Situation...

Deep-Six · 05-14-08, 10:27 PM

I have a situation that begs to be brought up. Currently I am south of Tokyo Bay on a heading of WNW and I am submerged. I have spotted two Jap merchants heading NNW, moving at 17 kts. 7000+m seperate me from them.

Now here are my two choices, I could surface and get to 2000m and then submerge or 2 stay submerged.

What would you do in my situation.

Zero Niner · 05-14-08, 11:06 PM

Depends.

Day? Night?
Sub damaged?
Are they heading towards you? Away from you?
Do you have radar? (Easier to do an end-around if you have)
Any escorts?
If night, where is the moon, relative to your planned approach route?

Too many variables to give a simple answer, need more details.

Initial consideration - 17 knots is awfully fast for a merchant, perhaps they are troop ships? This is the only category of merchants that can go that fast, I think. Unless they are headed for you, you won't be able to intercept them submerged.

MonTana_Prussian · 05-14-08, 11:30 PM

I have to agree with Zero-Niner. Too many variables here. Give us some more info and maybe I can give an answer for you.

Deep-Six · 05-15-08, 12:07 AM

Ok, I did forget to add that this is daytime. and my sonar does detect an escort. It is not visible just yet. I dont have radar, only air-search. Early Gato class 1942.

Teh_Diplomat · 05-15-08, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deep-Six

Ok, I did forget to add that this is daytime. and my sonar does detect an escort. It is not visible just yet. I dont have radar, only air-search. Early Gato class 1942.

Stalk the Merchants by matching speed during the day remaining at the same distance - granted you have the fuel for this and the return to base - then when night falls you can sneak in closer undetected for better odds for the shots.

You could also - depending on their course relative to yours - meet them at a later point by plotting their couse with the ruler, and triangle. I always estimate this part, but for parity with regards to speed you would both get the same distance. Ideally you would like to be going faster than the enemy to get ahead of him and lie in wait in a position to line up a shot for the best odds of succesful torpedo hits.

Zero Niner · 05-15-08, 01:43 AM

Hmmm, so there's at least one escort. It's best to assume there's more than one and plan accordingly.

At 17 kts, you'll have to go at flank speed in order to outpace the convoy. I think it's best to do an end around ie get ahead of the convoy & lie in wait. It'll be slow as your overtake speed is only 4 kts. If fuel is a concern I'd suggest letting this one go. Better to live to fight another day, etc. There'll always be another target.

05-14-08, 10:27 PM	#1
Deep-Six Sonar Guy Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 399 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Situation... I have a situation that begs to be brought up. Currently I am south of Tokyo Bay on a heading of WNW and I am submerged. I have spotted two Jap merchants heading NNW, moving at 17 kts. 7000+m seperate me from them. Now here are my two choices, I could surface and get to 2000m and then submerge or 2 stay submerged. What would you do in my situation. __________________

05-15-08, 12:07 AM	#4
Deep-Six Sonar Guy Join Date: May 2005 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 399 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Ok, I did forget to add that this is daytime. and my sonar does detect an escort. It is not visible just yet. I dont have radar, only air-search. Early Gato class 1942. __________________

05-14-08, 11:06 PM	#2
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Depends. Day? Night? Sub damaged? Are they heading towards you? Away from you? Do you have radar? (Easier to do an end-around if you have) Any escorts? If night, where is the moon, relative to your planned approach route? Too many variables to give a simple answer, need more details. Initial consideration - 17 knots is awfully fast for a merchant, perhaps they are troop ships? This is the only category of merchants that can go that fast, I think. Unless they are headed for you, you won't be able to intercept them submerged.

05-14-08, 11:30 PM	#3
MonTana_Prussian Ensign Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Helena,Montana Posts: 234 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have to agree with Zero-Niner. Too many variables here. Give us some more info and maybe I can give an answer for you.

05-15-08, 01:43 AM	#6
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Hmmm, so there's at least one escort. It's best to assume there's more than one and plan accordingly. At 17 kts, you'll have to go at flank speed in order to outpace the convoy. I think it's best to do an end around ie get ahead of the convoy & lie in wait. It'll be slow as your overtake speed is only 4 kts. If fuel is a concern I'd suggest letting this one go. Better to live to fight another day, etc. There'll always be another target.