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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThree times as many died on the ship used in the German film "Titanic" than on actual Titanic.
And, they were former concentration camp prisoners.
4,150 people died when the SS Cap Arcona, the liner used in the German propaganda film of the sinking of the Titanic, was set afire and machine gunned after being filled with concentration camp prisoners shipped there in the closing days of WW2. The RAF didn't know what it was doing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_Arcona
On May 3, 1945, three days after Hitler's suicide and only one day before the unconditional surrender of the German troops in Northwestern Germany at Lüneburg Heath to Field Marshal Montgomery, the Cap Arcona, the Thielbek, and the passenger liner Deutschland (possibly converted to a hospital ship but not marked as such), were attacked as part of general attacks on shipping in the Baltic Sea by RAF Typhoons of 83 Group of the 2nd Tactical Air Force.
The aircraft were from No. 184 Squadron, No. 193 Squadron, No. 263 Squadron, No. 197 Squadron RAF, and No. 198 Squadron. These Hawker Typhoon Mark 1B fighter-bombers carried eight HE High Explosive "60 lb" RP-3 unguided rockets or two 500 lb bombs and four 20 mm cannon.
Pilots of the attacking force stated that they were unaware that the ships were laden with prisoners who had survived the camps. Some sources suggest elements of British command knew of the occupants, but failed to pass the information on.[note 3]
The burning Cap Arcona shortly after the attacks.
Equipped with lifejackets from locked storage compartments, most of the SS guards were able to jump overboard from the Cap Arcona, and there appear to be rumours that despite the water temperature of only 7°C, they were busy shooting any prisoners who tried to escape. German trawlers sent to rescue Cap Arcona's crew members and guards managed to save 16 sailors, 400 SS men, and 20 SS women. Most of the prisoners who tried to board the trawlers were beaten back, while those who reached shore were shot down. The prisoners who managed to swim ashore were mainly gunned by the SS. Only 350 of the 4,500 former concentration camp inmates who had been aboard the Cap Arcona survived.[7]
The aircraft were from No. 184 Squadron, No. 193 Squadron, No. 263 Squadron, No. 197 Squadron RAF, and No. 198 Squadron. These Hawker Typhoon Mark 1B fighter-bombers carried eight HE High Explosive "60 lb" RP-3 unguided rockets or two 500 lb bombs and four 20 mm cannon.
Pilots of the attacking force stated that they were unaware that the ships were laden with prisoners who had survived the camps. Some sources suggest elements of British command knew of the occupants, but failed to pass the information on.[note 3]
The burning Cap Arcona shortly after the attacks.
Equipped with lifejackets from locked storage compartments, most of the SS guards were able to jump overboard from the Cap Arcona, and there appear to be rumours that despite the water temperature of only 7°C, they were busy shooting any prisoners who tried to escape. German trawlers sent to rescue Cap Arcona's crew members and guards managed to save 16 sailors, 400 SS men, and 20 SS women. Most of the prisoners who tried to board the trawlers were beaten back, while those who reached shore were shot down. The prisoners who managed to swim ashore were mainly gunned by the SS. Only 350 of the 4,500 former concentration camp inmates who had been aboard the Cap Arcona survived.[7]
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Three times as many died on the ship used in the German film "Titanic" than on actual Titanic. (Original Post)
NYC_SKP
Apr 2012
OP
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)1. Oh God, how horrible
The fog of war.
russspeakeasy
(6,539 posts)2. Christ on a crutch. !