My first patrol.

[PvtJamoo]

So I set out, had an uninteresting 2km trip to my patrol zone. Had an uninteresting patrol with nothing happening. Set a safe path back to base, avoiding all the islands. Come back from getting soda, and I hit an unmapped island only 60km from base.

Damn.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by PvtJamoo

So I set out, had an uninteresting 2km trip to my patrol zone. Had an uninteresting patrol with nothing happening. Set a safe path back to base, avoiding all the islands. Come back from getting soda, and I hit an unmapped island only 60km from base.

Damn.

How far were you zoomed in on the Nav Map view?

Because there are some small islets that do not show up until you zoom in close enough.

Take it from me, there are at least two around the west side of northern Britain on my usual patrol route, and I now know EXACTLY where they are from having nearly run aground on them by plotting my course right through them without having zoomed in close enough the first time through there.

I also ran aground once by plotting a course too near the shore without zooming in close enough to see the finer details of the shoreline.

Now when I plot a course through unfamiliar waters or close to land I always zoom in close to make sure I'm not inadvertantly heading straight for some bit of earth I didn't know was there.

Edit: You weren't anywhere near Helgoland, were you? If you "died at sea" while near there after the war starts it's possible you hit a mine. The British laid mines in that area, so always take a wide berth around it.

[PvtJamoo]

I was at the starting place of 1939? Willemsheim. I guess I just didnt zoom in far enough. Im at map and all of a sudden "damage taken" "all crew dead"

[kylania]

Got you beat! You at least made it to your patrol zone:



Here I am running aground at the end of Kiel Canal since I forgot to slow down nearing the end.

[rudderless]

Originally Posted by kylania

Here I am running aground at the end of Kiel Canal since I forgot to slow down nearing the end.

Ah yes, been there done that.

[Dissaray]

Frou may well be on the right track with that mine comment if your description of your dieing is accurate. Mines will often kill you with no warning and from time to time you won't even hear the damn thing go off. I have only ever struk mines twice, once I was dead instantly and quite confused and the other time I survived the mine explotion but was forced to surface, to slow the flooding, but was unfortuantly well with in the range of British coastal defence guns and was proptly light up by them.

Ja. Frau got it right. You hit Helgoland.

If you use the chart with the 50 KM scale you can see it.
It doesn't show up on the 125 KM or smaller scale charts.
(Small scale = Large area.)

[frau kaleun]

Two tips, if you are starting patrols docked in your sub pen, follow your escort ship out of the harbor. The reason he's there is to get you out to sea safely. Your harbor is mined and netted just like your enemy's, your escort is there to show you the safe passage through the defenses. Generally speaking though to get out of Wilhelmshaven, once you have cleared the docks a course roughly east then north straight out/up through the middle of the harbor is a safe one.

Second, as noted above, steer clear of Helgoland, the little island some ways north of where you exit the harbor. When you don't zoom in all you may see is a black dot with the name next to it on the map, but it's an island AND the British laid mines around it early on. Many a kaleun here has lost boat & crew by venturing too close... especially at the higher TCs we sometimes use to cruise through relatively friendly waters.

[sergei]

Originally Posted by kylania

Here I am running aground at the end of Kiel Canal since I forgot to slow down nearing the end.

[Fozzy22]

If you think all that is bad try my idea of fun completing 4 patrols in an empty sea as i'd not disabled a certain mod

I am Legend! WWII style

[sergei]

Originally Posted by Fozzy22

If you think all that is bad try my idea of fun completing 4 patrols in an empty sea as i'd not disabled a certain mod

I am Legend! WWII style

Epic Mate

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Fozzy22

If you think all that is bad try my idea of fun completing 4 patrols in an empty sea as i'd not disabled a certain mod

I am Legend! WWII style

LOL

When you exit Wilhelmshaven Harbor on the final northbound leg, turn ENE along the mainland coast and S of that first island (Ø). Your waypoint should be well W of Hlgoland. From there you can plot a safe course wherever you desire.