The Tragic Sinking of MV Wilhelm Gustloff: WWII’s Forgotten Maritime Disaster

One of the worst maritime disasters of WWII that no one really talks about…

Pre-War Use and Nazi Propaganda

Originally launched in 1937, the MV Wilhelm Gustloff was a fairly modern ocean liner. Though originally operated by Hamburg Süd, the vessel itself was actually owned by the German Labour Front, which was the national labor organization of the Nazi Party.

While those outside of Germany would see the ship as just another cruise ship, the Wilhelm Gustloff was actually another piece of the Nazi propaganda machine. Though owned by the German Labour Front, the ship was primarily used by the Gemeinschaft Kraft durch Freude (Strength Through Joy) organization. Basically, it was a state-operated leisure organization that was created as a tool to promote the advantages of Nazism to the German people and internationally. The Gustloff was one of those “perks” of being a member of the Nazi Party.

War-Time Service and Transformation

Before the war, the ship was used to ferry party members on pleasure cruises in the North Sea. But that all changed when war broke out and the ship was eventually transferred to the Kriegsmarine. The ship was first used as a hospital ship and then as a barracks ship for the 2nd Submarine Training Division in Gdynia. But it would be in 1945 when she would meet her ultimate fate.

Operation Hannibal and Final Voyage

As the Soviets began to push towards Germany, the Wilhelm Gustloff was soon pressed into service for Operation Hannibal, the mass evacuation of both German civilians and military personnel from the east, back towards Germany or friendly territory. I must point out that initially, the vessel was meant to carry just under 1,500 passengers, but on her final voyage, the ship was said to have been carrying well over 10,000 civilians, military personnel, and equipment when she left Gotenhafen at 12:30pm.

Escorted by two other vessels, the Wilhelm Gustloff made its way into the Baltic when it was eventually sighted by the Soviet Submarine S-13. At around 9:00 pm, S-13 fired four torpedoes at the lumbering liner, whose crew was unaware of the submarine’s presence. Three of the torpedoes struck the Gustloff and instantly crippled the overcrowded ship. It would take just under an hour for the former cruise ship to sink, and although it is unclear as to exactly how many people were on board, it is believed that up to 9,600 people died that night. Most died due to the freezing waters of the Baltic Sea at that time of the year, while others drowned as they were unable to escape the sinking ship.

The Aftermath and Historical Significance

Only 1,252 people were successfully pulled from the water alive that night. Despite the civilian losses, the commander of the S-13 was never charged for the incident, as the ship was not only carrying a sizable amount of military personnel but their equipment as well.

The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is seen as one of the worst maritime disasters of WWII.