Murphy's Law

[shegeek72]

At the end of a long campaign (1941), I was heading back to Brest with all trops used, but still had most of my deck gum ammo left, so I headed into the channel above Brest. While on the surface I got buzzed a half-dozen times by a single fighter, but it didn't drop any DCs. This had happened before without the plane attacking so I figured he was out of DCs. I waited to see if any of his buddies showed up and when none did I left to do some dishes, brazenly leaving the sub on the surface.

Not a minute later I heard CRASH! and ran over to find just about every section of the sub damaged -- it was nearly all yellow! I dove to avoid any more attacks, but the damage was too severe and the sub sank. I actually felt sad that I'd lost my trusty VIIB and crew!

Could one direct hit by a DC cause that much damage?

SG
--

[Scorpius]

If it was a very precise shot, yes. Only if it hit a critical area of the sub.

[tbarak]

While the sub commander's handbook doesn't have a section on washing dishes while under attack, I'll go out on a limb and say it's probably not a good idea.

[Khayman]

:rotfl:

There was one boat sort of lost this way. The commander stayed at periscope depth after sinking a ship and broke out champagne to celebrate. The escort that sank them was not detected because the hydrophone operator was washing the champagne glasses.

[Rose]

thats so sad. What commander was it?

[JBClark]

Murphy was an optomist.

[shegeek72]

Originally Posted by tbarak

While the sub commander's handbook doesn't have a section on washing dishes while under attack, I'll go out on a limb and say it's probably not a good idea.

Damn! Last time I try to help the cook!

SG
--

[CCIP]

One accurate hit is all it takes. It would breach the hull and cause unrepairable flooding.

[Khayman]

Originally Posted by Rose

thats so sad. What commander was it?

I was hoping nobody would ask that, as I'd have to look it up!

Found it though, in Clay Blair's second U-Boat book. It was U-432 commanded by Hermann Eckhardt. He was celebrating sinking the destroyer Harvester - which was dead in the water after sustaining prop damage ramming another U-Boat. Twenty of the crew of U-432 survived and were picked up, which is why we know the story.