WW2 Trivia Archive

The Rohna was sunk by a German He 293 guided missile on November 26, 1943, off the Algerian coast, killing 1,015 American soldiers — the largest loss of American troops at sea from enemy action outside Pearl Harbor. The government suppressed reporting not primarily out of concern for families or operational security about the ship's route, but specifically to protect intelligence about Germany's guided missile capability. Survivors were ordered not to discuss the incident. The suppression lasted until 1967, and the first national commemoration ceremony was not held until 1998.