Hi, everyone -- A few of you noted the discrepancy with Gannon looking to the "western sky," which is a good catch. I didn't notice that at first. I've since investigated and figured it out..... I obtained several of these quotes from the newspapers and book reviews that were published when Gannon's book was released. In one of them, I thought they meant that this was Gannon's view of the explosion. I dug further and now I see that he was describing what one of the German officers told him later. The German sub hadn't moved to shallow waters yet, so the Germans would have been looking west. I've fixed that paragraph. My apologies for the mistake!
Thank you Tara. This is the first that I have heard of the sinking of the SS Gulfamerica. I didn't even hear about the "reunion" of the U boat Commander in Jacksonville in 1990, until now.
I find that your slant on this story to be a welcome one because you could have easily overlooked the humanity of the situation. U boat Commander Hardegens actions on that night in 1942 proves that war is evil and ugly, not necessarily its participants. Also, I wasn't aware that there were so many sinkings so close to our shores. It's almost a stretch to say that we weren't attacked on our homeland during WW2.
Wow, there are so many facets to this lesson! No coastal blackouts during war time. A German U-boat commander taking risks to avoid injuries to civilian population, a visit by that U-boat commander to the location of the attack some 48 years later, and being greeted in a friendly manner.... There is so much to take in here.
This is a new piece of history I didn’t know. It’s an eye opening. Interesting that years later Gannon would interview Hardegen and get the rest of the story.
Wars are fought between Countries and Governments. People are the instrument but we should not hold their service against them. War crimes are another matter to discuss another day.
I don't think he should have been honored. There is nothing honorable about firing on unarmed civilians. It is honorable of the Jacksonvillians to acknowledge the German captain sought to minimize the murder of civilians.
Yeah, sorry. All of you were really on the ball with that this morning. I hadn't noticed that part. Here is the explanation I just posted to the top of the string:
Hi, everyone -- A few of you noted the discrepancy with Gannon looking to the "western sky," which is a good catch. I didn't notice that at first. I've since investigated and figured it out..... I obtained several of these quotes from the newspapers and book reviews that were published when Gannon's book was released. In one of them, I thought they meant that this was Gannon's view of the explosion. I dug further and now I see that he was describing what one of the German officers told him later. The German sub hadn't moved to shallow waters yet, so the Germans would have been looking west. I've fixed that paragraph. My apologies for the mistake!
I don't know if you get notified when I respond to Bill, so repeating it here, too...... 🙂
Yeah, sorry. All of you were really on the ball with that this morning. I hadn't noticed that part. Here is the explanation I just posted to the top of the string:
Hi, everyone -- A few of you noted the discrepancy with Gannon looking to the "western sky," which is a good catch. I didn't notice that at first. I've since investigated and figured it out..... I obtained several of these quotes from the newspapers and book reviews that were published when Gannon's book was released. In one of them, I thought they meant that this was Gannon's view of the explosion. I dug further and now I see that he was describing what one of the German officers told him later. The German sub hadn't moved to shallow waters yet, so the Germans would have been looking west. I've fixed that paragraph. My apologies for the mistake!
Hi, everyone -- A few of you noted the discrepancy with Gannon looking to the "western sky," which is a good catch. I didn't notice that at first. I've since investigated and figured it out..... I obtained several of these quotes from the newspapers and book reviews that were published when Gannon's book was released. In one of them, I thought they meant that this was Gannon's view of the explosion. I dug further and now I see that he was describing what one of the German officers told him later. The German sub hadn't moved to shallow waters yet, so the Germans would have been looking west. I've fixed that paragraph. My apologies for the mistake!
Thank you Tara. This is the first that I have heard of the sinking of the SS Gulfamerica. I didn't even hear about the "reunion" of the U boat Commander in Jacksonville in 1990, until now.
I find that your slant on this story to be a welcome one because you could have easily overlooked the humanity of the situation. U boat Commander Hardegens actions on that night in 1942 proves that war is evil and ugly, not necessarily its participants. Also, I wasn't aware that there were so many sinkings so close to our shores. It's almost a stretch to say that we weren't attacked on our homeland during WW2.
Thank you, Tara, for a little known of story of war very near our shores and a German commander who did not want to take civilian lives!
Great story!!
Wow, there are so many facets to this lesson! No coastal blackouts during war time. A German U-boat commander taking risks to avoid injuries to civilian population, a visit by that U-boat commander to the location of the attack some 48 years later, and being greeted in a friendly manner.... There is so much to take in here.
Agreed..
Thanks Tara! This one is news to me. Glad the German Commander was protective to civilians.
This is a new piece of history I didn’t know. It’s an eye opening. Interesting that years later Gannon would interview Hardegen and get the rest of the story.
It's always nice to welcome someone who was on the ultimate losing end!
I live in Jacksonville, all my life.. I have never heard this story. Will seek out the book. Thanks Tara.. your stories are amazing..
Wars are fought between Countries and Governments. People are the instrument but we should not hold their service against them. War crimes are another matter to discuss another day.
I don't think he should have been honored. There is nothing honorable about firing on unarmed civilians. It is honorable of the Jacksonvillians to acknowledge the German captain sought to minimize the murder of civilians.
Isn't the ocean East of Jacksonville?
Yeah, sorry. All of you were really on the ball with that this morning. I hadn't noticed that part. Here is the explanation I just posted to the top of the string:
Hi, everyone -- A few of you noted the discrepancy with Gannon looking to the "western sky," which is a good catch. I didn't notice that at first. I've since investigated and figured it out..... I obtained several of these quotes from the newspapers and book reviews that were published when Gannon's book was released. In one of them, I thought they meant that this was Gannon's view of the explosion. I dug further and now I see that he was describing what one of the German officers told him later. The German sub hadn't moved to shallow waters yet, so the Germans would have been looking west. I've fixed that paragraph. My apologies for the mistake!
Yes, it definitely is. I noticed that too. Typo I assume.
I don't know if you get notified when I respond to Bill, so repeating it here, too...... 🙂
Yeah, sorry. All of you were really on the ball with that this morning. I hadn't noticed that part. Here is the explanation I just posted to the top of the string:
Hi, everyone -- A few of you noted the discrepancy with Gannon looking to the "western sky," which is a good catch. I didn't notice that at first. I've since investigated and figured it out..... I obtained several of these quotes from the newspapers and book reviews that were published when Gannon's book was released. In one of them, I thought they meant that this was Gannon's view of the explosion. I dug further and now I see that he was describing what one of the German officers told him later. The German sub hadn't moved to shallow waters yet, so the Germans would have been looking west. I've fixed that paragraph. My apologies for the mistake!
Thanks Tara! Great stuff. My brother used to be in the Navy at NAS JAX and Mayport so I am familiar with the area and it didn't sound right...
As civilized a moment, as can be had during an uncivilized time.
Thank you Tara 😊 for this interesting article never knew about the USS Gulfamerica.
Gives you pause to think of what might be lurking off of our shores. Intelligence is not only
captured by spy balloons over the continent.
Thank you, Tara.
👍👍👍