Optimum Speed in Patrol Grid?

Stiebler · 10-14-06, 10:19 AM

What is the optimum speed for patrolling your assigned grid square (eg BE65)?

The two plausible alternatives seem to be:
a) at one-third ahead (most efficient fuel setting to make progress);
b) at slow ahead (consumes least fuel to maximise time in grid).
[Alternative (c) - to use no fuel at all by remaining stopped - would not be permitted by BdU, since it endangers the boat in case of sudden air attack.]

If the target merchant ships appear truly randomly and instantaneously in the square, then there is no difference between (a) and (b), except that (b) will allow you to remain longer in the patrol grid.

However, the merchant ships do not appear randomly and suddenly. They move slowly through the patrol grid square. Moving faster through the grid may increase the chance of locating them as they move. Or it may take you away from the targets faster.

I'd guess that the answer depends on the (average) relative speeds of U-boat and target.

Quite an interesting statistical, or mathematical-modelling, exercise.
Does anyone already know the answer?

[Incidentally, wolf-packs patrolling the Atlantic moved at slowest speed in their grid, to conserve fuel. But they relied on their U-boat neighbours to patrol their flanks so that nothing could slip through. Their solution doesn't necessarily apply to a lone-wolf U-boat, as in SH3.]

Stiebler.

10-14-06, 10:19 AM	#1
Stiebler Fuel Supplier Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,237 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 4	Optimum Speed in Patrol Grid? What is the optimum speed for patrolling your assigned grid square (eg BE65)? The two plausible alternatives seem to be: a) at one-third ahead (most efficient fuel setting to make progress); b) at slow ahead (consumes least fuel to maximise time in grid). [Alternative (c) - to use no fuel at all by remaining stopped - would not be permitted by BdU, since it endangers the boat in case of sudden air attack.] If the target merchant ships appear truly randomly and instantaneously in the square, then there is no difference between (a) and (b), except that (b) will allow you to remain longer in the patrol grid. However, the merchant ships do not appear randomly and suddenly. They move slowly through the patrol grid square. Moving faster through the grid may increase the chance of locating them as they move. Or it may take you away from the targets faster. I'd guess that the answer depends on the (average) relative speeds of U-boat and target. Quite an interesting statistical, or mathematical-modelling, exercise. Does anyone already know the answer? [Incidentally, wolf-packs patrolling the Atlantic moved at slowest speed in their grid, to conserve fuel. But they relied on their U-boat neighbours to patrol their flanks so that nothing could slip through. Their solution doesn't necessarily apply to a lone-wolf U-boat, as in SH3.] Stiebler.