NARRATIVE
	Took off from Ascension Island 0700 February 6, 1944, mission A/S sweep to include Commander Fourth Fleet estimate of enemy submarine plotted in General area of 10-00 S., 24-00 W.  Clouds generally were cumulus with bases at 2000'.  It had been agreed before take-off that if visibility was good, radar would not be used.  The visibility was good and the radar was not used throughout the flight.
	At 1025 GMT plane was on a course of 270° T at 2500' making a speed of 145 knots when bow lookout sights object at 12 miles distant bearing 070° T from plane.  107-B-10, the other plane on the two plane sweep, was notified by voice of contact.  Plane was immediately turned toward the object and all hands manned battle stations.  Gave plane full power with throttles with 2500 R.P.M. but with no booster.  Object was on course of 175° T and making approximately 10 knots speed.  The object was recognized as a submarine creating a heavy wake in a moderate sea.
	When plane was approximately two miles from sub a moderate amount of heavy anti-aircraft fire was noticed approximately 100 yards in front and slightly to port.  Still having two miles to close target and believing that the AA fire would become more concentrated, put the plane into a power glide for a few seconds then pulled up for a short space.  Then being at 1000' and having a range of about 3/4 of a mile went into attack run.  During this maneuver the bow gun was brought to bear upon the C/T and no further AA fire was observed near the plane.
	At 1029 G.M.T. dropped six bombs from 100' altitude at 15° angle just forward of conning tower.  No men were observed on deck and submarine gave no indication of even attempting to crash dive.  Just before passing over conning tower, gun flashes were noted coming from a position near conning tower.  It was probable that they were machine gun flashes.  At this time plane had full power with an indicated air speed of 210 knots.  Immediately after the plane had passed over, the tail gunner commenced firing, expending 400 rounds of 50 calibre ammunition.  Plane captain in the after station announced that he had obtained approximately 10 exposures as the plane passed over the submarine.
	Regained altitude to 800' and made sharp bank to port to continue attack with remaining three bombs.  Upon turning noted that sub had completely disappeared from surface but noted large disturbance and conning tower a few feet under water.  Submarine at this point appeared to be turning to starboard.  Pressed home second attack by dropping the remaining three depth bombs at what was estimated to be well ahead of conning tower.  These last three bombs were released at 1030 G.M.T.  At time of release it was estimated that the sub had turned 75 degrees to starboard and was
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	NARRATIVE (CONT'D)
	approximately 25 feet below the surface.  Leveled plane off and then regained altitude.  Made slow turn to left and came back low over scene of attack noting many survivors in water.  Notified plane captain to stand by with auxiliary life raft which was dropped to survivors on second low sweep over survivors.  After survivors had manned life raft made several low sweeps in order to obtain photographs of survivors.  Then climbed to 1000' and circled scene of attack until relief plane arrived, at which time returned to base.  Excellent performance by all crew members.
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This photograph, taken from the relief aircraft (107-B-10) one hour after the sinking, shows an oil slick approximately 1-1/2 miles across

 

 

 

	unusual swirl although it had been fully surfaced when the first stick of bombs was released.  A U.S. Cruiser retrieved 14 survivors two days later which bears out this estimate.
	Although no photographs are available it is of some significance that no personnel were observed on deck although  anti-aircraft fire was encountered throughout the attack.
	P.K. BLESH
	Lieut. Comdr. USNR,
	Acting.
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