Quote:
Originally Posted by sublynx
Here's an intelligence exerpt to help you on the way from Bdu's war diaries from the 23rd of November, 1941:
d)" From the latest reconnaissance line reports it appears that the Straits of Gibraltar are protected by 3 patrol lines. 1st line: Ceuta-Cape Spartel, 2nd line: Ceuta - Europa Point, 3rd line: Ceuta-Tarifa. The strongest patrol is on the middle line. "
I passed the straits in August 1941 and I also had the feeling there were three lines. Check my report for the grid information here:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...=151090&page=2
(It's the report titled: U-331, patrol 4, the 11th of August, 1941.)
BdU's war diaries mention Gibraltar again on the 7th of December, 1941:
VI.General: Patrol of the Mediterranean by U-boats at present is again quite unsatisfactory. There are: in the eastern Mediterranean, U 431, 565 in the western Mediterranean, U 652 underway from the western to the eastern Mediterranean, U 557, 562. Seven of the boats scheduled are out of action: U 95, 206, 433 certainly or probably lost. U 71, 96, 558 and 563 have had to turn back owing to engine trouble or damage by aircraft bombs. For other boats there has been a delay owing to the increased patrols in the Straits of Gibraltar. Attempts are being made to increase the numbers in the Mediterranean as soon as possible, thereby taking into account that boats on their first operational run must be expected to pass the Straits of Gibraltar.
and again December 1941 :
3)Up to now passage through the Straits of Gibraltar, after sinking of the "Ark Royal" has cost 33% losses. From 24 U-boats which were sent into the Mediterranean after the sinking of the "Ark Royal", 4 were lost in the Straits of Gibraltar, 4 turned back owing to bomb damage and only 16 got through into the Mediterranean. The transfer of 11 further boats into the Mediterranean, therefore, entails sending 17 U-boats for this purpose, since 5 U-boats must be expected to be lost or damaged in the passage through the Straits.
and finally on the 18th of December, 1941 warning that it might be one-way trip even if one passes successfully:
2)Passage through the Straits of Gibraltar to the West is considerably more difficult since it is against the current. When, after completion of operations in the Mediterranean, most of the U-boats will return into the Atlantic, considerably stronger patrols off Gibraltar are probable. Extensive losses will probably result. 3)Operations by U-boats in the Mediterranean are at the moment absolutely necessary. However, there is danger that the U-boats may become trapped there one day and excluded from the battle of the Atlantic. A solution of this question must, however, be held up pending further developments.
So it might well be that even if you get through the straits, Sailor Steve will eventually be consoling your widow too - and mine as well, since I'm stuck in the Mediterranean now. I hope Sailor Steve has enough stamina to keep consoling all these widows  |
Thanks for the intel, sublynx. I totally enjoy such details of history, and I will plot the locations of the defensive layers you mention prior to going in. Clay Blair's books have been getting a good workout here too lately.
From what I can still recall of GWX development several years ago... we did all we could do to mirror history within the limitations of the game, (and the layers of Allied defensive measures) relating to the Straits of Gibralter.
I've never sailed through there in "Career Campaign Mode" but personally did a lot of testing there. IIRC, at one point we had to do a fair bit of editing to prevent destroyers overhead from tangling in a hopeless traffic jam. In such conditions, they can fail to launch any meaningful ASW attacks altogether.
That being said, we did sort out the worst problems and ended with the Straits of Gibralter being one of the deadliest locations in GWX. (If not THE MOST dangerous.)
Enough time has passed that I've forgotten the particulars of Gibralter's defenses... and as a result... I am a little nervous about my impending passage through the Straits, as I play DiD.
I am in fact glad that I've forgotten the details. Knowing everything in advance makes for a boring patrol.
Currently I am making my way towards Vigo... in the heaviest seas I think I've ever seen in the game.
~SALUTE!~ From U-205 to U-331.
