AAR: Torpedo Run [Spoiler Alert]

AAR: Torpedo Run [spoiler Alert]

By Paul Bridge

After receiving our latest orders, I asked the Jimmy (First Lieutenant) to plot an estimated path from the last reported position to Jakarta. I planned to position the Oberon astride their Path of Intended Movement [PIM] at this point. If we were unable to intercept them from the front, I was dubious if we would be successful in a stern chase.

As we made transit southward, we periodically rose to periscope depth to 'sniff' the air for electronic transmissions with our Electronic Support Measures [ESM]. Two small patrol boats were discovered a fair distance away, but were not a threat to us. A pair of Gannet Maritime Patrol Aircraft [MPA] were also found during one of our Jack-in-the-box manoeuvres. These units were the most fearsome as they could strike without warning.

A supply vessel was found heading in the direction of Jakarta. I decided to investigate. We ran a Target Motion Analysis [TMA] and calculated a firing solution. While the fire-control team was 'polishing the cannonball' by refining their solution, Oberon moved closer to shorten the run on her torpedoes. Just as I was about to fire, the target was found to be Neutral! An international incident was barely averted.

Not long after, multiple ESM contacts were reported to the southeast. This had to be the convoy we had been seeking. We increased power to cruise speed and I was happy to see that we would be closing the targets off of their starboard bow. As the target courses and ranges firmed up, firing solutions were calculated and fed into the torpedoes. I saw that there would only be a single escort vessel between us and the freighters so I elected to 'shoot' our way into the convoy. Two Bidder Mk20S torpedoes were allocated to the escort and one Mk20S each at 2 freighters. The first salvo was launched at a range of 5nm. They were not detected until they were nearly at the end of their torpedo runs. All three targets were killed outright.

A nice side effect had the remaining merchants running in the opposite direction. This allowed Oberon to move in even closer so that she now sat directly on their PIM and would not need to either expend energy or make noise for her second attack. Shorter-ranged Mk8 torpedoes were chosen for the second volley as the merchant vessels nearly overran the Oberon. Longer-ranged Bidders were saved for any interfering escorts. The surviving transports were destroyed so my option to attack escorts was exercised. Two more escorts were put on the bottom with a pair of torpedoes each. Soon afterward, victory was awarded.

A nice little scenario for submarine enthusiasts. The Gannets did not play a major role in my game, but just the knowledge that they were present was enough to make my skin crawl as I expected my first indication of their presence to be either a depth charge or torpedo attack. Thanks for putting it together.