The Epic World War II Voyage of the SS Contessa: A Journey through Triumph and Tragedy

World War II was a time of great upheaval and turmoil, affecting the lives of millions around the globe. Within this chaotic era, there were countless stories of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. One such tale is that of the legendary SS Contessa, a ship that embarked on an epic World War II voyage like no other.

The Birth of a Ship

The SS Contessa was built in 1938 at the prestigious Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia. With a length of 546 feet and a tonnage of 14,177, she was a formidable vessel designed for transatlantic voyages. Her luxurious interiors and state-of-the-art facilities made her a popular choice among travelers before the outbreak of the war.

The Call to Duty

When World War II erupted in 1939, the SS Contessa, like many other civilian vessels, was requisitioned by the British government for military service. She was transformed into a troopship capable of carrying over 3,000 soldiers. This marked the beginning of her incredible journey.

Twelve Desperate Miles: The Epic World War II Voyage of the SS Contessa

by Tim Brady (Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5829 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	387 pages

FREE

Triumph: Operation Torch

In 1942, the SS Contessa played a crucial role in Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of Northwest Africa. Loaded with American and British troops, she sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, to Casablanca, Morocco, as part of a massive convoy. The voyage was perilous, with constant threats from German U-boats lurking beneath the waves. However, the SS Contessa showcased her resilience, successfully delivering her troops to the shores of Africa.

Tragedy: Operation Overlord

Two years later, in 1944, the SS Contessa was once again called upon for a momentous mission. This time, she set sail as part of Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious assault in history, aimed at liberating Europe from Nazi occupation. Packed with thousands of soldiers and equipment, the ship departed from Southampton, England, heading for the beaches of Normandy.

The Battle of Normandy

The voyage to Normandy was treacherous, as the SS Contessa had to navigate through heavily fortified German defenses and treacherous waters littered with mines. On June 6, 1944, dubbed D-Day, she entered the chaos of the battle. Despite the intense artillery barrage, the SS Contessa miraculously managed to land her troops on Omaha Beach, one of the most heavily defended sectors. The ship endured significant damage during the operation but played a pivotal role in the success of the invasion.

Legacy and Remembrance

After her heroic endeavors during World War II, the SS Contessa continued to serve in various roles until her retirement in 1964. She was then preserved as a floating museum, commemorating the bravery of those who sailed aboard her. Today, visitors can explore her decks and learn about her fascinating history.

In

The SS Contessa will forever be remembered as a symbol of courage and resilience during World War II. Her epic voyage through triumph and tragedy showcases the incredible feats achieved by both the ship and its crew. From the treacherous waters of the Atlantic to the storming of Omaha Beach, the SS Contessa prevailed, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Twelve Desperate Miles: The Epic World War II Voyage of the SS Contessa

by Tim Brady (Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5829 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	387 pages

FREE

The Dirty Dozen meets Band of Brothers in this true story of how a rusty old New Orleans banana boat staffed with an unlikely crew of international merchant seamen, a gang of inmates from a local jail, and a French harbor pilot spirited out of Morocco by O.S.S. agents in the trunk of a Chevy, were drafted into service in WWII -- and heroically succeeded in setting the stage for Patton's epic invasion of North Africa.

     The largest amphibious invasion force ever to cross the Atlantic Ocean set sail from Virginia for North Africa in November 1942.  Operation Torch was the true beginning of the liberation of Europe since control of Northwestern Africa — Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia -- gave the Allies a base on the Mediterranean for the coming invasion of southern Europe.  The prime objectives of the Moroccan invasion, headed by General George Patton, were the port city of Casablanca and an airfield 60 miles northeast of the city, which had the only concrete runways in the region.  Unfortunately, the field was located a dozen miles up a shallow, twisting Moroccan river that wound its way down from the Atlas Mountains to the Atlantic.  Patton needed five hundred tons of highly volatile airplane fuel and nine hundred tons of bombs delivered to that Moroccan airport to supply his planned air campaign against Casablanca, but he faced a major challenge: the river was too shallow for any available transport ship in the entire Allied fleet.  As the clock ticked down on the invasion, the War Department searched every harbor and cove in the Atlantic and only at the last moment turned up the Contessa, a salt-caked, rust-stained Honduran-registered civilian freighter that had spent most of her undistinguished career hauling bananas and honeymooners from New Orleans to the river port harbors of the Caribbean.  But at least she would be capable of hauling heavy cargo in shallow waters.
 
     Twelve Desperate Miles tells the incredible story of the Contessa’s role in the opening salvo of World War II.  This unremarkable ship, crewed by seamen from twenty-six different nations and eighteen sailors pulled from the Norfolk County jail, became the focus of the first invasion of the war as it was rushed to Virginia at the insistence of George Patton and quickly retrofitted for war.  Too late to join the safety of the massive convoy sailing for Africa, the Contessa set out on her own through the U-Boat-infested waters of the Atlantic to the shores of Morocco, where shefaced her final and most daunting challenge: the twelve mile voyage up the shallow and well-defended Sebou River, carrying an explosive cocktail of gasoline and bombs in her holds.
 
     In Twelve Desperate Miles, veteran history writer Tim Brady chronicles one of the great untold stories of the war.  This surprising and entertaining account of the baptism of American forces on the Western Front is a mix of Moroccan intrigue, portraits of some of the great figures of the war (Patton, Eisenhower, Marshall, General Lucian Truscott) at its outset, snapshots of the daily workings of the colorful crew of a merchant ship, along with a thrilling account of the invasion of French Morocco. Twelve Desperate Miles offers a unique and fascinating picture of the war in its opening moments.