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Old 07-08-09, 06:03 AM   #54
Rockin Robbins
Navy Seal
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: DeLand, FL
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Ok, first, are you running TMO? With any other mod combination your task will be easier, but the method is usable with TMO with great caution.

I use a yo-yo technique when submerged. At first, I never go deep unless I am forced. I am at periscope depth, above the sonar cones, and much harder to find than if at depth. Especially in TMO be sure that you are at silent running and 100 RPM for max stealthiness. If conditions are calm, good luck. Not much of anything will help you there with TMO. With other mods don't worry about it.

Now at periscope depth you can evaluate the skill of the escorts better. What you get is what you get, and can be somewhere in the intelligence range of rock to Albert Einstein. Either extreme is relatively rare. Is he clearly clueless as to where you are? Fine, don't panic. Just continue setting up your target. He's not it, by the way because he's not so bright.

If he's making a real run at you, he will accelerate sharply, go to fast ping and turn directly toward you. There will be no mistaking his intentions. Then it's time to decide whether you will try the down the throat shot, more likely to succeed if you're not using TMO, or just avoid.

He's pinging, so he's not listening to you. Time to go ahead emergency. Dive with the "d" button and pull the periscope down. Hold your heading until he's just before the drop point and then make a 90º turn to port or starboard. If this were real life, you'd go port, as all Japanese escorts were trained that you would go right. As you hit the thermal barrier, go to silent running. Time to evaluate.

Is he continuing to make runs? How close is he? If he's making runs on your last known position he has no idea where you are. If he's following you and dropping overhead, he either anticipated your tactics or knows where you are. Change course and see what he does.

Put the bad guy astern and wait for a time when you are pretty sure he doesn't have you pigeon-holed. Don't sit down there dummy! There's work to do! Every second you're down below the layer, you should be asking yourself "why can't I come to periscope depth NOW? If you can't come up with a good answer, it's time to try something.

So what are you waiting for? I said we're using a yo-yo tactic, come to periscope depth and let's see if we can make something happen! It may be that as you rise through the barrier, Mr Escort changes whatever he's doing and saunters your way. Don't panic, just dive at silent running below the barrier and make a 30 or 45º turn and go back to looking for another apparent opportunity. Ask yourself the magic question often.

But if he continues cutting his nails as you ascend to periscope depth, you're about to cause great harm, maybe. Keep your stern pointed at him and pop up that scope preset for his bearing. Keep it up for no more than 30 seconds. What's he doing? Most likely he's circling your last known position.

Can you get to the convoy? If so, it's time to maneuver for another shot. Are you too far away? It's time to slink out of there at periscope depth or do battle with the escort.

If you choose to do battle the best way is the down the throat stern shot. Shooting at him while he's circling is a sucker's game of chance. Stick that periscope up there as far as you can. Hit ahead full and wait for a reaction. No reaction? Hightail it out of there, surface, end around and have another go at the convoy.

If he follows you, you'll know it. He'll accelerate to high speed and come right at you. Set up a couple of stern torpedoes for zero gyro and wait. Make sure you keep him on bearing 180. Go to the attack map and wait until he's at 400 yards, shoot one and immediately hit dive. As you pass 100', turn to the port, do the dive below the layer and hit silent running, changing course again below the layer. If all went well, you heard a boom during the process and can return to the surface.

If you didn't hear a boom, resume the process. "Why can't I return to periscope depth NOW and do great harm?" Rinse and repeat as necessary.
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