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...

GoldenRivet · 09-29-07, 10:24 PM

many many many US ships met their fate in this very same way off the US East Coast during late 1941 early 1942.

Historically, nearly every ship that traveresed the East coast during the time sailed with all lights on as in peace time. It was unheard of for an attack to be mounted in US waters that close to the coastal areas.

It is likely that the ship was modeled after historical accuracy and never even saw you.

Your engagement with the American merchant is pretty much the par for the course as far as historical accuracy goes in 41-42. many attacks on US Shipping in the area were so text book the germans might have well just been shooting at training targets!

but dont count on much luck in the American waters after april or may of 1942... the yanks were behind the brits in ASW tactics right up until they wised up in mid 1942. air patrols and ASW shipping will become more numerous.

dmlavan · 09-29-07, 10:33 PM

Interesting - thanks for the history lesson. I hadn't read much about the war off the East Coast before, and just assumed that things changed as soon as war was declared since most ships had wireless by then. Glad to see that SH3/GWX has this touch of realism.

I've just started reading Operation Drumbeat (haven't gotten to December 41 yet) - guess there's probably more to learn.

Spruence M · 09-29-07, 10:59 PM

July 1944

France is nutral, Cherborg is in the hands of the allies, I figured, they would not have any actual escorts being as they had just captured it. They did not.

A ship, whom appeared green on the map, who I readly identified as French, attempted to RAM my snorkel/periscope when he detected me sinking the anchored allied ships.

I promptly sunk his ship, but it hurt my renown... Yes, he was ramming me, intentionaly. I know this because from 1km out, he changed course 190degrees, and come at me 20kts.

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...

09-29-07, 10:24 PM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	many many many US ships met their fate in this very same way off the US East Coast during late 1941 early 1942. Historically, nearly every ship that traveresed the East coast during the time sailed with all lights on as in peace time. It was unheard of for an attack to be mounted in US waters that close to the coastal areas. It is likely that the ship was modeled after historical accuracy and never even saw you. Your engagement with the American merchant is pretty much the par for the course as far as historical accuracy goes in 41-42. many attacks on US Shipping in the area were so text book the germans might have well just been shooting at training targets! but dont count on much luck in the American waters after april or may of 1942... the yanks were behind the brits in ASW tactics right up until they wised up in mid 1942. air patrols and ASW shipping will become more numerous. __________________

09-29-07, 10:59 PM	#4
Spruence M Sonar Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 14 Meters Posts: 394 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Another ship that did'nt get a memo... July 1944 France is nutral, Cherborg is in the hands of the allies, I figured, they would not have any actual escorts being as they had just captured it. They did not. A ship, whom appeared green on the map, who I readly identified as French, attempted to RAM my snorkel/periscope when he detected me sinking the anchored allied ships. I promptly sunk his ship, but it hurt my renown... Yes, he was ramming me, intentionaly. I know this because from 1km out, he changed course 190degrees, and come at me 20kts.

09-29-07, 10:33 PM	#3
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Interesting - thanks for the history lesson. I hadn't read much about the war off the East Coast before, and just assumed that things changed as soon as war was declared since most ships had wireless by then. Glad to see that SH3/GWX has this touch of realism. I've just started reading Operation Drumbeat (haven't gotten to December 41 yet) - guess there's probably more to learn.