OT, The sinking of The Liner Laconia.

Vikinger · 11-22-06, 11:37 PM

Hi.

I found some nice info regarding the sinking of the ship Laconia. Called The Laconia Incident. Sept 12, 1942.

Ive allways wonder why the germany sub crews stopped to help survivors.
In the beggining they used to help the victims whit food, water, assistance in any way. But later on they stopped to do that and become more "brutal".

It also explains why they didnt help the crew in the movie Das Boat, and instead backed away from the crew and let them drown.

It was a direct order issued by Dönitz that was called Laconia order. And was also the proof to convict dönitz later on in the nurnberg trial.

The order is as follow:

Every attempt to save survivors of sunken ships, also the fishing up of swimming men and putting them on board lifeboats, the setup right of overturned lifeboats, the handing over of food and water have be discontinued. These rescues contradict the primary demands of warfare esp. the destruction of enemy ships and their crews.

The orders concerning the bringing in of skippers and chief engineers stay in effect.
Survivors are only to rescue, if their statements are important for the boat.

Stay hard. Don't forget, that the enemy didn't take any regard for woman and children when bombarding German towns.

Another intressting message is from the sub that sunk the laconia to its BDU

Versenkt von Hartenstein Brite "Laconia". Marinequadrat FF 7721 310 Grad. Leider mit 1500 italienischen Kriegsgefangenen. Bisher 90 gefischt. 157 cbm. 19 Aale, Passat 3, erbitte Befehle.

"Sunk by Hartenstein British "Laconia". Grid FF 7721 310 degrees. Unfortunately with 1,500 Italian POW's. Till now 90 fished. 157 cubic meters (oil). 19 eels, trade wind 3, ask for orders."

Its funny they use slang words for torpedoes, 19 eels.

If u want to read the full story (or the most important thing of the incident)
You can take a look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia_incident

Tachyon · 11-23-06, 03:55 AM

Doenitz was forced to issue that order because the subs were attacked by bombers while towing some lifeboats, even with the red cross flag hoisted. The bomber was at a low altitude , and there was no way he could have missed the distinctive red cross.

hyperion2206 · 11-23-06, 07:44 AM

The American pilot didn't miss the red cross, in fact he asked his CO what to do. Unfortunately a new airbase was built near the sub and the CO didn't want the Germans to know that it was there. So he ordered the pilot to bomb the sub.

Kruger · 11-23-06, 08:35 AM

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...istory+channel

There is an interesting discussion here.

11-22-06, 11:37 PM	#1
Vikinger Captain Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 514 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 6	OT, The sinking of The Liner Laconia. Hi. I found some nice info regarding the sinking of the ship Laconia. Called The Laconia Incident. Sept 12, 1942. Ive allways wonder why the germany sub crews stopped to help survivors. In the beggining they used to help the victims whit food, water, assistance in any way. But later on they stopped to do that and become more "brutal". It also explains why they didnt help the crew in the movie Das Boat, and instead backed away from the crew and let them drown. It was a direct order issued by Dönitz that was called Laconia order. And was also the proof to convict dönitz later on in the nurnberg trial. The order is as follow: Every attempt to save survivors of sunken ships, also the fishing up of swimming men and putting them on board lifeboats, the setup right of overturned lifeboats, the handing over of food and water have be discontinued. These rescues contradict the primary demands of warfare esp. the destruction of enemy ships and their crews. The orders concerning the bringing in of skippers and chief engineers stay in effect. Survivors are only to rescue, if their statements are important for the boat. Stay hard. Don't forget, that the enemy didn't take any regard for woman and children when bombarding German towns. Another intressting message is from the sub that sunk the laconia to its BDU Versenkt von Hartenstein Brite "Laconia". Marinequadrat FF 7721 310 Grad. Leider mit 1500 italienischen Kriegsgefangenen. Bisher 90 gefischt. 157 cbm. 19 Aale, Passat 3, erbitte Befehle. "Sunk by Hartenstein British "Laconia". Grid FF 7721 310 degrees. Unfortunately with 1,500 Italian POW's. Till now 90 fished. 157 cubic meters (oil). 19 eels, trade wind 3, ask for orders." Its funny they use slang words for torpedoes, 19 eels. If u want to read the full story (or the most important thing of the incident) You can take a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laconia_incident

11-23-06, 03:55 AM	#2
Tachyon Captain Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: India Posts: 514 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Doenitz was forced to issue that order because the subs were attacked by bombers while towing some lifeboats, even with the red cross flag hoisted. The bomber was at a low altitude , and there was no way he could have missed the distinctive red cross.

11-23-06, 07:44 AM	#3
hyperion2206 Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cologne, Germany Posts: 1,227 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 0	The American pilot didn't miss the red cross, in fact he asked his CO what to do. Unfortunately a new airbase was built near the sub and the CO didn't want the Germans to know that it was there. So he ordered the pilot to bomb the sub.

11-23-06, 08:35 AM	#4
Kruger Commander Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 476 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...istory+channel There is an interesting discussion here.