User manual GAMES PC SILENT HUNTER III

[. . . ] "The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril. " ­ W. S. Churchill, The Second World War TM 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . The grey wolves, the U-boats of the German Kriegsmarine, take to the sea. The U-boat fleet is all but wiped out, 30, 000 of its 40, 000 men having died at sea. Still, fighting hard but fair, they had accomplished success beyond all expectations and out of proportion to their strength. [. . . ] Recommended Target Asks the Weapon Officer to recommend the best target in range for a torpedo attack. Sonar Estimate Range to Contact The Sound Operator will estimate range to a selected sonar contact. Precise Range to Contact The Sound Operator will give the precise range to a selected sonar contact. Solution on Map The Weapon Officer will display the current torpedo solution on the attack map. Weapons Management The Weapon Officer will display the torpedo, deck, and flak ammo management screen. 32 33 Radio Operator The Radio Operator allows you to send and receive radio communications. Although you can perform radio and radar procedures manually, it is advisable to maintain a Radio Operator at station at all times. Play Start the music on the gramophone. Next Skip the current melody. Report Report Nearest Radio Contact The Radio Operator repeats the last radio contact received. Send Contact Report The Radio Operator sends a contact report to the base. Send Patrol Report The Radio Operator sends a patrol report to the base. Escort to Base This message will request a surface vessel escort from a nearby naval base. This message is available only if the U-boat is close to a friendly base. Watch Officer The Watch Officer controls the crew on deck when the U-boat is at surface. Although you can manually perform all the operations on the deck, having the Watch Officer at station will give you remote control on the gun crews and will dramatically improve their performance when engaging surface and air targets. Choose Target Nearest Ship The Watch Officer will select the nearest ship available for a deck gun attack. Nearest Merchant The Watch Officer will select the nearest merchant available for a deck gun attack. Nearest Warship The Watch Officer will select the nearest warship available for a deck gun attack. Recommended Target The Watch Officer will recommend you the best target available for deck gun attack. Radar One Sweep The Radio Operator will make a 360° radar sweep. Turn Off The Radio Operator turns the radar off. Crew on Deck Man the Deck Gun The Watch Officer will order the crew to operate the deck gun. Gramophone Man the Flak Gun The Watch Officer will order the crew to operate the flak guns. 34 35 Man the Deck and Flak Gun The Watch Officer will order the crew to operate the deck and flak guns. Watch Crew The Watch Officer will order the watch crew on the bridge. Flak Gun Fire at Will This order allows the flak guns crew to engage any target. Hold Fire This order restricts the flak guns crew from engaging targets. Short Range This order restricts the flak guns crew to engaging targets only at short range (up to 500 m). Medium Range This order restricts the flak guns crew to engaging targets only at medium range (up to 1, 000 m). Long Range This order allows the flak guns crew to engage targets at maximum range (up to 2, 000 m). Targeting Fighters The flak guns crew will engage enemy fighters with priority. Targeting Bombers The flak guns crew will engage enemy bombers with priority. Targeting Closing Targets The flak guns crew will engage closing enemy aircraft with priority. Damage reports The Watch Officer will report on deck weapons systems. Weapons Management The Watch Officer will display the torpedo, deck and flak ammo management screen. Deck Gun Fire at Will This orders the deck gun crew to engage any target. [. . . ] Another way to avoid detection would be to "use the vertical. " Move on the surface ­ the waves create distortions that prohibit the proper travel of ASDIC waves. Hydrophone A primary detection tool on submarines, the hydrophone was only of secondary importance for escorts. Still, even if not providing input sufficient for an attack, it could detect a U-boat and prompt a search by ASDIC. Detection by hydrophone is best avoided by keeping noisy activity at minimum in the U-boat by giving the Rig for Silent Running order and running your engines on Slow Speed ­ the setting that creates the least cavitation and noise. While virtually blind in his steel hull during depth charge attacks, an experienced Uboat commander can lessen the chances of receiving damage. Waiting for the moment when the approaching escort increases speed to enter the attack run, he can order full speed in confidence that he has entered the ASDIC blind spot and the escort cannot hear much due to its own increased speed. [. . . ]