COMINCH FILE                             UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D.C.
     
     
     
     
  BY WHOM REPORTED:  Patron 82  
     
  DATE:  January 28, 1942.  
     
  TIME:  1845Z  
     
  LOCATION:  43 - 50 N, 53 - 50 W.  
     
  Reference:  Comtaskfor 4 282317 of January, 1942.  
     
  REMARKS:  
     
          Navy plane bombed sub 43-50 N, 53-50 W., at 1845 GCT.  Tip of periscope clear wake showing when depth bombs exploded.  Probable that approach was not detected by submarine.  Bomb explosions straddled amidships, 20 degrees across longitudinal axis.  Explosion lifted periscope and part of conning tower clear of water.  Sub disappeared.  Extensive oil slick.  Oil still bubbling from same spot and drifting to leeward when plane forced to return to base 15 minutes later.  Consider attack successful and sub probably destroyed.  Pilot D. L. Mason, AMM1c, NAP, who first report was "Sighted sub sank same."