Extract from the record of a meeting, with Hitler's explanation of his U-boat strategy, including the sinking of US merchant ships without warning in order to kill the crews and his order to "shoot up the lifeboats" after the sinking

Memorandum on the conversation between the Fuehrer and Ambassador Oshima, in presence of the Reich Foreign Minister in the Wolfschanse on 3rd January 1942, from 1615 to
1800 hours
F.7 0086
The Fuehrer, using a map, explains to the Japanese Ambassador the present position of marine warfare in the Atlantic, emphasizing that he considers his most important task is to get the U-boat warfare going in full swing. The U-boats are being re-organized. Firstly he had recalled all U-boats operating in the Atlantic. As mentioned before, they would now be posted outside USA ports. Later they would be off Freetown and the larger boats even as far down as Capetown. He hopes to put 20 to 24 boats into operation along the coast of the United States alone by February. These boats are in a position to remain there for four weeks, before having to return. After having given further explanations on the map, the Fuehrer pointed out, that however many ships the USA built, one of their main problems would be the lack of personnel. For that reason even Merchant Ships
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would be sunk without warning with the intention of killing as many of the crew as possible. Once it gets round that most of the seamen are lost in the sinkings the Americans would soon have difficulties in enlisting new people. The training of seagoing personnel takes a very long time. We are fighting for our existence and our attitude cannot be ruled by any humane feelings. For this reason he must give the order that in case foreign seamen could not be taken prisoner, which is not always possible on the open sea, U-boats were to surface after torpedoing and shoot up the lifeboats.
Ambassador Oshima heartily agreed with the Fuehrer's comments and said that the Japanese too are forced to follow these methods.