NARA HMT Rohna sinking records

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'clock High!:

Walter Kern
Missile Attack Nov 26, 1943
Sun Nov 26 16:00:02 2000


Seeking some help on properly identifying aircraft and other data relating to the following incident:
Per "newspaper records!?" on November 23, 1943 the British troop transport ship 'HMT Rohna' carrying US soldiers was successfully attacked (seriously damaged or
sunk?) by a German aerial missile off the coast of Algeria.
Thanks Walter Kern

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Don Pearson
Re: Missile Attack Nov 26, 1943
Sun Nov 26 16:18:56 2000


Just read on 'this day in history...' that this attack resulted in the loss of 1138 lives. Noted as the worst 'unknown' disaster of the war.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Matt Hubert
Re: Rohna
Sun Nov 26 16:37:01 2000


Hey there! Not sure exactly what info beyond a/c info you're looking for. A total of 1,138 were killed (inc American soldier which numbered around 1015); three red Cross
workers were also killed. The US losses were, and continue to this day to be the greatest loss of troops in US military history (more lives were lost here than on the USS
Arizona at Pearl Harbor). This incident has been mired in paperwork and secrecy until recent years (God bless FOIA).

Convoy code #KMF-26.

According to Charles Williams, a survivor: "On the way to the minesweeper, I turned and looked back at the Rohna. There was a hole in her port side, off centered from the
center of the ship toward the rear. The hole was (best guess) 60'w x 25'h, and there was a raging inferno within."

Here are a number of references to check/get:

1) "The Rohna Disaster, WW2's Secret Tragedy" by James Bennett; X-libris Corp., 123 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, http://expage.com/page/rohna

2) "WW2's Secret Disaster", by John Fievet, American History magazine, 8/94 24.

3) "Sinking of the Rohna: America's Worst Troopship Loss of WW2" by James Bennett; Sonoma, CA; 1997

4) "Forgotten Tragedy: SInking of HMT Rohna" by Carlton Jackson; Annapolis, MD; Naval Institute Press; 1997


At the National Archives, you want records group 407, Records Group of the Adjutant General's Office, 1917 Contains approximately 600 pages.

Also Record Group 165, Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs, Operations Division, OPD. 12 Pages regarding units involved in the Rohna sinking.

And AG Files 704, Numerous records, ship's logs, casualty reports etc.

I remember someone mentioning info on the bomber in another group at one point, but I do not recall the specifics. SOrry. http://www.lwag.org/ubb/frown.gif The NARA info probably has at least a
description of the aircraft.

Best Regards,

Matt

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Bert
H.M.T. Rohna
Sun Nov 26 17:58:10 2000


Hi Walter,

you'll find a personal story of H.M.T.Rohna tragedy
here
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/6571/thieltwo/thieltwo.html

It was sunk by a He 177 A-5 equiped with Hs293 guided bombs.
As far as I know the He 177 A-5 belonged to the II./KG 40.


You'll find pictures of the plane and bomb at my page

Regards,
Bert http://www.unsere-luftwaffe.de

[Richard T Eger]

From TOH!:

Gianmaria
Rohna
Sun Nov 26 18:05:43 2000


I can tell you that the Rohna was sunk. You can find some info about it at http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/maritime.html

ciao