January 15, 1915
Prince Franz Josef of Hohenzollern has become "demented as a result of his experiences on board the Emden" during her fight with the Australian cruiser Sydney, reports the New York Times.
This claim has been asserted by the Rev. T. Pitt, secretary of the Seamen's Institute, whose brother is a Lieutenant on the Sydney.
In his letter to his brother, Lieut. Pitt writes that while the young Prince Franz Josef was "engaged in firing a torpedo a shell from the Sydney entered the torpedo room." A;; the men but the prince were killed. When he was rescued, Prince Franz Josef was found to be in a "dazed condition."
His mind soon "gave way completely," and he was placed under restraint. He was taken to Port Said with other German prisoners of war.
Prince Franz Josef was born August 30, 1891. He is the second son of Wilhelm, Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and Princess Maria Teresa of Borbon-Two Sicilies. He has an older twin brother, Friedrich.
His paternal uncle is King Ferdinand of Romania.
Interesting, being so close to the shell when it exploded would have cased hidden, irreparable brain damage. According to new scientific information the psychological effects of shell shock are a direct result of the concussive force of a close explosive detonation creating permanent damage to the brain
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2913469/Shell-shock-solved-Scientists-pinpoint-brain-injury-causes-anxiety-stress-social-adjustment-disorders-soldiers.html
Story most likely war propaganda .. he married, had a family.
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