Oct. 1939, was I in the wrong to deck gun a little English 12ton Schooner?

[Leandros]

Originally Posted by Shrike37

It was Oct. 1939 and I saw a sail on the horizon. As I got closer, it turned out to be a little 12 ton, three sailed, English Schooner. It looked more like a pleasure boat than a cargo ship. As I got close she began to zigzag in a futile attempt at evasion. Anyway I gave my deck gun crew some practice and we sank it after 2 hits.

Was this bad form or a valid target?

Hmmm - rather unsportish. I'd put a junior officer on it and sailed it home to Germany (you know about that function in the game, of course). Nice to have one's private yacht after the war..........

[Jimbuna]

I'd only expend AA munitions on such a miniscule target....keeping the heavier stuff for the bigger renown/tonnage

[Sailor Steve]

I'm sure they would say it's bad form. But they shouldn't be out there in the first place, should they.

[Synthfg]

Originally Posted by nikbear

Sink the Damn thing!I hate those Blinking English toffy nosed snobs in they're cutsie little sailing boats Don't they know there's a war on!Blast them to kingdom come,and they can take they're stiff upper lip and cucumber sandwiches with them as well:rotfl:

This
Just watch put for the Butler Pulling a blunderbuss on you if you get too close

[VirtualVikingX]

Originally Posted by Shrike37

It was Oct. 1939 and I saw a sail on the horizon. As I got closer, it turned out to be a little 12 ton, three sailed, English Schooner. It looked more like a pleasure boat than a cargo ship. As I got close she began to zigzag in a futile attempt at evasion. Anyway I gave my deck gun crew some practice and we sank it after 2 hits.

Was this bad form or a valid target?

Hi guys - be lurking for some time. Great forums!

Okey, I dont have detailed info as to how the KM adhered to the Laws of War in WW2. But sinking a non-military vessel that doesnt support the military effort in any way is as the main rule a war crime. A good example would be a leisure boat of any kind. A merchant or tanker during the war is of course by this rule a legit target.

Just my 2c, as you guys over there says.

If anyone else has any questions about the laws of war, I would be happy to answer them. (FYI; English is not my mother tongue)

[Kapt Z]

How do you know the 'pleasure boat' has not been commandeered by the RN and used as a coast watcher vessel???

Wouldn't that make her a legitimate 'military' target?

Seems hard to imagine any civilian would go out on a day sail in a war zone.

[VirtualVikingX]

Originally Posted by Kapt Z

How do you know the 'pleasure boat' has not been commandeered by the RN and used as a coast watcher vessel???

Wouldn't that make her a legitimate 'military' target?

Seems hard to imagine any civilian would go out on a day sail in a war zone.

Hehe, welcome to the world of the legal advisors!

As to the historic fact:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unrestr...marine_warfare

"For the first few weeks of World War II, the German Navy attempted to honour Nazi Germany's treaty obligations, but that attempt was in trouble almost immediately following the sinking of SS Athenia by U 30, and it was abandoned at the end of November or the beginning of December 1939 with the issuing of War Order No. 154."

The submarine captains, not considering order number 154, was in no other situation than many soldiers/sergeants is today. "Is the guy up on the corner there a civilian or a combatant...?"

Think fast!

At least as a sub captain you have some time to think about you actions. If you want to role-play the law of armed conflict I mean. And I don't think any sub commander would risk anything for 12 tons.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by VirtualVikingX

Hi guys - be lurking for some time. Great forums!

WELCOME ABOARD! I don't know if you're using a translator, but if not your English is just fine.

As to your point, it's a good one. Me, I avoid them just because they're such a waste of good ammunition.

[VirtualVikingX]

Thanks Steve! Nice to be welcomed even if i didnt start a thread as my first post.

(And no, I dont use a translator. Of course correct grammar is "BEEN lurking". Hard to spot those typing errors some times.)

[sharkbit]

I tend to leave them alone.
Although, once off the coast of the US in '42, I gunned one down for a little revenge. A puny little ASW trawler kept me down for hours in the shallows. Mostly just circling and pinging. No depth charges. Very annoying, those things.
Once I got free, later that night I spotted one and.......

[Jimbuna]

Welcome aboard VirtualVikingX

[Lord Biceps]

I flak gunned an 8-ton British sloop on my first patrol. I just couldn't stop grinning as I approached and it pathetically tried to escape at 2 kts against the wind. It felt like stepping on an ant.

[danurve]

You shoot the enemy to kill your enemy, no mercy.

Besides, how do you know the Schooner skipper didn't insult your girlfriend?

AA guns, like your going to use them on aircraft anyway

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by danurve

Besides, how do you know the Schooner skipper didn't insult your girlfriend?

OTOH how do you know she's not on the schooner with him?

You know us ladies, we can't be trusted.

[Sailor Steve]

And that changes the situation how? After all, if you're not to be trusted...