Harbor raiding

[Renesisfury82]

Anyone ever peek in harbours if there is no other action? If so what are you tactics?

[Dogfish40]

The Skippers on this site call it "Harbor Raping". Yes, it's not only the way to go to fill out a lackluster patrol but it was a tactic used by many sub commanders for various reasons. As far as tactics go, it depends on the size of the port and how much protection is in there. Since most (or all) ports are very shallow, I like to go in at night, scope out the place then make my plan (and sink the gunboat or DD first). Harbor raping is fun because I usually get to surface attack, which means I've got all of the Subs speed on my side. I also don't hang around very long after attacking a port, I like to get out of there PDQ.
I'm sure you're going to get a lot of Skippers advice on this subject so you'll have a lot to chew on.
Good Hunting
D40

[Rockin Robbins]

That about covers it. There were a limited number of harbor raids during the war, as harbor raping was a bit more hazardous in real life than it is in the game. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...

[General Tso]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

That about covers it. There were a limited number of harbor raids during the war, as harbor raping was a bit more hazardous in real life than it is in the game. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...

Yea I read his book to.

He was also the first to launch a rocket attack from a submarine.

I really liked his book - it was an excellent read. He definitely put a lot of time into research. I like how he explains what the Japanese convoys where doing in the days before and after his attack.

[Renesisfury82]

So just kill the escort and nothing else for tips?

[Rob1986]

It very much depends on the harbour.if it's lightly defended sink the defence if possible and pick off a juicy tanker,If it's full of destroyers on harbour raid defence training it may be best to use caution.watch the depth gauge and go in dark,and have an escape route!

[WernherVonTrapp]

I raid harbors quite a bit when the action gets a little stale. Even with the difficulty levels added by the mods, it still doesn't reflect the real life hazzards like RR says. In the stock version, harbors are a piece of cake. RFB and TMO add different types/levels of difficulty to make it more interesting. Last time I raided Rabaul, I had to take out two ships patrolling the harbor first, then I had to slither past the coastal guns that are manned (seemingly) by artillery snipers with mega-scopes. The docked vessels all have guns (including the merchies) and their crews are deadly accurate to ranges unthinkable in the stock version.
Still, it adds a level of adventure for me when days are long.

[Diopos]

Harbor raiding came into play later in the war when torpedoes were more steady in their depth keeping and the "oceanic" traffic of Jap merchies was reduced. Fleet boats resorted in ambushing in the "shallows" to impede coastal traffic. Harbor raiding occured (Fluckey) but it certainly was not the norm.


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[commandosolo2009]

Originally Posted by Renesisfury82

So just kill the escort and nothing else for tips?

Well, you have to be under cover of darkness, but the drawback is determining mast height. In darkness, move at decks awash, TC 32 max whether infested or apparently empty port. You never know when a gunboat, a chaser, or a destroyer might show up. In fact, he could be well inside the port, waiting for you. Dont let periscope up for too long. Stay away from lighthouses. Watch the port decks, as you may hit a reef if you're not closely monitoring your position and speed. Finally, Ship yards inside the port, are the worst if not the most tiring. You have to be Aob 0 on target (straight run) and have the crew ready at all times. Move submerged at 1 kt, unless the port is guarded by cannon units only, where you can do a stretch upto 38 km at flank before the battery dies. Always before heading to a port, have a full charged battery.

Thats about it. If I remember anything else I'll include here.

[commandosolo2009]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

That about covers it. There were a limited number of harbor raids during the war, as harbor raping was a bit more hazardous in real life than it is in the game. Dick O'Kane as exec for Morton did a famous harbor raid. Eugene Fluckey received a medal of honor for a harbor raid. Of course Fluckey was just a bit strange. Sank a train you know...

Just read about it. This guy is balls deep

[Armistead]

and watch for those shore guns....they'll blast ya fast and accurate.

[Renesisfury82]

Originally Posted by Armistead

and watch for those shore guns....they'll blast ya fast and accurate.

Yeah, I have been dropped out of TC with everyone screaming before, so I know all about those stupid shore guns.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Originally Posted by Renesisfury82

Yeah, I have been dropped out of TC with everyone screaming before, so I know all about those stupid shore guns.

And, be very careful (TCing at all) near some ports which might contain mines or subnets.

[General Tso]

I've only had limited experience with harbor attacks but I'd say: Go in at night. Find the best group of targets that you can hit at one time. Fire away. Then head for deep water by the best route possible.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by WernherVonTrapp

And, be very careful (TCing at all) near some ports which might contain mines or subnets.

Playing RSRD, I've snuck in there more than once. I was shocked when I looked at the ME and saw all the minefields there at all openings. Don't know how I ain't hit one, course I go in on the surface at night. If Lurker would've put several shore guns at the entrances would really make for some fun.