The reason it came about? Because many of us grew tired of starting exactly on the first day of the war, and having to hustle and sneak at the same time to get to the North Atlantic before the fun started on the 3rd.
The reason you have to start on the 1st as opposed to, say, the 19th? Because SH3 only lets you start at the first of the month. The stock game only lets you start at the 1st of September 1939. After that it's the first of each
year, or nothing at all.
The point of waiting a whole month before the shooting starts? You don't. Either do as suggested and make a short patrol, then you'll be starting the next one just before the war begins, or use SH3 Commander and start your career September 1st just like before.
Me, I like sightseeing.
