What would you have done?

Deerdiver · 01-15-08, 05:20 PM

I have just had a deeply unpleasant experience! I torpedoed a medium sized freighter which exploded in quite a fireball. I as it was sinking I noticed two separate balls of flame, slightly to the rear. On closer inspection these turned out to be both liferafts, plus crew, blazing away. As an act of mercy I turned my 20mm cannon on them and sent them the way of their main vessel. I now feel like a war criminal. What would you have done?

Sailor Steve · 01-15-08, 05:37 PM

Yeah, I think if they were covered in burning oil and there was no chance, it would be better.

Tough choice though.

AVGWarhawk · 01-15-08, 05:39 PM

Mercy for them.

aurora-7 · 01-15-08, 05:39 PM

A bit heavy and hot a topic for this kind of forum. But I voted that your action was not a war crime (though I'd like to here your XO's account of the incident

)

Deerdiver · 01-15-08, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the moral support. I shall sleep easier tonight. In various accounts I have read of crews gunning survivors for a variety of reasons. In the case of Heinz Eck it was to avoid discovery of wreckage indicating a sub in the area. He was hung as a war criminal. I think the crew being on fire was probably good justification, if a little hard to enact. I promise not to make a habit of it.

Rockin Robbins · 01-15-08, 05:48 PM

This is war and our survival might depend on the ammunition you spend on those rafts. They are dead anyway, but we might not be. Take the tough choice and sail away.

SteminDemon13 · 01-15-08, 05:59 PM

Well, the simple choice of no was not up there, so I could not vote, however, I would have simply shouted, GET OFF THE BOAT YOU MORONS AND DIVE UNDER THE WATER! But since they weren't smart enough to do that, and you gunned them down, there might be a chance you can come out unscathed, or not.

My question to you is skipper, did you at any time make contact with those embarked on the life raft? Courts Martial will begin tonight, depending on your answers on the questions that are asked will determine weather or not your record will be tarnished. We will start with the first question in the begining of this paragraph, remember you are under oath. Any other skippers are encouraged to participate in these proceedings.

kylesplanet · 01-15-08, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

This is war and our survival might depend on the ammunition you spend on those rafts. They are dead anyway, but we might not be. Take the tough choice and sail away.

bookworm_020 · 01-15-08, 07:45 PM

Put them out of their misery!

At least they die with honour!

DrBeast · 01-16-08, 06:47 AM

If it makes you feel any better, liferafts and crew are not affected by the surrounding flames as they do not do any damage at all. I had a couple of pics stashed away of a downed Japanese pilot swimming merrily in a pool of burning oil!

DavyJonesFootlocker · 01-15-08, 05:56 PM

What's the big deal? Your torps just killed most of the crew already and now you feel remorse because you gunned them down? Welcome to the world of war which takes a kind man and turn him into a beast. Read the Geneva Convention. You're now a war criminal.:hmm:

But if you pass 10 bucks I'll look the other way.

View Poll Results: Would you have machinegunned the burning crew?
Yes, as an act of mercy	16	57.14%
No, let them fry	12	42.86%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

01-15-08, 05:20 PM	#1
Deerdiver Watch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deepest Wiltshire Posts: 28 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	What would you have done? I have just had a deeply unpleasant experience! I torpedoed a medium sized freighter which exploded in quite a fireball. I as it was sinking I noticed two separate balls of flame, slightly to the rear. On closer inspection these turned out to be both liferafts, plus crew, blazing away. As an act of mercy I turned my 20mm cannon on them and sent them the way of their main vessel. I now feel like a war criminal. What would you have done?

01-15-08, 05:37 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Yeah, I think if they were covered in burning oil and there was no chance, it would be better. Tough choice though. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

01-15-08, 05:39 PM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,254 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Mercy for them. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

01-15-08, 05:39 PM	#4
aurora-7 Sailor man Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 45 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A bit heavy and hot a topic for this kind of forum. But I voted that your action was not a war crime (though I'd like to here your XO's account of the incident ) __________________

01-15-08, 05:47 PM	#5
Deerdiver Watch Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deepest Wiltshire Posts: 28 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the moral support. I shall sleep easier tonight. In various accounts I have read of crews gunning survivors for a variety of reasons. In the case of Heinz Eck it was to avoid discovery of wreckage indicating a sub in the area. He was hung as a war criminal. I think the crew being on fire was probably good justification, if a little hard to enact. I promise not to make a habit of it.

01-15-08, 05:48 PM	#6
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Let 'em fry. This is war and our survival might depend on the ammunition you spend on those rafts. They are dead anyway, but we might not be. Take the tough choice and sail away. __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

01-15-08, 05:59 PM	#7
SteminDemon13 Sparky Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 158 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The trial begins Well, the simple choice of no was not up there, so I could not vote, however, I would have simply shouted, GET OFF THE BOAT YOU MORONS AND DIVE UNDER THE WATER! But since they weren't smart enough to do that, and you gunned them down, there might be a chance you can come out unscathed, or not. My question to you is skipper, did you at any time make contact with those embarked on the life raft? Courts Martial will begin tonight, depending on your answers on the questions that are asked will determine weather or not your record will be tarnished. We will start with the first question in the begining of this paragraph, remember you are under oath. Any other skippers are encouraged to participate in these proceedings. __________________ This is a day to celebrate the rebirth of American sea power." "Listen for the footsteps of those who have gone before you. They speak to you of honor and the importance of duty. They remind you of your own traditions." Casper W. Weinberger. Reactivate Our Battleships!

01-15-08, 07:45 PM	#9
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Put them out of their misery! At least they die with honour! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

01-16-08, 06:47 AM	#10
DrBeast The Old Man Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Somewhere Out In Space Posts: 1,408 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	If it makes you feel any better, liferafts and crew are not affected by the surrounding flames as they do not do any damage at all. I had a couple of pics stashed away of a downed Japanese pilot swimming merrily in a pool of burning oil! __________________ Let the Beast inside you free!

01-15-08, 05:56 PM	#11
DavyJonesFootlocker The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stink Drunk in Trinidad Posts: 1,572 Downloads: 138 Uploads: 0	What's the big deal? Your torps just killed most of the crew already and now you feel remorse because you gunned them down? Welcome to the world of war which takes a kind man and turn him into a beast. Read the Geneva Convention. You're now a war criminal.:hmm: But if you pass 10 bucks I'll look the other way.