Thanks for the link, Sailor Steve. But I think we should not compare US Navy to U-Bootsflotte too easily. These two are two different worlds as far as I understand history.
There is also a significant difference in these two situations - as stated in the USS Frank E. Evans article, a "junior officer who was not qualified to stand watch, having failed at his previous board" led the ship to collision, while in U-52's case the WO was a trained and experienced officr who was to take command of his own boat in a month or two (and I really planned to have him transfered).
On the other hand I understand the rule "the commander is always responsible for everything that happens on his ship", so I'm ready to be punished (as a part of roleplay thing). As there is no in-game court or a BdU that could make the decision, the only way is to ask you - I mean the community - to play BdU's (or jury's) role and decide whether I should:
- stay at command,
- be downgraded (I mean opposite for promoted) and to what rank,
- be expelled from the U-Bootsflotte,
- be transfered to a less responsible station (like training flotilla),
- be trialed and sentenced (to: death, konzentrationslager, jail, any other appropriate punishment).
If you, Sailor Steve, would agree to become a jury in this case, it would be an honour for me. I'd be glad to answer any question, provide any information or evidence, and I'd of course obey any jury's judgment.
TomcatMVD - big thanks for the quote. What's the source of it? A historical background like this is very helpful, as it lets understand the way of thinking and making decisions by people, not only the cold facts.