WOW, good read, Thanks for posting this! I have been reading alot since i bought SH4 and this is one of the best stories i've seen so far. Major Respect to that Boat and Crew, Just surviving was amazing, much less all the improvised repairs that had to be made. Just imagine the poor guy being lowered into the scope well by his ankles!
As for this theatre, I don't really understand it either. I Loved Silent Service,GATO and SH1 and i really hope the 1st SH5 expansion will be for US Boats, kinda the reverse of SH4. I do enjoy the U-Boats. SH3 is alot of fun,but as an American i feel more of a connection to the pacific theatre.