The First Sinking: Germany’s U-Boats and the SS Athenia During World War II

The sinking of the SS Athenia on September 3, 1939, marked the first time a German U-boat torpedoed a civilian ship during World War II. This tragic event not only illustrates the immediate danger faced by merchant vessels but also represents a significant turning point in the naval tactics of the conflict.

The SS Athenia: A British Passenger Liner

The SS Athenia was a luxurious British passenger liner famed for its speed and comfort. At the time of the incident, she was sailing on her maiden Pacific voyage from Glasgow to Montreal, Canada, carrying 1103 passengers and crew, and not even halfway on a 12-day transatlantic crossing.

The Sinking of the SS Athenia by U-30

The attack on the SS Athenia was made by the German U-boat U-30 under the command of Captain Alexander Loeser. The initial collision with a mine placed on a British minefield by the German forces caused severe damage to the ship. However, the U-30 managed to strike a critical hit, causing the ship to continue its descent to the ocean floor.

The Immediate Consequences

The sinking of the SS Athenia had far-reaching effects. It resulted in the death of 118 people, including prominent American citizens. Notably, 112 of the victims were American, a fact that caused considerable diplomatic tensions between the United States and Germany. Americans only officially declared war on Germany on December 11, 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Detailed Timeline and Evidence

On the morning of September 3, U-30 picked up radar signals from the SS Athenia, mistaking her for a warship. Despite repeated radio warnings to the liner, the U-boat fired a torpedo, causing the ship to take on water rapidly and begin sinking. The incident happened in broad daylight, far from the German ships, and only hours after the war had officially begun between Britain and Germany.

Later Analysis and Confusion

At the time, there was considerable confusion about the identity of the attacker. Some believed another German U-boat, possibly U-47 – another U-boat at the scene, had attacked the ship. However, U-47’s crew stated they did not receive any order to attack any vessels and had not engaged with anything that night. The U-30 crew was later given the accolade of having “scraped the paint off the first Allied warship sunk in the war,” which was not entirely accurate.

Aftermath and Historical Impact

This attack on the SS Athenia significantly changed how the conflict was viewed on both sides. The German public was informed of the attack as a natural consequence to warfare, while the British and American governments reacted by increasing naval patrols for their merchant ships. It also catalyzed the secrecy around military assets and strategic aims, as Germany sought to minimize such civilian losses.

Key Lessons and Memorials

The tragic sinking is also remembered every year in memorials held at the graveside of the Athenia’s victims. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the challenging moral questions it raises for military planners and policymakers. The event reinforced the already stringent rules of engagement for U-boats in later years and underscored the importance of avoiding civilian casualties whenever possible.

Conclusion

The sinking of the SS Athenia by U-30 stands as a stark example of the initial conflict and its immediate consequences. It marked the very first non-military target sunk in the war, causing a far-reaching impact that would shape naval warfare and international relations for years to come. The tragic event further solidified the kind of sacrifices civilians might face in times of war and the efforts of subsequent wars to prevent such incidents.