DÖNITZ: Yes; the entire order deals only with, or assumes, the presence of the enemy’s defense; it deals with the battle against convoys. For instance it reads, “Close range is also the best security for the boat...”
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: What number are you reading?
DÖNITZ: Well, the order is formulated in such a way that Number 1 deals at first with sailing, not with combat. But the warning against enemy air defense is given there also, and in this warning about countermeasures it is made clear that it is concerned entirely with outgoing ships. Otherwise I would obviously not have issued an order concerning sailing. Number 2 deals with the time prior to the attack. Here mention is made of moral inhibitions which every soldier has to overcome before an attack.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Admiral, you need only refer to the figures which show that the order is concerned with fighting enemy defense.
DÖNITZ: Very well. Then I will quote from 2(d). It says there:
“Close range is also the best security for the boat.
“While in the vicinity of the vessels”—that is, the merchantmen—“the protecting ships”—that is, the destroyers—“will at first not fire any depth charges. If one fires into a convoy from close quarters”—note that we are dealing with convoys—“and then is compelled to submerge, one can then dive most quickly below other ships of the convoy and thus remain safe from depth charges.”
Then the next paragraph, which deals with night conditions, says:
“Stay above water. Withdraw above water. Possibly make a circle and go around at the rear.”
Every sailor knows that one makes a circle or goes around at the rear of the protecting enemy ships. Further, in the third paragraph, I caution against submerging too soon, because it blinds the U-boat, and I say: