Sinking of the MS Wilhelm Gustloff 1945.
#1

To most people when thinking of major marine disasters the RMS Titanic always comes to mind. While watching a WWII documentary yesterday I learnt of a loss of life at sea that multiplies the Titanic tradegy 3 times over!

In late January 1945 this sinking has become a disaster that seems now to be little remembered. The biggest ever single loss of life at sea.

 

http://www.wilhelmgustloff.com/sinking.htm

 

Colin.

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#2

Incredible, and more incredible that I was unfamiliar with this story. Lee woke up a few minutes ago, and I said, "I bet you know about this." And of course he did.

 

So, so sad. Thanks for making me aware of this.

Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
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#3

Yes it was unknown to me Marion too. Pleased to see you put it on FB as well.

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#4

It is a tragic story but what surprises me that you hadn't heard of it!! Perhaps its from being a U-boot/submarine freak. I had heard of it from U-boot.net or something - I don't quite remember. I do a lot of Wikipedia surfing so maybe it was there (for example, "List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines").

 

Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-H27992%2C_Lazarettschiff_%22Wilhelm_Gustloff%22_in_Danzig.jpg

Maj Todd O. USMC, Retired
Grandson of LTC John O'Brien
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