Help Us Tell People about the Rohna on Veteran’s Day
As Veteran’s Day draws near you can help spread the word about the Rohna Tragedy by sending an email to your local newspaper.
We now have a press release you can copy and paste directly from this page and put into your email. It gives information about the Rohna tragedy, the educational component we’ve developed and about the documentary, Rohna: Classified. It also gives contact information.
Here’s your chance to help us honor the men of the Rohna and “get the word out.”
Veterans Day Release
Media Contact: Janice Pumelia Cell: (917) 887-0953 jetpumelia@gmail.com
History Lesson Unravels WWII Mystery
The Deadliest Sea Disaster in the History of US War
The classified HMT Rohna attack is a compelling story that only recently has been brought to light. A new hi-tech radio-guided missile hit a British transport ship made up of 2,000 US soldiers, which for many of them, was their second day of war. On November 26, 1943, 1015 young men were killed and forgotten along with the classified German attack on the HMT Rohna. One of the first smart bombs ever used in WWII, Hitler’s secret weapon had a devastating effect on its targets until the allies figured out how to jam the frequency of the missiles. The attack was swiftly classified indefinitely and mysteriously left out of the history books. Survivors were sworn to secrecy and never talked about the attack for 50 years, until one survivor decided it was time to tell the truth.
Why was it classified for so long? That’s what the students will have to figure out. The lesson plan is already in use as part of West Haven High School’s Social Studies curriculum in Connecticut and a Pennsylvania State University History Professor recently brought the Rohna story into their US war curriculum.
Upcoming Documentary – Filmmaker Jack Ballo has teamed up with author and historian Michael Walsh to co-produce a documentary about the secret Rohna attack. Ballo and Walsh are committed to not only telling the story through their film, but to reach younger generations, making sure that the Rohna attack is never forgotten. Teachers and educators can download a lesson plan on the film’s website on a page called “In the schools.” https://rohnaclassified.com/in-the-schools
Movie trailer and details are available at the Rohna Classified website.
My uncle Harry Zimmerman was one of the casualties.
My name is Mary Elizabeth Valdez-Lopez. My Daddy was a Rohna Survivor. His name was Jesus F. Valdez. Sadly he passed away on September 25, 2017. We asked him why he never told us what happened to him on The Rohna. He told me he was sworn to never speak of what happened or they would be court-martialed. When we heard his story we were surprised what he went through. He said that him and another soldier were on watch on the tall watchtower. And their shift had ended and they both went into the bathroom to freshen up and do their business. As my Daddy was walking out of the bathroom door, the missile hit. Jamming the bathroom door shut. Trapping his fellow soldier in the bathroom. My Daddy was shot in the leg with shrapnel. He said all the lights went off and he was in total darkness. And the ship was filling with water. He started feeling his way around. When he got hit it damaged his life jacket. He said their was dead soldiers everywhere. He took one of the life jackets off one of the dead soldier. He had to climb over walls to get away from the ship. He said he saw a lifeboat and that it had to be God that pushed it toward him. Along the wY he picked up other wounded soldiers. They were wounded and scared. He prayed the whole time that they would be rescued. And after hours in the water a British ship picked them up and gave them medical treatment , warm dry clothes and food. My Daddy said why would God save him out of so many soldiers that died that night. Why him.
North Brunswick,NJ’ “We Remember “ Committee will be hosting a commemorative Ceremony on Saturday,November 25,2023 at 10:00 am at the Veterans Memorial at Veterans Park in North Brunswick,NJ to remember all who perished as well as survivors including Middlesex and Somerset Counties and New Jersey as we welcome students from North Brunswick to be part of this ceremony to never forget,all family members are invited to attend and to speak at this ceremony which will include a wreath laying and formal bell ringing ,more info please call Pete Clark at 908-307-3270
Is there any future events scheduled? I live in SC . My great uncle was on the Rohna. He did not survive. I have a a photo of him in his Army Air Cor flying gear. Also one in his dress uniform. It would be amazing if someone was still here that knew him then. Sgt Carmine Mastrioanni .