Why was the USS Liberty where it was?

[TCO]

Originally posted by MOBIUS


That's why I emphasised the word 'really'...

Their aim was to attack it, they succeeded. Perhaps they didn't care if they sunk it.

But the point is it remained afloat - I'm sure they could have torpedoed it some more until it sank.

But they didn't.

Maybe the attacks were called off after the US figured out what was happening (conspiracy theory) or once Isreal figured out what happened (accident theory).

I guess, one could use "attacks not being pressed home as some support for a conspiriacy"...but I would want the whole thing fleshed out a little more...before buying off on that aspect. Need to understand the timing issues, the ability of the attacking units, etc.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by GP
1. What about the torpedo boats?

The presence of the torpedo boats seems to cinch the idea that the objective wasn't to sink the ship as they could have merely continued with the assault and finished her off. Could they not?

2. Maybe the ordnance was judged sufficient for a horse carrier. It almost DID sink the Liberty.

I thought that we had already established that they could not have reasonablly thought that it was a horse carrier.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Felch X
Chegitz bumped this because I actively tick him off all the time, but MOBIUS, GP, and DinoDoc, you guys are just being plain mean.

The horse is very dead. You could keep on beating it, but it's just going to make the mush even mushier. So why don't you all at least go on like nice posters and jack a World Cup thread into this discussion and let my crappy thread die an honorable death.

Just cause you started the thread doesn't mean you own it. This one isn't even really jacked. Let it be...

[TCO]

Originally posted by DinoDoc


The presence of the torpedo boats seems to cinch the idea that the objective wasn't to sink the ship as they could have merely continued with the assault and finished her off. Could they not?

1. What were they doing there?
2. Have you reviewed all the chronologies, etc. to assure yourself that it was such a simple matter of loitering while pumping in torpedos? Not saying your wrong. Just not self-evident. And Ennes's site is down now.

2. Maybe the ordnance was judged sufficient for a horse carrier. It almost DID sink the Liberty.

I thought that we had already established that they could not have reasonablly thought that it was a horse carrier. [/QUOTE]

Sure one can make an argument that way. But I haven't assured myself yet, (100% cenrtainty level) that the attack was deliberate. I'd prefer to retain some agnosticism while looking at different peices of the story.

[KrazyHorse]

Why is it called a horse carrier?

[TCO]

I'm referring to the Egyptian ship. I've always assume that a "horse carrier" was...well a ship that carries horsies.

[KrazyHorse]

I know you're referring to Egyptian ship, but if it's a ship that carries horsies then what the hell's the point of even attacking it? It doesn't sound like a prime military target...

Or is the idea just that it's a merchant ship and you sink as much merchant shipping as possible?

[TCO]

I would assume that it's just an easy (but low priority) target. Maybe an excuse for the Isr. Navy to have some action. Also not sure if the ship was an Egypitan merchant ship or an Egytpian military ship. (Just don't know...but you seem to assume it is a merchant. Just because a ship is not a combatant doesn't mean its not a military vessel...Liberty herself would be an example. Also troop ships, oilers, etc.)

[KrazyHorse]

Why does Egyptian military need horses? You've been watching too many Peter O'Toole movies...

[TCO]

No prisoners!!!!

[KrazyHorse]

Have you watched the 60s footage of Chinese cavalry riding through dust storm kicked up by nuke test, sporting rad suits (both horses and soldiers) and bolt-action rifles?

I practically pissed myself when I saw it...

[TCO]

No.

But I have been to the Nevada test site. Went down in a crater. And saw some pretty cool ones, that we couldn't go down in. Plus saw the whole setup for underground testing. (We were still doning tests at that time.) Very neat stuff. Can't really tell details of course...

(No horsies that I saw though...)

[Felch]

Originally posted by GP
Just cause you started the thread doesn't mean you own it. This one isn't even really jacked. Let it be...

It most certainly is jacked. The thread is asking why the Liberty was where it was, you all are discussing whether or not the Israelis intended to sink it.

It's not like I care. I just get off on complaining about stuff because I like the attention I get from it. And you gave that attention to me GP - .

[TCO]

no sweat, slugger...