Assault on the Liberty

by James M. Ennes Jr., Cover art by Pierre Mion (Illustrator), Robert Loomis (Editor)

In June, 1967, jet aircraft and motor torpedo boats of Israel brutally assaulted an American naval vessel, the USS Liberty, in international waters off the Sinai Peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. Thirty-four men died and 172 were wounded. The author was an officer on the bridge when the attack started and subsequently spent many years researching and documenting this meticulous account of the attack and the cover-up that followed.

Genres: History, Politics, Military History, Military Fiction, American History, Israel, Conspiracy Theories

299 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 1979

Reviews

[Jason Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public persons are free to assail and insult every nation in the world -- including their own United States -- except Israel. Note that AIPAC is by far the most influential lobbying firm in America and you're labeled an anti-Semite (witness Mearsheimer and Walt's treatment...). Become critical of Israel in Congress and you're likely not to get re-elected (read Congressman Findley's They Dare to Speak Out). Write a book on our beloved "ally" deliberately and repeatedly attacking a US Navy technical research vessel in international waters in broad daylight with the Stars and Stripes flapping in the wind and you're labeled a conspiracy theorist.

Such is the state of public discourse in America today. Most non-historians, I dare say, have never heard of the attack on the USS LIBERTY. In 1967, during the Six Day War, LIBERTY was cruising in the Mediterranean in international waters. Though technically a "research vessel", it is/was no secret that she was a "spy ship", fitted with sophisticated communications equipment capable of intercepting signals traffic. After being flown over at low altitude several times by Israeli aircraft (making her identity unmistakable), LIBERTY was subsequently strafed and torpedoed by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats, killing 34 US sailors.

Distress signals from LIBERTY were received by the USS SARATOGA, which on two occasions launched Phantoms to assist LIBERTY. On both occasions, the rescue planes were called back by Secretary McNamara.

Despite the accusations of "conspiracy theory," many senior government representatives, including then-Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Moorer, have publicly stated their belief that LIBERTY was attacked deliberately by the Israelis. Ennes provides a moving and thorough account. No student of American history, Naval history, or American foreign policy should miss this book.

[Faris · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the Second in Command on that fateful day comes the true revealing of a most infamous day in American/Israeli relations. All the facts are covered in this book,rebuking the absurd lies offered by the Israeli Govt at that time and to this day.
From locations,wind speed,Flag size, to the number of reconnaissance flights flown by Israeli aircraft, to the stories later told/and sealed by the govts of both countries, it's all laid out quite sadly, how a intelligence ship, with only two machine guns for protection was systematically attacked with rockets,napalm,cannon fire, then torpedoed, and life rafts shot up by gunboats when lowered to the water. Sad comment on our "ally" in the Middle East. With friends like that.....

[Max Misch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harrowing eyewitness account of the deadly Israeli attack on a U.S. Navy ship.

[Rawda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read the " Assault On The Liberty" you feel like it's a fiction story, but unfortunately it's non-fiction. The attack on the USS Liberty which was in international waters off the coast of Egypt during the Six-Day War is one of the most unusual events in the history of modern warfare. James Ennes has captured in print his eye witness account of the brutal attack on a United States Navy ship while serving as a commissioned officer aboard the USS Liberty. This attack led to the deaths of 34 of his shipmates and 171 were gravely injured in an unprovoked attack by Israeli armed forces. What is profoundly shocking is the deliberate cover-up and obfuscation of this tragedy by both the American and Israeli governments. Thanks to James Ennes, and the other Liberty survivors, and their faithful supporters.. Anyhow, the fight for justice goes on.

[Steven H · Rating 1 out of 5]

AN ACCOUNT OF THE ISRAELI ATTACK ON THIS U.S. SHIP IN 1967

James M. Ennes Jr. was “in charge of the [USS Liberty] ship’s division of electronic maintenance technicians” (Pg. 8). He wrote in the Prologue of this 1979 book, that in 1967, the USS Liberty “was suddenly and overwhelmingly attacked in international waters by the air and naval forces of Israel… her life rafts, readied for survivors, were machine-gunned in the water. Thirty-four of her crew died; scores were seriously wounded… a news lid went down over the entire episode… The Navy’s own failures were never exposed or acknowledged, and Israel’s fragile alibi was nurtured and protected… ‘These errors do occur,’ said Secretary of Defense [Robert] McNamara in a report… The attack was an ’inexcusable error of judgment and professional tactics…’ but he insisted that it was an understandable wartime error.’ Little more was printed anywhere about the Liberty affair… I began taking notes, interviewing and corresponding with other survivors of the attack, and piecing together this story of what REALLY happened on and around June 8, 1967.”

Although “Drinking aboard ship was a serious offense… [and] casual drinking aboard ship was something new to me. Drinking by the executive officer [XO] was unheard of.” (Pg. 7) “our executive officer… Lieutenant Commander Philip McCutcheon Armstrong… was an exceptionally heavy drinker who imbibed almost constantly---about a quart of whiskey every day… Philip was a chain smoker who admitted to smoking five packs of nonfiltered … cigarettes daily…” (Pg. 31-32, 34)

He recounts, “Apprehension toward our mission increased as men in my division reminded me of their fears that we would get involved in a Middle East war. Nasser was clearly itching for a conflict with Israel. He had expelled the … United Nations peacekeeping force. Next, he ordered a blockade of the Gulf of Aqaba to cut off Israel’s oil from Iran, and he assembled an invasion force alone the Israeli border. It seemed that war would explode at any moment, while USS Liberty … prepared to enter the scene.” (Pg. 31)

He reports, “In Washington… staff officers concluded that Liberty’s position near Gaza was no longer necessary nor wise. That decision, I have been told, grew from a routine staff study of risks and rewards---not from any clear sense of danger.” (Pg. 51) He continues, “The Joint Chiefs of Staff remained concerned about Liberty… Unfortunately, McCain’s staff suffered from an incurable bureaucrat’s disease: messagitis… It took JCS little more than an hour… to tell Liberty to remain at least one hundred miles from the coast… Liberty would never receive her copy of this message either… it was filed in error without action, never to be delivered… The Joint Chiefs of Staff … inserted in the second message a requirement that each addressee acknowledge receipt by messages to JCS… USS Liberty failed to acknowledge receipt… The fail-safe system failed… A warning to mariners was broadcast… ‘Warning: all vessels are required to keep away from the coasts of Israel during darkness.’ Undaunted and unaware that her orders had been changed, Liberty steamed on.” (Pg. 53-54)

He gives a first-person account of the attack (one of the book’s best points): “We were being pounded with a deadly barrage of aircraft and rocket fire… Around me, scattered about carelessly, men squirmed helplessly, like wounded animals---wide-eyed, terrified, not understanding what had happened… The taste of blood was strong in my mouth as I tested my good leg… Already the pilothouse was littered with helpless and frightened men. Blood flowed… everywhere. Men stepped in blood, slipped and fell in it… These were brave men… But these were also confused and frightened men, inexperienced in combat… Another barrage of rockets hit the ship. Although the first airplane caused a permanent ringing in my ears and forever robbed me of high-frequency hearing, the attacks seems no less noisy… And still the attacks continued.” (Pg. 70-73)

He continues, “We still had no idea who was attacking… we knew that the Arab air forces were crippled and probably unable to launch an attack like this one. And to increase the confusion, a ship’s officer … quickly spread a false report … that we were being attacked by the Soviet Union. Probably no one suspected Israeli forces.” (Pg. 81) “We had no way of knowing that ‘our’ jet fighters waited lifelessly on the flight decks of the Sixth Fleet aircraft carrier force, crippled by diplomacy and inept planning. ‘Where are our jets?’ we asked each other. We were promised help and we were told that help was on the way, but no friendly forces were anywhere near us while an enemy---we still didn’t know who---machine-gunned us.” (Pg. 109) “[O]nly a few men had seen the Israeli markings on the helicopters… Others were certain that the attackers were Egyptian. Hardly anyone suspected Israeli forces.” (Pg. 117)

Before long, “the Israeli government had hastily summoned the U.S. naval attaché to report that an unidentified [maybe Navy’ ship had been erroneously attacked… the American embassy reported the Israeli apology to everyone concerned.” (Pg. 119) He adds, “The immediate White House reaction to the attack, I am told by a former staff member, was to accept Israel’s apology at face value though there was considerable skepticism that the attack was entirely accidental. The feeling was strong that Israel had nothing to gain and much to lose in attacking a United States ship; consequently, it was felt that if the attack WAS deliberate, it resulted not from a premeditated act of the Israeli government, but rather from a tactical decision of some local military official---and no evidence supported even that suspicion. Besides, the President[‘s] … major concern was to bring about an end to the war before the Soviet Union stepped in; a confrontation with Israel would likely destroy the leverage he needed.” (Pg. 120)

He explains, “In Washington, apparently while the ship was still under attack… they were faced with the vexing problem of how to describe her mission. Phil G. Goulding, assistant secretary for public affairs, argued that the ship was an intelligence collector and should be identified as such… But the United States government had never declared officially that any of its peacetime ships were in the intelligence-collection business, and the intelligence and diplomatic authorities argued against making such a declaration now.” (Pg. 151)

He continues, “Israeli newspapers reported that the American flag was not flying [on the ship]. Pentagon officials added that there was little wind in the area and that our flag ‘may have hung limp and unrecognizable at the mast.’ The public was now convinced that the flag either was not flying at all or was hanging limp at the mast on a windless day. The news stories from Washington seemed torn in two directions. On one side was the need to tell the story as… accurately as possible… the other side was a diplomatic and political need to give Israel the benefit of reasonable doubt.” (Pg. 154-155)

He argues. “evidence suggests that the … Liberty was indeed attacked to prevent her from detecting and reporting preparations for the Syrian invasion. For that aspect to be explored, Liberty crewmen would have had to talk freely and openly with the press. And few Liberty crewmen ever got that chance.” (Pg. 174) Later, he adds, “with the war virtually over and with the world crying for peace, could Israel put troops in Syria without being seen as the aggressor?... Not with the USS Liberty so close to shore and presumably listening. Liberty would have to go.” (Pg. 258) He laments, “The United States asked for only a token payment for the loss of the ship… The bill remains unpaid as this book goes to press in 1979.” (Pg. 241)

He acknowledges of the testimony of commanding officer William L. McGonagle’s that his “memory was faulty… I am convinced that there truly are large gaps in his recollection… For instance, he seems to have no recollection at all of the initial rocket attack… Such … oversight seems more a trick of memory than a deliberate attempt to cover-up. Memory gaps are common among Liberty survivors…” (Pg. 247) He adds, “American failure either to protect or to move the ship after a protest and implied threat would certainly compound our government’s responsibility for whatever followed.” (Pg. 251)

He concludes, “Much of the Liberty story is still a puzzle; for each question answered, another looms in its place. We know that the true story of the attack was covered up, but was it covered up by habit, fear and blind overreaction, or did a responsible American official deliberately withhold the truth? Was the cover-up ordered by the President of the United States?... Why has our government not demanded a better explanation? These questions cry out for answers… Perhaps the time has come for a committee of Congress to explore the remaining questions…” (Pg. 262-263)

This book will be of great interest to those studying this matter.

[Frank Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a scary book. It presages all kinds of awful things in the Mideast. It's clear from the author -- who was a senior US Naval officer on the boat -- that the attack came from Israel. It is also clear that there had to have been a rogue element in the Israeli military which resented the spyship. The USS Liberty was indeed a spy ship -- essentially run by the National Security Agency (see the Puzzle Palace).
Regardless of your poliitical affiliation, this attack was nothing more than a terror attack on the US. Sadly, American aircraft carriers were far off in the Med when the boat was attacked.
This book reads like a novel. Almost unbelievable. Especially for the time. Yes, the Israeli's apologized. And yes this was hushed up. But those who don't believe the account, consider this: the commander officer of the USS Liberty received a Congressiional Medial of Honor. It was the first CMH presented to a living recipient by a non President. Why? Not to call attention on the sad event that left many American sailors dead!

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LIBERTY INCIDENT: "The extent of the U.S. casualties sustained, the Israeli failure to identify the ship as American despite prominent display of flag and signals, and the persistence of the attack after identification should have been obvious, all contribute to the suspicion that Israel knew the ship to be American from the start, and attacked because of fear that the vessel's intelligence gathering efforts could harm Israel" (from page 332 in the book titled Elusive Victory by Trevor N. Dupuy, copyright 1978)

"...the senior leadership of NSA ... strongly believed that Israel feared what the Liberty might have intercepted, and therefore ordered it killed leaving no survivors." (from page 231 in the book titled Body of Secrets by James Bamford, copyright 2001)

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I found the writing of this book to be sort of a trudge to get through, meaning it was really complex and technical, the content was quite important and intriguing. I do subscribe to the notion that the government lies to us about everything and here is just one more example. Who has even heard of this incident? Israel attacks our ship and gets away with it. Way more to the story. What was fun about this book for me was the used copy I read had notes in the margins presumably from the original owner and that guy had some good comments. I always recommend a person read as much about history as possible and ESPECIALLY about the lies the government tells.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always knew that the Liberty incident was a fouled up mess, but until reading this book I had not realized how messed up. This book was written by one of the surviving officers of the ship. It proves fairly well the theory that the attack was deliberate (something I had always believed) and that a cover up was committed to prevent embarrassment to the Johnson administration. The stories in books, when I was growing up always had seemed to lack something that this book has, eyewitness first hand accounts of the incident, and the actual messages that had passed back and forth.

[Michael Barsoum · Rating 4 out of 5]

السؤال اللى جه فى ذهنى :
ممكن دولة صغيرة تتغاضى عن طلعة بلطجة لدولة عظمى و تقول يعنى حعملها ايه ؟؟؟

لكن اما الولايات المتحدة ، القوة العظمى تتهاجملها سفينة فى المياة الدولية و يتقتل 43 مواطن امريكى غدر كده و من مين ؟؟؟

من اسرائيل ، الولاية 51 و الطفلة المدللة
و تيجى الحكومة الامريكية و تدارى عليها و ترفض سماع شهادات البحارة و القادة و تألف رواية تبرئ فيها اسرائيل و تقبل الاعتذار الاسرائيلى من قبل ما تعرف اللى حصل حتى و تكتفى بوصف المجزرة ب ( الحادث المأسوى )

هنا ممكن نعرف مين اللى محتاج لمين اكتر
زمان او دلوقتى

[Carl Forsling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting personal account of an often overlooked event. Well researched and sourced.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author makes a very good case that the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty was deliberate and not an accident.

[Pelaut · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale of bloodlust, treachery and betrayal. Shocking..

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

good stuff, reads like a thriller.

[Peter Mayeux]

This is an eyewitness account of a May, 1967, Israeli attack on an American intelligence ship, the USS Liberty. It explores in depth the negligence, cover-up, and misconduct surrounding this tragic event. It is thoroughly researched and creatively written. It provides the human aspects of this usually neglected incident. There are vivid descriptions of the Israeli aircraft and submarine attacks on the Liberty.

A strategic map of the Liberty's travel route was helpful as were photos of the crew. The book answers a researcher's wish for more documentation; there are 19 appendices detailing how the ship came under fire, the military's unresponsiveness to pleas for help, the military judicial review of the incident, Israel's response to the U.S. Navy assessment of the disaster, and the final Navy and U.S. Government comments and assessments of the attack.

This book will hold your attention even if you do not have a navy or military background. The book would be especially interesting to readers who want to thoroughly trace a specific military event.

[Rhuff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An out-of-print work now more timely than ever, this is the recollection of cryptographic specialist James M. Ennes, Jr. who served aboard the Technical Research Ship "Liberty" attacked and nearly sunk by Israeli fighter planes during the Six-Day War of June, 1967. Ennes was on deck during the bombing and witnessed the scouting of his ship by Israeli reconnaissance flights prior to the attack. Thus, to Ennes, Israeli planes surely knew who and what they were attacking. The resulting coverup by the CIA and Navy not only points to this foreknowledge; subsequent refusals to declassify reports and documents reinforces the obvious conclusion.

Ennes' reasons for the why of the attack remain legally "speculative," but piecing the facts chronologically leave little doubt-room. Lyndon Johnson told Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban that the US could help Israel only if its actions were deemed defensive. Thus Israel went to great lengths to label all its military offensives as the opposite, from the pre-emptive attack on the Egyptian Air Force to the invasions of Jordan and Sinai. The "Liberty" was dispatched from the base at Rota, Spain, to monitor radio signals off the Gaza coast, and was in prime position to intercept traffic pertaining to the Israeli attack on Syria and the Golan Heights. Stopping the "Liberty" from blowing this cover story was the prime objective.

No sooner had the "Liberty" been disabled with 34 deaths than Israel immediately launched its conquest of the Golan Heights, with no one to deny its story of defensive operations. According to Ennes' sources, the ship was spared sinking and complete destruction only by an Israeli commander who vehemently defied Moshe Dayan. Thus the attack was deliberate. Israel, then as now, drew no distinction between friend or foe when it set course to do what it wanted to do - which was keep its attack on Syria out of the ears of Washington.

Ennes also debunks some of the rationales for why the "Liberty" allegedly deserved its fate. There was no "Big Ear" radar with range capability of 100 to 500 miles. There was no atomic submarine nearby maintaining contact with "Liberty." The Israeli government was not unaware of whom it hit, but knew quite well the ship's identity six hours prior to attacking.

The event was swept under the rug, "compensation" (hush money) paid to widows and survivors, gag orders to crewmen issued, investigative efforts stymied, and Israeli disinformation touted at face value. But there was no "fog of war": the attack's objectives were as crystal-clear as the Mediterranean sun and sky of that long-ago yet so contemporary-reading June. Definitely worth a reading now in light of the gumptious "hasbara" flaunted by Israel's Foreign Office today, and its eager sucking-up by a tag-along media and complicit American security institutions. His ending hope - that his book "may help make the next cover-up a bit more difficult to pull off" - has been realized only by its unavoidable magnitude.

[Marcus Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ineptitude, cover up, deliberate lies, government complicity in stonewalling…all are covered in this book on the 1967 attack n the US Navy ship Liberty. Based on info and attitudes cited in this work, it’s no wonder there is skepticism about what happens in the Middle East

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account. I recommend reading on Six Days War simultaneously or immediately thereafter.

[Tiago Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise teel of the incident by one of the officers in the Spy Ship Liberty

[Kevin Keating · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an important book on a neglected and repressed subject - the deliberate Israeli attack on a US Naval vessel during the Six Day War in 1967. Killed 34 men and almost sank the ship. Written by a survivor, it contradicts the account issued by our government at the time, and this probably led to the Pueblo and Mayaguez incidents in the ensuing decade. So although it doesn't flow as well as books written by professional historians, it's very interesting and well-documented.