They didn't get the memo...

dmlavan · 09-29-07, 09:46 PM

It was mid-day on 29 December 1941, and I was hunting along the East Coast of the U.S. After being chased away from New York harbor by a pair of Clemson DDs and some PT boats, my IWO reported a merchant sighted in the distant fog. As I closed, I could see he was lit up like a Christmas tree. Decided to go in closer, and once I got within 1400m I could recognize the US flag, lit up by two spot lights on top of a large tanker. He clearly saw me, but maintained course and speed.
Since war had been declared several weeks ago, I casually lined up for a perfect shot and put two torpedoes into him. The only reaction from him was to sink and add over 18,000 GRT to my tally for that patrol.
I was surprised he was lit up and didn't try to avoid my U-boat. After all, we had been at war for almost a month. I guess he didn't get the memo...

09-29-07, 09:46 PM	#1
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	They didn't get the memo... It was mid-day on 29 December 1941, and I was hunting along the East Coast of the U.S. After being chased away from New York harbor by a pair of Clemson DDs and some PT boats, my IWO reported a merchant sighted in the distant fog. As I closed, I could see he was lit up like a Christmas tree. Decided to go in closer, and once I got within 1400m I could recognize the US flag, lit up by two spot lights on top of a large tanker. He clearly saw me, but maintained course and speed. Since war had been declared several weeks ago, I casually lined up for a perfect shot and put two torpedoes into him. The only reaction from him was to sink and add over 18,000 GRT to my tally for that patrol. I was surprised he was lit up and didn't try to avoid my U-boat. After all, we had been at war for almost a month. I guess he didn't get the memo...