View Full Version : The english channel
DiscoStu
12-30-06, 06:44 PM
Im in the the first months of 1940 and suddenly they keep assign me patrol zones in the coast of Portugal. To go there i have to cross the english channel, ending in ten destroyer dropping DC all over me. Theres is a way to cross this ASW alley or i have to take a route at north of england? Is a realy long way.....(sorry my english)
Welcome DiscoStu!:up:
Around here we have a saying..:
STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!
This saying is copyrighted by jimbuna Inc. ©. All rights reserved. Abuse of this saying will be punished by a spiked plank in the groin.
Its certain death trying to go through there, atleast in GW 1.1a and GWX!
I always take the long route...:yep:
Cap.Palla
12-30-06, 07:37 PM
totally agree with Seth ...last patrol bdu sent me to patrol BF33. Now i can say it, i never reached that grid,officially because of "periscope damaged" , unofficially because i didnt want to die ...
Around here we have a saying..:
STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!
Haha, took me at least a dozen failed mission to figure that one out.
Iron Budokan
12-30-06, 08:06 PM
Yes, the longest route is more time consuming but you'll live to reach your patrol grid. Trying to get through the English Channel is nothing more than a suicide run, even early in the war. Especially if you play DID.
peterloo
12-30-06, 11:18 PM
Never Go to That Channel
The DD will pick you up and DC falls over your boats and eventually destroy u
Instead, enroute Western Approaches... Although it may take a longer time, it is much saver and your pickings are much better
JScones
12-31-06, 12:10 AM
If it's any consolation, Doenitz gave up the English Channel as a viable route into the Atlantic in early December 1939. Consequently, boats were directed the "long way" around.
Schatten
12-31-06, 12:36 AM
What they said!
Never, ever, go through the English Channel.
Ever.
We mean it.
:D
If it's any consolation, Doenitz gave up the English Channel as a viable route into the Atlantic in early December 1939. Consequently, boats were directed the "long way" around.
Thats true, mate! But there is something that nags my mind: Why did the germans launch "operation Cerberus" (channel dash) when the channel was so heavy mined, and full of bad ships...? Why did they risk their capital ships, just to get faster to the north sea bases? Was Dönitz "smarter" than the other kriegsmarine officers?
JScones
12-31-06, 02:20 AM
If it's any consolation, Doenitz gave up the English Channel as a viable route into the Atlantic in early December 1939. Consequently, boats were directed the "long way" around.
Thats true, mate! But there is something that nags my mind: Why did the germans launch "operation Cerberus" (channel dash) when the channel was so heavy mined, and full of bad ships...? Why did they risk their capital ships, just to get faster to the north sea bases? Was Dönitz "smarter" than the other kriegsmarine officers?
IIRC it was Hitler's decision - the Admiralty preferred the long way. So instantly, any logic goes out the window, LOL!
Seriously though, when considered in toto, it's not as risky as first seemed. The ships were well supported by Destroyers and aircraft, with the likelyhood of enemy ships of the same size being in the Channel, or having the time to intercept, being virtually nil. Such protection could not be afforded if going the long way around. When you consider a) Hitler was convinced of an Allied invasion of Norway, which could potentially have put the ships right in the middle and b) the ships were not at full order, the Channel dash was perhaps the less risky of the two options as it limited the time the ships were exposed.
More crucial to the success was that the Brits expected/hoped/assumed that the Germans would pass through Dover - the most dangerous part - at night, but as we all know the opposite happened. Thus the Brits lost the element of surprise that they'd of had if the ships left Brest at daylight. The Germans obviously knew this.
I think it was a great strategic decision.
If it's any consolation, Doenitz gave up the English Channel as a viable route into the Atlantic in early December 1939. Consequently, boats were directed the "long way" around.
Thats true, mate! But there is something that nags my mind: Why did the germans launch "operation Cerberus" (channel dash) when the channel was so heavy mined, and full of bad ships...? Why did they risk their capital ships, just to get faster to the north sea bases? Was Dönitz "smarter" than the other kriegsmarine officers? IIRC it was Hitler's decision - the Admiralty preferred the long way. So instantly, any logic goes out the window, LOL!
Seriously though, when considered in toto, it's not as risky as first seemed. The ships were well supported by Destroyers and aircraft, with the likelyhood of enemy ships of the same size being in the Channel, or having the time to intercept, being virtually nil. Such protection could not be afforded if going the long way around. When you consider a) Hitler was convinced of an Allied invasion of Norway, which could potentially have put the ships right in the middle and b) the ships were not at full order, the Channel dash was perhaps the less risky of the two options as it limited the time the ships were exposed.
More crucial to the success was that the Brits expected/hoped/assumed that the Germans would pass through Dover - the most dangerous part - at night, but as we all know the opposite happened. Thus the Brits lost the element of surprise that they'd of had if the ships left Brest at daylight. The Germans obviously knew this.
I think it was a great strategic decision.
Reading your explanation, i totally agree with you. This was the best thing Germany could have done under those circumstances.
Thanx for answer, matey!! :up::up:
Jimbuna
12-31-06, 05:40 AM
Welcome DiscoStu!:up:
Around here we have a saying..:
STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!
Its certain death trying to go through there, atleast in GW 1.1a and GWX!
I always take the long route...:yep:
:roll: Knew a shoulda copyrighted that original post. Ah well, least it was Seth this time and not VIICDriver ;) :up:
Oh!....welcome aboard DiscoStu :arrgh!:
andy_311
12-31-06, 08:48 AM
I would say if there brave enough to try it go ahead,if they survive great if not try again,and again sooner or later if they fail to get through they might consider going the senic route.(Yes I have been through the channel and survived twice)
going the long way round has its advantages... like to the east of scapa flow.... alot of traffic goes through there.....
Corsair
12-31-06, 08:55 AM
going the long way round has its advantages... like to the east of scapa flow.... alot of traffic goes through there.....
Not forgetting the main advantage : more chances to stay alive...:D
going the long way round has its advantages... like to the east of scapa flow.... alot of traffic goes through there.....
Not forgetting the main advantage : more chances to stay alive...:D
HA!!! yea that might be a plus point :p
NightCrawler
12-31-06, 09:02 AM
Take a detoure to AN14, than around Ireland to enter the grid...
at slow ahead 7kn on surface and 3 kn under water....
You can make it home, dont worry
VIICDriver
12-31-06, 09:52 AM
:roll: Knew a shoulda copyrighted that original post. Ah well, least it was Seth this time and not VIICDriver ;) :up:
LOL, I let it slide this time, too many of you guys had beaten me to it!
Chuck
Redbear
12-31-06, 10:51 AM
Just to add my agreement with my fellow Kaleuns - I NEVER enter the channel.
LeafsFan
12-31-06, 11:53 AM
Never enter the Channell!!
HB
Sea Wolf
12-31-06, 12:03 PM
I do sometimes, though not often. If you do, stick to the French side and as close to the shore as possible run on the surface as much as possible but then dive if there is the meerest hint of warships.
Welcome DiscoStu!:up:
Around here we have a saying..:
STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!
This saying is copyrighted by jimbuna Inc. ©. All rights reserved. Abuse of this saying will be punished by a spiked plank in the groin.
Its certain death trying to go through there, atleast in GW 1.1a and GWX!
I always take the long route...:yep:
:roll: Knew a shoulda copyrighted that original post. Ah well, least it was Seth this time and not VIICDriver ;) :up::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Jimbuna
12-31-06, 04:04 PM
Welcome DiscoStu!:up:
Around here we have a saying..:
STAY AWAY FROM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!
This saying is copyrighted by jimbuna Inc. ©. All rights reserved. Abuse of this saying will be punished by a spiked plank in the groin.
Its certain death trying to go through there, atleast in GW 1.1a and GWX!
I always take the long route...:yep:
:roll: Knew a shoulda copyrighted that original post. Ah well, least it was Seth this time and not VIICDriver ;) :up::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
All the best matey :rock:
bigboywooly
12-31-06, 04:10 PM
After the French ports are all in German hands you should be able to stay close to the French side
Apart from mines that is
But then the Biscay ports are open so no need to run the channel
Swany6mm
12-31-06, 05:34 PM
Yeah, first mission, running the Channel, I come across two merchants, one Brit, one French, 12+ tons each. Firey explosions are beautiful at dawn. Went flank ahead hoping to get back on corse and get out of the area (total time was around 10 minutes to get both going down messages) before anyone else shows up. Was thinking that if I go flank, get out of town, I might have time to get my fish from the external storage below decks. About 5 minutes into moving it I received the dreaded ship spotted.
Now? After a half day of cat and mouse I am sitting ON the bottom (about 40m deep), diesels are dead, electrics are dead, batteries (both fore and aft) are dead, two crew are hurt. All flooding is stopped so I went all quiet to see what would happen.
5 DD's and about a dozen other little ships are STILL out there pinging for me. They aren't getting close until I try and start repairing again, so I am going to stay all quiet and see if they'll go away. I know with both engines I'm done and there's no point in going on, but I want to see if they'll ever go away.
Only question is, with me on the bottom, and I mean I am ON the bottom (took some damage settling down there when I started flooding) why are they still finding me? Should the sea floor be causing them some havoc? I'm in Sept, '39.
bigboywooly
12-31-06, 05:40 PM
Unfortunately the SH3 engine doesnt work that way
AI sensors work through land and buildings etc
In RL the sea floor SHOULD make it difficult for them but not in SH3
Sounds like you are boned either way :oops:
Sailor Steve
12-31-06, 05:41 PM
Yes, it should be harder for them to find you. Also the effects of depth charges are lessened by reflections from the seabed. Several subs on both sides of the war managed to survive because of that. Unfortunately these things are not modelled in SHIII.
On the other hand, getting killed shouldn't be impossible either.
andy_311
12-31-06, 08:19 PM
Unfortunately the SH3 engine doesnt work that way
AI sensors work through land and buildings etc
In RL the sea floor SHOULD make it difficult for them but not in SH3
Sounds like you are boned either way :oops:
Yep found that out the hard way no of use hit each other though in early war shouldn't there accurracy be way of I wasn't the only one there?
bigboywooly
12-31-06, 10:39 PM
Unfortunately the SH3 engine doesnt work that way
AI sensors work through land and buildings etc
In RL the sea floor SHOULD make it difficult for them but not in SH3
Sounds like you are boned either way :oops:
Yep found that out the hard way no of use hit each other though in early war shouldn't there accurracy be way of I wasn't the only one there?
Eh ?????????
Unfortunately the SH3 engine doesnt work that way
AI sensors work through land and buildings etc
In RL the sea floor SHOULD make it difficult for them but not in SH3
Sounds like you are boned either way :oops:
Yep found that out the hard way no of use hit each other though in early war shouldn't there accurracy be way of I wasn't the only one there?
Eh ?????????
...Looks like some hard new years partying....
I think he means; Yes, i found that out the hard way. Non of us hit each other, though. In early war; shouldnt their accuracy be way off? I wasnt the only one there.
This is what it looks to me..:roll:
I had a patrol in AN73 and didn't feel like sailing all the way around, so I went up thru the channel, and was harrassed big time, but made it thru. After finishing a very successfull (25k ton) patrol I only had 2 fish left so I said, "why not.. let's go back down thru the channel". Sailed right thru in March of 42 at night, on the surface. No one bothered me the entire sail back to Lorient. Maybe I'm just lucky..
Tool.
Jimbuna
01-01-07, 10:33 AM
What's your conning tower emblem ? a black cat and a horseshoe :o
Iron Budokan
01-01-07, 10:43 AM
Maybe I'm just lucky..
Haw! You think?:D
Heheh. Sometimes I get lucky.. other times not so much.
Now I'm hunting in the Strait of Gibraltar, on my way south to my patrol area in EK74. Going to stop off at the islands for a reload on my way there as I'm getting low on fish and out of AA ammo. So far my taly on this trip is about 14k tons and 5 airplanes shot down.
Was lucky and off the Northwest tip of Spain I ran into 3 merchants and a lone escort at night. A well placed torpedo knocked out the prop on the escort so I chased down the merchants and sunk them with my deck gun then returned and used one more torpedo to put the escort to the bottom. But then the weather got nasty and it damn near made me seasick up on the bridge.. so the hunting has slowed down a bit.
I LOVE GWX. :up:
Tool.
bigboywooly
01-01-07, 11:55 AM
Unfortunately the SH3 engine doesnt work that way
AI sensors work through land and buildings etc
In RL the sea floor SHOULD make it difficult for them but not in SH3
Sounds like you are boned either way :oops:
Yep found that out the hard way no of use hit each other though in early war shouldn't there accurracy be way of I wasn't the only one there?
Eh ?????????
...Looks like some hard new years partying....
I think he means; Yes, i found that out the hard way. Non of us hit each other, though. In early war; shouldnt their accuracy be way off? I wasnt the only one there.
This is what it looks to me..:roll:
Ahh a translation to English by a Norwegian :rotfl:
Thanx Seth
I guess all that whiskey my end made it harder to understand :hmm:
Swany6mm
01-01-07, 02:09 PM
How safe is that little channel just south of Scapa Flow? Should I go even further north and go around those little islands (or through) as well? I ran that little channel, and like the English Channel is had a lot of activity. How ever, unlike the English, only one boat harrassed me and it left after to depth runs. A few others showed up to help in the hunt, but they too left right away. Is there much difference between the boats in both places, or did I just get really lucky?
Jimbuna
01-01-07, 03:42 PM
How safe is that little channel just south of Scapa Flow? Should I go even further north and go around those little islands (or through) as well? I ran that little channel, and like the English Channel is had a lot of activity. How ever, unlike the English, only one boat harrassed me and it left after to depth runs. A few others showed up to help in the hunt, but they too left right away. Is there much difference between the boats in both places, or did I just get really lucky?
You should be fine as long as you take it carefully...theres an airbase roundabouts so travel submerged as much as possible :up:
bigboywooly
01-01-07, 03:44 PM
Personally I would go around the top of scapa
There are plenty of patrols between Scapa and mainland Scotland
Jimbuna
01-01-07, 03:52 PM
Personally I would go around the top of scapa
There are plenty of patrols between Scapa and mainland Scotland
Well we're feeling brave today...we just drew with Man Utd lol :up:
bigboywooly
01-01-07, 04:06 PM
Personally I would go around the top of scapa
There are plenty of patrols between Scapa and mainland Scotland
Well we're feeling brave today...we just drew with Man Utd lol :up:
Yeah I see
2 all eh
Well a points a point
Even Leeds managed a winning start to the year :rock:
Unfortunately the SH3 engine doesnt work that way
AI sensors work through land and buildings etc
In RL the sea floor SHOULD make it difficult for them but not in SH3
Sounds like you are boned either way :oops:
Yep found that out the hard way no of use hit each other though in early war shouldn't there accurracy be way of I wasn't the only one there?
Eh ????????? ...Looks like some hard new years partying....
I think he means; Yes, i found that out the hard way. Non of us hit each other, though. In early war; shouldnt their accuracy be way off? I wasnt the only one there.
This is what it looks to me..:roll:
Ahh a translation to English by a Norwegian :rotfl:
Thanx Seth
I guess all that whiskey my end made it harder to understand :hmm::rotfl::rotfl:You were not the only one, mate,believe me...I had a hard time just writing here on the forum last night..:up:
azn_132
01-02-07, 03:10 AM
Man... My next patrol on my other career is at BF32 in the english channel in march of 1941. Which I fought off a DD which was destroyed by help from Ju-88s and a flower which I destroyed if my deckgun. Curently Im in Cherbourg fixing my boat u-666.
There was a time (Happy Times) in GW when I could get through the Channel by hugging the French coast. But now with GWX I tried it once and didn't last five minutes before I was fish food.
azn_132
01-02-07, 05:24 AM
At least I made it back home in Lorient.
johan_d
01-02-07, 10:33 AM
Got thru in feb 1940, now on the way back, same month, just one torpedo left, they are loading it at the moment.
Got stormy weather on the first passage, but sheisse, now the sea is calm.. closing to cherbourgh now..
Fingers crossed.
johan_d
01-02-07, 10:35 AM
Diesel also low, noch mal sheisse.. below 25%
Anyhow, this V11B will make it.. any tips?
AVGWarhawk
01-02-07, 10:42 AM
Diesel also low, noch mal sheisse.. below 25%
Anyhow, this V11B will make it.. any tips?
Go around!
johan_d
01-02-07, 10:50 AM
Nein, not enough fuel.. below at day, above at night.
Unseren Sieg!
AVGWarhawk
01-02-07, 10:51 AM
Good luck to you:up:
johan_d
01-02-07, 11:10 AM
Passing Dunkirk now, just one Elco, didnt saw us, and a trawler..
Luckiest man in the world?
Passing Dunkirk now, just one Elco, didnt saw us, and a trawler..
Luckiest man in the world?
Godspeed, mate...........:dead:
Biggles
01-02-07, 01:06 PM
I think people should remember that the sea is NEVER safe, unless you are in friendly waters. I've been taking off-guard outside Ireland and Scapa many times by very dangerous and nasty destroyers. The channel IS suicide (for most of us) but NEVER leg your guard down, or you're dead meat.
azn_132
01-02-07, 05:48 PM
I think people should remember that the sea is NEVER safe, unless you are in friendly waters. I've been taking off-guard outside Ireland and Scapa many times by very dangerous and nasty destroyers. The channel IS suicide (for most of us) but NEVER leg your guard down, or you're dead meat.
Yeah, the english channel just have to be dangerous, but with help yeah u will make it like when I got attacked by a DD but manage to call for help:
The DD (note the JU-88s I called)
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/PS_gamelover/SH3Img1-1-2007_23.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/PS_gamelover/SH3Img1-1-2007_23-1.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/PS_gamelover/SH3Img1-1-2007_23-2.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/PS_gamelover/SH3Img1-1-2007_23-3.jpg
Those brits wont be getting home for their afternoon tea...:up:
Excellent pics, mate!:yep::up::up:
azn_132
01-02-07, 08:53 PM
Those brits wont be getting home for their afternoon tea...:up:
Excellent pics, mate!:yep::up::up:
Thx Seth but it is takin place in the mornin before they have tea.:)
Jimbuna
01-03-07, 05:57 AM
'Early morning tea' then :lol:
azn_132
01-03-07, 06:00 AM
'Early morning tea' then :lol:
good one Jimbuna:lol: .
'Early morning tea' then :lol: good one Jimbuna:lol: .:yep::rotfl:
Abd_von_Mumit
01-03-07, 07:44 AM
My first post on this forum, so greatings to all of you, captains and wolves. I've started SH3 just a few days ago, after completing SH2, so I'm not overloaded with experience, but on December 1939 I lead my VIIB back home through La Manche and succeeded without any problems. All my way surfaced, fast at night, slow at day, in the middle of the Channel or where the water was the deepest — drang nach Osten. I didn't meet any ship. The weather was stormy, visibility low (so was my fuel, thus I chose the shorter way). That surprised and amazed me because I was prepared for the worst, like crash dives every moment and some bastard depth charges…
PS Realism settings 100%, but no mods, so maybe that was the cause of such easiness.
Mooncatt
01-03-07, 07:53 AM
mmm yea get GWX it wont be easier anymore or so ive heard
Sailor Steve
01-03-07, 12:03 PM
Yes, the stock game makes the English Channel and harbor raiding very easy. Good mods are essential.
Also check out SH3 Commander. It lets you do many things, including having correct u-boat numbers for the correct flotillas and having a huge variety of crew names and experience levels; and a lot more, but I won't go into that here.
vBulletin® v3.8.11, Copyright ©2000-2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.