THE WAITING GAME - PAGE 44

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.

SAD SIGHT - PAGE 41

Looking off in the distance from the deck of the USS Pride, watching the Menges stray further and further away in pursuit of a submarine, sparks could be seen in the night. Undoubtedly it was the charges being set off by the Menges. But then the truth came over the radio. The TBS radio transmission reported the Menges had been struck by a torpedo! The Pride and the USS Campbell were ordered to assist. Off these ships went into the night to track down the attackers. It was an awesome and fearful site as the Pride cruised past the Menges, her stern blown away from the blast. She was dead in the water but there was not time to assist. Not yet. For sonar contact was made with the submarine and the Pride was on the prowl.

DANGER IS AFOOT - PAGE 40

As they headed back west, C. R. Peck was standing was the watch officer on DE Pride early in the morning of May third as the convoy entered the dangerous waters off the coast of Spain where Mediterranean narrows. Something was picked up on the radar and the DE Menges was sent to investigate. She caught a sub on her radar, tracked it and prepared to engage. But the devastating surprise was on them.