Sinking a ship with AA.

Whiskey T. Foxtrot · 05-05-08, 07:39 AM

Has anybody ever sunk a sizeable ship with just an AA gun. I'm serious. Here's the scoop:
I was in a Type IIA in early Dec. 1939 and cruising home after a long patrol where I sunk only a coastal tanker. I came upon a medium merchant in the middle of nowhere. Having expended all but one torp, I lined the boat up for a what I though would be a perfect shot at about 700 meters. I let the eel go. But of course it was a dud. The only armament I had was my AA gun. So I spent the next hour about 500 meters from the merchant putting holes in it. Some cargo strapped to the top caught on fire right away, but that died out. Towards the end, I had a small area on the bow aflame, as well as an area near the stack. I ran out of ammo and followed the boat, still in flames, for another two hours before giving up.

Were any ships sunk like this historically? Is it possible to even sink one like this in GWX?

gord96 · 05-05-08, 08:45 AM

Not sure about a medium cargo, but smaller ships for sure. I use a type II more then any other boat and i find the AA gun has no problem dealing with elco boats and stuff. The bigger stuff probably not though. If I were you I would just get that extra 6th eel back and all will be well

johnm · 05-05-08, 09:47 AM

Using the S-Boote mod with NYGM, I've just finished a patrol having sunk 7 ships.

The S-Boote only has 4 torpedoes and I missed with one. The other three took out a small merchant and two coastal merchants.

Although the boat only has 2 20mm and 1 37mm flak guns, I tried gunning the next ships and sunk two more small merchants and a coastal merchant.

On the home run, I came across a C2 - thought - nothing ventured, nothing gained and actually sank it! That finished my 37mm ammo and when I came across another small merchant - emptied all my 20mm ammo in it (about 2000 rounds), caused a few small fires but no real success. Obviously the extra punch of the 37mm was needed.

Anyway, best patrol I've ever had with the S-Boote, quantity wise.

rls669 · 05-05-08, 12:07 PM

In GWX I've sunk a few large ships with the 37mm, using AP rounds below the waterline. AA rounds don't seem to do any damage whatsoever. Even a fishing boat can absorb huge amounts of AA without going down.

papa_smurf · 05-05-08, 12:47 PM

Never actually tried to sink a ship with my Flak AA, but might try it when I get hold of a U-flak tho

Jimbuna · 05-05-08, 01:41 PM

The 37mm twin is the most destructive AA gun at your disposal, firing below the waterline along the length of small ships usually has some effect.

Have I done it ?

Hundreds of times.....Have I told you about my time in the RN during the war

05-05-08, 07:39 AM	#1
Whiskey T. Foxtrot Watch Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sinking a ship with AA. Has anybody ever sunk a sizeable ship with just an AA gun. I'm serious. Here's the scoop: I was in a Type IIA in early Dec. 1939 and cruising home after a long patrol where I sunk only a coastal tanker. I came upon a medium merchant in the middle of nowhere. Having expended all but one torp, I lined the boat up for a what I though would be a perfect shot at about 700 meters. I let the eel go. But of course it was a dud. The only armament I had was my AA gun. So I spent the next hour about 500 meters from the merchant putting holes in it. Some cargo strapped to the top caught on fire right away, but that died out. Towards the end, I had a small area on the bow aflame, as well as an area near the stack. I ran out of ammo and followed the boat, still in flames, for another two hours before giving up. Were any ships sunk like this historically? Is it possible to even sink one like this in GWX?

05-05-08, 12:47 PM	#5
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Never actually tried to sink a ship with my Flak AA, but might try it when I get hold of a U-flak tho __________________

05-05-08, 01:41 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The 37mm twin is the most destructive AA gun at your disposal, firing below the waterline along the length of small ships usually has some effect. Have I done it ? Hundreds of times.....Have I told you about my time in the RN during the war __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-05-08, 08:45 AM	#2
gord96 Commodore Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 627 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	Not sure about a medium cargo, but smaller ships for sure. I use a type II more then any other boat and i find the AA gun has no problem dealing with elco boats and stuff. The bigger stuff probably not though. If I were you I would just get that extra 6th eel back and all will be well

05-05-08, 09:47 AM	#3
johnm Navy Dude Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North of England Posts: 173 Downloads: 68 Uploads: 0	Using the S-Boote mod with NYGM, I've just finished a patrol having sunk 7 ships. The S-Boote only has 4 torpedoes and I missed with one. The other three took out a small merchant and two coastal merchants. Although the boat only has 2 20mm and 1 37mm flak guns, I tried gunning the next ships and sunk two more small merchants and a coastal merchant. On the home run, I came across a C2 - thought - nothing ventured, nothing gained and actually sank it! That finished my 37mm ammo and when I came across another small merchant - emptied all my 20mm ammo in it (about 2000 rounds), caused a few small fires but no real success. Obviously the extra punch of the 37mm was needed. Anyway, best patrol I've ever had with the S-Boote, quantity wise.

05-05-08, 12:07 PM	#4
rls669 Torpedoman Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 117 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	In GWX I've sunk a few large ships with the 37mm, using AP rounds below the waterline. AA rounds don't seem to do any damage whatsoever. Even a fishing boat can absorb huge amounts of AA without going down.