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.

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.

MAIL BAG - PAGE 39

(top) August 8th '44

Dear Bill,

Here I am back in the same old dump. So far I haven't met anyone. My husband is in the Navy now. Still waiting to hear form you. Yours, Blanche.

(The VILLAGE BARN Restaurant, New York's Nite Club, at 52 West 8th Street, between 5th and 6th avenues in New York City, is the quaintest and most typically rural restaurant in the world. Its special features are exceptional cuisine, unusual entertainment and extraordinary dance music. Besides these, backwoods games and square dances of the Gay 80's are offered for the participation of the guests. There is NO COVER CHARGE at the BARN.)

June 28 1944

Hi Bill,

Remember the next alarm I'll see you there.

Pete

(Granby Street, Norfolk Virginia)

NO REST FOR THE WEARY - PAGE 38

The way to Bizerte was littered with sunken ships. A week was spen there but there was not much sight seeing in this war torn town and the crew was charged having met with its first real taste of war. It would not be its last or its worst.

At the end of the week they were to head back west in a convoy of 107 merchant ships, 12 DEs, a Coast Guard cutter, and the British AA cruiser Delphi. Below is a picture of William in Bizerte.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE SAFE - PAGE 37

The USS Pride made it through this first contact with the enemy, a bit shaken up but ready as ever. The rest of the trip to Bizerte was without incident.

We tried asking Dad what they did when not sleeping, eating, or on duty and all he said was, "Not much." Cards seems to have been a large pasttime. But different endevors arise. Apparently William took to drawing. Here are some of the pictures that survive.This is the woman, Frances, that he eventually married.

TORPEDO SIGHTED! - PAGE 36

Full engines ahead! With two torpedoes heading straight for the Pride depth charges were dropped in order to divert the torpedoes from their intended target. A call came out from the port side. A torpedo passed close by but pass it did. But the danger was not over for a German torpedo plane passed over head. The Pride crew reacted by spewing the air with gunfire covering the deck with shell casings until the place disappeared. The threat was over.

For now.

(These reports taken from the Pride Reunion magazines.)