New SH3 Experience: Fratricide
 

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.

It's hardwired into SH3. They didn't want you firing at friendly ships so they took the quick and easy way out. If any ship fires and hits a friendly, the ship that fired automatically becomes an enemy for 24 hours. This can lead to hilarious results sometimes, with ships forming groups and blazing away at each other until they are all sunk.

It's actually quite useful. If you're attacking a conovy accompanied by a BB, position yourself really close to the BB and raise your Periscope to maximum height. A really easy way to clear the escorts. :03:

But first you have to pass the escorts to reach the battleship!:DL

Sailor Steve
I have never seen such an action. The only thing I have witnessed is a destroyer firing hedgehogs at me , hitting and possibly sinking another destroyer but nothing else happened.

It must be indeed a hilarious situation! :D

Till '43 it's easy going when you're in front of the convoy. Simply go to 100 meters and "All quiet". When the leading escort is passing your forward position go slowly up to periscope depth. By then the escort is a few hundert meters away, the convoy is in all it's glory in front of you.

In '43 and after this way is suicide.:D But that's what makes the (modded) game so interesting.

If your ever able to put a vessel between you and your attacker, the attacker will ignore the fact and fire 'through' the vessel shielding you in an effort to destroy you.

Stupid AI http://www.psionguild.org/forums/ima...lies/wacko.gif

One of the things I hate about SH3. I try to avoid ahistorical situations like that.