WAR ON U-BOATS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 147, 18 December 1943, Page 7

WAR ON U-BOATS

A DOUBLE SUCCESS

TWO CONVOYS INTACT

Rec. noon. RUGBY, December 17. U-boats operating in the North Atlantic recently were subjected to such relentless assaults by an escort group o£ the Royal Navy and by aircraft of the Coastal Command that they were prevented from launching- even one attack against two valuable west-bound convoys. During these attacks British ships, under the command of Commander P. W. Gretton, in the destroyer Duncan, destroyed two U-boats. The communique says:

"The actions begaa when a Coastal Command Liberator from squadrons commanded by Wing Commander A. E. Clouston, A.F.C., D.F.C. (of New Zealand),, was on an anti-submarine sweep about fifteen miles from the convoy. This aircraft sighted and attacked a U-boat, meanwhile signalling up the Duncan and accompanying corvettes. . .

"As the ships approached the Liberator reported that the U-boat was diving. The Duncan took up the hunt, and about two hours later carried out two attacks,with depth e'harges. These were followed by a series of deep under-water explosions. The Duncan arid the corvettes made further attacks.

"Shortly afterwards a large quantity of wreckage floated to the surface, and pieces of wood, apparently from a writing desk, linings of bulkheads, and locker lids were recovered by the Duncan. Oil and.-wreckage were still rising when the ships left "Later, a second U-boat was, detected, and after four hours of attacks by surface vessels there was a sound resembling a submarine blowing its tanks,' and later a number of muffled explosions; and then large pieces of wood and other wreckage were picked up. Both the convoys proceeded to their destinations without further incident." ■■-