Evening star., 1943-04-23
By HENRY b. JAMESON,

Associated HTeSS war COTTeSpuHucHt'
WITH AN ALLIED CONVOY AT
SEA.-We have just come through
a terrific all-night submarine battle
somewhere on the Atlantic without
the loss of ship and without a
single torpedo hit on our large
convoy.
This was the climax of three
day battle in which, in the earlier
stages, there were minor losses and
in which I saw the rescue of all the
passengers and crew of one tor
pedoed ship.
1t was smashing victory for
British light naval escort over Ger
man submarines.
Our ships once again are strung
out in peaceful formation, flying
the "all clear" white flags for the
first time in three days. Maybe
there will be some sleep tonight.
Even the sea is calm this morn
ing. There is not sign of the
furious struggle that was raging out
there in the darkness only a few
hours ago.
Attacked Is Times in Night.
Thirteen times between dusk and
dawn the Nazis drove at us in
packs numbering from to IL
each. Thirteen times they were
turned back by deafening barrages
of depth charges that jolted even
our big ships like toy boats in
bathtub.
Never once were the Germans
able to wrest the offensive from the
escort. Our corvettes and destroy
ers beat them to the draw every
time and they finally gave up.
1t was reported on the bridge that
at least six submarines were be-
lieved damaged and a seventh sunk.
This one paid the price for trying
to break inside the convoy. It was
knocked out no more than 100 yards
behind this ship, so close we saw
puts of smoke coming from under
sea explosions that presumably
marked its grave.
Dawn was just breaking as one
OF the escorts picked up his trail
like a dog chasing rabbit. One
OF the corvettes cut across our bow
and signaled us to move over because
the depth charges were coming.
1t hovered over the submarine
until exactly the right moment
then let go the ash cans set to ex-
plode at various depths. Huge
geysers rose from each explosion
and the thud against this ship
sounded like a thousand riveters
pounding on the hull at the same
time.
Crippled Sub Hit Again.
The charges must have hit the
mark, for within less than a minute
the crippled sub attempted to come
to the surface. The instant the
coming tower broke water the gun.
ners on this and four other nearby
heavily-armed ships opened fire
simultaneously. 1t disappeared again
the explosions following shortly
afterward.
Tracer bullets from the guns
skipped around the water like balls
of fire. 1t was still dark enough
FOR signal flares to be used and
they gave the scene the appearance
OF a gigantic fireworks display.
1t was all over in two minutes
No more submarines have been re-
ported
The commodore of the convoy, a
retired British admiral, described
the work OF the escort as "extraor-
dinary," but at the same time he
said the action of the submarines
indicated the Germans must be run
ming out of highly crews.
Even with our good escort I
doubt If We could have come through
last nights attacks so successfully
against some of the old German SUBJ
marine crews" he declared.
That many submarines manned
by veteran crews would have given
US much rougher time"
Girl Lost Silk Stockings.
The convoy came through the en-
tire three-day battle with only minor
losses and millions of dollars worth
of war cargo within reach of its
destination.
I witnessed the rescue of all the
passengers and crew of one ship that
was bumped" All escaped without
injury and were transferred to other
ships.
The only complaint was by a girl,
who said she lost all my lipstick
and two pairs of silk stockings"
Surprising even the daybreak tus-
ele with the submarines for a thrill
II you call 1t that-was seeing tor
pedo whiz past this ship with only
% yards to spare. When first spot
ted, 1t was coming directly at us
but at a reduced speed, apparently
having been fired at a great dis
tance outside theN convoy lanes.