DÖNITZ: Yes. This went so far, in fact, that when the American destroyers in the summer of 1941 received orders to attack German submarines, that is, before war started, when they were still neutral and I was forbidden to fight back, I was then forced to forbid the submarines in this area to attack even British destroyers, in order to avoid having a submarine mistake an American for a British ship.
THE PRESIDENT: We will adjourn.
[The Tribunal adjourned until 9 May 1946 at 1000 hours.]
ONE HUNDRED
AND TWENTY-FIFTH DAY
Thursday, 9 May 1946
Morning Session
[The Defendant Dönitz resumed the stand.]
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: With the permission of the Tribunal, I will continue my examination of the witness.
[Turning to the defendant.] Admiral, how many merchant ships were sunk by German U-boats in the course of the war?
DÖNITZ: According to the Allied figures, 2,472.