Running out of fuel and batteries?

[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!

[Bilge_Rat]

Actually I did read in Blair's book about a few U-Boats which found themselves mid-Atlantic with not enough fuel to return to base, usually when the Kaleun cut things a bit too close and something unforeseen happened, like the boat being blown off course by a storm. Typical response from BDU was to send another U-Boat to rendezvous and transfer fuel.

I have not read about anything similar in the Pacific, but then Fleet Boats had lots of fuel, average range 15,000 miles vs 6,500 nm for a VIIb/c.

As a skipper, I check fuel daily when out on patrol and am always recalculating the point at which I have to go back (usually when I have 30-40% fuel left).

Checking how much gas you have left is your most important job as skipper.

[themrwho]

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

Actually I did read in Blair's book about a few U-Boats which found themselves mid-Atlantic with not enough fuel to return to base, usually when the Kaleun cut things a bit too close and something unforeseen happened, like the boat being blown off course by a storm. Typical response from BDU was to send another U-Boat to rendezvous and transfer fuel.

That's what I thought. I am still looking for VIIB prices but must be at least USD 10M, too expensive to simply abandon due to fuel, or minor damage to engines.

Not only expensive in terms of financial worth but also too costly to abandon a U-boat since they never had enough for the 'tonnage war' they will try and hold on to each and every boat, even if it is semi-done.

[Rockin Robbins]

The logical consequence of sending a boat to refuel the stranded boat by transferring fuel is the loss of two boats instead of one. Although perhaps good for morale if successful, I'd say it was an unwise thing to do.

[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.