The next day the Pride and Campbell were joined by three other ships, one American, one French, and one British. They knew that the U-boat must surface soon to get air and so they patrolled the area waiting for the opportunity to engage her. Soon all five ships picked up something on their sonar and headed out to the spot. The U-boat appeared but the ships had to be careful about firing for they were in close quarters and could possibly hit one of their own.The Senegalese reported being hit by a torpedo. Soon many men were reported floating in the sea with lifejackets. It was assumed that they were from the Senegalese but it turned out that she was not damaged quite so badly. As the men were pulled onto ships it turned out that they were the crew of the U-boat. The Germans had shot off their torpedoes and then scuttled their ship, which was now going to settle on the floor of the ocean. 49 Germans including their captain were taken prisoner.
The Menges had lost 31
men, two of which were her officers. She had to be towed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard where she was grafted together with the USS Holder DE 401 which had also been hit by torpedoes. Within a relatively short spell the rejuvenated Menges would be back and patrolling along with the Pride.
3 comments:
Thank you for this website! It makes me appreciate all of the men & women who fought (and are fighting) for my freedom! Without them, I would not be able to blog!
Amen, Amen!
Many years later, during the Viet Nam war, I served in USS Hissem (DER-400, as it was then, DE-400 in WWII), sister ship of Holder.
I can certainly identify with the sailors in these weblog entries.
Fair winds and following seas to you all.
Bill
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