JUDE STACKPOLE (1334-+-1990) is on his ‘Eternal Patrol’, but we have a great deal of his work on hand, and bring it to you here. He was working hard to determine if the TRITON U-Boat code was sold to the Allies by a traitor, rather than having it broken by Bletchley Park. Here he writes:

“On U-Boats that actually survived World War II, one that is frequently overlooked is U-573, which remained on active duty with the Spanish Navy until 1971, at which time it was removed from the active duty list The indications are that it was scrapped, but who knows?

(HARRY’S NOTE: U-573 plays a MAJOR role in some of the things you’ll read in DON ANGEL’s story)

Regarding the question from JOHN WOOLIN (637-1988) as to who bombed Toulon on July 5, 1944; it was the USAAF 234 B-24 LIBERATORs. However, I can find no reference to squadrons or groups involved. However considering that the bombers were B-24s, it is likely they were from the 15th Air Force as opposed to the 8th Air Force.

Perhaps the most closely guarded secret of World War II, even today, is the fact that the Japanese 24 inch ‘Long-Lance’ torpedo was the most efficient, effective and powerful conventional torpedo of the time. In addition, it was oxygen powered as opposed to electrically propelled or steam propelled. It was wakeless and could be launched at vast ranges. The Type 93 (1933) 24 inch torpedo Model 1 Type 2 is listed as having the following performance:

21,900 yards at 48-50 knots;
35,000 yards at 40-42 knots;
43,700 yards at 36-38 knots -- this with a 1,080 pound warhead!

The United States Mark 14 with a 643 pound warhead had a range of 4,500 yards at 46 knots, and a range of 9,000 yards at 31 knots. The performance of British, German, Italian and French torpedoes are quite similar.