Commander Hersing

[ZackNZ]

Hi pals

How true do you think is the following article purporting to be Commander Hersing’s account of the Lusitania sinking?

“When orders to sink the vessel reached Heligoland all officers were indignant, and Hersing wanted to inform the crew of the object of the submarine’s voyage, hoping that they would mutiny. Also when the Lusitania was sighted he thought of running away, but sighted a second submarine. He went at full speed from the scene when he had torpedoed the Lusitania to avoid witnessing the ghastly spectacle, but saw some of the victim’s struggling in the water and became a man of stone, unable to move or speak. When he returned to port he wept. The other officers were unconcerned and showed contempt for Hersing.”

Source: La Guerre Socialist Paris 29 July 1915

Some weeks after the Lusitania was sunk it was reported that the Kaiser decorated Hersing for his achievement. But then shortly after a German statement was issued to the effect that the decoration was given not for the sinking of the Lusitania but for sinking two battleships off Gallipoli - Triumph / Goliath?

What thoughts have you?

Apologies if this has been discussed before!

Zack

[Michael Lowrey]

Wartime propaganda, and not even particularly good propaganda at that.

Hersing, in command of U 21, sailed from Germany for the Adriatic on April 25, 1915. From there he proceeded to Turkey to, well, sink two battleships (Triumph and Majestic).

The Lusitania was sunk on May 7, 1915 by U 20 under Kplt. Walther Schwieger.

Best wishes,

Michael

[ZackNZ]

Great - thanks Michael that was my suspicion!

Zack