Since the German U boat opened torpedo fire on the U.S.S. Greer without any warning at all while she was sailing in the North Atlantic, the attack was in essence a declaration of war. From the AmericansÆ perspective, this incident appeared to be intended to intimidate the American public into believing that Germany was able to, and going to, take over the high seas. In no way could it be argued that the Germans thought the Greer was anything other than an American ship, since it was clearly identified as such and was flying the American flag. Therefore, it was clear that the Nazis were openly and deliberately attacking an American ship that had done nothing to attack Germany. The incident was meant to frighten Americans into submission, something that did not happen. The U.S.S. Greer opened fire on the U boat that had attacked it, becoming the first American ship in WWII to attack the Germans.
From the perspective of President Roosevelt, the American response to the incidentùhis subsequent ordering of all American naval ships to attack any ship that threatens American or foreign shipping under escortùwas intended to demonstrate that the United States will not be intimidated by piracy and force. His radio address about the incident was meant to outrage Americans over the attack against our ship and stir up the spirit of national defense so that Americans would ôcome on boardö and support the war. It was also intended to convey to Americans that Roosevelt was handling the incident and not allowing the Germans to violate American safety. It is noteworthy, however, that President Roosevelt left out some crucial facts in reporting this incident to the American people. He omitted some of the facts, such as the fact that when the attack on the Greer occurred, the Greer had been tracking a German submarine and a British plane had been dropping depth charges. This in effect meant that the Greer was the vessel
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