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THE LONG HAUL by D. A. Rayner

THE LONG HAUL

By

Pub Date: Sept. 26th, 1960
Publisher: McGraw-Hill

When the Greek tanker Antioch, carrying 14,000 tons of high octane fuel, was torpedoed in a North Atlantic convoy in 1943, it refused to blow up---or sink. The story of how the British destroyer Hecate, commanded by John Murrell, was detailed to tow the tanker 500 miles to port, makes for exciting reading. Not only did Murrell have foul weather, broken tow lines, fire, and air attacks to contend with, but he had a U-boat dogging him nearly all the way. The U506, commanded by Willi Lachman, had express orders from headquarters to sink both tanker and destroyer. But by zig zags, false courses, and a final brilliant manuever, the Hecate was able to evade its torpedoes, and finally sink it. The story is well-told, in a semi-fictional form, and successfully captures the tense, nerve-wrecking atmosphere of convoy life. Brief but fascinating glimpses into German submarine headquarters add much historical authenticity.