The largest loss of life in a British maritime disaster – and you’ve never heard of it
Which British ship was sunk with the largest loss of life? The “Lusitania” in 1915 with 1,198 deaths? The “Titantic” in 1912 with 1,517 deaths? Suppose I told you that there was a sinking in which the death toll was greater than that of the “Titantic” and the “Lusitania” combined? And suppose i told you that you’ve never heard of the incident?
It’s August, I have few meetings, and so I am currently reading the 600-page book “The Storm Of War”, a masterful account of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts. I have already learned so much.
Roberts writes about “the largest single maritime disaster in British history” and points out that “Churchill ensured that the story was not made public until after the war”. Yet, even now, it is hardly known.
The incident occurred on 17 June 1940 when the Battle of France was already lost and the Battle of Britain was about to begin. It involved the sinking od the Cunard White Star liner “Lancastria” by five German aircraft. The death toll was at least 4,000 and maybe a great deal more. It was the highest death toll for UK forces in a single engagement in the whole of World War II.
You can learn more here.