Black May

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Von Manteuffel

Having made it to January 1945 before meeting the almost inevitable fate of all U-boats - in my case at the hands of the RAF followed by 3 escorts. There is a way to survive, but it's rather boring. Herewith Von Manteuffel's Rules for a long(er-ish) life:

Pre 1942:

1. Enjoy the Happy Time, but, now and again, practice skulking in the
dark for long periods. It will come in handy.

Post 1942:

2. Surface only at night.
Radar will still get you, but you stand a slightly better chance in the dark.

3. Surface for the minimum time necessary, then resume skulking.

4. Avoid convoys and convoy routes. Concentrate on picking off lone ships. If you
get notification of an allied Task Force in your vicinity - Run away!

5. Attack only at night.

6. Fire torpedoes at extreme range - never less than 3,000 metres, preferably
5,000+ - then make like a shepherd and get the flock outta there.

7. Pray for bad weather, when planes can't fly and you should have time to dive
and evade any surface vessels which pick you up on Radar and come a-hunting.

8. Minimise your sending of radio messages. I'm not sure if it has an effect in-game,
but I have my suspicions.

9. Learn to love Silent-running. You'll spend a lot of time in that state.

10. Stay as far away as possible from Allied-controlled land-masses. At any time IRL
harbour-raiding was virtually impossible, post 1942 it's simpler to put her
nose down and see how deep she can go before she pops.

That's how I managed to survive until meeting my fate. AND IT'S BORING!

Lots of us play this game for the thrill of the hunt. We smack our lips in anticipation of that convoy full of fat tankers and we want to see our torpedoes destroy them in a fury of fire and steel.

So, the above is offered for those who may want to survive that bit longer - who knows, perhaps even to the cessation of hostilities. For those who want to have fun - please ignore them and have a glorious, but inevitably limited career.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.

So very true Kaleun...so very true