MHM128 Letters

UNDERHAND METHODS Your article on the sinking of Wilhelm Gustloff (MHM February/March 2022) raises an interesting point regarding the perception of submarine warfare. Image: Wikimedia Commons Passenger liners were sunk during both World Wars by submarines. When the submarine involved was German, they were condemned for using underhand methods. For example, the sinking of the SS Athenia by U-30 in 1939. This was considered a war crime and, indeed, responsibility for the act was not admitted by the German government until 1946. However, the author of your article states that the submarine captain involved in the sinking of Wilhelm Gustloff was not made a hero of the Soviet Union,