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Cybermat47 · 12-13-20, 09:24 AM

This is a quick guide I’ve been working on for people who want to ensure that their FotRSU gameplay is as historically accurate as possible.

This is currently a work in progress while I do research in my spare time.

Those who are more knowledgeable about the USN's submarine campaign against Japan, feel free to correct any errors I make.

Navigation and Patrolling

Refueling Before Reaching Patrol Area

It seems that US submarines would often refuel between leaving port and arriving at their assigned patrol area. In her July - September 1943, the USS Balao (SS-285) refueled from the USS Coucal in the Jomard Passage after leaving Brisbane, and before reaching her patrol area. Without including the time they spent travelling to the Jomard Passage together, and time spent at battlestations after sighting an aircraft, this took 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Later, during her February - March 1944 patrol, Balao refueled and took on oil and provisions at Tulagi, also between her departure from Brisbane and her arrival at her assigned patrol area. This took 6 hours and 51 minutes.

In FOTRSU, this can be simulated by heading straight for a rearm/refuel capable base such as Tulagi (in January 1944) and waiting for approx. 2 or 7 hours before or after you refuel, then heading out to your patrol area.

Submerged Patrols

In the Balao's previously mentioned two patrols, her logs record that patrolling was done at periscope depth during at least some daylight hours in assigned areas with known Japanese air cover. She would submerge sometime between 0500 and 0900, then surface sometime between 1320 and 2100.

This seems to have been up to the captain's discretion. The July - September 1943 patrol was commanded by Commander Richard Henry Crane, who tended to submerge earlier and surface later than his replacement, Commander Cyrus Churchill Cole (it's also worth noting that Crane's log is written in a blandly professional and concise style, while Cole's is written with more anecdotal and individualistic style).

Speed

During her July - September 1943 patrol, Balao's logs report that she would patrol at a speed of 3 knots while submerged and 9 knots while surfaced. She cruised and intercepted targets at 9, 15, or 17 knots surfaced.

Sources:

- https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74802336
- https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74802445
- https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3031.html

12-13-20, 09:24 AM	#1
Cybermat47 Willing Webfooted Beast Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 5,386 Downloads: 293 Uploads: 22	A Guide to Historical FotRSU Gameplay This is a quick guide I’ve been working on for people who want to ensure that their FotRSU gameplay is as historically accurate as possible. This is currently a work in progress while I do research in my spare time. Those who are more knowledgeable about the USN's submarine campaign against Japan, feel free to correct any errors I make. Navigation and Patrolling Refueling Before Reaching Patrol Area It seems that US submarines would often refuel between leaving port and arriving at their assigned patrol area. In her July - September 1943, the USS Balao (SS-285) refueled from the USS Coucal in the Jomard Passage after leaving Brisbane, and before reaching her patrol area. Without including the time they spent travelling to the Jomard Passage together, and time spent at battlestations after sighting an aircraft, this took 2 hours and 5 minutes. Later, during her February - March 1944 patrol, Balao refueled and took on oil and provisions at Tulagi, also between her departure from Brisbane and her arrival at her assigned patrol area. This took 6 hours and 51 minutes. In FOTRSU, this can be simulated by heading straight for a rearm/refuel capable base such as Tulagi (in January 1944) and waiting for approx. 2 or 7 hours before or after you refuel, then heading out to your patrol area. Submerged Patrols In the Balao's previously mentioned two patrols, her logs record that patrolling was done at periscope depth during at least some daylight hours in assigned areas with known Japanese air cover. She would submerge sometime between 0500 and 0900, then surface sometime between 1320 and 2100. This seems to have been up to the captain's discretion. The July - September 1943 patrol was commanded by Commander Richard Henry Crane, who tended to submerge earlier and surface later than his replacement, Commander Cyrus Churchill Cole (it's also worth noting that Crane's log is written in a blandly professional and concise style, while Cole's is written with more anecdotal and individualistic style). Speed During her July - September 1943 patrol, Balao's logs report that she would patrol at a speed of 3 knots while submerged and 9 knots while surfaced. She cruised and intercepted targets at 9, 15, or 17 knots surfaced. Sources: - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74802336 - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74802445 - https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3031.html __________________ Historical TWoS Gameplay Guide: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2572620 Historical FotRSU Gameplay Guide: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/sho....php?p=2713394 Last edited by Cybermat47; 12-13-20 at 10:36 AM.