I've developed a strategy for getting through the channel, at least in the early war. You want to be heading into the area in late evening. Go flank - maximum speed. Approach the channel towards the south edge. When you cross the narrows, you want to hug the south edge - scrape your side wall on the port at Calais - I go within easy visual range of the buildings there. Every time you see a warship, keep going. Keep an eye on him. If he gets < 6km, go under and wait for him to pass. As soon as he's back out at 7 or 8km, surface at flank again. Go in a straight line - DO NOT GET DETECTED.
Speed is everything. You can't run at PD anyway because of the mines. Remember to keep your eyes open for PT boats - they don't have smokestacks and can sneak up on you. Keep yer best watchmen on duty, and use your own eyes - no time compression. YOu only need to get through the narrows at flank, and then you're relatively safe. Most of the patrol ships linger in the northeast part of the narrows. Once you are into the channel proper, things aren't so bad - lone destroyers, aircraft patrols, but none of the gang-tactics that hold in the narrows (unless you make the mistake of attacking a port).
A similar strategy works for Gibraltar, but it is way less successful.
Kb
__________________
|