How bad is the Orkneys/Shetland straits? (TWoS)

[Dowly]

I'm about 40 (IRL) hours from the O & S straits and I figured it would save me some time to go through it instead of north of Shetlands (on my way to eastern parts of grid AL).

How bad is it? I see from the charts that there are minefields, how deep are mines at in SH5? I take there's an opening for traffic in the center of the straits? How's the escort situation?

This is the first mission of 'Happy Times', so Summer 1940 and a 1xTC patrol (hence trying to save some time).


PS. Not seeking for detailed info, just what are my chances. Is it worth it to risk it?

[bstanko6]

Going through is not bad but there are things to know.

1) Depth is shallow, so be mindful.

2) You have two airfields to deal with and their coverage converges. Travel on surface at night.

3) Mines are closer to land so stay in the middle.

4) If you attack shipping, I suggest do it submerged, no deck gun. Then clear the area!

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by bstanko6

Going through is not bad but there are things to know.

1) Depth is shallow, so be mindful.

2) You have two airfields to deal with and their coverage converges. Travel on surface at night.

3) Mines are closer to land so stay in the middle.

4) If you attack shipping, I suggest do it submerged, no deck gun. Then clear the area!

Thanks bstanko6,

1) Yeah, I noted that. There seems to be patches of slightly deeper waters in the center.

2) That's my plan. Time my arrival or wait until darkness and go at full/flank speed through.

3) Noted.

4) My primary thinking is to get to grid AL and attack shipping there. I'm not in a hurry. (I have no recollection how to do manual targeting, so.. )

[Ashikaga]

Keep your flak crew on watch at all times there! Tip : Man/unman the flak with the watch officer bar. Not the dialog box. Saves time.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Ashikaga

Keep your flak crew on watch at all times there! Tip : Man/unman the flak with the watch officer bar. Not the dialog box. Saves time.

Thanks for the tip, Ashikaga!

Though, I must say I've never been one to fight it out with planes.* Rather dive and evade.

*Seems a bit unrealistic. While it might not be modeled, more crew on deck *should* take more time to make a dive, so I rather not duke it out with planes.

[bstanko6]

I have to agree with Dowly, I’ve written many threads addressing using the flak gun in attacking planes. You should only attack planes if absolutely necessary. In other words if your boat is damaged and cannot submerge, or if submerging would prove fatal to sinking and you have to stay surfaced then you attack planes.

[bstanko6]

If you must stay surfaced during daytime, then do so with decks awash.

This way you can submerge quicker.

[bstanko6]

Not to extend this thread longer than it needs to be, but also remember the primary importance and advantage of a U-boat… Stealth! We can’t be stealthy while fighting planes in the middle of the ocean. We need to maintain our stealth even in times of transit.

[Dowly]

Yeah, I'm aware of decks awash and all that, and generally how U-boats operated. I'm not new to the series, played SH3/4/5 a bunch years ago. (should've perhaps made that clear in the first post)

I'm just not familiar with all the changes TWoS and the mods incorporated make.

Good to know O & S straits is doable.

I shall keep you posted how it went.

[Ashikaga]

Oh it is not to fight it out with planes really. But sometimes a plane is on you before you know it! So I have them on watch just in case, with setting: fire at will, attack only at close or medium range (depending how far I am from any airfield) and attack only planes that are straight inbound.

That gives me time for the dive commands clearing the bridge and removing myself from the theatre. And if they fire at least the pilots know I am on to them.

I did test the automated aircraft attack script a few times, zigzag et cetera but it is not that good.