If you commaned U-2511

Hinrich Schwab · 02-22-12, 04:05 PM

I cannot say what I would or would not do. Without being in that situation to face the consequences of either choice, anything I say would be pure conjecture and out of context. From what I have observed in reading accounts from U-boat commanders interviewed after the war, All of them held discipline and the unwritten sailor's code in high regard. Orders given were expected to be followed without question. Schaeffer made the only choice he could without a war crimes tribunal waiting for him when he docked. However, in the process, he took the third option; counting coup. He had a golden opportunity and made the approach completely undetected. When the time came, he did not take the shot, but logged everything. When he returned, the Tommies were naturally concerned by his log entries. Schaeffer had the Norfolk dead-bang, but complied with the order to stand down. In a way, it was like saying, "Orders prevent me from following through, but I have you and that cannot be taken from me."

02-22-12, 04:05 PM	#2
Hinrich Schwab Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 908 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 0	I cannot say what I would or would not do. Without being in that situation to face the consequences of either choice, anything I say would be pure conjecture and out of context. From what I have observed in reading accounts from U-boat commanders interviewed after the war, All of them held discipline and the unwritten sailor's code in high regard. Orders given were expected to be followed without question. Schaeffer made the only choice he could without a war crimes tribunal waiting for him when he docked. However, in the process, he took the third option; counting coup. He had a golden opportunity and made the approach completely undetected. When the time came, he did not take the shot, but logged everything. When he returned, the Tommies were naturally concerned by his log entries. Schaeffer had the Norfolk dead-bang, but complied with the order to stand down. In a way, it was like saying, "Orders prevent me from following through, but I have you and that cannot be taken from me."