Running out of fuel and batteries?

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by dankm85

Tug boats or resupply boats whould be awesome. Why whould they not include that in a Submarine Simulator?

Because the only "resupply ship" they had was a sub tender, and they stayed in their assigned ports. They weren't going to send an important vessel into enemy waters to rescue a skipper that stupid. If you were within a few miles of a port they might send a tug. But as was pointed out it never happened in real life, so putting it into the game would be unhistorical.

[Rockin Robbins]

Also keep in mind that fuel range is not a problem in the game. As long as you keep your speed to 9 knots unless pursuing or maneuvering for position (and there is plenty of extra fuel for lots of that), stay on the surface every second you can so as not to deplete your batteries (recharging batteries takes the same amount of fuel per hour as running wide open), you have PLENTY of fuel to complete your missions, plus accept three or four other assignments before you come back in to port to refuel.

[themrwho]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Because the only "resupply ship" they had was a sub tender, and they stayed in their assigned ports. They weren't going to send an important vessel into enemy waters to rescue a skipper that stupid. If you were within a few miles of a port they might send a tug. But as was pointed out it never happened in real life, so putting it into the game would be unhistorical.

CASE A
If a U-boat captain miscalculates fuel consumption and finds himself being in position unable to reach a friendly port, it makes perfect sense that BdU would not be sending any help [supply ship] to the fool.


CASE B
However, if the U-boat is damaged due to enemy action, I find it reasonable that BdU would send help. What is the other option, simply removing it from naval register and marking them in "eternal patrol (due to zero fuel)"?

What do you guys think about case B?

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by themrwho

What do you guys think about case B?

I believe in case B they would send a U-Boat (if possible) to take off the crew and scuttle the boat. I seem to recall reading about one such effort which result in a standing room only journey home for the evacuated crew. However, if you're far behind enemy lines with no realistic options you just have to surrender to local sea or air forces and then scuttle the ship, which a few heavily damaged U-Boats did. The damaged US sub Grenadier was also forced to exercise this option.

[Rockin Robbins]

When one US sub was grounded, Pearl sent another sub to take the crew off and shell the other boat to death. That's about the best that could be expected.

This return to base option and rescue sub is just hokey. Why not just equip the boat with semi-nuclear 40mm AA guns..... Wait! I've done that!

[Capt. Morgan]

Originally Posted by themrwho

CASE A
If a U-boat captain miscalculates fuel consumption and finds himself being in position unable to reach a friendly port, it makes perfect sense that BdU would not be sending any help [supply ship] to the fool....

Something that all navies - of all nations - at all times - seem to have in common is an extreme intolerance for error. I'd say the game simulates the consequences of running out of fuel reasonably accurately.