Today in History – 23 June

The Refah Disaster

Refah cargo ship assigned to bring back the submarines and squadrons ordered from the United Kingdom was torpedoed and sunk by an unidentified submarine near Cyprus on June 23, 1941. The small group of survivors that reached the shores of Karataş in a single lifeboat led to both great joy and sorrow in the country. 168 select crewmembers lost their lives and 32 were rescued by sheer luck.

Prior to World War II, Turkey had ordered 4 submarines, 4 destroyers, 12 landing crafts, and 4 squadrons from the United Kingdom, but the order had been delayed by the onset of the war. When the German-Turkish Non-Aggression Pact was signed, the UK sent a message to the Turkish government notifying them that the order was ready to be delivered. The British government asked the necessary crew to be sent to the UK to take the submarines Burak Reis, Murat Reis, Oruç Reis, and Uluç Reis, as well as the 4 squadrons.

Turkey sent off the crew, which was supposed to travel to Egypt first by way of sea and then cross over to Britain with the Queen Mary.

Although it was alleged that Refah was accidentally sunk by the French, the claims were never substantiated. Those responsible for sending off such a poorly equipped ship were acquitted from all charges.