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RE: Penants for neutrals sunk
Posted by: Ken Dunn ()
Date: April 24, 2001 12:19PM

<HTML>Hi Dave,

Most neutrals sunk by U-boats were doing something that qualified them under the existing German rules of engagement as legitimate targets. They could have been in a “free fire zone” or they could have been sailing a zigzag course at night without lights on a course to an enemy port. They could have been escorted by a warship or they could have been armed. They also could have been stopped, searched, and found to be carrying “war cargo” and sunk by the prize rules. In any of the above cases, I see no reason why they would not have displayed a pennant.

Some neutral ships were sunk by mistake. The U-boat was obliged to acknowledge it to U-boat command but I wouldn’t think they would fly a pennant for it.

There is no telling how any commander who disobeyed his orders and intentionally sunk a ship he knew he was not allowed to sink would have acted. I suspect he would be in trouble for it if what he did were found out. After all, it could cause that country to go to war with Germany. I don’t think U-boat Command would have liked to tell Hitler, oh by the way I hope our Army is not very busy right now, we just started a war with another country. I have not heard of a case of this type, so I don’t know if it ever happened. In general, these were honorable professional men who would not do something like that. If they did it by accident or mistake they would have reported it.

Regards,

Ken Dunn
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Options: Reply•Quote


Subject Written By Posted
Penants for neutrals sunk Dave McQueen 04/24/2001 10:33AM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk Ken Dunn 04/24/2001 12:19PM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk Dave McQueen 04/24/2001 12:59PM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk J.T. McDaniel 04/24/2001 05:17PM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk Robin Edwards 04/26/2001 01:27AM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk Ken Dunn 04/26/2001 10:55AM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk Rich Mickle 04/26/2001 07:53PM
RE: Penants for neutrals sunk Walter M. 04/30/2001 08:17PM


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