USS Liberty: Dead in the Water

This documentary film is 15 years old now but don't overlook it. It is well done and contains some information that you won't get anywhere else on the fate of the spy ship USS "Liberty."

The first-half details the Israeli attack and the bravery of the crew as they faced an overwhelming three pronged force from both air and sea. The "Liberty's" NSA civilian's and sailor's survival was truly a miracle although the casualties were about 70% with more than 200 either killed (34) or wounded. It could have been much worse. Many of the film's interviews attest to this.

The film's second half included explanations from the Israelis on why they weren't responsible. And from the American Executive Dept.and Navy, on why they didn't exact a price from Israel when they believe --without admitting it-- that the Israelis attacked with knowledge and forethought. It was no mistake, as Israel was --and still is-- claiming. The Johnson Administration made the political decision to cover things up. This was 1967. Something like this obviously could not happen in 2017 with today's media capabilities and satellite technology.

I would say the most important part of the film was at the 50 min. mark. It's new information to me and I consider myself well-read on the subject. Without giving anything away it has to do with whether the US had any role --on the side of Israel-- in the '67 war or not? This could be a key point in why President Johnson felt he must keep information under lock and key which would have shed light on why this terrible incident happened. That (coverup) was carried out. And is why this film is a valuable addition to US history. Congratulations to the BBC for coming through with a first-rate effort when American media cower to the Israelis and stay away from reporting the truth.

In 1967 the listening ship the USS Liberty was on duty around the coasts of Africa and the Middle East. On the 8th June, the Liberty was mistakenly attacked by three seemingly unmarked aircraft, an attack that left 8 men dead but around 70 injured. Later the same ship was torpedoed, with further loss of life. The official explanation was one of mistaken identity and confused orders, one that America – Israel's new ally – accepts. However, the surviving crew do not accept that this was anything other than a very deliberate act and this film looks back at the "accident" to find suggestions of an attempt to sacrifice the Liberty in order to blame Egypt and Russia and allow the North America to fall in and support Israel.

A depressing film this one. I had never even heard of the Liberty and my parents didn't know one another at the time the events in this film took place. Time passes and we all get caught up in the politics and wars of our own time – why we went to war in Iraq; why our military lack the equipment they need for war; where is all the money going in Iraq etc. All these issues fill our life today and what has gone before is forgotten or filed for later reference. That is why this film is depressing, because it not only shows that this sort of thing doesn't get sorted out – once the official truth is spoken often enough, it becomes the only truth and soon people tire of hearing about it; like the people now who turn the news off when Iraq comes on because they're bored with it – give them Paris Hilton though, at least that is constantly changing and easy to understand.

Anyway, the case around the Liberty is well made and presented in as balanced a manner as one would reasonably expect from a film that is presenting the crew's side of things. Considering so few people are willing to officially talk about the subject and that the official truth is already done and dusted, the film brings out nuggets really well and builds a compelling case that, even if the suggested conspiracy is not 100% true, this was certainly no accident. Whether it be the little things the crew remember about the attack, the blocking of the radio frequencies or things like the aborted strike on Egypt and the seeming lack of urgency to rescue the survivors on the day itself, the film uses all of it well to ask questions that nobody can answer in a clear way. This leaves the viewer with few answers that they can come up with and ultimately the theory put forward by the film does not seem like a stretch at all.

A well put together film then that builds a convincing case that is as compelling as it is depressing.