The Laconia

Much preferred part two, some interesting reports sum much of it up and make interesting reading.

A sinking feeling set in pretty early on in The Sinking Of The Laconia (BBC2), right about the time no one on board the doomed transport ship turned passenger liner noticed the blonde with the German accent had a German accent. She didn’t even know all the words to We’ll Meet Again. Come on, in World War II, that was like not knowing all the words to Angels.

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/reviews/85...#ixzz1ARDKTVrv

What an extraordinary story – more interesting than the most famous sinking story of all, because a U-boat is more interesting than an iceberg, especially a U-boat captained by a man who doesn't fit the Nazi stereotype and has a heart and a conscience. This is not just the story of a tragic sinking: it's that plus an amazing rescue that raised questions about humanity and morality and had implications for how the remainder of the war at sea was fought.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...-martin-clunes

In disaster stories, which this in effect was, you want them to get to the crisis as soon as possible. But here there was a long 45 minutes of set-up - including the inevitable sing-song of We'll Meet Again as the gentlemanly officer (Andrew Buchan) fell for the pretty widow (Franka Potente, so obviously German that it was hard to believe that no-one on board noticed) - before the U-boat appeared which torpedoed the ship.

What happened next was really the story: how the German captain, on seeing the survivors in the water, made the remarkable decision to take them on board. Though it contradicted the Nazi ideology, Commander Hartenstein (Ken Duken, an interestingly quiet actor) believed he was following the more ancient law of the sea. Tonight's conclusion, sadly, shows that war has no place for compassion.

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainme...-Of.6682298.jp

K.

I thought the film was rubbish. The story is indeed a true one, Captain Sharpe who perished, had survived the sinking of the Lancastria where between 4 and 7,000 men died.
But Bleasdale should get his facts right. He obviously knows nothing of Seafaring, when he writes about the Sea he is clearly out of his depth, even the way seamen speak, the way a ship operates, and the markings of rank on an officers uniform.
I saw a man described as a Junior Third Officer, He would probably have been a senior Cadet. He had three gold stripes on his uniform, a Junior Third would have only one thin stripe. He has a Red badge with two crossed anchors on his left sleeve, and three brass buttons on each cuff of his jacket, He had more decorations than a Japanese Admiral.
The Chief Officer had two and a half stripes, he would have three. The Third Officer traditionally does the 8 to 12 watch in the evenings, and is certainly not permitted to enter a lady passengers cabin. This guy who should have been on the Bridge on watch is in a lady`s cabin and is actually baby sitting for her while she goes to the bar and dance. Unbelievable. He also went into the lady`s cabin and rooted through her personal effects on her cabinet while she was out, then she came in. This is a serious offence for an empoyee of Cunard to do, He would have been sacked from the Company, if the events to come did not happen. The way the "scouse" fella was speaking was nothing like I have ever heard any "scouse" seaman speak. also what was he doing dragging an Itie POW through the passenger accommodation?. The Radio Officers, who are the only true `Officers` on a ship are all wearing RN ratings uniforms. They were employed by Marconi Company.
The Commander of the Sub and a couple of his men must have climbed down into a dry dock and walked past a newly painted modern ship with a bulbous bow, these did not come in until the 60s and then would have had to climb out of the dry dock to get to their submarine. Why would they do that?? The Submarine then pulled of the quay and was about thirty feet off when the Engineer phoned the Captain to say the engines were now ready, unbelievable.
Lifeboats, there was no lifeboat drill or muster at all, it seemed to be a mad house of people leaping over the wall. I sailed on the Laconia`s sister ship, the old Franconia, 56 years ago, so I do know what goes on with a ship like that.
The acting was dull, long drawn out conversations that were completely boring and non relevent.
The only decent actor was the U-boat Commander.
A story like the that should have been very easy to do.
All the documents of the `Laconia Incident` were well recorded by the British, German, Italian and American authorities, so Bleasdale didnt need to do so much research into that as it was all there for him. He should have had some Seafaring man who knows his job to advise him on ships and Seafaring men.
It should have been quite easy for him to join a few characters together.
Mr Bleasdale should confine himself to land based plays.

I agree with most of the criticism about factual items in the film, such as ship's procedure,uniforms etc. and it did rather spoil my enjoyment of the underlying story. I am rather dissapointed with Alan Bleasdale, who is normally a good story teller, for failing to get some advice on the facts. Having said all this, I have no doubt that it was meant for general viewing, and the majority of people probably enjoyed it. So why should he bother about a few nit picking old buggers like us?
Cheers
Pete

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Captain Kong

I thought the film was rubbish. The story is indeed a true one, Captain Sharpe who perished, had survived the sinking of the Lancastria where between 4 and 7,000 men died.
But Bleasdale should get his facts right. He obviously knows nothing of Seafaring, when he writes about the Sea he is clearly out of his depth, even the way seamen speak, the way a ship operates, and the markings of rank on an officers uniform.
I saw a man described as a Junior Third Officer, He would probably have been a senior Cadet. He had three gold stripes on his uniform, a Junior Third would have only one thin stripe. He has a Red badge with two crossed anchors on his left sleeve, and three brass buttons on each cuff of his jacket, He had more decorations than a Japanese Admiral.
The Chief Officer had two and a half stripes, he would have three. The Third Officer traditionally does the 8 to 12 watch in the evenings, and is certainly not permitted to enter a lady passengers cabin. This guy who should have been on the Bridge on watch is in a lady`s cabin and is actually baby sitting for her while she goes to the bar and dance. Unbelievable. He also went into the lady`s cabin and rooted through her personal effects on her cabinet while she was out, then she came in. This is a serious offence for an empoyee of Cunard to do, He would have been sacked from the Company, if the events to come did not happen. The way the "scouse" fella was speaking was nothing like I have ever heard any "scouse" seaman speak. also what was he doing dragging an Itie POW through the passenger accommodation?. The Radio Officers, who are the only true `Officers` on a ship are all wearing RN ratings uniforms. They were employed by Marconi Company.
The Commander of the Sub and a couple of his men must have climbed down into a dry dock and walked past a newly painted modern ship with a bulbous bow, these did not come in until the 60s and then would have had to climb out of the dry dock to get to their submarine. Why would they do that?? The Submarine then pulled of the quay and was about thirty feet off when the Engineer phoned the Captain to say the engines were now ready, unbelievable.
Lifeboats, there was no lifeboat drill or muster at all, it seemed to be a mad house of people leaping over the wall. I sailed on the Laconia`s sister ship, the old Franconia, 56 years ago, so I do know what goes on with a ship like that.
The acting was dull, long drawn out conversations that were completely boring and non relevent.
The only decent actor was the U-boat Commander.
A story like the that should have been very easy to do.
All the documents of the `Laconia Incident` were well recorded by the British, German, Italian and American authorities, so Bleasdale didnt need to do so much research into that as it was all there for him. He should have had some Seafaring man who knows his job to advise him on ships and Seafaring men.
It should have been quite easy for him to join a few characters together.
Mr Bleasdale should confine himself to land based plays.

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Well said Sir.

In the main: Not a mariner and no great idea of tecnical detail, but surley anything that raises MN awareness can only be good?

Documentary on tonight: Survivors tale?

Willmbe watching.

K.

Sadly, part three, the documemtary, the survivors tale shows that war has LITTLE place for compassion.

WORTH SEEING IF POS

K.

The interviews with some survivors last night was exellent. I learned more in 30 minutes than I did in three hours of Alan Bleasdales ramblings of some whimp of a junior Third Mate who goes baby sitting in a war zone.
He never let us know what happened to the Survivors, the story was incomplete. A Mrs Stoneman said what happened was not as bad as what was to come at the hands of the French.
She describes the horrendous treatment at the hands of the Vichy French after they were handed over to them and taken to a camp in the desert.
Why didnt Mr Bleasdale comment on that? is it bacause it was on BBC and they did not want to upset the French?



FROM google page

Laconia survivor Mrs Stoneman. ×

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Search Results"Saved By A U-Boat" - The Laconia Incident told from survivors ...14 posts - 7 authors - Last post: 24 Nov 2009
The 'Laconia' survivors left U-507 as swiftly and unceremoniously as they had arrived. Mrs. STONEMAN said: “One minute we were sitting down ...
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BBC - WW2 People's War - Devon Family Saved by a U-Boat (Part 3)The 'Laconia' survivors left U-507 as swiftly and unceremoniously as they had arrived. Mrs. STONEMAN said: “One minute we were sitting down having something ...
www.bbc.co.uk › Archive List › Family Life - Cached - SimilarBBC - WW2 People's War - Devon Family Saved by a U-Boat (Part 1)The crew fed them, gave them water and took Mrs. STONEMAN and June aboard. ...
www.bbc.co.uk › Archive List › Family Life - Cached - SimilarBBC - WW2 People's War - Devon Family Saved by a U-Boat (Part 2)“I've still got an ancient blanket from the 'Laconia' with a hole in the ...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a4262357.shtml - Cached - SimilarShow more results from bbc.co.ukThe Sinking of the Laconia -

Hi Capt Kong,
Entirely agree with you, thought the show was rubbish & ameturish BUT was very impressed by the calm dignified survivors in the documentary last night and their memories of the event and of the UBoat Captain and crew. Wanted that programme to go on so am pleased to read your research into further reading on Google. Thanks
Stuart France
R396040

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Keith at Tregenna

In the main: Not a mariner and no great idea of tecnical detail, but surley anything that raises MN awareness can only be good?

Documentary on tonight: Survivors tale?

Willmbe watching.

K.

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Sorry Keith, have to disagree with you on this occasion

For those of us who have sailed on the briny, it did nothing to raise awareness of the MN, what it did do is make us look like a bunch of idiots and is a slur on the brave men who sailed at that time.

One comment made by the steward particularily rankled, "I'm Irish and neutral I joined the MN to get away from the fighting, so I don't give a s---e who wins"

My father (Irish) was in the MN and Army during the war, his 3 brothers were in the British army and his sister was in the French Resistance fighting the Germans, two others worked in British intelligence. Many good Irishmen lost their lives in the MN and the Army. They were aware that if Hitler suceeded their little island would no longer be the idyllic of songs and verse.

There is one thing for sure you didn't join the MN to get away from the fighting and Mr Alan Bleasedale owes all MN personnel past and present an unabridged apology for his portrayal of seafarers and that line of dialogue.

As said previously Keith sorry to disagree with you on the "awareness" aspect as I know you devote a lot of energy into this site and research, but for those of us who have sailed on the briny the depiction of MN personell was a travesty.

Just my view

Regards Ivan

If you want to hear a good story of a survivor,this man 90 years of age was on Radio Merseyside on Friday night,a very worthwhile listen.He tells of his time in North Africa,being rescued and transported to theU.S.A. by the Americans.
I'm sorry I dont know how you do these links,if you want to listen to it gotoBBC Radio Merseyside on the iPlayer.You want to go to Linda McDermot for the 7th of Jan. To save having to listen to the whole show if you take it to over about an inch into the programme it starts just after that.Maybe one of you who are good at these things can find it and do the link up to make it easier for those that wish to listen to it.
As I say more educating than the Drama/Docu.
Regards.
Jim.B.