GoldenRivet
03-19-15, 02:28 AM
i have searched high and low for an english copy of the prize regulations. I have worked to piece together the prize regulations as they pertain to our playing Silent Hunter III... and here they are
Can you operate within the prize regulations?
If anything, while technical, it is an interesting read
PRIZE REGULATIONS
03 SEPTEMBER 1939
KRIEGSMARINE
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The Prize Regulations are established so as to create methods and standards of dealing with encounters with both enemy and neutral maritime vessels given consideration to the present state of war.
The national government shall serve as the body responsible for determining the beginning and ending of the period of time under which Kriegsmarine units must adhere to the Prize Regulations. At the onset of 03 September 1939 at 12:00 noon the Prize Regulations are to be en force.
ARTICLE II
AFFECTED AREAS
These Prize Regulations are to be adhered to and exercised within the following geographical constraints:
1. On the high seas
2. Within the territorial waters of Germany, and the territorial waters of the allies and enemies of Germany.
3. Within inland waters which serve the facilities, equipment and units of Germany, and the allies and enemies of Germany (lakes, rivers etc)
The Prize regulations are not to be exercised within the following areas:
Within neutral waters or in those waters, which are closed to war on the basis of contracts of the Third Reich. For the purpose of standardization of these geographical locales the waters of neutral parties extends from the shoreline outward to a distance of six (6) nautical miles from the coast of the neutral body or area closed to war. Attack measures are not to be taken against combatant vessels located within these areas.
Areas in which combat action is closed are as follows:
1. The Suez Canal zone within three (3) nautical miles of entry or exit ports or within the canal
2. The coastal waters of Spitsbergen without regards to whether or not Norway enters hostilities
3. The Panama Canal zone within three (3) nautical miles of entry or exit ports or within the canal
4. The coastal waters of the Aland Islands
ARTICLE III
IDENTIFICATION OF VESSELS
The enemy or neutral property of a vehicle is to be determined by the flag flown by the vessel, or any displayed roundel as in the case of aircraft. If no flag or identifying roundel is displayed the registered nationality of ownership shall prevail.
If no means of identifying the nationality of a vessel exists and cannot be determined by any available means it must be treated as enemy.
As it may occur that a neutral vessels ownership status may be temporarily or permanently transferred to an enemy, OR the vessel of enemy ownership may be temporarily or permanently transferred to a neutral state, international regulations warrant that an official document displaying the transfer of title between parties must be kept aboard while the vessel is in operation.
In the event of boarding a vessel for the purpose of verifying this documentation commanders are urged to consider the following:
1. The transfer of an enemy vehicle to the neutral flag will not be recognized if it is done within the 60 days preceding the commencement of hostilities with the enemy state from which the transfer of title was made.
2. The transfer of an enemy vehicle to the neutral flag will not be recognized if the instrument of transfer is not aboard the vessel
3. The Transfer of an enemy vessel to the neutral flag will not be recognized if the instrument of transfer is inaccurate or incomplete
4. The transfer of an enemy vessel to the neutral flag will not be recognized if profit of the vessels disposal or salvage remains in the right of the enemy
ARTICLE IV
STOP AND SEARCH
The following procedure shall apply for stop and search of vessels:
The commander must first approach the vessel without aggressive posturing, and signal via lamp or radio if doing so will not betray the U-boat’s position to the enemy. Once signaled to stop, a warning shot should be fired forward of the vessel’s bow.
Amended – 09 JUN 1941 – The use of radio to communicate with such vessels is suspended
The U-boat’s standing watch should signal the vessel to display its flag or identifying marks immediately upon stopping.
Should the vessel fail to stop and/or identify with flag or markings, the U-boat should fire a single round across the bow and repeat the signal.
Should the vessel continue to avoid cooperation, the U-boat should fire a shell into a non-critical area of the vessel thereby forcing it to stop under the threat of violent action and repeat the signal.
Should the vessel continue to avoid cooperation at this point the U-boat is authorized to attack and sink the vessel without further signaling.
If the vessel has stopped:
The commander should send a boarding party to the vessel with the clear establishment of a boarding party commander.
The commander of the boarding party shall: check the ships paper, question the vessel’s crew and officers as to the circumstances of the vessels voyage, its cargo, its passengers. If deemed necessary by the commander of the boarding party, the vessel should be searched soundly to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the vessel’s papers.
Should communication barriers prevent accurate questioning, it is permissible that the documents and papers of the vessel be transported back to the U-boat for further inspection. Should the papers be insufficient for this purpose, it is permissible to bring the vessels senior officer or captain aboard the U-boat for communications.
Should the captain of the vessel hold any complaints as to the boarding party actions, the actions of the U-boat or its crew; such complaints must be made in writing to the Commander of the U-boat and this documentation is to be provided to BdU for consideration.
If the search reveals that the contents of the vessel is primarily neutral letters and mailings or parcels, the boarding party should vacate the vessel and allow it to resume voyage with the least delay possible.
Course instruction
Course instruction is any command provided by the U-boat to the vessel to alter course so that implementation of the search may be resumed or can take place at another location.
Course instruction should be considered if urgent reason to do so is present or if the sea state, risk of hostilities against the U-boat or the vessel being searched is great, other circumstances exist that search of the vessel is warranted but prevented by some present circumstance.
All efforts must be made to signal the vessel to change course by signal lamp or radio if possible
ARTICLE V
VESSELS CLAIMED AS PRIZE
At the discretion of the U-boat commander, the taking of the vessel as a prize is authorized. The leader of the boarding party must place the flag of Germany in flight aboard the vessel prized if able to do so.
The leader of the boarding party is responsible for the safe monitoring and provisions of health and safe keeping of the vessel’s crew and passengers.
The leader of the boarding party takes charge of the log book, papers and other documentation essential to the vessel.
The leader of the boarding party establishes a boarding party diary into which all events subsequent to taking the vessel as prize are to be recorded until such time that the vessel is entered into a port of Germany or one of its allies.
The leader of the boarding party is responsible for safe navigation of the vessel and is compelled to utilize the services of the vessel’s existing crew if their services are able to be provided.
The leader of the boarding party shall, if possible, ensure that the transfer of all cargo to another vessel is carried out, additionally he shall keep a log of all cargo transported off of the ship for transport to Germany or one of its allies, this log should include the name and nationality of the vessel to which the cargo was allotted.
If there is insufficient prize crew, the vessel should take on the flag of Germany, if possible, and its crew and officers should act in line with the orders of the U-boat
Vessels taken as a prize can be entered immediately into the service of the German military powers.
Vessels taken as a prize can have their cargo entered immediately into the service of German military powers.
Destruction of vehicles and goods
Should a vessel taken as a prize become impractical or unsafe for continued voyage or if the vessel acts contrary to the orders of the U-boat, the vessel must be destroyed with every effort to saving whatever cargo of value.
ARTICLE VI
VESSELS AND GOODS SUBJECT TO CONFISCATION
Any goods stored as cargo, ballast or stored in the holds aboard an enemy vessel are subject to capture and confiscation.
Postal parcels which are deemed to contain no information of strategic value are not subject to confiscation unless their final destination is a port under blockade by Germany or its allies
Any goods belonging to the crew or passengers of a vessel which are clearly identified as goods intended for the personal use of the crew or passengers of an enemy vessel are to be considered free from risk of confiscation.
Neutral vessels sailing in convoy with enemy vessels are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which passively resist stoppage and boarding are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which violently resist stoppage and boarding are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which intervene against your boarding action or intervene against your attacking of an enemy vessel are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which are stopped and boarded who have no article of transfer aboard, or such article of transfer is inaccurate or incomplete are subject to confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which are observed to be participating in blockade operations against Germany or its allies in concert with our enemies are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
At the commander’s discretion, Neutral vessels may be attacked and sunk if:
1. The vessel is traveling in hostile convoy
2. The vessel resists violently against the U-boat
3. The vessel provides violent assistance to an enemy vessel to prevent the U-boat’s efforts against said enemy vessel
4. The vessel is unquestionably participating in blockade against Germany or her allies
Amendment – 28 SEP 1939 – by order of Der Führer vessels flagged as Russian, Italian, Japanese or Spanish which are stopped shall only be questioned on their cargo and destination. No other action is to be taken against such vessels.
ARTICLE VII
RELIEF SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Vessels which are known to have registry, or are displaying titles of transfer, or are displaying a flag or roundel or other identifying mark providing clear ownership to relief societies (ie International Red Cross) shall not be subject to prize, boarding, confiscation or attack.
Commanders are not authorized to participate in taking as prize, boarding, confiscating goods or materials or attacking:
1. Coastal fishery vessels
2. Vessels operating in the interest of religion
3. Vessels engaged in exploration related to the sciences
4. Vessels engaged in philanthropy
5. Vessels charged with exchange of Prisoners of War
6. Vessels flying flags of international relief organizations
7. Vessels flying flags representative of international signs of surrender
8. Vessels flying flags representative of international signs of relief
The above listed exemptions are nullified immediately upon any such vessel commencing or participating in hostilities against the U-boat or are otherwise found to be operating in a manner which suggests that their exempted behaviors are conducted under false pretenses.
ARTICLE VIII
BANNED GOODS
The following items and substances are considered banned goods; merchant vessels engaged in the carriage of these materials or with such materials visible on their decks, may be attacked without warning.
1. Weapons of any kind
2. Weapon parts or components
3. Weapon accessories
4. Ammunition
5. Ammunition components
6. Bombs or their components or accessories
7. Torpedoes or their components or accessories
8. Mines or their components or accessories
9. Projectiles intended for shooting or throwing by hand or by a mechanized source
10. Explosives in any form
11. Explosive detonators or any device manufactured as a component or accessory of detonators
12. Warships of any kind regardless of size or tonnage
13. Components meant for use in construction of war machines of any kind
14. Aircraft, aircraft components, accessories, parts or engines
15. Tanks, armored cars, militarized vehicles of any kind including their parts or accessories
16. Armor plating
17. Chemical weapons or components meant for the dispersal of such
18. Military clothing, uniforms, shoes, boots, hats etc
19. Military news manuscripts; or any signaling equipment used for military purposes
20. Chemicals or ingredients meant for use in the printing of military publications
21. Pack animals or riding animals, their equipment and appurtenances if for military purposes
22. Fuel oil, crude oil, lubricating oil, aviation gasoline
23. Gold, silver, cash and coins or any instrument used for settling debt of or to an enemy
24. Food, medicines or rations intended for use by the enemy
25. Any equipment, tools, or materials used to manufacture or otherwise produce or reproduce any the above articles
The attack can be made whether or not the intended destination of the vessel is in a neutral territory under the condition that these materials may be shipped by any other means from the neutral port by road, rail, air or any other method of transit to an ultimate final destination within enemy territory or currently held by the enemy.
Attack may be made without warning against a neutral vessel which was not previously carrying these materials but is subsequently engaged in the transfer of these materials onto its decks or into its holds from an enemy vessel.
ARTICLE IX
BANNED GOODS CONSIDERED FOR EXEMPTION
The U-boat commander, when considering goods as banned or not banned should consider the following banned goods as allowable under specific conditions.
1. The banned objects or substances are for the use of the vessel itself assuming reasonable quantities exist aboard which are commensurate with the needs of the vessel (ie sufficient lubricating oil, fuel oil, heating oil meant to be used by the various mechanisms on board the vessel and the quantities do not exceed the obvious amount necessary for the duration of the voyage)
2. The objects or substances are for the use of crew or passengers aboard the vessel (rifles, pistols, ammunition and accessories, gold, silver, coins, cash etc belonging to crew members or passengers so long as the quantity of the items is commensurate with the needs of the individual and do not exceed an amount necessary for the duration of the voyage)
3. Articles mentioned above which are intended solely for the treatment of the infirm, ill or wounded individuals aboard ship or occupying the destination port of the vessel provided the destination port is non enemy and not blockaded.
Consideration should be given by the U-boat commander to the on board papers, logs, shipping labels or itinerary etc of the vessel. Attack, prizing, or confiscation should be considered if:
1. The vessel carrying such banned goods has clearly deviated from its route without justifiable reason for doing so
2. If there is evidence that the papers presented to the boarding party have been falsified so as to conceal the materials kept aboard, or conceal the intended destination etc
ARTICLE X
USE OF FORCE AND DEADLY FORCE
The U-boat’s boarding party, may upon stopping and boarding a vessel, detain the crew and passengers until the boarding party has completed their investigation of the vessel satisfactorily, upon such time the crew and passengers shall be released from detainment.
An attempt of any crew or passenger to escape before the vessel has been stopped and boarded is not to be treated as an attempt to escape detainment. (such as the case of crew and passengers boarding life boats or otherwise leaving the vessel upon sighting the U-boat)
Any attempt of the crew or passengers to escape after the vessel has been stopped and boarded may be treated at the discretion of the boarding party as an escape attempt.
Use of force is authorized in the following encounters
1. Refusal of the vessel’s crew or passengers to provide papers relevant to the ship or its contents
2. Refusal of the vessel’s crew or passengers to provide papers identifying themselves
3. Refusal to open locked areas of the vessel
4. Refusal to cooperate with instructions given by the boarding party by reason of not understanding the boarding party’s instructions when it is reasonable to assume that the misunderstanding due to language barrier is fabricated or under false pretenses
Use of deadly force is authorized…
1. Against members of the crew taking hostile action against the boarding party or the U-boat
2. Against members of the passenger party taking hostile action against the boarding party or the U-boat
3. Against members of the crew attempting escape while in detention
4. Against members of the passenger party attempting escape while in detention
5. Against members of the crew which are discovered to be an agent of the enemy
6. Against members of the passenger party which are discovered to be an agent of the enemy
7. Against members of the crew who engage in efforts to scuttle the vessel by any means including but not limited to scuttling mechanisms or explosives while the boarding party remains aboard the vessel.
Should the boarding party be unable to overcome the organized resistance of the crew or passengers of the boarded vessel and must therefore flee the vessel the vessel may be attacked and sunk.
ARTICLE XI
ATTACKING WITHOUT WARNING
Other than situations previously mentioned, attacks without warning may be made against the following:
1. Vessels taking part in hostilities against Germany or any of its allies
2. Vessels chartered by an enemy nation in such a manner which places the vessel under enemy control regardless of the displayed flag or identifying markings
3. Vessels which convey to other vessels via signaling or other communications their intent to participate in hostile actions against Germany or its allies
4. Vessels which convey to the enemy the position of the U-boat
5. Vessels engaged in the transport of personnel belonging to an enemy force
6. Vessels engaged in the transport of individuals underway to join an enemy force
7. Vessels engaged in the transport of personnel supporting an enemy
8. Vessels that once boarded, fail to make the presence of an enemy force or enemy persons known to the boarding party
9. Vessels engaged in the transmission of military operational news
10. Vessels which have been instructed not to approach the U-boat and act contrary to those instructions
11. Vessels engaged in transmissions that are of use to the enemy
12. Vessels which, according to internationally available news, have engaged in hostile acts against Germany or its allies and such news is dated within the preceding 365 days unless the news, article, transmission, or print has been redacted by the news organization responsible for the report or article or print
13. Vessels engaged in any activity which could endanger the U-boat, its boarding party, or endanger any vessel or party belonging to an ally of Germany
Amendment – 02 OCT 1939 – By order of Der Führer darkened ships regardless of nationality can be attacked within the British and French territorial waters (See Article II, Article XI)
Amendment – 23 NOV 1939 – By order of Der Führer enemy merchant vessels can be attacked in the territorial waters of the United States of America, provided the U-boat can preserve the illusion of on board explosion not related to U-boat attack. (see Article II, Article XI)
Amendment – 30 DEC 1939 – By order of Der Führer, Greek vessels are to be considered hostile due to a large number of titles of transfer from Greece to the British forces. (see Article III, article XI)
ARTICLE XII
TREATMENT OF CREW AND PASSENGERS
The captain and officers of enemy vessels are to be released if they adequately demonstrate neutral nationality and provide formal written notice promising that during the duration of the war they shall not enter into the service of enemy military powers. This order shall not be in force should the captain or officers in question at any time during the stoppage, or capture once engage in hostile action against the U-boat, its crew, or the vessels of Germany or its allies.
Passengers must be released unless they are members of an enemy force, persons who have taken voyage with the purpose of joining an enemy force or to support enemy action or are agents of the enemy serving in any capacity.
The commander of the U-boat is responsible for ensuring that the passengers and crew held in detention are treated in a manner so as to ensure their health and safety for the duration of their detention until such time that the passengers and crew are released, or their detention is transferred to another party.
Amendment – 26 NOV 1939 – By order of BdU, Survivors are not to be taken aboard the U-boat for the purpose of capture, commanders are ordered not to concern themselves with the well-being of the crews and passengers stricken vessels.
Can you operate within the prize regulations?
If anything, while technical, it is an interesting read
PRIZE REGULATIONS
03 SEPTEMBER 1939
KRIEGSMARINE
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The Prize Regulations are established so as to create methods and standards of dealing with encounters with both enemy and neutral maritime vessels given consideration to the present state of war.
The national government shall serve as the body responsible for determining the beginning and ending of the period of time under which Kriegsmarine units must adhere to the Prize Regulations. At the onset of 03 September 1939 at 12:00 noon the Prize Regulations are to be en force.
ARTICLE II
AFFECTED AREAS
These Prize Regulations are to be adhered to and exercised within the following geographical constraints:
1. On the high seas
2. Within the territorial waters of Germany, and the territorial waters of the allies and enemies of Germany.
3. Within inland waters which serve the facilities, equipment and units of Germany, and the allies and enemies of Germany (lakes, rivers etc)
The Prize regulations are not to be exercised within the following areas:
Within neutral waters or in those waters, which are closed to war on the basis of contracts of the Third Reich. For the purpose of standardization of these geographical locales the waters of neutral parties extends from the shoreline outward to a distance of six (6) nautical miles from the coast of the neutral body or area closed to war. Attack measures are not to be taken against combatant vessels located within these areas.
Areas in which combat action is closed are as follows:
1. The Suez Canal zone within three (3) nautical miles of entry or exit ports or within the canal
2. The coastal waters of Spitsbergen without regards to whether or not Norway enters hostilities
3. The Panama Canal zone within three (3) nautical miles of entry or exit ports or within the canal
4. The coastal waters of the Aland Islands
ARTICLE III
IDENTIFICATION OF VESSELS
The enemy or neutral property of a vehicle is to be determined by the flag flown by the vessel, or any displayed roundel as in the case of aircraft. If no flag or identifying roundel is displayed the registered nationality of ownership shall prevail.
If no means of identifying the nationality of a vessel exists and cannot be determined by any available means it must be treated as enemy.
As it may occur that a neutral vessels ownership status may be temporarily or permanently transferred to an enemy, OR the vessel of enemy ownership may be temporarily or permanently transferred to a neutral state, international regulations warrant that an official document displaying the transfer of title between parties must be kept aboard while the vessel is in operation.
In the event of boarding a vessel for the purpose of verifying this documentation commanders are urged to consider the following:
1. The transfer of an enemy vehicle to the neutral flag will not be recognized if it is done within the 60 days preceding the commencement of hostilities with the enemy state from which the transfer of title was made.
2. The transfer of an enemy vehicle to the neutral flag will not be recognized if the instrument of transfer is not aboard the vessel
3. The Transfer of an enemy vessel to the neutral flag will not be recognized if the instrument of transfer is inaccurate or incomplete
4. The transfer of an enemy vessel to the neutral flag will not be recognized if profit of the vessels disposal or salvage remains in the right of the enemy
ARTICLE IV
STOP AND SEARCH
The following procedure shall apply for stop and search of vessels:
The commander must first approach the vessel without aggressive posturing, and signal via lamp or radio if doing so will not betray the U-boat’s position to the enemy. Once signaled to stop, a warning shot should be fired forward of the vessel’s bow.
Amended – 09 JUN 1941 – The use of radio to communicate with such vessels is suspended
The U-boat’s standing watch should signal the vessel to display its flag or identifying marks immediately upon stopping.
Should the vessel fail to stop and/or identify with flag or markings, the U-boat should fire a single round across the bow and repeat the signal.
Should the vessel continue to avoid cooperation, the U-boat should fire a shell into a non-critical area of the vessel thereby forcing it to stop under the threat of violent action and repeat the signal.
Should the vessel continue to avoid cooperation at this point the U-boat is authorized to attack and sink the vessel without further signaling.
If the vessel has stopped:
The commander should send a boarding party to the vessel with the clear establishment of a boarding party commander.
The commander of the boarding party shall: check the ships paper, question the vessel’s crew and officers as to the circumstances of the vessels voyage, its cargo, its passengers. If deemed necessary by the commander of the boarding party, the vessel should be searched soundly to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the vessel’s papers.
Should communication barriers prevent accurate questioning, it is permissible that the documents and papers of the vessel be transported back to the U-boat for further inspection. Should the papers be insufficient for this purpose, it is permissible to bring the vessels senior officer or captain aboard the U-boat for communications.
Should the captain of the vessel hold any complaints as to the boarding party actions, the actions of the U-boat or its crew; such complaints must be made in writing to the Commander of the U-boat and this documentation is to be provided to BdU for consideration.
If the search reveals that the contents of the vessel is primarily neutral letters and mailings or parcels, the boarding party should vacate the vessel and allow it to resume voyage with the least delay possible.
Course instruction
Course instruction is any command provided by the U-boat to the vessel to alter course so that implementation of the search may be resumed or can take place at another location.
Course instruction should be considered if urgent reason to do so is present or if the sea state, risk of hostilities against the U-boat or the vessel being searched is great, other circumstances exist that search of the vessel is warranted but prevented by some present circumstance.
All efforts must be made to signal the vessel to change course by signal lamp or radio if possible
ARTICLE V
VESSELS CLAIMED AS PRIZE
At the discretion of the U-boat commander, the taking of the vessel as a prize is authorized. The leader of the boarding party must place the flag of Germany in flight aboard the vessel prized if able to do so.
The leader of the boarding party is responsible for the safe monitoring and provisions of health and safe keeping of the vessel’s crew and passengers.
The leader of the boarding party takes charge of the log book, papers and other documentation essential to the vessel.
The leader of the boarding party establishes a boarding party diary into which all events subsequent to taking the vessel as prize are to be recorded until such time that the vessel is entered into a port of Germany or one of its allies.
The leader of the boarding party is responsible for safe navigation of the vessel and is compelled to utilize the services of the vessel’s existing crew if their services are able to be provided.
The leader of the boarding party shall, if possible, ensure that the transfer of all cargo to another vessel is carried out, additionally he shall keep a log of all cargo transported off of the ship for transport to Germany or one of its allies, this log should include the name and nationality of the vessel to which the cargo was allotted.
If there is insufficient prize crew, the vessel should take on the flag of Germany, if possible, and its crew and officers should act in line with the orders of the U-boat
Vessels taken as a prize can be entered immediately into the service of the German military powers.
Vessels taken as a prize can have their cargo entered immediately into the service of German military powers.
Destruction of vehicles and goods
Should a vessel taken as a prize become impractical or unsafe for continued voyage or if the vessel acts contrary to the orders of the U-boat, the vessel must be destroyed with every effort to saving whatever cargo of value.
ARTICLE VI
VESSELS AND GOODS SUBJECT TO CONFISCATION
Any goods stored as cargo, ballast or stored in the holds aboard an enemy vessel are subject to capture and confiscation.
Postal parcels which are deemed to contain no information of strategic value are not subject to confiscation unless their final destination is a port under blockade by Germany or its allies
Any goods belonging to the crew or passengers of a vessel which are clearly identified as goods intended for the personal use of the crew or passengers of an enemy vessel are to be considered free from risk of confiscation.
Neutral vessels sailing in convoy with enemy vessels are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which passively resist stoppage and boarding are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which violently resist stoppage and boarding are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which intervene against your boarding action or intervene against your attacking of an enemy vessel are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which are stopped and boarded who have no article of transfer aboard, or such article of transfer is inaccurate or incomplete are subject to confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
Neutral vessels which are observed to be participating in blockade operations against Germany or its allies in concert with our enemies are subject to boarding and confiscation of the aforementioned articles as described above.
At the commander’s discretion, Neutral vessels may be attacked and sunk if:
1. The vessel is traveling in hostile convoy
2. The vessel resists violently against the U-boat
3. The vessel provides violent assistance to an enemy vessel to prevent the U-boat’s efforts against said enemy vessel
4. The vessel is unquestionably participating in blockade against Germany or her allies
Amendment – 28 SEP 1939 – by order of Der Führer vessels flagged as Russian, Italian, Japanese or Spanish which are stopped shall only be questioned on their cargo and destination. No other action is to be taken against such vessels.
ARTICLE VII
RELIEF SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Vessels which are known to have registry, or are displaying titles of transfer, or are displaying a flag or roundel or other identifying mark providing clear ownership to relief societies (ie International Red Cross) shall not be subject to prize, boarding, confiscation or attack.
Commanders are not authorized to participate in taking as prize, boarding, confiscating goods or materials or attacking:
1. Coastal fishery vessels
2. Vessels operating in the interest of religion
3. Vessels engaged in exploration related to the sciences
4. Vessels engaged in philanthropy
5. Vessels charged with exchange of Prisoners of War
6. Vessels flying flags of international relief organizations
7. Vessels flying flags representative of international signs of surrender
8. Vessels flying flags representative of international signs of relief
The above listed exemptions are nullified immediately upon any such vessel commencing or participating in hostilities against the U-boat or are otherwise found to be operating in a manner which suggests that their exempted behaviors are conducted under false pretenses.
ARTICLE VIII
BANNED GOODS
The following items and substances are considered banned goods; merchant vessels engaged in the carriage of these materials or with such materials visible on their decks, may be attacked without warning.
1. Weapons of any kind
2. Weapon parts or components
3. Weapon accessories
4. Ammunition
5. Ammunition components
6. Bombs or their components or accessories
7. Torpedoes or their components or accessories
8. Mines or their components or accessories
9. Projectiles intended for shooting or throwing by hand or by a mechanized source
10. Explosives in any form
11. Explosive detonators or any device manufactured as a component or accessory of detonators
12. Warships of any kind regardless of size or tonnage
13. Components meant for use in construction of war machines of any kind
14. Aircraft, aircraft components, accessories, parts or engines
15. Tanks, armored cars, militarized vehicles of any kind including their parts or accessories
16. Armor plating
17. Chemical weapons or components meant for the dispersal of such
18. Military clothing, uniforms, shoes, boots, hats etc
19. Military news manuscripts; or any signaling equipment used for military purposes
20. Chemicals or ingredients meant for use in the printing of military publications
21. Pack animals or riding animals, their equipment and appurtenances if for military purposes
22. Fuel oil, crude oil, lubricating oil, aviation gasoline
23. Gold, silver, cash and coins or any instrument used for settling debt of or to an enemy
24. Food, medicines or rations intended for use by the enemy
25. Any equipment, tools, or materials used to manufacture or otherwise produce or reproduce any the above articles
The attack can be made whether or not the intended destination of the vessel is in a neutral territory under the condition that these materials may be shipped by any other means from the neutral port by road, rail, air or any other method of transit to an ultimate final destination within enemy territory or currently held by the enemy.
Attack may be made without warning against a neutral vessel which was not previously carrying these materials but is subsequently engaged in the transfer of these materials onto its decks or into its holds from an enemy vessel.
ARTICLE IX
BANNED GOODS CONSIDERED FOR EXEMPTION
The U-boat commander, when considering goods as banned or not banned should consider the following banned goods as allowable under specific conditions.
1. The banned objects or substances are for the use of the vessel itself assuming reasonable quantities exist aboard which are commensurate with the needs of the vessel (ie sufficient lubricating oil, fuel oil, heating oil meant to be used by the various mechanisms on board the vessel and the quantities do not exceed the obvious amount necessary for the duration of the voyage)
2. The objects or substances are for the use of crew or passengers aboard the vessel (rifles, pistols, ammunition and accessories, gold, silver, coins, cash etc belonging to crew members or passengers so long as the quantity of the items is commensurate with the needs of the individual and do not exceed an amount necessary for the duration of the voyage)
3. Articles mentioned above which are intended solely for the treatment of the infirm, ill or wounded individuals aboard ship or occupying the destination port of the vessel provided the destination port is non enemy and not blockaded.
Consideration should be given by the U-boat commander to the on board papers, logs, shipping labels or itinerary etc of the vessel. Attack, prizing, or confiscation should be considered if:
1. The vessel carrying such banned goods has clearly deviated from its route without justifiable reason for doing so
2. If there is evidence that the papers presented to the boarding party have been falsified so as to conceal the materials kept aboard, or conceal the intended destination etc
ARTICLE X
USE OF FORCE AND DEADLY FORCE
The U-boat’s boarding party, may upon stopping and boarding a vessel, detain the crew and passengers until the boarding party has completed their investigation of the vessel satisfactorily, upon such time the crew and passengers shall be released from detainment.
An attempt of any crew or passenger to escape before the vessel has been stopped and boarded is not to be treated as an attempt to escape detainment. (such as the case of crew and passengers boarding life boats or otherwise leaving the vessel upon sighting the U-boat)
Any attempt of the crew or passengers to escape after the vessel has been stopped and boarded may be treated at the discretion of the boarding party as an escape attempt.
Use of force is authorized in the following encounters
1. Refusal of the vessel’s crew or passengers to provide papers relevant to the ship or its contents
2. Refusal of the vessel’s crew or passengers to provide papers identifying themselves
3. Refusal to open locked areas of the vessel
4. Refusal to cooperate with instructions given by the boarding party by reason of not understanding the boarding party’s instructions when it is reasonable to assume that the misunderstanding due to language barrier is fabricated or under false pretenses
Use of deadly force is authorized…
1. Against members of the crew taking hostile action against the boarding party or the U-boat
2. Against members of the passenger party taking hostile action against the boarding party or the U-boat
3. Against members of the crew attempting escape while in detention
4. Against members of the passenger party attempting escape while in detention
5. Against members of the crew which are discovered to be an agent of the enemy
6. Against members of the passenger party which are discovered to be an agent of the enemy
7. Against members of the crew who engage in efforts to scuttle the vessel by any means including but not limited to scuttling mechanisms or explosives while the boarding party remains aboard the vessel.
Should the boarding party be unable to overcome the organized resistance of the crew or passengers of the boarded vessel and must therefore flee the vessel the vessel may be attacked and sunk.
ARTICLE XI
ATTACKING WITHOUT WARNING
Other than situations previously mentioned, attacks without warning may be made against the following:
1. Vessels taking part in hostilities against Germany or any of its allies
2. Vessels chartered by an enemy nation in such a manner which places the vessel under enemy control regardless of the displayed flag or identifying markings
3. Vessels which convey to other vessels via signaling or other communications their intent to participate in hostile actions against Germany or its allies
4. Vessels which convey to the enemy the position of the U-boat
5. Vessels engaged in the transport of personnel belonging to an enemy force
6. Vessels engaged in the transport of individuals underway to join an enemy force
7. Vessels engaged in the transport of personnel supporting an enemy
8. Vessels that once boarded, fail to make the presence of an enemy force or enemy persons known to the boarding party
9. Vessels engaged in the transmission of military operational news
10. Vessels which have been instructed not to approach the U-boat and act contrary to those instructions
11. Vessels engaged in transmissions that are of use to the enemy
12. Vessels which, according to internationally available news, have engaged in hostile acts against Germany or its allies and such news is dated within the preceding 365 days unless the news, article, transmission, or print has been redacted by the news organization responsible for the report or article or print
13. Vessels engaged in any activity which could endanger the U-boat, its boarding party, or endanger any vessel or party belonging to an ally of Germany
Amendment – 02 OCT 1939 – By order of Der Führer darkened ships regardless of nationality can be attacked within the British and French territorial waters (See Article II, Article XI)
Amendment – 23 NOV 1939 – By order of Der Führer enemy merchant vessels can be attacked in the territorial waters of the United States of America, provided the U-boat can preserve the illusion of on board explosion not related to U-boat attack. (see Article II, Article XI)
Amendment – 30 DEC 1939 – By order of Der Führer, Greek vessels are to be considered hostile due to a large number of titles of transfer from Greece to the British forces. (see Article III, article XI)
ARTICLE XII
TREATMENT OF CREW AND PASSENGERS
The captain and officers of enemy vessels are to be released if they adequately demonstrate neutral nationality and provide formal written notice promising that during the duration of the war they shall not enter into the service of enemy military powers. This order shall not be in force should the captain or officers in question at any time during the stoppage, or capture once engage in hostile action against the U-boat, its crew, or the vessels of Germany or its allies.
Passengers must be released unless they are members of an enemy force, persons who have taken voyage with the purpose of joining an enemy force or to support enemy action or are agents of the enemy serving in any capacity.
The commander of the U-boat is responsible for ensuring that the passengers and crew held in detention are treated in a manner so as to ensure their health and safety for the duration of their detention until such time that the passengers and crew are released, or their detention is transferred to another party.
Amendment – 26 NOV 1939 – By order of BdU, Survivors are not to be taken aboard the U-boat for the purpose of capture, commanders are ordered not to concern themselves with the well-being of the crews and passengers stricken vessels.