Through The Lion's Teeth

[Rykaird]

December, 1940

I have received my new boat – a type IXB. She seems to have enough torpedoes to sink the entire British fleet!

One strange thing – while on the dock, preparing to get underway, Admiral Dönitz himself came strolling up. I was so proud – I thought the great man had come to wish me, one of his very best Kaleuns, a successful voyage. Imagine my shock when I discovered the man was obviously drunk. He stumbles up to me, and with breath reeking with cheap peppermint schnapps, says “Nice boat, Kapitänleutnant. Maybe a bit – too nice, hmmm?” He then suddenly tears my Kapitänleutnant insignia off my dress uniform, and totters off laughing crazily “Congratulations, Herr Kaleun! You’ve been promoted to Oberleutnant!” I guess the strain of high command is too much for the poor old sod.

Anyway, after this bizarre incident, we had a surprisingly good patrol off the southwestern Irish coast. Good for us, but not so good for Tommy. We’ve resupplied at the milch cow in Vigo, and after some fiddling with the enigma machine, I’ve opened my sealed orders to discover that we are to sail through the Straits of Gibraltar to Port Said, and sink the HRN Averof.

So, fellow Kaleuns, I could use some advice on getting through the Straits. I’ve heard there is a surface current that flows into the Med, but I always feel more comfortable with a nice, cold, 200m blanket of water over my head. How deep is it in the Straits? Any good advice for a safe passage?

And besides Port Said, does Tommy have any other areas you would recommend we visit?

Thanks, and may all your torpedoes actually work.

[Brag]

I only did it in SHII hugging the African coast partly on the surface and partly at PD. And I mean hugging it.

[_Seth_]

Good story, mate! One trick to beat the strait: Run silent, run deep. Follow the hydrophone tracks on the map to learn the path of the DD's, then try to avoid them. Should go like the cream in the cake! PS: Dont let Bernard push the "blow ballast" button!

[Morts]

Originally Posted by _Seth_

Dont let Bernard push the "blow ballast" button!

OH tell me about it
i was being depth charged by 7-8 DD's and i had elcos searching
then suddently someone screamed "blow ballast"
.........................
lets just say my U-boat had more holes than swiss cheese



:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Rykaird

December, 1940

I have received my new boat – a type IXB. She seems to have enough torpedoes to sink the entire British fleet

I like your thinking.

[Jimbuna]

Your prize awaits you

[Mush Martin]

Go in on the surface at 1/3 ahead at midday.

you never know.

More seriously

I found that the units patrolling the straight came up one at a time
politely although there is a taskgroup in there somewhere I either
managed to avoid them or they were so spread out I didnt recognize
them. I actually went through at Battle depth at night. and
either routed around them in space or routed around them in time.
didnt really have much trouble.

there is a current in the Real world but I dont think it affects you in sh3
full ahead is same speed east or west all things being equal.

[Iron Budokan]

Originally Posted by Mush Martin

Go in on the surface at 1/3 ahead at midday.

you never know.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

[Finback]

Originally Posted by Mush Martin

Go in on the surface at 1/3 ahead at midday.

you never know.

Creeping speed. You burn less fuel.

[Rykaird]

[quote=Finback]

Originally Posted by Mush Martin

Go in on the surface at 1/3 ahead at midday.

you never know.quote]

Creeping speed. You burn less fuel.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

So the consensus on getting past the Straits of Gibraltar is a ten step plan:

1) Go in at mid-day;
2) In calm seas;
3) On the surface;
4) At all ahead slow;
5) With both periscopes fully raised;
6) Pinging regularly for depth;
7) With the gramophone blairing the hit song "Churchill is A Human Warthog"
8) Firing the deck and flak guns periodically;
9) Sending regular position reports to the British, coupled with chatty comments about their dubious parentage and bad dental hygiene;
10) And lastly, with a target symbol for my side emblem.

We should add this sage advice to the Wiki . . .