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With the knowledge of the embarrassment
caused by the sinking of the Athenia just four days previous, Kapitänleutnant
Hans-Wilhelm von Dresky commanding U-boat U33 on September 7th 1940, spotted
the merchantman, the 4,060 ton Olivegrove steaming about 400 miles south-west
of Lands Ends in nor-nor-east direction at just under 10 knots. The Olivegrove
was commanded by Captain James Barnetson and the ship was carrying a cargo
of raw sugar from Cuba bound for Britain. The voyage across the Atlantic
was an uneventful one and had been free from any enemy intervention until
being spotted by the U33.
The weather was exceptionally
clear and visibility was good as the Olivegrove made her way towards Britain.
Von Dresky made towards the merchantman when suddenly, lookouts on the
cargo vessel saw the outline of the German submarine coming towards her.
There was little chance that the Olivegrove could outpace the German raider,
but she turned and took the same course as that of the U-boat and gave
off a cover of thick black smoke making it difficult for a torpedo attack.
Von Dresky moved in close, and although he wanted to open fire, resisted
the temptation after what had happened with the Athenia.
Under orders of the German Commander
in Chief of U-boats Admiral Karl Dönitz, all U-boats were to exercise
care when attacking non military naval vessel's. So as he passed the merchant
ship he ordered a shot across her bows. The Olivegrove which was unarmed
could do nothing but stop her engines and surrender herself to the U-boat.
Barnetson knew at once that the U-boat commander would sink his ship, so
he ordered all his crew to abandon ship and take to the lifeboats. The
U33 kept her position well away from the merchant ship, but close enough
to attack the ship, and the Kapitänleutnant waited as the crew of
the tramp had all taken to the lifeboats and were well clear before he
gave the order to place a torpedo into her amidships. The Olivegrove sank
almost immediately after the torpedo warhead exploded and caused further
explosions in the engine room before she sank to the bottom.
Von Dresky called to the bobbing
lifeboats to come alongside, asked for the ships captain and invited him
aboard the U33. The Kapitänleutnant apologised for the loss of the
Olivegrove, stating that it was unfortunate that the two countries were
at war and that it was his duty to sink the merchant ship, but he assured
Captain Barnetson that he would render his crew safe and sated that a radio
signal had been sent requesting assistance and to pick up the crew of the
Olivegrove. After a short fifteen minute conversation, the two commanders
shook hands and Barnetson went back to his lifeboat. For nine hours, the
U33 stood by the lifeboats until the shape of an American passenger liner
could be seen heading towards them. The German Kapitänleutnant acknowledged
his departure with a salute and knowing that the crew of the Olivegrove
were now safe started engines and was on his way into to open waters of
the Atlantic.
But the gentlemanly conduct
of the U-boat commanders was not to last. To Dönitz sea warfare was
sea warfare. There were to be no air's and graces in the war at sea and
by the following month Dönitz issued the order that all merchant ships
that would be recognised as the enemy must be sunk and may be done so without
any warning. In addition, all passenger ships, may be torpedoed after due
notice has been given and that it was the intention of the U-boat commander
to do so.
So far in the war, all civilians
were to be spared, and the crews of British merchant vessels, even though
they may be carrying materials to be used in the British war effort were
being regarded as civilian personnel. The sinking of the Athenia caused
furore worldwide, but Dönitz did not see it that way. He issued Standing
Order No 154 which read:
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