“Within the last few days some German U-boats have been attacked by British merchant marine vessels. In this connection the German radio announces that the German U-boats have so far observed the rules of international law in warning the merchant marine vessels before attacking them.
“Now, however, Germany intends to retaliate by considering every British merchant marine vessel as a warship. While the first-mentioned fact is absolutely untrue, it may indicate an immediate change in the policy of German submarine warfare.
“Be prepared to meet it. Admiralty.”
On Page 157 there is a second report of the same date. “The British Admiralty announces that German submarines are pursuing a new strategy. English boats are called upon to ram every German submarine.”
The next document, Dönitz-65, contains orders issued as a result of the armament of, and armed resistance by, merchant vessels. I read the order of 4 October 1939, which was issued by the SKL to the Front.
“Immediate attack in any manner available is permitted submarines against enemy merchant vessels which are obviously armed or have been proclaimed as such on the basis of conclusive evidence received by the Naval Operations Staff. As far as circumstances permit, measures are to be taken to save the crew after every possibility of danger for the submarine has been eliminated. Passenger ships not used to transport troops are still not to be attacked, even if armed.”
The excerpt below shows the transmission of the order to the submarines. The experiences gained in the war up to that period are summarized in a document on Page 159, which is an excerpt from the Prosecution’s Exhibit GB-196, “Standing War Order 171,” by Commander of Submarines. I should only like to read from Paragraph 4, the first sentence:
“Tactics of Enemy Merchant Vessels. The following instructions have been issued for British shipping...”
THE PRESIDENT: What is the date of this document?
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: The document was issued before May 1940. I shall have to call on a witness to give the correct date, Mr. President; I assume it was in October 1939: