In mentioning convoys, I suppose my own style is somewhat more conservative in attempting to intercept a distant convoy when it is moving away. It must work for me since my career tonnage so far is over 200,000 and leaves me with enough fuel to engage the enemy, avoid pursuit, and make it home.
As for the orders laid out by the U-Boat Commander's Handbook, I really feel that does not apply very well as it is a real world document and I'm speaking in the context of the game itself. Using it as a genral rule of thumb for the sake of "realism" seems to be how it is best suited.
If SH3 truly enforced the ROE and operational orders of the real-life Ubootwaffe, then every Kaleun here would have a dossier stuffed full with reprimands, if not outright court-marshalled. Conducting your command as per those rules is not necessarily compatible with the methodology incorporated by the SH3 Dev Team.
Abd_von_Mumit, you're more precise measures of speed and fuel efficiency are indeed welcome information.
As I said, the information I provided is only from my own experiences in the game. I could never presume to be an "expert" on u-boat warfare ( can any of us truly claim that unless they were there? ). I'm merely passing on what I have learned from my own point of view in the hopes that it would help out a lot of the new Kaleuns that seem to be pouring in through the doors lately with complaints about fuel management.
I would hope that anyone has enough brains rattling around to know that it is, ultimately, up to their own judgement on how best to conduct their command to suit their own style and process any information we here at the Radio Room might offer with a critical eye. I would not disrespect them by assuming they do not.
If my observations about technical matters are erroneous, well, that's why we have this community, to collectively share what we know or think so accuracy emerges from the aggregate of discussion, debate, and the occasional dispute.
I appreciate the critique, opinions, and observations all of you contribute. Collectively, we're a smart bunch!
No matter how you prefer to engage the enemy, charging in with all tubes flooded or sneaking in for a surgical strike, so long as you're having fun is all that matters.
