@ Akela:
As Id seen below some one said that jumping feet first into the game is quite hard, I'd have to disagree and say its the best thing you can do. Just like learning a language, immersion into the game is the best way to learn. What I mean by this is plan to go through quite a few Kaleuns(German for Captain incase you didnt know) at first. By this I mean, intentionally try to get them killed, do risky manuevers, hunt in risky areas (We all hate the Gibraltor strait and the English Channel). In this respect, you'll learn real quickly what to do and what not to do realisitcally (If your into playing the game very realistically like a 1940's German U-boat Kaleun would do. I did this when first playing (Along with asking. ALOT of questions and btw reading the GWX manual helps alot too, theres some pretty handy stuff in there, I'd also suggest reading the newbie bag of tricks sticky, its very helpful) and I can pretty easily say that within about 2 weeks, I had gotten most every control and tactic down pretty well (Yes Im not perfect, but I had learned everything well enough to play and enjoy the game alot)
But even after all of that, asking questions is the best you can do. Id have to say you now belong to one of the friendliest forums I've ever found on the internet (No I'm not kissing your guy's butts

) so dont be afraid to ask questions, even if you think its stupid.
Welcom Aboard!

and Good Hunting Herr Kaleun
Now Sink Em All!