It just seems strange that Doenitz and Hitler would award him this great honour for sinking the Laconia, given that he subsequently endangered his crew and vessel by rescuing the surviving civilans and POWs. Any thoughts on this?
shareI think it was mentioned in the production that Hartenstein had sunk enough enemy tonnage to qualify for the Knight's Cross - in the conversation at the beginning with 'Harro', it's said that he only needed one more large ship to qualify. Ironically, the Laconia was that large ship - but the medal wasn't specifically for that one sinking.
Jim
Hartenstein's Knights Cross was awarded for his sinking of more than 20,000 tons of shipping.
Doenitz wrote what is called the 'Laconia Order'. That no German ships or Submarines should give assistance to the enemy. This was a great part for him being tried for war crimes.
Ironically what saved Donitz from execution was that his lawyer pointed out that the Americans had the same order in regards to Japanese ships.
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