Starting a patrol from Wilhelmshaven.

[xSmithyx]

Ahoy,

As the topic says, I have just started a patrol from Wilhemshaven and need to drop off an Abwehr agent in Londonderry.

Now this leads to my question: I am trying to play the game as realistically as possible but I am unsure how the WWII commanders traveled to Ireland. Does anyone know they braved the Channel or took the scenic route around England and Scotland?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

[Dogfish40]

Ahoy,

As the topic says, I have just started a patrol from Wilhemshaven and need to drop off an Abwehr agent in Londonderry.

Now this leads to my question: I am trying to play the game as realistically as possible but I am unsure how the WWII commanders traveled to Ireland. Does anyone know they braved the Channel or took the scenic route around England and Scotland?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Ahoy xSmithyx
Historically if your in the 1939 to 40 beginning months of the war, you would likely take the scenic route as the channel would have been very crowded with warships and mines. Both sides of the channel are enemy territory. In the game there are many DD's and if you've loaded up the mods, they will come. Aircraft as well. Shallow water is always a hinderance. It's probably not that much further to just go around the top.
Depending on your route up top, you'll still have to be on guard.
Gute Jagd :up:

[Sailor Steve]

At the start of the war at least, U-boats were absolutely forbidden to use the Channel. This was from High Command, and Doenitz disagree.
Thus all the boats available for the Atlantic have sailed and they cannot be relieved. If the situation continues as at present, or if war breaks out, the boats will begin to dribble back by about the middle of September. Naval War Staff planned to recall the boats before their time and thus get a second wave, but I do not agree with this, as too much time is lost on the long outward and inward-bound passages. These long passages are due to the order to proceed around the Faroes, on which Naval War Staff has insisted contrary to F.O. U/B's intentions.
http://www.uboatarchive.net/BDUKTB30247.htm

As far as I know, except for mid-1944, when they were ordered to try to stop the invasion, u-boats were never allowed to use the Channel.

[xSmithyx]

Thanks for the answers Dogfish and Sailor Steve.

I had a nagging feeling that may have been the case, I saw the options as go past Dover/Portsmouth which are quite deadly or risk going past Scapa Flow.

For me Wilhelmshaven is in an awkward place, as the channel just beckons at you "Come this way, it's quicker" :haha:

Well I am off to deliver that agent to Londonderry, I hope he packed his overnight luggage, going to be a long trip.

[GT182]

Take the Senic route. ;) You can go thru the straight below Scapa Flow, but I suggest you stay to the south of the southern island and close to the northern shore of the UK. Going between the UK and Ireland is ok but be warry of the Brit's escorts. When dropping your Spy off sneak in and out with decks awash or submerged.... you will have 'company' close by. ;)

[Trevally.]

here is my go at that mission
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=188171

:arrgh!:

[thebeasle]

I used to "run the channel" when I was new to SH5. I remember dying a lot. I think you're better headed North.