UBOAT: Aggressive attack on the convoy (Version B128 Hotfix4, without mods)

Sea convoy (fr. convoy: escort, attendance) - temporary formation, consisting of a group of transport and merchant ships, moving under the protection of warships for protection from the enemy and mutual support.

One of the tasks regularly offered by the game for the player is an attack on an armed convoy. The rewards for such missions are greater than for missions to attack an unguarded group of transport ships. But the risk when performing such tasks is higher., due to the fact that the player will have to face warships, protecting transport ships. Naturally, such tasks require a higher skill level from the player, as the chances of error increase, and the consequences of an error can be from minor failure of the task, to fatal – player death.

I propose to divide the strategy of attack on the convoy into two options.:
1) Cautious – for inexperienced players. With this option, the attack on the convoy is carried out outside the outer perimeter of the guard group, with the maximum distance on the 1st key target, and the fastest possible exit from the combat zone.
+ Less risk
– The likelihood of successful completion of the task decreases. As, objective on assignment, may be on the other side of the convoy at a distance unattainable for torpedoing.

2) Aggressive – for those who have developed playing skills (skill). With this option, the attack on the convoy is carried out within the outer perimeter of the guard group, with a minimum distance to the key target, with the ability to attack additional targets from a minimum distance. Leaving the war zone is the hardest, risky and crucial stage of the entire operation.
+ Successful attack on a key target
+ Ability to attack additional targets
+ Maximum risk. More likely to make a mistake. The cost of a mistake is likely to lead to death..

In this manual, I will share my experience specifically about the aggressive option, on a specific example.

After receiving a mission to patrol a specific square, we go to this square and start patrolling it. At some point, we receive a message from the headquarters about a moving convoy, its coordinates and goals (name of the vessel) necessary to destroy. On the map, put a point with a pencil next to the green point, displaying convoy, wait a while for the green dot to change its position, then we put the second point with a pencil near the green point, after which, with a ruler, draw a line between the two points set with a pencil and pull it as far as possible. Thus, determining the approximate course of the convoy. Since we have chosen an aggressive attack strategy, our task is to be in the zone along the movement of the convoy, in order to have time to take a comfortable position for further access to the attacking position. The most important thing at this stage is to find the area with the maximum depth to the seabed. (the depth to the seabed is displayed in the upper right corner of the screen, in map mode when hovering over a map area). Ideally, it is desirable to find a site with a depth of 130 meters and deeper. Since the attack is deep 60-130 meters threatens with difficulties at the stage of leaving the combat zone after an alarm has been raised. The logic is simple, like Sasha Gray: the deeper – all the better. Attack a convoy with an aggressive strategy at a depth less than 60 meters – almost suicide. After arriving at the desired point, along the course of the convoy, turn off the engines, we dive to periscope depth, we send the radio operator to the sonar post, we send the officer of the watch to observe in the commander's perescope. We use sailors to the maximum, assigning to each officer on the boat. And we look forward to the appearance of the first ships in the combat zone.

1. The radio operator reports on the actual detection of the convoy.
2. We dive to the maximum safe depth.
3. Press TAB to turn on blue lighting (-15% to oxygen consumption), turn off the gyrocompass to reduce the noise emitted by the boat (-84db)
We send the chief mechanic to the post of rudders (to reduce the risk of detecting our boat while at periscope depth).
4. After the lead destroyer moved away from us. We float to periscope depth and get information about the names of the ships. Finding the goal we need.
5. A cruiser appeared in the observation area, judging by the trajectory of movement (highlighted with a red arrow), it will pass right above us. Important: any enemy warship (starting from the corvette, ending with battleship) has a device such as sonar.

Sonar, less often sonar (English. sonar, abbr. от SOund Navigation And Ranging) - means of sound detection of underwater objects using acoustic radiation.

Therefore, the passage of any warship above us, in no case should be allowed, as we will be detected and the alarm will be raised, with all the ensuing consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to leave the course of the battleship. The logic here is as follows, Besides, that we need to get off course, we also need to be in the most advantageous attacking position. There are two more transports next to our target, which will be just as convenient to torpedo at the same time (highlighted all three in blue). I decide to move to the zone in the direction of this ship (highlighted in green). From this position, we will prepare for a torpedo attack..

so, we are in the previously designated green zone. We turn off the engine. Opening the map:
1. Determine the course of the goal:
1.1 We put a point in the middle of the ship (T1)
1.2 We are waiting for a while for the target to advance.. We put the second point in the middle of the ship (T2).
1.3 Between them, using a ruler, draw a line in the direction of movement of the ship. (T3).
1.4 Using a compass, pull from point T3 at a right angle to point T4 (our location) Checking the distance. (for clarity, switched to the metric system. It is easier for new players to navigate it.) Important: at the time of launching torpedoes, the distance to the target must be at least 300 meters. Optimal distance to the nearest target 450-550 meters. The shorter the distance to the target, the less chance you have to miss. With experience, with correct calculations, you will hit targets up to 3 km.
1.5 Parallel to point T1, on top of it we put point T5. From point T5, using a protractor, lower the line to point T1 and lead to point (in the direction of movement of the ship!) T3, corresponding to the direction of movement of the ship. In the corner we get the value in degrees (in this example, value = 65) This is the ship's course (!)
Important Similarly, you can calculate the course of any ship moving in directions: north, northeast, East, southeast, south, ie. from 0 to 180 degrees!

Important If the ship moves in directions: northwest, west, southwest, ie. from 180 to 360 degrees, then to calculate its course, after being measured with a protractor, three-point angular value. This value must be substituted into the formula: 360 – (the resulting value) = ship heading.

Important – since the ship is in convoy, then the course for all ships, as the speed of movement in the convoy will be the same. therefore, every ship in the convoy, which you plan to attack, you can set a course in advance based on one measurement.

The second way to calculate the course, using the built-in device (I do not recommend using it):
Opening the map. We put a point on the periscope of our submarine T1 with a protractor, leading the middle of the ship, which is our goal, put T2 and pull it straight in the direction of his nose T3. We get the value of the angle. In our case = 28 We open the device for setting the course. Since we see the starboard side of our target, set the value 28 and press “Set”
Important This method is not so convenient to use., as the first. for example, if we plan to attack three different targets, then you will have to calculate for each of them on the map and use the device to put down the desired value. Which takes more time. And if you play without pause, it becomes critical.. Outcome: using the map it is easier and more accurate to use the first method.

2 Let's identify the type of each vessel, which we plan to torpedo with the help of the guide.

4 Next, we measure the speed using a chronometer. The resulting value will be the same for each vessel in the convoy..

5. Measure the distance to the target. This step should be done last..

All is ready.

Torpedoing must start from the farthest target., so that the time interval between the defeat of the distant and the nearest target is as short as possible. In this case, after the raised alarm when the first target is hit, the remaining targets have less time to react in the form of a course change.

We release torpedoes. I decided to hit 3 targets using 4 torpedoes. Result 3/4 hits and one failure. Despite the failure of one of the torpedoes, all three targets were hit..
We report on the radio and go to the maximum dive and take a course to exit the zone with maximum speed. In my case, one of the corvettes headed for my zone. In this case, turn off everything that makes sounds (muffled engines, stop loading torpedoes, turn off the electric steering). One of the sailors had a nervous breakdown, with the help of the boatswain we quickly calm him down. Corvette made three circles, bombed a couple of times somewhere nearby and left in the wake of the convoy. This is a good scenario..
Pop up, returning officers to their duties, turn on the usual lighting, we restore the compressed air level with the help of compressors, turn on the gyrocompass, pump out water from the central compartment.
In a few minutes we are on full alert. Then we act at our discretion. Happy hunting everyone!