Quote:
Originally Posted by avers
hey guys, I've had this question on my mind for a while and I really want an answer. I've read in books and online that German U-boats and ships at the beginning of the war had to abide by the rules of prize. What are the prize regulations and why did Germany use them? When did they stop abiding by them and why did they stop?
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This will give some background to your questions.
Hitler's aim was to invade Poland and NOT drag Britain in. He wanted initially a "short war in the east followed by a swift peace in the west". So it was to keep Britain and the USA hopefully out of it by playing nicely.
To this end Donitz's orderd all COs that they must abide by the Prize Regulations.
He however, quickly changed his views and agitated for a "unrestricted war" by his U-Boats.
There were a number of reasons for this change of view.
The first concern for Donitz was that his boats were been attacked by British planes after a distress call had been made. Early in the war, Donitz made the false assumption that a good many of his boats that failed to return were destroyed while abiding by Prize Regulations. This was not the case at all but he was not to know.
He was of the opinion that "U-boat warfare must at all times be concentrated against merchant shipping" and if the Prize Regulations were enforced Britain would simply place its merchant fleet under a neutral flag.
After the sinking of the Athenia merchant ships began arming themselves and he saw that as "allowing the sinking without warning of all merchantmen.."
This was followed in a new message from Donitz to all COs in December where any and all pretence at Germany abiding by the Prize Regulations was summarily done away with.
"Rescue no one and take no one with you. Have no care for the ship's boats. Weather conditions and the proximity of land are of no account. Care only for your own boat and strive to achieve the next success as soon as possible! We must be hard in this war. The enemy started the war in order to destroy us, therefore nothing else matters"
The above message from Donitz in my opinion eloquently sums up his entire philosophy and approach to U-boat warfare.
My quotes have been taken from "War Beneath The Sea"