In Again, Out Again

The U-boats were out again. Twice in December, the British Admiralty had reported wolf-pack attacks on North Atlantic convoys; U.S. bombers again were striking at the subs' breeding grounds (see p. 26).

Last week the Admiralty reported that five U-boats were sunk, three crippled by Allied warships and planes in a two-day battle. A pack of 20 subs had attacked two adjacent convoys. Land-based U.S. planes from Iceland, British and Canadian planes from England, escort-carrier planes teamed with British destroyers and frigates. After the eighth submarine was hit, the enemy kept their distance. "Ninety nine percent" of the merchantmen got through safely. Not a British warship was scratched. The British lost three planes.

In an earlier, eight-day engagement, planes of the U.S. Navy, the R.A.F. and the Canadian Air Force sank six subs, attacked nine others. Not one sub got close enough to fire a torpedo.

From Dec. 7, 1941 through November 1942, Allied losses in the western Atlantic averaged ten ships a week. The following twelvemonth, the losses averaged two a week. Total for the 24 months (according to an A.P. tabulation): 695.

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