In 1943, Josephine Pratchett and her family were on board Allied ship RMS Laconia when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat 600 miles off the coast of west Africa.
Listen to an interview with Josephine.
The order was given by Commander Werner Hartenstein. When Hartenstein realised what he’d done, he ordered his men to rescue the survivors.
The long way home
After rescuing nearly 400 survivors, Commander Hartenstein radios for help. American forces think it’s a trick and attack, leaving Hartenstein no choice: he orders Josephine and other survivors back into their lifeboats.
Jo tells host Jonathan Groubert how she and her family survived an almost certain death for the second time.
Taken from the latest edition of The State We're In - The Extra Mile.
The Sinking of the Laconia is now a British-German produced TV film, written by Alan Bleasdale.
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my dad was on that ship sss laconia 1942 not 1943 he was a butcher and he was takeing prision he has a good memory and and he is 88 years old and he is half blind and he is the only suvivor his name is ted edward johnson if you whant two get in touch number is 200 9707 thank you this is his son barry emailg two you
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