| Bozkashi Jones | 22 May 2017 6:01 a.m. PST |
Here's one of the most bizarre naval actions I've heard of; a single ship action decided by small-arms fire, throwing knives and even a shell case thrown by a gun sergeant once his gun was out of ammunition (and yes, the thrown case actually took out one of the enemy!). The exploits of Napoleonic and Revolutionary Wars? The War of 1812? Feats worthy of Pellew or John Paul Jones? Or the fictional Aubrey or Hornblower? Actually it was the Atlantic in 1943. link Reading this, it could only be our colourful American cousins! Other weapons which knocked out German crew members include submachine guns, shotguns and flares; the captain maintained constant fire using a submachine gun from the bridge. This SO needs to be made into a film!
Nick |
Ed Mohrmann  | 22 May 2017 7:01 a.m. PST |
Yes, first time in (then) modern Naval history that
the command 'All hands repel boarders' was given. BTW, you forgot the coffee mugs thrown by some of
Borie's crew as they raced to battle stations ! She did well for an old 4-piper ! |
| 79thPA | 22 May 2017 7:17 a.m. PST |
Good story. If it ever was made by Hollywood, I wonder who would play the captain's love interest because, you know, the real story is never compelling enough… |
| Ragbones | 22 May 2017 7:23 a.m. PST |
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| troopwo | 22 May 2017 8:31 a.m. PST |
More than easily believable. Reminds me of the Canadian corvette Oakville.
Depth charged a U-boat at night in the Caribean.
Forced it to the surface and closed for attack.
Came too close to use her guns anymore.
Launched a boarding party on to the U-boat. The officer of the boarding party had his shorts snag on the rail going over the side and boards the U-boat stark naked.
The gun crew, unable to fire, decides to assist the boarding party by throwing empty coke bottles at the U-boat. While they didn't manage to capture the sub, it sunk, they eventually recovered their boarding party,,,including their naked Lieutenant with bloody feet. |
| Patrick Sexton | 22 May 2017 10:31 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the heads up on this. Pat |
| Tachikoma | 22 May 2017 12:34 p.m. PST |
John Hersey told this story as "Borie's Last Battle" in his book "Of Men and War". |
| hocklermp5 | 22 May 2017 4:08 p.m. PST |
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| goragrad | 24 May 2017 4:18 a.m. PST |
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| Murvihill | 25 May 2017 9:35 a.m. PST |
Makes you wonder, if the submarine was worth more or less than the Borie. I mean, WW2 was fought on an industrial scale so if you expend a two million dollar ship sinking a one million dollar sub you aren't being very efficient. |
| HANS GRUBER | 31 May 2017 5:15 a.m. PST |
The story made me think of the movie "The Enemy Below", but in this case I think the real story is more interesting than the movie. |
| Hussar62 | 01 Jun 2017 7:22 a.m. PST |
Let's see, a 22+ year old DD takes out a 2+ year old U boat. I think the exchange rate there worked in the allies favor. Also there is the potential savings in ships and cargo that the U boat can no longer sink. Job well done to the DD. |
| Charlie 12 | 02 Jun 2017 9:48 p.m. PST |
Applying cost/benefit analysis to combat in a fool's errand. Warfare, by its very nature defies such analysis. |
| CampyF | 04 Jun 2017 12:04 p.m. PST |
I wonder if the sub crew was just trying to abandon ship in a hurry. And Borie's crew misunderstood. |
goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.
