S.S. Leopoldville Disaster: December 24, 1944

By Allan Andrade

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1890309540
• ISBN13: 9781890309541
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Tern Book Co Inc
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 1.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A Book that is a Serice to the contry as well as a good read

"`Hey, I'm alive!' Drew blacked out. When he came to, he found himself on a beach, naked protected only by a raincoat thrown over him. He heard a faint voice `Throw him in there too.' Drew, realizing that they thought he was dead, yelled." This is just one of many harrowing tales of a life and death struggle resulting from the sinking. "SS Leapoldville Disaster, December 24, 1944" is the story of this troopship loaded with American troops being rushed to the help in the Battle of the Bulge. It was sunk barely five miles from shore taking with it 763 American servicemen. The book consists of many short stories detailing individual accounts of the disaster. Even the Introduction has 38. These were compiled from hundreds of interviews and research. Andrade includes many actual copies of letters. Perhaps the most moving are letters from parents to their sons before they knew they were dead. One story in particular is very moving: "Lt. Gene Barwick died that night. They never recovered his body. Each Christmas Eve reminded Barwick's parents of his death. His young bride eventually remarried and had two children but 20 years after her first love's death, she took her own life on a Christmas Eve." Many who died were only 18 to 21 years old and came from 47 of the (then) 48 states. All are listed by state in the In Memoriam Section at the end of the book as are the survivors. This disaster was kept secret for many years. It was understandable during the war but not so afterwards. Allan Andrade has done a service to the nation and to the families of those lost with his book. It is well done, and an easy read - well worth your time!...

A meaningful memorial to all on the Leopoldville

My father-in-law's brother perished in the sinking of the Leopoldville. I married into the family 20 years ago and never really knew what happened to Uncle Waldo. Now I am filled with a great sense of loss at never having known him--and that loss is compounded as I think of the nearly 800 families who lost sons, husbands, fathers, and uncles. I am also filled with a great sense of appreciate and reverence for all those on board--for those who gave their lives and for those who survived the terror. Allan Andrade did a great job of presenting the story and introducing those who involved. They are very real people to me now. I finished the book with tears streaming down my cheeks. This is a must read for anyone who had family involved in the sinking. It is an important piece of history for everyone. It reminds us of the price others paid for our freedom, but it also raises important questions about the mistakes or errors that contributed to the loss and the failure to acknowledge those problems. Thank you, Mr. Andrade, for writing this important book.

Very informative.

I just put this book down and was astonished both by the tragedy of the disaster and by Andrade's insightful and meticulous reporting. I highly recommend it.

This book should be read by all World War II students

The torpedo that hit the Leopoldville was an "act ofwar." But author Andrade brings out the real tragedy: thesubsequent 50-year coverup and the emotional, wrenching pain of the survivors and the intentional deception of families left in the dark for a half century. This book should be required reading for students of World War II history to see a darker, unknown side of warfare that they'll never see in textbooks. Allan Andrade should be commended for his perseverance and diligence in digging for the facts.

A Salute to courage

My thanks to the author Alan Andrade for telling the sensative and moving story of the S.S. Leopoldville disaster. I am the daughter of one of the men who died on that tradgic Christmas Eve in 1944. Until I read this book I had no idea of how my father died. I am greatful to finally know what happened to him and I am greatful to all the men who shared their stories. I salute them for their courage then and now.