At lostsm's suggestion I started an additional career (from Kiel instead of Wilhelmshaven, Type IIA instead of Type VIIB - just to make sure nothing matched), went out into the North Sea, saved and exited out of the game. Started-up the game again (via SH3 Commander) and lo & behold every saved game since then (touch wood) has loaded just fine. Coincidence? Happenstance? Or perhaps the cumulative effect of my curses at the screen? (I've always been a firm believer that if you swear enough at anything that's being recalcitrant, it'll start working properly)
. Whatever, all seems to be ok again. Thanks for all the suggestions, knowledge shared is knowledge increased. Stay watertight!
