EBERLE was on anti-Eboat and U-boat Patrol in area "Queen". The limit of Patrol "Queen" are defined by the following points: Northern-12.7 miles from Cape D’Anzio light bearing 258T. Southern- 22.7 miles from Capo D’Anzio bearing 234T. Base patrol courses were 030T and 210T. Irregular zig zag was maintained. Night patrol speed was 9 knots.

At 2300 condition of the sea was calm with moderate swells from the West Southwest. The night was partly cloudy and dark. The moon was not yet up. Visibility was less than 2000 yards. Wind was three to four knots from West Southwest.

EBERLE’s FD Radar was inoperative. During a three day availability in Palermo technicians had failed to discover the deficiencies. There was a slight leak in the starboard high-pressure turbine which did not hamper operations. Conditions of the Sugar George Radar was excellent, air targets having been picked up previously during the night at ranges up to 41000 yards.

At 2355 SG Radar reported a large unidentified pip bearing 320T at 6130 yards. A few minutes prior to this contact there had been friendly aircraft on the scope. First impression of the SG operator and CIC watch officer was that this new pip was the plane reappearing on the scope. The pip was large and fuzzy with characteristics similar to the pip made by aircraft.

EBERLE's course at this time was 030T, in the Southern sector of her patrol. At 2357, the Captain took the Conn and rung for all available speed. Within a few minutes the EBERLE was making 28 knots.

At 0000 the pip had closed to 3200 yards and had split into two pips. Target speed was estimated to be in excess of 30 knots. It is believed possible that torpedoes were fired from the manner in which the enemy closed EBERLE, but none was heard by Sonar, and no wake was observed.

Course was changed with full rudder to 210T, then to 325T at 0000 and 010T at 0004. The range began to open slightly.

At 0003 all hands manned their battle stations and the targets were challenged by light. Neither target answered the challenges and at 0005 EBERLE illuminated the near target with searchlight and commenced firing with main battery and heavy machine guns. Both of the enemy opened fire with what appeared to be 40mm machine guns immediately after the searchlight was turned on. Enemy fire was wild and short with tracers ricocheting over EBERLE. Green and red tracer was used, and bursts were noted by some topside stations, after passing over the ship, apparently self-destructive.

At 0013 all guns commenced firing star shells. The far target had apparently withdrawn and contact was lost. At 0013 SG Radar reported a second target bearing 290T, range 8000 yards. Star shell illumination continued in an attempt to find the near target. All firing was being done on SG Radar ranges and bearings passed to Plot and Control over the JA Circuit from CIC. Ranges and bearings were given every 30 seconds, it being impossible to give continuous information on the target since SG Radar had to continue to track other targets and search the area for new targets.

At 0027 target was illuminated and main battery and heavy machine guns commenced firing. At 0300 target was momentarily lost and EBERLE came left full rudder to close. SG Radar reported that the pip was strong to about 5t000 yards and faded out rapidly thereafter being almost impossible to hold beyond 8000 yards.

At 0300 ˝ contact was regained. At 0034 two targets were sighted on the port bow and SG Radar reported a third target on the starboard quarter.

The closest target was illuminated with star shells and heavy machine guns and main battery opened fire again at 0035. The light machine guns joined in a moment later and by the light of star shells the target appeared to be dead in the water. The target aster was observed retiring to the northeast and during the ensuing action contact with it was lost and never regained.

At 0041 SG Radar which had been spotting 5-inch splashes reported that the target was blanketed and at 0042 that it had disappeared from the scope. Top side stations reported an upturned hull and possible wreckage. The target could not be picked up again and Control shifted to the remaining E-boat.

During the preceding minutes SG Radar had been checking three new targets approaching from the North. At first they had been separated by several thousand yards but they began to close up and by the time they reached 8000 yards they were barely distinguishable on the scope as separate targets. At 8000 yards they bore 000 from EBERLE. They were challenged and answered properly but did not identify themselves. EBERLE was not able to communicate to them by voice radio over TBS or 2716KCS which is the area frequency. They were finally identified by light as British escort Destroyers which had been assumed to be operating more to the North.

EBERLE continued to illuminate and fire with main battery on new target. The British ships did not appear to be aware of the situation (See Addendum C) and continued on their course, meanwhile asking by light what was going on.

Fire on the second target is considered to have been accurate and damage almost certainly inflicted. Fire was checked when the British ships crossed the line of fire several thousand yards behind the enemy. The enemy took advantage of this situation and crossed to the East at high speed putting the British ships between EBERLE and himself. As a result SG Radar contact was lost. EBERLE reversed course to regain contact and avoid the British who continued on their original course passing within possible a thousand yards of the enemy. The British ships were seen to fire star shells, possible four, but it is not known if they saw the enemy. They continued to the South.

At 0107 Engine Room reported a leak in the main steam line and speed was slowed to 25 knots to affect repairs. At 0112 Aircraft which had been sent to aid in the attack dropped several flares to the North. At 0119 the target was picked up at 000T and closed at 32 knots, the steam line leak having been repaired.

At 0120 two targets were reported at 340T and at 0129 a target was illuminated with star shells and searchlight. CIC reported his course 010T, speed 12 knots. The range was then 4000 yards. Illumination continued until 0139 when the target could be seen and the main battery and heavy machine guns commenced firing.

At 0145 EBERLE checked fire. Gun two reported a misfire and the gun and upper handling room was cleared while Chief Gunner’s Mate attempted to clear it. At 0151 the target was illuminated by search light and fire continued. The enemy was using violent evasive maneuvers to try to open the range and make good his escape to the North. Illumination and fire with main battery and heavy machine guns continued until 0203 with top side stations reporting splashes all around the target and bursts above him. Several believed they had seen hits.

At 0203 the navigator reported that EBERLE was within 12 miles of the mouth of the Tiber and close to enemy mind fields. The last E boat was heading East, apparently heading into the Tiber. Action was broken off and EBERLE returned to Patrol "Queen."

682 rounds of 5/38 Cal. Projectiles (Main Battery)

966 rounds of 40MM (Heavy Machine Gun)

330 rounds of 20MM (Light Machine Gun)

Expended during this action