USS Neunzer (DE-150) - Battling German Submarine U-546

Battling German Submarine U-546

USS Frederick C. Davis (DE-136) made contact with U-546 on 24 April and was proceeding to attack when the submarine fired a stern shot which tore the DE apart and sent her down with heavy loss of life.

Eight destroyer escorts immediately joined the action. Neunzer and USS Hayter (DE-212) conducted a search while USS Pillsbury (DE-133) circled the area and USS Flaherty (DE-135) picked up survivors. Flaherty made contact in less than an hour and with Pillsbury proceeded to attack. The U-boat went to 600 feet. Contact was lost from 1045 until 1201 when USS Varian (DE-798), USS Janssen (DE-396), and USS Jos. C. Hubbard (DE-211) began another attack.

Neunzer got into the fight after several attacks by the other DE’s, delivering a creeping attack with Varian and Hubbard while USS Chatelain (DE-149) directed. Contact was lost once more at about 1600, and Chatelain and Neunzer were ordered to return to the scouting line.

The line was expanded, and the ships began a sweep through the area, determined to prevent the submarine’s escape. Varian made contact once more at 1731 and Flaherty was ordered to attack. She fired at 1810. Four minutes later a small oil slick began coming to the surface. Flaherty made another hedgehog attack at 1828, and at 1838 the U-boat broke surface.

Every ship in the line within range began firing. At 1844, after more than ten and a half hours of attacks, U-546 rolled under for her last dive. Thirty-three of her crew, including the captain, were taken prisoner.