UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
 

PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO

 
  A16-3(02)  
                                                                                                              Argentia Air Detachment,  
                                                                                                              Argentia, Newfoundland,  
                                                                                                              January 30, 1942.  
     
 
From: Commander Patrol Squadron Eighty-Two.
To: Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via: Cfficial Channels.
   
Subject: Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on January 28, 1942.
   
Reference: (a)  U.S. Navy Regulations, Article 874(6)
  (b)  CincCLant dispatch 291910.
 
 
 
 
        1.        On January 28, 1942, 82-P-9 made contact and depth bomb attack upon an enemy submarine.  This engagement occurred during anti-submarine patrol operations being conducted by Task Unit 4.3.5.  Report of this engagement is made herewith in accordance with references (a) and (b).
 
 
 
 
        2.        (a)  82-P-9 took off at 1310 LST (plus 3 1/2) to make anti-submarine sweep astern of convoy HX-172.  Plane was armed with two .303 cal. fixed machine guns, one .303 cal. free machine gun, 2200 rounds of .303 ammunition, and two Mk XVII (325 lb.) depth bombs fitted with Mk XXIV fuses set at 50 feet depth.  The plane crew consisted of the following:
 
     
          Pilot:  MASON, Donald Francis, 328 39 50, AMM1c(NAP), USN.  
          Co-pilot:  BALDWIN, Algia Milton, 380 94 39, AMM1c(NAP), USN.  
          Plane Captain:  ZINK, Albert James, 243 55 17, AMM2c, USN.  
          Radioman:  MELLINGER, Charles Darwin, 375 94 28, RM2c, USN.  
     
 
- 1 -
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
 

PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO

 
  A16-3(02)  
                                                                                                              Argentia Air Detachment,  
                                                                                                              Argentia, Newfoundland,  
                                                                                                              January 30, 1942.  
     
 
Subject:        Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on January 28, 1942.   (Continued)
 
 
 
 
                (b)  At 1515, upon reaching Latitude 43-50 N, Longitude 53-50 W, plane sighted submarine periscope to left of course.  Attention was drawn to target by a flash of reflected light, apparently from glass of periscope.  Plane was on course 000 (T), indicated air speed 140 knots, altitude 800 feet.  Submarine's course was estimated as 270.  She was leaving a well defined wake.  Sea was rough, wind West 30 knots (estimated) ceiling 1,000 feet, visibility 5 miles.  Charted depth at this point is 1500 - 2,000 fathoms.
 
 
 
                  (c)  Plane turned and attacked at once.  Submarine was apparently completely surprised, as periscope was visible throughout entire attack.  Approach was made from astern submarine on a course about 20 degrees across submarine's course.  Bombs were released at estimated altitude of 25 feet, indicated air speed 165 knots.  Two bombs were dropped with a spread of about 25 feet.  
     
                  (d)  Plumes of the explosions were seen to spread, one on either side of periscope, estimated distance 10 feet from wake line and nearly abreast the periscope.  The submarine was lifted bodily in the water until most of the conning tower could be seen.  Headway of submarine seemed to be killed at once and she was observed to sink from sight vertically.  Five minutes later, oil began to bubble to the surface and continued for ten minutes.  At this time it was necessary to leave area in order to return to base by dark.  Plane landed at 1628.  
     
 
- 2 -
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
 

PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO

 
  A16-3(02)  
                                                                                                              Argentia Air Detachment,  
                                                                                                              Argentia, Newfoundland,  
                                                                                                              January 30, 1942.  
     
 
Subject:        Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on January 28, 1942.   (Continued)
 
 
 
                  (e)  Detailed employment of crew during bombing attack was as follows:  
 
  (1) Pilot at the controls:
  (2) Co-pilot in the cockpit alongside the pilot, armed bombs, stood by manual release.
  (3) Plane Captain attempted to take photographs of target with F-48 camera during glide approach and after attack.  Pictures of this attack were poor because of greatly reduced lighting conditions.
  (4) Radioman in bow at the Navigator's Desk, acting as lookout with binoculars.
 
     
     
                                                                                          W. L. ERDMANN.  
     
     
     
  Cc.  ComPatWing 7 (direct)  
     
     
     
 
- 3 -
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
SUPPORT FORCE
U. S. S. PRAIRIE  Flagship
 

 
  A16-3/FF13-15  
             (   08  )  
                                                                                               Care Postmaster, New York, N.Y.  
                                                                                                             FEB 4 1942  
     
  FIRST ENDORSEMENT to  
  Compatron 82 conf. ltr.  
  A16-3(02) of January 30, 1942  
     
 
From: Senior Officer Present Afloat, Argentia
  (Commander Support Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet).
To: Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet
Via: Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
   
Subject: Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on January 28, 1942.
   
Rerefence: (a)  U.S. Navy Regulations, Article 874 (6).
  (b)  CinClant despatch 291910 of January 1942.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
          2.        The fact that the periscope remained plainly in view until the depth bombs were dropped indicates that the submarine was taken completly by surprise.  The pilot's instantaneous correct reaction and appreciation of the situation resulted in an excellent attack.  It is considered that this submarine was definitely damaged and probably destroyed.  
     
          3.        The facts set forth in the basic letter were confirmed by extensive interrogation of all the plane personnel.  Photographs were taken but because of the rapid sequence of events, coupled with radical plane movements necessary to enable  the pilot to maintain his view, these snapshots did not show the scene of action.  The lifting of the submarine from the water, the abrupt checkage of headway and the later continuous bubbling of oil from the same spot are considered to be conclusive evidence of serious damage to the submarine.  The pilot was correct inhis decision not to remain longer at the scene of the attack.  Distance from base, bad weather, the the fact that the landing field at Argentia is still under construction and unlighted made necessary a return before darkness.  
     
          4.        As soon as the evidence of the success of this attack was adjudged, the Force Commander directed that the pilot, D. F. MASON, A.M.M.1c, (NAP), be advanced in rating to Chief Petty Officer.  
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
SUPPORT FORCE
U. S. S. PRAIRIE  Flagship
     
     
                                                                                                             FEB 4 1942  
     
  Subject:        Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on January 28, 1942.  
     
  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
     
          5.        If the success of this attack is accepted it is recommended that the pilot and crew of the plane be given further recognition.  
     
     
                                                                                                       A. L. Bristol  
     
     
  Copy to:  
          Compatron 82  
          Compatwing 7  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 

 
UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
U.S.S. CONSTELLATION,  (Flagship)
CinCLantFile
  P15/A16-3/                                                                NAVAL OPERATING BASE,  
  (   0256  )                                                                   NEWPORT, R.I.  
     
                                                                                          9-FEB 1942  
     
  SECOND ENDORSEMENT to  
  Compatron 82 conf. ltr.  
  A16-3(02) of January 30, 1942  
     
 
From: Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet.
To: Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via: Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.
   
Subject: Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on January 28, 1942.
   
Rerefence: (c)  CominCh Serial 079 of February 1, 1942.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
          2.        In my opinion the pilot of this plane, who sank a submarine almost single handed, should be awarded a decoration of some sort.  Action is being withheld, however, pending the establishment of standards by the Board of Awards, as recommended by reference (c).  
     
     
                                                                                       R. E. INGERSOLL  
     
     
     
     
     
  Copy to:  
          ComDupForLant,  
          ComPatWing 7,  
 
        ComPatRon 82.