More "GWX ettiquette" questions -- Prize Regulations

[nemchenk]

Right So, sorry to keep asking these silly questions, but I'm kinda new to the whole sub thing and I'm curious as to how the "more serious" sim/RP players play SHIII. I mean, I enjoy the sim aspect, but am also very interested in the history and RP...


So, IIRC prior to Unrestricted Sub Warfare, the procedure was to surface and order the merchant to surrender, wait for the crew to abandon ship, then sink her either with weapons or by scuttling her.

I had been under the impression that this would not be possible in GWX SHIII, since I assume an enemy merchant would try to evade or ram you as soon as you surfaced, and would be unlikely to surrender! So when I spotted my first Polish Med Cargo, I promptly shadowed her and put two eels in her side when I got into position. Down she went, and after a few more hours patrolling I spotted a Passanger/Cargo flying the Polish merchant ensign. An eel in her bows and she goes down after a couple of hours in rough seas.

So far so good. Then I get this from GWX OKM:

From: OKM
To: All U-boats
1939/09/03
U-boat warfare against shipping is to be carried out in accordance with international law. Attacks are to be aimed at the following ships which may be sunk without warning:

1.Troop ships, ie. vessels which are observed to be carrying troops or war material or which may be indentified in other ways.
2. Any vessels escorted by enemy warships or aircraft.
3. Vessels taking part in enemy actions or acting in direct support of enemy operations.

Internation law governing the conduct of naval warfare is included in the battle orders for the German Navy. Orders enjoin the strict observance of all rules of neutrality issued by individual countries and observance of the general agreements of international Law. Operations against shipping are to be governed by the revised edition of Prize Regulations. Observance of Prize Regulations is only obligatory for unarmed ships.

So, did I just break the Prize Regs twice Or do they mean by this earlier message that the Prize Regs do not apply to Polish merchantmen:

From: OKM
To: All U-boats
Overt military actions have commenced against Poland. All Polish vessels are to be considered hostile and valid targets that may be attacked at the commander's discretion. Vessels of other nations are to be considered neutral and are not to be attacked.

Thanks for your advice in advance!