[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!

I’ve done the first 3 tutorials (took me ages) but am having problems with the 4th torpedo tutorial (the most important one!). The instructions say to basically point and shoot. I figured out that locking onto a target was a good idea, and then to open the torpedo tubes first. I got one hit, but was unable to get a hit after that.

I ocassionally go back and redo the torpedo and gun tutorials, because they're a good place to practice. Take your time. On automatic (I actually use manual but include the WE Assistance, as it feels more real, but is still really auto) just get ahead of the target and get as close to 90 degrees as you can. It's also best to get the ship's draft from the ID book (if you're locked on just click 'Ship' on the notepad) and set the torpedoes for 1 meter deeper (F6 Attack Map Screen). Works every time.

Torpedo’s either bounced off or sailed on past the target – a red needle on the timer didn’t even appear??

The timer needle only appears for the first torpedo. You can reset it by clicking on the timepiece, I think...

Also in GWX you get the full 1500 Acadamy renown for completing any one course, so you don't really have to go beyond Navigation. There are also people who have trouble with that one.

I fully intend to play this game on manual targeting, but if I can’t even get a hit using automatic, what chance do I have!! I then tried to navigate to better positions to the targets using the bearing on the periscope but ended up further away and a worse position from where I started!

In the tutorial I always fire at the stationary one first. He'll move faster than the hound that bothered the skunk once he sees it coming, so unlock the 'scope and aim for his bow. After that I surface and outrun them all. That makes it easy to set up a good position.

After much frustration, I then started a career but felt lost at sea! I expected to be given orders, but you get no help at all about what to do. Should I assume that I just need to navigate out of the port and then start hunting for prey and then return to base after running out of ammo and fuel?

The game is set up to be as much like real life as possible in that respect. You are assigned to go to a specific grid and sink whatever you find there. Due to a holdover from the original design you are only required to stay there for 24 hours rather than until further orders, but the only penalty for not showing up at all is less renown gained. GWX removes that renown anyway, so basically you're free to do what you want. But be sure you return to base after running out of ammo but before running out of fuel!

This one does however seem to have a particularly steep learning curve with very little help from the game.

But you'll get all the help you need, or want, right here. Just ask.

Can’t wait till I work it all out and am playing out exciting scenes straight out of Das Boot!

That's why these games exist. We talk about history but what we really want is to be Der Alte.

Does anyone have any advice?

Get the Das Boot Sound Mod. Lots of goodies after that, but if you want to live the movie (or just have realistic voice acting) that's the one.