Earning your way.

[skookum]

I recently rediscovered my fondness for the type IID. After many frustrating and fruitless patrols in larger and faster U-boats, I decided some remedial training was in order. What better place to learn patience and precision than in a slow boat with only six fish?
Last week I joined the 1st floatilla as Kaleun Skook of Type IIA U-3. The first patrol proved as frustrating as all the previous, but I soon figured out why. Instead of running the sim at realtime speed when contacts were nearby, I'd leave time compression on and try to "speed things up" a little. No tracking or plotting for this Kaleun! Nope, just get in range and let the WO do the math. I would inevitabley be detected and then proceed to launch my eels anyways. Makes for a long boring trip home when you have three empty tubes and an equally empty patrol report.
On the second patrol, I decided to sit back, enjoy the scenery more, and wait. Boy did it pay off. Though I'm only avaraging four to six thousand tons per patrol, the satisfaction is difficult to describe. After three patrols I took command of U-5, a Type IID. It is now July 1940 and I'm on patrol number six. A couple more Ore carriers and I'll have earned enough renown to take command of that type VIIC in which I used to hopelessly chase convoys. It sure seems more satisfying to earn those boats rather than simply start a career later in the war, though I'm sure I'll do that again one day.

I will miss the Type IID when it's time to move on. It's certainly an underrated, and underappreciated vessel worthy of respect and admiration. No wonder it makes a great training boat.


U-5 in the North Sea:

[Venatore]

Originally Posted by skookum

I will miss the Type IID when it's time to move on. It's certainly an underrated, and underappreciated

It would have been difficult for those commanders to leave their U-boats for another, due to promotion, posting etc. It would have been a real shock to learn of your old U-boat that you once commanded fate as the war went on.

[Canovaro]

Sorry still don't like it

I prefer the bigger boats.
I always start at '39 and work my way up until I can buy a IXD2 in 1943.
I'm in Januari 1942 now in a IXc.

[Dowly]

In WaW I'm in a type IIA and after two war patrols, she has proven her capability to keep me and my men safe. I'm terrified to think the day I get message from BdU to transfer to a new boat.

[Kaleu. Jochen Mohr]

Originally Posted by Dowly

In WaW I'm in a type IIA and after two war patrols, she has proven her capability to keep me and my men safe. I'm terrified to think the day I get message from BdU to transfer to a new boat.

:hmm: if you dont count the ruined uniform and the pierced boat. then she kept you safe yes :rotfl::rotfl:

i prefer a real boat (IX) instead of the bathtub i sail in (VIIb) at WaW

[skookum]

I'm now within 1000 renown of earning a VIIC. My crew is getting fairly excited at the prospect of having a little more room in the mess, and a lot more firepower to sink tonnage. On my last patrol (number eight I think) we sent to the bottom a small merchant out of forsythe, a small passenger/cargo near hull, and a sloop off Newcastle. It's now late 1940 and we're starting to see more aircraft on patrol overhead. I'm glad our little "bath tub" can get under quickly (unkile those sluggish type IX boats ). One more good haul ought to be enough I think. BTW I just got promoted to Oberleiutenent. I must be doing something to make BDU happy.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Kaleu. Jochen Mohr

:hmm: if you dont count the ruined uniform and the pierced boat. then she kept you safe yes :rotfl::rotfl:

i prefer a real boat (IX) instead of the bathtub i sail in (VIIb) at WaW

That's the point, she got hammered, she rolled over, had damaged engine etc. etc. but none of us got hurt.