Fired on by Neutral Armed Trawler Aug 1939

RustySubmarine · 05-23-12, 08:21 AM

After leaving Kiel to my assigned patrol (Grid BF18) surface running at dusk, I was fired upon by a neutral armed trawler as I was agout 10 miles from the Dutch coast and approx 50 miles from the French border. It happened to be a Dutch armed trawler, who at this time had not be invaded by Germany (all Dutch ports showing green on the map) So I decided to return fire using my deck gun, but had to dive eventually as I was reciving heavy damage to the forward deck area, with two of my deck gun crew wounded. I managed to avoid the trawler after about half an hour and continued through the Channel to my patrol grid.

Question: (1) Why was I attacked by a neutral ship, which at this period in time was not at war with Germany.
(2) Was I right to return fire and had I pursued to sink it, would I have been correct in doing so and would I have gained any renown points for doing so.

05-23-12, 08:21 AM	#1
RustySubmarine Engineer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tamworth UK. Presently,somewhere Below The Atlantic Posts: 213 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	Fired on by Neutral Armed Trawler Aug 1939 After leaving Kiel to my assigned patrol (Grid BF18) surface running at dusk, I was fired upon by a neutral armed trawler as I was agout 10 miles from the Dutch coast and approx 50 miles from the French border. It happened to be a Dutch armed trawler, who at this time had not be invaded by Germany (all Dutch ports showing green on the map) So I decided to return fire using my deck gun, but had to dive eventually as I was reciving heavy damage to the forward deck area, with two of my deck gun crew wounded. I managed to avoid the trawler after about half an hour and continued through the Channel to my patrol grid. Question: (1) Why was I attacked by a neutral ship, which at this period in time was not at war with Germany. (2) Was I right to return fire and had I pursued to sink it, would I have been correct in doing so and would I have gained any renown points for doing so. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] RUSTY SUBMARINE U534 Type IX40C Engine Room of U534 Now located at Birkenhead UK. I joined the navy to see the world What did I see? I saw the SEA!!!!