The Night Wolfpack Attack

This flow traces the escalating night battle as submarines use darkness, convoy noise, and escort gaps to attack repeatedly.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The First Night Contacts

The First Night Contacts Pips beyond the screen James, Dodge, and Viktor report several radar indications ahead. Their reports suggest multiple submarines coordinating beyond the convoy’s immediate reach. The screen holds its shape George Krause orders the escorts to keep their stations and open fire when targets come within range. Advancing all of them at once would expose the convoy’s flanks. Darkness increases uncertainty The ships cannot see far, and radio reports become essential. A contact may be real, but distance and poor radar performance leave the escorts unsure how the enemy is moving.

A Submarine Enters the Lanes

A Submarine Enters the Lanes A sudden illumination A star shell reveals a surfaced U-boat running toward the convoy. Keeling accelerates across the ships’ bows to meet it, bringing the destroyer into the middle of the formation. Near collision A merchant ship is far out of station and looms across Keeling’s route. George Krause turns hard to avoid collision, sacrificing the chance to intercept immediately as the submarine reaches the next lane. Friendly fire and destruction A merchant ship fires machine-gun rounds across Keeling’s bridge, mistaking it in the darkness. The U-boat attacks nearby, and Keeling’s counterattack drives the engagement into a chaotic mixture of enemy fire and allied confusion.

The Pursuit Continues

The Pursuit Continues Another submarine evades Keeling hunts a submarine that uses Pillenwerfer bubbles to mislead sonar. George Krause recognizes the deception too late and breaks off when the contact proves false. A new underwater chase Keeling and Viktor pursue another submarine for hours, communicating bearings and coordinating turns. The ships repeatedly lose and regain contact while the convoy moves through the darkness. Convoy under attack elsewhere Other submarines continue to threaten the convoy while Keeling remains engaged. George Krause must accept that pursuing one enemy can leave another part of the force exposed.

Wednesday evening after dusk

Wednesday night during the First Watch

Thursday predawn after the first night attack