CALL AIR CLADACH ÌLE (THE LOSS ON ISLAY'S SHORES)

The unknown story of how nearly 700 men died when World War 1 crashed onto to the coast of the inner Hebridean island of Islay. In February, 1918, the troopship Tuscania was torpedoed by a German U-boat. More than 200 American soldiers and British crew died as lifeboats were dashed against Islay’s cliffs. Eight months later, HMS Otranto collided with another ship in its convoy in a terrible storm, killing nearly 500 men. Just 19 reached Islay’s shore alive.

The tragic tale is shot through with stories of heroism and self-sacrifice. A fearless destroyer captain snatched 600 men from the stricken Otranto before it sank, and islanders risked their lives to drag half-drowned survivors from sea. The programme is based on contemporary accounts of survivors and witnesses, and on interviews with family members of American soldiers, British crewmen and islanders who lived through the tragedies. 

BROADCASTER

CREDITS

Executive Producer - Seona Robertson
Producer - Faye MacLean
Writer/Camera/Director - Les Wilson