9 min listen
The Sinking of the Lancastria
ratings:
Length:
10 minutes
Released:
Jun 16, 2017
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
On 17 June 1940, a packed British troopship was sunk off the coast of France by German bombers. The ship had just picked up thousands of British military personnel left behind in France after the evacuation of the army at Dunkirk. It's believed around 5,000 people lost their lives. It was one of the worst maritime disasters in British history and news of the sinking was initially supressed in Britain. Alex Last spoke to 99-year-old Ernest Beesley, a sapper in the Royal Engineers, who is among the last survivors of the Lancastria.
Photo: The Lancastria after being hit by German bombers off the coast of France in 1940 (Lancastria Association of Scotland)
Photo: The Lancastria after being hit by German bombers off the coast of France in 1940 (Lancastria Association of Scotland)
Released:
Jun 16, 2017
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Kindertransports: In December 1938 the Kindertransports began, carrying Jewish children to safety in Britain by Witness History: World War Two