The Attack on Orleans on July 21, 1918, stands out as a unique event in World War I history. It marked the first time since 1848 that foreign artillery fire landed on U.S. soil. This incident involved a German submarine targeting a convoy off the coast of Massachusetts, with shells landing near the town of Orleans. Although the attack caused no casualties, it remains a significant moment in U.S. history.
The Events of July 21, 1918
On the morning of July 21, 1918, the German
submarine U-156, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Richard Feldt, was operating off the coast of Orleans, Massachusetts. The submarine was possibly attempting to cut the trans-Atlantic submarine communications cable from Orleans to Brest, France. During this mission, Feldt noticed a convoy consisting of the tugboat Perth Amboy, three barges, and the schooner Lansford. The U-156 fired its deck guns at the convoy, heavily damaging the Perth Amboy and sinking the Lansford and the three barges.
The attack was not limited to the sea. Several shells fired by the U-156 missed their intended targets and landed on the shores near Orleans. This gave the impression of a deliberate attack on the town, although there were no valuable targets in the area. The shells landed harmlessly in a deserted marsh and on Nauset Beach, making Orleans the only location in the United States to receive enemy fire during World War I.
The U.S. Response
The U.S. response to the attack was swift. Two Curtiss HS-2L flying boats from the nearby Naval Air Station Chatham attempted to retaliate by dropping bombs near the U-156. However, due to technical issues or inexperience, the bombs failed to explode. Despite this, the presence of the aircraft forced the U-156 to elevate its guns and fire at the planes, though it missed.
Meanwhile, the United States Coast Guard's Station No. 40 launched a surfboat under heavy enemy shellfire to rescue the 32 sailors trapped aboard the tug and barges. The U-156 eventually submerged and left the area after firing 147 shells during the hour-long engagement.
The Legacy of the Attack
The Attack on Orleans is commemorated with a sign above the beach, marking the location where the shells struck. This event is remembered as the only instance of enemy fire on U.S. soil during World War I. While the attack caused no casualties, it served as a reminder of the global reach of the war and the vulnerability of the U.S. coastline.
The attack also highlighted the importance of coastal defenses and the role of the U.S. Coast Guard in protecting American shores. Today, the Attack on Orleans remains a unique and intriguing chapter in the history of World War I.
