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History of order
Text + 2 photos via mi3ch
September 12 German submarine U-156, and met with two torpedoes sank the British military transport "Laconia»
On board the vehicle were 2789 persons: 136 crew members, 80 civilians, 268 British troops and more than 1,800 Italian prisoners of war and 160 Polish jailers.
The captain of the submarine, seeing the sorry state of drowning, (and the Italians were allies) has decided to help.
Soon the boat was packed to the rescued people. The Germans took the lift 4 lifeboats.
Realizing that his own forces can not cope, the captain handed over the open radio message:
"If any boat wish to help the crew of" Laconia "I'm not going to attack him on the condition that he will not be attacked from the sea or from the air. I have the 193 survivors on board. 4 degrees 52 minutes south latitude, 11 degrees 26 minutes west longitude. The German submarine. »
We rushed to the aid of: Kriegsmarine U-506 and U-507, the Italian "Cappellini." Also responded to the call of the Vichy government, sending the place of tragedy patrol ship "Annam" and the cruiser "Gloire».
U-156 took on board more than 400 people. Total floating in the ocean 22 survival craft, which found temporary salvation of about one and a half thousand people. In the water, there was not a victim.
And then came the Americans ...
September 16 flew the first aircraft to the US Air Force identification marks. Less than half an hour - another. When they appear on the deckhouse U-156 has been raised a large Red Cross flag.
An hour later, the Americans clearly understand the situation and passed at an altitude of less than 80 meters, began bombing German submarines. Logic Americans:
1. The rules of war do not allow the warship to use the flag of the Red Cross
2. On approach, a few British transports, which can also be sunk
3. The Germans are engaged in saving only the Italians
One of the bombs fell exactly into the boat - all perished in it. After the next sunset bomb exploded under the central post of the submarine, the bridge received the reports of the appearance of a leak. It was stuck zenith periscope attack periscope is not rotated out of service seven battery cells, disrupted highway flange water cooling diesel broken finder, sonar station was denied.
The captain gave the order to put on life belts and planted all saved with the "Laconia" in the boat.
U-156 transmitted a distress signal, but having eliminated the most serious injuries, managed to sink the boat.
From allied manning "Laconia" killed at least 20 people, and from more than 1800 Italians were saved only 450
The next day, Admiral Doenitz, commander of submarine forces of the Navy Germany, issued an order:
1. It is forbidden to attempt any rescue teams to sunken ships, that is drowning catch, transfer them to the lifeboats to return to its normal position overturned boat to supply the affected provisions and water. Salvation is contrary to the very first rule of warfare at sea, requires the destruction of enemy ships and their crews.
2. Orders of the seizure of the captains and chief engineers remain in force.
3. To save the people only if they have important information for the boat.
4. Be adamant. Remember - the enemy does not remember the women and children when a bomb German cities.
Source:
September 12 German submarine U-156, and met with two torpedoes sank the British military transport "Laconia»
On board the vehicle were 2789 persons: 136 crew members, 80 civilians, 268 British troops and more than 1,800 Italian prisoners of war and 160 Polish jailers.
The captain of the submarine, seeing the sorry state of drowning, (and the Italians were allies) has decided to help.
Soon the boat was packed to the rescued people. The Germans took the lift 4 lifeboats.
Realizing that his own forces can not cope, the captain handed over the open radio message:
"If any boat wish to help the crew of" Laconia "I'm not going to attack him on the condition that he will not be attacked from the sea or from the air. I have the 193 survivors on board. 4 degrees 52 minutes south latitude, 11 degrees 26 minutes west longitude. The German submarine. »
We rushed to the aid of: Kriegsmarine U-506 and U-507, the Italian "Cappellini." Also responded to the call of the Vichy government, sending the place of tragedy patrol ship "Annam" and the cruiser "Gloire».
U-156 took on board more than 400 people. Total floating in the ocean 22 survival craft, which found temporary salvation of about one and a half thousand people. In the water, there was not a victim.
And then came the Americans ...
September 16 flew the first aircraft to the US Air Force identification marks. Less than half an hour - another. When they appear on the deckhouse U-156 has been raised a large Red Cross flag.
An hour later, the Americans clearly understand the situation and passed at an altitude of less than 80 meters, began bombing German submarines. Logic Americans:
1. The rules of war do not allow the warship to use the flag of the Red Cross
2. On approach, a few British transports, which can also be sunk
3. The Germans are engaged in saving only the Italians
One of the bombs fell exactly into the boat - all perished in it. After the next sunset bomb exploded under the central post of the submarine, the bridge received the reports of the appearance of a leak. It was stuck zenith periscope attack periscope is not rotated out of service seven battery cells, disrupted highway flange water cooling diesel broken finder, sonar station was denied.
The captain gave the order to put on life belts and planted all saved with the "Laconia" in the boat.
U-156 transmitted a distress signal, but having eliminated the most serious injuries, managed to sink the boat.
From allied manning "Laconia" killed at least 20 people, and from more than 1800 Italians were saved only 450
The next day, Admiral Doenitz, commander of submarine forces of the Navy Germany, issued an order:
1. It is forbidden to attempt any rescue teams to sunken ships, that is drowning catch, transfer them to the lifeboats to return to its normal position overturned boat to supply the affected provisions and water. Salvation is contrary to the very first rule of warfare at sea, requires the destruction of enemy ships and their crews.
2. Orders of the seizure of the captains and chief engineers remain in force.
3. To save the people only if they have important information for the boat.
4. Be adamant. Remember - the enemy does not remember the women and children when a bomb German cities.
Source:
