Abandon ship! : the true World War II story about the sinking of the Laconia Cover Image

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Abandon ship! : the true World War II story about the sinking of the Laconia / Michael J. Tougias and Alison O'Leary.

Tougias, Michael J., 1955- (author.). O'Leary, Alison, (author.).

Summary:

A remarkable true WWII account of the maritime attack on the RMS Laconia off the West African coast. 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 allies: 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. Some who remained alive endured weeks adrift at sea, fighting for survival with little to eat or drink, and in shark-infested waters. 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. -- Provided by publisher.

Record details

ISBN: 9780316401371
ISBN: 0316401374
Physical Description: 254 pages, 8 pages of unnumbered plates : illustrations, map ; 21 cm.
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: New York : Christy Ottaviano Books, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company, 2023.
Copyright: ©2023

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-251).
Formatted Contents Note:	Pt. I. Laconia before the torpedoes -- The voyage -- pt. II. Laconia torpedoed -- Torpedoes in the night -- Escape -- Into the ocean -- Aboard U-156 -- Hartenstein's call for help -- Another U-boat arrives -- Claude and Chaos in the lifeboat -- Ascension Island -- pt. III. American plane bombing and aftermath -- Bombs from above -- Blown into the sea -- Josephine boards U-507 -- Crash dive -- pt. IV. Weeks in the lifeboats -- No room to sit -- Second chance for survival -- Almost 700 miles to Africa -- Salvation, but not for everyone -- From castaway to POW -- Dangerous beginnings of dehydration -- An axe-swinging madman -- Steely tenacity -- A harsh penalty -- Creeping madness -- Only four were left -- A courageous woman -- Precious water -- Something in the distance -- Still at sea -- pt. V. Post-rescue -- Kind, compassionate people -- At last -- Prison -- Long road to freedom.
Target Audience Note:	Ages 9-14 Little, Brown and Company
Study Program Information Note:	Accelerated Reader AR MG+ 7.5 7 521579.