Yes - it's challenging...before the snorkel, there's a really high probability that you'll get sunk on the first patrol that planes have radar (I think it's around June '43). Theres a month or two there where there's no snorkel, and bombers will indentify you on radar (like every few hours) and drop 6-8 bombs right near or on you. Lucky if you survive 1 attack, but somewhere in the 5-10 times you get hit on a patrol, you will meet the big blue maker. My IXD2 never got out of biscay after planes got radar.
Not to be too melodramatic, but...it's damn ugly.
KB
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