Into the Danger Zone by Tad Fitch

Author:Tad Fitch
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750957984
Publisher: The History Press
Published: 2014-09-28T16:00:00+00:00

The view from a U-boat on patrol. (Authors’ Collection)

As the ship sailed along, it steamed directly into the minefield laid by U-75, and was torn open by a tremendous explosion, sinking in minutes. Due to the gale conditions and the quickness with which the ship sank, 643 of those aboard perished, including Kitchener and his staff.31 There were around twelve survivors.32 Perhaps the last person to see Kitchener alive was Seaman Charles Rogerson:

I saw Captain (Herbert) Savill help the crew clear away the galley. The captain was calling to Lord Kitchener to go into the boat, but owing to the noise and wind and sea Lord Kitchener apparently failed to hear him.

When the explosion occurred, Lord Kitchener walked calmly from the captain’s cabin and climbed the ladder to the quarterdeck. I saw him walking quite coolly and collectedly, and talking to two officers … He quietly awaited the preparations to abandon ship …

Owing to the rough weather, no boats could be lowered … Some men got into the boats, thinking that if the ship went down the boats would float, but the ship sunk by the head, turning a somersault forward, and engulfing the boats and those in them.

When I sprang on to a raft, Lord Kitchener was still on the starboard side of the quarterdeck … So little time elapsed between my leaving the ship and her sinking that I feel certain that Lord Kitchener went down with her while standing on the deck.33

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