Well, I'd never been to Loch Ewe, so better late than never! Defending it were 5 destroyers (3 of which ran aground during my attack
), 2 torpedo boats, and 2 ASW trawlers- who, ironically, were very tough to attack! The homing torpedoes initially ignored them and chased the torpedo boats, and once I even took a near hit from a homing torp that moved off a slow moving ASW trawler towards me! Fortunately, damage was moderate, and I was able to get the boat repaired!
Once inside the harbor, there was another destroyer aground, and a TON of bif merchant ships. Only they were all protected by docks.
Then, at very slow speed, I hit the concrete sub wall! Again, minor damage, and worse yet, I almost surfaced! Bad, bad, BAD place to surface with 800 surface guns in the area!
My reward was a destroyer escort, a destroyer, and HMS Nelson! Woohoo, my first BB!!
So I sunk her, left, raided Scapa for the two Fiji, and ended a patrol with 65K tons. Only one merchant, a coastal tanker that I engaged with my 20mm guns. I lost my new watch officer in that attack. Ironically, it was my toughest! Being the second watch officer I've lost in recent surface actions with the XXI, I've learned that the gunners are protected, but any officer on deck is highly exposed. IF I try gunning again with the XXI, I'll be sure to leave my officer below decks. Oh, and regular trawlers appear to be immune (or extremely resistant to) 20mm fire.
It's March, so I guess I have time for one more mission. Jimbuna, this one's going hunting for Med convoys!