Firstly I say 'used to' only because I have not heard of it happening recently although I will happily retract this statement.
I have read a lot of literature about the Naval forces of the world during WW1/2 (both miltary and merchant) and am startled by the unmber of Captains who chose to stay on board a doomed ship, and I was wondering why?
Is it because they felt linked to their vessel, and as such their failure to get the ship safely to port meant they were no longer fit to command (and therefore live)?
Did they only do this when there will still crew/ passengers left on board who couldn't be rescued (If they don't go, neither do I,'), or did it still happen was everyone else was either dead or rescued?
I am intrigued as I find this behaviour very brave and herois, although somewhat pointless- what's the point in losing one more man who could be saved, or of staying with what is, essentially, merely a big (albeit well crafted) lump of steel on it's way to the bottom?
2007-01-26
02:56:29
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19 answers
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asked by
Anonymous
in
Military