Note on a U-boat that was attacked by US aircraft while assisting shipwrecked seamen, and the order to the U-boat to engage in no further rescue operations (except with Italian sailors)

EXTRACT FROM THE BDU WAR DIARY OF 16TH SEPTEMBER 1942
With four full boats in tow U 156 has been bombed five times by an American aircraft of the "Liberator" type, and this in spite of flying a large Red Cross flag. Both periscopes are tern-, porarily out of action. The boat is discontinuing her help and putting all the shipwrecked men overboard. She is ordered to take no further part in rescue operations. All boats are again told that their own safety may under no circumstances be endangered. If necessary, they should resort to any measures, even the ruthless breaking off of all salvage operations. Only Italians should be kept on board and be handed over to the French at the rendezvous agreed upon. As is evident from the message from U 156, the Commanding Officer believed that the enemy would refrain from making an attack when he saw a Red Cross flag, and the rescue measures being taken. This point of view is incomprehensible. It must be assumed that the sight of so many hundreds of survivors struggling for their lives possibly influenced him to think thus.
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