Food Constraint

[Sailor Steve]

But is it anywhere stated that any u-boat ended a patrol because they ran low on food? That's the real question.

[PappyCain]

I have read that in a true account. The only way they extended the patrol was to filtch fish at gunpoint with local fisherman. Especially when they transited to to S.A. and the Caribbean. You could not feed 40 men plus on what was provided, as cured meat was the only thing left - the flour and bread even spoiled and all fresh fruit was devoured in the first week. Add too a stinking hot boat, hot climate and black mold was an issue in all seas too, a major issue. What I suggest is that the food stores lost a fair percentage that was not consummed even if the weevils, maggots and larvae were picked off.

[Sailor Steve]

Source please. I've also read about fishing, stealing fish and of course killing polar bears. What those don't say was whether they did it because they had no food left or because they were tired of canned food. I've still not read of a patrol ending over lack of food.

[PappyCain]

There is an excellent book on this subject: White, John F. U-Boat Tankers 1941-45 Submarine Suppliers to Atlantic Wolf Packs. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1998. ISBN: 1-55750-861-5. Copyright: John F. White, 1998

[Sailor Steve]

And? What does it say?

[Gargamel]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

But is it anywhere stated that any u-boat ended a patrol because they ran low on food? That's the real question.

Page 91 of Blair's first volume Indicates that a number of boats did return due to low food stores, but also indicates it wasn't the only reason.

U-69 had to resort to killing dolphins to gain food (pg 301).

Type VII's only had enough fuel and food to patrol for ten days when they were assigned to canadian waters (pg 440).

U-332 arrived off of hatteras in feb '42 low on fuel, and u-128 was ordered to divert from Florida on their return trip to resupply u-332. They refused citing not enough food to make that detour. Pg 517.

There are also numerous accounts of both food and fuel being limiting factors in the campaign in American waters.

So, yes, I would say food did affect patrols.

[Sailor Steve]

Thank you. That was what I was looking for. Now I can join the crowd asking for food as an option in the games.

[Gargamel]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Thank you. That was what I was looking for. Now I can join the crowd asking for food as an option in the games.

As I mentioned before, I think they stocked to match expected fuel load. Most of the incidents I found, quite a few of them were from skippers who were later reassigned, leading me to believe mismanagement lead to food shortages.

I think adding food management would just be another annoyance of creW micro management, similar to fatigue.

[PappyCain]

Food stores would not have to be micro managed - just a simple bar that goes from fully stocked to a 'we have 12 days rations' left sort of thing. Makes for a inconvenient or welcomed trip home. Just a thought. Maybe an randomized optional toggle box in SH3 Commander. Or, a bucket of Tootsie Rolls and Snickers under your desk - when empty head for the barn! Burp!

[Gargamel]

If its a bucket, I don't make it out of port

[Kapt Z]

Originally Posted by Gargamel

I think adding food management would just be another annoyance of creW micro management, similar to fatigue.

I suppose they could have created some kind of food supply 'clock'. Something that would just start counting down as soon as you left port. Even if you went out into the middle of the atlantic, shut the engines down and drifted you still could not stay out there forever. This 'clock' could only be reset by visiting a port or resupply boat/ship. Just like the CO2 gauge, out of your control.

Having said all that, I don't think enough boats had to return due to food supply issues to warrant the time and effort to put it in the game.

Edit- Sorry PappyCain, didn't see your post which says basically the same thing as above...