It partly dates to their experience in the First World War. U-boats would stop merchants and inspect their papers, allow the crew to take to the lifeboats, then shell or scuttle the ship. It was all very pleasant and above board until a u-boat was surprised and sunk by the first Q-ship. After that the Germans started conducting unrestricted submarine warfare, and of course the British complained loudly about it. By the beginning of WW2 it was inevitable that the pleasant way couldn't last.
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“Never do anything you can't take back.”
—Rocky Russo
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