Laconia Incident - history of U-Boat War Werner Hartenstein and the Laconia Incident In Deep and Troubled Waters by Dr. Tony Large
Good one, Captain Robert C. Richardson III. I wonder how he felt when the real story of the Laconia sinking surfaced?
I'd never heard of the incident so thanks for that. The attacking of Red Cross bearing ships and aircraft was not unusual - many rescue boats and aircraft attempting to rescue downed aircrew in Channel were atacked by both sides. Even the Pathe news admitted it: YouTube - Heinkel He59 Red Cross Seaplanes shot down
You may be interested in a letter on my website written by Karl-Friedrich Merten, Captain of U-68 who sunk the "CITY OF CAIRO". He explains the sinking of the ship in relation to the LACONIA incident. Why I did it, by U-boat Captain Regards Hugh
Thanks Hugh. The issue of rescue at sea seems to be a murky area, amd one "abused" by all sides. Whereas one could expect such behaviour from the Soviets and Japanese, neither of whom were signatories of the Geneva Conventions, one would have expected better from those who did follow it on land. Whilst you were posting the above message I was having a look around for more information and I found this interesting (though I should stress that the quote) should be read in context of the whole article): SEENOTDIENST: Early Development of Air-Sea Rescue So, one wonders what the standing orders were for Captain Robert C. Richardson to make his decision.
