On 16 January, aircraft from "Guadalcanal" sighted three U-boats on the surface, fueling, some 300 miles off Flores. Carrier-based Avengers attacked the group and sank in the ensuing attack. After replenishing at Casablanca, the group returned to the high seas and searched convoy lanes for signs of German submarines until arriving at Norfolk on 16 February. Detached from the antisubmarine group soon thereafter, "Whipple" underwent voyage repairs at the Boston Navy Yard. On 13 March, the destroyer departed the U.S. East Coast in company with , bound for the Mediterranean.