Kapitänleutnant Werner Hartenstein was the commander of the Kriegsmarine U-boat U-156, which sank the RMS Laconia by torpedo off the coast of West Africa on September 12, 1942. The affair, known as the "Laconia Incident", also saw other U-boats in the area join Hartenstein's crew in helping to rescue survivors.
However, heading to Vichy France, and under Red Cross flags, the U-boats came under B-24 Liberator bomber attack. The incident had far reaching consequences, forcing Germany to cease attempts at Survivor rescue or assistance. There were commanders, however, who defied the orders.
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