Abstract
REFAH FREIGHTER SUNK IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Turkey sent delegation consisting of military personal to Port Said by Refah Steamship during the most violent years of Second World War in order to take four destroyers and four submarines on the previous order to England. 168 people lost their lives and 32 people had been able to save in June 23,1941 in sunk Refah Freighter that was torpedoed by unidentified submarine in Mersin. The case of Refah Freighter led to fierce debates in Parliament and had requested the prosecution of persons who neglect in this event. As the names considered as negligence in the incident, Chairman of the National Defense and Deputy of Transportation were subjected to harsh criticism. Both deputies had resigned before waiting for the conclusion of the event. Other persons who also were held responsible for the incident were acquitted by a court decision. People who lost their lives in the Refah Freighter event was considered as martyrs after the lapse of ten years, on June 27, 1951. On June 23, 1972 was opened Refah Martyrs Monument for those who lost their lives. The aim of this work is to try to clarify the preparation stage, purpose, sinking of Refah Freighter and developments occurring after that basis on the Turkish and British archives. In addition, there will be referred to the propaganda war which Germany and England used against each other after the sinking of the Refah.
Keywords
Mediterranean, Submarine, England, Mersin, Refah Freighter
