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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?

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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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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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    Take out the escorts and you have unrestricted opportunity to attack the convoy.
    – HorusKol
    Jan 27 at 23:39
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    And those are only the attacks that resulted in the ship being sunk.
    – knallfrosch
    Jan 28 at 8:40

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