Dramatic Photos

Cap Arcona Incident

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On May 3, 1945 , the German transport ships Cap Arcona, Thielbek, and Deutschland came under attack by Typhoon fighter-bombers of the RAF. All three ships were sunk in the Baltic Sea by bombs, rockets and cannon fire. Unbeknown to the pilots however, was that the ships actually contained concentration camp survivors as well as Allied Prisoners of War. Many of the SS guards on board the ships were rescued by German trawlers, but the prisoners were left on board the sinking ships, while other survivors were shot as they swam ashore. It is estimated that almost 10,000 concentration camp survivors were killed in the attack.