map updates

ralphnader23 · 12-16-10, 11:43 PM

I turned map updates off for the first time, and it was a really rough patrol. Does anyone have some tips for intercepting convoys when the hydrophones don't show the lines anymore?

I got parked in front of a convoy, but then it turn 90 degrees on it's zig zag pattern. I was going parallel to it, waiting for it to turn back on it's original heading, going to periscope depth about every 5 km to see if the heading changed.

For awhile it was consistently 70 degrees, then I finally got an few reports of 85 or 90, closing, long range. Then I got a few more reports of ships at 60 degrees and closing. I figured those were on the far side of the convoy, so I surfaced again, and moved up a couple km, to hopefully get me closer to the convoy path.

Went back to periscope depth, and stopped the engines to wait. The convoy is getting closer, mostly reporting around 90 degrees after 10-15 minutes, but they are still at long range. Then the dreaded report comes; "Enemy is pinging us sir". I pop the periscope up and a frigate is right on top of me, so I crash dive and still take lots of damage.

I guess they heard me when I was surfacing and diving, and managed to pinpoint my position well enough to sonar me? Are there any other good techniques for getting in front of a convoy, especially if you don't know it's exact heading?

Also...when I see a ship with my periscope, should it still appear on the navigation map?

12-16-10, 11:43 PM	#1
ralphnader23 Bosun Join Date: May 2010 Location: Periscope Depth Posts: 66 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	map updates I turned map updates off for the first time, and it was a really rough patrol. Does anyone have some tips for intercepting convoys when the hydrophones don't show the lines anymore? I got parked in front of a convoy, but then it turn 90 degrees on it's zig zag pattern. I was going parallel to it, waiting for it to turn back on it's original heading, going to periscope depth about every 5 km to see if the heading changed. For awhile it was consistently 70 degrees, then I finally got an few reports of 85 or 90, closing, long range. Then I got a few more reports of ships at 60 degrees and closing. I figured those were on the far side of the convoy, so I surfaced again, and moved up a couple km, to hopefully get me closer to the convoy path. Went back to periscope depth, and stopped the engines to wait. The convoy is getting closer, mostly reporting around 90 degrees after 10-15 minutes, but they are still at long range. Then the dreaded report comes; "Enemy is pinging us sir". I pop the periscope up and a frigate is right on top of me, so I crash dive and still take lots of damage. I guess they heard me when I was surfacing and diving, and managed to pinpoint my position well enough to sonar me? Are there any other good techniques for getting in front of a convoy, especially if you don't know it's exact heading? Also...when I see a ship with my periscope, should it still appear on the navigation map?