The Sinking of the Troopship Leopoldville, A personal survival story of PFC Keith Simons

On Christmas Eve, 1944, 5 months before the war ended in Europe, a ship loaded with army soldiers rushing to reinforce troops in the Battle of the Bulge was sunk by a submarine 5 miles from safe harbor. “It was the greatest loss of ground troops in a naval disaster in the history of our country”. The event was covered up and never revealed until well after the end of the war.
This is a personal, never before published account of an 87 year old survivor who has held his tongue long enough.
When and where did it happen?
What was the name of the ship?
Under what country's flag did it sail?
Who was in command of the convoy it was a part of?
What caused such a large loss of life?
What army units were on board?
How many soldiers lost their lives out of the thousands aboard?
What killed many of them other than drowning?
Why was this terrible disaster covered up?
Written by survivor, Keith L. (Sy) Simons, who swam for his life.
After the sinking, Sy was promoted to Staff Sergeant, responsible with his division for containment of the Germans at the submarine pens at the French ports of Lorient and St. Nazaire where he was wounded by a German 88 howitzer and lived to tell about it.
After the war, “Sy” taught for 31 years, retired and now lives in his beloved Colorado from where 5 children, 12 grand kids, 13 great grand kids and “one coming” are spread across the nation. He wrote this story for them.
He is an active 87 years young who regularly golfs and walks with his beloved wife Flora. Their motto, “Ya gotta keep movin’!”
He is my favorite Uncle who sent me his treasured bike in a wooden crate when he went into the Army. I was just a little boy in Wyoming and had little awareness of the struggle our country was engaged in. I pray you enjoy this story as much as I.
Read this story and understand why they were called “The Greatest Generation”

Nephew and publisher,
Gary Greeno