Quote:
Originally Posted by avers
did'nt Germany start using unrestricted warfare in a few areas in November 1939?
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Yes, quite correct. In October unrestricted warfare was carried out in the North Sea "and approaches to the Baltic ... (and) ... through October and November Hitler progressively lifted the prohibition on attacking passenger ships" as long as they were enemy passenger ships.
Basically the waters around the British Isles very soon became the first area where "anything goes"
And also to my point earlier on regarding ships radioing for help. Hitler's thinking was along the lines of, ok, by getting your radio operator to call for help you are becoming a cog in the wheel at calling in the cavalry.
The Irish merchant fleet, as an example, though neutral was virtually wiped out.
In his Saint Patrick's Day address in 1940, Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Éamon de Valera lamented:
"No country had ever been more effectively blockaded because of the activities of belligerents and our lack of ships..."