Revisiting a WWII Mystery 80 Years Later
A strange and tragic mystery from the Second World Warremains unsolved 80 years later. The true story is a sad one, as 69 lives were lost. The mystery, however, lies in the fact that the bodies and the ship itself have never been found
The Cythera is a significant piece of American Naval history. The 120-year-old ship began life as a private yacht and was later re-designated for use in war. Historians also note that it was remarkably involved in both World War I and World War II.
On May 2, 1942, the Cythera was sunk by a German U-Boat off the coast of North Carolina. Two surviving crew members were captured by the Germans and taken to a POW camp in Prussia.
No other sailors from the Cythera have been accounted for. The vessel has not been uncovered either. The reason for this continuing WWII mystery is that identifying precise locations undersea is still challenging.
Researchers are hopeful that with new technology revealing images of WWII-era shipwrecks, it may be the Cythera’s turn soon. Hopefully, answers will come soon and bring closure to this mystery. Read more about this fascinating story here.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get all the latest updates from The Greatest Generation. We would also love it if you would take a minute to sign our petition to give back to the Americans who gave the most.
