unmarked ships

[TorpX]

I'm sure someone will know about this.
On my present patrol I encountered 5 fishing boats in the East China Sea. They had no flags or identifiers of any kind, at least none that I could see. I approached close trying to figure out what to do with them. From their location they could have been Chinese, Japanese or Korean, but were closer to China than Japan or Korea. In the end, I decided they were "hostile", because every port in the area was marked as unfriendly. What are the SH4 Rules of Engagement for unmarked vessels?

[razark]

Originally Posted by TorpX

What are the SH4 Rules of Engagement for unmarked vessels?

Run full speed right at them. If they open fire, they're hostile. If they start maneuvering and running away, they're hostile.

[TorpX]

Thanks a lot.

I should note that they were fishing boats and thus were unarmed.

[razark]

Originally Posted by TorpX

I should note that they were fishing boats and thus were unarmed.

I forget which mod it's in (might be TMO without RSRD), but I have run into armed fishing boats.

[WernherVonTrapp]

If they flee, they're Japs. If they don't flee, they're well disciplined Japs.
Get some!

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by razark

Run full speed right at them. If they open fire, they're hostile. If they start maneuvering and running away, they're hostile.

East China Sea?

They're hostile.

[Krauter]

Get close and look at the top of their masts. If you see radio antennaes, sink them and get out of the area.

[razark]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

East China Sea?

They're hostile.

Searching my memory, I actually can't remember finding any fishing boats that didn't run at my approach. If I bother with them, I'll come straight in for close up work with guns, so I see them run every time.

[vanjast]

Originally Posted by TorpX

I should note that they were fishing boats and thus were unarmed.

You should read the 'Dark Seas Above' about a british sub in the Med and Far East.
In the Med they gave the crew of fishing boats time to abandon ship, then sink the fishing boat. Most times (if possible) they'd rescue this crew and drop them close to shore.
In the East they'd just shell the hell out of the fishing boats, taking no chances. Only rescue some crew if intelligence need a prisoner, but most 'survivors' commited hurri-curri, right in front of them.

Remember that these boats were being used for ammunitions and troop transports, so were targets.

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by WernherVonTrapp

If they flee, they're Japs. If they don't flee, they're well disciplined Japs.
Get some!

I like the way you think.

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by razark

Searching my memory, I actually can't remember finding any fishing boats that didn't run at my approach. If I bother with them, I'll come straight in for close up work with guns, so I see them run every time.

These didn't do anything until I started shelling.

I take it there is no way to differentiate these small coastal craft.

It was Dec. '41, and my crew was thirsting for revenge; these boats were the first targets we encountered. If I'm court-martialed I'll say: they must have been Japanese; they couldn't speak a word of Chinese.