Using Subs for ASW

[seydlitz_slith]

I had a thought that I have not tried yet. This is straight out of Ned Beach's "Run Silent, Run Deep;"

Create a sub patrol TF with one sub in it, and set it to follow a merchant ship or TF. Just make sure that the merchie is set to cruise and that it is a slow boat.

I am curious if this combo would have a chance of suckering in a U.S. sub. For non readers of the books, the chief Japanese bad guy was an ex-submariner turned destroyer Captain. He was very good at his trade and took out several good boats. After a spell, ComSubPac sent only their best boats into the area due to the danger, and two or three in a row failed to return. Finally, they figured out the new tactic...a merchant Q-ship loaded with cellulose to help her survive torpedo hits. This ship was being followed by a submerged RO boat. Since the American subs liked to attack unescorted merchants at night on the surface, the RO would often be able to set up a good shot on the surfaced American sub.