Yes, during World War II, both the RMS *Queen Elizabeth* and *Queen Mary*, two of the largest and most famous ocean liners of the time, were targeted by the German military in various plans due to their strategic importance as troop transports.
The RMS *Queen Mary* and *Queen Elizabeth* were initially built as luxury ocean liners, but during the war, they were repurposed by the British government for troop transport. These ships were ideal for moving large numbers of soldiers across the Atlantic, and they became vital to the Allied war effort, particularly in transporting American troops to Europe. Both ships were capable of carrying thousands of troops, and their speed made them difficult to target by submarines and aircraft.
The Germans recognized their significance and attempted to devise plans to neutralize these ships. One of the most notable German plans was known as "Operation Sea Lion," which included a proposed attack on the *Queen Mary*. The idea was to disrupt the Allies' logistics and communication efforts by sinking these vital ships. While there were no successful attacks, several plans were proposed, including using U-boats or aircraft to target the liners.
In one particular instance, the *Queen Mary* was nearly struck by a German torpedo while crossing the Atlantic, but it narrowly missed. The Germans also considered using specially designed torpedo boats or even deploying German commando forces in an attempt to sabotage or destroy the ships in port.
Despite these threats, both ships were heavily protected by the British and Allied forces. Their speed, combined with constant escort by warships and aircraft, made it extremely difficult for German forces to successfully attack. The *Queen Mary* and *Queen Elizabeth* both survived the war and continued their service after, solidifying their place in maritime history.
Ultimately, while the Germans did plan to destroy these ships, they were never successful, and the *Queen Mary* and *Queen Elizabeth* became symbols of Allied strength during World War II.