I thought the Med would be easier...

dmlavan · 07-06-07, 01:26 PM

I decided to give my Atlantic boat and crew a well-deserved rest by starting a Mediterranean career in mid-1942, using GWX 1.03 and SHCdr 2.7 with a "realistic career" to avoid a tour of duty lasting the entire war. I picked the Med because a) I like the water color and b) based on not having read much about the U-boat war in the Med, I assumed that if I started on the east side of Gibraltar it would be easier than the Atlantic.

On my first patrol out of Salamis, my first surprise was that the new crew did NOT perform as well as the seasoned 10-patrol Atlantic crew I was used to. After clearing the Aegan Sea and heading towards our patrol area SSE of Malta, I quickly learned that traveling on the surface at night was dangerous. After the second time having my bridge suddenly lit up by a Sunderland's searchlight as the first indication that there were aircraft nearby, I changed my pattern to running surfaced during the day, when I could see aircraft, and submerged at night.

After about two weeks with no contacts

my sonar operator picked up multiple merchants. I turned, followed the sound, and maneuvered into a good position. Up scope, and I found two escorts leading two columns of ships: three small cargo ships, and the other with three fat, juicy passenger liners. I developed a good firing solution, checked them again visually, then noticed the flags: they were Italian! Thankfully I hadn't fired, but my crew was frustrated.

Another few days of futile patrolling, then shortly after sunset my Watch Officer reported a visual contact 6000m away. I looked through my binoculars and saw six smoke plumes - two close and four in the distance. The two belonged to two destroyers who were charging towards me. Crash drive... kept on going to 170m. At one point during the 8hrs of depth charging, I used my "God-like" powers (F12) to see what good targets were passing me by: one King George V and one Nelson class battleship, and two Dido cruisers. I could only imagine my Sailors painting those tonnage flags for our return to port!

At the end of the patrol, I pulled into Salamis on fumes (less than 10% fuel) with only 4 small ships for 10k tons total... and moderate damage to my VIIC from numerous aircraft. I'm almost tempted to brave Gibraltar just to head out into the "easy" Atlantic!

STEED · 07-06-07, 01:51 PM

The Med is

But if your hunting warships that's the place for you.

Iron Budokan · 07-06-07, 01:57 PM

I'm definitely going to try a Med career after I finish this one....looking forward to it.

ichso · 07-06-07, 02:15 PM

Quote:

a) I like the water color

Is it different from the colour of the atlantic water ?

dmlavan · 07-06-07, 02:41 PM

Yes. At least w/ SH3 patched to 1.4 and GWX 1.03 the Med is a light blue instead of the slate gray of th e Atlantic. That may be part of "stock" SH3 as well... it's been so long since I played w/o GWX I don't remember.

Hitman · 07-06-07, 02:50 PM

Yes the Med was difficult as hell in real life

...some reasons:

1) Merchant targets scarce and mainly the smallest crafts, not worth a torpedo and not even able to trigger the warhead detonator sometimes due to the shallow draft

2) Clearer water means easier spotting of submerged subs at shallow depth (Mainly from the air).

3) Air cover almost in any corner due to smaller distances

4) Main targets were fast and well escorted battleships and cruisers

I'm currently reading the recent "U-Boats in teh Mediterranean 1941-1944" by Lawrence Patterson and it really puts you in the mood

I heartly recommend it

gord96 · 07-06-07, 02:59 PM

i may transfer there when the chance comes with my current VIIB career. What year does a flotilla open up shop there?

Hitman · 07-06-07, 03:03 PM

Late 1941

, but do it macho-man style and go through Gibraltar first to dock at La Spezia or Salamis before transferring!

gord96 · 07-06-07, 03:13 PM

oh for sure. I always want to try going through the strait. I think I will just go flank speed on the surface in broad daylight with all my guns manned. shoot at anything that comes near. I will have the gramaphone playing ride of the valkyries full blast as we sail into oblivion.

Stev1 · 07-06-07, 03:15 PM

You could always try the "VALLETA" single Mission were you can sink the King George V along with some merchants.

Subject · 07-06-07, 03:30 PM

... nm

Jimbuna · 07-06-07, 03:37 PM

The water colour changes in the Med when your using SH3 Commander

Lzs von swe · 07-07-07, 06:05 AM

Ahh, yes, the Med

Beautiful blue waters and.... death

07-06-07, 01:26 PM	#1
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	I thought the Med would be easier... I decided to give my Atlantic boat and crew a well-deserved rest by starting a Mediterranean career in mid-1942, using GWX 1.03 and SHCdr 2.7 with a "realistic career" to avoid a tour of duty lasting the entire war. I picked the Med because a) I like the water color and b) based on not having read much about the U-boat war in the Med, I assumed that if I started on the east side of Gibraltar it would be easier than the Atlantic. On my first patrol out of Salamis, my first surprise was that the new crew did NOT perform as well as the seasoned 10-patrol Atlantic crew I was used to. After clearing the Aegan Sea and heading towards our patrol area SSE of Malta, I quickly learned that traveling on the surface at night was dangerous. After the second time having my bridge suddenly lit up by a Sunderland's searchlight as the first indication that there were aircraft nearby, I changed my pattern to running surfaced during the day, when I could see aircraft, and submerged at night. After about two weeks with no contacts my sonar operator picked up multiple merchants. I turned, followed the sound, and maneuvered into a good position. Up scope, and I found two escorts leading two columns of ships: three small cargo ships, and the other with three fat, juicy passenger liners. I developed a good firing solution, checked them again visually, then noticed the flags: they were Italian! Thankfully I hadn't fired, but my crew was frustrated. Another few days of futile patrolling, then shortly after sunset my Watch Officer reported a visual contact 6000m away. I looked through my binoculars and saw six smoke plumes - two close and four in the distance. The two belonged to two destroyers who were charging towards me. Crash drive... kept on going to 170m. At one point during the 8hrs of depth charging, I used my "God-like" powers (F12) to see what good targets were passing me by: one King George V and one Nelson class battleship, and two Dido cruisers. I could only imagine my Sailors painting those tonnage flags for our return to port! At the end of the patrol, I pulled into Salamis on fumes (less than 10% fuel) with only 4 small ships for 10k tons total... and moderate damage to my VIIC from numerous aircraft. I'm almost tempted to brave Gibraltar just to head out into the "easy" Atlantic!

07-06-07, 01:51 PM	#2
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	The Med is But if your hunting warships that's the place for you. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

07-06-07, 01:57 PM	#3
Iron Budokan Sea Lord Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,778 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	I'm definitely going to try a Med career after I finish this one....looking forward to it. __________________ "You will take on England wherever you find her ships, and you will break her power at sea." --Iron Coffins, Herbert A. Werner http://kennethmarkhoover.com

07-06-07, 02:50 PM	#6
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Yes the Med was difficult as hell in real life ...some reasons: 1) Merchant targets scarce and mainly the smallest crafts, not worth a torpedo and not even able to trigger the warhead detonator sometimes due to the shallow draft 2) Clearer water means easier spotting of submerged subs at shallow depth (Mainly from the air). 3) Air cover almost in any corner due to smaller distances 4) Main targets were fast and well escorted battleships and cruisers I'm currently reading the recent "U-Boats in teh Mediterranean 1941-1944" by Lawrence Patterson and it really puts you in the mood I heartly recommend it __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

07-06-07, 03:03 PM	#8
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Late 1941 , but do it macho-man style and go through Gibraltar first to dock at La Spezia or Salamis before transferring! __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

07-06-07, 02:41 PM	#5
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Yes. At least w/ SH3 patched to 1.4 and GWX 1.03 the Med is a light blue instead of the slate gray of th e Atlantic. That may be part of "stock" SH3 as well... it's been so long since I played w/o GWX I don't remember.

07-06-07, 02:59 PM	#7
gord96 Commodore Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 627 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	i may transfer there when the chance comes with my current VIIB career. What year does a flotilla open up shop there?

07-06-07, 03:13 PM	#9
gord96 Commodore Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 627 Downloads: 57 Uploads: 0	oh for sure. I always want to try going through the strait. I think I will just go flank speed on the surface in broad daylight with all my guns manned. shoot at anything that comes near. I will have the gramaphone playing ride of the valkyries full blast as we sail into oblivion.

07-06-07, 03:15 PM	#10
Stev1 Medic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 164 Downloads: 205 Uploads: 0	You could always try the "VALLETA" single Mission were you can sink the King George V along with some merchants.

07-06-07, 03:30 PM	#11
Subject Sparky Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 158 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	... nm __________________ Last edited by Subject; 07-07-07 at 11:25 AM.

07-06-07, 03:37 PM	#12
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	The water colour changes in the Med when your using SH3 Commander __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

07-07-07, 06:05 AM	#13
Lzs von swe Ace of the Deep Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norrkoping, Sweden Posts: 1,074 Downloads: 66 Uploads: 0	Ahh, yes, the Med Beautiful blue waters and.... death __________________