 The British steam freighter SS Manaar was sunk on 6 September 1939. U-38 opened fire on the freighter and she returned fire. This was the first time that a merchantman fired at a U-boat. U-38 sank Manaar with torpedoes. As Manaar had fired at him, Liebe did not assist the survivors. Radio Officer James Turner remained at his post until the last moment. As he was leaving he found two Lascars, one badly injured. Turner rescued both men while under continuous fire from U-38, for this he was awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal.
