SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - Noob here, I have some questions. for Silent Hunter 4.

Zero Niner · 11-19-21, 01:39 AM

I'm nowhere near the best sub captain on this board, but here's what I think:

1. Ideally you should get ahead of the convoy, submerge and wait for the ships to come to you. I like to pick one or two targets and manoeuvre my sub so that the range, when it comes time to launch the torpedoes, is 1000 yards or so.

Convoys are typically escorted by 3-4 destroyers (DDs) - one in front, one each on either side of the convoy, and if there's a fourth, one more bringing up the rear. Occasionally they will break station to investigate a particular spot in the ocean, then return to station.

Once I've launched my torpedoes I go deep and manoeuvre away from the convoy. Then depending on the situation I will either break off (if I've sunk my target) or reposition to attack again. This may involve sailing away and getting ahead of the convoy again - what's called an "end around".

For example, I'm currently on patrol in the Bismarck Sea. Radar picks up a large convoy and I am able to intercept. I make out two tankers (10,000t ea) amongst the ships in the convoy and pick one as my target. Using the map I chart its course and position my sub, submerged, off its port bow and about 1200 yds away when it comes into firing range.

In due course the tanker arrives, I fire two torpedoes. I swing the scope around to check the area for additional targets and spot another tanker astern, 600 yards away. I fire two fish from the stern tubes, then dive deep (300') and creep away at 3 knots underwater. I receive notice that the two targets have been hit and sunk, and I decide rather than re-engage the convoy, to resume patrol as the 4 DDs are now hunting for me.

2. Same tactic for TFs but you need to be in a position to intercept the TF since they travel much faster than merchant convoys. If they are headed away from you it will be difficult to catch up with them, let alone overtake them, due to their faster speed.

3. I doubt it, but I honestly have no idea.

4. The Gato class (which happened to be the mainstay of the US sub fleet in the Pacific) is generally considered to be quite good. The Balao class (essentially an improved Gato) is even better but they appear relatively late in the war.

11-19-21, 01:39 AM	#4
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,032 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	I'm nowhere near the best sub captain on this board, but here's what I think: 1. Ideally you should get ahead of the convoy, submerge and wait for the ships to come to you. I like to pick one or two targets and manoeuvre my sub so that the range, when it comes time to launch the torpedoes, is 1000 yards or so. Convoys are typically escorted by 3-4 destroyers (DDs) - one in front, one each on either side of the convoy, and if there's a fourth, one more bringing up the rear. Occasionally they will break station to investigate a particular spot in the ocean, then return to station. Once I've launched my torpedoes I go deep and manoeuvre away from the convoy. Then depending on the situation I will either break off (if I've sunk my target) or reposition to attack again. This may involve sailing away and getting ahead of the convoy again - what's called an "end around". For example, I'm currently on patrol in the Bismarck Sea. Radar picks up a large convoy and I am able to intercept. I make out two tankers (10,000t ea) amongst the ships in the convoy and pick one as my target. Using the map I chart its course and position my sub, submerged, off its port bow and about 1200 yds away when it comes into firing range. In due course the tanker arrives, I fire two torpedoes. I swing the scope around to check the area for additional targets and spot another tanker astern, 600 yards away. I fire two fish from the stern tubes, then dive deep (300') and creep away at 3 knots underwater. I receive notice that the two targets have been hit and sunk, and I decide rather than re-engage the convoy, to resume patrol as the 4 DDs are now hunting for me. 2. Same tactic for TFs but you need to be in a position to intercept the TF since they travel much faster than merchant convoys. If they are headed away from you it will be difficult to catch up with them, let alone overtake them, due to their faster speed. 3. I doubt it, but I honestly have no idea. 4. The Gato class (which happened to be the mainstay of the US sub fleet in the Pacific) is generally considered to be quite good. The Balao class (essentially an improved Gato) is even better but they appear relatively late in the war.