cawimmer430
10-11-09, 06:24 PM
Hey guys,
My operating base Brest is now in Allied hands and I am now operating out of Bergen. The date is late December 1944 / early January 1945. For the most part of my career I've been operating a VIIC submarine and have upgraded her to the max. I like this submarine and I've gotten used to her.
So on my first mission out of my new port, I felt bold for some reason and decided to attack Scapa Flow. I managed to sink a Flower Corvette halfway there and then snuck into the harbor. Scapa Flow in late 1944 seems lightly defended. I creeped towards the port near the coastline and only picked up five warships. Anyway, once inside the harbor it is pitch dark and there's a big fat Fiji Light Cruiser in anchor. I line my submarine up facing its middle at a distance of 2.8 km, fire three torpedoes, have my guys reload the tubes as fast as possible while sneaking towards the inside of the harbor coastline to wait it out. My eels impact and the Fiji Cruiser goes under on its port side. However, she doesn't fully sink but I still get credited with the kill. The destroyers outside the harbor go crazy and as expected, they head towards the coastline to listen. Perfect for me.
I creep out of the harbor and come across a V&W destroyer near the coastline in listening mode. I'm 1.5 km away. I manually set the normal torpedo for a straight run at a depth of 1 m since the destroyer is in extreme shallow water. He goes under.
I repeat this process for the two other warships (another V&W and a J-Class) and score kills.
Then I proceed to creep out and a mixture of fast and slow speeds avoiding two warships that have appeared east of Scapa Flow. Before heading back to Norway I also come into contact with some merchants and two airplanes. It has to be said that the weather was terrible which probably explains the lack of air patrols I encountered throughout the mission.
My results for this mission: a Fiji Light Cruiser (10,000 tons+), a J-Class Destroyer and 2 V&W Destroyers, 1 Flower Corvette, two Liberty cargo ships, 1 coast merchant and 2 Short Sunderlands. Not bad for a 1944/1945 career. :yeah:
So anyway, now I have upgraded to the XXI. My first mission with it was a success. Three warships sunk (including a Dido class which I encountered north of Scapa Flow in rough weather) and 10 merchants. What I like about this submarine is its underwater speed. 17 knots! Damn!
On the other hand, I do miss the deck gun (it comes in useful as I can still pick off armed merchants from a distance) and the FLAK positions are difficult to man since they provide a limited field of view. I really need to rely on my watchman officer for details regarding air attacks. Also, this submarine is HUGE. Also, in some missions that are deep inside enemy territory I always hugged the coastline in shallow waters to make it through - this is impossible with the large XXI. The lack of a stern torpedo is also a frustration at times. Since the availability of Falke and Zaunkoenig torpedoes I always deliberately attracted the attention of a warship and let him chase me from the rear where I would calmly fire away a Falke or Zaunk... torpedo, go silent and watch him get hit and sink 9/10 times. I did encounter more warships with the XXI but the lack of a stern torpedo tube and homing torpedoes made me play it safe.
I know this boat is highly advanced and will give me and my crew more chances at surviving, but I guess what I am saying is: I miss my old VIIC/42. :cry:
Anyone think I should go back to it? I know the VIIC/42 inside and out - what she does well and what she doesn't and I find her to be the ideal boat for me. The deck gun and stern torpedo and the nice setup of the three FLAK cannons makes it an ideal A/C killer.
My operating base Brest is now in Allied hands and I am now operating out of Bergen. The date is late December 1944 / early January 1945. For the most part of my career I've been operating a VIIC submarine and have upgraded her to the max. I like this submarine and I've gotten used to her.
So on my first mission out of my new port, I felt bold for some reason and decided to attack Scapa Flow. I managed to sink a Flower Corvette halfway there and then snuck into the harbor. Scapa Flow in late 1944 seems lightly defended. I creeped towards the port near the coastline and only picked up five warships. Anyway, once inside the harbor it is pitch dark and there's a big fat Fiji Light Cruiser in anchor. I line my submarine up facing its middle at a distance of 2.8 km, fire three torpedoes, have my guys reload the tubes as fast as possible while sneaking towards the inside of the harbor coastline to wait it out. My eels impact and the Fiji Cruiser goes under on its port side. However, she doesn't fully sink but I still get credited with the kill. The destroyers outside the harbor go crazy and as expected, they head towards the coastline to listen. Perfect for me.
I creep out of the harbor and come across a V&W destroyer near the coastline in listening mode. I'm 1.5 km away. I manually set the normal torpedo for a straight run at a depth of 1 m since the destroyer is in extreme shallow water. He goes under.
I repeat this process for the two other warships (another V&W and a J-Class) and score kills.
Then I proceed to creep out and a mixture of fast and slow speeds avoiding two warships that have appeared east of Scapa Flow. Before heading back to Norway I also come into contact with some merchants and two airplanes. It has to be said that the weather was terrible which probably explains the lack of air patrols I encountered throughout the mission.
My results for this mission: a Fiji Light Cruiser (10,000 tons+), a J-Class Destroyer and 2 V&W Destroyers, 1 Flower Corvette, two Liberty cargo ships, 1 coast merchant and 2 Short Sunderlands. Not bad for a 1944/1945 career. :yeah:
So anyway, now I have upgraded to the XXI. My first mission with it was a success. Three warships sunk (including a Dido class which I encountered north of Scapa Flow in rough weather) and 10 merchants. What I like about this submarine is its underwater speed. 17 knots! Damn!
On the other hand, I do miss the deck gun (it comes in useful as I can still pick off armed merchants from a distance) and the FLAK positions are difficult to man since they provide a limited field of view. I really need to rely on my watchman officer for details regarding air attacks. Also, this submarine is HUGE. Also, in some missions that are deep inside enemy territory I always hugged the coastline in shallow waters to make it through - this is impossible with the large XXI. The lack of a stern torpedo is also a frustration at times. Since the availability of Falke and Zaunkoenig torpedoes I always deliberately attracted the attention of a warship and let him chase me from the rear where I would calmly fire away a Falke or Zaunk... torpedo, go silent and watch him get hit and sink 9/10 times. I did encounter more warships with the XXI but the lack of a stern torpedo tube and homing torpedoes made me play it safe.
I know this boat is highly advanced and will give me and my crew more chances at surviving, but I guess what I am saying is: I miss my old VIIC/42. :cry:
Anyone think I should go back to it? I know the VIIC/42 inside and out - what she does well and what she doesn't and I find her to be the ideal boat for me. The deck gun and stern torpedo and the nice setup of the three FLAK cannons makes it an ideal A/C killer.