The Liberty · Episode 5 of 6
Still Afloat
10:47 · 8 June 1967 · Subscribers
Liberty refuses Israeli help and leaves under its own power while McGonagle stays in command until American ships arrive.
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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.
- 3Locked
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.
- 5Playing
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 Liberty's bridge and Israeli naval headquarters in Haifa, the afternoon of 8 June 1967
Terry HalbardierThey're in close now, Captain. Cannon and machine guns... all along the hull.
William McGonagleGet down, Halbardier. DOWN.
Terry HalbardierSir, you're still standing.
William McGonagleSomebody has to watch them.
The naval controllerT-203, say again. You've picked something up?
The naval controllerA life raft. From the ship. ... Read me the markings.
The naval controllerUnited States Navy. ... Say that once more, slowly.
The naval controller... Then what have we been shooting at?
Terry HalbardierCaptain, that leg's bleeding through. Let me get a corpsman up here.
William McGonagleThe corpsmen have men below who are worse off than me.
Terry HalbardierSir, you can't stand on that.
William McGonagleI'm standing on it.
Terry HalbardierFor how long, sir?
William McGonagleUntil somebody comes for her.
Terry HalbardierCaptain... is she going to stay afloat?