CONFIDENTIAL
 
  111.  APPROACH AND ATTACK  
     
  (a)  Narrative:  "C" at 1433A flying 5600' above 10/10 cumulous on track of 351T speed 176 mph had radar contact 23 miles 165 right.  Pilot turned about 170 port and descended to attack.  At 1439A bombardier sighted wake and fully surfaced 740 ton German light grey U/boat in rough sea.  Guns forward and aft, part of crew in C/T, railing around deck, and either white numbers or letters on C/T.  Sub was on course 223 speed 12 knots.  Visible sighting was one mile distant at height 250' indicated air speed 260 mph, bearing of U/Boat 20 left.  Attack was made from 35' at 225 mph angle of 90 starboard.  Intervolomotor released 7 DC's spaced at 45'.  Explosions straddled U/Boat just aft of C/T.  Stern was blown out of water and disappeared before bow.  A/C circled to port for second run in but sighted about 15 survivors in groups of twos and threes (one group of 7).  Some wore yellow life vests others appeared without clothes or life vests.  An eruption of large blue oil bubbles spread to an immense patch of oil and debris.  "C" dropped a life raft and attempted to lay a ring of smoke bombs.  Excellent photos were taken.  This attack was made while flying in additional 50 miles, the navigator adding 50 miles to the range of the sweep to complete the full eleven hour special A/S Sweep.  A/C landed at base at 1847A.  
     
                
     
     

 

     

   
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
 
                                                                                                                     16 July 1943  
     
  Since this report was written the following incidents occurred.  These have a direct bearing on the attack.  
     
  Lt. Schilling 2nd A/S Squadron plane "P" on convoy coverage July 14th sighted an A/C dinghy containing 6 or 7 persons at position 4215N - 1406W.  Smoke flares were dropped.  "P" then reported position of dinghy to the Destroyer Hurricane approximately 60 miles away.  A/C returned to dinghy and remained in vicinity until rescue was effected by Destroyer before setting course for base.  
     
  The survivors in the dinghy, (dropped by Lt. Salm) were from the U/boat attacked by him.  The information gathered from these prisoners should be of great interest and value.  
     
 
Lt. Schilling stated he was attracted to the dinghy by the florescent Sea Marker.
  
     
  15th July the following message received from H.Q. Allied Command, Gibraltar;  
     
  "Hurricane has picked up survivors of U/Boat SUNK by Aircraft 4220N - 1451W on 12th July.  Congratulations"