High command
Following the attack, the German Ministry of Propaganda checked incoming reports from both London and the German Naval High command. Having been told by the "Kriegsmarine" that there was not a single U-boat in the vicinity of "Athenia" on the day of her sinking, the Propaganda Ministry promptly denied all allegations that any German U-boat had sunk "Athenia". They claimed instead that the British had torpedoed their own vessel in an attempt to bring the United States into the war on the side of the Allies.