Patrol questions

[Bathrone]

Ok, went on my first patrol.

I was sent to a grid reference, and on the way I encountered Tommy warships and coastal merchants. I sunk six of them, including one destroyer.

Q1. I was really happy, but then when I went to save it said I sunk 6 nuetral vessels when I got a radio message saying engage the British forthwith so I dont understand. Is it not counted because I wasnt in my grid?

Q2. Whats the purpose of reporting contacts? Seems useless.

Q3. When on F5 the nav map, where do the ships a long way away come from? Is it reports from other u boats? On the surface Im not running hydrophone so I dont know how they could be known.

Q4. Im going to do a new career. The two flotillas have a type 2 and type 7. The type 2 is a disadvantage over the 7, do I get extra renown or something for picking this one instead?

Q5. Not only didnt I get to my grid reference cos it was so far away, by the time I got half way I had used all my torpedos sinking 6 British ships. I got into hot water when I surfaced thinking I could go the deck gun to take out of a 7th, but I couldnt shoot due to bad weather and had a desperate session trying to get away after revealing myself. So I how do I know in advance the waves are too bad for the deck gun for certain before surfacing?

Thanks
Bathrone