Sneaking into Scapa: what's the route?

[Kesserendrel]

I've had the game about ten days and am loving it, but the second time I tried to sneak into Scapa flow I ran aground, though the map showed me in good position. So my question is: which way should I go in? I entered from the east, at the large channel, and turned north through the first channel towards Scapa Bay itself.

It was really irritating: I had evaded 5-6 destroyers (creeping in at ahead slow, submerged silent running most of the way) and was hoping for a capital ship, but then I ran aground and tore the bottom out of my boat. I was in a VIIB.

Thanks.

[Marcus]

Try the authentic route, the most eastern upper channel. Try a google on a pic of the route.

[IRONxMortlock]

I just had a very successful first run into Scapa Flow. I killed a fleet carrier and an auxillery cruiser.

I took the western most approach, and then went to the south of the island in the inlet. Only one PT boat stood in my way. No sub nets or mines and once in I could see all the destroyers cruising around to the southern and the eastern approaches (whahahaha, fools!) I stayed submerged for the entire trip so I don't know about shore batteries.

Here're some photos.


No escape now!


I didn't really get the timing of this correct. It was an amazing explosion.

I fired 4 torps at the carrier however the first one destroyed it instantly.

Hope you have the same luck as I did!

M
________
CANNABIS COLLECTIVE

[hakkikt]

I have always gone in on the eastern route.

Travel on the surface as far as you can (do the last leg in the night), I would say at least until the archipelago is north of you, farther if possible. You will meet destroyers; dont shoot, let them pass, then surface and go on.
When you get close (how close you can go in on the surface depends on sea state, time of day and your luck), stay submerged and go in on silent running, slow speed. Prepare to stay submerged all the time from now on.

Most of the time you will be at periscope depth because the bay is so shallow. Have short glances at the destroyers you will see to determine where they are going. Most will pass far from you. If one looks like it will come close (e.g. AOB 20° or less), stop and let it pass. Dont shoot.

There is a submerged barrier from the eastern shore into the channel (probably the western too) where the big bay starts. If you go in at the center of the channel, you wont touch it; else (if you sneak along the eastern coast, which I do) be *real* careful and look ahead through the scope... stop or brake (back slow) when you see the barrier and go along it to the west until it ends. I would say time compression should be x4 at most when you approach the fence, or you will be unable to react quickly enough. Hitting the barrier sounds like running aground, so that might be what happened to you?

Once you are in the main bay, you can either go for the harbour directly or sneak to the right, where you can hide in the channel between the two islands. The ground is real shallow there, so be prepared to go up almost to the surface (they will still see less of you if only your tower is out of the water). You can surface in the narrow channel to replenish oxygen or even recharge batteries a little, but I would not recommend staying too long. Obviously, doing this in the night gives you better chances. I have never been detected there, even during an overnight stay

Then on to the attack, and back home. Remember, stay under water all the time and peek out with your scope only occasionally to get your bearings.

The key factor here is RL patience. You will go slowly, and you will get sonar messages all the time (= TC down to 8), so you have to work TC (time compression) a lot... progress will be slow in any case.
Stay at slow speed, stop when you think someone might detect you. Remember, there are shore batteries that will see you & shoot at you, so dont get careless near the shore.

When the attack is complete and you dont feel like going all the way back, there is a good chance you can surface in the middle of the main bay and just go home with the =ESC= key. No need to reach international waters, just stay undetected.

And prepare to have done all of this in vain, there is no guarantee any big ships will be in Scapa Flow. Happened to me more often than not.

Hope that helps, sorry if this is a tad long

[Bill Nichols]

Originally Posted by IRONxMortlock

I just had a very successful first run into Scapa Flow. I killed a fleet carrier and an auxillery cruiser.

I took the western most approach, and then went to the south of the island in the inlet. Only one PT boat stood in my way. No sub nets or mines and once in I could see all the destroyers cruising around to the southern and the eastern approaches (whahahaha, fools!) I stayed submerged for the entire trip so I don't know about shore batteries.

My first run into Scapa was also from the west. I was able to run the channel entirely on the surface, diving only to avoid the PT boat. The shore batteries never bothered me (it was night, of course).

I had less luck in Scapa Flow itself. Sank only a lone DD at anchor, then was hounded by three more and finally depth-charged to death.

[ReM]

Originally Posted by Marcus

Try the authentic route, the most eastern upper channel. Try a google on a pic of the route.

The authentic route is closed! This is Scapa Flow



And this the route taken by Prien



(it is in the East, Holm Sound very much closed in SHIII !)

Entering the authentic way is impossible!

In SHII I preferred the NW entrance, in SHIII I slightly favor the S entrance; only this darn subnet!

[zoinks]

i went in once in the stock version of the game. entered in the hoy sound and exited the hoxa sound. not gonna do it again, either. i wonder if Prien would've gone back?

[Walsung]

Heavy storm weather is a perfect time to visit scapa flow :|\

[oRGy]

Yeah, its a shame the eastern entrance is closed off in sh3. Basically this is due to the satellite derived heightmap land info they use.

From 1942 the approaches were closed with the "Churchill Barriers" - basically land bridges such as you see in SH3 today.