Several aircraft are lost in the attack and, although the German vessel is hit three times, all of the bombs fail to explode.
Since 1984, when attacks on ships began in earnest, more than 200 vessels have been hit and either sunk or damaged.
U-117s fourth patrol was the first and last time that any Allied vessels were hit by the submarine.
Brock lost an eye sometime prior to the book, when his vessel was hit by wind.
The vessel was hit by two torpedoes but empty drums in the holds kept her afloat.
The vessels were not hit but one Jordanian soldier was killed and another was wounded.
Shortly thereafter the vessel was hit by a severe gale that blew for some twelve hours.
But information provided by the surveillance aircraft indicated that the vessel was hit by a single missile.
Since 1984, when the attacks were stepped up, more than 200 vessels have been hit and were either sunk or damaged.
The Soviet vessel was hit Thursday in an attack at the lower end of the gulf.