Orders (from Hitler) authorizing the treatment of Greek merchant ships near England as enemy vessels, and the attacking without warning of all ships in the Bristol Channel, with a marginal note that attacks should be made without witnesses for the sake of deniability

Berlin, 20.12.39.
Supreme Command of Armed Forces.
WFA No. 22249/39 d.K. Chefs.Abt.L.I.
Ob.d.M.,C/Skl. and 1/Skl.
Re: Conduct of U-boat warfare on Merchant shipping against England.
11 Copies 1st. Copy.
S.O. Only. Access only through officer.
Ob.d.M.
I. op.i/40. Completed 1.1.40. Enclosures Nil.
On 30.12.39 according to a report of Ob.d.m., the Fuehrer and
818
818
C— 12
C-12
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces decided that:—
(1) Greek merchant ships in the area around England declared by U.S.A. to be a barred zone are to be treated as enemy vessels.
(2) In the Bristol Channel, all shipping may be attacked without warning—where the impression of a mining incident can be created.
[Pencil note] Too narrowly defined.
Both measures are authorized to come into effect immediately.
C.-in-C. High Command.
' By Order.
[signed] JODL.
[Pencil Note] Add to (1) Attack must be carried out without being seen, the denial of the sinking of these steam-ships in case the expected protests are made must be possible. (OKW 2201/40 0 Vol of 7(7) I, 40). Para. 10(7), Ski I. Op 64/40.
Distribution:
OKM—1A OKW—
WFA—2A HWK—3A Abroad—4A L—5-9A
Inform OKH—10A.
Rdl and Ob.d.L.—11A .