Ordered to attack the escorts?!?

[HertogJan]

On my second patrol I encountered a small but very nice convoy consisting of a large troop transport, a 10.T tanker (Nippon Maru) and two 8.T merchants and was escorted by 3 DD.

I reported the contact and got the message to attack the escorts instead of the tanker or troop transport.... Was something about softening up the defenses for later assaults.

That made me think....
Was this really done, sending men to their death like that?

Don't get me wrong, they took a chance getting killed every time they went out there and I salute them for their bravery and heroism but to give a order to the Cpt. of a sub to attack a Escort instead of the convoy is/was plain dumb imo.