Abandon Ship!: The True World War II Story About the Sinking of the Laconia

True Rescue #7

by Michael J. Tougias, Alison O'Leary

A remarkable World War II account of a maritime attack off the West African coast, for fans of Steven Sheinkin and Deborah Heiligman.  

On September 12, 1942, the RMS Laconia was attacked by a German submarine five hundred miles off the coast of western Africa. What the Germans didn’t know was that they had just attacked their locked below decks on the British ship were nearly 1,800 Italian prisoners of war. When the Germans realized their mistake, they made the unprecedented decision to rescue all survivors regardless of their nationality, attempting to declare the waters a neutral zone. But when an American bomber flew over the humanitarian effort, he was ordered to drop bombs, contributing to the deaths of many Italian POWs and British civilians in the process. Some of those who remained alive endured weeks adrift at sea, fighting for survival with little water or food, and in shark infested oceans.

Suspenseful and informative, this incredible true account, which includes historic photographs, is a testament to the idea that compassion can rule over conflict—even at the cruel heights of war. 

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Survival, Middle Grade, Adventure, Naval History

288 pages, Paperback

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

True Survival, rescue and history is the topic of most of my books. that runs through most of my books. My latest book is with St. Martins Press and is titled In Deep Water: A True Story of Sharks, Survival and Courage. Other nonfiction sea survival and rescue books include Overboard! A Storm Too Soon, Rescue of the Bounty, Fatal Forecast and Ten Hours Until Dawn.
Disney made a major motion picture of my book The Finest Hours: The Trues Story of the Coast Guard's Greatest Rescue (Disney kept the same title). The movie stars Chris Pine an Casey Affleck and is a fantastic film.
My co-written history books include So Clost To Home (about surviving a Uboat attack in the Gulf of Mexico), Above & Beyond (the untold story of the Cuban Missile Crisis) King Philip's War (Native Americans vs Colonists) Abandon Ship (wwii) and several more
Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends were been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) and I suprised them with another book of misadventures titled The Power of Positive Fishing: A Story of Friendship and the Quest for Happiness. Also in the same category is The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father and Outdoor Misadventures.

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this after finishing Truce with my son around Christmas time. This book didn’t disappoint, so inspiring and insightful. Loved reading with my son who is crazy about military stories and stories like these that lift our sights on how to think about war.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I picked up "Abandon Ship," I was completely captivated. Set against the backdrop of World War II's harrowing seas, the story unfolds with the Laconia's tragic sinking off the West African coast. But this isn't just another war story. It's an exploration of humanity, compassion, and survival under the most dire circumstances.

The plot is masterfully crafted. When a German submarine torpedoes the Laconia, carrying over 1000 Italian POWs and civilians, the submarine begins a rescue operation. The decision by the Germans to save survivors, regardless of nationality, in an attempt to declare the waters a neutral zone, is a powerful testament to the unexpected acts of kindness that can emerge from the depths of conflict.

The recounting takes a heart-wrenching turn when an American bomber disrupts the humanitarian effort, leading to a tragic loss of life. The survivors' battle for existence, adrift at sea with minimal sustenance and surrounded by sharks, is depicted with such intensity and emotion that it's impossible not to feel deeply invested in their fate.

"Abandon Ship" is a lesson in the endurance of the human spirit as much as it is a historical record. The book does tackle challenging themes, including death and survival's stark realities, which might necessitate parental guidance for younger readers. Yet, these elements are handled with care, contributing to the story's depth and realism.

As someone who cherishes middle-grade nonfiction for its ability to make complex subjects accessible, "Abandon Ship" exceeded all my expectations. It enlightened me on aspects of World War II I was previously unaware of, all the while presenting a narrative that was both engaging and thought-provoking. The inclusion of historic photographs adds another layer of connection to the real people and events, bridging the past with the present in a way that feels both educational and deeply moving. It's a book that stays with you long after the final page, reminding us of our capacity for kindness in the face of unimaginable adversity. A resounding five stars for a work that not only educates but inspires.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Port Tawfiq, Egypt, simmered in the summer sun of mid-August 1942.

Premise/plot: Nonfiction book suitable for MG, YA, and Adults about the sinking of RMS Laconia on September 12, 1942, in the midst of the Second World War. It was carrying British soldiers, of course, but also women and children--in addition to 1,800 Italian Prisoners of War. The destination was Britain, but it sank shortly it was torpedoed. The German submarine realized afterwards that the ship they'd bombed had been carrying thousand plus ITALIAN POWs. Commander Werner Hartenstein decided to help rescue those he'd just attacked--yes, the Italians, but also all the others. Some he took aboard his own ship, others he helped find accommodations on lifeboats. (The lifeboats were a bit haphazard. Some too full. Others less so. Some more seaworthy than others.) The most in need of medical attention received it. Women and children were prioritized as well. But this isn't a sweet, warm-and-cozy rescue. For things got a LOT more complicated and complex as the rescue unfolded...

My thoughts: WHAT AN ORDEAL. I found this one captivating and fascinating. But also super-intense. I'm not sure I'd have been able to handle it as a child. But it is an incredibly told tale of survival. I do wish it was more well known. (I'd not heard of it before.) I would have been watching documentaries and such about it if I'd known. It tells a big picture story, but it also focuses in on some of the survivors and their MANY ordeals in the days and weeks (yes, WEEKS) spent at sea adrift.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

During World War II, ships from the Allied powers were frequent targets of German submarines (U-Boats). This is the true story of the torpedoing of the RMS Laconia, a cruise ship retrofitted to be an armed transport ship during the War, by U-Boat 156. After the attack on the Laconia, the U-Boat Commander realized that there were about 1,800 Italian prisoners of war held captive on the ship and he made the decision to begin a rescue operation. US bombers did not get the memo that the bombing site had turned into a humanitarian rescue operation and bombed the U-Boat killing even more survivors. The book tells the story mostly from the perspective of the British survivors – some of whom spent time in a U-Boat, in the ocean, and on lifeboats for weeks on end, and in some cases in prison after their rescue from sea. Readers of the I Survived series who are ready for a new challenge will enjoy this series. Includes photographs.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

During WWII, a German submarine torpedoed the ship Laconia that had about 1700 people on it - a mix of domestic passengers, Italian POWs, and crew members. As with most stories like this, the people had no notice, were thrown or jumped into the water, lifeboats were damaged or impossible to access, sharks and barracudas swarmed, food and water were scarce, days were hot and nights were cold, etc. What makes this story unusual, however, was that the German submarine captain who torpedoed them stuck around a little while, somehow realized that there were women, children, and Italian POWs in the water. He organized a massive rescue effort and went back for some of the people himself. Other events transpired from there, too many to detail here, but make for an engaging read, different from other books of this ilk.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

On September 12, 1942, the British ship Laconia was sunk by a German submarine off the African coast. The attack quickly became a rescue mission when the German sub-commander learned that nearly 1,800 Italian POWs—his allies—were aboard the Laconia and faced drowning. The rescue then became an unprecedented moment in wartime history: the German commander decided to rescue everyone on the Laconia, whether allies or enemies.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is very similar to all the other books on the true survival series. I enjoyed that the authors chose to highlight the humanitarian efforts of a German submarine commander and that he was supported by his commander in turn.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A World War II survival story with dire situations resulting form moral quandaries at sea and vivid depictions of severe dehydration.

[Great Books]

Graduates of Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived series will be swept up in the suspense of this rich, multi-perspective account of the sinking of British WWII ship Laconia.

Reviewer #6

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this was a juvenile fiction book, it was still about a part of history I was not aware of and interesting. I enjoyed reading it and learning more about WWII.

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it 10 out 10 a quick easy fast paced read

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Mark Dombek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enrapturing

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book that is engaging to read for kids and adults. The days out at sea in the life boats must have been harrowing.

[Sara Pitts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book! I felt like I was part of the book and attached to the characters! Definitely recommend this one!