Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins
Actually, Morton did not shoot the first down the throat shots.
According to Bill Wolfe, editor of the US Sub Vets of World War II newsletter, Polaris, "The first "down the throat" shot was fired by Pompano on Jan. 17, 1942."
Dealey went off his rocker on a bent-for-hell destroyer tirade because Admiral Christie egged him on, actually going on a cruise with Dealey. Dealey was so hepped up on impressing the admirial he ended up losing his boat to a captured American minesweeper! Yes, down the throat shots were effective if they hit their targets, but they were suicide if you missed. A deep runner, a bad exploder, an alert DD and you were just dead. It was not a good exchange, a submarine for a destroyer. |
I was aware Pompano was first to try a down the throat shot, but Wahoo was the first successful DTT shot from what I've read.
Sounds like Dealey had contempt for Japanese ASW vessels, clouded judgement and all.