Task Force Attack!

[jasondef]

Got 8 fish left, 4 bow, 4 stern, trying to finish off my patrol when I get a radio update that a task force is nearby, and I'm just in time to get into perfect position. So I go check it out. Wow, 2 Fuso battleships, 3 Shokaku carriers, 2 Takao heavy cruisers, 7 assorted destroyer escorts, and a couple small tankers trailing.

Wondering what different people's strategy here would be, and maybe some tactical tips! I'm still relatively new to SH4 (though a SH3 vet, its been a long time), my third mission (though only second merchant patrol mission), no idea how many torps it takes to sink a battleship, carrier, heavy cruiser etc. My first thought is prioritize the battleships, second the carriers in ranking of tonnage. Or should I just avoid this heavy group with limited torps and just a lone sub? Is this madness!! But c'mon, you can't resist.

So my first run through, I fire 3 out the stern at the furthest Fuso, 1 at Fuso #2, (able to run under the traffic in the way with the Fuso's deep draft) swing around flank for bow shots, 2 at Fuso #2, and the final 2 at the nearest carrier, then dive down deep and silent just in time for the 2 or 3 nearest destroyers to start on me. Before my depth charge into oblivion, I get to see the fireworks a little. Not the most accurate, I get the first 2 in the first fuso, one at the second, and both my carrier shots strike their mark.

Well, the dang Fuso's seemed to shrug them off like mosquito bites, not even slowing down near as I can tell. The carrier's nose dipped down into the sea, but it kept putting along, not quite sinking. Well at least they won't be launching planes off that one any time soon! So my demise and that of my crew had at least some small meaning I guess.

So I'm gearing up for my next try, with some new strategy. I'm thinking with my remaining firepower, maybe I better just focus on the Fuso's, it looks like it may take 4 hits each to sink em' at least. Or maybe more, so focus on one plus a carrier. Or maybe just all at one? And to evade once I'm empty, I think I'll try heading under the fleet, hoping to get lost in the noise to buy some time and get out of there.

What would YOU do??