IN SEARCH OF A KILLER - PAGE 42

As it turned out there were two submarines. The first that the Menges was hunting was only a decoy. It was the second submarine that gave the distressing blow to her. The search was on for the sub at fault. Soon sonar contact was made. The Pride made a hedgehog attack but it misfired and so switched to depth charge attack. The sub continued to head toward the Mediterranean where it would be even more difficult to track her. The Pride made another Hedgehog attack but it again misfired and so tried depth charges again. The sub dove and contact was lost for the moment.

William worked in the engine room and said that it was a distressing place to be under such conditions. There were oders for more speed or less or some such thing indicating the type of events taking place above decks but exactly what was occuring was a mystery. These were moments of high anxiety but not for losing ones cool. Men were counting on you.

FIRST ATTACK 20 APRIL 1944 - PAGE 34

C. R. Peck writes, “At about 35 minutes after sunset USS LOWE reported radar contact on enemy planes from dead ahead to the east. They came in low over the water in poor visibility at twilight using the nearby Algerian coast to advantage. The USS Pride had visible contact to starboard with several attackers which were fired upon without apparent result. It is estimated between 18 and 24 JU-88s and/or HE-111s took part in the raid on the convoy from dead ahead in 3 separate waves using only torpedoes. They flew down the columns of ships and received anti-aircraft fire from escorts. From my gun control station on the flying bridge I could see numerous explosions on the convoy.

TO BE CONTINUED