when did the laconia sink

What was the Laconia incident?

The Laconia incident was a series of events surrounding the sinking of a British troopship in the Atlantic Ocean on 12 September 1942, during World War II, and a subsequent aerial attack on German and Italian submarines involved in rescue attempts. RMS Laconia, carrying some 2,732 crew, passengers, soldiers,...

What was the name of the German ship that sank Laconia?

RMS Laconia, carrying some 2,732 crew, passengers, soldiers, and prisoners of war, was torpedoed and sunk by U-156, a German U-boat, off the West African coast. Operating partly under the dictates of the old prize rules, the U-boat commander, Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartenstein, immediately commenced rescue operations.

What is the history of the Laconia?

RMS Laconia was built in 1921 as a civilian ocean liner. During World War II she was requisitioned for the war effort, and by 1942 had been converted into a troopship.

What happened to the British troopship Laconia?

In September 1942, 650 nautical miles from the west coast of Africa, the German U-boat U-156 sinks the British troopship Laconia, which is en route from Cape Town to the United Kingdom.

Was the sinking of the Laconia a true story?

Dramatisation of the true story of the sinking of the liner Laconia by a German U-boat in 1942 through the eyes of six survivors.

How did the Laconia sink?

RMS Laconia, carrying 2,732 crew, passengers, soldiers and prisoners of war, was torpedoed and sunk by U-156, a German U-boat, off the West African coast.

How many survived the Laconia sinking?

After the incident, Admiral Karl Dönitz issued the Laconia Order, henceforth ordering his commanders not to rescue survivors after attacks. Vichy French ships rescued 1,083 persons from the lifeboats and took aboard those picked up by the four submarines, and in all around 1,500 survived the sinking.

What was the last U-boat sunk in ww2?

U-853 was one of the last U-boats sunk during World War II and, with U-881, the last to be sunk in US waters. Atherton and Moberly received joint credit for the kill.

What happened to the survivors of the Laconia?

Admiral Karl Donitz, supreme commander of the German U-boat forces, had been monitoring the rescue efforts. He ordered that “all attempts to rescue the crews of sunken ships…cease forthwith.” Consequently, more than 1,400 of the Laconia's passengers, which included Polish guards and British crewmen, drowned.

Did U boats pick up survivors?

There were cases where Uboats picked up survivors and were then bombed by American planes. Donitz later claimed the war called for “the destruction of men as well as boats”.

How many episodes does the sinking of the Laconia have?

The Sinking of the LaconiaOriginal languageEnglish & GermanNo. of episodes2x90 minutesProductionRunning time180 minutes9 more rows

How many U-boats are still missing?

Today, the U-2540 is the only U-boat still floating in the sea. The U-2540 is open to visitors and dedicated to the preservation of peace. This story originally ran in 2014; it has been updated for 2022.

Who sank the most submarines in ww2?

Yet the world's record for sinking submarines belongs not to a destroyer or an aircraft carrier, but a humble destroyer escort. The USS England sank six Japanese submarines in just 12 days in May 1944.

How many German subs were sunk ww2?

In World War II Germany built 1,162 U-boats, of which 785 were destroyed and the remainder surrendered (or were scuttled to avoid surrender) at the capitulation. Of the 632 U-boats sunk at sea, Allied surface ships and shore-based aircraft accounted for the great majority (246 and 245 respectively).

What is Laconia known for?

Laconia, situated between Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam, includes the villages of Lakeport and Weirs Beach. Each June, the city hosts Laconia Motorcycle Week, also more simply known as "Bike Week", one of the country's largest rallies.

How did Laconia get its name?

Founding of Laconia The town's name was likely taken from the name of the original company formed by the Captain John Mason and the Masonian proprietors in order to sell parcels to the original colonists during the colonial era: the Laconia Company.

What time did Laconia sink?

Realising that the passengers were primarily POWs and civilians, Hartenstein immediately began rescue operations whilst flying the Red Cross flag. Laconia sank at 11:23 p.m., over an hour after the attack. At 1:25 a.m. on 13 September, Hartenstein sent a coded radio message to the Befehlshaber der U-Boote alerting them to the situation. It read: "Sunk by Hartenstein, British Laconia, Qu FF7721, 310 deg. Unfortunately with 1,500 Italian POWs; 90 fished out of the water so far. Request orders."

What was the Laconia incident?

Incident during the naval battles of the Second World War. Laconia incident. Part of the Atlantic Campaign of World War II. U-156 (foreground) and U-507 pick up Laconia survivors on 15 September, three days after the attack. Date.

Why was the Laconia order indicted?

At the Nuremberg trials held by the Allies in 1946, Dönitz was indicted for war crimes. The issuance of the Laconia Order was the centrepiece of the prosecution case, a decision that backfired badly. Its introduction allowed the defence to recount at length the numerous instances in which German submariners acted with humanity where in similar situations the Allies behaved callously. Dönitz pointed out that the order itself was a direct result of this callousness and the attack on a rescue operation by US aircraft.

What happened to the U-156 submarine?

During the night the submarines became separated. On 16 September at 11:25 a.m., U-156 was spotted by an American B-24 Liberator bomber flying from a secret airbase on Ascension. The submarine was travelling with a Red Cross flag draped across her gun deck. Hartenstein signalled to the pilot in both Morse code and English requesting assistance. A British officer also messaged the aircraft: "RAF officer speaking from German submarine, Laconia survivors on board, soldiers, civilians, women, children."

How many survivors were on the U-156?

U-156 was soon crammed above and below decks with nearly 200 survivors, including five women, and had another 200 in tow aboard four lifeboats. At 6 a.m. on 13 September, Hartenstein broadcast a message on the 25 m (82 ft) band in English— not in code —to all shipping in the area, giving his position, requesting assistance with the rescue effort, and promising not to attack. It read: "If any ship will assist the shipwrecked Laconia crew I will not attack her, providing I am not being attacked by ship or air force. I picked up 193 men. 4°-53" South, 11°-26" West. – German submarine."

What gun did Laconia use?

Laconia ' s armament, such as this BL 6-inch Mk VII gun, made her a legitimate target. At 10 p.m., on 12 September 1942, U-156 was on patrol off the coast of western Africa, midway between Liberia and Ascension Island.

What was the name of the submarine that was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean?

WEP 3. BX 141. 1945. Teardrop. Point Judith. The Laconia incident was a series of events surrounding the sinking of a British troopship in the Atlantic Ocean on 12 September 1942, during World War II, and a subsequent aerial attack on German and Italian submarines involved in rescue attempts. RMS Laconia, carrying 2,732 crew, passengers, soldiers ...

What was the sinking of the Laconia?

The Sinking of the Laconia is a two-part television film , first aired on 6 and 7 January 2011 on BBC Two, about the Laconia incident; the sinking of the British ocean liner RMS Laconia during World War II by a German U-boat, which then, together with three other U-boats and an Italian submarine, rescued the passengers but was in turn attacked by an American bomber.

Where was the movie Laconia filmed?

It was shot in Cape Town, South Africa. The idea to bring the story of the Laconia to screen was conceived in 2004 by the Talkback Thames head of drama Johnathan Young.

What happened in 1942?

In September 1942, 650 nautical miles from the west coast of Africa , the German U-boat U-156 sinks the British troopship Laconia, which is en route from Cape Town to the United Kingdom. On realising that there are Italian POWs and civilians amongst the shipwrecked, who face certain death without rescue, U-boat Commander Werner Hartenstein (Duken) ...

What happened to the HMS Laconia?

On this day, during WW II, in 1942, a German U-boat, sank the British ship ‘The Laconia’. The HMS Laconia was a British troop ship and it was carrying several thousand soldiers and sailors. There were also many Italian Prisoner of War on board the ship. In total, more than 1400 men died when the Laconia was sunk. The commander of the German sub, Capt. Werner Hartenstein tried to rescue as many of the survivors as possible, this was because he realized that there were many Italian POWs on board the sinking ship.

What was the purpose of the Laconia?

The Laconia was a former Cunard White Star passenger liner that was requisitioned by the British Royal Navy and was used as a transport ship for British troops. The Laconia was suitable for the transport of troops as it was large and had many cabins. The Royal Navy added some guns and anti-aircraft weapons to the ship. It was heading for England when it encountered U-156, a German U-boat or submarine. The Laconia had no defense against the U-boat. The sub attacked the ship with torpedoes and they hit the Laconia’s stern below the waterline. The lives of all the passengers some 2200 were placed in danger. The ship began to sink very quickly.

How many people were on the Laconia?

The ship was carrying 2,732 crew, prisoners of war, passengers and soldiers. It was built in 1921 as a civilian ocean liner and was requisitioned to help with the war effort. By 1942 the Laconia had been converted into a troopship, and at the time of the incident, she was sailing from Cape Town, South Africa to Freetown in Sierra Leone.

Why did Donitz issue the Laconia order?

However, in response to the incident, Donitz issued an order forbidding U-boats from rescuing survivors. After the war at the Nuremberg Trials, Donitz was indicted for war crimes including issuing the Laconia order.

Why was Donitz indicted?

After the war at the Nuremberg Trials, Donitz was indicted for war crimes including issuing the Laconia order. It backfired as evidence was produced showing the Allies had acted callously in much the same circumstances and that the Americans had practiced similar tactics from the start of the war.

What happened to the U-506?

U-156 and U-506 with shipwrecked Laconia crew. The Laconia Incident changed the way Germany treated prisoners of war and was even brought up at the Nuremberg Trials. However, the American prosecutors were left embarrassed when the full details emerged. This tragic series of events took place when the British troopship RMS Laconia was sunk by German ...

Why was the Laconia a legitimate target?

The Laconia was seen as a legitimate target because it was armed, which excluded it from being warned before an attack. At 10.22 pm, the ship transmitted a signal advising they had been attacked by a submarine, although it is unclear if the message was picked up by another vessel.

How did the Italian POWs escape the Laconia?

The Italian POWs were left locked in the cargo hold as the Laconia went down. They tried to escape by breaking down the hatches or by climbing ventilation shafts. Several were shot. Some were bayoneted to death by their Polish guards, who carried rifles with fixed bayonets but no ammunition.

Where did the U-156 take the survivors?

Picking up survivors U-156 placed them on the foredeck and began traveling under Red Cross banners to Vichy French ships to transfer them. Several other German U-boats joined in the rescue efforts. Incredibly, seven of those U-boats were diverted by Admiral Donitz from a planned surprise attack on Cape Town.

When did the RMS Laconia sink?

The sinking of RMS Laconia newspaper report, 26 February 1917. RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, launched on 27 July 1911, with the wife of the U.S. Ambassador Mrs. Whitelaw Reid christening the vessel. Laconia was delivered to the Cunard Line on 12 December 1911, and began service on 20 January 1912.

Who published the sinking of the Laconia?

Gibbons, Floyd (1953) [First published 1918]. "The Sinking of the Laconia". In Gibbons, Edward (ed.). Your Headline Hunter. Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. New York: Exposition Press.

Where did Laconia go in 1916?

She continued to serve on the East Africa station, and made several trips from Durban and Cape Town with troops for the army in British East Africa. Laconia returned home to the UK with a convoy in June 1916, with a large shipment of gold ingots from Cape Town, and was paid off at Devonport.

Where was the wreck of Laconia?

In March 2009, it was announced that the wreck of Laconia was located in November 2008 and claimed by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., a commercial archaeology company in Tampa, Florida. She was found about 160 nautical miles (300 km) off of the coast of Ireland.

Who was the reporter on the Laconia?

Chicago Tribune reporter Floyd Gibbons was aboard Laconia when she was torpedoed and gained fame from his dispatches about the attack, his graphic account of the sinking read to both Houses of Congress and was credited with helping to push the United States into joining the war.

What was the first Cunard ship?

She was the first Cunard ship of that name. She was torpedoed and sunk on 25 February 1917 during World War I; 12 passengers were killed. Laconia was intended for the Liverpool - Boston service with cruising from New York to the Mediterranean off season.

What happened to the RMS Laconia?

The U-156 sank the RMS Laco nia, 2,732 passengers were on board. The US bombed the U-boats attempting to rescue the survivors. Oct 27, 2016 Ian Harvey. The RMS Laconia was a civilian ocean liner built in 1921 as a successor of the 1911-1917 Laconia. Laconia made her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on 25 May 1922.

When did the Laconia sail from Southampton to New York?

Laconia made her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on 25 May 1922. When World War II broke out, the ship was commandeered by the British Government for use as a troopship and fitted with eight six-inch guns. The RMS Laconia was involved in the so-called “Laconia incident” that happened in the autumn of 1942.

Why did Admiral Donitz issue the Laconia Order?

This incident made German Admiral Donitz issuing the “Laconia Order” – instructions not to rescue survivors in future as it jeopardized the safety of German crews . Before the incident, it was customary for surface vessels of most navies to pick up survivors. Captain Hartenstein was killed in action on March 8, 1943.

What submarine spotted Laconia?

In the evening of 12 September 1942, the submarine U-156 spotted RMS Laconia and they immediately thought that RMS Laconia was an armed troopship and not passenger ship. The German U-boat, under the command of Captain Werner Hartenstein, fired two torpedoes into RMS Laconia, one at 8.07pm, the other 30 seconds later.

Why did the RMS Laconia sail around Africa?

The ship was on its way from Egypt to Britain, but because the Mediterranean was largely controlled by the Axis powers , they had to go the long way round Africa. At the beginning of September 1942, the boat reached Cape Town before sailing up the West African coast. Cunard Line postcard of the RMS Laconia 1921.

How many people were on the RMS Laconia?

Cunard Line postcard of the RMS Laconia 1921. 2,700 people were aboard: 1,800 of them were Italian prisoners of war guarded by 180 Polish troops, 268 British soldiers and 80 civilians (women and children), with dozens of injured British soldiers and other military personnel.

When did the U-boats sink?

But the British were skeptical and decided to pass on the request for help to the Americans. On September 16, a B-24 spotted the U-Boats and American officer Captain Richardson ordered them sunk.

What time did the Laconia sink?

At 9:11 pm Laconia sank, stern first, her bow rising to be vertical, with Sharp himself and many of the Italian prisoners still on board. The prospects for those who escaped the ship were only slightly better; sharks were common in the area and the lifeboats were adrift in the mid-Atlantic with little hope of rescue.

When did Laconia sail?

Laconia primarily sailed on Cunard's Liverpool-Boston-New York transatlantic service from late Spring to early Winter while was employed in extended cruises to warmer climes from January to April. 1930 cruise schedule.

How much cargo space did the RMS Laconia have?

RMS. Laconia. (1921) 54,089 cubic feet (1,531.6 m 3) refrigerated cargo space. The second RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner, built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson as a successor of the 1911–1917 Laconia. The new ship was launched on 9 April 1921, and made her maiden voyage on 25 May 1922 from Southampton to New York City.

When was the second RMS Laconia built?

The second RMS Laconia was a Cunard ocean liner, built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson as a successor of the 1911–1917 Laconia. The new ship was launched on 9 April 1921, and made her maiden voyage on 25 May 1922 from Southampton to New York City. At the outbreak of the Second World War she was converted into an Armed Merchant Cruiser, ...

How long was the Laconia schooner towed?

Laconia towed the schooner for 120 nautical miles (220 km) before handing the tow over to the American tug Resolute. In 1934, her code letters were changed to GJCD. On 24 September 1934 Laconia was involved in a collision off the US coast, while travelling from Boston to New York in dense fog.

What year was the Laconia requisitioned?

On 4 September 1939 , Laconia was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted into an armed merchant cruiser. By January 1940 she had been fitted with eight six-inch guns and two three-inch high-angle guns. After trials off the Isle of Wight, she embarked gold bullion and sailed for Portland, Maine and Halifax, Nova Scotia on 23 January. She spent the next few months escorting convoys to Bermuda and to points in the mid-Atlantic, where they would join up with other convoys.

How many people died in the Laconia?

Some estimates of the death toll have suggested that over 1,649 people were killed when the Laconia sank. The U-boat commander Werner Hartenstein then staged a dramatic effort to rescue the passengers and the crew of Laconia, which involved additional German U-boats and became known as the Laconia incident .

Where was the Laconia incident?

U-156 was on patrol in the South Atlantic, off the bulge of West Africa, midway between Liberia and the Ascension Island. Commanded by KL Werner Hartenstein, she was one of the many Type IXCs stationed along the west coast of Africa. While heading southward on the surface, the cry of a lookout brought Hartenstein to the bridge of the U-boat. Their attention was fixated on the silhouette of a large British ship, sailing alone in the distant horizon, southwest of their position. That location was about 500 miles off the African coast and at an area frequently patrolled by allied planes based out of Freetown. Hartenstein altered course to run parallel with the ship, keeping the smoke in sight and staying far out of sight until he could close the gap when night has fallen.

How many people were on the Laconia?

Puzzled, he takes on a few survivors and soon discovers the true situation aboard the Laconia. As it turned out, she was carrying 2,732 passengers; 136 crew, 285 British soldiers, 80 civilians including women and children, 160 Polish guards and 1,800 Italian prisoners of war. It was not the troopship that he had imagined.

What was the Laconia order?

The action of Captain Richardson was considered by many as a war crime, although no formal charges were ever placed. As a result of this incident, Admiral Donitz issued an order forbidding U-boats from attempting any rescues and furthermore, from providing any assistance whatsoever to survivors of submarine attacks. He was quoted to say “no attempt of any kind must be made to rescue the crews of ships sunk”. This order became to be known as the “Laconia Order”. Up until now, it was common for U-boats to aid survivors of their attack by providing provisions and pointing out the direction closest to land. Despite the order, some U-boat commanders continued in their practice to aid survivors of their attacks.

How many torpedoes did Hartenstein fire?

As soon as sunset approached, Hartenstein closed his target and by 10pm, U-156 was in position. With the allied ship in his crosshairs, he fired two torpedoes from a range of about two miles. After a run of about three minutes, both torpedoes found their target and almost immediately the Laconia stopped dead in the water and began to list. Hartenstein surfaces and makes his way to the stricken ship to try to capture senior military officers. In the fading sunlight, crew members of the U-156 could see survivors struggling in the water, some in lifeboats, but many in the sea. The scene was in total chaos, with burning wreckage lighting up the night sky, there were floating corpses, overcrowded lifeboats, frantic swimmers and panic cries for help.

What submarines were used to rescue Hartenstein?

They were later joined by an Italian submarine Cappelini. These four submarines shepherded the survivors, with lifeboats in tow and hundreds standing on the decks of the U-boat, they made towards the African coastline for a rendezvous with Vichy French warships dispatched as part of the rescue.

Did Donitz allow Hartenstein to rescue the U-boat?

Meanwhile, back in U-boat headquarters in Paris, Donitz was startled by Hartenstein’s actions. Although he ordered for no such rescues to take place, this time he not only allowed it, but nevertheless supported it. Donitz would explain many years later, “to give them an order contrary to the laws of humanity would have destroyed it (the crews morale) utterly”.

Who released the Laconia order?

Captain Hartenstein infuriated by the US response on the rescue mission and released the famous Laconia order. As per the law in the future, German U boats are forbidden to rescue people at sea.

What happened to the passengers on the ship that sank?

As the ship sank, chaos gripped passengers. Polish soldiers bayoneted Italian prisoners of war who tried to escape.

Why did the U-boat captain ask the passengers to leave the submarine?

The U-Boat captain asked the passengers to leave the submarine and took a deep dive to avoid another attack. It is the Laconia incident where German U-Boats tried to save passengers while the US Army Air Force attacked it. The event came up as an embarrassment to the US during the Nuremberg Trials.

Why did the US drop a deep dive on the U-boat?

The US aircraft didn’t heed to it and dropped a depth charge on the U-Boat. The U-Boat captain asked the passengers to leave the submarine and took a deep dive to avoid another attack.

What was the task of the U-boats in the British colonies?

The area had British colonies that supplied raw materials to Britain. The U -Boats had the task of disrupting the supply lines. On 12th September 1942, U-156 saw a large ship in its periscope.

Who torpedoed the U-156?

The U-156 captain Wener Hartenstein saw the disaster and realized his mistake that he torpedoed a passenger ship. He immediately surfaced his U-Boat and took some passengers on the vessel’s deck and some inside the U-156.

Which submarines came to the spot and rescued some passengers?

The U-506 and U-507 of the German Navy came to the spot and rescued some passengers. The Italians, too, sent their submarine Comandante Cappellini for the rescue mission.

Overview

Events

RMS Laconia

Aftermath

Works cited

External links

Overview

Plot

Production

Full cast

Follow-up programme

See also

Footnotes

External links