HESSLER: No, we knew every one on the staff, and it is out of the question that any member of the staff held a different opinion.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Korvettenkapitän Möhle testified that he asked Korvettenkapitän Kuppisch, who was a member of your staff, for an explanation of the Laconia order and that Kuppisch told him about the incident of the U-386; and told it in such a way as to make it appear that Commander, U-boats, ordered the shooting of survivors.
HESSLER: That is impossible.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Why?
HESSLER: Because Kuppisch took his U-boat out to sea in July 1943 and never returned from that cruise. The incident of U-386 happened in the autumn of 1943, which was later.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Korvettenkapitän Möhle in his first statement left the possibility open that this story about U-386 might have come from you. Did you discuss this matter with him?
HESSLER: No.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Are you certain of that?
HESSLER: Absolutely certain.
FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBÜHLER: Did you hear of the interpretation given by Korvettenkapitän Möhle to this Laconia order?