Re: Re: [GZG] John's Shipbuilding

[Ground Zero Games <jon@xxxxxxx>]

Title: Re: Re: [GZG] John's Shipbuilding

> On 1/18/06, Ian Downing <iandowning112@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
> > It must depend on whether FT
> > models Age of Sail naval warfare or WW1 or 2.  In the Age of Sail
> > it was difficult to destroy warships so often they surrendered.
> > However there are very few instances of warships in WW2 surrendering
> > in combat. Even the German destroyers at Narvik, out of all
> > ammunition, and virtually out of fuel scuttled themselves rather than
> > surrender. If I recall correctly in WW2 only 3 or 4 submarines
> > surrendered, often when they thought the boat was sinking. So I don't
> > favour the surrendering of warships if FT models "modern"
> > naval warfare, however merchant ships and scuttling are another
> > matter.
> Why can't FT be its 'own' Age? Space ain't like the ocean, and
> scuttling a spaceship is tantamount to suicide if done right (ie,
> total destruction of said ship, making it completely useless for the
> other side to salvage or gain valuable intel - or even use the ship
> against its owners - and any escaping crew would likely be unable to
> avoid the blast of the self-destructing ship). If an FT ship
> surrenders in battle, it's likely to save the crew.  At least in
> WW2, scuttling a ship meant it was near impossible for the enemy to
> retrieve it for any purpose, and the crew would likely be rescued by
> the attacking enemy ship(s). Or at least had a fighting chance for
> survival.
>
> Mk

Agreed, Indy; FT doesn't model  Age of Sail, WW1, WW2 or Modern Naval warfare - it models Space Warfare that hasn't happened yet!

Of course there are some parallels with parts of several historical periods, mainly because that's how so much space combat is portrayed in movies, TV and SF literature, but we shouldn't get hung up on using just one period as a historical model.

I would envisage that scuttling would only be carried out after the crew had abandoned ship and their escape pods had reached a safe distance; they would obviously then hope to be picked up, preferably by their own side or at worst by the enemy. The captain may elect to go down with his ship, staying behind to push the big red destruct button, or he may leave with the crew and let the computers complete the scuttling. Merchant crews might be more likely to surrender with their ship intact, depending on who was attacking them of course.....

Jon (GZG)

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