 Soldiers of the press this week Atlantic convoy Because the hatches turn to the gangs for an hour. Hey, sir Hatches being secured sir standing by to cast off line McDonald we've clearance for 16 30 We'll be underway in half an hour engineer right sir anytime you say So at an east coast port another ship loaded with life for American troops and their allies with death for the Axis Moves out to cast anchor in the harbor. She is ready now for the formation of her convoy and the boarding of her passengers Among them are two United Press Correspondents Robert Vermillion and RW Richards both are bound for assignments in UP's London Bureau This is their story of their voyage through the sea lanes of the Atlantic where Hitler's wolf packs of submarines Seek to curb the flow of the weapons of war to Britain Russia, North Africa an eye witness account by Correspondents Robert Vermillion and RW Richards of one convoy's battle with the U-boats of vivid picture from their UP Dispatches of the sort of thing that happens Unchronical almost any day or night somewhere in the Atlantic Have them in order for the immigration officer have them ready, please. All right, sir. You're next Long with the United Kingdom. Yes, sir. Yeah, I see your credentials, please. Yeah, sir all in order I believe let's see now you're Robert Vermillion. That's right I know you wouldn't believe it from the passport photograph, but I'm familiar of United Press pound for London London Oh, wherever else they see fit to set you down, sir Okay, you're all set. All right. You're next. There you are, sir Robert William Richards United Press correspondents also Passport another credentials in order Exit permit. Okay, you're both for launch D. I'll be right with you All right now who's next right here, sir. James Judson for Cairo via London passengers for ship to oh for nine launch D is standing by Here for a son are just given way to twilight as they set out from the dock for ship to oh for nine Faces of our fellow passengers were shadowed and their voices were hushed in the strangeness of this departure for an uncertain voyage There were six women and 15 men including ourselves Several looked as if they had made the convoy trip before but for the majority this was a maiden voyage and Most of us still cherished peacetime visions of an Atlantic crossing I used to think it'd be the Queen Mary and nothing that take me to London with a band playing and a few thousand people to see me Oh, yeah, personally, I'm gonna miss the champagne Well, Bob, here's our ocean liner. How'd she look? Now take their words you'll make it across but at first glance I'm convinced. She's no luxury liner. You can say that again We scrambled up a ladder to border and two hours later in the pitch darkness of the cloudy night We slipped out of the harbor to join our convoy Next morning ship to oh for nine had become one of a great parade of freighters tankers and naval escort vessels that spread over a Wide expanse of sea It was an inspiring sight and the busy little corvettes and destroyers nosing your head The flanks and behind our convoy gave us a comforting feeling of security For several days we pushed ahead without incident nights. We would gather in the bar a while away time This business a sitting around in a blacked out ship every night Getting on my nerves No, I can't help it, but I keep feeling as if we're sitting on a powder cake. Maybe we are Anybody know what cargoes we're carrying One of the sailors told me a destroyer cider to sub this afternoon. That's right. I wouldn't be surprised We must be just about come on cut it out, huh? I think it all feel better over a few hands of poker Yeah, I think you're right. Richard's I'll trot out that spongy deck of cards Okay, let's make this a real poker player that five-card draw nothing while Alright everybody come on Okay, everybody in Our look Richard's couldn't you manage to give me openers at least kind of cards. I've been getting lately Hitler wouldn't deal the Mussolini An explosion out there somewhere I didn't hear anything Come on. Come on Richard's deal. Let's get going. You know, it's just too quiet this trip to suit me Last time yeah, I know last time across you with torpedo look can't we drop the gloom and play the hand? Anybody got openers by me. Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you Now this is a fine assortment of cardboard. I pass I'll open for two bits. What do you think of that openers? They just bumped one torpedo just hit one of the ships Just my luck is the first good hand I've had this trip. Okay, everybody put on your life jackets. We'll go into the salon You'll be more comfortable there We sat on the floor of the salon because it's the most comfortable place aboard a constantly pitching ship We sweated because we were scared and because all of us had put on as many warm clothes as we had Just in case Submarine out there somewhere in the darkness a submarine and at least one sinking ship The depth charges of our escort vessels were churning the ocean in search of the marauders and every blast shook our ship There was a U-boat out there And if you've never felt the impact of a torpedo each depth charge might as well be it And if you've never heard a depth charge before you don't know just how close to your ship They're hunting that sounds like those charges are moving closer Any idea how far off they're dropping those ass cams. Oh, I'd guess something like 1500 yards off up for 12 Time I was torpedoed the sub came up between us in our escort Torpedo hit us a midships and our ship was down within within 10 minutes. That's a comforting thought Sorry, I might mean to make it worse Just can't help thinking about it I'm just jumpy forget it matter of fact We ought to be pretty safe after all the odd should be against my having to swim in this damn ocean twice in two trips out Oh, yeah, that makes me feel very safe. Glad to have your words. That's We huddled together in the ship's element of nearly dawn singing to keep our spirits up and tie it But two tents to sleep It was nearly 4 a.m. Before the captain sent down word that the danger had passed and that we could go to our cabins We managed a little sleep after that but awakened to find that the battle had only begun at midday The dull boom of the depth charges began again. I sounded sort of close bud Here we go again, let's go topside. I'm right with you We raced up and deck brilliant sunlight the subs victimly nearby smoke was pouring from the side Stood silent beside the bosom of our ship Across the narrow expanse of water that separated us from the sinking ship We could hear her crew preparing to abandon ship and we could see them swinging lifeboats over the side Hope the corvettes nail that damn sub boy. He didn't miss having our number very much Did he not sir bloody you both came to the very middle of the convoy? That's the way it went day and night alarm after alarm Sometimes no subs were sighted Frequently our convoy escaped unharmed But it was wearing on the nerves the weary crew of our ship had been almost sleepless as the attacks began Several passengers volunteered to stand relief watches. That's how I happen to be topside the morning. We nearly got ours Are you feeling vermilion these early hours agree with you as a kid? I used to get up this early to hunt docks our games bigger years, so I guess I can keep awake What time is it anyhow nearly two bells five o'clock one hour your watch is done Wind force for and rising looks like we may be in for a blow really well, mr. Mcdonald Where we're million if the sea gets rough enough the subs won't be so active And I'll probably be seasick, but I vote for that heavy blow Hey, what's that? That's a star Destroyer of our starboard quarters got something He's trained our eyes in the half-life trying to see the cause of the alarm the gong alerted the ship and the gun crews crumbled to the station Suddenly the tanker the port opened fire directly at us Orange tracers bounced across the water directly ahead of some ricochet against the size of our ship I could see them now two thin white wakes and the grey sea they were less than 1,000 yards off bearing straight for us I watched it horrified fascination as the tanker fired across our bow and our own guns splattered the water with lead In an attempt to explode the deadly tin fish before they caught us Our ship seemed to be turning in slow motion Suddenly the ocean erupted into a great geyser of water That was half thrown to the deck my first impression was that we've been hit. They got one the tanker Gun bearing boy get it I could have spit on that one That second torpedo missed us by inches, but our guns were still pouring a stream of traces after it But now it was the tanker the port that was threatened Shootin. Oh, it was too close for comfort. I still got to pinch myself to believe I'm all in one piece We're all right for a million now It's the sub that'll have to worry that call rats run up the black flag. Yeah, what's that mean? Direct contact with the submarine brother. I don't envy the guys. I bought that pig Great fountains of water shot skyward as the little ship started laying a pattern of death charges It was a satisfying sight to watch from the bridge We knew the u-boat was diving now racing for its life, but the Corvette couldn't be shaken this time. I Remembered how we felt that first night of the salon boxed in waiting Now it was some over-lightment of this winter Nazis were quaking at their ersatz boots Getting a taste of their own medicine There were no more submarine attacks after that United Press Correspondents are covering the day-to-day developments of war on land at sea and in the skies They face daily risks beside our fighting men to gather the colorful stories behind the communiques Be sure to listen to the next of these programs describing the experiences of these men of UP and Meanwhile, listen for United Press news on the air Look for United Press dispatches in your favorite newspaper They are your guarantee of the world's best coverage of the world's biggest news