| CONFIDENTIAL | ||||||
ANALYSIS OF ANTI-SUBMARINE ACTION BY AIRCRAFT |
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| Unit: VP-83 Unit Report No. 14. | ||||||
| Airplane Type: PBY-5A. | ||||||
| Squadron NO.: 83-P-12 | ||||||
| Pilot: Lieut G. Bradford USNR. | ||||||
| Location of Attack -- Latitude: 03-23 S. | ||||||
| Longitude 30-28 W. | ||||||
| Date: April 15, 1943. | ||||||
| Time: 1620. (Zone Plus P) | ||||||
| 1. The airplane was flying at 1500 feet following homing signals which were being transmitted by another plane of the squadron which was maintaining contact with a submarine it had previously attacked. At a range of 8 miles the Submarine was sighted fully surfaced but down by the stern with its after deck awash. Course was altered to permit an attack from astern. The attack was delivered from an altitude of about 50 to 100 feet at the ground speed of 125 knots and target angle approximately 210°. Four Mark 44 depth bombs fitted with flat nose attachments were released by intervalometer set for 65 foot spacing at 130 knots. Mark 24-1 fuses were installed and set to function at 25 feet. Two of the bombs fitted with Mark 19 nose fuses, as the assigned mission was "anti-blokade runner sweep". The explosions were observed to occur along the port quarter and probably bracketing the hull of the submarine just abaft the conning tower. The submarine and airplane exchanged gunfire throughout the attack and during the four subsequent strafing runs. The enemy did not cease firing until his conning tower slipped beneath the surface. Following the explosions the submarine settled gradually by the stern, and its bow came up out of the water until it protruded at an angle of about 50°. It then slid slowly downward and backward until it disappeared completely about six minutes after the explosions occurred. A considerable quantity of heavy brown oil and approximately thirty or forty survivors remained on the surface following the disappearance of the submarine. One large burst of bubbles appeared as the bow of the submarine slid under. No debris was sighted. The plane remained in the vicinity for 10 minutes following this attack, during which time it dropped life rafts to the survivors in the water. It then departed for base, having reached PLE. | ||||||
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| CONFIDENTIAL | ||||||
ANALYSIS OF ANTI-SUBMARINE ACTION BY AIRCRAFT |
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(continued) |
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| The enemy registered three hits in the starboard wing of the airplane during the strafing runs made subsequent to the depth bomb attack. | ||||||
| 2. The pilot of this plane undoubtedly knew, as a result of radio activity prior to his arrival at the scene that any attack he made would be opposed by enemy gun fire. Regardless of the fact that this fire was expected and was actually encountered, he pressed his attack home and delivered the enemy a very effective blow. Better evidence and courage and determination on his part and on the part of his crew could not be desired. | ||||||
| 3. The report of this action is complete and very well prepared. The excellent series of photographs forwarded with the report leaves little doubt as to the nature of the results obtained. The comments of the squadron commander served to round out the report and present a complete picture of the action. The diversion provided by the plane already at the scene was undoubtedly of assistance during the attack as was the cooperative help rendered during the subsequent strafing runs. Had that plane not previously crippled the submarine it is doubtful whether it would have remained on the surface to receive the later attack. | ||||||
| 4. In view of the photographic evidence showing the position of the bomb explosions relative to the submarine, the conduct of the submarine subsequent to the attack, and the survivors in the water, it is considered that as a result of this attack the submarine was sunk. | ||||||
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