Neutral ship flying French flag(?)

Jay · 12-18-08, 05:29 PM

Date: July, 1941
Location: Naval square CG21
Events: Sighted a "convoy" consisting of a small tanker, an armed trawler, and a tug boat on a NE heading. The ships were flying flags with vertical blue/white/red bars. According to the flag chart, these were French ships. Given the date, I assumed that these would be enemy ships, and torpedoed the tanker.

To my surprise, the icon on my navigation chart representing the sunken ship was green, indicating that the tanker was a neutral vessel. When I saved and exited, the summary statistics also showed the tonnage as neutral

Can someone with a better grasp of history than mine please explain the status of French ships in July of '41? Thanks.

kenijaru · 12-18-08, 05:41 PM

I think you just torpedoed a Vichy France tanker.

GoldenRivet · 12-18-08, 05:48 PM

There are "Free French" and "Vichy French"

Free french escaped france during her fall and surrender to the Nazis. These are still enemies (basically merchants and warships which fled france and refused to stop fighting despite their government's orders to do so.

Their flag is seen here... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...0-1944.svg.png

Vichy French are the french who have surrendered to the Germans, and have laid down their arms and were more or less in cahoots with the Germans.

Their flag is seen here... http://www.appliedlanguage.com/flags...nch_guiana.gif

note the subtle difference?

this can be nearly impossible to notice from 1,000+ meters through a periscope.

Attack the french vessels with great caution

Sailor Steve · 12-18-08, 06:29 PM

If you're using GWX there's a pull-down chart in the Periscope views which shows all the flags, and which ones are friendly, neutral and enemy and at what dates.

A Very Super Market · 12-18-08, 06:32 PM

Remember, you conquered France way back in 1940, they are defeated.

Free French ships are pretty rare (I haven't seen any), but they have a cross in the middle.

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andym · 12-19-08, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Very Super Market

Remember, you conquered France way back in 1940, they are defeated.

Free French ships are pretty rare (I haven't seen any), but they have a cross in the middle.

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I sank a small convoy of 3 free french ships off casablance a few nights ago.

12-18-08, 05:29 PM	#1
Jay Mate Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 56 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	Neutral ship flying French flag(?) Date: July, 1941 Location: Naval square CG21 Events: Sighted a "convoy" consisting of a small tanker, an armed trawler, and a tug boat on a NE heading. The ships were flying flags with vertical blue/white/red bars. According to the flag chart, these were French ships. Given the date, I assumed that these would be enemy ships, and torpedoed the tanker. To my surprise, the icon on my navigation chart representing the sunken ship was green, indicating that the tanker was a neutral vessel. When I saved and exited, the summary statistics also showed the tonnage as neutral Can someone with a better grasp of history than mine please explain the status of French ships in July of '41? Thanks. __________________ Jay Floggings will continue until morale improves. GWX 3 & SH3 Commander 3.1

12-18-08, 05:48 PM	#3
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,729 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	There are "Free French" and "Vichy French" Free french escaped france during her fall and surrender to the Nazis. These are still enemies (basically merchants and warships which fled france and refused to stop fighting despite their government's orders to do so. Their flag is seen here... http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...0-1944.svg.png Vichy French are the french who have surrendered to the Germans, and have laid down their arms and were more or less in cahoots with the Germans. Their flag is seen here... http://www.appliedlanguage.com/flags...nch_guiana.gif note the subtle difference? this can be nearly impossible to notice from 1,000+ meters through a periscope. Attack the french vessels with great caution __________________

12-18-08, 06:29 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	If you're using GWX there's a pull-down chart in the Periscope views which shows all the flags, and which ones are friendly, neutral and enemy and at what dates. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-18-08, 06:32 PM	#5
A Very Super Market The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Deep in the Wild Canadian suburbs. Posts: 1,468 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Remember, you conquered France way back in 1940, they are defeated. Free French ships are pretty rare (I haven't seen any), but they have a cross in the middle. \| --\|-- --\|-- \| __________________ The entire German garrison of Vanviken, right here in your thread!