A Disastrous Act of Friendly Fire: The Sinking of Cap Arcona and Thielbek
Allied Air Raid Strikes Prisoners in Detention Centers - Shells from British Forces Destroy Concentration Camp Sites
By Johannes Teschner • Approx. 3 Min Read
In the twilight of the Second World War, on May 3, 1945, the Royal Air Force (RAF) dropped bombs over Lübeck, against an order - a seemingly routine act in the war's final days. However, the target was no ordinary ship, but a floating prison teeming with thousands of prisoners from the Neuengamme concentration camp. The ships were the freighter "Thielbek" and the luxury liner "Cap Arcona."
As Hitler's regime crumbled, Heinrich Himmler ordered that no KZ prisoners should fall into Allied hands. In mid-April, Neuengamme prisoners were evacuated, ending up in Lübeck and boarding two ill-equipped ships. The "Cap Arcona," originally a passenger ship offering luxurious voyages between Europe and South America, was now a demandsome jail for 4600 captives.
The German authorities destroyed most of the lifeboats and failing to adequately fuel the ships, fueling speculations of an intended sinking or the use of prisoners as bargaining chips. However, intentions remain unclear and the question lingers: was it a calculated move or mere confusion in a country fracturing at every front?
The British were informed about the events by the Swedish and Swiss Red Cross, yet the crucial information never reached the bombers. The reconnaissance aircraft overlooked the ships on May 3, missing the desperate waves of the half-clad, waving prisoners.
The "Cap Arcona" and "Thielbek" were perceived as warships with weapons on deck. The pilots, executing orders to annihilate ships anchored in the bay, treated them no differently, leading to the demise of both ships. Explosions shook the "Cap Arcona," causing a relentless fire, and the "Thielbek" followed suit, along with dozens of other ships in the bay.
As the ships went up in flames, lifeboats were launched. Survivors clung to the wreckage, many drowned, and sea-swollen corpses floated amidst the debris. Those who managed to reach the shore were shot by Wehrmacht soldiers and Hitler Youth. Only a few hundred prisoners escaped the disaster.
The bombing claimed over 7000 lives, five days before Nazi Germany surrendered. This tragic incident, shrouded by war's chaos and overshadowed by other atrocities, serves as a grim reminder of the complexities and human toll of war.
GEO
GEO, the partner brand of stern, offers a deeper look into this event. Discover more at www.stern.de/geo.
- Ship
- World War II
- Germany
- History
Enrichment Data:
This harrowing tale of the sinking of the "Cap Arcona" and "Thielbek" is an example of friendly fire during the last days of World War II.
Background:With the war's end looming, the SS forcibly evacuated Neuengamme concentration camp prisoners, moving them to ships in the Baltic Sea.
The Ships:- Cap Arcona: Originally a luxurious passenger liner, repurposed by the Germans during the war.- Thielbek: A cargo ship used to transport prisoners.
The Bombing:On May 3, 1945, British bombers hit the ships in the Bay of Lübeck, mistaking them for German escape ships.
Aftermath:An estimated 7,000 lives were lost, with over 5,000 on the "Cap Arcona" and 2,800 on the "Thielbek." This incident remains a stark reminder of the tragedies that occurred during the war's final moments.
- The community policy during the final days of World War II, under Hitler's regime, included evacuating Neuengamme concentration camp prisoners and placing them on ships like the "Cap Arcona" and "Thielbek," which were used for vocational training prior to their repurposing.
- The tragic sinking of the "Cap Arcona" and "Thielbek" on May 3, 1945, claimed over 7000 lives, a number large enough to make it one of the deadliest maritime disasters in recorded history.
- Science and medical-conditions played a significant role in the aftermath of the sinking, as the passengers on the ships, mostly KZ prisoners, were subjected to harsh living conditions and, upon the ships' destruction, were exposed to the elements, worsening their existing medical-conditions.
- The sinking of the "Cap Arcona" and "Thielbek" was a prime example of crime and injustice during World War II, as the ships were bombed by the Royal Air Force, and survivors were met with violence and execution by the Wehrmacht and Hitler Youth upon reaching the shore.
- Despite the tragic events of the sinking, normalcy slowly began to take shape in the post-war world, with the incident serving as a grim reminder of the complexities and human toll of war and inspiring further study in general-news and history.
