You forgot incompetence jim,my own I hasten to add:doh:like me trolling along on the surface with the scope left up:nope:or not changing eel firing mechanism and wondering why my stern shot at a chasing DD sailed the length of the devil without going off:rotfl:I can laugh now,cause I managed to get away but at the time my language was alot more......colourful:o;):up:

Rgr that mate :lol: :up:

I would add two more:

4. Allied airpower.

5: The incompetance of the German Naval High Command to provide a suitable replacement for the Type VII until long after it became clear it was obsolete. When the Type XXI did eventually emerge it was so riddled with bugs and shoddy workmanship it was virtually useless. How many crews died in the type VII anachronisms because the Nazis hadn't 'budgeted' for a long war? Doenitz must take the blame for the wanton sacrifice of of his mens' lives by failing to ensure that they had the 'right tools for the job'.

Jimbuna, I agree in real life. But in the game, enemy surface radar is pretty useless. I'm MUCH more worried about the improved sonar. And actually, after thinking it over, I suspect that was perhaps the case in real life too. AIR radar is a huge pain, because it lets the allies patrol huge swaths, but surface radar is easily detected and evaded. Its when the home in on you with that nearly-infaliable sonar that you're really pooched! :o Allied air power was significant, but it was still destroyers using sonar that killed most u-boats in real life (and in SH3 I'd wager).

The 2 at the top of the list is Allied Radar & Air Power!:yep: I rarely use radar, this only seems to make matters worse, however I have picked up some merchants with it, the best tool is the radar detection unit, I'd be stuffed without that!:doh::yep:

It's not the # of actual kills made by aircraft that is truly significant. An aircraft would force the u-boat to dive and lose it's tactical mobilityy, allowing surface warships to be directed to the scene to complete the kill.

You have a chance of escaping aircraft alone, or escorts alone. But if the two 'arms' are working together, that's quite another story!

In mention radar I meant both air and surface.

The game doesn't make vast/similar improvements in the ability of the sonar late war.

In fact, if your using SH3 Commander, the sonar threat is often negated randomly via the pseudo thermal layer effect.

Early 44 now, air patrols are thick & radar detector seems to be a lot poorer, they are in visual range before I can clear the surface!:oops: Did manage to sink a medium tanker though, certainly had to work for it.:yep: Seems to be a fault when using TC underwater the aircraft don't show on the map:-?, even though scope is up, however you can hear them and receive their bombs ok!!:doh:

Did u try running decks awash even with the type IXB or C i was submerged before they could herass me ?

I am sorry to say, but when you get to late 1944 you will dream of the good times back in '43.

I have only completed one full war career and I would not do it again. From 1944-45 the game really aint that fun any more. :nope:

One suggestion is to always cruise at 7 meters. It gives you a few extra seconds to dive to avoid the bombs.

My sympathies are with you.

True, but in real life they only ran with decks awash while on the attack, and almost always on electric motors. Nobody cruised the Atlantic in that condition, as fuel consumption would be seriously affected.

With historic realitities u got a point but the range reduced by about 20% doesnt handicap me personally. Running that way one third 5-6 knts i still have a range of ~20k km in a IX/C. Outflanking/closing in of a target is the major disadvantage for me at times when an average convoy runs 8+ knts.

plus these with the wellington and B17 and you got ultimate overkill with your sub's expense.


If it would be any other plane, I would give it a try, but these two.

The only, and last words, would be "OH SHI-" or "MOTHERF-" or "BERNAA-"

Yes I use this method sometimes, but when I have a long patrol distance the fuel consumption is a lot heavier, so generally, no!:-?
Most annoying that running at snorkel depth with scope up on TC doesn't show the aircraft untill your receiving damage!:doh::cry: it's really only good for night.:yep: Once you get far enough out to sea the air patrols thin out, unfortunately so does the traffic!:roll:

:shifty: update on the new york raid:

Im toast. Managed to empty all forward tubes on the convoy but before any of them came close to its targets the dds got me :stare: . Why the dds were so unfair to deny me a last favor and let me check if my calculations were correct or not ? :damn:

Very unsportsman like of them :lol:

Downright rude old chap.:yep:

Precisely old chap...one lump or two ?

Lumps? I say:

One for the Tommies;
Two for the Yanks;
Three for the Commies;
And BdU's thanks!

Run during some hours with electric engines and deploy the snorkel carefully for some time at low TC.

better during the day because you can see the planes incoming through periscope