Are passenger/cargo ships viable targets?

f4wildweasel · 07-18-11, 01:00 PM

The first British ship lost in WWII was the SS Athenia, a passenger liner torpedoed by U-30 on 3 September 1939. 117 people, including 28 Americans, died in the sinking. Immediately afterwards, FdU ordered all U-boats to not attack passenger ships in any way, as to avoid another Lusitania incident. The captain of U-30 was ordered to Berlin to report on what happened, and it was decided to cover up the attack, denying it was a U-boat and altering U-30's patrol logs to hide this (it was later clarified in the Nuremburg War trials).

Long story short, if you want to be historically accurate, you would avoid attacking anything that looked like a passenger ship in the early war. Later on, once you start seeing cannons being put on these guys and the likelihood that they're carrying military personnel increases, maybe you want to attack them (or maybe not, it's always the commander's decision). Of course, hospital ships are right out. GWX will have you lined up and shot if you torpedo one of those!

Sailor Steve · 07-18-11, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f4wildweasel

GWX will have you lined up and shot if you torpedo one of those!

Now you know that's not true. GWX will not have you shot. But they'll make you wish you had been.

Paul Riley · 07-18-11, 02:23 PM

Thanks for the info here.
Makes sense to consider them as the war progresses as they may be transporting soldiers etc.(good point that weasel)

Missing Name · 07-18-11, 06:02 PM

I attack them, because they are Passenger/Cargo ships. You never know if they are carrying a load of 40mm AA shells or rations. Also, any armed merchant is showing intent to shoot back. Which is why America often loses some ships during poor visibility in mid-1941.

I have a love/hate relationship with P/C's. They so much determination that I must admire them. But at the same time, they're hard to sink for whatever reason.

FIREWALL · 07-18-11, 06:55 PM

You don't get negitive renoun for sinking one. P\C that is.

Only Neutrals and Hospital ships are a no no.

Paul Riley · 07-19-11, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIREWALL

You don't get negitive renoun for sinking one. P\C that is.

Only Neutrals and Hospital ships are a no no.

Thanks for the tip

VONHARRIS · 07-19-11, 07:53 AM

I have no doubts in singing passeger/cargo ships so long they fly an Allied flag. They do give me a hard time to go down (3 torpedoes) but some have gone down with just ONE (1) 105mm shell!

07-18-11, 02:23 PM	#3
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Thanks for the info here. Makes sense to consider them as the war progresses as they may be transporting soldiers etc.(good point that weasel) __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

07-18-11, 06:02 PM	#4
Missing Name Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Westun New Yahk Posts: 748 Downloads: 131 Uploads: 0	I attack them, because they are Passenger/Cargo ships. You never know if they are carrying a load of 40mm AA shells or rations. Also, any armed merchant is showing intent to shoot back. Which is why America often loses some ships during poor visibility in mid-1941. I have a love/hate relationship with P/C's. They so much determination that I must admire them. But at the same time, they're hard to sink for whatever reason. __________________ Largest target sunk with deck gun: Japanese auxiliary cruiser, 15000 tons Largest engaged: HMS Nelson. Results inconclusive. Read Brag's stuff

07-18-11, 06:55 PM	#5
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	You don't get negitive renoun for sinking one. P\C that is. Only Neutrals and Hospital ships are a no no. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

07-18-11, 01:00 PM	#1
f4wildweasel Seaman Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 40 Downloads: 48 Uploads: 0	The first British ship lost in WWII was the SS Athenia, a passenger liner torpedoed by U-30 on 3 September 1939. 117 people, including 28 Americans, died in the sinking. Immediately afterwards, FdU ordered all U-boats to not attack passenger ships in any way, as to avoid another Lusitania incident. The captain of U-30 was ordered to Berlin to report on what happened, and it was decided to cover up the attack, denying it was a U-boat and altering U-30's patrol logs to hide this (it was later clarified in the Nuremburg War trials). Long story short, if you want to be historically accurate, you would avoid attacking anything that looked like a passenger ship in the early war. Later on, once you start seeing cannons being put on these guys and the likelihood that they're carrying military personnel increases, maybe you want to attack them (or maybe not, it's always the commander's decision). Of course, hospital ships are right out. GWX will have you lined up and shot if you torpedo one of those!

07-19-11, 07:53 AM	#7
VONHARRIS Konteradmiral Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Greece Posts: 1,992 Downloads: 300 Uploads: 0	I have no doubts in singing passeger/cargo ships so long they fly an Allied flag. They do give me a hard time to go down (3 torpedoes) but some have gone down with just ONE (1) 105mm shell!