sub wolfpacks

[Chickenboy]

Rather than have >two subs in one TF ("wolfpack") or two subs in 2 TFs parked in a hex, I would recommend having a patrol schedule whereby one submarine is always at the hex, another tracking out and 'clearing' DLs. Alternate by changing the number of days in the hex from the patrol menu.

This way subs will automatically clear their DLs, yet provide undetected coverage to 'hotspot' hexes.

[Major Shane]

ORIGINAL: Bullwinkle58

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I have read several books on the US sub war. Large wolf packs were definitely not used but pairs of subs sometimes were. Darter and Dace taking down three CAs at the start of the Battle of Leyte Gulf is my best example of how they can work together.

Two were sometimes used, but three was more normal from mid-44 on. But the tactics were not those of the Germans in that there was no coordination from shore, and the subs only cooperated in the loosest sense, with the SOPA being in tactical charge of the group. Major attention was paid to EMCON. When a TF was located other groups were not vectored onto the track.

The tactic was not adopted because single-sub patrols didn't work. It was more that targets were becoming scarce and USN subs numerous, so choke points could be more effectively closed with three at no cost to the overall campaign.

I have tried the 3 boat method in my game vs AI Japan. I just wanted to try it to emulate USN historical practice. I'm in NOV 43 but tried it from MAY to SEP 43. My results weren't that different than normal. So I shifted back to single boats focused on choke points or isolating islands I am preparing to invade.

[geofflambert]

If we're talking about predating on convoys or surface TFs using the same routes, I keep a log of all sightings, and I mean across more than one PBEM and more than one opponent. As the IJN I use float plane carrying subs to increase the number of sightings and improve the log. Then I place most of my patrol zones along these lanes, away from large bases and their air ASW, not to mention their close surface ASW support. Now, if we're talking patrolling against military TFs looking for a fight, it's just your best bet as to where to hunt them. As the IJN you have practically no intelligence info to help you make that guess. Yet IJN doctrine was to pursue such TFs over freight and troop convoys. I think they did better historically than I ever have on that count.