View Full Version : Sailing through the channel
KaleunBier
08-02-09, 03:36 PM
Hello all! Just started playing awhile ago and I am at the end of '39 and was wondering if anybody could give advice or tips about sailing through the channel out of Wilhelmshaven. My patrol areas are obviously always on the other end and I like to patrol them even though its not needed, but I go ALL the way around and by the time I'm done hunting I'm almost out of fuel so I just teleport back which I want to stop doing. Thanks!
Wait for the night and pass through on surface. When you spot a patrol, adjust your course to avoid it. Only submerge as a last resort because the Channel is mined.
It's better to pass through in good visibility because you have more time to react. You don't want to spot a destroyer coming out of a fog, 500m away. :D
I have three bits of advice. :D
Stay out of the Channel
Keep out of Der Kanal
Entres pas dans La Manche
Hanzberger
08-02-09, 06:10 PM
I was wondering how to do this also. I was thinking of trying to creep thru submerged, silent running but I don't think you would make it thru in time at low speed. :hmmm: In fact I was just about to go to the GWX manuel to see if they have any suggestions. I got killed on my first run last game. (during wartime, Sep 39):cry:
KaleunBier
08-02-09, 07:26 PM
Well I have kind of a cheap idea and that is to sail dangerously close to either shore as long as periscope depth will allow and make a ruckus so that the DDs continue to hear and chase me and see if they follow me to the shore and run aground :arrgh!: I've never done this before and it seems like it'd be very time consuming always making manual course corrections and stuff.
Task Force
08-02-09, 07:50 PM
The english channel should have a sign... saying...
Abandon All Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here
:rotfl:
KaleunBier
08-02-09, 08:09 PM
Lol! Not to change the subject or anything but your name brings me to my next question...do the numerous task forces I see cruising around in GWX have a purpose? I mean historically speaking?
Task Force
08-02-09, 08:19 PM
There is a taskforce... ive chased it... its a trick...
But yes. they simulate the movement of ships.
Brer Rabbit
08-02-09, 11:08 PM
When I ship out of the Fatherland bound for the Atlantic I patrol as much as I can and put int Thalia or the Portuguese refuel ship, later I would stop at the french Ports. This gives me two advantages, one I can make long patrols in each direction. I am able to also add new qualifications to my crew replace and any fired torps.
STAY OUT OF THE CHANNEL
good Hunting
Hanomag
08-02-09, 11:31 PM
Go through the Kanal during the prewar shakedown cruise and make that your last visit!! :yep:
I'm with Brag on this one...avoid it if you can.
the channel is not that deep so beware of crash dives
By the end of 1939 the U-Wafe had given up almost all operations except minelaying in the channel. The combination of shallow water, high volumes of anti-submarine forces and both enemy and friendly mines made it an extremely dangerous place to operate a German submarine.
About your fuel usage, I assume you are in a Type II, but even with that you should be able to operate in the Western approaches for a short period as long as you are careful.
Never cruise at above 7-8kts, only use full speed when overtaking or chasing down targets and only for short periods.
As long as you are careful you shouldn't need to teleport.
Sailor Steve
08-03-09, 11:38 AM
...but I go ALL the way around and by the time I'm done hunting I'm almost out of fuel so I just teleport back which I want to stop doing. Thanks!
Ditto what TarJak said about the Type II, but even in that boat you will never be assigned a grid you can't patrol. Never go faster than 2/3 speed when cruising, and you should have enough fuel to go anywhere you need to in any boat, and have plenty of time left for patrolling.
I haven't had a problem in the Channel yet, except the odd patrol here and there. Is this due to my time frame? Currently December, 1940.
Task Force
08-03-09, 02:11 PM
yea... just wait... that place is mine central...:yep:
mookiemookie
08-03-09, 02:25 PM
Well I have kind of a cheap idea and that is to sail dangerously close to either shore as long as periscope depth will allow and make a ruckus so that the DDs continue to hear and chase me and see if they follow me to the shore and run aground :arrgh!: I've never done this before and it seems like it'd be very time consuming always making manual course corrections and stuff.
The coasts are mined. :dead:
Stay on surface and you probably won't hit a mine. ;)
But you will meet the anti-submarine forces of the Royal Navy.:03:
But you will meet the anti-submarine forces of the Royal Navy.:03:
Well, I've never said it's gonna be a walk in the park. :D
I certainly agree with you, and the others who said to avoid the Channel. But if there's no other choice, it is possible to pass early in the war.
I've done it several times, and each time I was lucky enough to escape unharmed. :arrgh!:
It can certainly be done and I've also successfully tranversed it in 1939. BUT if you make a wrong move you can end up with a dead crew so it depends on whether you need to take the risk or not. In this case it looks more like someone who is in a hurry to get to their patrol grid rather than someone in dire need of the channel to get home after being damaged or some such.
The advice on using 2/3 speed rather than higher speeds will allow him to get where he needs to go via the historical method. If historical accuracy is not the goal then by all means use the channel.
maxextz
08-04-09, 07:28 AM
i got stuck in the middle of the channel with 4 dds and 1 waiting in the wings those boys never gave up criss crossing over me for over 2 hours solid:timeout: it was great trying to get away and i did manage it in the end then about 10 miles or so i surfaced and was attacked by one of those pesky coastal boats that shot me full of holes :nope: we could have been heros but instead we were fish food.:dead:
max..........:salute:
Sorry to hear that. :dead:
How far were they when they have spotted you? You should be almost invisible during the night...
mookiemookie
08-04-09, 08:09 AM
i got stuck in the middle of the channel with 4 dds and 1 waiting in the wings those boys never gave up criss crossing over me for over 2 hours solid:timeout: it was great trying to get away and i did manage it in the end then about 10 miles or so i surfaced and was attacked by one of those pesky coastal boats that shot me full of holes :nope: we could have been heros but instead we were fish food.:dead:
max..........:salute:
Well if you're running SH3 Commander and were surfaced when you were destroyed, you can change your status to "Surrendered." Small consolation...at least you know you and your boys weren't fish food. Enjoy your stay at the POW camp. :yeah:
Jimbuna
08-04-09, 10:39 AM
i got stuck in the middle of the channel with 4 dds and 1 waiting in the wings those boys never gave up criss crossing over me for over 2 hours solid:timeout: it was great trying to get away and i did manage it in the end then about 10 miles or so i surfaced and was attacked by one of those pesky coastal boats that shot me full of holes :nope: we could have been heros but instead we were fish food.:dead:
max..........:salute:
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif
Well if you're running SH3 Commander and were surfaced when you were destroyed, you can change your status to "Surrendered." Small consolation...at least you know you and your boys weren't fish food. Enjoy your stay at the POW camp. :yeah:
Off topic:
I did not know that: you can change your status to "Surrendered," ... which key is that? Or how do you do that?
I have "malfunctions and sabotage", "realistic career length", "crew transfer" etc. etc. options activated, but did not see something to surrender?
Sailor Steve
08-04-09, 11:42 AM
You can only do it with SH3 Commander. After you die it will offer you the opportunity to change the status.
maxextz
08-04-09, 12:20 PM
Well if you're running SH3 Commander and were surfaced when you were destroyed, you can change your status to "Surrendered." Small consolation...at least you know you and your boys weren't fish food. Enjoy your stay at the POW camp. :yeah:
well the boat was full of holes so used the suicide mod shot all my men then shot myself:88) ahem in the big toe and survived the war and became an anti-hero of sorts.;)
dont know about you guys but i cant see anything at night,just last night i was following a ship on the hydrophone that wasn't moving it was a badly damaged black swan and i nearly ran into it but for checking the scope and seeing flames.
max........:yep:
I was just coming here to ask about this. I discovered that the Chanel was mined last night. Luckily, I made it out.
I've sunk far more Warships than Merchant ships, and have received the Iron Cross (2nd), Iron Cross (1st) And Knights Cross with Oak Leaf and Crossed Swords.
Just wish I could get me some more merchants. Or an CVG.
geosub1978
08-05-09, 11:29 AM
Before I swift to a french base and when the french coast is german occupied , I always travel very close to french coast (1-2km) and I break to the Atlantic. I have never struck a mine or be attacked by aircraft or DD or run aground day or night. It is possible.
Leandros
08-07-09, 03:21 AM
I feel maybe the problems in traversing the Channel are a little blown up here. Another question is if it is worth it. For one, instructions for the U-boats very quickly were issued not to use the Channel. Secondly, you probably find as many targets going around the UK. As long as no points are given for actually showing up in the assigned area.....
If you want to be realistic - to actually operate in the assigned area (as in R/L) - the realistic thing would also be not to use the Channel. However, to do it mainly involves using a little more than usual caution. Approach the entrance in the dark, make frequent submerged stops to detect and map enemy ASW vessels' routes. When that is done proceed on surface in the dark. Repeat procedure.
gordonmull
08-07-09, 03:28 PM
Just don't. That's my advice.
In any case you spend more real time in underpant staining evasion travelling through der canal than you do simply sailing round Britain picking off targets as you go.
As pointed out before - only use in an emergency.
If you really must, just for the experience, then I'd recommend submerging close to the french coast near the straights of dover and then proceeding through at night and on the surface as fast as possible. Try to clear it before daybreak. Obviously if there are enemy in visual range you will have to lower your speed and at worst submerge.
Wintahs
08-08-09, 12:03 PM
It's not impossible. After June 1940, just stay within 10km from the French coast and you'l be fine.
Snestorm
09-28-09, 03:35 PM
After following the real exploits of U48, and noticing that they went through, in early war, I decided to give it a shot.
Winter of 39/40 was worth it, considering the location of my grid (VIIB).
I think an important step is to be at the narrowest points before diving.
Warning: Although your boat will save a lot of time, you as the simmer will spend much more time getting to your grid.
It can be done mid war but don't take Jimbuna's advice of:
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!
It does not work
There's a time and place for everything Jim
Be silent, and when you need to, run away and fight another day!:DL
Jimbuna
09-29-09, 07:15 AM
It can be done mid war but don't take Jimbuna's advice of:
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!
It does not work
There's a time and place for everything Jim
Be silent, and when you need to, run away and fight another day!:DL
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!
http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/bubblegum2.gif
HEMISENT
09-29-09, 07:40 AM
Recently, in a WAW patrol using GWX 3.0, I returned through the channel, it was in a VIIB, late 1940 I think, just before the transition to the French coast bases. I was lucky enough to have really crummy weather so I began the journey at night on the surface. Kept the speed up and mainly hugged the French coast. Dived before first light and stating down all day then surfacing after dark. When a ship was heard I went to SR until the danger passed. The trip only really became dicey around the narrows in the Dunkirk area. We did that stretch surfaced with decks awash in the rain if I remember correctly.
I survived with only a few close calls but I wouldn't do it again as I think it was just plain luck that I made it.
flakmonkey
09-29-09, 09:56 AM
Im a complete coward when it comes to the channel, i only attempt it in 39 and early 1940.
I usually run on silent speed at 15m through the narrow bits (dover>calais etc) and stick more or less centre channel, maybe a few km closer to the french coast.
As soon as its dark and i get a bit more room i surface and run at flank speed, if i spot anything i dive straight away (even a seagul tends to make me jump!). + i dive briefly every 1-2 hours the listen for contacts.
As soon as im passed the channel islands (jersey/gurnsey/aldernay) i usually feel a little safer and run surfaced until im out of the channel.
Jimbuna
09-29-09, 02:48 PM
KEEP OUT OF THE ENGLISH CHANNEL!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif
cawimmer430
10-05-09, 04:39 PM
In my career right now it is mid-1943 and I've saved my Falke torpedoes for missions like this. My base in Brest but for some moronic reason I was ordered to patrol a grid northwest of Norway (can't they assign some U-Boat from Bergen/Kristiansand/Narvik etc. to do that!?).
Anyway, while in the channel I was discovered by a V&W Class Destroyer. No problem, I head straight for him at about 4 km distance, fire off my deck gun to provoke him, then I go to periscope depth. He's basically zig-zagging in front of me. At 1.4 km I fire off a Falke torpedo, go silent and veer hard right. These Falke torpedoes hit almost everytime and this destroyer was history. Direct hit in the bow, he sank within minutes. All of a sudden my sonar man picks up four more warships heading my way. I was able to see them through the periscope after a few minutes. A V&W Destroyer, two Armed Trawlers and an Elco Torpedo boat. Depth below keel was about 30 meters so I figured I'd fire off three Falke torpedoes in their direction. And it worked. The big ships were sunk. Then I surfaced and attacked the Elco torpedo boat with my deck gun.
Well, then I managed to reach my patrol grid only to be heavily damaged by some Liberty ship merchant! :damn:
I had to stop at Bergen for repairs.
I don't like the channel at all.
The water is too shallow to get away easily so I will waste a lot of eels on small fry because it's trying to kill me.
Not having any torpedos left for proper targets in my designated patrol era sort of defeats the point of the missions; I might as well raid a port, ignore my patrol area and call it a day.
The constant airplane attacks don't exactly make it any more pleasant.
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