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Originally Posted by sshellokitty
So we have a chart from Sjizzle that shows some of the mine barrage locations around the UK and outbound from Wilhelmshaven, and I've gotten the message about the British laying mines in certain positions when starting a tutorial in historic missions. Are mines actually in the game with The Wolves of Steel pack? I've never seen them before.
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Here's an interesting excerpt from the book
"Steel Boat Iron Hearts: A U-boat Crewman's Life Aboard U-505" regarding precautions against mines while transiting harbours. You just don't imagine the the gallant U-boat departing or returning triumphantly into harbour, with nearly the entire crew kneeling in the prayer position on the deck like worshipers caught without their prayer mats.
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We departed for our third war patrol at exactly 1800 hours on the 4th of October 1942. Our transit out of Lorient harbor had a new wrinkle: all non-essential personnel had to assemble on the upper deck until we cleared the breakwaters. A red buoy in the channel marked the spot where, just a few weeks before, a returning U-boat had struck a mine laid by enemy aircraft the previous night. The boat sank in full view of the horrified spectators. Only two members of the crew survived, even though the water was only about ten meters (33 feet) deep. Apparently, the concussion of the mine had broken the backs of many of the men. As a result, all departing and returning boats were now under orders to assemble non-essential crewmen on the upper deck wearing life jackets. Furthermore, we were required to kneel, because it was believed this precaution would prevent our legs from being driven into our spines by the concussion.
On August 1, 1943, we once again departed Lorient harbor for the bountiful hunting grounds of the Western Atlantic. This time we left in the company of U-68, U-523, and U-123. I joined the majority of the crew, kneeling on the upper deck with a life preserver around my neck as a precaution against injury from mines. The religious symbolism of departing the harbor on bended knee was not lost on us.
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