So I'm a VIIC, 29th flotilla, and I'm at grid CN26 (east of pantelleria and west of valetta - south of sicily), August 22 1943. I have orders to patrol CO41 which is east of valetta, and quite a bit south - maybe a day's drive on the surface. The thing is, sicily just fell to the allies, and this area is a HELL for air cover. I can only stay up for a minute or two. Just getting this far down the Med has brought a bunch of close calls. I just hit a military convoy and got lucky sinking a Passenger Liner and a Cunard Liner
. I also hit a small convoy on the way and took a large merchant down. So I've got some great tonnage this patrol. As I fired the final kill shot on the crippled Cunard, from the surface, I had to crash dive as a bunch of planes showed up and bombed the area _hard_. Right now I'm at 70m, leaning over the map with my navigator, exchanging glances and trying to second-guess each other.
I'm all out of torpedoes except for my external stores - one T1 Fat1 in the front, and a TIV in the back. Technically I still have striking power, so I feel obliged to continue on to the patrol area. On the other hand, given the air cover situation, I have no idea how I'm going to get the external fish into the boat. I can't imagine getting a half hour of free time up there. Plus, in trying to do so I will probably have a bunch of close shaves, maybe get blooded. Keep in mind that this is patrol 17 with these boys. We started the 29th and I want to make the gibraltar run someday. Is it worth the risk to carry out the patrol order? I can probably use those fish on the way back, anyhow, if I manage to get them inside.
What would you do - forge ahead and try to fullfill my orders, or head back?
P.S. Anyone know exactly when I will get base-switched from Spezia to the French bases? I want to be at sea when it happens so I will get to do the gibraltar run.