Why would U boats even try to torpedo a Fletcher-class destroyer?
Some US Navy veteran — I cannot remember the name — chided Greyhound 2020, because it's unrealistic that U boats would even attempt to torpedo a US Navy WWII destroyer.
But Retired US Navy Admiral James Foggo III did not bring up this rebuke. Foggo said WWII USN destroyers are highly manueverable and speedy. But doesn't this technical fact substantiate that veteran's criticism of unrealism?
Best Answer
It may have been rare, but it happened.
Wikipedia lists 5 Destroyers torpedoed by German U-Boats. I don't see a claim of 'unrealistic' can stand up in the face of confirmed proof.
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Did Fletcher class destroyers have torpedoes?
Their large size enabled them to carry their 5-inch guns in enclosed mounts, 10 torpedo tubes in two quintuple banks, depth charges, and large batteries of antiaircraft guns. USS Kidd is the only surviving Fletcher class destroyer not modernized by the U.S. Navy.How good was the Fletcher class destroyer?
The United States Navy commissioned 175 Fletcher-class destroyers between 1942 and 1944, more than any other destroyer class, and the design was generally regarded as highly successful....Fletcher-class destroyer.Class overviewIn commission4 June 1942 to 1971 (USN), 2001 (Mexico)Completed175Cancelled13Lost19, plus 6 not repaired23 more rowsWhy did the U-boats surface in greyhound?
U-boats did often attack merchantmen from the surface because they were much faster, more maneuverable, and had better visibility than while submerged.How many torpedoes could a German U-boat hold?
The typical U-boat was 214 feet long, carried 35 men and 12 torpedoes, and could travel underwater for two hours at a time. In the first few years of World War I, the U-boats took a terrible toll on Allied shipping.The Type IX U-Boat - The problem of German subs and how to fix them
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Answer 2
Is it unrealistic? No - as @Tetsujin said, it has happened IRL during the war. If you are asking WHY they would attack destroyer, consider two main reasons:
Reducing the threat
It is not hard to notice, that Greyhound is the main threat to the Wolfpack. Sink it, and you can pick the transport ships at your leisure.
Revenge
You've just witnessed an enemy sinking one of your ships, possibly killing your friends. Soldiers are just humans, hence the U-boat captain might want to even the score by sinking the killer.
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