File No. DE-386 (FMR) P6-a
Serial No. 336 08 April, 1944
CONFIDENTIAL [declassified in 1994]
From: The Commanding Officer.
To: Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via: (1) Commander Escort Division 23.
(2) Commander Task Force 64.
(3) Commander, Destroyers, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.
Subject: Action report; submission of.
Reference: (a) Com I nch and CNO Serial 3899 of 19 October, 1942.
1. In accordance with reference (a), the following is submitted.
I. On 01 April, 1944, this vessel was escorting convoy UGS 36 along the North African coast
enroute to Bizerte. This vessel was part of Task Force 64, which consisted of CortDiv23, DesDiv57, plus DE-242 and DE-245. British vessels operating with the screen consisted of an outer screen of approximately four or five vessels, plus two anti-aircraft sloops and one small anti-aircraft cruiser. At about 0400, 01 April, in position
Latitude 36-57.8 N., longitude 01-49.7 E., "Mersigs pennant 6" was given over TBS. At the same time crew went to general quarters and radar reported planes close at hand. These planes were almost immediately lost by radar over the convoy. Simultaneously a report was received on the Conn that planes could be overheard, none were sighted. Immediately thereafter noticed three bright burning flares on starboard bow of convoy, this vessel was on the port bow. Received orders to close convoy, crew had been ordered to general quarters. At about the same time flares were observed and there was tracer firing on the starboard quarter of the convoy. Immediately after the flares it seemed that the main concentration of fire was over the convoy. This vessel a that time had closed to the port forward flank. At 0404, commenced firing in the direction of main concentration. During this time it was noted that several ships had directed their fire at the flares themselves. At approximately 0415 the exhaust of a plane was seen by one of the gun's crew, and fire was immediately directed in that direction. Immediately after sighting exhaust three flares were dropped within 500 yards of this vessel on the port bow of the convoy.
This vessel and others in the vicinity were very brightly illuminated. An attempt was made to knock down the flares with gun fire which may have been partially successful in that they did not seem to burn for as long a period as the first flares sighted. However, during the period of the second illumination, detonations were heard and a flash was seen in the direction of the starboard flank of the convoy.
II. At 0400, 01 April, received "Mersigs pennant 6" over TBS, then all hands to general quarters. At the same time planes heard overhead. At about 0400-30, three white flares on starboard bow of convoy. At about the same time received orders to close the convoy, which this vessel had already started to do.
0404, commenced firing. At about 0410, checked fire. 0415 resumed fire. 0420, ceased firing. During these periods of firing, the firing was checked several times in an attempt to pick out a moving target, however, except for the one occasion when exhaust was seen by one gun's crew, this vessel observed no planes. 0500, secured from battle stations, resumed regular escort station.
III. All ordnance material operated satisfactorily. The following ammunition was expended:
3"/50 AA SPDN 3511
40 MM SPDN 4049
20 MM BLP
20 MM HEI
20 MM HET
IV. No material damage was experienced by this vessel. Enemy casualties unknown.
V. No special comments, other than that all departments functioned very well. During the action considerable wild firing was noticed on the part of the gun's crews in the convoy. One 3"/50AA shell ricocheted approximately 150 yards off the bow of this vessel. The concentration of fire over the convoy was very dense, and it is believed very effective, making it very difficult for the enemy to press home his attack.
I. One casualty was obtained by this vessel by the man stationed at the K-guns aft, who was hit by part of a 20 MM projectile which had exploded on deck nearby. The performance of the personnel on this vessel was excellent.
2. The Executive Officer's Report will not be made.
O. C. ROHNKE
CC: CG HQ
