GODT: It was done for reasons of secrecy. U-boat logs were seen by a great many people: First, in the training stations of the U-boat service itself; and, secondly, in numerous offices of the High Command. Special attention had therefore to be paid to secrecy.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: How many copies of each U-boat war log were made?
GODT: I should say six to eight copies.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Did the omission of such an item from the log mean that all documentary evidence was destroyed in every office; or did certain offices keep these documents?
GODT: These records were received by Commander, U-boats, and probably by the Naval Operations Staff as well.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Was there a standing war order prescribing treatment of incidents?
GODT: Yes.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: What were the contents?
GODT: It stated that incidents must be reported immediately by wireless and that a supplementary report must be made later, either in writing or by word of mouth.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Does this standing order contain any allusion to the omission of such incidents from the log?