Yep this thread has very bad juju. After reading it I thought "Hope that never happens to me." 4 days later on my second patrol out of Surabaya cruising the Makassar straights with nothing in sight decided to run the risk of the shallow waters outside Balikpapan.
Sneak in on the surface 2 hours after sunset at 3 knots, no moon, partial clouds relatively smooth seas. Warship spotted, The payoff, Get to the bridge what do we have, Coastal defense ship, closing at 5 knots 10,000 yards out.
He has not spotted us but is heading for the harbor as well. Hmmmm well can't be to picky. Battlestation,change course bring the forward tubes to bear. At 4,500 yards fire two torpedoes set for shallow run.....waiting.....2 minutes later an explosion and the boats rocking, what the......were taking damage sir, diesel engines DESTROYED stern batteries DESTROYED, we have flooding.
How is the crew? minor injuries, 47% damage, no diesel engines no stern batteries, battery power at 25%. A minute later another explosion, luckily there goes the target, cause we are now sitting ducks. No hope of getting back to base
