Im not liking my odds

[Canovaro]

:hmm:
GWX full realism (no manual nav)

I managed to get as far as september 1942, but I have no trouble at all with aircraft and all the other problems you mentioned, so far. The last couple of convoy attacks I never got pinged. It has been quite easy to be honest. Not seen any aircraft in ages. When did it really start to get difficult for you?

[SmokinTep]

Sounds like you have had a great career so far..........

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Canovaro

:hmm:
GWX full realism (no manual nav)

I managed to get as far as september 1942, but I have no trouble at all with aircraft and all the other problems you mentioned, so far. The last couple of convoy attacks I never got pinged. It has been quite easy to be honest. Not seen any aircraft in ages. When did it really start to get difficult for you?

my first real frightening encounter that i thought i might not make it out of (and was not the result of my own stupidity) was an encounter with a single destroyer who spotted our periscope while i was going to mount an attack against him. He was still getting accurate sound location at us at 240 meters depth! that was also the last time i have attacked a single destroyer out patrolling by himself - 8 February 1943.

in february 1943 - I crash dived to evade aircraft only once or twice

By may 1943 i was crash diving or receiving radar detection warnings almost any time i spent surfaced during day light hours - especially when passing the bay of biscay. i have found that after about March of 1943 the only "safe" time to travel on the surface is between 2200 and 0400 hours LOCAL time and even then only long enough to recharge air and batteries. the days of covering long distances on the surface at good speed are far away gone.

in July of 43 i had the periscope bombed while calculating a shot against a small tanker travelling all alone which crippled the boat severely and caused me to have to return to port. if any part of your sub is sticking out of the water your going to be detected by that radar! so i have made the habbit of travelling submerged at least 40 meters down - not PD... forget to lower a scope or other mast and your toast.

you might have a few run ins with aircraft in 42 - but things will really heat up by srping of 43 so be careful! my next patrol goes out some time in september... if i make it through that one using the strategy of ultra conservatism and only attacking targets of opportunity i stand a good chance of at least making it to 1945.

[Iron Budokan]

"You're walking dead meat and the clock is ticking....."