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#4012656 - 09/21/14 06:33 PM [SH4] Operation Monsun  
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This isn't new, or news, and many will already know of this mod, but it's new for me and I am impressed enough to post it up in case some might not be aware, but want to play UBoats in the SH4 engine.

Recently I had an itch to get back in to a German boat, so I had a look at some of the SH3 supermods, like GWX, NYGM and LSH. Just looking through the install instructions for LSH was enough to make me lose interest, which might be a shame, as I might be missing a really good mod. But no matter, because there is Operation Monsun for SH4.

I downloaded and installed with JSGME, but I got it wrong somehow and ended up with some sort of hybrid of stock and OM, and I wasn't impressed, not least because I didn't know I had screwed it up. But after having another go I got it right, and frankly I am really impressed with the mod.

If you want to try it, join Subsim.com if not already a member there. If you are not a donor, you will be limited in the amount of downloads you can do in one day, so it will take a couple days to get everything, at least if you want to run an install similar to mine. Using JSGME, this is the install order I recommend, but of course you can flavor to taste.

OpsMonsun_V705
OMv705_to_V720
OMv720_Patch5
OMEGU_v300
OMEGU_v300_Patch7
KiUB_English
Magnified Hud Dials for OM+OMEGU_Medium


Operation Monsun v705

download http://www.subsim.com/radioroom//downloads.php?do=file&id=1097

OM Update to v720 http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=835613&postcount=1

download http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1403

OM v720 Patch 5

download http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1477


lurker also released OMEGU, which is an optional environment and graphics enhancement

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=158764

download links to the main package and to patch 7 are included in that thread at subsim


I highly advise you use JSGME to install these files, and for any mods you use with SH4 for that matter. If you do not have it already you can get it here

download http://www.subsim.com/radioroom//downloads.php?do=file&id=4333

There are many additional mods you might choose to use, I am using the KiUB mod, which redoes the attack periscope screen among other enhancements, and I find it very good because I use manual targeting. It is included in OMEGU patch 7

I am also using larger HUD dials (I use the medium option)

download http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=3771

I want to use the nomograph in this thread, but haven't found a good link. If anyone knows where to find it let me know! http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=193969


There are other sites where you can get most or all of these files, but of course I recommend Subsim. I am Threadfin at Subsim. The install I am using is the recommended one if all you want to play is UBoats, but you can aslo choose to have US boats in which case a different install is in order. Be sure to read through the OM installation thread for details. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=166159


If you have the UBoat itch, but SH3 isn't doing it any longer for whatever reason, or if like me you just don't feel like fooling with resolution fixes, Starforce, and many hoops to get a good mod, Operation Monsun is a fantastic choice.

Here is a shot of the attack periscope screen using the KiUB mod and full manual targeting, that is I set the dials myself, don't use the notepad method. I find speed using the mark pencil, stop watch, compass and nomograph. This screen is ideal for manual targeting.



No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
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#4014043 - 09/24/14 09:52 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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yup,

I have this install for over a year, it`s great, though I haven`t played it a lot lately.


i7 6700k @ 4,5 GHz
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W10 64
#4014368 - 09/25/14 05:09 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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Yes, I am really liking it. My first career did end when I had some sort of glitch causing all crew slots, torpedo slots, and upgrade slots to disappear. But I started a new one and it's been fine.

I've used manual targeting for years now and the mod I pictured in the last post is by far my favorite attack periscope in any version I've played. Just perfect.

I am currently in command of U-46, a VIIB. Took command in September of 1940, out of St Nazaire. Just completed my third war patrol and it was a memorable one, just shy of three months at sea. Sank a 5500 ton freighter early on, but then made no sinkings for almost 2 months, just no contacts, though I did attempted to thread inside a convoy, fired 2 torpedoes at a large tanker that were both duds, and escaped.

Finally, off Stornoway, while surfaced in a raging storm, a Kent class Heavy Cruiser emerged from the fog at 1300 meters. Working as quickly as I could I submerged, attained position and obtained the speed for the firing data. Less than 4 minutes after sighting I fired four bow electrics at the cruiser, 3 hit and the forth was a dud, but the ship exploded and went down.

Later in the patrol in the BE grid made contact with a force of one Fiji CL, HMS Argus (an escort carrier), and a troop transport. Sank the carrier, and attempted to get one of the others, but they were difficult as they were running about constantly changing course and I wasn't about to surface under the guns of the cruiser. Fired two electrics at the Fiji for misses, and as I was chasing, a large 9000 ton freighter was seen coming up astern. Switched to this ship as it would be easier to target as it plowed along steady on a WSW heading. But as it came on it was alerted by the other ships and took off at speed to the southeast. Waited until it was out of sight and then ended around. 3 hours later got in position and fired two torpedoes, both hit but were duds. I love the fact that this lone ship was somehow alerted by the other ships that I was nearby and changed course so drastically. This is the sort of thing sub sims need, as too often the ships just sail along fat and slow until they run in to your torpedoes.

Did another end around and fired the stern tube for a hit on the bow, but she kept on.

Did another end around and with my last torpedo, in the stern tube, cracked it in half when the torpedo hit right on the aimpoint, the stack. All tolled, it was a 3 month patrol for 50k, including a heavy cruiser and a carrier. Now generally I'm not too keen on 'Hollywood' patrols, I'm the sort that would be just as happy busting my ass for 2 ships for 15k battling raging storms and faulty gear.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4014575 - 09/26/14 12:48 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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And the career of Kapitänleutnant Otto Popp comes to an end in July of 1941 due to enemy air attack on U-46's fourth war patrol. I made the mistake of getting a second objective, and it was BF 24 near Crow Sound at the western entrance to the English Channel. I had just completed the objective and was heading west to deeper water when an Allied aircraft, Sunderland it looked to be, attacked out of the low overcast directly astern. We had only seconds to crash dive, but not in time and U-46 was sunk with all hands.

I played a lot of SH3 and I probably did in the neighborhood of 50 DiD careers, and out of those I only had one that saw the end of the war. I don't think my prospects in OM look to be any better. I play at 88% difficulty, with only map contacts enabled. And I play with survival as the number one priority, but the odds are slim, aren't they?

So now Niklas Baumann takes command of U-47 in Sept of 1939. Maybe this will give me more time to season the crew and increase our chances of survival.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4014607 - 09/26/14 03:16 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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I don't know if I am lucky, or if there are a high number of warships cruising the high seas in this mod.

U-47 set sail from Kiel on Sept 3 1939, bound for grid AM52, on the western approach to the British Isles. Enroute between Scapa Flow and the Shetland Islands, we encountered a huge Dutch freighter of 9,000 tons, and another ship, west of Stornoway, a 5000 ton Panamanian steamer, both of which were sent to the bottom in straightforward periscope attacks.

After sinking the second ship we surfaced to put distance between U-47 and the scene, expecting aircraft to arrive shortly to investigate. Soon, we dove to avoid it's arrival, and as we did so, warship screws were detected closing from the south. Once the aircraft had departed, surfaced and made a flank speed surface dash to close the track and pulled the plug upon sighting a flank escorting destroyer. Continuing to close submerged, a fleet carrier emerged from the light fog 3500 meters distant.



Slipped inside the port screen, and using the pencil, stopwatch, compass and nomograph, determined a speed of 18 knots after a 3 minute plot. A ship making 18 knots covers 1650 meters in 3 minutes, so I quickly spun the dials, set the torpedos for 4 meters, fast, impact, and opened all four bow tubes, which were loaded with steamers. Dialing in an AoB of 72 port, bearing 020, range 700, speed 18 knots, resulting in a gyro angle of triple zeros, I placed the scope on 020 and 2 minutes later the Illustrious crossed the wire. All four tubes were fired at intervals to spread the torpedoes along it's length. Fortune was with us as all four struck the carrier and detonated, and the Illustrious, 23000 tons, plummeted to the bottom of the ocean, 6 minutes after sighting.



We did not see it sink as we were already on the way down to 160 meters. The escorts were not able to find us despite their best efforts, and we slipped away to the south. A good start to the career of U-47, 3 ships for 37k in the first 10 days of the war, but I know it is unlikely to last.



No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4016044 - 09/29/14 10:44 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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Perhaps I will turn this thread in to my personal diary of war patrol highlights aboard U-47 smile

After the success of the first patrol, U-47 continued to makes forays in to the Atlantic from Kiel. Three more successful patrols followed, including the fourth, in support of the Invasion of Norway. Averaging about 50k tons per patrol, we found mostly lone merchants, with the occasional convoy to pick a target or two out of. The waters northwest of Loch Ewe, off the coast of Stornoway proved most productive.

A few task forces were sighted, but we were unable to close to an advantageous position, and in each case they got by without an attack being made. In the fourth patrol in the Norwegian Sea, a task force of one troop ship and many Armed Auxiliary Cruisers was found lying to. Made a submerged approach and torpedoed the troopship. Follow up attacks against one of the Auxiliaries failed as torpedoes striking the ship caused a crash to desktop. After two more attempts I gave it up as a bad job, but something is not quite working right with these ships. I don't reload in sub sims, but the crashes forced me to.

Later in the patrol we sank a large tanker escorted by 4 patrol boats, who evidently were not equipped with active sonar. Finally a convoy was sighted heading for Russian waters and several ships went to the bottom from this.

Countermeasures so far have proven ineffective, but airplanes are a real threat, and one needs to be ever vigilant and quick on the diving alarm. However I know this will not last for long, and more destroyers are being encountered as we head in to late 1940. In June of 1940 U-47 departed on her fifth war patrol. As I mentioned in my previous posts, I hoped starting at the beginning of the war would allow the crew to gain more experience, and many of the crew have seen promotions and have acquired specialties as I believe that only a highly experienced crew might allow us to survive the war, insofar as that may be possible.

After departing Kiel, U-47 sailed to the north, passing Scapa Flow and entering the Atlantic. We managed to put a 6000 ton passenger/freighter on the bottom near our objective in the northeast quadrant of the AM grid. After several weeks of fruitless searching I decided to move south, in to CG grid off the coast of Spain. This is a common route for ships coming up from Gibraltar and the Med. Eventually a convoy was spotted, and in one of my most successful attacks in German boats, all 5 torpedoes were fired. The stern tube sank a 5000 ton steamer, two bow tubes sank a 7000 ton freighter, and the final two tubes were fired at an 8300 ton tanker in the far column. The first torpedo hit, but the second was a dud and she sailed on, with a slight starboard list and with flames visible near the forecastle. When moving in on this convoy, the lead escort had been too far out to port as we closed from starboard, and the starboard escort too far out of position to the rear and way out on the flank, leaving a yawning gap for us to slip through.

We dove to evade, and after being held down for 5 hours, we surfaced to trace the convoy's route and hopefully find the tanker straggling. After running up their track for 30 kilometers, the tanker was sighted and we made a submerged attack, first firing the stern tube for a dud, then another dud from a bow tube, and finally one the hit near the stack and the ship exploded and sank.

Cleared the area to the south. As the U boat Flotillas were in the midst of shifting to French coast bases, I decided to make this a double-barreled patrol, and put in to Lorient for a reload, with the view to patrol until our new base would be ready in St Nazaire in the middle of September. The we left for the waters west of Gibraltar in the hopes of making contact with heavy men-of-war.

Soon after arriving on station, the bridge watch spotted the tops of warships on the horizon closing from the east. Ordered a flank speed surface dash to close their track, and plotted their speed at 19 knots. If they kept on, the best I could hope for was a shot on a broad angle at around 4000 meters. However, in the clear weather in bright sunshine we were spotted and as the destroyers escorting the heavies showed a zero angle and bones in their teeth I pulled the plug and continued to close, albeit at a much slower speed.

But after being sighted, the big ships, which we now identified as a battleship or battlecruiser and a heavy cruiser, slowed and began that constant helming that alerted ships in Silent Hunter do. Soon our plot showed them at 12 knots along their base course, which would allow us to reach a suitable firing position. As the lead ship's angle broadened slightly we were able to see she was the majestic Hood.



We continued to close the Hood's base course and set up the shot. Here is a water-lapping exposure to check bearing and AoB.




All four bow tubes with steamers loaded were opened, depth 4 meters, impact, fast. AoB 80 starboard, bearing 350, speed 12 knots, range 600. As the Hood crossed the wire, all four tubes were fired at intervals to spread the torpedoes along her length. Firing torpedoes like this is also a fail-safe against speed or range errors, and it virtually ensures that at least three of the four eels hit, unless the data is very far off.

In the event, all four hit and detonated, and Hood exploded.



With the escorts still off depth charging the area where we submerged after being sighted, I lingered to observe our handiwork and watched as she began to slide below the waves. Then we started the descent to 160 meters and began evasion.

Here the fourth and final torpedo strikes Hood near the stern moments before she went under.



It appears to be business as usual for the crew of U-47 despite the sinking of the 48,000 ton battlecruiser.








No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4016049 - 09/29/14 11:01 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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I have got to finish up 5 to go mess around in 4. biggrin

#4016066 - 09/29/14 11:56 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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Yeah Flashburn. SH4 has so many good mods. Real Fleet Boat, Trigger Maru and this Operation Monsun are all excellent. Operation Monsun features the ability to play German boats anywhere... France, Norway, the Med, Germany, Pacific, Indian Ocean. Plus with SH4 you can also play the US boats too of course. I love Type VII's, but US Balao's are my favorite boats of all time.

It's great to have both. With Multi-SH4 you can set up as many installs as you wish, but personally I just use JSGME and play whichever mod/boat strikes my fancy. And at the moment that is a VIIB in the Atlantic. But if I want to patrol the Philipines in an S-Boat, Type IX's around Java, or Truk in a Balao it's just a few clicks of the mouse away.

I've been playing sub sims since Silent Service in the early 90's. SH1 and 2, the Pacific Aces mod for SH2, and of course the past 3 Silent Hunters. Well I have SH5 but I have yet to actually try it, though I have been following your posts. Subsimmers are spoiled for choices no doubt, and it's largely down to the modders whose hard work makes it so much better.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4017173 - 10/02/14 02:26 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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U-47 was now based in St Nazaire, France. This allowed direct access to the Atlantic, shortening the route, and allowing us to remain on station somewhat longer. However, it also means we have to traverse the Bay of Biscay, which is heavily patrolled by Allied aircraft, and so far we have managed to spot them in time, but it will only take one moment of relaxed vigilance to end the war for us all.

War patrols six and seven were successful, with a number of merchants sunk, and we made several surfaced attacks on convoys. Doing so requires firing from longer range, but we can attempt to escape at high speed on the surface. It is risky, but if the shot can be taken without being spotted it is worth the risk as we aren't subjected to counterattack. I look for overlaps and fire all four bow tubes then get the hell out of there, usually firing off the stern tube as we come around. I will only attempt this in heavy seas, and thus far it has worked very well. But as we move in to late 1941 I will have to consider curtailing surface attacks as I expect the escorts might soon begin to be equipped with radar.

U-47s eighth war patrol left St Nazaire for the AL grid south of Iceland. After several weeks chasing convoy reports without success I made for our old hunting grounds west of Stornoway, as this is the route ships travelling to and from Loch Ewe tend to use. And sure enough, soon after arriving on station, the bridge watch spotted a destroyer standing out in to the Atlantic. Soon after I spotted the faint outline of a battleship and began the plot and ordered flank speed to get in position. A Kaleun needs to be quick and measured in such situations, as ships moving this fast will get by quickly, particularly so when they emerge out of fog, which drastically reduces the range at which they are first spotted. We clocked the force of one battleship and four screening destroyers at 21 knots and closed the track, attempting to get in ahead of the port side screen.




I use what I call a 'steady-wire' firing technique. That is, I plot the target's course and speed, and then attempt to predict the firing point and position. I then dial in the solution for this spot and place the periscope wire on that bearing. As the target crosses the wire, the torpedoes are fired, usually with specific features of the target used as aimpoints, such as leading mast, bridge, stack, after mast, etc. In the 3 attacks shown in this thread, I instead fire all torpedoes considering the size of the targets and the improbability of follow up attacks, and fire them at intervals to spread the eels along the target's length. As mentioned before, this sort of 'single-shot salvo' provides a failsafe against targeting errors. For example if I have the speed too slow, the first 3 should hit with the fourth missing astern, or too fast and the first will miss ahead but the remaining three should hit.

In this case I dialed in an AoB of 80 port, bearing 020, speed 21 knots and range 1200 meters. The AoB was a mistake, as I meant to put it at 70 port which would match the 020 firing bearing since U-47's heading was at a 90 degree angle to the target's course. This introduced a 10 degree AoB error that fortunately didn't come back to haunt me. In such conditions, and with the target moving so fast, there is little time for double checking, and the mistake was mine.

As the battleship, now identified as Queen Elizabeth class, 36000 tons, filled my scope and crossed the wire, all four bow torpedoes were fired, set to run fast, 44 knots, with impact pistols and depth of 2 meters. After a run of about 24 seconds, the torpedoes slammed in to the battleship and she exploded.




As soon as the torpedoes hit the escorts began pinging U-47, and I swung the scope to starboard to see the port screen coming on at zero angle with a bone in her teeth and I ordered crash dive to 160 meters as we performed a corkscrew evasion to hopefully throw off the aim of the charging destroyer. As we passed through 70 meters a string hit close, causing moderate damage and minor flooding that we were able to get under control, but at the expense of silent running. Using the hydrophones (I don't use external cameras), we attempted to evade by reacting to the course changes of the escorts, but this is a real challenge with four of them up there. Eventually we were able to slip off to the northeast and after being held down for three hours we managed to lose them and surfaced and got the hell out of there.

Later in the patrol, with just three fish left and low on fuel, we encountered a group of HMS Repulse (battlecruiser), HMS Argus (escort carrier) and two huge liners northbound in column making 20 or 21 knots in the CG grid off the northwest coast of Portugal. Initial sighting was at 12,000 meters, and the force already showed a fairly large angle. Our flank speed allowed us to close to 9,000 meters before I felt it prudent to dive, less the Repulse open broadsides on us. Able to get no closer than 7,000 meters, the remaining torpedoes were fired at the battlecruiser, but all appeared to miss ahead and we headed for the barn, arriving at St Nazaire after 2 months at sea.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4017813 - 10/03/14 11:53 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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DBond,

I'd just like to say I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your war diary, here. I think you have just provided the catalyst needed to get me back into SH, and to try out all these mods. Thanks, and keep them coming!


"I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold."
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918
#4017843 - 10/04/14 12:55 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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I appreciate the comment. I hope that others might find it interesting or entertaining, and if it causes someone like yourself to get back in to sub sims that makes it worthwhile! When there aren't many comments you wonder if anyone is finding it interesting, so I really appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Operation Monsun is my mod at the moment, but there are so many good ones. If SH4 is what you will play I can strongly recommend it, or Trigger Maru or Real Fleet Boat for the US boats. But there are others of course. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

I am currently in the late stages of U-47's tenth war patrol, and will post an update once (if?) we have docked at St Nazaire, but the Royal Navy's registry just became a bit shorter smile


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4017846 - 10/04/14 12:59 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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I hardly touch my flight sims, anymore, since reinstalling both SH4 and SH5. They are all I've been playing. Not trying the Monsun mod because I have SH5, but it looks good.


"From our orbital vantage point, we observe an earth without borders, full of peace, beauty and magnificence, and we pray that humanity as a whole can imagine a borderless world as we see it, and strive to live as one in peace."
Astronaut William C. McCool RIP, January 29, 2003 - Space Shuttle Columbia

#4017886 - 10/04/14 02:41 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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I played vanilla SH3 a lot when it was fairly new. I had a ton of fun with it. Lost my game copy somewhere, so I got SH4 on steam and enjoyed it for the most part. Unmodded it seems a little buggy and not as well rounded as SH3 had been. I didn't like some of the changes that took place between the two. Bought SH5 on release, played the beginning of one mission and shelved it. It was even more of a departure from what I had expected and hoped for. Lately I have had the sub itch return and have seen a good bit about the mods that have been developed, etc. Really makes me want to give it another shot. There are just a few things that have been holding me back. One is that I am fairly mod ignorant, and two is that I have no idea how to do the manual targeting that seems to be a big part of the mods. It sounds great but would be really frustrating to have to figure out on my own. I guess I am going to go ahead and give it a shot though because what you have written in this thread sounds awesome. I am looking forward to reading your next war diary. Viel Erfolg!


"I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold."
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918
#4017895 - 10/04/14 03:57 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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Same here Pooch, except for the SH5 part, but I will get around to playing it eventually. I find submarine warfare and operations exceptionally interesting. Going on patrol in these sims is good fun.


U-47 left St Nazaire on her tenth war patrol in late September 1941, bound for BF24, near Crow Sound in the western end of the English Channel. It did not escape me that this was the exact grid objective that saw the end of my previous career in U-46 as mentioned earlier.

This location is relatively shallow, with depths averaging about 110 meters. In addition, it is heavily patrolled by enemy aircraft. Aircraft have been very dangerous in recent patrols, and we have taken damage on no less than four occasions from near misses. As a result we have been spending more time conducting submerged patrols, which drastically limits our search radius, but spares us the calling cards from above. The hydrophones have good range though, and it is not a terrible disadvantage as we search for targets.

After completing the four days in BF24, we headed west to deeper water and came across a 5000 ton freighter which was sunk in a periscope attack. This is the first patrol in this career I have opted to carry G7e electric torpedoes. Recent patrols have seen the convoys escorted almost entirely by destroyers and Black Swans, replacing the patrol boats and corvettes of the early war. As a result we are making the switch to electrics to hopefully mask our position when making these attacks. The faults of the G7e have not been entirely worked out though, and our dud rate with these torpedoes is noticeably higher than with the G7a steamer. And of course they are slower and have a shorter range, which adds some complication to torpedo attacks. But the 'Happy Times' are over, and survival is the first consideration.

U-47 surfaces after torpedoing a British freighter of 5000 tons in the BF grid




As we have moved in to late 1941, finding lone merchants is proving difficult as the Allies utilize their convoy system more thoroughly. After conducting a mostly submerged patrol for close to a month in the BF grid south of Ireland, we finally detected a merchant heading for the Channel. It proved to be a small 1800 ton mast-stack-mast steamer which we hit with a stern torpedo that proved to be a dud. We extended, surfaced and ran an end around to submerge once again and sank her with a single bow torpedo at first light.

A few minutes after surfacing following this attack, the bridge watch spotted a destroyer closing from the northeast. I quickly plotted it's course and speed and took off ahead on it's track, hoping it may be the screen for a task force and heavy men-of-war. Curiously the destroyer was making just 12 knots by our plot and our flank speed quickly extended the range. After running ahead for five minutes, the watch spotted another ship off our starboard bow. Looking in the direction indicated, I could make out the faint outline of a fighting top in the light fog. We had found another battleship.

I plotted it's course and kept flank speed to pass her by and submerge ahead for an attack. The destroyers escorting were trailing by a considerable distance, effectively leaving the battleship unescorted as far as our approach was concerned. As we drew along her port beam, the battleship suddenly changed course to the south and headed straight for U-47. As she emerged from the fog, there was no mistaking the distinctive features of HMS Rodney with all of her main batteries forward.




As the situation presented itself, I imagined that the task force had encountered one of our kameraden, though there are no AI subs in this mod, but it gave the impression the destroyers were behind searching, and the battleship went ahead, and was zigging at 12 knots along her base course. U-47 submerged and closed the track, which swung from 135 to 160 degrees true.

We were able to close to 700 meters and using the same approach and firing technique outlined in previous posts all four bow electrics were fired on a 075 starboard track. Luck was with us as all four hit and detonated, but unlike other successful attacks on capital ships in this career, Rodney did not explode, but staggered and continued on, down noticeably by the bow and assuming a starboard list.




Ordering flank speed I maneuvered U-47 for a stern shot to finish her off. But I underestimated her speed and this torpedo missed astern. Our highly experienced crew had reloaded tube 1 quickly and we spun around to fire this torpedo before the escorts could close, but as we were ready to fire, Rodney capsized to starboard and slipped below the waves.




It's true that we have encountered and have sunk far too many capital ships in this career (three battleships and a fleet carrier) to be considered realistic in any way, but I must admit I absolutely love it. And for tonnage it's just way over the top, U-47 having surpassed even Lothar von Arnauld de la Perière, the top scoring submarine skipper in history, who was credited with 453,000 tons in WW1. I am generally a stickler for realism, but it's just so damn fun to sink ships in sub sims smile


Here is my view as I relax that evening in the Captain's bunk as the the radioman pulls his shift.




After sinking the Rodney we remained in BF grid to hopefully rid ourselves of the few remaining torpedoes and found a big 9000 ton Panamanian freighter making for England and sank her with two electrics.

The Panamanian freighter, broken in two and sinking (hopefully the night time shots show up well)



U-47 returned to St Nazaire after two months at sea. All in all I am pleased we have survived this far, and we move on in to 1942. Transfers are available, and I am considering a transfer to the 23rd Flotilla in the Mediterranean, out of Salamis.

And this isn't from Operation Monsun, but a screen of my boat, USS Searaven in the South China Sea, in a recent TMO or RFB career. I like the shot so thought I'd share. It's my current wallpaper.






No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4017902 - 10/04/14 04:20 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: VMIalpha454]  
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Originally Posted By: VMIalpha454
There are just a few things that have been holding me back. One is that I am fairly mod ignorant, and two is that I have no idea how to do the manual targeting that seems to be a big part of the mods. It sounds great but would be really frustrating to have to figure out on my own. I guess I am going to go ahead and give it a shot though because what you have written in this thread sounds awesome. I am looking forward to reading your next war diary. Viel Erfolg!


Thanks for the kind words. As for manual targeting, I can only encourage you to give it a go. For me, I only find it satisfying to use manual targeting, but of course you should play it however you find it most enjoyable. There are no mods that require you to use it, aside from the KiUB periscope mod you see in my posts. You can only use manual targeting when using the KiUB. It can be disabled in OM though (with a different attack periscope screen), and you can use point and shoot if you prefer.

As for getting the mods installed, of course if OM is what you want to try the steps are outlined in the first post. JSGME is essential in my opinion. If you have any questions about installing any of the mods, fire away. If you aren't a member at subsim.com I encourage you to join, as there is a wealth of knowledge and very helpful members.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4017935 - 10/04/14 08:09 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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Thanks for the advice. I will give it a shot. Concerning manual targeting, it seems that it would be much more satisfying if you hit your target that way. Are there any good tutorials explaining how to do it? I enjoyed your most recent war diary. It sounds like U-47 is the Royal Navy's scourge. You can sense the excitement and tension in your encounters with their warships. It is also apparent that you have a very good grasp of your TTP's. Its almost like reading an historical account. Bravo Zulu.


"I have only two men out of my company and 20 out of some other company. We need support, but it is almost suicide to try to get it here as we are swept by machine gun fire and a constant barrage is on us. I have no one on my left and only a few on my right. I will hold."
1stLt. Clifton B. Cates, USMC
in Belleau Wood, 19 July 1918
#4017950 - 10/04/14 10:13 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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Manual targeting has been the bane of my life. I want to use it but I suck at it and using automatic doesn't give you much of an achievement. Here is one video that may help you out but there are plenty more on YouTube. In fact check out this guy's channel,he has plenty of other useful SH4 stuff on there.I have found it very helpful to have a laptop running the videos whilst playing the game on the PC,it can be a real bonus if you can do it.



Also a good one.


Last edited by Chucky; 10/04/14 10:20 AM.

EV's are the Devils matchbox.
#4017962 - 10/04/14 11:47 AM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: VMIalpha454]  
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NooJoyzee
Originally Posted By: VMIalpha454
Thanks for the advice. I will give it a shot. Concerning manual targeting, it seems that it would be much more satisfying if you hit your target that way. Are there any good tutorials explaining how to do it? I enjoyed your most recent war diary. It sounds like U-47 is the Royal Navy's scourge. You can sense the excitement and tension in your encounters with their warships. It is also apparent that you have a very good grasp of your TTP's. Its almost like reading an historical account. Bravo Zulu.


Thanks very much. TTPs, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures? It would be ironic if it referenced terminology and I didn't know the acronym lol.

There are many ways to utilize manual targeting. I won't go so far as to say it is easy, but once you understand the principles and develop your procedure, it can be highly accurate. Understanding it is vitally important of course, but the overriding key is positioning.

A quick google will reveal many videos and web pages devoted to it, as Chucky posted, and there are some small differences depending on whether you are using a German or American TDC. And I've even seen some 'manual targeting' videos in which the author isn't using manual targeting at all.

I haven't seen the technique I use in any video, but I'm sure it's out there. We could put together a thread here at SimHQ if anyone thought it might be helpful. I don't consider my technique the best, but it is the best for me, and in this career we have hit for a little better than 85%, which is quite acceptable, but again I put that down more to positioning than to the technique employed.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
#4017982 - 10/04/14 01:17 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: DBond]  
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This is also a good explanation on manual targeting... LINK

It looks so simple when you follow someone else doing it but when I try it I usually see the torpedoes launch and then go in a completely different direction to the target banghead


EV's are the Devils matchbox.
#4018011 - 10/04/14 02:37 PM Re: [SH4] Operation Monsun [Re: Chucky]  
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NooJoyzee
Originally Posted By: Chucky
This is also a good explanation on manual targeting... LINK

It looks so simple when you follow someone else doing it but when I try it I usually see the torpedoes launch and then go in a completely different direction to the target banghead


Torpedoes traveling in entirely the wrong direction is usually the result of a reversed AoB. That is, you have it set to port when it should be starboard or vice versa. But there are other reasons that could cause it. When my brain is working correctly, the final check I perform before firing is a gyro check. After some experience you will know the approximate gyro angle you expect from your torpedoes. If you look at the gyro and it isn't what you expect you can assume there is an error.

In the post-shot screens I show in this thread the dials remain where they were at the time of firing, even though I have moved the scope to follow the target. In most cases the gyro angle is shown as close to zero, which is what I want. By positioning my boat on a perpendicular heading to the target's course, we want the torpedoes to run straight out to intersect and impact as squarely as possible. Of course, perfect positioning isn't always possible, and some shots will be fired with considerable curve, it all depends on the situation.

Just a few days ago I rushed a shot and fired a stern tube but without changing the bearing to the stern, and the torpedo missed by a mile. A gyro check would have revealed the error in my setup. In the next few days I will run an attack on a lone merchant and snap some screen and put together a guide to the method and methodology I use. I do not claim to use the best method, but it works very well for me.


No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time!
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