The HMT Rohna was transporting about 2,000 US Army and US Army Air Corps soldiers through the Mediterranean Sea to their destination in Asia. Off the coast of Algeria on November 26, 1943, they were attacked by Heinkel He 177A heavy bombers. During the attack, the first smart bomb (radio controlled) missile deployed in wartime hit the HMT Rohna near the waterline. The impact point was aligned with the hold were many of the passengers were congregating. The subsequent explosion was responsible for a majority of the 1,015 casualties. The remaining died due to their wounds or by hypothermia.

 

At that time, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Chiang Kai-shek were meeting and it was their decision to “Classify” the attack. We are partnering with The Rohna Survivors Memorial Association (TRSMA) to complete the 1,015 stories prior to the 80th anniversary in November 2023. The full story of the sinking has not been released to the general public and only recently the World War II Museum in New Orleans agreed to incorporate an article about the attack, and to include the HMT Rohna Trailer. 

 

Jack Ballo is a producer that has completed a documentary of the HMT Rohna and the premier is tentatively scheduled for this Veteran’s Day in New Jersey. It is our desire to have all the stories submitted into Fold3 or TWS prior to the event. If so, either Michael Walsh (Rohna historian) or Jack Ballo can make an announcement that every one of the 1,015 have been honored.