The Mediterranean U-boats had been organized into Combat Flotilla 29 for administrative purposes in early 1942. The flotilla commander during the first six months was the fifty-eight-year-old Franz Becker. In June 1942, he was relieved by. Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holder Fritz Frauenheim, who had won fame in the Atlantic while commanding holder Fritz Frauenheim, who had won fame in the Atlantic while commanding U-101 U-101. He was to hold that post a full year.

Six boats patrolled the eastern Mediterranean in April 1942. Off Mersa Matruh on April 7, Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach in U-453 U-453 hit by mistake the 9,700-ton British hospital ship hit by mistake the 9,700-ton British hospital ship Somersetshire Somersetshire with three torpedoes. Fortunately for all concerned, she survived the hits and limped into Alexandria. Hitler personally approved the OKM's plan to keep the error secret like the with three torpedoes. Fortunately for all concerned, she survived the hits and limped into Alexandria. Hitler personally approved the OKM's plan to keep the error secret like the Athenia Athenia affair and to deny any Allied charges of atrocities. Von Schlippenbach altered his log accordingly. In nearly the same spot, on April 23 a new skipper in affair and to deny any Allied charges of atrocities. Von Schlippenbach altered his log accordingly. In nearly the same spot, on April 23 a new skipper in U-565 U-565, Wilhelm Franken, age twenty-seven, claimed sinking two freighters for 9,500 tons, but postwar records confirmed only one, a 1,400-ton British coaster.

Four of the six boats sailing to the eastern Mediterranean were assigned to lay TMB (magnetic) mines during the period from April 13 to April 15.

* The U-81 U-81, commanded by Friedrich Guggenberger, who had won a Ritterkreuz for sinking the aircraft carrier Ark Royal Ark Royal, planted a field at Haifa, Palestine. No confirmed sinkings were attributed to this field. After planting the mines, Guggenberger cruised north toward Beirut, where he sank two ships by torpedo: the 1,150-ton Vichy French trawler Viking and the 6,000-ton British tanker Caspia Caspia. Returning to Palestinian waters from April 16 to April 26, Guggenberger sank seven sailing ships by gun and one by ramming, and bombarded an electric power station in Tel Aviv.

* The U-331 U-331, commanded by Hans-Dietrich von Tiesenhausen, who had won a Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz for sinking the battleship Barham, planted a field at Beirut. Von Tiesenhausen then entered the harbor on the surface in darkness and fired a torpedo at a 3,000-ton Norwegian freighter moored at a pier. He thought he damaged that ship, but she was shielded by barges that absorbed the explosion. The next day he fired a torpedo at a 4,000-ton freighter, but the torpedo failed to explode. In the several days following, von Tiesenhausen sank three sailing vessels and destroyed the electric power station in Beirut by gun. As far as could be determined, his minefield did not sink or damage any Allied vessels. for sinking the battleship Barham, planted a field at Beirut. Von Tiesenhausen then entered the harbor on the surface in darkness and fired a torpedo at a 3,000-ton Norwegian freighter moored at a pier. He thought he damaged that ship, but she was shielded by barges that absorbed the explosion. The next day he fired a torpedo at a 4,000-ton freighter, but the torpedo failed to explode. In the several days following, von Tiesenhausen sank three sailing vessels and destroyed the electric power station in Beirut by gun. As far as could be determined, his minefield did not sink or damage any Allied vessels.

* The U-561 U-561, commanded by Robert Bartels, planted a field at Port Said, the Mediterranean entry to the Suez Canal. A month later, on May 15, these mines sank two freighters for 11,754 tons and damaged a third for 4,000 tons. In view of these successes, Bartels was directed to lay another field at Port Said on June 18 and yet another on July 10. However, the second and third fields produced no recorded results. After that, Bartels left U-561 U-561 and returned to Germany to commission one of the large U-boats. and returned to Germany to commission one of the large U-boats.

* The U-562 U-562, commanded by Horst Hamm, planted a field at Famagusta, a seaport on the east coast of Cyprus. About two weeks later, on April 29, these mines sank a 156-ton sailing ship and an 81-ton tugboat, but nothing of military value. After laying the field, Hamm took U-562 U-562 to Turkish waters. The British asserted later that he violated international law by entering a Turkish harbor, where he found a British ship taking on cargo, then followed her to sea and attempted to sink her. However, the attack failed. to Turkish waters. The British asserted later that he violated international law by entering a Turkish harbor, where he found a British ship taking on cargo, then followed her to sea and attempted to sink her. However, the attack failed.

Three U-boats patrolled the western Mediterranean in late April to interdict the powerful Allied naval forces, including the American carrier Wasp, attempting to get aircraft and supplies to Malta. None found any warships to attack. Two of the three boats were lost: * On May 1, a Hudson of British Squadron 233, flying at 1700 feet and piloted by Sergeant Brent, sighted the U-573 U-573, commanded by Heinrich Heinsohn. The plane dived and dropped three 250-pound depth charges set for 25 feet. One failed to detonate but the other two exploded close, savaging U-573 U-573. Soon the circling Hudson's crew saw about ten men on the bridge raise their hands in surrender. In response, the Hudson's crew passed up an opportunity for a machine-gun strafing attack, for which it was later severely reprimanded.*

Running low on fuel, the Hudson was forced to break off and return to base. Although U-573 U-573 could not dive, Heinsohn eluded all other Allied aircraft and ships and limped into Cartagena, Spain, assisted the last few miles by two Spanish Navy tugs. Technically "interned," Heinsohn reported to Berlin that repairs to could not dive, Heinsohn eluded all other Allied aircraft and ships and limped into Cartagena, Spain, assisted the last few miles by two Spanish Navy tugs. Technically "interned," Heinsohn reported to Berlin that repairs to U-573 U-573 were to take three months and that Spanish authorities agreed to "cooperate." However, Berlin decided against repairs and gave the boat to Spain, which repaired it and rechristened it were to take three months and that Spanish authorities agreed to "cooperate." However, Berlin decided against repairs and gave the boat to Spain, which repaired it and rechristened it G-7 G-7. Heinsohn and his crew eventually returned to Germany for reassignment.

* In the same area on the following day, May 2, a Sunderland of British Squadron 202, piloted by R. Y. Powell, caught U-74 U-74, commanded by Karl Friedrich, who had recently replaced the Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holder Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat. In contrast to the Hudson's casual attack on holder Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat. In contrast to the Hudson's casual attack on U-573 U-573, the Sunderland doggedly held contact with U-74 U-74 and brought in the British destroyers Wishart and Wrestler. The combined air and sea attack destroyed and brought in the British destroyers Wishart and Wrestler. The combined air and sea attack destroyed U-74 U-74 with no survivors. with no survivors.

The loss of U-74 U-74 and and U-573 U-573 reduced the Mediterranean force to eighteen boats, including those such as reduced the Mediterranean force to eighteen boats, including those such as U-73 U-73 undergoing prolonged battle-damage repairs. Excluding small craft, the entire Mediterranean U-boat force sank but three merchant ships for 8,500 tons-and no warships-in April. Perhaps because of the continuing poor returns and the high risks, there was no great rush to replace the lost boats. undergoing prolonged battle-damage repairs. Excluding small craft, the entire Mediterranean U-boat force sank but three merchant ships for 8,500 tons-and no warships-in April. Perhaps because of the continuing poor returns and the high risks, there was no great rush to replace the lost boats.

When Erwin Rommel resumed the long-delayed offensive from Gazala (Libya) toward Egypt on May 27, the U-boat force commander, Leo Kreisch, deployed nine boats to assist Axis ground forces. Eight of the boats patrolled close to the African coast from Gazala to Mersa Matruh to attack Allied vessels attempting to supply or evacuate the reeling British Eighth Army. The other, U-83 U-83, commanded by Hans-Werner Kraus, was to land an Axis commando force in the Gulf of Bomba. While closing the coast, Kraus shot at an escorted steamer. He claimed he missed his target and hit and sank the "corvette" escort, but the claim could not be confirmed. Owing to "technical problems" the commando operation was aborted, but Kraus continued his patrol.

Two boats were lost in the early stages of Rommel's offensive, reducing the Mediterranean force to sixteen.

* On the morning of May 27, a British Blenheim bomber spotted a U-boat sixty miles off the coast of Bardia, midway between Tobruk and Mersa Matruh. This was U-568 U-568, commanded by twenty-eight-year-old Joachim Preuss, who had hit and damaged the American destroyer Kearny the previous October. The Blenheim dropped a number of close bombs, one of which ruptured a fuel tank and caused a leak. In response to the plane's signal, the commander of a nearby convoy escort detached two destroyers, Hurworth Hurworth and and Hero Hero, to carry on the hunt. The ships gained sonar contacts and in eight attacks over two hours Hurworth Hurworth fired fifty depth charges at fired fifty depth charges at U-568 U-568, and in three attacks Hero Hero fired twenty. fired twenty.

Since Hurworth Hurworth was out of depth charges and was out of depth charges and Hero Hero had only twenty left, the convoy-escort commander detached a third destroyer, had only twenty left, the convoy-escort commander detached a third destroyer, Eridge Eridge, which arrived at 6:00 P.M. P.M. with thirty-five depth charges and took over the hunt. with thirty-five depth charges and took over the hunt. Hero Hero carried out four more attacks, expending all of her depth charges. carried out four more attacks, expending all of her depth charges. Eridge Eridge carried out six attacks, expending all but five of her depth charges. While Hero and carried out six attacks, expending all but five of her depth charges. While Hero and Eridge Eridge held sonar contact and stalked, held sonar contact and stalked, Hurworth Hurworth broke off to run into Tobruk to get yet more depth charges. broke off to run into Tobruk to get yet more depth charges.

After about twelve hours of brutal punishment, Preuss had no choice but to surface and attempt to shake the destroyers in the darkness. At about midnight on May 27-28, he came up merely 1,250 yards ahead of Eridge Eridge. Although Eridge Eridge and Hero had Type 286 radar, neither set picked up and Hero had Type 286 radar, neither set picked up U-568 U-568, but the lookouts did, and both destroyers opened fire with main batteries, drawing Hurworth Hurworth back to the scene. Preuss dived and eluded immediate destruction but when he surfaced again at 4:00 back to the scene. Preuss dived and eluded immediate destruction but when he surfaced again at 4:00 A.M. A.M., close to the three destroyers, they saw him and again opened fire. Guns blazing, Eridge Eridge ran in and dropped three of her five remaining depth charges, set for fifty feet. By that time Preuss and his crew had scuttled ship and were jumping into the water, begging to be rescued. ran in and dropped three of her five remaining depth charges, set for fifty feet. By that time Preuss and his crew had scuttled ship and were jumping into the water, begging to be rescued. Hurworth Hurworth and and Eridge Eridge sent boarding parties to capture secret papers, but they arrived too late, and sent boarding parties to capture secret papers, but they arrived too late, and U-568 U-568 sank beneath their feet. The whaleboats picked up Preuss and forty-six other Germans, apparently the entire crew. sank beneath their feet. The whaleboats picked up Preuss and forty-six other Germans, apparently the entire crew.

* On the morning of June 2, a Swordfish of British Fleet Air Arm Squadron 815, piloted by G. H. Bates, found and attacked another U-boat off Bardia, but much closer to the shore. This was U-652 U-652, commanded by Georg-Werner Fraatz, who had engaged the American destroyer Greer Greer the previous September. The Swordfish attacks utterly disabled-but did not sink- the previous September. The Swordfish attacks utterly disabled-but did not sink-U-652. When Fraatz radioed his situation and asked for help, Guggenberger in U-81 U-81, who was nearby searching for some German airmen who had ditched, responded within two hours. Fraatz and Guggenberger attempted to tow U-652 U-652 to Salamis but failed. After the crewmen of to Salamis but failed. After the crewmen of U-652 U-652 transferred to transferred to U-81 U-81, Fraatz sank his wrecked boat with one of Guggen-berger's stern torpedoes. Fraatz and his crew debarked at Salamis and later returned to Germany to commission one of the big U-boats.

The other boats patrolling off North Africa in June in support of Rommel had mixed success. Franz-Georg Reschke in U-205 U-205 sank the 5,450-ton British light cruiser sank the 5,450-ton British light cruiser Hermione Hermione, which was attempting to reach Malta. This success earned Reschke high praise from Berlin propagandists, but not, as expected, a Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz. Wilhelm Dommes in U-431 U-431 sank a 4,200-ton tanker, a 2,000-ton coaster, and possibly a 300-ton landing craft, and rescued nine downed German airmen. Heinrich Schonder in sank a 4,200-ton tanker, a 2,000-ton coaster, and possibly a 300-ton landing craft, and rescued nine downed German airmen. Heinrich Schonder in U-77 U-77 sank the 1,000-ton British sank the 1,000-ton British Hunt Hunt-class destroyer Grove Grove. Hans-Dietrich von Tiesenhausen in U-331 U-331 and Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach in and Egon-Reiner von Schlippenbach in U-453 U-453 attacked a convoy, claiming damage to three ships. attacked a convoy, claiming damage to three ships.

After aborting the commando raid, Hans-Werner Kraus in U-83 U-83 patrolled off Palestine and Lebanon. In a furiously aggressive seven-day period, June 7 to 13, Kraus claimed sinking three small freighters and four sailing ships, and damage to a 6,000-ton freighter. While returning to Salamis on June 19, Kraus received word that he had been awarded a patrolled off Palestine and Lebanon. In a furiously aggressive seven-day period, June 7 to 13, Kraus claimed sinking three small freighters and four sailing ships, and damage to a 6,000-ton freighter. While returning to Salamis on June 19, Kraus received word that he had been awarded a Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz. A crewman remembered that U-83 U-83 entered Salamis flying twenty pennants representing total ships claimed sunk and sporting a big entered Salamis flying twenty pennants representing total ships claimed sunk and sporting a big Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz on the conning tower with the figure "20" beneath it. Wilhelm Dommes in on the conning tower with the figure "20" beneath it. Wilhelm Dommes in U-431 U-431 entered Salamis at the same time, flying seven pennants, representing the total ships he claimed sunk. The crewmen remembered that the simultaneous entry of entered Salamis at the same time, flying seven pennants, representing the total ships he claimed sunk. The crewmen remembered that the simultaneous entry of U-83 U-83 and and U-431 U-431 into Salamis had been staged and filmed by propagandists and shown as a newsreel in German movie theaters. into Salamis had been staged and filmed by propagandists and shown as a newsreel in German movie theaters.*

Several other U-boats had success in the Palestine-Lebanon area in June. Heinz-Joachim Neumann in U-372 U-372 sank the valuable 14,650-ton submarine tender sank the valuable 14,650-ton submarine tender Medway Medway, mother ship of the British 1st Submarine Flotilla, while she was shifting from Alexandria, Egypt, to a safer berth in Beirut, Lebanon. Escorted by a light cruiser and seven destroyers(I), Medway Medway had embarked 1,135 men. Because of smart seamanship during the rescue, only thirty men were lost. Hans-Otto Heidtmann in had embarked 1,135 men. Because of smart seamanship during the rescue, only thirty men were lost. Hans-Otto Heidtmann in U-559 U-559 sank a 4,700-ton tanker and damaged another of 6,000 tons, also earning a "well done" from Berlin propagandists. The sank a 4,700-ton tanker and damaged another of 6,000 tons, also earning a "well done" from Berlin propagandists. The U-97 U-97, commanded by a new skipper, Friedrich Burgel, age twenty-five, sank three coasters for about 4,000 tons off Haifa.

In his drive east toward Egypt, Rommel again bypassed the British citadel of Tobruk. This time the Germans assumed the British would attempt a "Dunkirk"-an evacuation by sea. To thwart that possibility, the Germans rushed three U-boats to the area to establish a blockade, but it was unnecessary. As related, on June 21, the garrison in Tobruk surrendered to Axis forces.

During this phase of the fighting in the Mediterranean, British air and naval forces eliminated four more Italian submarines. A Catalina of British Squadron 202, piloted by Australian R. M. Corrie, sank Veniero on June 7. The British submarine Ultimatum Ultimatum, commanded by Peter R. H. Harrison, which had sunk Millo in March, sank Zaffiro Zaffiro on June 24. The corvette on June 24. The corvette Hyacinth Hyacinth drove drove Perla Perla to the surface with depth charges and captured the boat and twenty-five survivors. to the surface with depth charges and captured the boat and twenty-five survivors. Two South African trawlers, Two South African trawlers, Protea Protea and and Southern Maid Southern Maid, assisted by a British aircraft, sank Ondina Ondina on July 11. on July 11.

When Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps Afrika Korps ran out of supplies and bogged down at El Alamein in early July, the British redoubled their efforts to get aircraft and supplies to Malta. These efforts culminated with the dispatch from England of a convoy, Pedestal, comprised of fourteen big, fast merchant ships, massively escorted by British warships, including the battleship ran out of supplies and bogged down at El Alamein in early July, the British redoubled their efforts to get aircraft and supplies to Malta. These efforts culminated with the dispatch from England of a convoy, Pedestal, comprised of fourteen big, fast merchant ships, massively escorted by British warships, including the battleship Nelson Nelson and carrier and carrier Victorious Victorious, temporarily detached from the Home Fleet.

Alerted by intelligence sources, the Axis prepared a hot reception for Pedestal. The Axis naval forces included an Italian cruiser squadron, about eighteen Italian submarines and twelve PT boats, and three German U-boats: the U-73 U-73, commanded by Helmut Rosenbaum (returning to action after four months of battle-damage repairs), the U-205 U-205, commanded by Franz-Georg Reschke, and the U-331 U-331, commanded by Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holder Hans-Dietrich von Tiesenhausen. However, on August 9, an Allied aircraft hit holder Hans-Dietrich von Tiesenhausen. However, on August 9, an Allied aircraft hit U-331 U-331, wounding two men and forcing her to abort to La Spezia for repairs.

Convoy Pedestal passed by Gibraltar into the Mediterranean in a dense fog the evening of August 10. On the following day, Axis air forces found, reported, and attacked the huge formation, which included two battleships, four aircraft carriers, seven cruisers, and thirty-two destroyers. The Italian submarine Uarsciek Uarsciek was the first of the Axis naval units to attack, firing three torpedoes at the carrier was the first of the Axis naval units to attack, firing three torpedoes at the carrier Furious Furious, which was to go only part way to launch Spitfires for Malta. The Italian skipper reported two solid hits, but these could not be confirmed in British records. Unaware of her close call, Furious Furious launched her thirty-seven Spitfires, then prepared to reverse course for Gibraltar. launched her thirty-seven Spitfires, then prepared to reverse course for Gibraltar.

Helmut Rosenbaum in U-73 U-73 lay submerged not far away. In the early afternoon of that same day, August 11, the whole huge formation came right toward him. He had an easy shot at four of the fourteen merchant ships in the convoy, but his orders were to attack major warships first. As the formation bore down upon him, he got a quick periscope glimpse of the old 22,600-ton aircraft carrier lay submerged not far away. In the early afternoon of that same day, August 11, the whole huge formation came right toward him. He had an easy shot at four of the fourteen merchant ships in the convoy, but his orders were to attack major warships first. As the formation bore down upon him, he got a quick periscope glimpse of the old 22,600-ton aircraft carrier Eagle Eagle, screened by seven destroyers. Coolly slipping between the escorts, Rosenbaum closed to 500 yards and fired four bow torpedoes. All hit. Eagle Eagle sank in eight or ten minutes, with the loss of about 260 of her 1,160-man crew and all sixteen of her aircraft. The destroyers sank in eight or ten minutes, with the loss of about 260 of her 1,160-man crew and all sixteen of her aircraft. The destroyers Laforey Laforey, Lookout Lookout, and Malcolm Malcolm and the fleet tug and the fleet tug Jaunty Jaunty rescued most of rescued most of Eagle Eagle's survivors, while the other destroyers hunted vainly for Eagle Eagle's killer. Rosenbaum took U-73 U-73 very deep and lay doggo, unharmed by a rain of poorly aimed depth charges. very deep and lay doggo, unharmed by a rain of poorly aimed depth charges.

Later that afternoon Rosenbaum surfaced and got off a contact report that concluded: "Hit Eagle Eagle four torpedoes 500 yards. Sinking noises clearly heard. Depth-charged. No damage." Congratulatory messages poured in from Berlin, Rome, and elsewhere. Admiral Raeder directed that Rosenbaum be immediately awarded a four torpedoes 500 yards. Sinking noises clearly heard. Depth-charged. No damage." Congratulatory messages poured in from Berlin, Rome, and elsewhere. Admiral Raeder directed that Rosenbaum be immediately awarded a Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz* When When U-73 U-73 returned to La Spezia, he was promoted and sent to command the German U-boat force in the Black Sea. returned to La Spezia, he was promoted and sent to command the German U-boat force in the Black Sea.* His first watch officer on this patrol, Horst Deckert, age twenty-three, the son of German-American parents who lived in Chicago, was promoted to command His first watch officer on this patrol, Horst Deckert, age twenty-three, the son of German-American parents who lived in Chicago, was promoted to command U-73 U-73.

After Furious Furious reversed course for Gibraltar, she was screened by a half-dozen destroyers, many of them crowded with reversed course for Gibraltar, she was screened by a half-dozen destroyers, many of them crowded with Eagle Eagle survivors. One of the screen was survivors. One of the screen was Wolverine Wolverine-famous for supposedly sinking Gunther Prien in U-47 U-47-commanded by a new skipper, twenty-nine-year-old Peter Gretton. That night Wolverine Wolverine picked up an unidentified submarine on her radar at close range. Unhesitatingly Gretton rang up flank speed and rammed the target at 26 knots. It proved to be the medium-size Italian submarine picked up an unidentified submarine on her radar at close range. Unhesitatingly Gretton rang up flank speed and rammed the target at 26 knots. It proved to be the medium-size Italian submarine Dagabur Dagabur, which sank instantly with the loss of all hands. The "terrific" impact of the collision severely damaged the aged Wolverine Wolverine, which limped into Gibraltar, where in due course she got a temporary bow and went onward to England. There Gretton was decorated and promoted to command Escort Group B-7 on the North Atlantic run.

Convoy Pedestal pressed onward toward Malta, entering the perilous narrows separating Tunisia and Sardinia and Tunisia and Sicily. Per plan, the valuable battleships and carriers of the covering force prepared to reverse course and return to Gibraltar, leaving only the less valuable cruisers and destroyers to protect the merchant ships. However, before this dispersal could be executed, Axis air and naval forces inflicted severe damage on the British formations. Aircraft hit the destroyer Foresight Foresight and the new carrier and the new carrier Indomitable Indomitable, so badly damaging Foresight Foresight that she had to be sunk. In a memorable salvo, the Italian submarine that she had to be sunk. In a memorable salvo, the Italian submarine Axum Axum, commanded by Renato Perrini, hit the 4,200-ton light cruiser Cairo Cairo, the 8,000-ton heavy cruiser Nigeria Nigeria, and the 9,500-ton American tanker Ohio Ohio; in British charter. Hopelessly damaged, Cairo Cairo, too, had to be sunk. The Italian submarine Dessie Dessie, commanded by Renato Scandola, sank the 7,500-ton British freighter Deucalion Deucalion (possibly damaged by aircraft) and perhaps damaged the 12,800-ton British freighter Brisbane (possibly damaged by aircraft) and perhaps damaged the 12,800-ton British freighter Brisbane Star Star (possibly damaged by aircraft). The Italian submarine Alagi, commanded by Sergio Puccini, sank the 7,300-ton British freighter (possibly damaged by aircraft). The Italian submarine Alagi, commanded by Sergio Puccini, sank the 7,300-ton British freighter Clan Ferguson Clan Ferguson and damaged the 8,000-ton heavy cruiser and damaged the 8,000-ton heavy cruiser Kenya Kenya. The Italian submarine Bronzo Bronzo, commanded by Cesare Buldrini, damaged the 12,700-ton British freighter Empire Hope Empire Hope (possibly damaged by aircraft), which had to be sunk by an escort. (possibly damaged by aircraft), which had to be sunk by an escort.

The medium-size Italian submarine Cobalto Cobalto, on her maiden patrol, twice achieved a near-perfect position to sink the carrier Indomitable Indomitable. However, before she could shoot, the screening destroyers Pathfinder Pathfinder and and Ithuriel Ithuriel independently spotted independently spotted Cobalto Cobalto and thwarted both attacks. Upon sighting and thwarted both attacks. Upon sighting Cobalto Cobalto's periscope, Ithuriel Ithuriel closed and dropped five depth charges set for 50 feet, which brought the submarine to the surface. Firing her 4.7" batteries and other weapons, closed and dropped five depth charges set for 50 feet, which brought the submarine to the surface. Firing her 4.7" batteries and other weapons, Ithuriel Ithuriel ran in and rammed ran in and rammed Cobalto Cobalto a glancing blow abaft her conning tower. While the Italian submariners were jumping into the water, a glancing blow abaft her conning tower. While the Italian submariners were jumping into the water, Ithuriel Ithuriel put her stem against the conning tower and a boarding party scampered down a ladder onto put her stem against the conning tower and a boarding party scampered down a ladder onto Cobalto Cobalto. The leader of the boarding party hurried inside the submarine to grab cryptographic materials, but Cobalto Cobalto sank immediately. sank immediately. Ithuriel Ithuriel recovered all members of her boarding party as well as forty-two Italian prisoners. recovered all members of her boarding party as well as forty-two Italian prisoners.

As Pedestal pressed eastward to Cape Bon, the two battleships, two remaining carriers, and screens reversed course for Gibraltar, per plan. Thereafter, in the early hours of August 13, a dozen large and small Axis motor torpedo boats tore into the convoy. These hit and stopped the heavy cruiser Manchester Manchester, which the British scuttled the next day, and sank four or five of the big merchant ships. At dawn Axis aircraft resumed the assault, hitting other stragglers.

The Italian Navy had planned to strike the convoy with a cruiser squadron, but when Axis air forces failed to provide adequate air cover, the strike was canceled. Some of these retiring Italian warships steamed right into the crosshairs of the British submarine Unbroken Unbroken, commanded by Alastair Mars, patrolling north of Sicily. Mars had only four torpedoes left, but these, fired in a single salvo, hit and severely damaged the 10,000-ton heavy cruiser Bolzano Bolzano and the 7,000-ton light cruiser and the 7,000-ton light cruiser Muzio Attendolo Muzio Attendolo. Destroyers counterattacked, dropping 105 depth charges, but Unbeaten escaped and put into Malta. Neither Italian cruiser was repaired in time to see further action in the war.

Only five of the fourteen merchant ships of the Pedestal convoy reached Malta. British propagandists asserted that since the thirty-seven Spitfires and 32,000 tons of cargo brought in by Pedestal had "saved" Malta, whose forces decisively interdicted the flow of supplies to Rommel in the ensuing weeks, it had been worth the terrible cost in lost and damaged ships. However, postwar British naval studies contend that Allied air and naval forces basing on Malta played only a small and indecisive role in checking Rommel.

During the terrible ordeal of convoy Pedestal, the British sailed a "decoy convoy" (Drover) from Alexandria westward toward Malta. Its mission was to draw Axis forces away from Pedestal. Anticipating this convoy, but unaware that it was a decoy, the Germans deployed a half dozen U-boats into the eastern Mediterranean. British aircraft escorting this "decoy convoy" and other convoys plying between Port Said, Haifa, and Beirut during August made U-boat operations more hazardous than usual.

Very late on the evening of August 3, a radar-equipped Wellington of British Squadron 221, supporting convoy Drover off Tel Aviv, Palestine, got a contact on a U-boat. This was the U-372 U-372, commanded by Heinz-Joachim Neumann, who had sunk the big and important submarine tender Medway Medway on his prior patrol. When he came upon this convoy, he was on the way to put an agent ashore near Beirut, then conduct antiship operations. on his prior patrol. When he came upon this convoy, he was on the way to put an agent ashore near Beirut, then conduct antiship operations.

The Wellington pilot, Sergeant Gay, dropped flares near U-372 U-372 and requested assistance from the convoy escorts. Two big destroyers, and requested assistance from the convoy escorts. Two big destroyers, Sikh Sikh and and Zulu Zulu, peeled out. Sikh Sikh promptly got a good sonar contact and carried out six dogged depth-charge attacks while promptly got a good sonar contact and carried out six dogged depth-charge attacks while Zulu Zulu carried out one. Neumann got away but when he later surfaced, a lookout in carried out one. Neumann got away but when he later surfaced, a lookout in Sikh Sikh's crow's nest saw the boat, and the two destroyers opened fire with their 4.7" main batteries, forcing Neumann under again. Assisted by aircraft, the destroyers each carried out three more depth-charge attacks. Two other destroyers, Croome Croome and and Tetcott Tetcott, arrived about noon with full loads of depth charges and each carried out three attacks. Finally, at 1:30 P.M. P.M., the battered and wrecked U-372 U-372 rose to the surface and scuttled. The destroyers captured Neumann and forty-five other Germans, including the unlanded agent. rose to the surface and scuttled. The destroyers captured Neumann and forty-five other Germans, including the unlanded agent.

In the days following, British aircraft caught three other U-boats. North of Alexandria on August 4, Friedrich BUrgel in U-97 U-97 was severely damaged. The boat limped back to Salamis, where battle-damage repairs took months. On August 17, the new was severely damaged. The boat limped back to Salamis, where battle-damage repairs took months. On August 17, the new Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holder, Hans-Werner Kraus in holder, Hans-Werner Kraus in U-83 U-83, sank the 5,900-ton Canadian liner Princess Marguerite Princess Marguerite (misidentified as a 12,500-ton auxiliary cruiser), but British aircraft counterattacked and heavily damaged and disabled (misidentified as a 12,500-ton auxiliary cruiser), but British aircraft counterattacked and heavily damaged and disabled U-83 U-83. In response to calls for help from Kraus, Axis aircraft, surface ships, and submarines rescued U-83 U-83, but she, too, was out of action at Salamis for many months and Kraus also returned to Germany to commission one of the big U-boats. On August 22, a British aircraft inflicted heavy damage on Wilhelm Franken in U-565 U-565. He, too, reached Salamis, but he was also out of action for a long time.*

Only one of the half dozen German U-boats patrolling the eastern Mediterranean in late July and August turned in a noteworthy cruise. Emulating Kraus's patrol in June, Heinrich Schonder in U-77 U-77 sank ten sailing ships by gun off the coast of Palestine, Lebanon, and Cyprus in the two-week period from July 30 to August 13. Like Kraus, Schonder won a sank ten sailing ships by gun off the coast of Palestine, Lebanon, and Cyprus in the two-week period from July 30 to August 13. Like Kraus, Schonder won a Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz, awarded August 19. Like Kraus and some of the other skippers, Schonder returned to Germany to commission one of the large U-boats. Like Kraus and some of the other skippers, Schonder returned to Germany to commission one of the large U-boats.

The aggregate returns from the Mediterranean U-boats remained thin. In the five-month period from April 1 to August 31, inclusive, the twenty U-boats of the force sank four major warships (carrier Eagle Eagle, submarine tender Medway Medway, light cruiser Hermione Hermione, Hunt Hunt-class destroyer Grove Grove) for 43,750 tons and thirteen merchant ships for 45,630 tons, a total of seventeen ships for about 90,000 tons. Italian submarines put away the British light cruiser Cairo Cairo and, by mistake, the Italian destroyer and, by mistake, the Italian destroyer Admiral Usodimare Admiral Usodimare. In the same period, five U-boats had been lost, reducing the Mediterranean force to fifteen boats, and several, such as U-83 U-83, U-97 U-97, and U-565 U-565, had been badly damaged. The exchange rate was thus 1.3 ships sunk for each U-boat, ordinarily an unacceptable ratio but tolerated in this case because the U-boats supported Rommel.

By September 1, 1942, thirteen U-boats had been lost inside the Mediterranean. The British had captured 219 German survivors from eight of the boats, but the other 500 or so submariners were killed or missing. Notwithstanding this brutal casualty rate, Hitler decreed that the U-boats were to continue to support Erwin Rommel. The OKM therefore directed Donitz to plan further transfers of Type VIIs from the Atlantic force to the Mediterranean force.

RETURN TO THE N NORTH A ATLANTIC R RUN.

The arrival of thirteen new Type VIIs in the Atlantic force in July and the decision to limit Type VII sailings to the Americas enabled Donitz to resume group, or wolf pack, attacks against cargo convoys on the North Atlantic run. The first group, Wolf Wolf, was composed of ten VIICs that sailed in late June and early July. It was to establish a patrol line in the distant "air gap" between Iceland and Greenland.

As in the anticonvoy campaign during the summer and fall of 1941 in this area, the boats of group Wolf Wolf were to be individually relieved at sea by other boats as required, in order to maintain a continuous U-boat presence. When the arriving replacements and reinforcements outnumbered the original cadre, the pack was to be renamed. When the number of boats in the North Atlantic rose sufficiently high to permit it, additional groups were to be formed to operate simultaneously. were to be individually relieved at sea by other boats as required, in order to maintain a continuous U-boat presence. When the arriving replacements and reinforcements outnumbered the original cadre, the pack was to be renamed. When the number of boats in the North Atlantic rose sufficiently high to permit it, additional groups were to be formed to operate simultaneously.

Group Wolf Wolf was an odd mixture of old and new skippers and boats. Seven boats came from Germany, three from France. The boats from Germany included five new VIIs, one older VII, was an odd mixture of old and new skippers and boats. Seven boats came from Germany, three from France. The boats from Germany included five new VIIs, one older VII, U-454 U-454, transferring from the Arctic, and the aged Type IX U-43 U-43, returning from a long overhaul. Six of the ten skippers, including Hardo Rodler von Roithberg, age twenty-four, in the veteran U-71 U-71, sailing from France, and Hans-Joachim Schwantke, age twenty-three, in the veteran U-43 U-43, were making first patrols as captain. Two of the ten skippers were Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holders: Erich Topp in holders: Erich Topp in U-552 U-552 from France and Ernst Mengersen, who won his medal on the retired from France and Ernst Mengersen, who won his medal on the retired U-101 U-101, returning from Germany to the Atlantic in a new VII, U-607 U-607, his fourth U-boat command in the war.

The three boats sailing from French bases had to elude the intensified round-the-clock Coastal Command aircraft patrols. Topp in U-552 U-552 and von Roithberg in and von Roithberg in U-71 U-71 got through unscathed but Walter Schug in got through unscathed but Walter Schug in U-86 U-86 did not. On the night of July 5, when a Coastal Command Wellington bombed and sank the inbound did not. On the night of July 5, when a Coastal Command Wellington bombed and sank the inbound U-502 U-502, another aircraft, as yet unidentified, caught and bombed U-86 U-86. Schug reported to Kerneval that the close depth-charge blasts had knocked out four of his five torpedo tubes and damaged the fifth. His crew repaired some of the damage-avoiding an abort-but U-86 U-86 was not fully combat-ready on this patrol. was not fully combat-ready on this patrol.

En route to the patrol line, one of the five new boats sailing from Germany, U-90 U-90, commanded by Hans-Jurgen Oldorp, age thirty-one, reported a fast east-bound convoy on July 9. Donitz ordered three other new boats sailing from Germany to home on U-90 U-90, but owing to U-379 U-379's lack of training, he restricted Paul-Hugo Kettner from attacking except under the most favorable circumstances. Harassed by surface escorts and Iceland-based ASW aircraft, Oldorp in U-90 U-90 doggedly shadowed for almost 200 miles before Donitz canceled the operation. doggedly shadowed for almost 200 miles before Donitz canceled the operation.

By July 13, nine of the ten group Wolf Wolf boats had formed a patrol line running southeasterly from Greenland. That day, von Roithberg in boats had formed a patrol line running southeasterly from Greenland. That day, von Roithberg in U-71 U-71 found and reported another eastbound convoy. Horst Kessler, age twenty-seven, in the new boat found and reported another eastbound convoy. Horst Kessler, age twenty-seven, in the new boat U-704 U-704, requested beacon signals. Erich Topp in U-552 U-552 encountered-and reported-two "destroyers," which may have been convoy escorts. However, the convoy maneuvered radically and escaped into fog so dense that Donitz was again compelled to cancel operations. He soon ordered a new patrol line to intercept yet another eastbound convoy reported by encountered-and reported-two "destroyers," which may have been convoy escorts. However, the convoy maneuvered radically and escaped into fog so dense that Donitz was again compelled to cancel operations. He soon ordered a new patrol line to intercept yet another eastbound convoy reported by B-dienst B-dienst. But heavy fog persisted for a full week, utterly frustrating group Wolf Wolf.

Finally, on the evening of July 24, Erich Topp in U-552 U-552 found and held on doggedly to a convoy. It was the westbound Outbound North 113, composed of thirty-three empty ships escorted by six warships: the four-stack destroyers Burn-ham of the Royal Navy and found and held on doggedly to a convoy. It was the westbound Outbound North 113, composed of thirty-three empty ships escorted by six warships: the four-stack destroyers Burn-ham of the Royal Navy and St. Croix St. Croix of the Royal Canadian Navy, and four British corvettes. Upon picking up the U-boat shadow signals on Huff Duff, the of the Royal Canadian Navy, and four British corvettes. Upon picking up the U-boat shadow signals on Huff Duff, the Burnham Burnham and and St. Croix St. Croix raced ahead of the convoy and found two U-boats on the surface. raced ahead of the convoy and found two U-boats on the surface. Burnham Burnham chased one boat, the chased one boat, the St. Croix St. Croix the other. the other. St. Croix St. Croix's quarry was Oldorp's U-90 U-90, twenty-six days out from Kiel on her maiden voyage. Commanded by A. H. Dobson, St. Croix St. Croix drove drove U-90 U-90 under and blasted her with three well-conducted depth-charge attacks. Running in for a fourth attack, under and blasted her with three well-conducted depth-charge attacks. Running in for a fourth attack, St. Croix St. Croix heard an unusually loud underwater explosion, then saw debris rising to the surface. That was all that could be found of heard an unusually loud underwater explosion, then saw debris rising to the surface. That was all that could be found of U-90 U-90, which went down with all hands, the second confirmed U-boat to be sunk by Canadian surface forces.

While the two destroyers were off hunting U-boats, Topp in U-552 U-552 eased in to attack, bedeviled by a diesel-engine failure that reduced his maximum speed to 9 or 10 knots. He shot at and hit two British ships: the 8,100-ton tanker eased in to attack, bedeviled by a diesel-engine failure that reduced his maximum speed to 9 or 10 knots. He shot at and hit two British ships: the 8,100-ton tanker British Merit British Merit and the 5,100-ton freighter and the 5,100-ton freighter Broompark Broompark. Sailing in ballast, the damaged tanker reached port to be salvaged, but Broompark, badly wrecked, sank under tow. Gunfire from the freighter Salsten Salsten and perhaps from one or more of the four corvettes drove Topp off and under, foiling his second attack. No other U-boat could get close enough to shoot. and perhaps from one or more of the four corvettes drove Topp off and under, foiling his second attack. No other U-boat could get close enough to shoot.

Despite the fog and his diesel-engine problems, Topp managed to hang on and to shadow Outbound North 113. During July 25, his beacons brought up the group Wolf Wolf boats for the second time. Using radar and Huff Duff to advantage, the six escorts held off most of the boats, pounding the aged Type IX boats for the second time. Using radar and Huff Duff to advantage, the six escorts held off most of the boats, pounding the aged Type IX U-43 U-43 with a heavy depth-charge attack. This time only the with a heavy depth-charge attack. This time only the Ritterkreuz holder Ritterkreuz holder Ernst Mengersen in the new Ernst Mengersen in the new U-607 U-607 got in to shoot. He hit and damaged the 7,000-ton British freighter Empire got in to shoot. He hit and damaged the 7,000-ton British freighter Empire Rainbow Rainbow. A day or so later, Horst Kessler in the new U-704 U-704 encountered this same ship and finished her off with a torpedo. All other vessels of the convoy, save one, slipped into the fog off the Newfoundland Bank and reached port safely. encountered this same ship and finished her off with a torpedo. All other vessels of the convoy, save one, slipped into the fog off the Newfoundland Bank and reached port safely.*

The U-90 U-90 was the tenth boat of the Atlantic force to be lost since June 1. Donitz well knew that the resumption of U-boat warfare against North Atlantic convoys would result in still greater losses. Believing that he should soften this coming blow to the German public, on July 27 he announced that the campaign in the Americas had been more difficult than portrayed in the media and that yet "harder times" lay ahead. Upon hearing this unusual public address, Rodger Winn in the Admiralty's U-boat Tracking Room speculated correctly that it signaled a resumption of full-scale U-boat war against the North Atlantic convoy run. was the tenth boat of the Atlantic force to be lost since June 1. Donitz well knew that the resumption of U-boat warfare against North Atlantic convoys would result in still greater losses. Believing that he should soften this coming blow to the German public, on July 27 he announced that the campaign in the Americas had been more difficult than portrayed in the media and that yet "harder times" lay ahead. Upon hearing this unusual public address, Rodger Winn in the Admiralty's U-boat Tracking Room speculated correctly that it signaled a resumption of full-scale U-boat war against the North Atlantic convoy run.

As if to give emphasis to Donitz's statement, another U-boat was lost in that area. She was the new Type VIIC U-335 U-335, commanded by Hans-Hermann Pelkner.

Having sailed from Kiel on July 31, Pelkner, age thirty-three, was north of the Shetlands on August 3. His assignment was to probe west along likely North Atlantic convoy routes and to join whatever group was in operation. Another new boat, U-174 U-174, a Type IXC bound for the Americas, sailed close by with the same orders.

The Admiralty has not attributed the killing of U-335 U-335 to Enigma intelligence, but it seems likely that this was the case. Perhaps British codebreakers obtained information on her departure and that of to Enigma intelligence, but it seems likely that this was the case. Perhaps British codebreakers obtained information on her departure and that of U-174 U-174 from from Werft Werft dockyard codes or from the three-rotor Enigma traffic of the admiral commanding Norway. Whatever the case, on August 1, the Admiralty informed the new British submarine dockyard codes or from the three-rotor Enigma traffic of the admiral commanding Norway. Whatever the case, on August 1, the Admiralty informed the new British submarine Saracen Saracen, which was in workup north of the Shetlands, to be on the lookout for two U-boats that might pass through her area during the next two days. Saracen Saracen, commanded by Michael G. R. Lumby, went on full alert.

Late in the afternoon of August 3, while running submerged, the periscope watch of Saracen Saracen picked up picked up U-335 U-335 at 3,000 yards. Three minutes later, Lumby commenced firing all six bow tubes at seven-second intervals. One or more torpedoes hit and at 3,000 yards. Three minutes later, Lumby commenced firing all six bow tubes at seven-second intervals. One or more torpedoes hit and U-335 U-335 blew sky-high. Upon surfacing to collect debris for proof of a kill, Lumby found one German body and two survivors. When he attempted to fish them out, one refused to be rescued and deliberately drowned himself, Lumby reported. The other, Rudolf Jahnke, a signalman who was thrown from blew sky-high. Upon surfacing to collect debris for proof of a kill, Lumby found one German body and two survivors. When he attempted to fish them out, one refused to be rescued and deliberately drowned himself, Lumby reported. The other, Rudolf Jahnke, a signalman who was thrown from U-335 U-335's bridge when the torpedo struck, willingly came on board. Saracen Saracen reloaded her tubes and remained on alert, hoping to find and kill the other boat, but she had no further luck. reloaded her tubes and remained on alert, hoping to find and kill the other boat, but she had no further luck.

On July 29 and 30 in the mid-Atlantic, the nine surviving boats of group Wolf Wolf refueled from the tanker refueled from the tanker U-461 U-461, commanded by the aptly named Wolf Wolf Stiebler. It was then discovered that Stiebler. It was then discovered that U-90 U-90 was missing. At the same time, Walter Schug in was missing. At the same time, Walter Schug in U-86 U-86 conceded that the bomb damage he incurred crossing the Bay of Biscay had rendered his boat incapable of hard convoy warfare. He was therefore detached from group conceded that the bomb damage he incurred crossing the Bay of Biscay had rendered his boat incapable of hard convoy warfare. He was therefore detached from group Wolf Wolf and ordered to patrol for single ships in the waters of the western Atlantic. When he eventually returned to France, he reported he had sunk only one 342-ton American sailing vessel, and ordered to patrol for single ships in the waters of the western Atlantic. When he eventually returned to France, he reported he had sunk only one 342-ton American sailing vessel, Wawaloam Wawaloam, by gun.

While group Wolf Wolf was refueling, on July 29 and 30, a newly sailed Type VII, was refueling, on July 29 and 30, a newly sailed Type VII, U-210 U-210, commanded by Rudolf Lemcke, age twenty-eight, discovered another westbound convoy. This was Outbound North 115, composed of forty-one empty merchant ships, escorted by the all-Canadian group C-3, comprised of the destroyers Saguenay Saguenay and and Skeena Skeena and four corvettes. Acting on Lemcke's contact reports, Kerneval hurriedly formed a temporary six-boat group-named and four corvettes. Acting on Lemcke's contact reports, Kerneval hurriedly formed a temporary six-boat group-named Pirat Pirat-from the stream of nearby boats bound for the Americas along the northern routes. Pending contact by the other boats, Lemcke was prohibited from attacking, an infuriating restriction, softened somewhat by news from Kerneval that his wife had just given birth to twins and that all was well at home.

The Canadian escorts were handicapped by the lack of modern equipment, such as Type 271 centimetric-wavelength radar and Huff Duff. Nonetheless, as the six boats of group Pirat Pirat assembled to attack, the Canadians picked up their radio transmissions and the veteran escort commander, D. C. Wallace in assembled to attack, the Canadians picked up their radio transmissions and the veteran escort commander, D. C. Wallace in Saguenay Saguenay, responded with exceptionally aggressive maneuvers. As a consequence, not one of the boats of group Pirat Pirat could get into position to shoot. Moreover, on the night of July 31, two of the veteran Canadian escorts, the destroyer could get into position to shoot. Moreover, on the night of July 31, two of the veteran Canadian escorts, the destroyer Skeena Skeena, commanded by K. L. Dyer, and the corvette Wetaskiwin Wetaskiwin, commanded by Guy S. Windeyer, trapped the experienced Type VIIC U-588 U-588, commanded by Viktor Vogel, and sank her by depth charges with the loss of all hands. She was the second U-boat after U-90 U-90 to fall to Canadian surface escorts in the North Atlantic within a week. to fall to Canadian surface escorts in the North Atlantic within a week.

The aggressive maneuvering by the Canadian escorts burned fuel oil at a great rate. Therefore the destroyers Saguenay Saguenay and and Skeena Skeena were compelled to leave the convoy and go directly to St. John's, Newfoundland. To make matters worse, the corvette were compelled to leave the convoy and go directly to St. John's, Newfoundland. To make matters worse, the corvette Wetaskiwin Wetaskiwin separated from the convoy, became lost in the fog, and also went directly to St. John's. These departures temporarily reduced the escort to merely three corvettes, but two other destroyers, the British separated from the convoy, became lost in the fog, and also went directly to St. John's. These departures temporarily reduced the escort to merely three corvettes, but two other destroyers, the British Witch Witch and the Canadian four-stack and the Canadian four-stack Hamilton Hamilton, and another corvette, Agassiz, put out from Newfoundland to reinforce the group.

Although convoy Outbound North 115 was sailing into the protective fog of the Newfoundland Bank and ever closer to radar-equipped land-based ASW aircraft, Donitz directed the eight remaining boats of group Wolf Wolf to reinforce the six of group to reinforce the six of group Pirat Pirat and attack as they completed refueling. The first of the and attack as they completed refueling. The first of the Wolf Wolf boats to find the convoy was Erich Topp in boats to find the convoy was Erich Topp in U-552 U-552. He gave the alarm and shadowed, bringing up boats of both groups. In the confused, fogbound attacks which ensued on the night of August 2-3, Topp claimed sinking two 8,000-ton freighters, but postwar analysis reduced his confirmed score to damage to the 10,600-ton British tanker G. S. Walden G. S. Walden, which was salvaged, and the sinking of the 7,200-ton freighter Belgian Soldier Belgian Soldier. Another Wolf Wolf boat, boat, U-607 U-607, commanded by Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holder Ernst Mengersen, shared credit for sinking holder Ernst Mengersen, shared credit for sinking Belgian Soldier Belgian Soldier. Only one of the Pirat Pirat skippers, the veteran Karl Thurmann in skippers, the veteran Karl Thurmann in U-553 U-553, sank a ship: the 9,400-ton British freighter Loch Katrine Loch Katrine.

The British destroyer Witch Witch and the five Canadian warships of the reorganized escort group put up a feisty defense. In the fog, the corvette and the five Canadian warships of the reorganized escort group put up a feisty defense. In the fog, the corvette Sackville Sackville, commanded by Alan H. Easton, came upon Topp in U-552 U-552, opened fire, and nearly rammed the U-boat. Sackville Sackville's shells holed U-552 U-552's main-engine air induction and exhaust pipes and damaged her rear periscope, forcing Topp to abort.* Hans-Joachim Schwantke, the new skipper of the aged Hans-Joachim Schwantke, the new skipper of the aged U-43 U-43, reported that as a result of close and persistent depth charges, both air compressors were broken and two bow torpedo-tube outer doors were jammed half open, and he, too, had to abort. Thurmann in U-553 U-553 reported that an escort pursued and depth-charged him for five hours, but he escaped with slight damage. After taking on all the fuel oil Topp in reported that an escort pursued and depth-charged him for five hours, but he escaped with slight damage. After taking on all the fuel oil Topp in U-552 U-552 could spare, Thurmann in could spare, Thurmann in U-553 U-553 proceeded to the Caribbean, as did four other boats that were temporarily diverted to group proceeded to the Caribbean, as did four other boats that were temporarily diverted to group Pirat Pirat.

The aborts of Topp and Schwantke so reduced the original Wolf Wolf group that it was disbanded. The six remaining boats, all of which had refueled and had plenty of torpedoes, were used to cadre a new group. group that it was disbanded. The six remaining boats, all of which had refueled and had plenty of torpedoes, were used to cadre a new group.

The results of group Wolf Wolf and its temporary offspring, group and its temporary offspring, group Pirat Pirat, were not impressive. In a full month of operations-early July to early August-the ten boats of Wolf Wolf had firmly locked on to only two convoys, both westbound: Outbound North 113 and Outbound North 115. As in the case of the earlier small group, had firmly locked on to only two convoys, both westbound: Outbound North 113 and Outbound North 115. As in the case of the earlier small group, Hecht Hecht, only the Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holders (Topp and Mengersen) managed to penetrate the escort screens and carry out effective attacks. These attacks, however, had produced meager returns: three empty freighters sunk for about 20,000 tons, and two empty tankers damaged for about 19,000 tons. One boat of the holders (Topp and Mengersen) managed to penetrate the escort screens and carry out effective attacks. These attacks, however, had produced meager returns: three empty freighters sunk for about 20,000 tons, and two empty tankers damaged for about 19,000 tons. One boat of the Wolf Wolf group, group, U-90 U-90, had been lost and three, U-43 U-43, U-86 U-86, and U-552 U-552, had incurred heavy battle damage. In the short-lived group Pirat Pirat, Karl Thurmann in U-533 U-533 had sunk one ship for 9,400 tons, but one boat, Viktor Vogel's had sunk one ship for 9,400 tons, but one boat, Viktor Vogel's U-588 U-588, had been lost.

While Topp in U-552 U-552 was crossing the Bay of Biscay on August 10 inbound to Lorient, a Coastal Command aircraft caught and bombed him. Fortunately for the Germans, the damage was slight and Topp reached port on August 13 without further incident. Inasmuch as his total claims had then reached 250,000 tons or more, Topp qualified for the addition of Crossed Swords to his was crossing the Bay of Biscay on August 10 inbound to Lorient, a Coastal Command aircraft caught and bombed him. Fortunately for the Germans, the damage was slight and Topp reached port on August 13 without further incident. Inasmuch as his total claims had then reached 250,000 tons or more, Topp qualified for the addition of Crossed Swords to his Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz,* the second submariner after Otto Kretschmer to earn that high distinction. Upon receiving the award from Hitler in person, Topp left the second submariner after Otto Kretschmer to earn that high distinction. Upon receiving the award from Hitler in person, Topp left U-552 U-552 to command the 27th Flotilla in the Training Command and did not return to combat. to command the 27th Flotilla in the Training Command and did not return to combat.

A new group, Steinbrink Steinbrink, composed initially of eight boats (six left over from group Wolf Wolf and two newly arrived), formed in the "air gap" southeast of Greenland. On August 5, one of the latter, Gerd Kelbling's experienced and two newly arrived), formed in the "air gap" southeast of Greenland. On August 5, one of the latter, Gerd Kelbling's experienced U-593 U-593 from France, found and shadowed an eastbound convoy. from France, found and shadowed an eastbound convoy.

This was Slow Convoy 94. Composed of thirty-three heavily laden merchant ships, it was escorted by Canadian group C-1. There were seven warships in the escort group: the (ex-British) Canadian destroyer Assiniboine Assiniboine, and three Canadian and three British corvettes. Although nominally Canadian, the group was commanded by a British officer, A. Ayer, in the British corvette Primrose Primrose. None of the escorts had Huff Duff. Only one vessel, the British corvette Nasturtium Nasturtium, had Type 271 centimetric-wavelength radar.

After other boats reported contact on the convoy, Kelbling in U-593 U-593 attacked an element of the formation that had separated from the main body. He claimed hits on two freighters, but in fact he had hit only one, the 3,600-ton Dutchman, Spar, which sank. The corvettes attacked an element of the formation that had separated from the main body. He claimed hits on two freighters, but in fact he had hit only one, the 3,600-ton Dutchman, Spar, which sank. The corvettes Nasturtium Nasturtium and and Orillia Orillia counterattacked with depth charges, which exploded near Kelbling in counterattacked with depth charges, which exploded near Kelbling in U-593 U-593 and a new arrival from Germany, Jurgen Quaet-Faslem, age twenty-nine, in and a new arrival from Germany, Jurgen Quaet-Faslem, age twenty-nine, in U-595 U-595. The boats hung on, bringing up others, but none was able to attack.

Later the following afternoon, August 6, the Canadian destroyer Assiniboine Assiniboine, commanded by John H. Stubbs, got a contact on her Type 286 meter-wavelength radar at about 2,000 yards. Moments later lookouts saw a U-boat stopped dead on the surface. Assiniboine Assiniboine fired one round from her 4.7" main battery, set up a salvo of shallow-set depth charges, and went ahead full speed to ram. Her target was the new fired one round from her 4.7" main battery, set up a salvo of shallow-set depth charges, and went ahead full speed to ram. Her target was the new U-210 U-210, commanded by Rudolf Lemcke, who had earlier found Outbound North 113, but had not yet fired a torpedo. Astonishingly, the single round from Assiniboine Assiniboine's gun hit U-210 U-210 in a fuel ballast tank, impairing her ability to dive. Lemcke rang up maximum speed and ran for a patch of fog. in a fuel ballast tank, impairing her ability to dive. Lemcke rang up maximum speed and ran for a patch of fog.

John Stubbs in Assiniboine Assiniboine was not to be denied that day. Tracking was not to be denied that day. Tracking U-210 U-210 through fog patches by radar, he closed and fired several more rounds from his main battery. Maneuvering wildly to get so close to the destroyer that she could not depress her main guns, Lemcke's men shot back at point-blank range with bridge guns. The German fire killed one man, wounded thirteen others, and set the destroyer's bridge on fire. However, three or four 4.7" rounds from through fog patches by radar, he closed and fired several more rounds from his main battery. Maneuvering wildly to get so close to the destroyer that she could not depress her main guns, Lemcke's men shot back at point-blank range with bridge guns. The German fire killed one man, wounded thirteen others, and set the destroyer's bridge on fire. However, three or four 4.7" rounds from Assiniboine Assiniboine hit hit U-210 U-210, one at the bridge. It blew Lemcke to pieces, killed five other men, and smashed the bridge and conning tower.

Although wounded in the chest, U-210 U-210's first watch officer, twenty-two-year-old Gunther Gohlich, crew of 1938, assumed command of the wrecked boat. In desperation he fired a torpedo at Assiniboine Assiniboine but missed. Meanwhile, belowdecks, the chief engineer, Heinz Sorber, dived the boat. But it was too late. but missed. Meanwhile, belowdecks, the chief engineer, Heinz Sorber, dived the boat. But it was too late. Assiniboine Assiniboine rammed rammed U-210 U-210 twice and dropped shallow-set depth charges, which savaged the boat. When it was clear that the game was lost, Gohlich ordered the crew to scuttle and abandon ship. After opening the vents of one ballast tank, Gohlich and Sorber and thirty-five others clambered topside through the torpedo-loading hatch and jumped into the sea. Following correct procedure, a radio operator threw two Enigma boxes overboard. Thirty-eight minutes after twice and dropped shallow-set depth charges, which savaged the boat. When it was clear that the game was lost, Gohlich ordered the crew to scuttle and abandon ship. After opening the vents of one ballast tank, Gohlich and Sorber and thirty-five others clambered topside through the torpedo-loading hatch and jumped into the sea. Following correct procedure, a radio operator threw two Enigma boxes overboard. Thirty-eight minutes after Assiniboine Assiniboine first got radar contact, first got radar contact, U-210 U-210 upended and sank. upended and sank.

In the meantime, the British corvette Dianthus Dianthus appeared out of the fog and assisted appeared out of the fog and assisted Assiniboine Assiniboine in fishing the Germans from the sea. in fishing the Germans from the sea. Dianthus Dianthus picked up twenty-seven men, picked up twenty-seven men, Assiniboine Assiniboine ten. During the search, ten. During the search, Assiniboine Assiniboine's commander realized that his own ship was too badly damaged to continue the voyage to the British Isles, so he took six Germans from Dianthus Dianthus and turned about for Canada. Keeping the other twenty-one Germans, and turned about for Canada. Keeping the other twenty-one Germans, Dianthus Dianthus proceeded with the convoy toward the British Isles. Repairs to proceeded with the convoy toward the British Isles. Repairs to Assiniboine Assiniboine kept her out of action until January 1943. In due course, Stubbs's sixteen Germans, including Gohlich and Sorber, were turned over to American naval authorities. kept her out of action until January 1943. In due course, Stubbs's sixteen Germans, including Gohlich and Sorber, were turned over to American naval authorities.

The oft-maligned Canadians had reason to be proud. The U-210 U-210 was the fourth confirmed U-boat to be sunk by Canadian air or surface ships within a period of two weeks. was the fourth confirmed U-boat to be sunk by Canadian air or surface ships within a period of two weeks.

Slow Convoy 94 wallowed onward to the British Isles. Group Steinbrink Steinbrink, reinforced by a half dozen westbound boats, including two Americas-bound Type IXCs, U-174 U-174 and and U-176 U-176, pursued. On the morning of August 8, three new Type VIIs, U-607 U-607, U-660 U-660, and U-704 U-704, closed the formation and each shot three torpedoes. All malfunctioned or missed. In the afternoon of the same day, two other boats, the new Type VII U-379 U-379, commanded by Paul-Hugo Kettner, age thirty, and the new Type IXC U-176 U-176, commanded by Reiner Dierksen, age thirty-four, boldly submerged ahead of the convoy and attacked by periscope in broad daylight.

The unexpected daylight attacks caused utter chaos. Kettner in U-379 U-379 hit and sank two freighters for 8,900 tons, one American, one British. Dierksen in hit and sank two freighters for 8,900 tons, one American, one British. Dierksen in U-176 U-176 fired six torpedoes and sank three freighters for 16,700 tons, two British, one Greek. In sheer panic, the crews of three other freighters abandoned ship. Prodded by the escort commander, two crews soon reboarded, but the third, from the 3,700-ton British freighter fired six torpedoes and sank three freighters for 16,700 tons, two British, one Greek. In sheer panic, the crews of three other freighters abandoned ship. Prodded by the escort commander, two crews soon reboarded, but the third, from the 3,700-ton British freighter Radchurch Radchurch, refused. Dierksen in U-176 U-176 found this abandoned ship and sank it as well. found this abandoned ship and sank it as well.

Later that afternoon, a masthead lookout on the British corvette Dianthus Dianthus, commanded by C. E. Bridgeman, spotted two U-boats about six miles away. Bridgeman immediately fired twelve rounds from his main 4" battery, but none hit and the U-boats dived. Combing the area for several hours, Dianthus Dianthus finally regained contact with finally regained contact with U-379 U-379 and fired off eight star shells. Kettner dived instantly, but his evasion was inept and and fired off eight star shells. Kettner dived instantly, but his evasion was inept and Dianthus Dianthus blew him back to the surface with five well-aimed depth charges. blew him back to the surface with five well-aimed depth charges.

When U-379 U-379 popped up, popped up, Dianthus Dianthus fixed the boat in her searchlight, dropped five more depth charges, and slewed about to ram, with all guns blazing. Firing snowflakes to illuminate the scene, fixed the boat in her searchlight, dropped five more depth charges, and slewed about to ram, with all guns blazing. Firing snowflakes to illuminate the scene, Dianthus Dianthus crashed into the forward deck of crashed into the forward deck of U-379 U-379, rode over the U-boat, and dropped five more shallow-set depth charges. These explosions forced Kettner to scuttle and abandon ship. As Kettner and the crew were leaping into the sea, Bridgeman pumped another seven rounds of 4" shells into the U-379 U-379, raked her with machine-gun fire, and rammed her three more times. After midnight on August 9, the U-boat finally upended and sank. Bridgeman brought one of the twenty-one prisoners of U-210 U-210 to his bridge to help in fishing out the crew of to his bridge to help in fishing out the crew of U-379 U-379, but only five survivors were found, all enlisted men. Worried about his own considerable bow damage and fearful of a U-boat attack, Bridgeman soon suspended the search. He tossed over a life raft for any other Germans, but none of them survived.

During the next day, August 9, Western Approaches reinforced the escort of Slow Convoy 94. A B-24 Liberator bomber and a Catalina flew out from Iceland to circle overhead. Two destroyers, the British Broke Broke, equipped with Huff Duff, and the Polish Blyskawica Blyskawica, joined. The skipper of Broke Broke, A.F.C. Layard, who was senior officer present, assumed command of the escort.

That day a dozen U-boats were in close contact with the convoy. Three skip-pers, all on maiden patrols, attacked the formation. Ulrich Thilo, age thirty-nine, in the Type IXC U-174 U-174, shot three torpedoes into the center of the formation, but inexplicably, not one hit a ship. Hans Gilardone, age thirty, in the VII U-254 U-254, who had sunk a 1,200-ton freighter on his way out from Germany, also fired three torpedoes into the middle of the formation and missed. Odo Loewe, age twenty-seven, in the VII U-256 U-256, who missed a "destroyer" with four torpedoes while outbound from Germany, fired three more at a "destroyer" and missed again.

By August 10 more than a dozen U-boats were still trailing Slow Convoy 94. Three skippers in new Type VIIs submerged ahead and attacked the convoy by periscope in broad daylight. The first was Eberhard Bopst, age twenty-eight, in U-597. U-597. His torpedoes missed or malfunctioned and he got no hits. The other two were Rudolf Franzius, age thirty-one, in His torpedoes missed or malfunctioned and he got no hits. The other two were Rudolf Franzius, age thirty-one, in U-438 U-438 and Gotz Baur, age twenty-five, in and Gotz Baur, age twenty-five, in U-660. U-660. Both skippers simultaneously hit and sank the 4,400-ton Greek freighter Both skippers simultaneously hit and sank the 4,400-ton Greek freighter Condylis Condylis, to share credit. Baur sank two British freighters for 10,000 tons and damaged another, the 6,000-ton Oregon. Oregon. Coming upon the damaged Coming upon the damaged Oregon Oregon, Franzius in U-438 U-438 put her under with a finishing shot, to share credit. Confirmed results of these attacks: four freighters for 20,500 tons sunk. put her under with a finishing shot, to share credit. Confirmed results of these attacks: four freighters for 20,500 tons sunk.

Beginning August 11, Western Approaches saturated the air in the area of Slow Convoy 94 and beefed up the surface escort with the onetime Coast Guard cutter Sennen Sennen and four fleet destroyers. The aircraft (Liberators, Catalinas, and a B-17 Flying Fortress) drove off the U-boats and forced Donitz to cancel the operation. Five skippers reported "major" depth-charge damage from aircraft or surface ships or other defects that forced them to abort: von Roithberg in and four fleet destroyers. The aircraft (Liberators, Catalinas, and a B-17 Flying Fortress) drove off the U-boats and forced Donitz to cancel the operation. Five skippers reported "major" depth-charge damage from aircraft or surface ships or other defects that forced them to abort: von Roithberg in U-71 U-71 (yet again!), Kelbling in (yet again!), Kelbling in U-593 U-593, Quaet-Faslem in U-595 U-595, Bopst in U-597 U-597, and Kessler in U-704. U-704. They were joined on the homeward voyage by two boats that had only one remaining torpedo each: Hans Gilardone in They were joined on the homeward voyage by two boats that had only one remaining torpedo each: Hans Gilardone in U-254 U-254 and the and the Ritterkreuz Ritterkreuz holder Ernst Mengersen in holder Ernst Mengersen in U-607 U-607.

Berlin propagandists bragged that the U-boat attack on Slow Convoy 94 resulted in the sinking of "more than 84,000 tons" of shipping. The confirmed bag, run up by five green skippers, was eleven ships sunk for 53,421 tons. A dozen other skippers got in close and some shot torpedoes, but none sank anything. Two new U-boats, Lemcke's U-210 U-210 and Kettner's and Kettner's U-379 U-379, were sunk by the escorts; another, Pelkner's U-335 U-335, was lost to the enemy en route to join in the battle. The "exchange" rate in this battle was thus an intolerable 3.7 ships sunk for one U-boat.

A new group, Loss Loss, came into being August 12. It was composed of seven boats from group Steinbrink Steinbrink, including the two Type IXCs, U-174 U-174 and and U-176 U-176, which had canceled patrols to the Americas, and three newly sailed boats from Germany. Based on information developed by B-dienst B-dienst, Donitz deployed group Loss Loss on a line 500 miles due south of Iceland to intercept convoy Outbound North 120. on a line 500 miles due south of Iceland to intercept convoy Outbound North 120.

As the group was moving into position, one of the boats, the new U-705 U-705, commanded by Karl-Horst Horn, age twenty-five, found a convoy. It was not the one expected but rather the eastbound Slow Convoy 95. It was guarded by the one remaining American MOEF escort group in the North Atlantic, A-3, commanded by Paul Heineman. It consisted of the big Treasury Treasury-class Coast Guard cutter Spencer Spencer, the four-stack American destroyer Schenck Schenck, and four Canadian and two British corvettes.

The surprise appearance of Slow Convoy 95 confused the Germans. Nonetheless, Kerneval added three nearby new boats to group Loss Loss, bringing the total to thirteen. But only three got into a favorable position in time to shoot. Horn in U-705 U-705 sank the 3,300-ton American freighter sank the 3,300-ton American freighter Balladier. Balladier. Herbert-Viktor Schutze, age twenty-five, in the new Herbert-Viktor Schutze, age twenty-five, in the new U-605 U-605 shot at a freighter but missed. Odo Loewe in shot at a freighter but missed. Odo Loewe in U-256 U-256 also missed a freighter. An escort caught and shelled also missed a freighter. An escort caught and shelled U-256 U-256, but she got away. Still confused, Kerneval canceled the operations against the heavily laden east-bound ships of Slow Convoy 95 in favor of a renewed search for the empty westbound ships of Outbound North 120.

Three veteran boats sailed from France to join group Loss. Loss. These were the These were the U-135 U-135, commanded by Friedrich-Hermann Praetorius; the U-373 U-373, commanded by Paul-Karl Loeser; and the U-578 U-578, commanded by Ernst-August Rehwinkel, the latter famous for having sunk the American destroyer Jacob Jones Jacob Jones off New Jersey. Coastal Command aircraft caught and attacked all three boats in the Bay of Biscay on August 10 and 11. The plane that attacked off New Jersey. Coastal Command aircraft caught and attacked all three boats in the Bay of Biscay on August 10 and 11. The plane that attacked U-135 U-135 killed two men by machine-gun fire. A Sunderland bombed Loeser in killed two men by machine-gun fire. A Sunderland bombed Loeser in U-373 U-373, but he dived deep and escaped. The attack on Rehwinkel in U-578 U-578, carried out by a Wellington of the Czech-manned Squadron 311, piloted by Josef Nlvt, was fatal. The U-578 U-578 went down with the loss of all hands. Nlvt was killed in action a month later. went down with the loss of all hands. Nlvt was killed in action a month later.

Believing the Allies were routing convoys farther north, Donitz shifted group Loss Loss in that direction. Praetorius in in that direction. Praetorius in U-135 U-135 was not informed of the movement, and as a result, when he took up the southernmost position on the line, he was about 100 miles out of position. By happenstance, this error placed Praetorius directly in the path of convoy Outbound North (Slow) 122, which, exactly contrary to the German guesstimates, had been routed farther south than usual. was not informed of the movement, and as a result, when he took up the southernmost position on the line, he was about 100 miles out of position. By happenstance, this error placed Praetorius directly in the path of convoy Outbound North (Slow) 122, which, exactly contrary to the German guesstimates, had been routed farther south than usual.

Due to an encoding error, Kerneval could not read Praetorius's initial contact report. Three hours later, when he sent another, correctly encoded, Donitz was puzzled and delayed any deployment for several more hours until the picture clarified. After receiving Praetorius's third contact report, Donitz finally conceded that it must be Outbound North (Slow) 122, routed to a southerly course rather than a northerly one. He radioed all boats to converge on U-135 U-135 and to attack. and to attack.

Convoy Outbound North (Slow) 122 was escorted by group B-6, nominally British. Commanded by J. V. Waterhouse, it was comprised of the British destroyer Viscount Viscount, equipped with Type 271 centimetric radar, Huff Duff, and a Hedgehog, and four corvettes manned by Norwegian crews and fitted with Type 271 radar. A rescue ship, Stockport Stockport, also equipped with Huff Duff, brought up the rear.

By August 24, nine U-boats of group Loss Loss had made contact with the convoy, but it sailed into fog cover and only three boats could attack: Reiner Dierksen in the Type IXC had made contact with the convoy, but it sailed into fog cover and only three boats could attack: Reiner Dierksen in the Type IXC U-176 U-176, Rudolf Franzius in U-438 U-438, and Herbert-Viktor Schutze in U-605 U-605. Dierksen and Franzius hit and sank the same ship, the 7,500-ton British freighter Empire Breeze Empire Breeze, to share credit. In addition, Franzius sank the 1,600-ton Norwegian freighter Trolla. Trolla. Schutze sank two other British freighters for 8,200 tons. Total: four ships sunk for 17,300 tons. Schutze sank two other British freighters for 8,200 tons. Total: four ships sunk for 17,300 tons.

Making good use of radar and Huff Duff in the fog, Viscount Viscount and the other es corts skillfully thwarted other attacks and counterattacked. and the other es corts skillfully thwarted other attacks and counterattacked. Viscount Viscount carried out a Hedgehog attack-perhaps the first of the war-that resulted in a "tremendous rippling explosion" believed to be a kill, but it could not be confirmed. Six U-boats reported serious damage: carried out a Hedgehog attack-perhaps the first of the war-that resulted in a "tremendous rippling explosion" believed to be a kill, but it could not be confirmed. Six U-boats reported serious damage: * Schutze in U-605: U-605: one escort holed his conning tower so badly he was forced to abort. one escort holed his conning tower so badly he was forced to abort.

* Franzius in U-438: U-438: one escort drove him under and pounded him with depth charges, inflicting so much damage that he was forced to abort as well. one escort drove him under and pounded him with depth charges, inflicting so much damage that he was forced to abort as well.

* Thilo in the new Type IXC U-174 U-174: an escort hit him with gunfire "at close range," drove him under, and chased him for five hours with "well placed" depth charges, inflicting "considerable" damage.

* Horn in U-705: U-705: an escort hit him with gunfire, inflicting "several casualties," forcing him to abort. an escort hit him with gunfire, inflicting "several casualties," forcing him to abort.

* Loewe in U-256: U-256: incurred such heavy damage from depth charges that he, too, was forced to abort. incurred such heavy damage from depth charges that he, too, was forced to abort.

* Praetorius in U-135: U-135: "heavy damage" from depth charges. "heavy damage" from depth charges.

While inbound to France in the Bay of Biscay on August 31, Odo Loewe in the damaged U-256 U-256 was attacked and further damaged by two Coastal Command Whitleys piloted by Edward B. Brooks and E. O. Tandy. Fortunately for Loewe and his men, Rudolf Franzius in the damaged was attacked and further damaged by two Coastal Command Whitleys piloted by Edward B. Brooks and E. O. Tandy. Fortunately for Loewe and his men, Rudolf Franzius in the damaged U-438 U-438 was close by. Franzius radioed Kerneval for assistance and took aboard thirty men from was close by. Franzius radioed Kerneval for assistance and took aboard thirty men from U-256 U-256, leaving only a salvage crew. Kerneval rushed air cover and motor torpedo boats to the scene and the latter towed the wrecked U-256 U-256 into Lorient. The boat was found to be so badly damaged that she was withdrawn from combatant status, and Loewe and most of his crew were transferred to another boat. into Lorient. The boat was found to be so badly damaged that she was withdrawn from combatant status, and Loewe and most of his crew were transferred to another boat.

Two Whitleys of Bomber Command Squadron 77, on loan to Coastal Command, found and attacked U-boats in the Bay of Biscay on September 3. One Whitley, piloted by A. A. Maclnnes, hit Karl-Horst Horn in U-705 U-705, who was aborting with damage and wounded. Maclnnes sank U-705 U-705 by depth charges with the loss of all hands. The other Whitley, piloted by T. S. Lea, hit Gotz Baur in by depth charges with the loss of all hands. The other Whitley, piloted by T. S. Lea, hit Gotz Baur in U-660 U-660, but he escaped with slight damage. The Admiralty gave wartime credit to Lea for sinking U-705 U-705, but upon later investigation credited Maclnnes.

In view of the growing number of Type VII U-boats operating against convoys, Kerneval welcomed the sailing from Kiel on August 8 of the sixth of the Type XIV U-tankers, the U-464 U-464, commanded by Otto Harms, age thirty-three. However, en route to the Atlantic, the boat developed an oil trace and Harms had to put into Bergen for repairs, delaying his final departure to August 16.

Four days later the U-464 U-464 reached a position about 160 miles east-southeast of Iceland. Although those waters were teeming with Allied warships plying between Iceland and the British Isles and with aircraft on local ASW patrol or convoy escort, reached a position about 160 miles east-southeast of Iceland. Although those waters were teeming with Allied warships plying between Iceland and the British Isles and with aircraft on local ASW patrol or convoy escort,* Harms was dangerously lolling on the surface at dawn when an American Catalina of the Navy's Patrol Squadron 73, which was assigned to provide air cover for a small convoy, appeared out of the low and dirty clouds overhead. Harms was dangerously lolling on the surface at dawn when an American Catalina of the Navy's Patrol Squadron 73, which was assigned to provide air cover for a small convoy, appeared out of the low and dirty clouds overhead.*