HMHS Rewa

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WW1 HSRewa built 1906 sunk 1918

HMHS Rewa was a British ocean liner that was converted into a hospital ship during World War I. The ship is notable for being torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat on January 4, 1918, while it was transporting wounded soldiers from the Middle East back to the United Kingdom. Despite being clearly marked as a hospital ship, HMHS Rewa was targeted, leading to the loss of lives and sparking controversy over the violation of international laws regarding the protection of medical ships in wartime.

History

HMHS Rewa, originally built as a passenger and cargo liner, was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for use as a hospital ship in response to the growing need for medical transport services due to the casualties of World War I. The ship was fitted with medical facilities and painted with the distinctive white hull and green stripes, along with red crosses, to identify it as a non-combatant vessel under the Geneva Convention.

Sinking

On the night of January 4, 1918, while on a voyage from the Middle East to the United Kingdom, HMHS Rewa was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-55. At the time of the attack, the Rewa was carrying 279 wounded soldiers, medical staff, and crew members. Despite the efforts to save the ship and evacuate those on board, the Rewa sank within two hours of being hit. Four lives were lost in the incident.

The sinking of HMHS Rewa caused outrage among the Allied nations, as it was perceived as a blatant disregard for the rules of warfare that protected hospital ships. The German command justified the attack by claiming that the Rewa was carrying ammunition, a charge that was strongly denied by the British authorities.

Aftermath

The loss of HMHS Rewa highlighted the dangers faced by hospital ships during World War I and led to calls for stricter enforcement of international laws designed to protect them. The incident also contributed to the growing body of evidence used by the Allies to condemn German warfare tactics.

Legacy

Today, the sinking of HMHS Rewa is remembered as a tragic example of the risks faced by medical personnel and non-combatants in wartime. The site of the wreck has been explored by divers, and artifacts recovered from the ship have contributed to the understanding of the conditions and challenges of medical care during World War I.