Area casualties included Pfc. A Leopoldville Survivor Recalls Sinking On Christmas Eve 1944. Who: All but one were members of the 66th Infantry Division and most were survivors of the Leopoldville Disaster. Solr Leaves Legacy Of Tragic Truth For Family Country Local News Joplinglobe. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Three sets of brothers were killed, including two sets of twins. Just before 6 pm, the ship was hit by a torpedo from a U-Boat. This Belgian passenger liner converted to troopship was carrying 2235 men of the 66th Infantry Division from Southampton to Cherbourg, reinforcements for the Battle of the Bulge. These soldiers represented youths from 47 of the then 48 United States. There were 763 American soldiers She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . The Lopoldville stayed afloat for two and a half hours after the torpedo hit before finally sinking, stern first . In The 30-year-old Army private was a LIST III is a roster of two (2) officers and thirty-seven (37) Marines personnel attached to the USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA35). Closure has finally come to our family. This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. The SS Leopoldville Tragedy and Coverup: US ARMY ST's 474, 539, and 751 tried to help during one of WW2's most tragic Naval Incidents - ST 474 was a DeLand-built Wartug Many small US Army tugs, or harbor tugs, were assigned to the Cherbourg Harbor area after it was finally captured in July of 1944. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville. I 262nd Regiment Macon [M] Idaho (3) Our goal that evening was to create a new memory of a holiday spent together - so come future Christmas Eves, . SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. He was employed in the maintenance department of Oneida Ltd. before entering the army in April 1943. Today, Allan Andrade, author of Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret, one of the few books on the disaster, and Don Nigbor and his son Peter, family members of Henry Nigbor, a private from Dunkirk, New York whose body was never recovered from the sinking, have started a website to honor the lives of the men lost and of the survivors. The two men became friends and with the help of several others formed the Leopoldville Memorial Association. Solr Leaves Legacy Of Tragic Truth For Family Country Local News Joplinglobe. The 66th Division crossed the English Channel on Christmas Eve 1944. 262nd Regiment Dalton [M] Zellner, Harold M. Sgt. Benjamin Joseph Blaskowski S/Sgt. Departing New York on March 1 on her second voyage, Leopold took her screening station as part of a 27-ship convoy bound for the British Isles. Earl E. Jacobs, also a York, Pennsylvania resident. Contents In Memorium. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. (Left to Right) Survivor Fred Brent, Allan Andrade, Charles Vogel (his brother, Frank Vogel, was killed), Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, American Legion Leader Reggie Allen, and Jerry Catalano (his brother, Angelo Catalano, was killed.) 70th Anniversary Of The Ss Leopoldville Troopship Disaster National Wwii Museum. View Count: 602 (Recent: 1) Source information: Fold3, SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE ( : accessed 18 Mar 2022), database and images, Create a new Memorial. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Apr 26, 2020 - My dad was a survivor when this ship was torpedoed on Christmas Eve 1944. "My 7th draft H.M.S. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. ayyibat al Imm The USS Leopold was an Edsall-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail. The vessel was rocked by a huge explosion on the starboard side near the stern. Robin Young John Waller (right), pictured with a fellow Army service member, was aboard the troop ship SS Lopoldville crossing the English Channel to France on Christmas Eve 1944 when it was. With the Battle of the Bulge underway in Europe, reinforcements were needed. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus Russell, Jack 1st Sgt. Pfc. Two days before Christmas '44 some two thousand paratroopers boarded the Belgian troopship Leopoldville at Pier 38, Southampton. On Christmas Eve 1944, more than 2,000 American soldiers were aboard the troop ship SS Lopoldville crossing the English Channel to France, when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sank . Survivors of the Leopoldville disaster by Raymond J. Roberts, 1997, R.J. Roberts edition, in English The body of 18 year old Pfc. Brilliant". New York State alone lost 80 young men, including 39 from New York City. Aboard Leopoldville when hit on 24 Dec 1944 You can click on any of the names for possible additional information 874 persons found. McInnis, James E., Jr. Pvt. This was expected to be just another routine crossing from England to France. The SS Leopoldville Tragedy and Coverup: US ARMY ST's 474, 539, and 751 tried to help during one of WW2's most tragic Naval Incidents - ST 474 was a DeLand-built Wartug Many small US Army tugs, or harbor tugs, were assigned to the Cherbourg Harbor area after it was finally captured in July of 1944. Many of those killed were only 18 to 21 years old and 493 of the bodies were never recovered. Leopoldville had to date led a charmed life, never subjected to enemy fire in her 24 Channel crossings, safely delivering 120,000 troops. Maritime Disasters Of Wwii 1944 1945. The movie The Silent Soldier and the Portrait is the story of one of the last living survivors of the Leopoldville disaster. Five and a half miles from shore, the Leopoldville was . The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. Glenn Elvin Lowry and Pfc. The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. One produced by the History Channel and the other by the National Geographic Channel. His body was recovered. 19x27 Leopoldville Poster Sunray Graphics Low Resolution. Find more records. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. Private John Pordon, 19, from San Francisco, boarded the Leopoldville around 2:30 in the morning. The website Leopoldville.org was created to promote awareness of the SS Leopoldville Sinking Tragedy. Det. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. by Tonya Allen. It was sad that the parents and loved ones of the men that died were told that they had died in action or the ones that were never found, they were told they were missing in action but knew all along . As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. Med. At Southampton, at 0200 (2.00 AM) on Christmas Eve 1944, 2235 men from the U.S. 66th Infantry Division started to trudge wearily up the gangway of the tired old Belgian troopship SS Leopoldville. Please check the movie's website for airtimes and more info on the story. Blaskowski from Verona Station, New York was born on December 1, 1924. . "Not once did he ever mention the experience, nor the trauma he suffered the rest of his life. He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. This In Memoriam list was originally published by me in July 1997. Jack Nevin Lowry, twin. George Robert Atkerson from Webb City, Missouri who was aboard the SS Leopoldville that tragic day, can attest to the torment her father experienced throughout his life from that disaster. Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts Archived 2000-10-01 at the Wayback Machine "Leopoldville Troopship Disaster". He was told not to talk about it, and didn't for a long time. His parents died when he was a small boy and he was raised by his aunt, Mrs. Catherine Witusik, who lived in Oneida. This site is dedicated to remembering and honoring the sacrifice of those who died in the disaster and the valor of those who survived. Earl E. Jacobs, also a York, Pennsylvania resident. The Germans had left mines, and possibly See all formats and editions Paperback $27.99 3 Used from $27.99 On December 24, 1944, Lt. Gerhard Meyer, German submarine commander of the U 486 fired a torpedo that sank the S.S. Leopoldville as it transported 2,000 American soldiers to reinforce the Battle of the Bulge. Contents Find more records. He entered the service on May 12, 1944. Our biggest obstacle is the coverup, that followed the sinking. Over eight hundred solders died that night. Where . USS PC-1225 also rescued survivors. On the 8th, she reported an HF/DF intercept which indicated an . Where my research determined the final disposition of the body it . Many soldiers in that area were killed instantly while others were trapped below decks. Report an issue. The British Commander in charge of the convoy ordered the Leopoldville's anchor dropped to prevent the troopship from drifting into a minefield outside of the harbor. Her master, Charles Limbor, had been in command since 1942. The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. Looking for more information on SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE? Even for the survivors of this tragedy, lives were still shaken after the war. While researching the Leopoldville disaster, author/historian Allan Andrade in early May 1995 met with Waterbury, Connecticut Leopoldville Survivor Vincent Codianni. We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. The family later moved to Wellsburg, Iowa where Lawrence attended Wellsburg High School. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. 70th Anniversary Of The Ss Leopoldville Troopship Disaster National Wwii Museum. Richard Trout Dreisbach was born on February 24, 1926, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. On Christmas Eve 1944, the Belgium troopship Leopoldville, left the pier at Southampton, England with over 2,000 American soldiers assigned to the 66th Infantry Division and crossed the English Channel to France. The Sinking of SS Leopoldville by Tonya Allen On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. We have had some success in reaching out to the public. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Just five miles off shore from Cherbourg, the SS Leopoldville was torpedoed by a German U-boat. Dixon, Jack. . He had 3 brothers who were also in the service. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Belgian troopship SS Leopoldville, sunk by U-486 Christmas Eve 1944, and 783 U.S. troops die.. Introduction. The New York Times in their article on May 8, 1995 referred to their efforts to promote public awareness of The transport ship's sinking claimed the lives of 763 American servicemen, including more than 70 Pennsylvanians. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus Mobley, Lewfay B., Jr. Pfc. Fourteen officers and seven hundred forty-eight servicemen were lost. S/Sgt. Co. The sinking of the SS Leopoldville has been the subject of numerous books and two major documentaries. A Leopoldville Survivor Recalls Sinking On Christmas Eve 1944. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. Pvt. Shortly thereafter, they wer. The Germans had left mines, and possibly This Belgian passenger liner converted to troopship was carrying 2235 men of the 66th Infantry Division from Southampton to Cherbourg, reinforcements for the Battle of the Bulge. Maritime Disasters Of Wwii 1944 1945. View Count: 602 (Recent: 1) Source information: Fold3, SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE ( : accessed 18 Mar 2022), database and images, Create a new Memorial. 19x27 Leopoldville Poster Sunray Graphics Low Resolution. According to accounts from many of the survivors, the Belgian crew abandoned the ship and left the American soldiers to fend for themselves. Cloud, Minnesota. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo.She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and on December 24, 1944, while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-486.As a result, about 763 US soldiers and 56 of the ship's crew died. USS Leopold. There were 763 American soldiers killed and the bodies of 493 were never recovered from the Channel's frigid 48 degree waters. Report an issue. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. His body was recovered. As sometimes happens, this solved one . Boekhoff was born on February 20, 1926 in St. My Life in the Royal Navy During the Second World War. SS Lopoldville (1897), 3,963 GRT, built by Sir Raylton Dixon & Co, Middlesbrough for the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo.Sold in 1901. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Columbus [F] Smith, Henry A. Cpl. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. It is available for rent and is being played on PBS. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 . SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. Of these men, mostly between the ages of 18 and 21, 763 were killed. Looking for more information on SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE? Hdq. Richard Trout Dreisbach was born on February 24, 1926, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . What we truly wanted to do was to pay respect to those who lost their lives on the Leopoldville, and honor the survivors of the Leopoldville, the Cheshire and the entire 66th. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. Just 5 1/2 miles from its destination, Cherbourg, the Leopoldville was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-486. Nancy Russell, the daughter of Sgt. Boekhoff was never found. This In Memorium list is provided by Allan Andrade from his book Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. The Virginian-Pilot: During WWII, a Virginia Beach soldier stole a painting from a French . The majority of the infantry troops were on board the SS Leopoldville and the HMS Cheshire. At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail.