The Liberty · Episode 3 of 6
GTR-5
10:41 · 8 June 1967 · Subscribers
Air attacks wound McGonagle and set Liberty on fire before a pilot reports its hull marking and Kislev orders the attack stopped.
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Episodes
- 19:48
The Escort
As war begins, McGonagle asks for a destroyer to protect his intelligence ship, but Martin denies the request and promises aircraft if Liberty comes under attack.
- 2Locked
The Green Marker
Israeli observers identify Liberty during morning flights, but naval command removes its position marker before reports of shelling send torpedo boats toward Arish.
- 3Playing
GTR-5
Air attacks wound McGonagle and set Liberty on fire before a pilot reports its hull marking and Kislev orders the attack stopped.
- 4Locked
The Hand Lamp
McGonagle tries to identify Liberty and stop its machine-gun fire while Oren identifies the damaged vessel as Egyptian and his boats launch torpedoes.
- 5Locked
Still Afloat
Liberty refuses Israeli help and leaves under its own power while McGonagle stays in command until American ships arrive.
- 6Locked
The Request
Official findings of error face challenges from McGonagle, other survivors, and later witnesses as records emerge and requests for another investigation continue.
Transcript
8 more scenes need an account.
The air over USS Liberty and the ship's bridge, about 14:00, 8 June 1967
The Israeli pilotKursa leader. I have the ship below me. Going lower for a look.
The Israeli pilotOne smokestack. One mast. She looks like a military ship.
The Israeli pilotCould be a destroyer... or some other small ship of that kind.
James EnnesCaptain. Captain, you're hit. Your leg.
William McGonagleNever mind that. Watch the aircraft.
James EnnesYou're bleeding all over the deck, sir. Let the corpsman take you below.
William McGonagleI'm not going below, Mr. Ennes. From this wing I can see them come in.
James EnnesSir, there are men down all along the main deck.
William McGonagleThen the corpsman sees to them, not to me. Get hoses on that fire. Find out how much water we're taking. And keep her turning.
James EnnesHere they come AGAIN.
William McGonagleThen we keep turning.
James EnnesCaptain... who do they think we ARE?