Anti-Submarine Drive Continues: U.S. Fortresses Hit U-Boat Basin At La Pallice. Bombs bursting around the Southern end of the basin at La Pallice. Obscured by the smoke is a 440ft. German speerbrecher in the basin, which received a direct hit. A Speerbecher is a heavily armed escort ship for convoy duty. A further step in the anti-submarine campaign was scored when U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortresses bombed the U-boat basin at La Pallice on the French coast, July 4th, 1943. July 19, 1943. (Phot