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krashkart 02-28-10 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun (Post 1285012)
So far I haven't outwitted any of them, altho I have taken a couple out in previous careers. Usually by getting inpatient with trying to get away from them, so I say WTH and come to p-depth and find one of them 500 m behind me coming in at ramming speed. Stern shot for FTW!

From what I've read, once they know you're there somewhere, about the only way to get them is to make them chase you, let them get close, and fire the stern tube. I really thought this one was chasing me, but it turned out otherwise. And I lost my nerve when it came to letting her get close enough.

I took me a long time, probably a good pocket load o' patrols, before I engaged a destroyer. It only took one eel to knock it out. Before that I had been in the habit of ducking to PD, going silent and waiting till they were BVR before continuing.

They are still tricky, though. When you get them chasing you like all hell's demons, there are those smart DD's that will weave in toward you. Just take your time and when the feeling is right, let that stern eel out. I try to anticipate where the two paths will meet. If it doesn't work, get under as far as you can and evade as the monster begins to roar over top of you.

The dumb destroyers will make a straight run at you. Let the distance close to about 500 and fire your torpedo out under the bow of your pursuer. They won't have time to react. If you miss, however, they will evade and turn back to pursue again. That should give you a little bit of an edge in your evasion efforts.

I still get a rush and a million thoughts of "What if...", which is good. Helps one survive. Just try to keep a level head and plan your next few steps while that ship gets closer and closer.

As far as evasion goes, I spent nearly three hours realtime one night sneaking away from a desron that had pinned me down near Scapa Flow. We took a fair bucket of damage that night, but believe me when I say: Patience Pays Off. :DL

Flopper 03-01-10 08:33 PM

Oh, I get it. When you get news of a convoy in the area, that's a warning to steam full steam away from its track, since there is a 100% chance that you will be detected before you can fire a shot?

That's how it works for me, every time. :nope::wah:

krashkart 03-01-10 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flopper (Post 1286915)
Oh, I get it. When you get news of a convoy in the area, that's a warning to steam full steam away from its track, since there is a 100% chance that you will be detected before you can fire a shot?

That's how it works for me, every time. :nope::wah:

Take it nice and easy to begin with. Get familiar with the convoys, especially keeping an eye on the escorts. Observe how the escorts move around the convoy.

In one of my experiences, I came across a merchant fleet escorted by three destroyers and one Flower corvette. As I tracked the convoy I noticed that the lead and rear destroyers kept course and speed with the main body. The destroyer nearest me (on the right flank of the fleet), however, would be steaming along slowly with the rest of the other ships when, suddenly, it would lurch forward and begin weaving around in different directions, sometimes tracking within two klicks of our boat.

As I watched this happening it dawned on me that the destroyer was performing a protective sweep, and as long as I kept my distance my boat would likely go unnoticed. That turned out to be true. Although we didn't score a major victory, we did manage to inflict some damage.

I used to rush right into a fight, but anymore I tend to relax and get comfortable when I encounter a convoy. Take it slow and get a clear idea of what your enemy is doing, and when the moment is right, strike!

I hope that helps. ;)

Flopper 03-01-10 09:27 PM

@krashkart:

Thanks for the in-depth reply. That actually makes some sense... I'm probably concentrating too much on getting set up for the big kill, rather than keeping my distance from those gosh darned (dag jimmed? snap daggedy?) DDs.

This last time was so frustrating, because I basically waited for the convoy to surround me, periscope down the whole time listening with hydrophones. I was about ready to finally have a look through the scope when, "The enemy is pinging us, sir." WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Maybe I was too close.

Ahh, well. Tomorrow's another day, thanks again for the tips.

krashkart 03-01-10 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flopper (Post 1286986)
@krashkart:

Thanks for the in-depth reply. That actually makes some sense... I'm probably concentrating too much on getting set up for the big kill, rather than keeping my distance from those gosh darned (dag jimmed? snap daggedy?) DDs.

This last time was so frustrating, because I basically waited for the convoy to surround me, periscope down the whole time listening with hydrophones. I was about ready to finally have a look through the scope when, "The enemy is pinging us, sir." WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Maybe I was too close.

Ahh, well. Tomorrow's another day, thanks again for the tips.

Just out of curiosity, Flopper; are you playing stock or GWX? I'm playing stock, and I've heard that GWX is more challenging. Your experience might differ from mine. :06:

NP btw.:salute:

SubHunter88 03-01-10 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart (Post 1286992)
Just out of curiosity, Flopper; are you playing stock or GWX? I'm playing stock, and I've heard that GWX is more challenging. Your experience might differ from mine. :06:

NP btw.:salute:

I havent advanced to the level where i can add in the smarter destroyers of GWX.

Im currently working on my first full realizm with Manual TDC career (bar external cam because i just love those epic screen shot opportunities)

Dissaray 03-01-10 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flopper (Post 1286986)
@krashkart:

Thanks for the in-depth reply. That actually makes some sense... I'm probably concentrating too much on getting set up for the big kill, rather than keeping my distance from those gosh darned (dag jimmed? snap daggedy?) DDs.

This last time was so frustrating, because I basically waited for the convoy to surround me, periscope down the whole time listening with hydrophones. I was about ready to finally have a look through the scope when, "The enemy is pinging us, sir." WHAT DID YOU SAY?! Maybe I was too close.

Ahh, well. Tomorrow's another day, thanks again for the tips.

Geting into a convoy like that can be a bit of a trick. If you want to pull it off what you realy need to know is two things. First you need to stay as close to the surface as possible without breaching. Secondly you need to keep as thin a profile twards the nearest escort ship until you are in their blind spot. Only after you are behind that escort can you manuver your self into firing position. It can be a devistatingly effective attack method if you time things just so, but then again you can end up in a world of hurt if things don't go just as planed. With practice you can slip in on a convoy and fire without much truble. I have found sucsess using that tactic and also striking a convoy from the corners.

Shooting from outside the distroyer screen can be quite effective early in the war but I find that it loses effectiveness as the war drags on and the ASW tech catches up to the ability of the u-boat.

Flopper 03-02-10 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart (Post 1286992)
Just out of curiosity, Flopper; are you playing stock or GWX? I'm playing stock, and I've heard that GWX is more challenging. Your experience might differ from mine. :06:

NP btw.:salute:

GWX & OLC Gold... no map contacts, no solutions, etc. I can't imagine going back to vanilla! It's definitely challenging (the olc mod actually forced me to learn manual targeting, and I'm grateful for that.) :DL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dissaray (Post 1287042)
Secondly you need to keep as thin a profile twards the nearest escort ship until you are in their blind spot.

I most likely had presented a large profile to the front escort, as I had already positioned the boat at 90 degrees to the convoy's track, directly in their path. I will definitely be aware of this next time.

Thanks a lot, y'all for the info... when I get off work I'm going to go track down that same convoy and try again. :salute:

BillCar 03-02-10 01:11 PM

Just did my second patrol in my Type IIA as Leutnant (now Oberleutnant) z. See Hugo Stiglitz.

Departed Kiel on the 25th of September and made my way to my assigned grid (AN47). In AN66, I was attacked by a Swordfish, which I was amazed to see out there. Took only minor damage, though, and kept on my heading.

Towards the end of my 24 hours in AN47, picked up a sound contact. Got a rough course and speed through constant bearing, so surfaced and ran until spotting her. She was a coastal freighter, and one magnetic pistol Type I sent her to the bottom in short order.

Heading towards the coast, we spotted another coastal freighter. We shadowed this one at the extreme edge of visual range, getting her course from the Angriffscheibe and her speed from the constant bearing method. She was making 5 knots. As night fell, we overhauled her and turned in. She spotted us at about 2 kilometres (bright night, and we were not decks awash - I hate trying to run decks awash in a Type IIA). We closed to 500 and sent a medium-speed magnetic pistol under her keel, breaking her back.

A small merchant came next. Shadowed her throughout the day, but as it was early and we would have reached the coast by nightfall, I made a submerged attack on her after overhauling. One magnetic pistol and she's at the bottom.

Finally, we lucked out in spotting a large merchant at around midnight on the 3rd of October. The last two torpedoes blew up under her keel and broke her up on the surface.

We docked with roughly 2000 renown, as well as an Iron Cross and a promotion for Hugo Stiglitz.

SubHunter88 03-02-10 07:27 PM

Just had my first unexpected run-in with a enemy sub :O

11, November 1941

East of ireland, about 04:25 I picked her up on the hydrophone while making a routine dive to about 20m to scan for sound contacts... When i hear the un mistakeable sound of a surfaced submarine...

carefully tracking her for about 40 minutes i had a confident understanding of her course and moved in to aquire a visual.

After about an hour I aquired her at less then 1,500M rocking in rough seas. Carefully checking my TDC I set the torpedo run depth to zero and fired away...
First shot cleared her bow
made a quick dirty adjustment to target speed and fired again from about 900m...
She went down fast.

this is the first time i have EVER seen a lone sub in the waters of SH3.. ever, just kinda wandering about on it's own.

with this endevor completed im headed back to base with only 1 eel in the stern tube

Snestorm 03-04-10 12:38 AM

Patrol 4. U37 IX(A). 2. Flotilla
 
D. 12.mar.40. 06.19.
Underway from Wilhelmshaven.
Destination Patrol Grid EJ66 (East of Cape Verde Islands).

D. 13.apr.40. EJ66.
20.00. On Station. No contacts encountered.

D. 4.maj.40. AL69. (Return Trip).
12.04. Ship Sighted! 4.700 Meters. Periscope Depth!
C3 Cargo.
Guesstimated Course 270.
Speed 8,75 Knots.

12.40. Surface. VCS.

12.47. Target Resighted.

15.02. C3 Cargo (7.909 GRT) Sunk.
Course 262. Speed 8,75 Knots.
Daylight Submerged Attack.
Bow on to targets 270.
Range 1.000 Meters.
T2 (G7E) x 3. (All torpedoes preset to 3 Meters, Impact).

All 3 torpedoes struck towards the stern, which suggests he was running a full 9 Knots.
Good thing we got close.

This was our only contact for the entire 2 month patrol.

10.maj.40. AE95 (Færøerne)
23.15. Alarm! Crash dive for aircraft.

19.maj.40. Dock at Wilhelmshaven.

Patrol Results: 1 Ship Sunk. 7.909 GRT.

U37's Totals: 4 Patrols. 13 Ships Sunk. 64.298 GRT.

Vipper 03-04-10 12:45 AM

I'm on my 4th patrol and im currently at 25 meters under water staying idle (British east coast) and reading old (digitized) newspaper from that year and a day (7. december 1939.)

Damo 03-04-10 04:05 AM

U-53, VIIB, 7th Flot. Kiel. Nov 25 1939. 4th patrol (3 wartime).

Currently on patrol in grid AM79, 1 Bulk Freighter (Community Units) sunk for 2850GRT in grid AN12. No contacts for the entire journey from there to here, crew a little demoralized. Nearing end of patrol period and considering diversion up the Irish Sea passing off the Bristol Channel up past Holyhead, Stranraer, and out to AM52 to pick up some targets of opportunity. Currently at 80% fuel with only 2 torpedo's spent. Will remain in AM52 for as long as fuel and weapon load permits.

Damo 03-04-10 07:32 AM

Update from U-53, 21.00, 27th Nov 1939.

Came across a large enemy convoy in grid AM97, managed to sink 2 Large Tankers for 10333GRT each, a Large Old Cargo for 8228 and a Large Freighter for 8605. One large steamer burning and making west at 1 knot, bow very low in water, will come back for her if she does not sink within the next couple of hours. Convoy escorted by 3 destroyers, only 2 began attack on U-53, with 1 rejoining the convoy after about an hour. Taken light damage and flooding to forward sections but repairs are underway and all is in hand. Am making for the front of the convoy to continue attack, 3 torpedo's left, experienced 1 dud G7a torpedo during initial attack, all others fine.

Crew has perked up somewhat....

Snestorm 03-04-10 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damo (Post 1292532)
Update from U-53, 21.00, 27th Nov 1939.

Crew has perked up somewhat....

I guess they would.
Good show!

KL-alfman 03-05-10 01:34 PM

my fellow Kaleuns, who are still fighting against DDs and the rough Atlantic, pls show your emphasis and rest for a minute.
Kaleu Artur Stein, commander of a type IXB (U-110), hasn't responded to all calls made by BdU.
he is supposed to get DCed after sending his convoy-contacts and a message which he stated to have sunk a large merch in.
we think, ASW-vessels got his location and were able to put this glorious sailor out of this world.
always remember! :cry:

current date: 1942-08-26
tonnage sunk: 726,025
patrol-nr: 9th
medals: all the glitter and fancies .....

frau kaleun 03-05-10 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL-alfman (Post 1295846)
my fellow Kaleuns, who are still fighting against DDs and the rough Atlantic, pls show your emphasis and rest for a minute.
Kaleu Artur Stein, commander of a type IXB (U-110), hasn't responded to all calls made by BdU.
he is supposed to get DCed after sending his convoy-contacts and a message which he stated to have sunk a large merch in.
we think, ASW-vessels got his location and were able to put this glorious sailor out of this world.
always remember! :cry:

current date: 1942-08-26
tonnage sunk: 726,025
patrol-nr: 9th
medals: all the glitter and fancies .....

RIP, Kptlt Stein. :salute:





P.S. My 1WO is preparing to go on leave and asked me to find out if there's a Frau Stein back home who may need consoling. Should I smack him for you?

KL-alfman 03-05-10 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun (Post 1295906)
RIP, Kptlt Stein. :salute:





P.S. My 1WO is preparing to go on leave and asked me to find out if there's a Frau Stein back home who may need consoling. Should I smack him for you?


hmm, I really don't know ....
what do wives prefer at that specific moment?
a sensitive listener?
a letter only stating formalities?
a shoulder to lean on?

in "my" entire career I wasn't able to guess .... :hmmm:

frau kaleun 03-05-10 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL-alfman (Post 1295920)
hmm, I really don't know ....
what do wives prefer at that specific moment?

Well, she's gonna need a new dress for the memorial service, so maybe someone to hold her purse while she shops. :O:

KL-alfman 03-05-10 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun (Post 1295942)
Well, she's gonna need a new dress for the memorial service, so maybe someone to hold her purse while she shops. :O:


you are such a bad grrrlll! :D


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