This is an unwinnable scenario. I restarted the patrol and ran at 10 kt, the most fuel-efficient speed, all the way up to the Bungo Suido, dropped the agent, and attacked a tanker at the SE corner of the entrance to the strait on the return, using only 25% of bunkerage. I saved the game to evaluate the choices of either heading for Exmouth Gulf or taking a reciprocal heading back to Tulagi.
Option 1: Headed for Exmouth via the Bohol Sea, Tawi Tawi, and the Lombok Strait. Ran out of diesel 300 km north of the strait.
Option 2: Reciprocal course to Tulagi via Guam, Truk, and Bougainville. Ran out of diesel 220 km north of Buka. That's more than triple usage on the return vs the outbound leg.
Combat activity was similar in both directions in option 2 and I did a great deal of diving to avoid patrol planes.
Even factoring in currents, this is inexplicable.
Propbeanie, what does the 3 in Ahead Standard (3) mean?
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