I thought this discussion board exchange I had in another forum recently was worth re-posting here.
My post:
I watched "Greyhound" last night and thought it was the most authentic portrayal of anti-submarine warfare from the point of view of a destroyer crew that I have ever seen.
I never served aboard a DD but I know something about anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare having served in submarines. (The fact is that the most effective anti submarine warfare platform is another submarine.) I can personally attest to the validity of the tactics and counter-tactics used and to the bridge and command and control protocols, i.e rudder orders, engine orders, communications with plot and the Combat Information Center, bridge to bridge and other external communications, and prescribed procedures and terminology in assuming and being relieved of the Deck and Con. (I also served and stood bridge watches in a submarine tender which is a large surface ship during the latter part of my career.)
The CO's ship-handling was impeccable and I could easily visualize his maneuvering in relation to merchant ships in the convoy, other warships in the screen and U-boats in the wolf-pack by the rudder orders he gave and an occasional glimpse at the radar repeaters. The author and screenwriter really did their homework and no doubt were advised by an experienced naval officer.
I was also most impressed with the authenticity of various components of the weapons, navigation, sensor and damage control systems, some of which were still in use when I came into the Navy in the sixties. The detail down to equipment "knobology" and some of its unique idiosyncrasies was amazing.
One thing that was not authentic was the mocking radio transmissions from the U-boats. No submariner would risk visual or electronic detection for that purpose. Despite that, I'd give the movie 5 Stars.â€
Response:
“Kid, that is good stuff! I only have one question, rhetorical if you wish:
Do you still glow in the dark?â€
My response:
“Yes but it’s not all bad. I don’t have to turn the lights on when I get up during the night to urinate and I’m a hoot at parties when I put a lampshade on my head and turn the lights off.â€
Sometimes I wonder why I do this.
