WWII 1939, the first sea casualty S.S. 1939
Artist's drawing of S.S. Athenia, the British liner torpedoed by a German submarine on 3 September 1939. It was the first British sea casualty of the war, with 117 of the passengers and crew losing their lives. Among the dead were 28 US civilians leading to fears that America may be provoked at this early stage to declare war on Germany. Consequently, Germany did not admit responsibility for the sinking until 1946
Picture No
12481027
Media ID
46127960
Size
5848px x 3656px
(4.0MB)
Credit
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Source
Unattributed illustration in The Sphere', 9 September 1939
Date
1939
