OM Patrol Log

[Threadfin]

The northabout route past Scapa Flow is perfectly viable to reach the Western Approaches, and the only one I use. Cruise at 6 knots to maximize range and endurance. The Channel is not for submarines But I suspect you know this.

The 'date' issue in your logbook is common, and it happens I think when you save and reload, so you probably played up to the sinking of the Old Raked Bow Split Merchant in one sitting, and then the rest in another?

As for the reversed AoB shots that you took, we've all done it, I sure have. What I try to do is always make my final check a gyro check, because after some experience you can usually instantly recognize an error by seeing an unexpected gyro angle. Even so, scheisse happens.

How are you finding target speed? Surely the estimate 'by bow wave' was a one off due to time restrictions?

Congrats on your successful patrol and good luck on the next.

[cadaha]

Originally Posted by Threadfin

The northabout route past Scapa Flow is perfectly viable to reach the Western Approaches, and the only one I use. Cruise at 6 knots to maximize range and endurance. The Channel is not for submarines But I suspect you know this.

The 'date' issue in your logbook is common, and it happens I think when you save and reload, so you probably played up to the sinking of the Old Raked Bow Split Merchant in one sitting, and then the rest in another?

As for the reversed AoB shots that you took, we've all done it, I sure have. What I try to do is always make my final check a gyro check, because after some experience you can usually instantly recognize an error by seeing an unexpected gyro angle. Even so, scheisse happens.

How are you finding target speed? Surely the estimate 'by bow wave' was a one off due to time restrictions?

Congrats on your successful patrol and good luck on the next.

The patrol I've just started is at the south western approaches basically level with landsend which is why I'm risking the channel route. I travel at 6 kts as well to conserve fuel

Yes, the speed estimate was rushed due to close proximity of target due to night time and fog. I had to react pretty quickly and that is also the first time I've carried out a surface torpedo attack.

I normally get target speed by distance traveled in metres in 3'15" x 10 for U-Boat. SSN is distance traveled in yds in 3' x 10.

[Threadfin]

Well then certainly you've drawn the patrol grid of BF24 eh? Off Crow Sound? The Channel would save a lot of time and fuel no doubt. And it surely can be done, I have myself. The problem is if you are detected, there's no where to run or to hide. So I always choose the northabout as I play my patrols dead is dead and it's much more likely to be dead going through the Channel.

FWIW, a career three removed was ended in BF24 when attacked by aircraft out of the low overcast while on the surface. Sunderland I do believe. I don't like this area and get the hell out as soon as the star turns grey. Too many coastal craft that I plot interceptions on only to discover later that they aren't worth a torpedo. Of course this puts me closer to them while hoping to avoid. It's just got some bad juju or mojo 'round those parts.

[cadaha]

Originally Posted by Threadfin

Well then certainly you've drawn the patrol grid of BF24 eh? Off Crow Sound? The Channel would save a lot of time and fuel no doubt. And it surely can be done, I have myself. The problem is if you are detected, there's no where to run or to hide. So I always choose the northabout as I play my patrols dead is dead and it's much more likely to be dead going through the Channel.

FWIW, a career three removed was ended in BF24 when attacked by aircraft out of the low overcast while on the surface. Sunderland I do believe. I don't like this area and get the hell out as soon as the star turns grey. Too many coastal craft that I plot interceptions on only to discover later that they aren't worth a torpedo. Of course this puts me closer to them while hoping to avoid. It's just got some bad juju or mojo 'round those parts.

Yes I'm playing dead is dead so I intend to stay submerged during the day and run at slow speed to conserve batteries. I hate setting up an attack only to find out that the targets are trawlers, the torpedo is probably worth more than they are. I usually break off and slink away submerged if I don't take them out with the deck gun. I'll be glad when I can transfer to one of the western french ports like Brest which will save a lot of time getting to patrol areas.

[Threadfin]

It depends on which Flotilla you're in, but I'm in the 7th with a VIIB. I recall from my previous career that the 7th transfers to St Nazaire in September 1940. It may be earlier or later if you're in a different flotilla (Brest, Lorient etc).

So what I've done on my past few careers is set sail on a patrol a few months before, say June, and then make it a double-barrelled patrol by putting in to one of the 'clandestine' ports in Spain like Cadiz or Vigo and getting a reload. By the time the second barrel of the patrol is done, the 7th has made the move and I tie up there.

I did notice in my current career that Brest is already active in the early summer of '40.

[cadaha]

Originally Posted by Threadfin

It depends on which Flotilla you're in, but I'm in the 7th with a VIIB. I recall from my previous career that the 7th transfers to St Nazaire in September 1940. It may be earlier or later if you're in a different flotilla (Brest, Lorient etc).

So what I've done on my past few careers is set sail on a patrol a few months before, say June, and then make it a double-barrelled patrol by putting in to one of the 'clandestine' ports in Spain like Cadiz or Vigo and getting a reload. By the time the second barrel of the patrol is done, the 7th has made the move and I tie up there.

I did notice in my current career that Brest is already active in the early summer of '40.

I'm in the 7th too, so hopefully next year (I'm October 1939 at the moment) I'll transfer to St Nazaire.

[Threadfin]

You made a good choice of flotillas. The reason I say that is there may be an issue in OM where conning tower upgrades cause problems. As luck would have it, the VIIB gets no conning tower upgrades. There is a thread here at subsim from some time back, titled something like How to Survive Operation Monsun. that describes the issue


a little search, and, here it is

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=205967

Personally I have no experience with this happening as I've only joined the 7th in all of my OM careers, and if I've ever been offered an upgrade to a newer boat I've declined.

For whatever reason, the past two days have been a crash fest for me. I've always had to deal with crashes in OM, but recently it's been quite bad and is preventing me from making any progress on my career (July 1940).

Edit: Turns out somewhere along the way that the 4GB memory fix had become un-applied. Works fine again.