50th anniversary of the USS Liberty

[7wo7rees]

http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/06/02/infamy-at-sea-israels-attack-on-the-uss-liberty-50-years-later/

In early June of 1967, at the onset of the Six Day War, the Pentagon sent the USS Liberty from Spain into international waters off the coast of Gaza to monitor the progress of Israel’s attack on the Arab states. The Liberty was a lightly armed surveillance ship.

Only hours after the Liberty arrived it was spotted by the Israeli military. The IDF sent out reconnaissance planes to identify the ship. They made eight trips over a period of three hours. The Liberty was flying a large US flag and was easily recognizable as an American vessel.

Soon more planes came. These were Israeli Mirage III fighters, armed with rockets and machine guns. As off-duty officers sunbathed on the deck, the fighters opened fire on the defenseless ship with rockets and machine guns.

A few minutes later a second wave of planes streaked overhead, French-built Mystere jets, which not only pelted the ship with gunfire but also with napalm bomblets, coating the deck with the flaming jelly. By now, the Liberty was on fire and dozens were wounded and killed, excluding several of the ship’s top officers.

The Liberty’s radio team tried to issue a distress call, but discovered the frequencies had been jammed by the Israeli planes with what one communications specialist called “a buzz....... Go to link for the rest

[MADem]

1. A LT named Ennes on that vessel during the attack wrote a ripping good read on the event

You may be able to find it in the library. It goes into detail re: the quirks and particulars of the crew, and tells a very vivid story of the events leading up to the attack, the attack itself, and the aftermath of it as well. I read the book years ago and it held my interest--there are some photographs in it as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Assault-Liberty-James-Ennes-Jr/dp/0972311602

[7wo7rees]

2. If you go to link provided, Ennes account is there

This is a subject to be held to account!

[MADem]

4. The whole book is worth reading. nt

[burrowowl]

3. I remember it

Israel did it on purpose.