A small Q regarding RL WW2 convoy actions if you please...

[msalama]

Hi guys -

I'm currently reading Clay Blair's highly interesting "Hitler's U-boat war" pt. 2, and in the book he often refers to damaged cargo ships being sunk by gunfire from their own escorts. Now am I right in thinking the obvious, i.e. that this was done in order to prevent the hulks and their cargoes from falling into enemy hands?

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by msalama

Hi guys -

I'm currently reading Clay Blair's highly interesting "Hitler's U-boat war" pt. 2, and in the book he often refers to damaged cargo ships being sunk by gunfire from their own escorts. Now am I right in thinking the obvious, i.e. that this was done in order to prevent the hulks and their cargoes from falling into enemy hands?

Most likely it was done to keep them from acting as a beacon for prowling U-Boats. A damaged cargo ship likely being on fire or smoking. In either case it's a clue that a convoy is in the area. The average U-Boat really didn't have the ability to tow hulks away, or space to take any remaining cargo onboard.

[msalama]

RGT Dreadknot & Jimbuna, makes sense...

[Lt.Fillipidis]

An IX could tow a small vessel to the port if it was nessesary, couldnt it?
Are there any similar incidents?

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Lt.Fillipidis

An IX could tow a small vessel to the port if it was nessesary, couldnt it?
Are there any similar incidents?

I've never heard of German subs taking prizes. Maybe going onboard to search for the ship's papers, but that's it. By the period of the war msalma is talking about towing a hulk back to France would be a suicide mission.

[Jimbuna]

A Kaleun would never risk his boat to attack on the surface

[Radio]

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

I've never heard of German subs taking prizes. Maybe going onboard to search for the ship's papers, but that's it. By the period of the war msalma is talking about towing a hulk back to France would be a suicide mission.

In the book "Jäger und Gejagte" (Hunter and Hunted) there was a RL story of a german boat that picked up crates from a sunken ship, only to discover to their huge dissapointment that there were clothes in it. And they picked up sacks of flour, the flour had a thin skin of saltwater/flour-stuff under which the flour was perfectly good.

They did not dare to repeat those manoeuvers because of the risk of airplanes.

Yarr!

[Jimbuna]

That is how I understand it....especially if it was near a coastline because of the risk of pollution and the hazards to other shipping if in a navigable channel.