DARRELL ISSA, CALL YOUR OFFICE: Lusitania carried munitions.

The German high command always maintained the steam liner, traveling between New York and Liverpool, was carrying explosives destined for the Western Front concealed as cheese or casks of beef. But ministers at the time rejected the claim and used the attack to whip up public anger against the Germans. ‘Take up the sword of justice – avenge the Lusitania’ read one famous poster. . . .

However, secret government documents released under the 30-year-rule this week reveal that the German claims may have been right all along. After salvage companies applied to raise the 790ft Cunard liner in 1982, the Government fired off warnings about danger to life, according to the National Archives documents. Officials feared attempts to survey the wreck would reveal an illegal stash of ammunition – discrediting one of the key reasons why the the Americans were dragged into the war. Files show that the Ministry of Defence even went as far as warning divers that the wreck could contain explosives. Foreign and Commonwealth Office files show that officials feared the controversy would ‘literally blow up on us’ denting Britain’s special relationship with the US.