| Hysteria Part 5. The Lusitania: The Ship that Launched Millions of Deaths |
Not only were the British employing the blockade to stop, destroy or confiscate ships carrying cargo
to Germany, they also disguised warships as merchant ships, used neutral flags as cover (Q-ships),
and armed merchant ships, giving them orders to ram German U-boats. This turned every British
merchant ship into a warship in the opinion of Germany, who had objected to this policy in vain.
The Royal Navy showed its own disregard of civilians by loading passenger ships with weapons.
to Germany, they also disguised warships as merchant ships, used neutral flags as cover (Q-ships),
and armed merchant ships, giving them orders to ram German U-boats. This turned every British
merchant ship into a warship in the opinion of Germany, who had objected to this policy in vain.
The Royal Navy showed its own disregard of civilians by loading passenger ships with weapons.
When the wreck was investigated in modern salvage operations in the summer of 1993, indeed, it
showed that it had been struck by only one torpedo and that it had been tampered with extensively.
The wreck lies in just 295 feet of water, making it relatively easy to visit. Reports of "blasting and
salvaging" operations, some apparently conducted by or for the Royal Navy, date from 1946 to the
1980s. Divers have reported that the wreck is full of holes and "is littered with unexploded hedgehog
mines". Royal Navy officials have claimed they had merely been "practicing" on the wreck, but
others have suggested that in fact they were deliberately trying to destroy evidence.
showed that it had been struck by only one torpedo and that it had been tampered with extensively.
The wreck lies in just 295 feet of water, making it relatively easy to visit. Reports of "blasting and
salvaging" operations, some apparently conducted by or for the Royal Navy, date from 1946 to the
1980s. Divers have reported that the wreck is full of holes and "is littered with unexploded hedgehog
mines". Royal Navy officials have claimed they had merely been "practicing" on the wreck, but
others have suggested that in fact they were deliberately trying to destroy evidence.
The Lusitania's sinking was a huge propaganda bonus for the British. Pro-war newspapers distorted
the sinking, and after a storm of protest the Kaiser called a halt to unrestricted submarine warfare and
even made reparations. By 1917, the pro-war camp in the US was distributing more than 6,000 press
releases and 20,000 newspaper columns, with hundreds of them using the Lusitania as a rallying cry
for "freedom" from the blood-thirsty Hun.
the sinking, and after a storm of protest the Kaiser called a halt to unrestricted submarine warfare and
even made reparations. By 1917, the pro-war camp in the US was distributing more than 6,000 press
releases and 20,000 newspaper columns, with hundreds of them using the Lusitania as a rallying cry
for "freedom" from the blood-thirsty Hun.
| High-fives and Happy Smiles for a Propaganda Bonanza |
Karl Goetz, a Munich-based medalist, created an unofficial medallion of the event which portrays the
irresponsibility of the British Government and the Cunard in allowing the return of the liner from
New York to Liverpool despite warnings and at a time of intense U-boat activity. Unfortunately, he
got the date of the sinking from an incorrect newspaper account which gave May 5th as the date and
this went on the first few medallions. Although later corrected, this mistake gave British Intelligence
the base for an ugly propaganda campaign "proving" pre-planning of the event on Germany's part:
300,000 British copies of Goetz's original medallion were made in England on the orders of Director
of Naval Intelligence Captain Reginald Hall and sold in a nice case with a bogus description of events
which said: "This medal has been struck in Germany with the object of keeping alive in German
Hearts the recollection of the glorious achievement of the German Navy in deliberately destroying an
unarmed passenger ship, together with 1,198 non combatant men, women and children."
irresponsibility of the British Government and the Cunard in allowing the return of the liner from
New York to Liverpool despite warnings and at a time of intense U-boat activity. Unfortunately, he
got the date of the sinking from an incorrect newspaper account which gave May 5th as the date and
this went on the first few medallions. Although later corrected, this mistake gave British Intelligence
the base for an ugly propaganda campaign "proving" pre-planning of the event on Germany's part:
300,000 British copies of Goetz's original medallion were made in England on the orders of Director
of Naval Intelligence Captain Reginald Hall and sold in a nice case with a bogus description of events
which said: "This medal has been struck in Germany with the object of keeping alive in German
Hearts the recollection of the glorious achievement of the German Navy in deliberately destroying an
unarmed passenger ship, together with 1,198 non combatant men, women and children."
Walther von Schwieger, dubbed the “Baby Killer” by the British press, appeared (along with other
successful U-boat commanders) on the Admiralty's 'most wanted list' of possible war criminals. He
was the sixth most successful submarine commander of World War One and sank 49 ships with
three submarines on 34 missions, for which he was awarded the "Blue Max"on July 30, 1917,
becoming only the 8th U-boat commander to have receive it. He sank a total of 190,000 tons of
Allied shipping before he met his own grisly death just short of turning 33 years on September 5th,
1917. Captain Turner lived out his life until 1933, but died a bitter man, unable to bear the public
scorn for the loss of his ship. He never forgave the Admiralty, and particularly Winston Churchill,
for their thorough attempts to exonerate themselves at his expense, even going so far as to suggest
that he was a German sympathizer.
successful U-boat commanders) on the Admiralty's 'most wanted list' of possible war criminals. He
was the sixth most successful submarine commander of World War One and sank 49 ships with
three submarines on 34 missions, for which he was awarded the "Blue Max"on July 30, 1917,
becoming only the 8th U-boat commander to have receive it. He sank a total of 190,000 tons of
Allied shipping before he met his own grisly death just short of turning 33 years on September 5th,
1917. Captain Turner lived out his life until 1933, but died a bitter man, unable to bear the public
scorn for the loss of his ship. He never forgave the Admiralty, and particularly Winston Churchill,
for their thorough attempts to exonerate themselves at his expense, even going so far as to suggest
that he was a German sympathizer.
From the onset of war in 1914, Britain's horrendous blockade on Germany under First Lord of the
Admiralty Winston Churchill prevented even food from being imported into Germany and brought
death, starvation and malnutrition to thousands of people. The British blockade violated the tenets of
generally accepted international law which had been codified by several international agreements of
the previous two centuries and is believed to have caused up to a million German civilian deaths.
U.S. Senator Robert LaFollette pointed out, in vain, that food blockades violated international law
and struck at America’s rights as a neutral power. LaFollette even cited an admission by Lord
Salisbury, one of England’s prominent statesmen, that "food for the civilian population was never
contraband...a principle that the English were callously ignoring in their blockade of Germany."
Admiralty Winston Churchill prevented even food from being imported into Germany and brought
death, starvation and malnutrition to thousands of people. The British blockade violated the tenets of
generally accepted international law which had been codified by several international agreements of
the previous two centuries and is believed to have caused up to a million German civilian deaths.
U.S. Senator Robert LaFollette pointed out, in vain, that food blockades violated international law
and struck at America’s rights as a neutral power. LaFollette even cited an admission by Lord
Salisbury, one of England’s prominent statesmen, that "food for the civilian population was never
contraband...a principle that the English were callously ignoring in their blockade of Germany."
Germany responded to Wilson's demands on May 4, 1916 with what is called the "Sussex Pledge"
and promised to alter their naval and submarine policy of unrestricted submarine warfare and stop
the indiscriminate sinking of non-military ships. Instead, Merchant Ships would be searched and sunk
only if they contained contraband, and then only after safe passage had been provided for the crew
and passengers. The German guarantees were honored for a year until they found their position
militarily untenable since the USA was obviously not neutral. The public announcement of their
resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare was on February 1,1917, and On April 2, Wilson
addressed Congress and begged them to declare war against Germany, which it did on April 6.
and promised to alter their naval and submarine policy of unrestricted submarine warfare and stop
the indiscriminate sinking of non-military ships. Instead, Merchant Ships would be searched and sunk
only if they contained contraband, and then only after safe passage had been provided for the crew
and passengers. The German guarantees were honored for a year until they found their position
militarily untenable since the USA was obviously not neutral. The public announcement of their
resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare was on February 1,1917, and On April 2, Wilson
addressed Congress and begged them to declare war against Germany, which it did on April 6.
Under the command of Captain William Thomas Turner, Lusitania sank within an astonishing 18
minutes of being hit by a German U-boat. Over 1,000 people aboard died because of the quickness
of the sinking, including 124 out of 159 Americans on board. There were greater maritime tragedies,
but none provided such a perfect opportunity for pro-war propaganda, and probably never before
had the innocent dead been as quickly and blatantly exploited. Sir Gilbert Parker, the member of the
British propaganda bureau in charge of information and propaganda aimed at the USA, used the
occasion to rush the infamously dishonest "Bryce Report of German Atrocities" into print within five
days after the sinking, with the sole aim of bringing the USA into the war on Britain's side.
minutes of being hit by a German U-boat. Over 1,000 people aboard died because of the quickness
of the sinking, including 124 out of 159 Americans on board. There were greater maritime tragedies,
but none provided such a perfect opportunity for pro-war propaganda, and probably never before
had the innocent dead been as quickly and blatantly exploited. Sir Gilbert Parker, the member of the
British propaganda bureau in charge of information and propaganda aimed at the USA, used the
occasion to rush the infamously dishonest "Bryce Report of German Atrocities" into print within five
days after the sinking, with the sole aim of bringing the USA into the war on Britain's side.
While the Lusitania was instrumental as propaganda, the sinking of another ship provided the final
excuse Wilson eventually used to bring the US to war against Germany. Wilson informed Congress
that a German submarine violated international law and sank the French steamer Sussex in the
English channel when, on a crossing to Dieppe in March 1916, the ship was mistaken for a minelayer
and torpedoed, killing US citizens aboard the ship. This was not true.
excuse Wilson eventually used to bring the US to war against Germany. Wilson informed Congress
that a German submarine violated international law and sank the French steamer Sussex in the
English channel when, on a crossing to Dieppe in March 1916, the ship was mistaken for a minelayer
and torpedoed, killing US citizens aboard the ship. This was not true.
Germany's claim that Lusitania was carrying munitions
for the killing of German soldiers was proven correct in
examination of a portion of her manifest, kept from the
public until the 1950s. She had originally said that she
would take platinum, bullion, diamonds and various other
precious stones along with her passengers, but these items
were never found and port records do not list them either.
for the killing of German soldiers was proven correct in
examination of a portion of her manifest, kept from the
public until the 1950s. She had originally said that she
would take platinum, bullion, diamonds and various other
precious stones along with her passengers, but these items
were never found and port records do not list them either.
The Sussex did not sink, but managed to limp into a French port. 50 persons were killed but no
Americans lost their lives, although some were injured. Wilson issued caustic remarks to congress on
March 24, 1916 accusing the Imperial German Government of "relentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels of commerce by the use of submarines" and violating international law. He had no
comments regarding British violations.
Americans lost their lives, although some were injured. Wilson issued caustic remarks to congress on
March 24, 1916 accusing the Imperial German Government of "relentless and indiscriminate warfare
against vessels of commerce by the use of submarines" and violating international law. He had no
comments regarding British violations.
When the Lusitania was launched, she was intended to be the largest, fastest ship ever built, doing
better than 25 knots at top speed. Britain had enjoyed naval superiority since 1815, but was gravely
impacted by the popularity and financial success of the German luxury liners of Hamburg-Amerika
and Norddeutscher Lloyd, and she hoped that Lusitania would restore her sagging reputation. Her
maiden voyage was on September 7, 1907 and for the next nine years, the Lusitania crossed the
Atlantic 100 times. Her 101st voyage on May 7, 1915 would be her last. Her launching, above
better than 25 knots at top speed. Britain had enjoyed naval superiority since 1815, but was gravely
impacted by the popularity and financial success of the German luxury liners of Hamburg-Amerika
and Norddeutscher Lloyd, and she hoped that Lusitania would restore her sagging reputation. Her
maiden voyage was on September 7, 1907 and for the next nine years, the Lusitania crossed the
Atlantic 100 times. Her 101st voyage on May 7, 1915 would be her last. Her launching, above
Then, almost as if planned, in the midst of all of this, there was the convenient issue of the
Zimmermann Telegram, which would put the frosting on the cake of war.
Zimmermann Telegram, which would put the frosting on the cake of war.
As early as March of 1915, Germany was so deprived of money, energy and food because of the
British blockade that she was ready for peace. On September 2, 1916, the German Ambassador
asked if Wilson would be willing to help negotiate an end to the war in return for German withdrawal
from Belgium, but Wilson refused to do anything until after fall elections. But something saved the
day for a continued conflict: a source of credit for the Germans arranged through the American M.
M. Warburg & Company. Taking advantage of the war, the Warburg and the Schroder banking
families opened banking institutions in Hamburg after being approved by the Accepting Houses
Committee which was associated with the Bank of England, which was in turned controlled by the
House of Rothschild. Both sides of the conflict were financed at times by the same sources.
British blockade that she was ready for peace. On September 2, 1916, the German Ambassador
asked if Wilson would be willing to help negotiate an end to the war in return for German withdrawal
from Belgium, but Wilson refused to do anything until after fall elections. But something saved the
day for a continued conflict: a source of credit for the Germans arranged through the American M.
M. Warburg & Company. Taking advantage of the war, the Warburg and the Schroder banking
families opened banking institutions in Hamburg after being approved by the Accepting Houses
Committee which was associated with the Bank of England, which was in turned controlled by the
House of Rothschild. Both sides of the conflict were financed at times by the same sources.
After Lusitania's sinking and the barrage of British pro-war propaganda, President Wilson, who was
already caving in to consistent pressure to enter the war from the financially motivated domestic
“preparedness” movement, stuck to the popular policy of absolute neutrality just long enough to win
re-election. By 1917, however, Wilson came out of his closet.
already caving in to consistent pressure to enter the war from the financially motivated domestic
“preparedness” movement, stuck to the popular policy of absolute neutrality just long enough to win
re-election. By 1917, however, Wilson came out of his closet.
The American media parroted British reports that the Germans had fired two torpedoes at the ship
without any prior warnins. There had been clear, repeated warnings beforehand, however, and even
on April 24, 1915, German officials had published notices in forty US newspapers that a state of war
existed between Germany and Britain and that passengers would be travelling at their own risk. The
public had no idea that British passenger ships would also be carrying implements of war intended for
use against Germany, thus making them targets.
without any prior warnins. There had been clear, repeated warnings beforehand, however, and even
on April 24, 1915, German officials had published notices in forty US newspapers that a state of war
existed between Germany and Britain and that passengers would be travelling at their own risk. The
public had no idea that British passenger ships would also be carrying implements of war intended for
use against Germany, thus making them targets.
A licensed Irish dive team made the first known discovery of munitions aboard the ship in 2006 and
these included 15,000 rounds of 0.303 (7.7×56mmR) caliber rifle ammunition in boxes in the bow
section of the ship, munitions used by the British in all of their battlefield rifles and machine guns.
Indeed, Lusitania carried at least 2,400 cases of Remington rifle cartridges, 1,248 cases of three foot
shrapnel shell cases, 18 cases of non-explosive fuses and 4,927 boxes of cartridges with 1,000 rounds
in each box, all under the guise of bales of fur and cheese boxes. More ammunition made in the USA
(and intended for the British to kill Germans with) were found on a recent dive to the wreck in 2008.
For decades, British and American officials denied that Lusitania was carrying munitions, and her
manifests were falsified to hide this fact. There are an estimated four million rounds of American-
made Remington .303 bullets still nestled in the Lusitania's hold (pictured below). There was also
evidence of tons of additional materials stored in unrefrigerated cargo that probably included
significant high explosives in the holds: shells, powder, gun cotton, that may have sunk the ship.
these included 15,000 rounds of 0.303 (7.7×56mmR) caliber rifle ammunition in boxes in the bow
section of the ship, munitions used by the British in all of their battlefield rifles and machine guns.
Indeed, Lusitania carried at least 2,400 cases of Remington rifle cartridges, 1,248 cases of three foot
shrapnel shell cases, 18 cases of non-explosive fuses and 4,927 boxes of cartridges with 1,000 rounds
in each box, all under the guise of bales of fur and cheese boxes. More ammunition made in the USA
(and intended for the British to kill Germans with) were found on a recent dive to the wreck in 2008.
For decades, British and American officials denied that Lusitania was carrying munitions, and her
manifests were falsified to hide this fact. There are an estimated four million rounds of American-
made Remington .303 bullets still nestled in the Lusitania's hold (pictured below). There was also
evidence of tons of additional materials stored in unrefrigerated cargo that probably included
significant high explosives in the holds: shells, powder, gun cotton, that may have sunk the ship.
From 1914 to 1918, more than half of the people on earth would break off their previously pleasant
relationship with Germany and many, such as China, Japan, Brazil, Belgium, Green, Bolivia, Peru,
Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay, Haiti and Liberia would soon
declare war against Germany without any valid basis other than from being bullied, bribed or
otherwise intimidated into declaring their loyalties elsewhere.
relationship with Germany and many, such as China, Japan, Brazil, Belgium, Green, Bolivia, Peru,
Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay, Haiti and Liberia would soon
declare war against Germany without any valid basis other than from being bullied, bribed or
otherwise intimidated into declaring their loyalties elsewhere.
At the time, feisty Wisconsin Senator Robert La Follette faced expulsion from the Senate because he
had stated that the Lusitania carried munitions. However, Mr. Dudley Field Malone, collector at the
port of New York, confirmed this as true and revealed that the Lusitania carried large quantities of
ammunition consigned to the British Government, including 4,200 cases of Springfield cartridges.
The Wilson administration refused to permit the publication of this fact. One of the principal charges
in the move to expel La Follette from the Senate was that he had falsely declared that the Lusitania
carried ammunition, but the prosecution was dropped when Malone offered to testify.
had stated that the Lusitania carried munitions. However, Mr. Dudley Field Malone, collector at the
port of New York, confirmed this as true and revealed that the Lusitania carried large quantities of
ammunition consigned to the British Government, including 4,200 cases of Springfield cartridges.
The Wilson administration refused to permit the publication of this fact. One of the principal charges
in the move to expel La Follette from the Senate was that he had falsely declared that the Lusitania
carried ammunition, but the prosecution was dropped when Malone offered to testify.
One notable exception to the prevailing view on the sinking of the Lusitania was Secretary of State
William Jennings Bryan. Bryan resigned as Secretary of State rather than sign what he considered to
be an overly stern and one-sided diplomatic note to Germany and this left Wilson with key foreign
policy advisers who were all pro-Ally. Secretary of State Robert Lansing, Bryan’s successor, was an
avowed interventionist.
William Jennings Bryan. Bryan resigned as Secretary of State rather than sign what he considered to
be an overly stern and one-sided diplomatic note to Germany and this left Wilson with key foreign
policy advisers who were all pro-Ally. Secretary of State Robert Lansing, Bryan’s successor, was an
avowed interventionist.
The huge loss of life was caused not by the one torpedo, but because the ship sank so quickly.
Schwieger had fired torpedoes into ships five times smaller than the Lusitania which had not sunk at
all, or sank only after many hours. Yet US newspaper headlines echoed the British charges which
insisted that the Lusitania had been sunk by two torpedoes. One torpedo probably would not have
sunk an unarmed ship that large, but certainly could have ignited a ship carrying explosives and
munitions, so the two torpedo story was a ruse. The ship's manifest appeared in the American press
shortly after the sinking but in several different versions, all of which were inaccurate, and all
different from a "supplementary manifest" which was filed after the Lusitania left New York, one
never made public.
Schwieger had fired torpedoes into ships five times smaller than the Lusitania which had not sunk at
all, or sank only after many hours. Yet US newspaper headlines echoed the British charges which
insisted that the Lusitania had been sunk by two torpedoes. One torpedo probably would not have
sunk an unarmed ship that large, but certainly could have ignited a ship carrying explosives and
munitions, so the two torpedo story was a ruse. The ship's manifest appeared in the American press
shortly after the sinking but in several different versions, all of which were inaccurate, and all
different from a "supplementary manifest" which was filed after the Lusitania left New York, one
never made public.
Lusitania was in effect being used as a big, high-speed munitions carrier, and on this trip she carried
shrapnel rounds and fuse mechanisms intended for the Royal Artillery and supplied by the US firm
Bethlehem Steel, plus an unusually large consignment of live artillery shells. Two odd consignments
of (unrefrigerated, hence inedible) "butter and cheese" listed on the public manifest weighed nearly
90 tons and were destined for the Royal Navy Weapons Testing Establishment in Essex! Recent
theories suggests that items such as gun-cotton, probably not properly packed, were not listed on the
public manifest but were carried all the same.
shrapnel rounds and fuse mechanisms intended for the Royal Artillery and supplied by the US firm
Bethlehem Steel, plus an unusually large consignment of live artillery shells. Two odd consignments
of (unrefrigerated, hence inedible) "butter and cheese" listed on the public manifest weighed nearly
90 tons and were destined for the Royal Navy Weapons Testing Establishment in Essex! Recent
theories suggests that items such as gun-cotton, probably not properly packed, were not listed on the
public manifest but were carried all the same.
Early on, Lusitania had been withdrawn from passenger service for conversion to war before being
returned to civilian status. The ship was also captained by a Royal Naval officer. Both the 1914
"Jane's Fighting Ships" plus the "British Naval Packet Book" listed Lusitania and Mauritania, among
others, as "armed merchantmen". It is reasonable to conclude that she might no longer be considered
a harmless passenger ship to the enemy and would be suspected of carrying war materials.
returned to civilian status. The ship was also captained by a Royal Naval officer. Both the 1914
"Jane's Fighting Ships" plus the "British Naval Packet Book" listed Lusitania and Mauritania, among
others, as "armed merchantmen". It is reasonable to conclude that she might no longer be considered
a harmless passenger ship to the enemy and would be suspected of carrying war materials.
On May 6, Schwieger sank two other ships. In the morning he hit the Candidate and allowed the
crew to escape, and in the afternoon he torpedoed the Centurion. The Lusitania was not warned by
the Admiralty of either of those ships or the other victim that day in the area where she would travel.
Nor had Captain Turner followed proper procedure to avoid confrontation.
crew to escape, and in the afternoon he torpedoed the Centurion. The Lusitania was not warned by
the Admiralty of either of those ships or the other victim that day in the area where she would travel.
Nor had Captain Turner followed proper procedure to avoid confrontation.
In Schwieger's words: "When the steamer was two miles away it changed its course. I had no hope
now, even if we hurried at our best speed, of getting near enough to attack her.... I saw the steamer
change her course again. She was coming directly at us. She could not have steered a more perfect
course if she had deliberately tried to give us a dead shot....I had already shot away my best
torpedoes and had left only two bronze ones...not so good. The steamer was four hundred yards
away when I gave an order to fire. The torpedo hit, and there was a rather small detonation an,d then
after, instantly a much heavier one. The pilot was beside me. I told him to have a look at close range.
He put his eye to the periscope and after a brief scrutiny yelled: "My God, it's the Lusitania." U-boat
captain Walther Schwieger had never before been accused of atrocities such as deliberately
drowning, bombing or machine-gunning survivors.
now, even if we hurried at our best speed, of getting near enough to attack her.... I saw the steamer
change her course again. She was coming directly at us. She could not have steered a more perfect
course if she had deliberately tried to give us a dead shot....I had already shot away my best
torpedoes and had left only two bronze ones...not so good. The steamer was four hundred yards
away when I gave an order to fire. The torpedo hit, and there was a rather small detonation an,d then
after, instantly a much heavier one. The pilot was beside me. I told him to have a look at close range.
He put his eye to the periscope and after a brief scrutiny yelled: "My God, it's the Lusitania." U-boat
captain Walther Schwieger had never before been accused of atrocities such as deliberately
drowning, bombing or machine-gunning survivors.
In 1903, British Prime Minister Balfour had authorized the 20-year loan for £2.6 million at 2.5%
interest for Cunard to construct both Lusitania and Mauretania. When they were completed, Cunard
was given a subsidy of £150 000 for maintaining both ships in a state of war readiness.
interest for Cunard to construct both Lusitania and Mauretania. When they were completed, Cunard
was given a subsidy of £150 000 for maintaining both ships in a state of war readiness.
| SM U-20 that sunk Lusitania, Churchill, Turner and Schwieger |
Some claim that the release of the fake medal (click left) had
a duel purpose. Sir Roger Casement was an Irish nationalist
leader hanged for high treason in 1916 after returning to Ireland
from Germany where he had been soliciting aid. This and the
bloody suppression of the Easter Rising, an Irish attempt to
wrest independence from Britain, along with repressive British
actions in India, had turned much US opinion against the British
and also acted to unite Irish-American groups.
a duel purpose. Sir Roger Casement was an Irish nationalist
leader hanged for high treason in 1916 after returning to Ireland
from Germany where he had been soliciting aid. This and the
bloody suppression of the Easter Rising, an Irish attempt to
wrest independence from Britain, along with repressive British
actions in India, had turned much US opinion against the British
and also acted to unite Irish-American groups.
Schwieger's U-boat was built for service in the Kaiserliche Marine, launched on December 18, 1912
and commissioned on August 5, 1913. Schwieger had only three torpedoes left when he hit the ship,
and he needed two kept in reserve for the return transit. He said he did not know the ship he was
sinking was the Lusitania and that he torpedoed her before he identified her. She was just was a
target of opportunity for a tired captain who was reputed to "shoot first and identify later". He was
even more surprised when the ship sank so rapidly after being hit by only one torpedo.
and commissioned on August 5, 1913. Schwieger had only three torpedoes left when he hit the ship,
and he needed two kept in reserve for the return transit. He said he did not know the ship he was
sinking was the Lusitania and that he torpedoed her before he identified her. She was just was a
target of opportunity for a tired captain who was reputed to "shoot first and identify later". He was
even more surprised when the ship sank so rapidly after being hit by only one torpedo.
Lord Newton, in charge of propaganda at the British Foreign Office in 1916 told the Evening
Standard in 1926: "I asked a West End store if they could undertake the reproduction of it for
propaganda purposes. They agreed to do so, and the medals were sold all over the world in neutral
countries, especially in America and South America. After some initial difficulty a great success was
achieved. I believe it to have been one of the best pieces of propaganda." War-mongering former US
ambassador to Germany, James W. Gerard, recounted in his 1918 memoirs his fabricated story that
in Germany, schoolchildren had been given a school holiday to celebrate the sinking of the Lusitania.
This was a complete falsehood. Very few people in Germany ever saw the medallion.
Standard in 1926: "I asked a West End store if they could undertake the reproduction of it for
propaganda purposes. They agreed to do so, and the medals were sold all over the world in neutral
countries, especially in America and South America. After some initial difficulty a great success was
achieved. I believe it to have been one of the best pieces of propaganda." War-mongering former US
ambassador to Germany, James W. Gerard, recounted in his 1918 memoirs his fabricated story that
in Germany, schoolchildren had been given a school holiday to celebrate the sinking of the Lusitania.
This was a complete falsehood. Very few people in Germany ever saw the medallion.
Above is a segment of an article
which indicates a pre-planned,
deliberate attempt by Germany
to hit the Lusitania. (click)
which indicates a pre-planned,
deliberate attempt by Germany
to hit the Lusitania. (click)
The production of the British medal was timed with the release of "excerpts of Casement’s diary"
which indicated that he was a homosexual, providing a double whammy intended to divert, distract
and confuse the public.
which indicated that he was a homosexual, providing a double whammy intended to divert, distract
and confuse the public.