S E C R E T
 
 
                                                                                                                     H.M.C.S.  "HAIDA"
 
 
                                                                                                                     6th July, 1944.
 
 
 
 
Sir;
 
 
 
 
           I have the honour to submit the following report of the sinking of a "U-boat, believed to be "U-971," on 24th June, 1944, in the English Channel.
 
 
 
 
2.        On Saturday, 24th June, 1944, H.M.C.S. "HAIDA (Senior Officer), and H.M.S. "ESKIMO," forming Force 26, were patrolling in support of the 2nd Escort Group, in accordance with the Commander-In-Chief's 24 0848B.
 
 
 
 
3.        On receipt of Escort Group 2's 24 1316B, at about 1345B, it was decided to shift the patrol 30 miles to the south.  This was reported in my 1347B and the new patrol line was reached at 1508B.  Ships were in line abreast, 5 cables apart, patrolling at 25 knots, zig-zagging on a mean course of 090.
 
 
 
 
4.        At 1545 a Liberator aircraft was observed about 5 miles astern (bearing 250 degrees) dropping bombs or depth charges.  Course was immediately altered towards by blue pendant and at 1558, on approaching the scene of the attack, which was marked by a smoke float, speed was reduced to 7 knots and an A/S search commenced with "ESKIMO" about 1 mile north of HAIDA."
 
 
 
 
5.        First contact was gained by ESKIMO at 1625 and by HAIDA at 1634 and during the next two hours nine deliberate attacks were carried out, seven by ESKIMO.
 
 
 
 
6.        At 1917, nearly an hour after the last pattern had been dropped, HAIDA was stopped 850 yards from the target, bows on, watching for movement when the plot reported target moving.  ESKIMO had lost contact at about 1900 and was searching at slow speed.  It was decided to attack without waiting for ESKIMP to regain contact and pattern "G" had been ordered when at 1921 the submarine surfaced about 800 yards ahead at an inclination of about 100 left.  Fire was opened from "B" gun and a hit obtained on the conning tower, with the second salvo.  High Explosive was used and penetrated the conning tower, starting a fire, the flames being clearly visible through the hole made.  No further hits were obtained with main armament and fire was checked as soon as it was apparent that the enemy did not intend to fight.  Close range weapons were used during the same period.
 
 
 
7.        The crew commenced abandoning ship almost immediately the submarine surfaced and HAIDA and ESKIMO both closed with ideas of boarding.  HAIDA lowered a whaler and motor boat and ESKIMO a whaler, but the U-boat went down before either could reach her.  All boats then proceeded to recover prisoners, disembarking them in ESKIMO, while HAIDA circled the area.  The last six recovered by HAIDA's motor boat were embarked in HADIA to save time.  A total of 52 prisoners were recovered, including the Captain and four other officers.  Six were injured, three seriously.  They were landed at Falmouth, at 0300 on 25th June, 1944, in accordance with the Commander-In-Chief's 24 2330B.
 
 
 
8.        A/S conditions were generally good.  In the initial stages HAIDA experienced doubtful and non-sub echoes but later the target was classified "Submarine" and held consistently.  Blowing of tanks was heard after the second attack and it is considered that the submarine went to the bottom at that time and remained stopped.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
- 2 -
 
 
9.        Team work on the whole was excellent.  Signals were made both by V/S and VHFR/T and the firing ship, which was generally ESKIMO, almost invariably fired when on my bearing from the directing ship.  At 1655 both ships commenced as attack simultaneously and ESKIMO was told to go ahead.  At 1806 HAIDA carried out an attack but was too close to ESKIMO and fire was haled.  The difference between the force of ESKIMO's Minol charges and HAIDA's Amatol was very apparent.
 
 
 
 
10.        The team work and operating of the A/S crew in HAIDA were excellent once contact had been established.  Anti-gnat tactics were employed, speed being increased to attack when inside 700 yards.
 
 
 
 
11.        The Liberator who carried out the original attack was signaled by light but attempts to exchange information were unsuccessful.  He could not be contacted by VHFR/T or on 2410 kc/s.
 
 
 
 
12.        It was anticipated that HADIA and ESKIMO would be relieved by the 15th Escort Group during the hunt.  H.M.S. "MOORSON" was sighted and my 24 1742 passed by V/S at 1755 and an other escort vessel was sighted at about 1900 but failed to answer V/S signals made by 20" S.P.
 
 
 
 
                                                                                             I have the honour to be,
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                      Sir,
 
 
 
 
                                                                                             Your obedient servant,
 
 
                                                                                                          
 
 
                                                                                                        H. G. DeWolf
 
 
                                                                                                        Captain, R.C.N.
 
 
 
 
Enclosures:
 
 
 
 
1.  Training of plot.
 
 
2.  Recorder tracing - original only.
 
 
3.  Form S1203.
 
 
4.  Signals.
 
 
5.  Particulars of prisoners.
 
 
 
 
Distribution:
 
 
 
      COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, PLYMOUTH.  
      (copies to:  
       Captain (D) Plymouth,  
       Commander (D), Tenth Destroyer Flotilla,  
       The Director of Naval Intelligence,  
       Director of A/S Warfare.  
     
     
     
     
 
 

 

 
 
 
Enclosure 4 .
 
 
 
H.M.C.S. HAIDA
                                                             ACTION SIGNALS                        VH/F  
 
 
 
TO
FROM
   
       
Eskimo Haida Interrogative (Bearing & Range) 1613
Haida Eskimo Negative  
Eskimo Haida Short TT Strength 5 1615
Aircraft Haida ((Unable to contact)) 1615
    "     " ((Unable to contact)) 1616
Haida Eskimo I am going to sweep over course 130 1619
Haida Eskimo My course is 165 1622
Haida Eskimo 160 (Bearing) 1625
Haida Eskimo 160 - 800 yards  
Haida Eskimo I am attacking 1626
Haida Eskimo Contact lost at 500 yards 1629
Haida Eskimo 330 - 1500 yards 1629
Haida Eskimo 317 - 1500 Yards 1630
Haida Eskimo I am attacking  
Haida Eskimo 307 - 1400 yards 1631
Haida Eskimo 303 - 1500 yards  
Haida Eskimo Interrogative  
Eskimo Haida Affirmative  
Haida Eskimo 295 - 1200 yards 1634
Haida Eskimo 298 - 1000 yards 1634-1/2
Haida Eskimo Will attack when you are clear  
Haida Eskimo 295 - 700 yards moving  
Eskimo Haida Too close to attack, have dropped calcium flare over target 1638
Haida Eskimo Attacking  
Haida Eskimo I am stand-by ship 1639
Haida Eskimo 104 - 1700 yards 1645
Eskimo Haida 250 - 100 yards  
Eskimo Haida Sound of blowing tanks close astern of me  
Haida Eskimo I am unable to confirm your contact 1648
Eskimo Haida 323 - 800 yards 1648-1/2
Haida Eskimo 087 - 1850 yards 1651
Haida Eskimo 085 - 1600 yards  
Haida Eskimo 090 - 1600 yards 1653
Eskimo Haida 295 - 700 yards 1653
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
Page 2.
 
 
TO
FROM
   
       
Haida Eskimo Are you going to attack, if not I will  
Eskimo Haida Carry out attack  
Haida Eskimo 087 - 1300 yards  
Haida Eskimo 093 - 1200 yards 1655
Haida Eskimo Doppler effect indicated that inclination of submarine is opening moderately  
Haida Eskimo 095 - 950 yards 1656
Haida Eskimo 096 - 900 yards 1656-1/2
Haida Eskimo 097 - 800 yards 1657
Haida Eskimo Pattern F for fox 1659
Haida Eskimo Echo extremely good.  Echo sound 1700
Haida Eskimo 288 - 1100 yards 1701
Haida Eskimo 287 - 1200 yards  
Haida Eskimo 283 - 1300 yards  
Haida Eskimo 273 - 1600 yards 1703
Haida Eskimo 268 - 1600 yards  
Haida Eskimo 268 - 1400 yards  
Eskimo Haida Is contact stopped  
Haida Eskimo Wait  
Haida Eskimo Yes  
Eskimo Haida Am attacking 020 - 700 yards  
Haida Eskimo 250 - 1700 yards 1706
Haida Eskimo 253 - 1700 yards  
Haida Eskimo What pattern did you use  
Eskimo Haida Pattern F for fox  
Haida Eskimo 245 - 1400 yards 1708
Eskimo Haida 190 - 1200 yards  
Eskimo Haida 200 - 1250 yards  
Eskimo Haida 190 - 1300 yards 1710
Haida Eskimo An attacking new pattern E for Easy 1712
Haida Eskimo Enemy's course 100 1714
Haida Eskimo 060 - 1200 yards 1715
Eskimo Haida 158 - 1100 yards  
Haida Eskimo 063 - 1400 yards  
Haida Eskimo 053 - 1800 yards 1716
Haida Eskimo 048 - 1800 yards  
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
Page 3.
 
 
TO
FROM
   
       
Haida Eskimo 048 - 1500 yards 1717
Eskimo Haida Am attacking 1721
Haida Eskimo Have lost contact 1722
Haida Eskimo 030 - 950 yards 1726
Haida Eskimo Am attacking Pattern F 1728
Haida Eskimo 185 - 2300 yards 1737
Haida Eskimo Am attacking ship  
Haida Eskimo 188 - 2100 yards  
Haida Eskimo 186 - 1800 yards 1740
Haida Eskimo 185 - 1650 yards  
Haida Eskimo 185 - 1500 yards 1742
Eskimo Haida I am stopped 1745
Haida Eskimo Attacking Pattern G 1748
Haida Eskimo 340 - 1750 yards 1753
Haida Eskimo Interrogative  
Eskimo Haida 135 - 1000 yards 1754
Haida Eskimo 331 - 1850 yards  
Eskimo Haida Do you think target has moved 1755
Haida Eskimo Yes 1-1/2  
Haida Eskimo 320 - 1700 yards 1756
Eskimo Haida My plot shows 1 mile 170 degrees consider this might be tide 1800
Haida Eskimo Yes, did you get any more from aircraft as to what he saw 1803
Eskimo Haida Reply no  
Eskimo Haida Will drop one more pattern for luck  
Haida Eskimo I would like to drop one 500 pattern before we go  
Eskimo Haida Am attacking.  Your last message approved 1805
Eskimo Haida Attack when you are ready  
Haida Eskimo Opening range 1808
Haida Eskimo Have lost contact 1811
Haida Eskimo Interrogative 1814
Eskimo Haida Have lost contact 1815
Haida Eskimo 189 - 2000 yards 1818
Haida Eskimo Am attacking pattern Item 1825
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
Page 4.
 
 
TO
FROM
   
       
Haida Eskimo Interrogative 1837
Eskimo Haida Negative 1837
Eskimo Haida 321 - 1700 yards 1842
Haida Eskimo I am running echo sounder 1844
Haida Eskimo 041 - 1600 yards 1856
Eskimo Haida Am stopped 1858
Haida Eskimo So am I  
Haida Eskimo Have lost contact 1859
Eskimo Haida 115 - 450 yards 1905
Eskimo Haida 130 - 400 yards 1907
Eskimo Haida Interrogative  
Haida Eskimo Reply negative 1909
Eskimo Haida 175 - 950 yards 1919
Eskimo Haida Interrogative  
Haida Eskimo Reply negative 1920
Haida Eskimo I am going astern 1922
Haida Eskimo Am sending whaler away 1926
Eskimo Haida I will guard while you board 1927
Haida Eskimo As soon as you have recovered your boat circle me while I recover mine 1943
Haida Eskimo Detailed moterboat to pick up floating papers of which there are a lot about 1948
Eskimo Haida How many have you got  
Haida Eskimo About 40 1952
Eskimo Haida Let me know exact number as soon as possible 1953
       
    V/S ACTION SIGNALS  
       
Moorson E.G.15     S.O. Force 26  
    Have dropped six patterns on stationary target in position of sighting by NTX 85 1742
Haida Eskimo Echo is very good.  Suggest we ought to sit on it a little longer 1821
Eskimo Haida Intend to stick around until E.G.15 arrives 1824
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
Page 5.
 
 
W/T ACTION SIGNALS
 
 
IMMEDIATE
NR 174 Port Wave
Haida  Eskimo (R) E.G. 2  15  12 from CinC Plymouth
   
Proceed with despatch to patrol along parallel of 0490 30' North between longitude of 0050 20' West and 0060 West to support Second E.G. hunting in Z239
  240848B
   
IMMEDIATE
2408 KC/S
CinC Plymouth  Haida from S.O. E.G.2
   
Aircraft mark sighted am searching in position 3400  Ushant 19 miles
  241316B
   
   
CinC Plymouth  (R)  E.G.2 from Haida                      2840 KC/S
   
Am shifting patrol to 490 00' North
  241347B
   
   
EMERGENCY
19th Group reconn.
Base OA 1 from:  NTX85
   
Am over 1 enemy submarine in position XQSP0413.  Submarine was sighted on surface and observed to submerge.  When first sighted was on course 1100, speed 4.5 knots.
  241445B
   
   
IMMEDIATE
2840 KC/S
CinC Plymouth from:  Haida
   
My 1609.  Am attacking A/S contact in position 490 00' North  050 42' West
  241704B
   
   
IMMEDIATE
2840 KC/S
CinC Plymouth from:  Haida
   
Submarine on surface 480 59' North  050 42' West
  241923B
   
   
IMMEDIATE
2840 KC/S
CinC Plymouth from: Haida
   
Submarine hit by gunfire abandoning ship
  241926B
   
   
IMMEDIATE
2840 KC/S
CinC Plymouth from:  Haida
   
My 1704.  Enemy sunk am picking up survivors
  241927B
   
   
IMMEDIATE
 
Force 26  (R)  NOI/C Falmouth from:  CinC Plymouth
   
Proceed to Falmouth repeat Falmouth to land prisoners
  242330B