Well, you have some options:
- You can hang around the eastern approaches to the strait as it's fairly constrained and there's only one way in and one way out. You might be there for a week or so though, if you're just hanging around for another military convoy. Good practice on stalking escorts!!
There are occasional merchants that traverse the inside passage back and forth on the eastern side but, it's hit or miss and convoys do start to fill up with the ships that ultimately make the convoy run.
- You can go up to La Spezia to check-in and go out clubbing,
OR go get some!!
- You should have more than enough torpedo's to check things out and the place that's happening these days I hear is in
Malta.
Military convoys only at this point. Proceed east to Malta and convoys both start and some end there, but everything eventually leaves. Check out the maps attached. The bolder the red lines, the heavier traffic and better chances you have meeting someone.
Convoy makeup varies but, plan on ~7 escorts (all destroyers now), maybe a carrier, maybe two! I have never been able to sink both carriers in one attack, one and my best, damaged the second but it got away. Battleships, all types and heavy and light cruisers a bunch. Malta is an airbase, sometimes shore planes and the carriers will definitely have them during the day!
Same thing on setting up the attack, watch the time compression drop to 900 and you know they are nearby. At first sign, usually an escort, move at flank speed to get directions, speed, and move to close the distance to the target. Plan an intercept point, as these guys are moving between 25-35 knots and change course when you least expect it.
If there is a carrier in the group, watch for planes and if they come, dive to at least 50m and then once passed, back to periscope depth. Don't dilly-dally being too far down for too long or they will be in your rearview mirror and the opportunity is lost.
Try to position yourself ahead of the targets and let them come to you. If you dive too late and the main group sees you, they will divert course; be ready for that if possible.
Pick out one of the big boys and give him a couple kisses
and then focus on a second target. Keep the rear torpedo's for the Lt. Cruiser or whatever is coming up behind you and … maybe you'll be a star when pulling into La Spezia!
Maybe not.
