Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
                        Headquarters, 24.02.40.
      Operations Department                       
      Order Number Secret 355
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
To    
  The Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine 1.Abt.SKL.
     
     
     
  Subject:  Sinking "SNESTAD", "ENID", "CHASTINE MAERSK".
     
     
     
1.) There is no information about the sinking of the "SNESTAD".  Without exact information of time and place it will not be possible in general to do an investigation.
     
2) A report by the Kommandant on the sinking of the "ENID" is attached.
   
  B.d.U. remarks:
     
  a) The stop took place just within the area (at 60°56'N) in which U-boat trade war should not take place according to the Prize Regulations. (61° N).  However, I approve that the Kommandant was not too exact in his interpretation of this limit, because otherwise he would have had to let the ship go.
     
  b) The steamer tried to avoid the stop and examination by fleeing and only gave up this attempt after several shots.
    Therefore, the Kommandant was entitled to destroy the ship by the orders in effect.
 
     
 
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
 
     
 
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  c) As to a bombardment of the lifeboats, as reported in the foreign press, there can be no question.
       
  d) B.d.U. proposes to dismiss protests for the following reasons:
       
    aa) By the escape attempt the steamer arranged its own destruction.
       
    bb) The charge of the bombardment of the boats must be considered a malicious invention, because the destruction of the lifeboats, if intended, would have been easy for the boat, and was not actually accomplished.
     
3.) Concerning the sinking of the "CHASTINE MAERSK" the Kriegstagebuch of the Kommandant is attached.
       
  B.d.U. remarks:
       
  a) The initial attack with torpedoes and the sinking lie within Zone "A".  The Kommandant was therefore, entitled to destroy the ship "possibly without being seen".
       
  b) The stop and sinking took place within the area in which, for U-boats, trade war is prohibited according to Prize Regulations.
       
  c) By his actions, the Kommandant pursued tenaciously after attacking the ship and did not let go.  Thus, he acted in the spirit of B.d.U.'s repeatedly issued general directions.
       
  d) In the accomplishment of his intention the Kommandant has:
                                                                                          aa)
 
     
 
 
 
     
 
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    aa) determined that the sinking had to take place "possibly" unseen, certainly by the letter of the law, but not by the spirit from a logical way of thinking which is understandable in the given situation, and
       
    bb) construed the Prize Regulations incorrectly.
       
  e) The B.d.U. will ensure that the interpretation of the Regulation is made clearer.
       
  f) In the face of the neutral government the sinking cannot be justified.
    Should it not be explained as a mistake of the commander and damages be granted, the following procedure would be possible:
       
    aa) Explain) first that messages about the sinking are not yet present.
       
    bb) In due time - possibly at the middle of March - he will clarify, that there are no other messages that might be connected with the loss of a boat which may have been located in the northern North Sea, from this however, obligation for damages would not be derived, particularly as an English false flag implemented breach of international law might also be expected.