Hi guys - so, after six patrols starting in 1942, Oblt z. See Ernst Heller has taken the Type IX boat
U-156 and sunk 230,000 tonnes of enemy shipping. It's now May 1944 and I've sucessfully applied for a transfer to 11th Flotilla in Bergen, and given command of
U-2540, one of the latest Type XXIs.
Does anyone have any experience or hints/tips for getting the most out of this boat? Specifically:
- Although it's much faster underwater, how vulnerable is it to active sonar?
- Not sure quite how the 'silent speed' works - pressing 'Z' gives me a speed of 7kts, seems a bit fast? Is this wonder weapon really that good?
- What are people's experiences with safe distances from escorts - for example, even at silent speed in my Type IX I normally start diving once within about 1000m of a destroyer. Can I get closer in an XXI?
- How stealthy is it (in regards to active sonar) while running diesels underwater, ie with the schnorkel up?
- With its super underwater speed, is running away at top speed (rather than silent - ie slow - and deep) a viable tactic? Although destroyers are faster they can't use asdic when travelling above about 12-15kts, and I can go 17 underwater.
Basically, as I don't have my stealth meter I can't tell weather I'm being over-cautious or over-loud in my attacks. I'm not generally being detected, so I suspect it's the former, but if anyone has any thoughts on which engine settings/speeds are best I'd love to hear them.
Have done a search for 'Type XXI tips/guide' so sorry if this doubles up a previous post. Thanks guys!