How Intercept Enemy Convoy

[Compans57]

I’d also like to ask any experts about the best way to ‘break into’ large convoy formations.

I’ve successfully intercepted 2 thus far but the tricky thing is they’ve both been encircled by 6 escorts who, if you look at their sonar patterns, have the whole formation covered. My solution was to find the sonar gap between first and second destroyer early, position myself there, rise to periscope depth, fire off my 4 torps and submerge.

The problem is it’s a big risk. I sunk two large ships but of course was detected and depth charged for a couple of hours.

What tactics do others use? I conducted the first attack at night.

[GrenSo]

Originally Posted by Compans57

What tactics do others use? I conducted the first attack at night.

If I find a heavily guarded (at least 6 destroyer) large convoy at night or also just before sunrise, I attack from a great distance. I try to overtake it with deck awashed and fire, after I have a good position, 4 torpedos on 4 different targets. Than I take an u turn and try to hit a fifth tarket.

I now it is not so easy at the begining until you have T3 FaT but it is in my opinion a save way to attack.


BTW: I play with TWoS.

[Compans57]

Originally Posted by GrenSo

If I find a heavily guarded (at least 6 destroyer) large convoy at night or also just before sunrise, I attack from a great distance. I try to overtake it with deck awashed and fire, after I have a good position, 4 torpedos on 4 different targets. Than I take an u turn and try to hit a fifth tarket.

I now it is not so easy at the begining until you have T3 FaT but it is in my opinion a save way to attack.


BTW: I play with TWoS.

What's T3 FaT?

I tried attacking from beyond the escort sonar range but the juicy targets tend to be in the middle lanes and at night they're just too far away.

[bstanko6]

Getting inside a convoy is always risky. Early War is easier, but late War will be almost impossible.

I find getting ahead of the convoy, going deep and slow, then wait for the escort to pass... then surface inside and go for it.

[Compans57]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

Getting inside a convoy is always risky. Early War is easier, but late War will be almost impossible.

I find getting ahead of the convoy, going deep and slow, then wait for the escort to pass... then surface inside and go for it.

Thanks.

The problem though is that when submerged, you’re moving so slow that there’s always another escort about to pass overhead.

Another question is part of the problem with this game, as opposed to reality.

In a real situation like this the accumulated engine noise of the convoy must have made escort hydrophones practically useless. But I wonder if the enemy within the game is aware that you’re there?

Similarly I’m wary of running on flank speed when behind an escort. They should be in their blind zone but I’m not sure.

In other versions of SH I can remember being hunted by escorts and eventually hearing them depth charge a spot a distance away and knowing they’d lost the scent.

Escorts in TWOs are a huge improvement on the stock game but still a little mysterious.

[Texas Red]

Originally Posted by Compans57

Thanks.

The problem though is that when submerged, you’re moving so slow that there’s always another escort about to pass overhead.

Another question is part of the problem with this game, as opposed to reality.

In a real situation like this the accumulated engine noise of the convoy must have made escort hydrophones practically useless. But I wonder if the enemy within the game is aware that you’re there?

Similarly I’m wary of running on flank speed when behind an escort. They should be in their blind zone but I’m not sure.

In other versions of SH I can remember being hunted by escorts and eventually hearing them depth charge a spot a distance away and knowing they’d lost the scent.

Escorts in TWOs are a huge improvement on the stock game but still a little mysterious.

In TWoS, I could easily sneak into convoy's and I would sink maybe 1-3 ships and immediately dive to 65 meters or if I can go deep enough I will go 120 meters. The deeper you dive, the less your noise signature becomes.

The escorts, I agree, are still quite mysterious, they can tell if a shot came from inside the convoy or outside of it, 100% of the time they are right.

[GrenSo]

Originally Posted by Compans57

What's T3 FaT?

I mean G7e T3 FaT: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G7e_torpedo#G7e/T3


In TWoS you will, get it - I think - middle of 1941.

[Compans57]

Ah ok. Thanks.