Fuel or Time?

[Swede]

On my way back to base the other day, i had quite a bit of fuel left. Ive always sailed at around 7knots for fuel economy, but i thought whats the point in going slow when im heading home anyway? i was out of torps and ammo.

This brings to mind the questions: What was actual uboat commanders recomended to do?

A. Head home fast, not so fuel conservative, as this meant less time at sea without fighting capability

B. Head home reasonably slow, meant saving fuel for further patrols

[Keelbuster]

Good Question. I've wondered this for a while. My UBoat commander's book should be in the mail so I'll let you know what they recommend if and when it arrives.

Personally, I blaze home at ahead full if possible; I figure the safety of my boat is worth half a tank of fuel.

Kb

[CptGrayWolf]

I don't think the Germans were so starved for fuel that they had to
'go slow' returning to base just to conserve fuel for the next patrol. But of course this may be a different story in the later years.
This is a good question indeed!

[Ducimus]

definatly a good questin. I have read american sub patrol reports and the ones i have read always write down how much fuel they had when they returned to port.

I would think in wartime, youd try to conserve that resource and not burn it unneccesarily. On the other hand it probaly depended on just how short of fuel your country wase vs how quickly you wanted to get home.

More likely then not im sure there was some offical policy reguarding fuel consumption. It's probably one of those little details you dont read about. Late war it probably wasnt an issue at all, as they spent more time submerged, hence burning less fuel.

[MarshalLaw]

If I have the fuel to spare I usually get back to base ASAP, quicker your back the quicker you are out again. Late in the war (The few times I've made it that far) If the weather is bad I will sprint as long as possible to get back to base, Rare to be on the surface much during that time.

[DeepSix]

I've also wondered about what was done historically. I always race back in for the same reason as MarshalLaw - faster I get in, the sooner I'll be back out with torpedoes.

[CptGrayWolf]

I know in the later years, the Luftwaffe only sent fighters up if absolutely necessary.
Sometimes they had to be grounded because of fuel shortages.

[Ducimus]

I always conserve fuel.

It's one of those, "you never know what may happen" kind of things. Not that it would happen, but say you got diverted for some sort of rescue duty, or to somehow lend assistance to a striken allie at sea?

[Montbrun]

They had to pump out the fuel tanks for refit, because used fuel was replaced with seawater. I'm sure that the extra fuel wasn't wasted, though...

[Keelbuster]

I always conserve fuel.

It's one of those, "you never know what may happen" kind of things. Not that it would happen, but say you got diverted for some sort of rescue duty, or to somehow lend assistance to a striken allie at sea?

Yea - i sometimes wonder if i will need it. Like if you are bombed on your way home and your fuel leaks - sometimes that can seriously cut your range.

Kb

[Heibges]

I always conserve on the way out, and burn it up on the way in.

Hardegan took 23 days to get to America using maximum fuel conservation, but he darted back to port in France a hero in only 10 days!

I like to have enough fuel to run at full speed across the bay on teh surface if I have to.

[Swede]

Well as it was said, there is always that unforeseen events factor. But i would imagine that hurrying home would be what they did. Because lets face it, on your way home, you are not a predator or a war machine, just a floating steeltube and a target.

[tbarak]

I'm almost always running in on fumes, but I'll go as fast as possible.

I think all armies burnt prodigious amounts of fuel without regard for conserving. Just like today. I mean amounts that are hard to imagine. Funny how our gov't in turn tells us to car pool.

[U-Dog]

Since transit times limited the number of boats on patrol at any one time & Doenitz had fewer boats than he wanted and thought he needed I think getting home quickly would be more important than saving fuel.