Can coastal merchants' engines explode randomly? Are other U-Boats active in-theatre?

[XenonSurf]

In the stock game the answer is : NO.


In WAC, AI subs are included as well as in other mega mods (In WAC they are in ports already). There will be battles in which you are not (yet) involved, the thing is: Be there at the right time to meet historical battles and you will see all sort of units. You can adjust date in bunker with KSD Commander.


However, even in WAC, I have yet to see an AI sub attacking a ship. So, the moment I see an AI sub together with enemy ships and the AI doesn't fire I'll know for sure. This may take awhile to be in such a situation...
Best way to investigate is to look if a mod is supporting 'Wolfpacks' in which case you should be directed to a location by BDU in which a group of subs, plus you, are attacking a convoy.

The old DOS game Aces of the Deep has this feature.