THE ISRAELI ATTACK ON THE USS LIBERTY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R000902350010-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 6, 2006
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: June 23, 1967
• Content Type: MEMO

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2 "Victory" Conversion
AGTR 4 (ex-AG 167) BELMONT (ex-Iran Victory)
AGTR S (ex-AG 168) LIBERTY (ex-Simmons Victory)
Displace 7,190 tons. light (10,680 tons full load)
ment.
Dimensions: 455 (o.a.)X62X24 feet kts.
Machinery: Turbine. S.H.P.: 8#500=18
Complement: 280
General completed by Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland,
Modified "Victory" ships. Conversion 1964, respectively. Mobile bases
Ore., in Sep. and Dec., commissioned 2 Nov. and ta ~ diction.
d etectromagn
for research in communications an
LIBERTY
>',:':~+;:::::?~%ilKV>J7!rioJFx: wYa~?. t? ' 7w""`
hi
1966, courtesy J. A. P. AlLornox
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Next 3 Page(s) In Document Exempt
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DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Intelligence Memorandum
The Israeli Attack on the USS Liberty
13 June 1967 '
,
CCn:ar.1 u4:S;-;2-
R 375
per,
08/05125 GIA-F2D084B0 T 56~'f8-7
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STAT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
13 June 1967
INTELLIGENCE MEMORANDUM
The Israeli Attack on the USS Liberty
The US Naval technical research ship Libert
was attacked by Israeli aircraft and torpedo beats
off the Sinai Peninsula on 8 June. The following
account of the circumstances of the attack has k-=en
compiled from all available sources.
1. The Liberty reported at 9:50 a.m. (2:50 a.m.
Washington time) on 8 June that it had been orbited
by two delta-wing jet fighters, presumably Israeli
Mirages. At 3:05 p.m. (8:05 a-.m.) the Libert was
strafed by unidentified jet aircraft. The Libert
apparently was not able to establish communications
with other units of the US Sixth Fleet during the
air attack, and the first information available
to the US commanders was after the subsequent attack
by unidentified torpedo boats, which occurred at 3:25
P.M.
_V
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2. At 4:11 p.m, (9:11 a.m.) the US Commander
in Chief, Europe, notified the National Military Com-
mand Center in Washington that the Libert was under .
attack and was listing to starboard after being struck
by a torpedo. The Commander of the US Sixth Fleet de-
clared the attacking units hostile and sent attack air--.
craft from the carriers Aiher_ and Sarato' a to =protect the
Libert . A good part of the ship's communications equip-
ment was destroyed by the crew during the attack but
emergency communications were soon established with the
Saratoga and with the naval communications station in
Greece. Because of the tenseness of the situation and
the communications delays, the initial reports from the
Libert were sketchy and somewhat confusing.
Specifics of the Attack
3. According to these reports, however, the sequence
of events took place as follows. The ship was attacked
at 3:05 p.m. (8:05 a.m.) by unidentified Jet fighters, be-
lieved to be Israeli, at position 31-35N, 33-29E. Six
b the jets Twenty minutes
strafing runs were made y
later three torpedo boats closed at high speed and two
of them launched torpedoes after first circling-the
Liberty. One torpedo passed astern, and the other struck
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the starboard side of the ship
One-of the boats was later
identified as Israeli and the hull number of one unit
was noted as 206-T. Some 50 minutes later two Israeli
helicopters arrived on the scene.
Israeli Identification of the Ship.
4. None of the communications of the attacking air-
craft and torpedo boats is available,1
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Although the
Libert is some 200 feet longer than the Egyptian
transport El Quesir, it could easily be mistaken for
the latter vessel by an overzealous pilot. Both
ships have similar hulls and arrangements of masts
and stack.
6. The weather was clear in the area of attack,
the Liberty's hull number (GTR 5) was prominently displayed,
and an American flag was flying;`
7. Thus it was not until 4:12 p.m. (9:12 a.m.)
that the Israelis became convinced that the Libert
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was American. This was'about 44 minutes after the
last attack on the ship and the attack had apparently
been called off, not because the ship had been identi-
fied, but because it seemed to be sinking. (The US
Defense Attach& in Tel Aviv reports that Israeli-heli-
copters and the three torpedo boats searched the area
until 6:04 p.m. (11:04 a.m.). The Israeli offer of
assistance was declined because of the sensitive mis-
sion of-the ship. According to US Navy reports, the
ship was saved only through the efforts of her crew.
Damage and Personnel Losses
8. The ship suffered heavy material and per-
sonnel casualties. A hole estimated to be 39 feet
wide at the bottom and 24 feet wide at the top near
the waterline was opened by a torpedo. The ship is
flooded below the second deck between frames 52
and 78 (36-inch frame spacing). The crew carried
out emergency destruction of classified communica-
tions and radar equipment, but the ship`s engineer-
plant is intact. Several flash fires and cannon
ing
holes throughout the superstructure caused some
minor damage, and the ship's motor whale boat and
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all of its life rafts were lost. Person
virtually
and
nel casualties include 10 killed, 90 wounded, tra ed in
22 missing, most of whom were probably pp
the flooded compartments. The wounded and the
ved from the ship and someaddi-
dead tional have crew been removed
members put aboard' The ship is ex-
dock-
ected to arrive in Malta on 14 June for dry
be-
p cautions are be-
airs. Security pre
ing and hull rep t equip_
taken to protect the classified intercept
ing has con-
went in the flooded spaces. The US Navy
versed a board of inquiry to look into the incident.
The Ship and Its Orders
is
9. The USS L ibert
an electronics research-
which had been diverted to the crisis area to
ship
act as a radio relay station for US embassies.
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from Rotar Spain. on 2
The Libert sailed 12?5 miles
10? close than
patrol no coast.
under orders to the Israeli
June 6.5 miles of
the U?.R coast and the CoMMander Of.
of of orders issued 05by:17 a.m., on g June
A modif ication
12:1? P?m' according
the Fleet at
US Sixth d the Libert
shoat
received 'before the Israel
had not been officer,
ages from
the ship s
commanding then with mess h
to roac
the Libert to aPP
This change] toped UAR
attack. or$ere
ands which the
other cow 100 miles of
the coasts of tno closer than the coast of Cyprus t was
miles of of a misunder-
because
and Israel and 25 lion in part
in transmis yery*
delayed nsibilities for deli
standing of resP? is in chron?-
nex is a listing of even
11? At an
logical order. -
-7-
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CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
(Stated times are local; Washington times in parentheses)
2 June 1967-
June g June 2:50 a.m.
(7 June 7:50 p.m.)
8 June 9:50 a.m.
(2:50 a.m.)
8 June 12:17 p.m.
(5:17 a.m.)
8 June 3:05 p.m.
(8:05 a.m.)
8 June 3:25 p.m?
(8:25 a.m.)
8 June 3:27 p.m.
(8:27 a.m.)
8 June 3:28 p.m.
.(8:28 a.m.)
8 June 3:30 p?m-
(8:30 a.m.)
Libert departed Rota, Spain en route to
pos~it--*ion~ 32-OON, 33-OOE, to rcra-^ 12-5
po
miles from Egyptian coast and 6.5 miles
from Israeli coast.
CINCUSNAVEUR Duty officer received phone
instructions from Joint Rmply With
Center directing Liberty to Comply
-
COMSIXrEFLEET 100-mile operating area
restriction.
Libert was orbited. by two unidentified - -
ipt fighters& pre'
gumably Israeli rurageS ?
orders coast of Liber,~Z at least 1.
COMSIXTELFLEET
and Israel0
miles away from m and
miles away from
miles from Cyprus . This maVs ?o pp
rently not received by Liberty _prior a
Israeli attack. -
Liberty attacked by unidentified jet fight-
ers Rich made six33t29f OE (25 atrth-
-
position 31-35.5N
east of nearest land).
Three torpedo boats,.one?identi i boas
Israeli, approach ship..
number 206-T.
Libert fires at torpedo boat ' at- range of
,000 yards.
Ship hit by torpedo. Torpedo boats cleared
- - --
to east about five miles.
Libert hit by torpedo
-
COMSIXTEFLEET r33- SE. Three ~uzidenti-
at position 31-23roaching.
tied gunboats app -
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June 3: 50 P't? o
(8.50 a.m.) June 3. 52 P'm ?
(8:52 a.m?)
8 June 3:55 P?m?
(8x55 a.m.)
8 June 3:55 P?m'
(8:55 a.m.)
8 June 3:59 P.m.
(8,59.a.=-)
orbited ship at
icopters torpedo
Two Israeli he ards- Israeli re-
assistance which was
range of 500 Y,
boats off
fused. under air attack `
I,ibert still
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carriers to provide
CD IXTHE for Libertdens ?
air cover fo
reported under attack to
Libert
COMSIXTlir T
Libert 'rte d hit by torpedo star
repo
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8 June 5:14 p.m. Tel Aviv reports Israeli aircraft and-
(10:14 a.m.) patrol boats attacked ship at 3:00 p.m.
(8:00 a.m.) at position 31-25N, 33-33E.
Suspecting a US ship, Israel rendering
assistance and expresses deep regret.
8. June 6:04 p.m. The US Defense Attache in Tel Aviv re-
(11:04 a.m.) ports that Israeli helicopters and
the three torpedo boats searched the
area until 6:04 p.m. (11:04 a.m.). The
Israeli offer of assistance was declined
because of the sensitive mission of the
ship.
COMSIXTHFLEET then recalled the aircraft
launched from the carriers America-and
Saratogaand sent two destroyers to as-
sist Lib er`v. Lib_ proceeding north-
west at eiighht knots.
There was no further contact between
Liberty and Israeli forces. Two.Soviet
ships have trailed the Liberty, which
proceeds under escort to Malta.
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 d .
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3:05 PM (8:05 AM EDT') ? ~.'~.'' ' - ~~"i
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