Easter Sunday, Pt. II

U-515 under attack by destroyer escorts and aircraft
from USS Guadalcanal, April 9, 1944.
Hydrogen bottles on Platform I burn
after hits from U.S.S. Chatelain's 3"/50 guns
________________

The USS Chatelain DE 149 had her first action on 9 Apr 44 (which also happens to have been my mother's 21st birthday.) It also provided an intense Easter if one chooses that symbolism, making manifest the terrible destruction that often preceeds a rebirth.

In addition, the Chatelain participated in the sinking of the U 68 on 10 Apr 44. My father was present for duty aboard the Chatelain for both of those actions.

The Chatelain and her hunter-killer group were sailing from Casablanca to the U.S. when the U-515 was detected when her radio transmissions were intercepted. Planes and ships from the Task Force launched into action and pressed the attack.

The Chatelain forced the enemy to the surface with depth charge attacks, then joined in the general slugfest at point blank range, sending the U-515 to the bottom at 34 degrees 35' N, 19 degrees 16' W. Sixteen U-515 crew members were killed; 44 captured. The survivors were picked up by the DE's and transferred to the USS Guadalcanal.

This encounter prompted the Chatelain's Capt. Gallery to draw up plans to board or capture the next sub encountered. Gallery's far-reaching plan facilitated the future capture of the famed U-505.