majpalmer
12-22-11, 02:01 AM
I was making a night surface attack on a large convoy in February 1941. I put two torpedoes into a Whale Factory ship and was setting up a stern shot into an ore carrier. I was too close, so I sped up to extend the range.
As I was doing this, the two torps hit the first target, which survived with heavy damage. But when the torps hit, the world lit up with search lights and everyone opened fire. As I hit the C key to crash dive, I saw the Ore Carrier burst into flames astern. I had not fired my torp, so it had to be friendly fire.
After I hauled off I ran after the convoy. I tracked down the Factory ship, found her still burning and making 1 knot, and finished her off. And then I saw the Ore Carrier still burning in the distance, and did the same to her.
I thought fratricide happened. Several patrols ago I was caught in a night surface attack and escaped. But when I caught up with the convoy again, I noted that one of the frigates was burning and damaged. I hadn't fired at anybody.
As I was doing this, the two torps hit the first target, which survived with heavy damage. But when the torps hit, the world lit up with search lights and everyone opened fire. As I hit the C key to crash dive, I saw the Ore Carrier burst into flames astern. I had not fired my torp, so it had to be friendly fire.
After I hauled off I ran after the convoy. I tracked down the Factory ship, found her still burning and making 1 knot, and finished her off. And then I saw the Ore Carrier still burning in the distance, and did the same to her.
I thought fratricide happened. Several patrols ago I was caught in a night surface attack and escaped. But when I caught up with the convoy again, I noted that one of the frigates was burning and damaged. I hadn't fired at anybody.