Leopoldville: a Tragedy Too Long Secret

Book excerpt: Allan Andrade...has conducted his own investigation of the Leopoldville incident. ...The American, British and Belgian governments engaged in a cover-up, filed the papers away as secret... Dennis Hevesi, The New York Times ...This story should hold a special place in every state’s history. Simply put, the soldiers that lost their lives deserve the proper respect and remembrance for their sacrifice, and those that survived need to be recognized for their valor. New York City Congressman Gary L. Ackerman ...On behalf of the residents of New York City I express my appreciation to Allan Andrade...for researching and writing a book on this tragedy. New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani With skills developed over 20 years as a New York City Police investigative lieutenant he started digging into the dusty, hidden files with the tenacity of a real-life Columbo. ...Andrade tracked down not only survivors but also relatives of the victims: sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, wives. ...Andrade had the difficult task of telling the truth about the sinking of the SS Leopoldville and finding again that it is not for the dead that we grieve but for the living. Reuters Television Investigative Reporter, Lawrence Bond Retired NYC Police Lieutenant Allan Andrade has investigated and put together the facts and poignant individual stories of the Leopoldville disaster. Future historians of this incident will be compelled to use his research as a starting point for their own work. Originally published in 1997, the book has been revised to include new material and photographs. Allan Andrade was the American historical consultant for a TV documentary regarding the Leopoldville disaster. The documentary was produced by Norther Sky Entertainment Ltd., Toronto, Canada during 2008. I was flown to England & revisited the sites directly connected to the tragedy. He was aboard a research vessel directly over the wreck when professional divers dove to film it. He also visited Cherbourg, France, destination of the Leopoldville and Normandy American Cemetery where some of the Leopoldville victims are buried. With him were a Leopoldville survivor & 2 relatives of 2 different soldiers who were killed. ( one where body recovered & one where body never found.) The program, Deep Wreck Mysteries:Sunk on Christmas Eve, aired on the National Geographic Channel during February 2009.