That early in the war, I didnt expect to see much of anything, I just hadn't been there before so I wanted an idea of what it was like in regards to making attacks and such.

Depending on the year, certain harbors are definitely death traps.

But then again, it takes a certain amount of skill and finesse to be able to maneuver your boat into a harbor through a screen of at least 6 DDs in waters so shallow that you're lucky to sometimes have more than 5m beneath your keel while at periscope depth.

And then you have to get out again once you light up the harbor.

It may be a death wish to some, but to me, it's fun and challenging. Plus you get more of the "Oh, ****!" factor when you barely manage to get into a harbor, then realize that there's no capital ships, and only a handful of small merchants.

It was the first time i noticed it said sub base so... curiosity got the better of me then there was no turning back. :rotfl:

I haven't really done harbour raids but I can see the attraction.trying to beat all the Uber defences. I say each to his own on this one, I know it's suicidal but one day I might just try it;)

You'd be surprised at just how hard it is.

I've raided harbors in every boat in the game (including IXD/2 and XXI).

I can honestly say that in terms of raiding harbors, the 4 classes are ranked like this (best to worst):

1. VII
2. II
3. IX
4. XXI

Now, let me make this perfectly clear. Neither the IX or the XXI should be the first choice for a harbor raid. The IX handles like a bus on a Formula 1 circuit, and the XXI is just too damned big. Seriously, this thing is so big that it's not even worth it to raid a harbor in anything but calm seas...because you'll constantly slam into the bottom if you go in at periscope depth during even a light storm. Plus, the XXI does not have the life-saving rear torpedo tube that the IX and VII have.

The Type II is hampered by horrid battery life, but it can maneuver incredibly well underwater. Unfortunately, sneaking in and out is a major problem. And at only 6 torps, you have to be VERY precise in your shots. You must also choose between saving 1 torp for defense on your way out (since the minute you start sinking ships, the defenses will be onto you) or fire them all. As for me, I'm currently trying for a 100k ton harbor raid in a Type II. THAT is hard.

If you're looking for the last challenge from SHIII before you head towards SHIV, harbor raiding is it.

yeah, it was fun sneaking past the 5 or so destroyers defending the base, I was surprised I slipped in undetected. But the waves helped conceal my periscope, so that helped too.

I did a raid on Fremantle in Western Australia with my IX/D2 boat. After taking out the Bathurst Corvette that was patroling outside the harbour, I had free run of the place. The destroyers in the harbour were pinging me, and would shoot at the periscope if I left it up too long, but didn't move untill they moved to the bottom of the harbour.

Good fun had by me, but on the way home I got bombed by an aircraft, which wiped out half my crew, and then a destroyer was called in to finish me off!:damn:

At least I did damage to them before going down!!!:arrgh!:

hey, at least it was an honorable death.
For myself, if I make a dumb mistake I reload lol

If you are interested in attacking stationery targets in shallow water with the danger of mines, subnets and patrolling enemy warships, check out this before you set sail and it might just save your sub from destruction, (Or help it get blown up) :D

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=96843

A jammed rudder and you are death ,and with this shallow waters british can jump to the water ,and tie your sub with a chain like a whale ,:rotfl:

the worse is the capture of u-boat technology in hands of allies inteligence. very easy in shallow waters.

My biggest surprise was sailing into a Green Nuetral Port in Norway going to dock and give the crew a little rest. Kristiansand looke like a nice nuetral port. Time Autum 1939 Nice sunny skys Not a war with Norway.
Here comes a Trawler to meet us. Relax we got a escort to the dock's.
to read the rest of story read my topic "Nuetral Ports" :rotfl: :rotfl:
A Long time ago When I got the first Silent Hunter 1 or 2? there was all ways 2 DD's Patroling the harbor. I would move in PD till I had a visual on the parked ships and the DD's on Patrol and turn my stern tube toward target set the torps to run slow speed Fire the Fish and I could be a long way heading out to sea before they hit the targets.:D :D DD's would never knew were they came from and would not try to find my boat.:D
Don't know if that woud work in SH3 but mit be fun to try.:D
Lane :D

It's is Big Red Button-syndrome. You know, always wanna push that BRB when seen - even that beside it reads DON'T PUSH!! :know:

So we have three seperate syndrom in this game:

Der Kanal-syndrom
Stay Out Shallow Water-syndrom
Stay Away Harbors-syndrom

BRB-syndrom we must ignore because we must push button to launch torpedoes, but other 3 syndromes... I'm working with 'em :D

Rash cannon fodder :nope: The Eastern Front needs brave men like that :roll: :roll: .
You don't win wars by dying. :smug:

The corollary to the "stay out of the English Channel rule...."

YOU ARE NOT GUNTHER PRIEN! :up:

Based on my last 11 patrols, I would disagree.