SS.Lancastria question

[Alex Smart]

From the Wikipedia article

Quote:
"Survivors were taken aboard other British and US evacuation vessels, "

What US evacuation vessels were there how many did they evacuate and what ships were they ?
The US was not at the time at war with Germany. So how were these US ships involved in the evacuation ?

Thanks
Alex

[RSwank]

Alex, I am not sure there were any US ships.

At the bottom of this link:

https://www.britisharmedforces.org/p...ed_lockyer.htm

it says: "There is a memorial plaque on the esplanade at St Nazaire, close to the French War Memorial and a plaque in Saint-Michel which lists all the ships which helped in the rescue. (of the Lancastria)- Baharistan, City of Lancaster, Clan Ferguson, Dundrum Castle, Floristan, HMS. Havelock, HMS. Puniari, HMS. HIghlander, HMS. Vanoc, Ulster Prince, Cambridgeshire, Cymbula, Fabian, Glenaffaric, Oransay, Robert L. Holt."

I don't think any of the those ships are US ships.

[Orwell1984]

I’d agree with post above that that seems a dubious claim. It is sourced to Sebag - Montfiere’s Dunkirk book so if I can dig it out I’ll check the reference. Given that the same article also refers to Fenby’s history of the disaster as a “novel”, I’d say it needs some factchecking and editing.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Lancastria memorial board at St. Katharine Cree Church, City of London:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/47971

Col

[RSwank]

The Col's list has two more ship names given than those in post #2, John Holt and City of Mobile, both were British and both were later sunk.

https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?137852
https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?64872

[Alex Smart]

Thank you Gentlemen for your excellent response it is most appreciated.
Alex

[Stig Jarlevik]

Apologies Alex

However this topic does not belong to a pre-WW 2 subject, since the vessel was sunk in 1940

While it certainly have a certain aviation interest (it was sunk by aircraft), the question relevant to the topic has not.

Moderator
In my opinion this discussion should be moved elsewhere, especially now since it has been adequately answered.

Cheers
Stig

[Alex Smart]

Stig,
The relevance is that There qwere many RAF servicemen aboard when she(?) Was bombed by the Luftwaffe. They were killed.
In my opinion that is relevant to being entered in this section rather than perhaps the "General" or "Of Topic" sections
Perhaps if they were Luftwaffe airmen it would not be a problem for you whichever section it was posted in.

Incidentally is it known if there were any Luftwaffe Pow's on board ?

[musec04]

Alex,


When Stig writes 'this topic does not belong to a pre-WW 2 subject, since the vessel was sunk in 1940' could you please explain how 1940 is prewar? I am unaware of any credible information indicating that the war started any later than 01.09.1939.


Regards,


Clint

[Stig Jarlevik]

Alex

Beside Clint's correct reflection, I have no wish to start a "war" over a rather trivial matter, since if past reflections regarding this loss are correct, nobody really knows the number of lost individuals onboard said vessel.

When I say trivial, I mean where the subject should be discussed and not the loss itself which was a disaster.

Finally your main question and answers provided has to do with the rescue (vessels involved) and not if any RAF personal can be identified. Your request for any Luftwaffe POW onboard seems to me to be a bit of an after thought.

All I say, personal opinion, is that the subject does not quite belong to our aviation related subjects.

B Rgds
Stig