Impossible. I just cannot evade destroyers...

[PiedrA1650]

Hi everyone. I'm playing SH5 with TWoS, manual targeting, everything is set to the "hard way" except from map contacts, which I do have set to "on". The problem I have is the following:

I find a reaaaally nice convoy, plenty of big ships. Once I've launched my last torpedo I start to dive and go silent running while turning away from my "firing position". I hit 3 of my 4 torpedoes and three destroyers start looking for me (it was night time and one of my torpedoes was a steam one) so they go to the place where the torpedo came from.

Meanwhile I'm 90m deep at 1kn completely silent. They arrive to the area, everything's fine, I made no noise, they shoudn't know if it was fired from 1000m or 5000m. For some reason they guess where I am and start pinging me. From what I've learned, once they've pinged you, they know exactly where you are, so you better get out of there.
I go maximum speed and hard port (or starboard) to change my heading until they stop pinging, then I go to silent running again.
They start to drop some depthcharges on me which I dodge by turning and speeding, then I go to silent running again.
I keep doing this for like one real hour until they start to get REALLY accurate, they don't let me go anywhere, they're constantly pinging, they keep dropping depthcharges just where I am, I cannot really do anything, I try to dodge them but they ALWAYS hit me eventually, doesn't matter if I accelerate, I turn, or I do a barrel roll.

I'm starting to get really frustrated as I kind of dominate the firing aspect of it (I've hit pretty tricky shots) but I just cannot evade destroyers at all, they always get me, and once I get hit once I just lose all hope, my boat starts to lose all fuel and battery and I cannot even surface it.

So, hard turning doesn't work, speeding doesn't work, turning all engines off and being 100% silent doesn't work, they always start pinging in the correct place and eventually hit me with a depthcharge.
Any tips on how I can lose them? What am I doing wrong?
Thank you so much, and I apologize, because I guess this is a pretty common question.

[Cyborg322]

Evading multiple destroyers can be a lengthily exercise. They may your location but no so much your depth keep silent go deep find a depth you are not getting depth charged so much. seek the closest enemy ship with sonar and try to sail 180degs from it. It can take hours sometimes you can use TC when they are reported at medium range but be careful it can be risky, avoid the temptation to increase speed even at longer ranges. They will normally disengage if they get split too far from the main fleet. It takes a lot of patience at the best of times. Try not to get spotted in the first instance if you can don't leave your scope up more than absolutely necessary.

[Ashikaga]

Took me about four hours yesterday when shadowing and attacking a convoy. They were really angry after I not only sank just a freighter but also two of the escorts. So mad in fact that they hunted me down with 6 others. They called in reinforcements for sure since the convoy only had six escorts, not eight. My tactics:

As soon as I realize they are steaming towards my location I launch four BOLD canisters and go fullspeed to 150 meters depth.
Generally in the opposite direction, keeping the BOLF behind me and between them. Then, after a few minutes I go zero knots, silent running. (they CAN hear you at 1kts)

I wait. When I hear them dropping depth charges at the BOLD location I head full speed either in the convoy direction (ie, convoy course) or 90° from that course in any direction except the BOLD location. I draw where I am and where they are on a paper.

Of course they start picking me up again, even at 1kts but depending on how many depth charges they used up it might be ok. I drop to at least 160-180 meters and zig zag at full speed, launching my last BOLD canisters (should start counting them really). Then go zero knots again, completely silent. When they ping me, I wait till the ping stops and then go full speed again straight to them, heading to another depth. (Above 160-180 meters). I then turn left or right changing depth constantly and then go silent again at 160-180 meters. That seems to confuse them. Yesterday two destroyers ran into each other, minor damage but the screech of metal was very audible. I went completely silent, went to 1kts for 10 minutes and then zero kts for the next half hour to an hour or so.

Meanwhile the convoy of course steamed on. Now they have to protect the convoy. That is their first task. So when you hear them moving away and speeding up, you know they are heading back to the convoy. I then wait until the soundman says (for every contact) moving away, long distance! and then go periscope depth. I note their course. When they are speeding and I am behind them their hydro capability is less. When I am up and do a periscope check and they are no longer there, I follow their track, at a speed less than the convoy's and have them guide me back to it and the game starts again.....

SH5, TWOS 2.2.7, difficulty Medium, 80% realism.
Of course I cheat a little by using the external view to see what they are actually doing.
Maybe one day I will go full realism, but not yet.

Best,

Ashi.

[les green01]

once i shoot the eels off then depending where i am at in the mist of the convoy then shag ass out of there even outside shooting in i never dive unless i have too once i go under do a hard rudder turn i might hug the bottom but never sit on the bottom never do i go silent unless i need too listen to my sonar guy then picture what he is telling me then might turn into the escort making the run or away change dept at times main thing never sit still go one direction for a while then go another direction but never set a pattern on what you doing

[PiedrA1650]

Originally Posted by Cyborg322

Evading multiple destroyers can be a lengthily exercise. They may your location but no so much your depth keep silent go deep find a depth you are not getting depth charged so much. seek the closest enemy ship with sonar and try to sail 180degs from it. It can take hours sometimes you can use TC when they are reported at medium range but be careful it can be risky, avoid the temptation to increase speed even at longer ranges. They will normally disengage if they get split too far from the main fleet. It takes a lot of patience at the best of times. Try not to get spotted in the first instance if you can don't leave your scope up more than absolutely necessary.

HI! Thanks for answering. I have some questions regarding your comment.
I didn't know your depth was important at all. I thought you were supposed to be as deep as possible as depthcharges exploded using a magnetic detonator. Do you mean they have a depth setting so they explode when they get to a certain depth?
I read another answer in this very same post that said changing your boat depth is useful. Why does that happen?
Second question, what is that TC you talk about? First time I hear about it.
Edit: I just realized it's time compression. Don't need an explanation anymore!
Thank you so much!

[Ashikaga]

From the beginning to the middle of WWII depth charges had a depth detonator set by the crew in advance. Only later with magnetic detonators and acoustic and magnetic homing depth charges (small torpedoes) and also the massive area bombarding by for instance hedgehogs depth changes for U boats helped less and less. Also combined with better detection equipment on the destroyers and radar on a bandwith narrow enough to see a raised periscope.

Under the history section of this Wiki page you will find a lot of answers.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_charge

Best,

Ashi.

[PiedrA1650]

Originally Posted by les green01

once i shoot the eels off then depending where i am at in the mist of the convoy then shag ass out of there even outside shooting in i never dive unless i have too once i go under do a hard rudder turn i might hug the bottom but never sit on the bottom never do i go silent unless i need too listen to my sonar guy then picture what he is telling me then might turn into the escort making the run or away change dept at times main thing never sit still go one direction for a while then go another direction but never set a pattern on what you doing

Yeah, I always thought that's what I needed to do, keep changing my movement pattern, but they always seem to know what I'm doing.
I guess I'll start changing my depth, as that seems to be an effective technique.
Do you know if that was a real life procedure, or is it a "subsim only" maneuver?
Thank you!

[PiedrA1650]

Originally Posted by Ashikaga

From the beginning to the middle of WWII depth charges had a depth detonator set by the crew in advance. Only later with magnetic detonators and acoustic and magnetic homing depth charges (small torpedoes) and also the massive area bombarding by for instance hedgehogs depth changes for U boats helped less and less. Also combined with better detection equipment on the destroyers and radar on a bandwith narrow enough to see a raised periscope.

Under the history section of this Wiki page you will find a lot of answers.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_charge

Best,

Ashi.

Hey thanks for answering!
I had no idea about that. I'm still in 1940 so I guess I'll start changing my depth to confuse them.
As I said, I thought the optimal technique was going as deep as possible so their depthcharges wouldn't reach the uboat because they had a depth limit.
I'll read the link, thank you!

[PiedrA1650]

Originally Posted by Ashikaga

Took me about four hours yesterday when shadowing and attacking a convoy. They were really angry after I not only sank just a freighter but also two of the escorts. So mad in fact that they hunted me down with 6 others. They called in reinforcements for sure since the convoy only had six escorts, not eight. My tactics:

As soon as I realize they are steaming towards my location I launch four BOLD canisters and go fullspeed to 150 meters depth.
Generally in the opposite direction, keeping the BOLF behind me and between them. Then, after a few minutes I go zero knots, silent running. (they CAN hear you at 1kts)

I wait. When I hear them dropping depth charges at the BOLD location I head full speed either in the convoy direction (ie, convoy course) or 90° from that course in any direction except the BOLD location. I draw where I am and where they are on a paper.

Of course they start picking me up again, even at 1kts but depending on how many depth charges they used up it might be ok. I drop to at least 160-180 meters and zig zag at full speed, launching my last BOLD canisters (should start counting them really). Then go zero knots again, completely silent. When they ping me, I wait till the ping stops and then go full speed again straight to them, heading to another depth. (Above 160-180 meters). I then turn left or right changing depth constantly and then go silent again at 160-180 meters. That seems to confuse them. Yesterday two destroyers ran into each other, minor damage but the screech of metal was very audible. I went completely silent, went to 1kts for 10 minutes and then zero kts for the next half hour to an hour or so.

Meanwhile the convoy of course steamed on. Now they have to protect the convoy. That is their first task. So when you hear them moving away and speeding up, you know they are heading back to the convoy. I then wait until the soundman says (for every contact) moving away, long distance! and then go periscope depth. I note their course. When they are speeding and I am behind them their hydro capability is less. When I am up and do a periscope check and they are no longer there, I follow their track, at a speed less than the convoy's and have them guide me back to it and the game starts again.....

SH5, TWOS 2.2.7, difficulty Medium, 80% realism.
Of course I cheat a little by using the external view to see what they are actually doing.
Maybe one day I will go full realism, but not yet.

Best,

Ashi.

And please forgive me for not answering this incredible message, it's a long one and I need some time to really understand it and elaborate a proper response (English is not my native language). Tomorrow I'll answer as I still have some questions about it. Thanks for it, though, I'll respond!

[bstanko6]

If you click on my signature there are many videos on evading depth charges.

First things first, the time of day in which you attack. U-boat commanders were always commanded to attack at night if possible. On the surface. You fire your torpedoes on the surface, then you get out of the area as soon as you can and set up for the next attack.

If you must attack underwater, simply turning and going slow will not help you. You have to get away from your “circle of death” as I put it in my video.

Just because you set up for an attack and then you commence the attack, does not mean that you’re finished. You have to also plan your escape, and new area of attack! Nothing should be by chance, your attack is at your pace and at your discretion.

1) attack on surface if possible

2) once you send your torps… GET OUT OF THERE!!! Assume DDs know exactly where you are.

3) move to next location for attack.

4) repeat process.

If you are in a situation where you’re being depth charged, it’s not a science to evade. It’s pure instinct. Yes you do get lucky from time to time, and depending on their veteran status it’s possible to give him the runaround for many hours at a time. But all it takes is one good drop and you are finished.

The true way of evading depth charges is to avoid them all together and not be in that situation.

Good luck.

[Ashikaga]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

If you are in a situation where you’re being depth charged, it’s not a science to evade. It’s pure instinct. Yes you do get lucky from time to time, and depending on their veteran status it’s possible to give him the runaround for many hours at a time. But all it takes is one good drop and you are finished.

The true way of evading depth charges is to avoid them all together and not be in that situation.

Hence my extensive use of BOLD just after I have attacked and the first eel hits. I then either slip away unnoticed really deep at 1kts making sure the BOLD is between my stern and the convoy and escorts, or, if it is a dark night and they have not spotted me, I go flank speed in the opposite direction surfaced, but also after launching BOLD.

Best,

Ashi.

[PiedrA1650]

Originally Posted by Ashikaga

Took me about four hours yesterday when shadowing and attacking a convoy. They were really angry after I not only sank just a freighter but also two of the escorts. So mad in fact that they hunted me down with 6 others. They called in reinforcements for sure since the convoy only had six escorts, not eight. My tactics:

As soon as I realize they are steaming towards my location I launch four BOLD canisters and go fullspeed to 150 meters depth.
Generally in the opposite direction, keeping the BOLF behind me and between them. Then, after a few minutes I go zero knots, silent running. (they CAN hear you at 1kts)

I wait. When I hear them dropping depth charges at the BOLD location I head full speed either in the convoy direction (ie, convoy course) or 90° from that course in any direction except the BOLD location. I draw where I am and where they are on a paper.

Of course they start picking me up again, even at 1kts but depending on how many depth charges they used up it might be ok. I drop to at least 160-180 meters and zig zag at full speed, launching my last BOLD canisters (should start counting them really). Then go zero knots again, completely silent. When they ping me, I wait till the ping stops and then go full speed again straight to them, heading to another depth. (Above 160-180 meters). I then turn left or right changing depth constantly and then go silent again at 160-180 meters. That seems to confuse them. Yesterday two destroyers ran into each other, minor damage but the screech of metal was very audible. I went completely silent, went to 1kts for 10 minutes and then zero kts for the next half hour to an hour or so.

Meanwhile the convoy of course steamed on. Now they have to protect the convoy. That is their first task. So when you hear them moving away and speeding up, you know they are heading back to the convoy. I then wait until the soundman says (for every contact) moving away, long distance! and then go periscope depth. I note their course. When they are speeding and I am behind them their hydro capability is less. When I am up and do a periscope check and they are no longer there, I follow their track, at a speed less than the convoy's and have them guide me back to it and the game starts again.....

SH5, TWOS 2.2.7, difficulty Medium, 80% realism.
Of course I cheat a little by using the external view to see what they are actually doing.
Maybe one day I will go full realism, but not yet.

Best,

Ashi.

So hi! Thank for answering!

I'm in 1940, so I don't have BOLD canisters yet so sadly I cannot follow your technique yet...
I have a question. You say they can hear me at 1kn, then, what is the purpose of silent running and using it if it's not useful at all? I mean, by knowing that then the ideal procedure would be going flank while they ping you and turning everything off after that, when they will be listening for you.
I thought 1kn was so subtle that they wouldn't be able to tell where you were.

Summarizing, I get that your technique involves changing your heading and depth non-stop. I kind of get that, I'll try it as soon as I get home in a few days.
Thank you!

[PiedrA1650]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

If you click on my signature there are many videos on evading depth charges.

First things first, the time of day in which you attack. U-boat commanders were always commanded to attack at night if possible. On the surface. You fire your torpedoes on the surface, then you get out of the area as soon as you can and set up for the next attack.

If you must attack underwater, simply turning and going slow will not help you. You have to get away from your “circle of death” as I put it in my video.

Just because you set up for an attack and then you commence the attack, does not mean that youÂ’re finished. You have to also plan your escape, and new area of attack! Nothing should be by chance, your attack is at your pace and at your discretion.

1) attack on surface if possible

2) once you send your torpsÂ… GET OUT OF THERE!!! Assume DDs know exactly where you are.

3) move to next location for attack.

4) repeat process.

If you are in a situation where youÂ’re being depth charged, itÂ’s not a science to evade. ItÂ’s pure instinct. Yes you do get lucky from time to time, and depending on their veteran status itÂ’s possible to give him the runaround for many hours at a time. But all it takes is one good drop and you are finished.

The true way of evading depth charges is to avoid them all together and not be in that situation.

Good luck.

Hi bstanko, thanks for answering to my post. I'll check your videos, I had done it before as I discovered your channel some time ago but I didn't really get so focused on it.

I have a question: You say I should be attacking during the night with a surface attack. I have no problem attacking during the night, but I cannot make surface attacks:
I'm unable to use the RAOBF which is my way of getting the AoB, and I have to use the UZO. I can also use the periscope as always, but both methods are impossible to use accurately as the boat movement makes it impossible to get any accurate readings (speed, range, etc.).
By going underwater everything seems to get much more stable, so my night technique always involves a surface approach and a submerged torpedo data adquisition and firing. Surface data adquisition just seems mission impossible for me.
Any tips on how to do it better?

And I have another question: You tell me about getting out of the circle of death. My question is: Let's say I've just fired my torps and they've not hit yet. Is it a good idea to go full speed in order to get out of there before DDs start looking for you? What I mean is, are they listening for uboats while just escorting, or I can go as loud as I want as long as no torps have hit anything yet?
I guess their engine sound makes it hard for them to hear anything, but I'm not sure, as I think they listen for you while moving when they know there's an uboat out there.
I hope I explained it properly.

Thank you so much in advance! I'll check your videos!

[les green01]

i try to play historical most i can so i need to break escort lock fast has i can and surface to cover the wide ocean or make contact again at night keep your speed down keep a small profile even go deck awash depends how much moonlight is showing keep a eye on the escorts see how they are behaving in the early years on a dark night and a low speed you can have escorts come within 200 meters and not spot you a lot of people try to make manual harder than what it should be on straight shots you don't need range all you need is aob and speed try to shoot close range has the old saying goes don't shoot until you see the color of their eyes +20 or -20 bearing you need to put range in but with pratice you can eyeball that and get close later years you will have to shoot farther away

[bstanko6]

I’m currently driving so I cannot answer all of the questions that you asked. But when you asked about the circle of death, yes as soon as you fire the torpedo get out of there as soon as possible even before it hits. That’s your grace period to get out and be ready for the next shot.

If you’re hanging around to see the fireworks, that is where you are completely wrong.