North Sea Mines

[PapaG39]

Just wondering at what date in GWX that the East coast of Great Britain gets its mines? According the page 55 in the GWX manual there will be mines 30km thiick all the way from Kinnaird Head to Dover.
Its now the 6th September 1940 and i am starting my 11th patrol bound for AN67 which is right in that area. I'm still in the type IID boat so I can't go on a long extend trip.
I have been trying to find some history on the areas of merchant travel In the North Sea in September 1940, but so far I have not run across anything helpful.

I do know that the area along the coastline of Great Britain became extremely dangerous on my last patrol. There were DD's going every which way & travelling at 30kts. I only got two small merchants & was lucky to get out in one piece.
I was under attack in that danged shallow water at every turn.
Once the Brits get their improved electronics a u-boat won't stand a chanch in that shallow water.

[3Jane]

For my self, the only place I have ever encountered mines is outside of the port of Calais. Having been within sight of the eastern coast of Britain a few times at night, never any mines.

[melnibonian]

Originally Posted by PapaG39

Just wondering at what date in GWX that the East coast of Great Britain gets its mines? According the page 55 in the GWX manual there will be mines 30km thiick all the way from Kinnaird Head to Dover.

If I remember correctly the mines on the areas around England already exist in GWX from the begining of the War. As the years go by the minefields expand. Rule of thumb and basic survival tip: Stay away from the coast and the Chanel and you might live a bit longer

[KeptinCranky]

Historically the merchants stayed right up close to the coast, with the minefields protecting them from evil little u-boats like yours out in the north sea. There were of course a few open lanes for warships and whatnot to pass through but it'd be a tough job finding those. Since it's shallow everywhere you might as well go where the merchies are going to be

Your best bet really is to not even go there, but if you must, try to stay real close to the English coast, and if you do end up in a minefield, surface! and then get out, it may not save you but you've got a better chance

[papa_smurf]

When going along the East coast of Britain, stay about 200km away from the coast and you should be fine, and be able to sink some mercahnts along the way.

[NiclDoe]

And NEVER go in the english channel either.

[bigboywooly]

The east coast barrage starts early 1940

The problem with minefields is if you up the density so its difficult for the uboat to go through then it leads to real slow downs on the player computer plus graphic anomalies as the game tries to render all those mines plus your uboat

So minefields have been reduced in density
You still have the chance of hitting a mine but the fields are nowhere near as dense as the really should be

Limitations of SH3 engine I am afraid

Minefields should be pretty devastating

6th January 1940

During the night of the 6th/7th, German destroyers of the 1st Flotilla, FRIEDRICH ECKHOLDT, ERICH STEINBRINCK, FRIEDRICH IHN, supported by KARL GALSTER, RICHARD BEITZEN, HERMANN SCHOEMANN laid mines in the Thames Estuary. Destroyer GRENVILLE and six merchant ships for 21,617 tons were lost in this field.

On the 6th, motor trawlerETA (81grt) six miles NW of Outer Gabbard Light Vessel, but the crew were saved.

On the 7th, steamer CEDRINGTON COURT (5160grt) two miles NE of North Goodwins Light Vessel in 51-22N, 1-35E. Again the crew were saved.

On the 7th, steamer TOWNELEY (2888grt) one mile ENE of North East Spit Buoy. The crew of the were saved when they rowed to shore in the Margate lifeboat.

On the 9th, steamer DUNBARCASTLE (10,002grt) of convoy OA.69 in 51‑23N, 01‑34E. Nine crew were lost and her survivors rescued by trawler CALVI (363grt) and other small ships.

On the 9th, Dutch steamer TRUIDA (176grt) in 51‑27N, 01‑50E. Her crew were rescued by Dutch trawler FRISO (250grt) which transferred them to Dutch steamer TIBERIUS (1712grt).

On the 15th, steamer KILDALE (3877grt) was damaged two miles east of South Shiphead Buoy.

On the 16th, Belgian steamer JOSEPHINE CHARLOTTE (3422grt) in 51‑32N, 01‑33E. Four crew were lost and the survivors rescued by British steamer MICKLETON (777grt).

On the 19th, destroyer GRENVILLE was sunk east of the Thames Estuary.