Another lesson learned | Forums

[LouLewis1967]

Latest patrol started with a quick refuel stop in the Solomons, then departed NW to a patrol zone. Almost immediately I ran into a couple of merchants (one Nippon) and sank them. Caught a Kisigari DD a little after that.

Crossing the Bismark Sea, jumped a convoy of 6 with two escorts, W at 5kts. Just a Shimushu and an Eorotufo (? looked like Parker's Tin Can). The convoy had two more Nippons and 3K-4K size vessels. First attack I quickly put down two Marus, and took out the Shimushu as it camped behind to wait for me.

Did an end around and caught the remaining 4 merchants, now weaving unescorted, with the other escort back looking for me. Took out two more with my last 4 bow torps. Swung around and got off the last 4 aft torps at the remaining two. Took out one. Just as I was firing the last torp...ping ping ping. I honestly still thought he was 4 or 5 miles behind. He was 1200yds. I had taken too long setting up for the last two, trying to flank them and get another perfect 90 shot.

45 minutes of tough, deep maneuvering later, and my first career with a Balao is over. Very humbling.

[LouLewis1967]

Latest patrol started with a quick refuel stop in the Solomons, then departed NW to a patrol zone. Almost immediately I ran into a couple of merchants (one Nippon) and sank them. Caught a Kisigari DD a little after that.

Crossing the Bismark Sea, jumped a convoy of 6 with two escorts, W at 5kts. Just a Shimushu and an Eorotufo (? looked like Parker's Tin Can). The convoy had two more Nippons and 3K-4K size vessels. First attack I quickly put down two Marus, and took out the Shimushu as it camped behind to wait for me.

Did an end around and caught the remaining 4 merchants, now weaving unescorted, with the other escort back looking for me. Took out two more with my last 4 bow torps. Swung around and got off the last 4 aft torps at the remaining two. Took out one. Just as I was firing the last torp...ping ping ping. I honestly still thought he was 4 or 5 miles behind. He was 1200yds. I had taken too long setting up for the last two, trying to flank them and get another perfect 90 shot.

45 minutes of tough, deep maneuvering later, and my first career with a Balao is over. Very humbling.

[Wolferz]

Ninety degree shots are way over rated. I hit them from just about any angle. As long as I'm close enough that they can't turn in time to avoid.
Sharpen up your situational awareness, Mr. Lewis and give the next bunch what for.

[MWolfe1963]

One thig I do is when attacking ask sonar for nearest warship, least gives me some ideas of what may be near.

If I have contacts on I'll raise the scope first at the map screen so I can see all targets.

I assume he was still behind you and out of sonar view, time to hit flank and head for the deep. At 600ft using flank, I never get hit, course I always die doing other stupid things.

[LouLewis1967]

What really got me was a little bit of TC at the end. To get on the last two, I turned parallel as they passed over and used TC to pass underneath and get out in front. Then at normal speed I started a turn outward to port to put the aft tubes on them as they came by. I'm sure it was during TC that I missed the info about the escort closing.

I really thought I was going to avoid the depth charges though. I was down to 540 and was alternating between crawling, sprinting, little rudder inputs, big rudder inputs. He made probably 8 runs, and once or twice I heard him pinging off somewhere behind me. 90% of the sonar searches were right on me though. He was good. Dead calm weather didn't help me.

[paulhager]

Yes, 0 m/s wind is a very dangerous time to attack. My preference is for the night surface attack in such situations.

[CaptianBear14]

i like 90 degree shots because i get the biggest target possible less chance of missing but as i progress with my skills i may become satisfied as bow and odd angle shots lewis watch out for time compression i think ive lost more targets to that
than poor aiming and angle combined

[MWolfe1963]

I never use a true set 90, where you try to stay on course. Usually it leaves your broadside wide open to the flank escort.