REMARKABLE FEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 32, 17 November 1943, Page 6

REMARKABLE FEAT.

THE WAR ON U-BOATS. SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 10. The United States Navy revealed in Washington the amazing feat of Lieutenant Robert P. Williams, 26-year-old flyer, who destroyed three German submarines and possibly damaged a fourth during a six-weeks’ period in the' Battle of the Atlantic. He accounted for three of the raiders within four days and bagged the other five weeks later, probably the biggest individual catch in the history of antisubmarine warfare.

During each of the forays, Lieut. Williams was aided by the same crew Radioman-Photographer Morris, C. Grinstead, and Turret-Gunner Melvin H. Paden. Lieut. Williams holds the Navy Cross for heroism as a dive-bomber in the Coral Sea battle, and is now attached to one of the Navy’s new escort carriers. He started his record string by damaging a large surfaced submarine so badly it was readily sent to the bottom by another Grumman Avenger bomber,, piloted by Lieutenant James F. Schoby. A third pilot, Lieutenant Earl H. Steiger, is listed as missing in action after his place crashed only 100 ft from the U-boat, apparently down by anti-aircraft fire. A destroyer picked up 33 survivors of the Üboat. Next day, Williams observed a periscope and dropped his bombs. The raider disappeared beneath a trailing oil slick and was listed as “possibly damaged.” But Lieut. Williams was not through. Two days later he raced in over a surfaced U-boat and dropped his bombs. One exploded directly be neath the raider. Five Germans were thrown clear as debris and oil splattered the sea. Two of the Germans were drowned, and the others were taken prisoner. 1 The second certain kill came five weeks later. After an accompanying plane completed a strafing run, Lieut. Williams followed with bombs. The submarine turned and began to settle. Soon, crew members spilled out. A destroyer picked up 30.