S-boat tactics?

[spyfrog]

Hi everyone

I have always used fleet boats before but thought I should give the S-class a go when I installed the new U-boat extension and TMO Overloaded.

Anyhow, I don't really like the S-class because no one (in the game) seam to care about the lower performance of the sub.

Don't the admirals/game engine take any consideration of which class of submarine they send when they make a mission or give an order?

One of my missions was a simple patrol of a given area. On my way there, I encountered a task force of two heavy cruisers, some destroyers and some cargo ships running SSE. My position was quite far away in the SSW direction of the task force.

Of course, I radioed the contact in. This promptly gave me a new order over the radio -
"intercept task force".

However, my first task, now not longer valid, wasn't removed - it still stood as "incomplete". Since the game/navy changed my goals, why don't they remove this?

Secondly, when I radioed the contact, I would guess that I included my position, enemy position, speed and direction? At least, that sound plausible (you don't get to see your own radio messages so I don't know).
A competent officer would then of course realize that there is no change that a sub with a maximum speed of 12 knots is going to have a change to intercept a task force that moves with a speed of 13 knots when he isn't in front of it.

This is just stupid. Why give me a order that I cannot fulfill? Do they hope that the entire task force will have a mechanical breakdown or do the simply assume that I have a fleet boat with a top speed of 20 knots, which would have made it possibly to make this intercept?

Last, is there any good tactical advice of how to master the S-class? Or do you simply have to have a bit of luck to make it in that boat?

[Vlaba]

Originally posted by spyfrog:
Don't the admirals/game engine take any consideration of which class of submarine they send when they make a mission or give an order?
Can't explain the game, but at the wars beginning, we used what we had until new boats became available. You were expendable to a degree. You will also find that orders will be given that will run you out of fuel. Just try your best but don't sacrifice the boat to complete orders.



One of my missions was a simple patrol of a given area. On my way there, I encountered a task force of two heavy cruisers, some destroyers and some cargo ships running SSE. My position was quite far away in the SSW direction of the task force.

Of course, I radioed the contact in. This promptly gave me a new order over the radio -
"intercept task force".

However, my first task, now not longer valid, wasn't removed - it still stood as "incomplete". Since the game/navy changed my goals, why don't they remove this?

The order is not conflicting and still stands. If you can't intercept the task force, don't and then complete the 48hr patrol order.



Secondly, when I radioed the contact, I would guess that I included my position, enemy position, speed and direction?

US boats were not micromanaged to the degree that the Uboats were. Radio use would be minimized to avoid giving your position away.



Last, is there any good tactical advice of how to master the S-class? Or do you simply have to have a bit of luck to make it in that boat?

Luck and intuition always played a part in the degree of success. Remember that even the most modern fleet boats had poor patrols, and the record tonnage for one patrol was 26,000+ tons.

I don't chase impossible contacts. This conserves fuel and running at flank, or even full speed for hours will break engines historically.

As a side note, the task force could change heading and then you may find a favorable approach.

Vlaba

[Ronin_NL]

I started a career with the S-18 sub, but it only lasted 2 patrols. During my seconf patrol my sub was damaged 30% and I got to command a new sub (Porpoise Class)

I noticed that recharging batteries after submerged was very slowly an took a large amount of diesel fuel.
What i did was to be on the surface for as long as possible, only dive when made contact with planes and/ or ships.get in position fire torpedo's and sneak out at silent running at 1 or 2 knots at 150 depth.