DD424/A16-3                                                                             U.S.S. NIBLACK (DD424)
	Serial 0011                                                                                           Fleet Post Office,
	New York, N.Y.,
	20 May, 1944.
	From: The Commanding Officer. To: The Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet. Via: (3) Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Northwest African Waters.   (2) Commander Destroyers EIGHTH Fleet.   (1) Commander Destroyer Division TWENTY-FIVE.       Subject: Report of Submarine Search and Ultimate Destruction of German Submarine       References: (a) Atlantic Fleet Confidential Letter 13 CL-43.   (b) NAVNAW Confidential Letter 4 CL-43.       Enclosures: (A) ASW-1 Form - Anti-Submarine Action by Surface Ship.   (B) Track Chart.   (C) Track Chart of Attacks.   (D) Copy of Voice Radio Log.   (E) Chronological Order of Events.   (F) Recorder tracings.   (G) Copy of Pertinent Messages from CinMed and Plane.
	1.        On 17 May, 1944, a submarine hunting group consisting of U.S.S. WOOLSEY (CDD25), NIBLACK, BENSEN, MADISON and LUDLOW started search for submarine that had fired three torpedoes at several destroyers in position 36°-40' N, 0°-23' W.  These DDs with CDS10 in U.S.S. ELLYSON were returning from a successful hunt.
	2.                At 1900 on 18 May, 1944, the group was further divided into two groups by CDD25 as directed by Commander in Chief Mediterranean.  The first group consisting of U.S.S. WOOLSEY (CDD25), BENSON, and MADISON, and second group U.S.S. NIBLACK (In Charge), and LUDLOW.  The groups were disposed twenty miles apart on the estimated track of submarine.  At 2319 the second group proceeded to investigate a plane's ASV contact in position Lat. 37°-14' N, Long. 1°-04' E.
	3.        At 0100, 19 May, 1944, started radar and sound search along estimated track of submarine, using previous positions reported in estimating track.  Speed of search 15 knots,
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	DD424/A16-3                                                                             U.S.S. NIBLACK (DD424)
	Serial 0011                                                                                        20 May, 1944
	Subject:     Report of Submarine Search and Ultimate Destruction of German Submarine.  (Cont'd)
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	U.S.S. LUDLOW six thousand yards on NIBLACK's starboard beam.  At 0240 a plane reported suspicious radar contact bearing 073°, ten miles from NIBLACK, which it had marked with a light float.  Altered course in this direction and increased speed to 20 knots - until float was a short distance ahead, then slowed to 15 knots as radar contact had not been obtained.  U.S.S. LUDLOW then reported that she had doubtful radar contact four thousand yards ahead shortly before and was now trying to gain sound contact.  At 0333 U.S.S. LUDLOW dropped the first pattern of depth charges, NIBLACK was in position and made second, third, and fourth attacks.  LUDLOW reported she was having some trouble with her depth charge racks.  U.S.S. LUDLOW then made fifth and sixth attacks, NIBLACK seventh, LUDLOW eighth, NIBLACK ninth, LUDLOW tenth and directed NIBLACK for eleventh (creeping) attack.  Bubbles and an oil streak were seen after this attack and at 0709 the submarine surfaced in position 37-26' N, 1-32'E.  U.S.S. NIBLACK opened fire with 5"/38 cal. and 40 MM batteries., followed by the LUDLOW.  The opening range was twenty two hundred yards, range was closed and 20 MM battery opened fire also.  Several 5 inch direct hits were made and submarine started settling in the water.  Only one man had been seen to abandon ship from submarine.  A plane came over and dropped depth charges at about this point and luckily was not hit by NIBLACK and LUDLOW's gunfire.  Several men could now be seen in water in vicinity of submarine.  At 0714 submarine settled in water and NIBLACK crossed over estimated position of submarine and dropped an eleven charge pattern at medium setting.  The submarine was again blown to the surface and went down with stern vertical.  The U.S.S. NIBLACK and LUDLOW recovered survivors as WOOLSEY, BENSON and MADISON arriving on scene screened.
	4.        During the creeping attacks and in all attacks of both ships U.S.S. NIBLACK's C.I.C. kept a picture of the problem checking ranges, bearings and submarine's course with LUDLOW and with previous data.  In this way it was possible for the NIBLACK to anticipate course changes.  The LUDLOW had previously reported that her DRT was unreliable as the pit log was out of commission.
	TIME COURSE DIRECTED BY LUDLOW COURSES STEERED BY NIBLACK       0656 320 320 0659 330 330 0700 333 335 0702 000 000 0703 013 020
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	DD424/A16-3                                                                             U.S.S. NIBLACK (DD424)
	Serial 0011                                                                                        20 May, 1944
	Subject:     Report of Submarine Search and Ultimate Destruction of German Submarine.  (Cont'd)
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	5.        It is considered highly desirable that C.I.C. keep a track of all attacking ships in order to be able to make an intelligent attack when opportunity permits.
	6.        During hunt NIBLACK guarded 666/3925, 2410, 2150 Kcs. Algiers Fox.  Communications throughout were very good enabling the DD and plane groups to carry out a well coordinated search and attack.
	R.  R.  CONNER
	Copy to:
	CINCMED (Direct with enclosures
	A, B, C, D, E, F, G.)
	Cominch (Direct with enclosures
	A, B, C, D, E, G.)
	COMDESLANT - Enclosure E.
	ASWU (Direct with A, B, C, D, E)
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	ENCLOSURE "E"
	Chronological Order of Events
	17 May, 1944
	1315 U.S.S. NIBLACK was directed by Commander Destroyers EIGHTH Fleet to contact U.S.S. BENSON and MADISON, and proceed to position Latitude 36°-40' N, Longitude 0°-23' W, to relieve Commander Destroyer Squadron TEN in Submarine Hunt.  Also ask CDS10 to have U.S.S. CLEAVES and NIELDS stay, and assist in hunt until arrival of LUDLOW and WOOLSEY in order to keep 5 destroyers in group.  Senior officer present to take charge of hunt.  U.S.S. NIBLACK then was in company with ART-1 preparing to fire a gunnery practice upon arrival BENSON and MADISON at 1330 in Training Area off Cap de L'Aiguille.     1315 NIBLACK proceeded as directed at 27 knots and enroute contacted BENSON and MADISON via TBS.  These vessels in company with WOOLSEY (CDD25 and LUDLOW were already enroute to assist with hunt as previously directed by CDS25.     1458 Took station in scouting line distance 1500 yards of 7 DDs, CDS19 in WOOLSEY SOPA - conducting box search.  Speed of formation 15 knots.     1541 CLEAVES and NIELDS detached. - Reoriented scouting line.  CDS25 in WOOLSEY assumed duties of OTC.     2155 WOOLSEY (CDD25), BENSON and MADISON proceeded to investigate ASV contact reported by plane.  NIBLACK and LUDLOW continued box search.     18 May, 1944.     0758 NIBLACK and LUDLOW rejoined WOOLSEY, BENSON and MADISON, and continued hunt together - on scouting line distance 2500 yards.     1932 Hunting group divided into two groups as directed by CDD25, BENSON and MADISON as first group and NIBLACK (In Charge) and LUDLOW in second group to continue hunt 20 miles ahead of first group.  Hunting along estimated track of submarine course 055° from position Latitude 37°-38' N, and Longitude 10°-02' E.  Second group to be disposed astern of this point and first group ahead of this point at 2145.     2319 NIBLACK and LUDLOW in company proceeded as directed by CDD 25 to investigate ASV contact reported in position 37°-14' N, Longitude 1°-04' E.  Increased speed to 27 knots.
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	ENCLOSURE "E"
	Chronological Order of Events (Cont'd.)
	19 May, 1944
	0054 Slowed to 20 knots and commenced radar and sound search - LUDLOW stationed 5 miles on starboard beam.     0100 Changed course to 140° (T), slowed to 15 knots - LUDLOW took station bearing 005° from NIBLACK, distance 5 miles.     0149 Executed turn to course 320° (T).  LUDLOW took station 5000 yards on starboard beam as directed.     0240 Plane with call L for London reported suspicious ASV contact bearing 073° distant 10 miles from NIBLACK, which she had marked with a marker.  Changed course to 073° (T) and increased speed to 20 knots.     0251 Sighted burning marker buoy bearing 083° and changed course to 080° in order for NIBLACK and LUDLOW to pass at opposite sides of float.  Adjusted course to 075° (T).     0318 LUDLOW reported slight radar contact.     0321 LUDLOW reported sound contact close aboard which she had lost and that she was circling to regain.  Sounded General Quarters and proceeded towards LUDLOW to assist.     0333 LUDLOW dropped depth charges on good sound contact.  Streamed FXR gear and took station to assist LUDLOW.     0343 LUDLOW made a run, but was unable to drop charges because of trouble with depth charge racks.     0344 NIBLACK started approach for attack.     0351 Obtained contact on bearing 027° (T), distant 1200 yards.     0356 Dropped 9 charges at medium setting on what appeared to be an excellent attack.  Lost contact at 400 yards.     0407 NIBLACK made another attack with charge set for deep.  Dropped only 3 charges on good run.  Lost contact at 450 yards.     0417 NIBLACK dropped 11 charges set for very deep pattern.  Lost contact at 350 yards.     0443 LUDLOW made an attack.     0454 LUDLOW made an attack.     0508 NIBLACK dropped 10 depth charges on good run set at deep pattern.
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	ENCLOSURE "E"
	Chronological Order of Events (Cont'd.)
	0519 LUDLOW made an attack.     0529 NIBLACK attacked with depth charges set for very deep - run appeared to be a little off so only 5 were dropped.     0636 LUDLOW made an attack.     0705 Dropped 11 charges set for very deep while making 10 knots and LUDLOW directing a creeping attack.     0708 Submarine broke surface stern first.  Opened fire with 5" and 40 MM batteries.     0712 Plane made an attack over submarine and dropped charges quite close to submarine.  Luckily it was not hit by gunfire.     0714 Submarine sank after several direct hits by NIBLACK and LUDLOW.     0717 NIBLACK dropped 10 charge pattern at medium setting over sinking submarine.  Submarine was blown to the surface and sank with stern vertical.     0721 Lowered boat and picked up survivors - NIBLACK recovered 7 and LUDLOW 13.  WOOLSEY (CDD25), BENSON and MADISON had arrived on scene and screened during the rescue of survivors.
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