Protecting German Commerce
 

Hello; I usually play the German campaign and I wanted to know if there's any effective way to protect merchant ships from the British blockade.

I lose scores of them as they pass through the Channel and up along the Scottish coast, where the British bases are. It's very difficult to coordinate an "escort" for them b/c they are under independent command, plus there's the risk of any escorting warships being sunk piecemeal by the British.

Any recommendations would be appreciated!

Smash the Grand Fleet, then raid the place until the British have nothing left to enforce the blockade.

Well, that's the simple solution...

The primary British blockade is maintained by the armed merchant cruisers of 10th Cruiser Squadron patrolling across the whole width of the map from the top of Scotland to the north map edge. There are also old DDs and subs in and around Ornkey.

If a blockade runner gets by the AMCs, then it's got a very good chance of getting home. Problem is, there are dozens of AMCs and in real life they were about 95% effective. But in real life, the Germans never made a real effort to take them out.....

I have formed a TF of four modern Cls which I have sent up north for a few times.

They are fast enough to escape nearly anything and strong enough to kill AMCs.

Bu I always retreat after a battle for not risking being caught.

So far I killed five AMCs plus two sunk by subs. The ratio of merchants coming through already improved.

Thanks for the advice - I sent out Derfflinger (sp) & Lutzow together around Scotland, just like the commerce raiders of WWII. They sank quite a few AMC's and DD's, with some captured cargo ships as a bonus.

The AMC's coming out of Scapa Flow are the biggest headache for German shipping. Lots of guys who get past "Stage 1" for the KM (IE: Meeting 1:1 or better parity with the Royal Navy) tend to rush the English Channel and try to cut off France from England. It's usually better to open up Germany's supply lines, THEN go for the channel.

Still i'd be cautious to send the whole HSF into the channel at any time. Too many destroyers, mine layers, British subs, not enough maneuvering space etc.

It's possible to concentrate the U-Boats near Scapa Flow and have them deal with the AMCs. One blockade to another I suppose. Then you leave Britain with an almost uninterrupted flow of merchant tonnage though. Chose your poison.

How did you manage to sink subs ?, i've never been that lucky, and have fired on a sub with 5 BC's.