Scapa Flow: Easier than its meant to be?

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

I started a new campaign recently in 1939 as captain of the U-47. It was getting close to October 14th and I decided to sneak into Scapa. I took the same route that was historically taken by Prien. Aside from the few blockships and patrols inside and outside of the harbor, I met no problems at all. I sunk the Royal Oak and took the same route out, having only one destroyer on me that made two or three passes causing no damage. My question is, is Scapa Flow as hard as GWX intends it to be?

[banryu79]

I started a new campaign recently in 1939 as captain of the U-47. It was getting close to October 14th and I decided to sneak into Scapa. I took the same route that was historically taken by Prien. Aside from the few blockships and patrols inside and outside of the harbor, I met no problems at all. I sunk the Royal Oak and took the same route out, having only one destroyer on me that made two or three passes causing no damage. My question is, is Scapa Flow as hard as GWX intends it to be?
My bet? The available torpedoes in the game are far, far more relaible than the ones Prien had :D
Oh, this and the fact that we are playing a game, I think.

[Jimbuna]

Historically as accurate as possible...Prien got in, sank the BB and got out.

[RConch]

He didn't suffer any problems other than the crappy torps.
Sounds pretty historical to me.
You had good hunting and so did he.

[banryu79]

Well, remember that Prien or maybe his NO had to fight with the strong currents (consider this aspect coupled with the blockships)... the game doesn't model that AFAIK nor the possibilities to be spotted by people on the land near the passages (it looks like Prien run this risk too).
And have I already said to consider the crap crap torpedoes he got to work with? :)
Remember: you are only playing a game after all :)

[Sailor Steve]

Scapa is about right for that one mission at that one time. Shortly after that they blocked that channel completely. Any other naval base was close to impossible. In the game places like Portsmouth and Loch Ewe, and Scapa Flow after 1939, are far too easy.

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

Well, I have duds enabled and the first volley did miss. Only three from the second hit, but I was lucky and hit the engine room and the second gun battery ammunition storage. Could it have to do with conditions? It was dark and a moonless night, around 0134 hours, with a very slight chop on the surface.

As a note to all, the Gulf of Wales in early 1940 is extremely good for large cargo ships with ammo, especially approaching Merthyr and Bristol. There aren't too many air patrols, and Merthyr only had a lone ASW trawler protecting a large cargo, small tanker, and small merchant. Happy hunting!:Kaleun_Periskop::Kaleun_Los:

[maillemaker]

I've only been out and about on a sortie once when the date was right, and when I tried the attack, I got detected and sunk! So it wasn't easy for me! :)

Steve