Randomizer

When snorkeling in SH3, GWX3 you have two choices if you wish survive.

1. Man the observation scope in real time, continually observing for planes visually, a really silly idea; or

2. Navigate from the map screen, zoomed and with one periscope (generally the sky periscope) raised fully.

Historically a watch-keeper manned the scope, changing at frequent intervals, KL Karl_Heinz Marbach gives a pretty good description of snorkeling a Type VIIC in Harald Busch's U-Boats at War. My understanding is that KL Marbach helped write the book on snorkel doctrine for BdU. The Commander did not keep periscope watch when snorkeling so there is little point in doing so in the game unless you want to.

Aircraft will not appear on the map screen with map contacts off and since carrier based planes (Martlets), single engine planes (Swordfish), Mosquitos and Beaufighters can sink you as quickly as a Sunderland or Liberator and lack radar, you'll never know what kills you if you play map contacts off with a snorkel boat.

With maps contacts on, the map zoomed to the 2500m screen, at TC of <= x16, plane icons will appear on the map and in most cases you can get the scope and snorkel down in time to avoid damage. Don't forget that the mast-mounted radar detectors do not appear until September 1944, long after snorkels become available.

Have conducted some 20+ snorkel patrols in GWX3 and once I started using the snorkeling technique above, I have never lost a boat while snorkeling (but have taken repairable damage on a couple of occasions).

I have always contended that, in any game, realism is almost entirely dependent on what you do with the game rather than what features or glitz the game brings to you.