Hi Platon

According to the ESF war diary there were 27 reported contacts of sightings within the Frontier during February 1945. Only two, however, were evaluated as probable, one made by USS TRIPPE in the Gulf of Maine was one of them:

USS TRIPPE carried out an independent A/S patrol in the Gulf of Maine when she obtained a definite submarine contact in 43°21'40N, 70°03'W (approx. 14nm southeast by south of Cape Elizabeth) at 1931EWT on 6 February 1945. As the destroyer was to conduct ASW exercises with the US submarine USS MANTA the following morning they initially identified the contact as friendly after hearing a series of "Victors" on the sound gear. However, the destroyer immediately returned to the area one hour later when they learned that no friendly submarine was at sea and USS KRETCHMER, USS KOINER, USS MUIR and USS HURST were sent to assist. During 7 February even more warships joined the search, also assisted by PV Harpoon aircraft from Brunswick and the blimp K-92 from Weymouth. The fruitless search was eventually discontinued at 1200hrs on 9 February.

Happy New Year!

Best regards
Rainer

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