2
11Bravo Medic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Error Triangle Posts: 168 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	Start a new campaign. Get a Type IIA and use SH3 Commander to select AN84 for every patrol and 20 days in port. In general, restrict your operations to grid squares that touch AN84. Exception would be to support invasion of Norway. Go through the Channel on your first patrol and bag your first and likely only channel sinking. Raid Dover on your second and bag a light cruiser at the dock. Open up the game editor, load the campaign, and preview the scripted layer for each patrol. "Assist" German efforts where possible. I have provided support to German destroyers on minelaying missions off British ports. I'm currently on patrol 11 approaching 100K tonnage. Last night I was being pounded by 3 destroyers and a torp boat 40 km off Lowefenwhatever in a shallow water minefield. 2 hours of silent running and I made it out. I read later that my U-13 was sunk at the same spot on the same day historically in WW2. __________________ "Sounds of terror are in his ears; While at peace the destroyer comes upon him." -- Job 15:21

06-10-13, 09:52 AM	#3
RConch Captain Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: No. Virginia Posts: 618 Downloads: 503 Uploads: 0	I am in October 1941 and if I don't go to AM 52, I would head to CG 84-86 area. Just have to watch out for neutrals and aircraft at this stage of the War. __________________ "Noch und Noch" Prowling the Nord Atlantik with GWX 3.0.

06-20-13, 12:01 PM	#8
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 181,670 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	250 km west of Gibraltar. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!! GWX3.0 Download Page - Donation/instant access to GWX (Help SubSim)

08-18-13, 03:05 PM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 181,670 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!! GWX3.0 Download Page - Donation/instant access to GWX (Help SubSim)

06-10-13, 01:09 PM	#6
VONHARRIS Konteradmiral Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 1,992 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	Answering the original question: 1. The port of spain area and Curacao are full of tankers either alone or in fast convoys but plenty of air patrols and escorts from mid 1942 onward 2. Around Australia , off the port of Darwin : plenty of liners in lighty defended convoys late 1943 onwards 3. The entrance of the Persian Gulf: Tankers come and go sometimes unescorted early 1944 onwards For areas 2 and 3 you either need a IXD2 and refuel to reach them and return to home port - if you ever make it back - or to have been transferred to the Monsun flotilla (10th)

06-19-13, 07:30 PM	#7
Archer7seven Gunner Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 95 Downloads: 348 Uploads: 0	Yes, the west coast of Australia is a good hunting ground and also makes for less harassment. I took the Admiral Scheer there Late in 43, it was worth it.

08-18-13, 02:59 PM	#12
ExFishermanBob Difficulties Numbing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: AN19 Posts: 470 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I've just (2 hours ago) fled from Gib, having launched a full salvo at HMS Nelson: struck her twice, but she did not sink. On the way out of the Straits, met an incoming convoy, loosed all I had and then spent 6 hours at 1 knot and 130 metres. Sitting off the mouth of the Straits is usually productive, especially early in the war. Having said that, I've never made it past late '41 yet. Still haven't lifted my creels, either.

08-19-13, 02:36 AM	#15
ExFishermanBob Difficulties Numbing Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: AN19 Posts: 470 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Hmmm....not too far south of Gib, I'll have to give the Cape Verdes a try. Thanks for the hint.