The Attack on the USS Liberty

In 1967, an American ship was attacked by Israeli fighters, but the event is largely forgotten in history.

On 8 June 1967, the first rays of the sun shone on the waves. A dozen miles north in the Mediterranean, the USS Liberty headed east.

As it passed the desert town of El Arish, it came to the attention of those on the shore and started being watched. On the mainland, the 6-day war raged between Israel and the Arab states.

Little did the Liberty know that it was about to become linked to the war forever when the Israeli army attacked it. Whether the attack was deliberate or a case of mistaken identity is a matter of great debate. The administration would like you to think it was an accident, whilst the crew that severed on the ship demand justice.

Identification

Following the Liberty was an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft. Early in the morning, the plane reported to naval headquarters that they could see the markings of GTR-5 on the side of the ship. The call signed was that of the Liberty. The GTR identification stood for a general technical research ship.