Erich Raeder
The attack caused many to question the motives of "U-69"s commander, Jost Metzler as Hitler himself, preparing for his June 1941 invasion of Russia, had expresslly ordered his Navy chief, Admiral Erich Raeder: "...in the next weeks all attacks on naval vessels in the closed area should cease..." Hitler did not wish to provoke America into joining with Britain in its fight against Germany.