The Killing Continues

THU 2 APR 1942
Atlantic
Unarmed U.S. tanker Liebre is shelled by German submarine U-123 at 34°11'N, 76°08'W, and abandoned. Arrival of British motor torpedo boat MTB 332, however, compels U-123 to withdraw before she can finish the work of destroying Liebre. Of the 34-man crew, 26 reboard the ship, which is towed by salvage tug Resolute and British trawler HMS St. Zeno to Morehead City, North Carolina.

Unarmed U.S. freighter David H. Atwater is shelled by German submarine U-552 east of Chincoteague Inlet, Virginia, 37°37'N, 75°10'W; destroyers Noa (DD-343) and Herbert (DD-160) are sent to the scene, but arrive too late to be of assistance. The sudden and savage nature of U-552's attack leaves David H. Atwater's crew little or no time to take to lifeboats. Of the 25-man complement, only three survive to be rescued by Coast Guard cutter Legare (WPC-144) and taken to Chincoteague Island Coast Guard station.

British minesweeper HMS Harrier rescues 17 men in lifeboat from U.S. freighter Effingham, sunk by German submarine U-435 on 30 March 1942; six of those rescued later die of exposure (see 4 April).

Despite the efforts of a salvage crew, U.S. tanker Tiger, torpedoed by German submarine U-754 on 31 March and taken in tow the previous day, sinks short of her destination, Norfolk, Virginia.