Circumnavigation KTB: What was I Thinking?!

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

So yeah. Had this crazy idea pop into my mind last week while plugging 105mm gifts into a convoy off of Cape Horn. So, returned to Lorient and decided to follow through. Donitz was edgy, but gave me the go ahead. So, starting next time, we'll be headed out to meet up with U-Tanker U-459, refueling there before heading east. This will be at 85% realism: just map contacts, ship and external cam, and that's it.

This is the KTB of the submarine U-181. Her mission: To circumnavigate the world for the Fatherland, to push the limits of the U-boats, to brave the trecharous waters of the Pacific, to boldly go where no U-boat has gone before.

(No, I couldn't resist the Star Trek reference.)

[WilhelmSchulz.]

How are you going to refuel in the pacfic?

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

Refuel as close to the Date Line as possible and rely on the IXD2's fuel capacity to get around the cape. Stay tuned to find out how it goes!

[WilhelmSchulz.]

Looking foward to it!

[banryu79]

Originally Posted by Kaptlt.Endrass

Refuel as close to the Date Line as possible and rely on the IXD2's fuel capacity to get around the cape. Stay tuned to find out how it goes!

Do you plan to agonize the crew with extended periods of submerged runs on batteries or do you have a different startegy in mind?

[Sailor Steve]

Before you start you might want to know that SHIII doesn't have the whole world. You can do it in SHIV, but not in Three.

[Kielhauler1961]

Sailor Steve is bang-on. I started a similar trip back in 2008 and stopped shortly after reaching the Galapagos Islands.

Part of the reason was because I was informed the game wouldn't allow me to cross the International Date Line but the main reason was a dinosaur ate most of my crew...

The first part of my thread (from Ubi forum) is here but the back end of it seems to be missing:

http://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php...ype-VII-Forums

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

I should probably say that I'm using a mod of my own making. I'm working on opening up the entire map for travel and getting ships in where GWX draws the line around the Indian Ocean.

I've got the southwest Pacific to about the 9th parallel (North) done, but I'm still working on scripting ships, operations, aircraft, etc.

I would try for the Arctic, but I'm not sure I can script that much ice, let alone Antarctica. (I also have a few computer whiz friends that found a way to change hardcode, but they won't tell me how. Wouldn't understand it, probably.)

So were still on! @banryu79, I got no clue. We're loading up the Marlene Dietrich albums and some bombshells (other kind). Also, my IIWO managed to smuggle some Vera Lynn and Andrew Sisters records in as well. Don't know how he got them though. It should help.

[banryu79]

Originally Posted by Kaptlt.Endrass

So were still on! @banryu79, I got no clue. We're loading up the Marlene Dietrich albums and some bombshells (other kind). Also, my IIWO managed to smuggle some Vera Lynn and Andrew Sisters records in as well. Don't know how he got them though. It should help.

Well, that patrol will be a tough one but at least their musical culture won't be negativly affected!

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

Sorry bout the wait. Tommy made an impromtu raid on Lorient while I was headed out, and a Lancaster got off three close misses and knocked out my electrics before we even got past the lighthouse. Anyway, let's get this going!

Port of Departure: Lorient, France (U-boot Pen 6)
29 August 1942, 0221 hours
Kapitanleutnant zur See Otis von Bismarck
U-181

Walking onto base, numerous figures were there to see us off, even the Fuhrer himself. He greeted the crew and adressed us personally before we disembarked.

At 0140 hours, the moorings were cast off and the order was given for Ahead Standard. We followed our sperrbrechher escort out of harbor. Along the way, on ships, docks, submarines, and in the pens, the entire complement of the Lorient Kreigsmarine bade us farewell. At 0154 hours, we broke off from our escort and headed out into the open water.

Our first stop will be the U-459, off of the African coast. At our current speed of 12 knots, it will take nearly three weeks to meet our allies. Hopefully, they will still be on patrol.

8 September 1942, 1543 hours
Kapitanleutnant zur See Otis von Bismarck
U-181

Spotted four Swordfish bombers at 1541 hours, dived to 25 meters and avoided attack.

8 September 1942, 1607 hours
Leutnant zur See Hans Gerbach (IWO)
U-181

Remained submerged and checked for enemy warships with no contacts for 15 minutes. Surfaced at 1605, Kapitan Bismarck went to bed. Continued south at ahead standard.

17 September 1942, 0003 hours
Kapitanleutnant zur See Otis von Bismarck
U-181

Met up with U-tanker U-459 at 2356, currently refueling and resupplying. Recieved mail from an Arado floatplane. Will continue mission by patrolling off the cape, then push on. Crew morale is average, and we remain yet to see enemy ships.


That's the first leg down. We'll be headed south to patrol off of South Africa in hopes of catching a convoy. Stay tuned for more!

[RConch]

Good luck and good hunting!

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

Anyone who is watching this thread, I apologize. I've had a wicked few bouts with the flu that's been putting me out of commision. I'm recovering, though, and should be updating soon.

[VirtualVikingX]

Get well soon!

[WilhelmSchulz.]

Originally Posted by VirtualVikingX

Get well soon!

Ditto!

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

Finally beat that flu. Good timing too; I'd hated to miss Thanksgiving dinner. On the other hand, the bedrest gave me plenty of time to determine our route around the Cape of Good Hope.

17 September 1942, 0233 hours
Kapitanleutnant zur See Otis von Bismarck
U-181

Finished refueling and resupplying with U-459 at 0217 hours, cast off at 0225. Set speed for 7 knots and plotted a 42-day course around the cape and between Madagascar and the mainland. We will end up at the Horn of Africa after ~13000 kilometers have been crossed.

13 October 1942, 1053 hours
Kapitanleutnant z. S. Otis von Bismarck
134 km. ESE of Cape Town, U-181

Spotted two armed merchants at 1036 hours and submerged when 3500 meters out. Weather was overcast with medium winds and 3-5 foot waves, and we remained undetected. Closed to 500 meters and identified. Lead ship was a British Empire Freighter; second was a British small merchant. Fired tubes 1 and 2 (G IIIa G7e, II G7e) at the Empire, and tube 3 (IIIa G7e) at the merchant. Two hits scored on Empire, sunk at 1048 hours (6.5k GRT). Small merchant took neglible damage and escaped at high speed.

21 October 1942, 0939 hours
Leutnant z. S. Hans Gerbach (IWO)
Entrance to Madagascar-Africa channel, U-181

Reached our first trial of the passage. Dove to periscope depth before Kaluen Bismarck retired, feeling unwell. Ship's medic reported the cold, and he is to remain quarintined until it passes.

21 October 1942, 1446 hours
Leutnant z. S. Hans Gerbach (IWO)
3/4 through Madagascar-Africa channel, U-181

Surfaced in order to air out and charge batteries.

21 October 1942, 1458 hours
Leutnant z. S. Hans Gerbach (IWO)
<50 km from Indian Ocean, U-181

Spotted two Hawker Hurricane aircraft at 1453, manned flak guns. Both shot down, gave pilots the spare raft and pointed them home.

27 October 1942, 0026 hours
Kapitanleutnant z. S. Otis von Bismarck
259 km. ESE of the Red Sea, U-181

Recovered from cold. Reached the end of the 2nd leg of our journey. We have spent 60 days at sea as of today, and will set a course for a Japanese base in the next hour. Sent contact report to BdU. Morale is high, and the external torpedoes have ben moved.


Guess what the BdU's reply was.

So, second leg down! We've already surpassed the normal date that U-boats spent on patrol, and we still have an entire ocean to cross. Also, where do you suggest I put in when we reach Asia?

Thanks for watching (reading?)