[John Pancoast]

Whew. Survived a 9/41 escort attack. Barely. Took damage on the surface, boat leaking with minor damage.
Crash dived and the escorts involved pounced. Had to buy time for the repairs to stop the leaks but the only way to do so without sinking to crush depth because of the leaks, was via repeated blowing tanks to a shallow depth, sinking, blowing tanks, etc., etc.
Meanwhile the escorts are hounding me the entire time and knock out my fore hydroplanes and fore torpedo doors. Out of compressed air, low battery due to the above maneuvers.

Finally get the repairs done after a game time hour of this. Finally can hold my depth with not having to worry about leaks.
Fortunately, between the pack I had called in diverting one escort and various maneuvers shaking the other before it too had to leave, I was able to surface, recharge my compressed air and batteries, and escape back to port. Not without an aircraft spotting to boot.
Not a torpedo fired the entire 45 day patrol, but the boat made it back for repairs.