Skip to content

Salmon's crew was extremely lucky to be alive. A very…

“Salmon's crew was extremely lucky to be alive. A very heavy depth charging had dished in the pressure hull, knocked one engine off the base plate, severely damaged all radio and radar equipment, and caused major structural damage throughout the ship. Exhausted and forced to the surface by three…” quote by Paul R. Schratz
Download Open image
““Salmon's crew was extremely lucky to be alive. A very heavy depth charging had dished in the pressure hull, knocked one engine off the base plate, severely damaged all radio and radar equipment, and caused major structural damage throughout the ship. Exhausted and forced to the surface by three escort vessels, she took them on with the deck gun, picking her way in and out of rain squalls. At the peak of the gunfight, a box of galley stores was inadvertently passed topside as ammunition. Dick claimed that on a close pass by one of the escorts, the gun crew threw potatoes at the enemy, using oranges for tracers. I doubt this. We never had oranges that late in the patrol.””

Paul R. Schratz

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The crew survived a dangerous attack, using ingenuity and humor amid crisis, though some claims may be exaggerated.

In simple terms: Survival blends bravery, creativity, and morale.

Key Takeaway

Stay resourceful and maintain morale under pressure.

Themes

survival creativity humor war teamwork resilience

Mood

tense hopeful

Type

lucky to be alive:1 gun crew:1 damage ship:1 salmon crew:1 crew threw:0 ammunition dick:0

When to use this quote

  • naval combat
  • emergency drills
  • team building
  • stress management

Key Concepts

combat adaptation psychology of humor leadership under fire

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does humor aid in crisis?
  • What truths lie behind exaggerated war tales?
A Different Perspective

Stories may be embellished, affecting historical accuracy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Paul R. Schratz

Explore all 2 Paul R. Schratz quotes

More Lucky to be alive quotes

Browse all 32 Lucky to be alive quotes