Hello Stan Norcom, dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

as to the request about Prisen Order, I would suggest as an English translation, German Sea Prize Ordinance for Naval Warfare, the first link is said ordinance of Aug. 12th 1939 issued by the Reichsregierung.

Prise (=French Word) in German a.o. Einziehen, Kapern, Wegnehmen, in English o.a. Seize, Capture a ship

After hostilities commenced this law was amended on Sept. 12th 1939 as follows and the introduction to this amendment explains:

[www.u-boote-online.de]

Die Reichsregierung hat in dem Bestreben, den friedlichen
Seehandel soweit irgend angängig zu schonen, in der
Deutschen Prisenordnung vom 28. August 1939 (Reichsgesetzbl. I
S. 1585) nur diejenigen für das feindliche Gebiet oder für die
feindliche Streitmacht bestimmten Gegenstände und Stoffe
zum unbedingten Banngut erklärt, die unmittelbar der Land-,
See- oder Luftrüstung dienen. Nachdem die britische Regierung
jedoch eine Liste des unbedingten Bannguts aufgestellt hat,
die weit über diesen Rahmen hinaus geht, sieht sich die
Regierung gezwungen, den Kreis des unbedingten Bannguts
ebenfalls zu erweitern.
Die Reichsregierung hat daher das folgende Gesetz beschlossen,
das hiermit verkündet wird:

Rough translation:

The „Reichsregierung“ in an endeavour to spare the peaceful maritime trade as far as possible has declared in (said ordinance) as imperative contraband as dedicated to enemy territory or enemy forces only such items and goods as to serve directly for land-, sea-, air force armament.
Since the British government however has posted a list of imperative contraband exceeding by far said scope/ceiling, the …….. is impelled to upgrade this scope likewise.
The…….has enacted the following law herewith issued:….

Since most forum members are able to use a computer based translator you all may want to look up said items/goods as listed in Article 1.


[www.u-boote-online.de]

This one is originates from Aug. 12th 1939

[www.u-boote-online.de]

Befugnis zur Ausübung des Prisenrecht
Artikel 1

(1) Das Prisenrecht umfasst die Befugnis, feindliche und neutrale Seefahrzeuge anzuhaften sowie mit diesen Fahrzeugen und mit dem auf ihren befindlichen Gut nach Maßgabe der folgenden Bestimmungen zu verfahren.

(2) Dem Prisenrecht unterliegen nicht Kriegsschiffe und sonstige Fahrzeuge ¹), die ausschließlich für Zwecke der öffentlichen Verwaltung und nicht für Handelszwecke bestimmt oder verwendet werden.

...................
Translation:

Authorization to carry out Prize Ordinance:

(1) Prize ordinance incorporates authorization to stop hostile and neutral ships and to proceed with the ships and their loaded items/goods according to the following terms.

(2) Prize ordinance will not be applied to war ships and other ships used only for official administration purposes and are not ascertained or used for maritime trade function.

……………..

As to the specifics how to apply said ordinance try to look and if you guys cannot work it out with the translator let me know the section and I’ll do my best provided time.

Here some other sources of the laws which might be interesting as to our forum on WWII German uboats.

[en.wikipedia.org]

[www.icrc.org]

Full text [Display Introduction] [Display articles]
Art. 22. The following are accepted as established rules of international law:
(1) In their action with regard to merchant ships, submarines must conform to the rules of international law to which surface vessels are subject.
(2) In particular, except in the case of persistent refusal to stop on being duly summoned, or of active resistance to visit or search, a warship, whether surface vessel or submarine, may not sink or render incapable of navigation a merchant vessel without having first placed passengers, crew and ship's papers in a place of safety. For this purpose the ship's boats are not regarded as a place of safety unless the safety of the passengers and crew is assured, in the existing sea and weather conditions, by the proximity of land, or the presence of another vessel which is in a position to take them on board.

The High Contracting Parties invite all other Powers to express their assent to the above rules.
[en.wikipedia.org]

You all have a nice day.
Sincerely Yours
VEK