Fun with flags

[er.tz]

Hi. Was there any official protocol with the flag of the submarine? It should be raised sailing from ports (and arriving)? During the patrols? any official directive about the flag?

[urseus]

I fly it only after a successful engagement. Kind of a victory lap of pride.

[oscar19681]

I think protocol was to fly the flag when entering & leaving port as well as in friendly territory.

[Β ο Ν ε Σ]

I think from a Geneva convention (Laws of War) standpoint, combatants should be able to be identified by the other side, otherwise they can be assumed to by spies and not afforded the status of POW (and its protections) when captured. In most countries, spies during wartime are summarily executed. Since UBoots dont appear to have any other markings identifying them as German Navy, not flying the flag places you and your crew at risk.

Of course, this simulation may not model that since there is no option to surface and surrender. ;-)

[garytwinem]

In the "Das Boot" movie, they have their flag unfurled entering and leaving port, and furled while on patrol.

[El Rushbo]

Originally posted by urseus:

I fly it only after a successful engagement. Kind of a victory lap of pride.

If they ever do a US Pacific equivalent I hope they'll allow us to tie a broom to the periscope mast.

I always fly the flag when entering and leaving port, once at sea the flag is stowed. I wouldn't worry too much about whether the enemy can determine who I am based on a flag since they're mostly ordered to shoot any U-boat on sight regardless.

[wolf310ii]

Originally posted by Ω BoNeS Ω:

I think from a Geneva convention (Laws of War) standpoint, combatants should be able to be identified by the other side, otherwise they can be assumed to by spies and not afforded the status of POW (and its protections) when captured. In most countries, spies during wartime are summarily executed.

Thats correct when you talking about land war and persons.
Only a person can be a combatant, a object cant.

Since UBoots dont appear to have any other markings identifying them as German Navy, not flying the flag places you and your crew at risk.

No, for war on sea there a different rules.
On a warship you can legal rise any flag you want, its only illegal to attack under false flag, you have to show "true colors" befor the attack. If you dont fly a flag, you dont have to.

Even wearing a britisch uniform on a german u-boat, dont affect your combatant status, because there are no britsch secrets to spy on.
Rescued crews got dry britisch uniforms anyway, without being shot right after they wearing them.

[cato]

I wasn't even aware you could furl/unfurl a flag. How is that done?

[tequilatibbs]

select officer. go to section view of deck. click on mast

[athenian]

Or select officer and press Alt revealing all possible officer actions