Escort Tactics

Captain Nemo · 08-27-10, 07:01 AM

How do you expect an convoy escort to act if they spot you on the surface at night? To try and answer my own question, most of the time I would expect them to switch on their search lights fire a starshell and open fire (not necessarily in that order). However, a couple of times during my last career I have noticed Black Swan Class Frigates to turn towards my u-boat and approach directly towards me at medium to fast speed without doing any of the above. The first time this happened I turned away at ahead full and let him follow me. He was gradually gaining on me and when he got within 600 metres I fired a stern magnetic and sent him to the bottom.

The second time it happened, which turned out fatal for me and my crew, I was stalking a convoy and about to attack when the leading frigate at about a distance of 2000 metres turned towards me and started to approach at medium speed. Ah I thought, I've seen this before and rather than dive, I decided to fire four bow torpedoes at two ships I had previously selected to attack. That being done I dived when he was about 1,000 metres off. After being pinged he dropped his DC's which missed. On his second run one depth charged exploded close to the stern at just over 100 metres depth causing severe flooding and the uboat went down by the stern. The rest is history.

Oh well, it's back to 1939 and a new career for me. I should add that the above happened in April 1941. Has anyone else experienced this escort tactic?

Nemo

08-27-10, 07:01 AM	#1
Captain Nemo Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 1,144 Downloads: 54 Uploads: 0	Escort Tactics How do you expect an convoy escort to act if they spot you on the surface at night? To try and answer my own question, most of the time I would expect them to switch on their search lights fire a starshell and open fire (not necessarily in that order). However, a couple of times during my last career I have noticed Black Swan Class Frigates to turn towards my u-boat and approach directly towards me at medium to fast speed without doing any of the above. The first time this happened I turned away at ahead full and let him follow me. He was gradually gaining on me and when he got within 600 metres I fired a stern magnetic and sent him to the bottom. The second time it happened, which turned out fatal for me and my crew, I was stalking a convoy and about to attack when the leading frigate at about a distance of 2000 metres turned towards me and started to approach at medium speed. Ah I thought, I've seen this before and rather than dive, I decided to fire four bow torpedoes at two ships I had previously selected to attack. That being done I dived when he was about 1,000 metres off. After being pinged he dropped his DC's which missed. On his second run one depth charged exploded close to the stern at just over 100 metres depth causing severe flooding and the uboat went down by the stern. The rest is history. Oh well, it's back to 1939 and a new career for me. I should add that the above happened in April 1941. Has anyone else experienced this escort tactic? Nemo __________________ "I'm afraid there is no disguising the fact that King's obsession with the Pacific and the Battle of Washington cost us dear in the Battle of the Atlantic". Sir John Slessor GCB, DSO, MC, DL AOC-in-C Coastal Command RAF ___________________________________________