U-boat control needed for SHV
 

OK, so here I am two-thirds of the way through Clay Blair's Hitler's Uboat War second volume. Having acquired it in hardback because I so liked the first volume. Anyway I thought I was well versed having read Iron Coffins and a handful of other WW2 u-boat books, but I have never felt so informed until Blair.

Anyway the two biggest things I know I will walk away with is an appreciation for just how perilous it became just to sail out of port in a u-boat by the end of 1943 and an understanding of just how much u-boat control was a functioning piece of that peril. From orders that forced captains to use unwise tactics and disclose their position FAR to often. Being dashed here and there on goose chases that WERE goose chases just because it told the allies where the u-boats were and their destinations. They would have been better off just roaming around. Which brings me to my point.

What is really needed is a way to simulate that experience using of course the radio. I can just imagine being ordered to run at best speed to a location I know would be dry under heavy ASW patrols, but being orders just having to do it. Having to fight it out on the surface against air attacks at the appropriate time period. How about being ordered to GIVE another u-boat fuel and parts let alone receive the same assistance when required. If we want to simulate being a u-boat captain then we need the same leash they had to deal with.

So this leads to the inevitable question is this even feasible given the "modability" of SHV?

I mean orders saying go at best speed yes. enforcing this i don't know.

I doubt fuel can be modded so easy

I am also reading Blair vol.2, early 44 now. His two books on the U-Boat war are fascinating. It also makes you wonder why anyone would want to play as a U-Boat captain in 43-45, when U-Boats were basically just targets.

By late 43, the Allies were so confident they were driving "bait" convoys supported by massive air/surface escorts straight at the U-Boat patrol lines and still getting 5:1+ kill ratios.

Back to the game, we already receive radio reports of spotted convoys and renown is based on sinkings. There would need to be an incentive for radoing in a contact report.