In a harrowing clash at sea, the USS Borie engaged in a fierce battle against the German U-Boat U405 during the early hours of November 1, 1943. Amidst a raging storm in the North Atlantic, Lieutenant Charles Harris Hutchkins commanded the destroyer as it raced to intercept the submerged enemy vessel. The tension escalated when the U-Boat, commanded by Corvettin Capitan Rolf Heinrich Hobman, submerged just before Borie closed in, igniting a deadly game of cat and mouse.

With sonar as their only guide, the crew of the USS Borie launched depth charges that rocked the U405, causing catastrophic flooding. As the German sailors scrambled to man their guns, Borie’s crew retaliated with a barrage of fire, devastating the U-Boat’s defenses. The battle reached a fever pitch when Hutchkins ordered a daring ramming maneuver, colliding with the U-Boat in a desperate bid to secure victory.

Chaos erupted on both vessels as American sailors and German crew members engaged in a brutal firefight. Despite the overwhelming odds, U405 remained afloat but severely crippled. As the situation grew dire, Hobman signaled for surrender, launching flares into the night sky. However, fate dealt a cruel hand as the USS Borie, now mortally wounded and unable to assist, was forced to abandon the German survivors in life rafts.

In a tragic twist, a torpedo from an unseen enemy forced Borie to turn away, leaving the U405 crew to face the unforgiving Atlantic alone. The confrontation claimed the lives of 27 American sailors, while the German crew met a grim fate. Lieutenant Commander Hutchkins emerged as a hero, later awarded the Navy Cross for his valor. This brutal engagement underscores the relentless dangers of naval warfare during World War II, a stark reminder of the sacrifices made on both sides.