Word: merchantmen
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...spots in the vast expanse of the Pacific, U.S. submarines range up to Hong Kong. The first sub sinking admitted by Japan (last January) was only 75 miles southeast of Yokohama. Some U.S. subs have penetrated Tokyo Bay to gather information on enemy fleet dispositions and to sink Jap merchantmen as they sailed, loaded, out of the harbor. Last month a French flyer who stole a 14-year-old biplane and escaped to Chungking from Indo-China reported that U.S. subs had made it so hot in that area that the Japs no longer used Cam Ranh...
There was a low overcast. On the steel-grey ocean. Allied merchantmen were scattered from horizon to horizon. But some of the escort ships, tossing white water in their haste, had swerved from their courses to concentrate in one area. A Russian freighter, near enough for Seaman Herman to see the sailors on her deck, had already been torpedoed and was sinking. Astern of her another merchantman began to founder in the icy sea. Herman's ship could not wait. Rescue work, what there was time for, was up to the warships...
...recent reports that naval losses suffered since the war began have been replaced, and that in some categories the Navy has grown in size and power. Newest battleships to join the fleet: the Anson and Howe, mighty 35,000-ton vessels, each carrying ten 14-in. guns. As to merchantmen, the First Lord proudly reported that Britain still produces "more tons of shipping per man than they do with all the modern methods in America...
...size and importance of the convoy could be judged from the fact that 75 British warships of various sizes (among them at least one aircraft carrier*) had escorted the merchantmen laden with planes, guns, tanks and ammunition. Much of the convoy was shot to pieces in a six-day running battle north of Norway, but much more of it stayed afloat...
Said Admiral Boddam-Whetham: "I won't complain if the next time they give someone else the chance to make this trip." The British Admiralty announced the loss of the destroyer Somali and the minesweeper Leda. Admiral Boddam-Whetham said that about twelve out of 40 merchantmen went down...