Loose lips sink ships?

Question

was there a situation during World War II that actually relates to this phrase?

Like for example some person told another person secret information about what they were doing?

Answer 1

I believe the phrase itself stems more from wartime advertising designed to make people think about this possibility, rather than an actual documented incident. (Not to say that there weren't incidents of just this happening, but the phrase has that sort of advertising glibness to it.) There were pamphlets and posters produced to tell servicemen, for example, what they could and couldn't put into letters home, to avoid inadvertantly giving away important secrets. The phrase was part of this... although I think it was originally 'Loose Lips Might Sink Ships'. (Not quite so glib.)

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Yes the German spies were in New York Harbor looking at the ship logs for cargo for Great Britain. If they see a ship with war goods leaving they will call Berlin to inform the U-boats of cargo ships heading their way. They also got information from talkative dock worker and sailors (Lose Lips, Sink Ships?) about cargo they were loading and the day they left.

Answer 3

Yes, the Nazis had an excellent network of spies and they got information just from people's idle conversations. I don't know the specific situation but the rumor of a shipment of uniforms led the Germans to find and sink a supply ship.

Answer 4

I don't think there was any one specific incident to which this refers. It's a general precaution to be careful to whom you reveal information, because it could fall into the wrong hands. When I was in the Navy, we couldn't even discuss ship postings over the telephone because the lines could be tapped too easily.