The Laconia

[Captain Kong]

The French ship landed survivors at Casablanca after they were transferred from the submarine. They were treated very badly by the French and interned in a POW Camp in the desert.

The Vichy French were notorious in their treatment of British prisoners. .
The sailors of the British Ships SS Criton and SS ALIENDE were forced to travel a thousand miles from Conakry and the Ivory Coast through the jungles and deserts to Timbuktu, Many dying on the way with disease and then locked in a POW camp. the graves in Tinbuktu are there and are looked after by the CWGC. After the war, the French Government gave the British , LABOUR GOVERNMENT A LARGE SUM OF MONEY AS COMPENSATION but no appology. The Labour Govenment kept the money, No Seaman or family recieved a penny. This shameful Labour Government kept every penny. I guess nothing changes.----------

[Keith at Tregenna]

The Sinking of the Laconia.

I did think it good to see the subject being brought to a wider audience, many would never of heard of this real-life story from World War II before? I must admit that I was not looking at the technical details.

I was not that enthralled either with part one. I had the impression this was aimed possibly at an American market and as an intro it was much to long. I did watch part 2 and the whole thing, not so much for good TV, but more the fact millions would know more of some of the forgotten, there is so much more to remember.

Much preferred part two, the documentary: Survivors tale? was the best bit. In the main: I was not looking at continuity and the exactness of all, and thought surley anything that raises MN awareness can only be good?

I do respect all views of others and have since read many reviews, following the Cowardly Warfare post, I imagine that I watched the programmes in my own way and found the topic and humanity aspect compelling.

To be honest if I were to watch all again, I would most probably miss the same things again nearly, but have read of much since, from relatives pleased to see the tale told, Polish bad guys – German heroes? badges sown on upside down, Naval Salutes, and The production was more riddled with inaccuracies than laughable uniform howlers etc etc.

One person wrote: My Grandad was a survivor on the Laconia a Merchant Sailor, sadly he is no longer with us but his story and bravery lives on in our family. This film may have had its faults but has provoked old memories and emotions and above all respect for all Merchant Seamen, these men where at sea long before war and long after.

I mean no offence in anything that I may write and as said appreciate all thoughts and views. RE: “One comment made by the steward” this also went right over my head at the time and does not reflect well as mentioned on the many brave men that helped to save us all.

I can well imagine that many of those that were there or know more than I, could see all differently and be both more critical and even upset. Hopefully in the future there may be more told from history, but much more care taken?

I personally have learned much.

K.

[Captain Kong]

There are many many stories similar to the Laconia one.
Our Member Lou from NZ was in a similar situation. when the Gloucester Castle was sunk near to Ascension Island. killing around 95 pasengers and crew and they wre picked up by the German `Michel` under Captain. Helmuth von Ruckteschell. later they were transferred to a tanker then taken to Japanese occupied Singapore where 50 men were landed, the rest taken to Japan.

[dlh1]

Does anyone know where I can find a crew list for The Laconia's final voyage?

[DeepSea]

Laconia's last Crew Agreements fro 1942 are at Kew in BT 381/1916 under the ships Official No. 145925. To order a copy go to the following link and click on ordering a viewing options. If ordering online make sure you only ask for her last Crew Agreements before sunk as these Crew Agreements run from January to December for any given year.


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...accessmethod=0

[David Williams]

For my shipmates who may not be aware the BBC are transmitting over 2 evenings Thurs 6th and Friday 7th
January next. A drama about the sinking of the Laconia a total of 3hrs. I think it should be very interesting and worth watching. For our overseas colleages the internet Iplayer could be useful. More details might be found here......
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xgjnm

Warm Regards, Alan

Hi There.
Just watched the Laconia and thouroghly
enjoyed it.

dave Williams

[E.Martin]

ref post #10
Watched the first episode last night, cannot say that it enthralled me, as an ex seafarer perhaps I'm nit-picking, there appeared to be so many inaccuracies I wonder who the advisors were. I know that the majority watching are not interested in accuracy of detail, but it does spoil it for thousands who are.

First time I've seen a "Junior" third mate with three gold bars on his epualettes whilst in addition having crossed anchors with a crown on his sleeves together with three large brass buttons around his cuffs and the poor captain was restricted to four gold bands and the first mate had two and a half gold bands with a rondel on top. Poor radio officers had naval rating uniforms. Whilst proceeding north at a lowly 13 knots the officers wore white uniforms one day, blues the next and back into whites the next and on one day wore both colours. How come a deck rating is dragging a beat up Italian prisoner of war along passenger alleyways, this was before any incidence of the torpedo effect.

Perhaps I sailed in the wrong companies, or I'm just a grumpy old man.

Apart from the inaccuracies the programme left a lot to be desired in the acting department, those playing the U-Boat crew seemed the most realistic, thought most of the others were pretty wooden. Was I expecting too much fro the programme, hope part two fares better

Regards Ivan

I think Sparkies in the Royal Navy were ratings.

[DeepSea]

One thing the documentary also failed to state was that not all the survivors were picked up by the Vichy French ship.

One lifeboat containing 68 people, drifted for 27 days and finally came ashore and beached on the coast of Liberia, but by then only 16 were still alive.

In my opinion, I think it would be fair to say, both drama and documentary could have been raised to a higher degree.

Fact:

Two of Laconia's Officers were taken prisoner by U-156. R/O A.E. Boyett and Snr. 3rd Officer T.R. Buckingham, who both survived the war and were liberated April 28th 1945

[Ivan Cloherty]

I think Sparkies in the Royal Navy were ratings.

Hi, but it was an MN ship and sparkies were officers,

Not sure but I don't think radio operators in RN were called sparkies, but someone out there will know

As mentioned by others for us seamen there were so many mistakes in the programme, it didn't need torpedoes to sink it, it foundered well before the U-Boat reached it!, but perhaps for those not having been on the briny it was okay

Regards Ivan

[Captain Kong]

Hi E.Martin.
I would hazard a guess that the Cunard "Sparkies" were Radio Officers employed by Marconi and not by RN. ratings.