Convoy Help!

SilverGhost · 01-08-07, 02:27 PM

Okay, now I'm begging (not pretty is it?) for some help with convoy tactics.

Just when I think I 've got an angle, I get nailed. I'm playing GWX...it's September, 1940, TypeVII. What I have figured out is that nighttime and rougher weather lends itself better to avoid detection by the DD's.

I've tried the get in the path and motor on into the convoy, shadow the flanks and work my way in, approach from the rear of the columns, all at night. Best theory I 've come up with is the flanking attack.

Calm weather forget it. DD's are on you right now.

The last convoy made me sick. 0045 hours, rough weather, medium fog...I'm ghosting the right flank from about 9000 meters watching the columns. Alongside a whale factory ship....and just behind the lead escort is the HMS Nelson. There's no way to close the gap safely...so I stay surfaced and go to flank speed keeping the DD to my strbd side and inching my way towards the Nelson.

At 5000 meters, I let loose a salvo...spread at 20 degrees. Reload and let out another salvo...all forward tubes now empty. Not one hit...not one!
The electrics just don't have the "reach". (Which isn't exactly accurate...the game model should have the electrics good out to 12000 m)

I may replay this mission...although, SH3 will randomize the events so I won't have this opportunity again!

AVGWarhawk · 01-08-07, 02:36 PM

5000m leaves alot of room for error(at least for me) and if I'm not mistaken the torpedos will run that far and more. The rough seas will screw up the torpedos. Also, I always attack on the side with less coverage of the warships. I get to about 3000m for closer and send out a spread on the lead ship if possible. Heck, sometimes my torpedo will hit a vessel on the opposite side. Yesterday, I nailed a corvette on the other side of the convoy and about 6000m off from me

. Anyway, investigate were the least coverage is and use that to your advantage. If you are in a position that you "really have do not have a choice" find a new attack plan that gives you a choice.

If I were you, I would go over this convoy again and try some new tactics.

SilverGhost · 01-08-07, 02:44 PM

Hawk...the electrics peter out 5k-6k, I 've watched them die on the TDC. I know the rougher weather will "confuse" them somewhat. It's a gamble...just like real life was...and I'm still sick!

Brag · 01-08-07, 02:56 PM

I never had much luck with shots over 2500 meters; though I've nailed a couple of destroyers at 2200 and 2300 meters.

In good weather, I position myself ahead of the convoy an let them come to me while I sit quietly. I launch my torps quickly, dive deep and go into silent running under the convoy.

01-08-07, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brag

I never had much luck with shots over 2500 meters; though I've nailed a couple of destroyers at 2200 and 2300 meters.

In good weather, I position myself ahead of the convoy an let them come to me while I sit quietly. I launch my torps quickly, dive deep and go into silent running under the convoy.

I've once hit (and sank!) two freighters at a range between 12,500 and 13,000 meters. Was I ever surprised!

01-08-07, 02:57 PM

If you have to do a surface approach, try running decks awash, and moving no faster than ahead one third.

The sad fact is, if you find yourself in the position of having to run at flank speed all the way to a convoy, you're better off breaking off the approach and recalculating another. Stay far enough away that you won't be spotted, come to a dead stop then, over 15 -30 minutes, take plots of the convoy, recording course and speed, then plot out their route.

Use the compass and mark out two circles roughly 15,000 meters in diameter (which should keep you out of their visual lookout range), one at their current position, and another 4-6 hours downrange based upon their speed. Turn 90 degrees away from the convoy, at flank speed, until you reach the outer edge of the first circle. Then, still at flank, proceed to the edge of the second circle then turn in toward the convoy's plotted route.

The distance between the two circles should be sufficient to have you reach the convoy route at least 20 km in front of the convoy, to give you time to finesse your position as well as keep you out of visual contact while you do so.

It's hard to see such juicy targets right in front of you and have to let them pass. But that sure beats taking risks and rushing your approach and possibly being sunk.

AVGWarhawk · 01-08-07, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverGhost

Hawk...the electrics peter out 5k-6k, I 've watched them die on the TDC. I know the rougher weather will "confuse" them somewhat. It's a gamble...just like real life was...and I'm still sick!

I hate the electrics. I usually show the target as going two knots faster than actual speed so I can get a hit. Give me a the steamers any day. It is hard for a ship to side skip a 40kt torpedo. So what about the trail it leaves. I get close enough were they cannot react to it well. I attack DD only at night with them. With DD I set the steamers at fast to get them

As far as the convoy, I consider myself lucky if I sink 3 vessels, submerge and have another go. If I get one to go down I'm happy. I just reload some more will submerged /deep/silent as possible for another go at them. Again, if I get 3 after all the fighting I'm a happy camper.

SilverGhost · 01-08-07, 03:08 PM

Yup...think I'm gonna keep the aft tubes electric and arm the fore tubes with steamers.

01-08-07, 02:27 PM	#1
SilverGhost Electrician's Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 131 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Convoy Help! Okay, now I'm begging (not pretty is it?) for some help with convoy tactics. Just when I think I 've got an angle, I get nailed. I'm playing GWX...it's September, 1940, TypeVII. What I have figured out is that nighttime and rougher weather lends itself better to avoid detection by the DD's. I've tried the get in the path and motor on into the convoy, shadow the flanks and work my way in, approach from the rear of the columns, all at night. Best theory I 've come up with is the flanking attack. Calm weather forget it. DD's are on you right now. The last convoy made me sick. 0045 hours, rough weather, medium fog...I'm ghosting the right flank from about 9000 meters watching the columns. Alongside a whale factory ship....and just behind the lead escort is the HMS Nelson. There's no way to close the gap safely...so I stay surfaced and go to flank speed keeping the DD to my strbd side and inching my way towards the Nelson. At 5000 meters, I let loose a salvo...spread at 20 degrees. Reload and let out another salvo...all forward tubes now empty. Not one hit...not one! The electrics just don't have the "reach". (Which isn't exactly accurate...the game model should have the electrics good out to 12000 m) I may replay this mission...although, SH3 will randomize the events so I won't have this opportunity again!

01-08-07, 02:36 PM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	5000m leaves alot of room for error(at least for me) and if I'm not mistaken the torpedos will run that far and more. The rough seas will screw up the torpedos. Also, I always attack on the side with less coverage of the warships. I get to about 3000m for closer and send out a spread on the lead ship if possible. Heck, sometimes my torpedo will hit a vessel on the opposite side. Yesterday, I nailed a corvette on the other side of the convoy and about 6000m off from me. Anyway, investigate were the least coverage is and use that to your advantage. If you are in a position that you "really have do not have a choice" find a new attack plan that gives you a choice. If I were you, I would go over this convoy again and try some new tactics. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-08-07, 02:56 PM	#4
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	I never had much luck with shots over 2500 meters; though I've nailed a couple of destroyers at 2200 and 2300 meters. In good weather, I position myself ahead of the convoy an let them come to me while I sit quietly. I launch my torps quickly, dive deep and go into silent running under the convoy. __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

01-08-07, 02:44 PM	#3
SilverGhost Electrician's Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 131 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Hawk...the electrics peter out 5k-6k, I 've watched them die on the TDC. I know the rougher weather will "confuse" them somewhat. It's a gamble...just like real life was...and I'm still sick!

01-08-07, 02:57 PM	#6
Albrecht Von Hesse Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	If you have to do a surface approach, try running decks awash, and moving no faster than ahead one third. The sad fact is, if you find yourself in the position of having to run at flank speed all the way to a convoy, you're better off breaking off the approach and recalculating another. Stay far enough away that you won't be spotted, come to a dead stop then, over 15 -30 minutes, take plots of the convoy, recording course and speed, then plot out their route. Use the compass and mark out two circles roughly 15,000 meters in diameter (which should keep you out of their visual lookout range), one at their current position, and another 4-6 hours downrange based upon their speed. Turn 90 degrees away from the convoy, at flank speed, until you reach the outer edge of the first circle. Then, still at flank, proceed to the edge of the second circle then turn in toward the convoy's plotted route. The distance between the two circles should be sufficient to have you reach the convoy route at least 20 km in front of the convoy, to give you time to finesse your position as well as keep you out of visual contact while you do so. It's hard to see such juicy targets right in front of you and have to let them pass. But that sure beats taking risks and rushing your approach and possibly being sunk.

01-08-07, 03:08 PM	#8
SilverGhost Electrician's Mate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 131 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	Yup...think I'm gonna keep the aft tubes electric and arm the fore tubes with steamers.