What will be the date of next patrol?

[Paloondra]

I have noticed that the start date of the next patrol often differs from the date shown in base. Now becouse of what I experienced today I want to know if anything can be done about it.
So SHIII + GWX 1.03
I finish a patrol, the date in base says it's end of January 1942.
I waste time changing machine guns on my boat until it's February. Radar upgrade becomes available. Nice. I keep swaping those guns until it's March 1. Now I can install Bold1. It's time to test these things:)
I start the mission on March 2 (in base) and it's March 2 (in the mission).
Just as I have delt with some pesky Town class destroyer I receive the message.
It says operation Sportpalast is about to begin in March 8 on 1200. Now I decide that I would like to see Tripitz in action.
So I quit the mission and backup my save-game file (I do that alot with SHIII).
Then I load the save-game "In base before mission", enable unlimited fuel and start the mission again.
Now when I'm about to go on flank to meet Tripitz I notice that the date is February 9 :(
Why did that happen? And why my u-boat is equipped with Bold1, an upgrade that should become available in March?
Is this problem of Silent Hunter or a "bonus" that comes with GWX? Is it posible to start the patrol on the time when I want. So I will get the chance to take part in one of those GWX scripted operations?

[irish1958]

Welcome aboard mate
I can't answer all your questions; however if you want to control the date at the onset of your patrol, use SH3CMDR and it will start you on the first of the chosen month for you new patrol.

[Sailor Steve]

Rule #1: never buy stuff or upgrade after a patrol. Wait until you have reloaded, and buy stuff and upgrade before the next mission.

[JScones]

Known SH3 problem.:yep:

Here's an explanation from Rubini from way back in late 2005 (saves me essentially typing the same thing myself)...

- For example let's "use" the stock game settings for days in base (28 days). Then if you made a upgrade that spent 3 days or even, let's say, 12 days when you start the new patrol you will only see 28 days spent. Sh3 don't add the days spent with the upgrades on the final number when the days spent with upgrades is less than the days in base setting.
But if you spent for example 40 days in upgrades (a new uboat and some other things) then when you start the new patrol you will see a addition of only 40 days and not 40+28 days.
- the worst moment is with the last alternative. If you spent more days in upgrades than your days in base settings then when you reload the "before patrol" saved you will return in time and your "new patrol" will only show /add the days in base settings, not the real days that you spent with upgrades!This way you will return to past!
For example: days in base=28. Last patrol finish in oct 10, 1940. you make a lot of upgrades. Changes the uboat. You spent 36 days. Then your new date will be oct 2 + 36 days=nov 7, 1940. Then later you load this "before patrol" saved. In the career page you see nov 7, 1940, ok. But when you start the patrol, in game you will see oct 2 + 28= oct 30, 1940! You are a time traveler!
Reverting to previous save points is notorious for upsetting SH3 date continuity. So...

1. Follow SS's advice.
2. If you revert to a previous save point, don't be surprised if the dates are wrong.