The weather shows no signs of improvement.



The problem is that in these seas, I can neither use my deck gun nor transfer my last three reserve torpedoes from external stowage under the decks into the torpedo rooms. In all my time playing SH3, I never found out if I could reload tubes from the external stowage in preference to internal, while conditions were calm; if that is possible, I should have done it in the mission.



Effectively disarmed and getting short of fuel in any case, I set course back to the west for base. I have more than enough diesel left to proceed at normal cruising speed and next day finds us approaching the French coast, somewhere up ahead in the still-stormy seas.



Finally, we're in the lee of the nearest shore to the north, where conditions are overcast and foggy, but calm.



Soon, enough the harbour lights of Brest are telling us we're nearly home.



Here's our tally for the patrol.



I have medals and promotions to distribute to the crew...



...and I got the Diamonds to my Ritterkreuz!



Still no battle with a convoy, though - that will be the real test!