View Full Version : Uboats in the Suez Canal - late 1942
Akula4745
10-21-09, 11:17 PM
After being told the Suez Canal was controlled by the British in late 1942... I just had to try and sneak through. I refueled at Messina and then entered the canal at port Said around 16:40 and arrived at the Red Sea 3 days later. Picked up multiple radar warnings by Port Said - but the canal itself was thankfully empty all the way down to As Suways and the Gulf of Suez.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez1.jpg
I ran wide open - 17 knots - all the way down to the Gulf of Suez. Making the transit at night proved a smart choice as I did not have to worry about finding any undiscovered shore emplacements. The Great Bitter lake passed without any sightseeing at all.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez2.jpg
When I came out into the Gulf of Suez by As Suways I picked up several merchants docked at the port... but decided not to make a ruckus... and it was a good thing too because the north end of the Gulf of Suez turned out to be thoroughly patrolled by Elco torpedo boats and armed trawlers. Transit time for the canal itself was just under 8 hours at 17 knots.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez3.jpg
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez4.jpg
The canal itself and the Gulf of Suez were mostly empty... with the exception of several troublesome fishing boats and armed trawlers as I got closer to the Red Sea. But then once in the Red Sea there was nothing but open water to the Gulf of Aden.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez5.jpg
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez6.jpg
I left St. Nazaire in the wee hours of October 7 1942... and arrived in Penang on November 15, 1942 - with only 4% fuel remaining. Running wide open as often as possible to transit the canal ate up a lot of fuel. I am not sure I would want to make it a regular route... methinks luck and good karma played a large hand in my completing the transit safely. But anyway... there ya go - it can be done.
Your turn, Ivank! :smug:
etheberge
10-22-09, 12:10 AM
Nice report, it seems like an exciting trip.
But I'm a bit disappointed that "someone" isn't using my German map labels mod :D.
But I'm a bit disappointed that "someone" isn't using my German map labels mod :D.
Then you should have said - 'Ich bin ein bisschen enttäuscht', I suppose :D
I play German language version by myself for better immercion. Btw, where can I find this mod?
Torplexed
10-22-09, 12:43 AM
Congrats Akula! Now if you can transverse the Panama Canal on your way back to the Vaterland, you get the coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates. :salute:
renthewog
10-22-09, 01:40 AM
But I'm a bit disappointed that "someone" isn't using my German map labels mod :D.
Im interested in your german map labels mod :D where can i download it from mate? cheers
Admiral Von Gerlach
10-22-09, 02:50 AM
Ich würde es auch mögen. Bitte. Danke.
Akula4745
10-22-09, 06:12 AM
Nice report, it seems like an exciting trip. But I'm a bit disappointed that "someone" isn't using my German map labels mod :D.
My dear friend, Big E... I made the Suez Canal trip using my OM "testbed" installation and not my "regular" OM install. Your German map labels mod is a core ingredient of my primary OM install and to be honest... I have no idea how I survived so long without it. It is only through my own laziness and neglect I have failed to add the delightful German map labels mod to my testbed iteration. I can only beg your humble forgiveness for being so inept and unthoughtful... :oops:
Then you should have said - 'Ich bin ein bisschen enttäuscht', I suppose :D I play German language version by myself for better immercion. Btw, where can I find this mod?
Big E's fantastic German Map label mod can be found here... and might I say it is truly the cat's meow when it comes to adding a deeper sense of immersion to the game:
Download:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=1372
etheberge's release post:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=156896
Congrats Akula! Now if you can transverse the Panama Canal on your way back to the Vaterland, you get the coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates. :salute:
WoO-HOo! Once I have the coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates in my possession... all the frauleins will swoon with sensual delight whenever I walk into the room... oh boy, Panama Canal here I come!!
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/beerbabes.jpg
Torplexed
10-22-09, 07:24 AM
WoO-HOo! Once I have the coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates in my possession... all the frauleins will swoon with sensual delight whenever I walk into the room... oh boy, Panama Canal here I come!!
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/beerbabes.jpg
Wow! :o looks like soon you'll be exploring...um..uhh...your way into five new...uh..umm...varieties of beer! Yeah, that's it. Beer. Don't forget to post the maps for these. :D
Congrats Akula! Now if you can transverse the Panama Canal on your way back to the Vaterland
It would be the first trip around the world in Silent Hunter :arrgh!:
It would be the first trip around the world in Silent Hunter :arrgh!:
No I have done it with one of my ocean liners... it is very boring, not having guns.
Akula4745
10-22-09, 03:22 PM
No I have done it with one of my ocean liners... it is very boring, not having guns.
LOL Yeah... but did you go thru the Panama Canal? :hmmm:
Wijbrandus
10-22-09, 05:47 PM
Akula,
How shallow was the canal? Was it even possible to submerge if you'd come under shore battery fire?
I'm a daring sub captain, but that seems beyond my acceptable risk. I salute your intestinal fortitude!
:salute:
Akula4745
10-22-09, 06:31 PM
Akula,
How shallow was the canal? Was it even possible to submerge if you'd come under shore battery fire?
I'm a daring sub captain, but that seems beyond my acceptable risk. I salute your intestinal fortitude! :salute:
You are far too kind, good sir... whats the old saying? "Only fools rush in where angels fear to tread" (? - anyway something like that). The canal itself was seriously shallow and I doubt I could have submerged completely even in the deepest of spots. In places I would have sworn I was kicking up mud because of the way the boat reacted... I tried to check the depth with the external camera a time or two when I felt like I was dragging bottom... but it was such a dark night I could not see my hand in front of my face underwater - which thankfully also created great cover for me.
However once you got into the Gulf of Suez there was 30 +/- feet of water to hide in. Quite truthfully if it had not been for perfect timing as far as darkness and good choices on my part... I definitely would have been toast a couple of times with the Elco boats and armed trawlers which were patrolling the north end of the Gulf of Suez - by the south exit of the canal. I obviously had good luck... one of the Elco boats was patrolling back and forth E to W slowly working his way south (ESE > WSW > ESE > etc) and good fortune smiled on me as I found myself in a perfect spot to slip past him as he started working his way back up the Gulf... and a light fog in the southern end of the Red Sea didn't hurt my feelings either.
I had several distant warship warnings in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden... but never made visual contact with anything but the Elco boats and armed trawlers just below the south end of the canal.
no around it,
Well I guess if we can go through the Suez Canal... it would only seem logical the same is true of the Panama Canal too.
Hartmann
10-25-09, 02:05 PM
Suez is possible, but panama.. :hmmm: :haha:
http://www.panamacruise.com.pa/images/page_upload/24/Panama_canal_crosssections.jpg
Barrett
10-25-09, 03:44 PM
Panama is possible as well ;) it's all fine sea-leveled water no locks or something like that just a river trough panama
trynnallen
11-11-09, 03:52 PM
Impressive. Once you are through the Pananma Canal you can work your way down to Martinque and sink the French squadron there, and then down to Brazil and bag a pair of Brazilian BBs.
Bubblehead1980
11-11-09, 05:47 PM
very nice, sounds like luck was on your side for this trip.Is there a mod for the Panama Canal or is it already in OM? I havent played OM in a while.
psykopatsak
11-15-09, 03:46 PM
you have to wait for a ship to pass through the panama canal, and then stay under it all the time. so it cannot be a big ship. :D
Akula4745
11-16-09, 01:29 AM
The Panama Canal turned out to nothing like the Suez... easy in, easy out. I had to shed my trusty VIIC for a type IX... the fuel mileage you know.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/canal01.jpg
Entered Colon at 0015 on 19 July 1942 at the north entrance to the canal. 5-6 merchants docked with no active patrols and a few fishing boats working the harbor. Out of sheer boredom I put 4 torpedoes into a Liberty Cargo (3 hits + 1 dud)... but never got credit so she might still be floating at the dock.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/canal02.jpg
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/canal03.jpg
The interior was devoid of any signs of life or the enemy... of course it was pretty early in the morning and they were probably all drunk...
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/canal04.jpg
Balboa was a ghost port... with zero ships docked or anchored and not even a single fishing boat to be found anywhere. Exited Balboa harbor at 0505 with a total transit time for the Panama Canal of just under 5 hours.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/canal05.jpg
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/canal06.jpg
Ah the freedom of the open sea... now where is that coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates... and all the frauleins?
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/beerbabes.jpg
Torplexed
11-16-09, 02:18 AM
Ah the freedom of the open sea... now where is that coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates... and all the frauleins?
Congratulations on yer magnificent feat of navigation Akula. :salute: The Iron Cross is yours. However, as to the frauleins, as a proud U-Boat captain you do realize that part of your job is having ever more difficult obstacles to overcome...
http://pyxis.homestead.com/ErirCanal.jpg
Akula4745
11-16-09, 06:38 PM
Congratulations on yer magnificent feat of navigation Akula. :salute: The Iron Cross is yours. However, as to the frauleins, as a proud U-Boat captain you do realize that part of your job is having ever more difficult obstacles to overcome...
http://pyxis.homestead.com/ErirCanal.jpg
What?! The Erie Canal? How come I didn't hear about this before now...
Are you just using the ol' carrot on a stick ploy with me, Torp? Was it all just a fleeting illusion of fanciful delectation to keep me circling the globe? Have I been mislead by the whispered tales of wealth beyond mortal imagination and women of incredible beauty lavishing me with untold sensual delights? Am I just a pawn in your evil plans for world domination?
Oh woe is me... I may have to figure out a way to acquire an American submarine for the Erie. :hmmm:
VonHesse
11-17-09, 02:33 AM
What mod gives you the Panama and Suez canals? Tried this with stock the other night. no canals. :hmmm:
Edit: sorry, wasn't paying enough attention when I posted that. Operation Monsun, obviously.
Sgtmonkeynads
11-17-09, 03:29 AM
So, I take it that you had no problem entering enemy ports? Did you have access to all your periscopes and bridge while doing so?
It has been my luck that when in an enemy port [SOME], and a ship is picked up, when I go to look at it, with UZO, Periscope,
or just go to the bridge if I am inside the sub, I CTD.
I first noticed it at Scapa Flow, But Gibraltar is Ok and can be raided.
The other one I have problems with is the port on the South west side of england. The destination point of most of the convoys,
I thought I'd check it out. But once I get in fish range ( steam torps) and switch views, BAM, Desktop and message is given.
Just wondering is all, i think it may be a good thing, keeps me from picking on stationary ships in port.
But if I manual target, everything is fine, I just can't use any external cameras, Uzo, Attack scope, Obs Scope? I just frustrated is all.
lurker_hlb3
11-17-09, 08:53 AM
It has been my luck that when in an enemy port [SOME], and a ship is picked up, when I go to look at it, with UZO, Periscope,
or just go to the bridge if I am inside the sub, I CTD.
.
I always consider CTD a "serious" issue, however I didn't design OM for users to conduct "harbor raids".
Just for my info I would like to know "by name" the harbors you raided so I can investigate these CTD issues
trynnallen
11-25-09, 01:57 PM
So have you managed to meander your way up to see if Niagara Falls in the correct spot?
Akula4745
11-27-09, 06:16 PM
So have you managed to meander your way up to see if Niagara Falls in the correct spot?
LOL - no sir... the Erie Canal does not exist in SHIV. :smug:
After being told the Suez Canal was controlled by the British in late 1942... I just had to try and sneak through. I refueled at Messina and then entered the canal at port Said around 16:40 and arrived at the Red Sea 3 days later. Picked up multiple radar warnings by Port Said - but the canal itself was thankfully empty all the way down to As Suways and the Gulf of Suez.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez1.jpg
I ran wide open - 17 knots - all the way down to the Gulf of Suez. Making the transit at night proved a smart choice as I did not have to worry about finding any undiscovered shore emplacements. The Great Bitter lake passed without any sightseeing at all.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez2.jpg
When I came out into the Gulf of Suez by As Suways I picked up several merchants docked at the port... but decided not to make a ruckus... and it was a good thing too because the north end of the Gulf of Suez turned out to be thoroughly patrolled by Elco torpedo boats and armed trawlers. Transit time for the canal itself was just under 8 hours at 17 knots.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez3.jpg
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez4.jpg
The canal itself and the Gulf of Suez were mostly empty... with the exception of several troublesome fishing boats and armed trawlers as I got closer to the Red Sea. But then once in the Red Sea there was nothing but open water to the Gulf of Aden.
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez5.jpg
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/suez6.jpg
I left St. Nazaire in the wee hours of October 7 1942... and arrived in Penang on November 15, 1942 - with only 4% fuel remaining. Running wide open as often as possible to transit the canal ate up a lot of fuel. I am not sure I would want to make it a regular route... methinks luck and good karma played a large hand in my completing the transit safely. But anyway... there ya go - it can be done.
Your turn, Ivank! :smug:
I try late may 1943,and u have right the canal was almost empty some Anson planes come from the land,but before the small lake there was the first real problem, I saw some bunker and pick up RWR beyond and the depth was not more and 6 m under the keel,so I stop the engine and slowly go to PD in silent rig,set speed to 2 knots and the sonar guy and me too heard 4 DD on the left side from the bunker,after that we slowly get away from this part of canal and also the DD so we go up and start the mission first was it calm and no wind after that it be heavy rain and fog 14m/s so in the last end of the canal 3 DD come are way so we where lucky to have the wheather on our side ,in red sea was a lot of MTM i count 15 and no vessel at all in the end before Gulf Von Aden hit a Tanker,but the Post said was also lot of DD ,but I manage to go the Suez. (IXC)
Akula4745
11-28-09, 03:11 PM
I try late may 1943,and u have right the canal was almost empty some Anson planes come from the land,but before the small lake there was the first real problem, I saw some bunker and pick up RWR beyond and the depth was not more and 6 m under the keel,so I stop the engine and slowly go to PD in silent rig,set speed to 2 knots and the sonar guy and me too heard 4 DD on the left side from the bunker,after that we slowly get away from this part of canal and also the DD so we go up and start the mission first was it calm and no wind after that it be heavy rain and fog 14m/s so in the last end of the canal 3 DD come are way so we where lucky to have the wheather on our side ,in red sea was a lot of MTM i count 15 and no vessel at all in the end before Gulf Von Aden hit a Tanker,but the Post said was also lot of DD ,but I manage to go the Suez. (IXC)
Congratulations, Vendor... but according to Torplexed we still don't get the frauleins. :damn:
Congratulations, Vendor... but according to Torplexed we still don't get the frauleins. :damn:
I think he is truly wrong.....:)
Akula4745
11-29-09, 01:21 PM
I dunno... my wife seems to agree with him.
But at least I still have the much coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates...
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/ironcross.jpg
I dunno... my wife seems to agree with him.
But at least I still have the much coveted Iron Cross with crossed sluice gates...
http://www.jimdeadman.com/images/ironcross.jpg
So take your wife over the doorstep and say "honey I got the Iron" and after that she understand the distinguished u are....keep the good work up..:)
trynnallen
11-30-09, 10:43 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by trynnallen http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/smartdark/viewpost.gif (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=1209003#post1209003)
So have you managed to meander your way up to see if Niagara Falls in the correct spot?
LOL - no sir... the Erie Canal does not exist in SHIV. :smug:
I realize that the Erie doesn't exist. But the gulf of St. Lawarence does. Sail to the western edge of Lake Onterio and see if you fall off.
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