History Lesson needed
 

So I encounter a mini convoy last night. Its dark, medium seas. I really didnt even see the armed trawler for a while, as we were at about 10km out, but it was an Armed trawler (darkened), Medium Cargo (Lit), Large tanker (lit), tugboat (semi-lit), running close in single file.

Now I always check the flags, but its almost always neutral on lit ships, but you never know. So I find this:
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/4...1018354246.png

Now at my first cursory glances, I thought it was Canadian. I was having real trouble making it out, as it always seemed to lite the backside of hte flag, and not the side im looking at. I then thinks it's Irish, as the colors are hard to make out. Eventually I made it as French, which I assumed it was an enemy.

Well it's October, 1940.

I sank the tanker. The tugboat then proceeded to run into the foundering tanker, http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/u...4fvgdaq_th.gifhttp://www.subsim.com/radioroom/data...hc8M3CbXw//9k=, and when the tanker blew up, the tug went with it. Luckily I didnt get charged with sinking the tugboat too, cause renown losses aren't based on tonnage I think.

So please, enlighten me. Why is France considered Neutral at this time? I'd have thought they were allied.

And yes I consult that nice chart GWX provides for flag recognition, hence my uber confusion when i thought they were canadian. But, when I saw they were french, I said, Kill the french!

Maybe the Tanker gets the renoun hit. :haha:

Seriously I saw this posted awhile back but can't remember. Sorry.

Maybe Vichy French?

Don't know exactly when that gov't was established.

:hmmm:

France surrendered to Germany in June 1940, after which occupied France under the Vichy government was considered a neutral nation and continued to use the French (tricolor) flag. Occupied France would remain neutral until late 1944, when DeGaulle took over after the Allied re-occupation.

So if you sank a ship flying the standard tricolor French flag in October 1940, it was indeed a neutral ship.

Damn those tricky frogs. :haha:

If you're using GWX, check the flag sheet in the periscope and UZO view.

The listing for France says "(AL) (Allied) 03/09/39-25/06/40, and then 23/10/44-14/08/45". Between June 1940 and October 1944 France is owned by Germany.

Well i read the dates AFTER i sunk the ship.... But it was frennnnnnch :|\\....... so i killeded it...... sigh.... :nope:

OK makes sense. I'm gonna read up on the free french then too....

The Free French should be flying this flag:

http://www.francethisway.com/images/...freefrance.gif

Or, do as I have done and print off the recognition page and stick it next to your computer so you don't end up sinking a neutral.