U-505 page 21

 U-505 page 21 by ric gustafson

On March 11 1944, U-505 quietly departs from Brest France. The boat leaves under cover of darkness. The mood of the crew is somber. No one is sure if they are going to make it back alive. Skipper Lange informed the crew that their new destination is the coast of West Africa. On March 25 1944, Lange radioed in U-505's position. What Lange did not know was that the Allies had already cracked the Kriegsmarine military code. The Allies now knew every move U-505 made.

At the same time in Norfolk Virginia, Captain Gallery was conducting a predeparture meeting for Task Group 22.3. At the meeting, Gallery gave the Task Group Commanders a bomb shell. Gallery wanted to capture a U-boat intact. Then he wanted to tow it back to the US. The Commanders were stunned. Gallery explained that he wanted an inspecting party to seize the boat, climb inside, close the scuttling valves and disarm all booby traps. Then using a towline tow the U-boat back to the US.

Gallery told the Commanders their new orders. The destination of Task Group 22.3 was the coast of West Africa.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric