C O N F I D E N T I A L |
||
| 111. APPROACH AND ATTACK | ||
| (a) Narrative | ||
| Aircraft was flying cloud cover at 1200, in and out of the base of clouds. Lt. H.C. Jackson, co-pilot, sighted a heavy wake 5 miles on his starboard beam. A/C continued straight ahead into the next cloud then made a 90 deg. turn to its right, immediately losing altitude. A/C was then headed directly toward the wake and it was then recognized as a submarine riding on the surface. Bomb doors were opened and run was started from 1200 feet at five miles. Lt. W.L. Sanford started to make a right turn then decided it would be best to come in on the beam. Run was continued and when at 200 feet, making 200 to 210 mph indicated, Capt. R.E. Jones released his bombs, allowing about 1000' range on the water. A/C passed directly over UB at 200 feet on a course of 270 degrees true, continuing on this course for 11 seconds in order to allow a Miller mirror camera to function. The bombs were observed to hit the water as follows: | ||
| No. 1. Short 130 feet, directly abeam UB | ||
| No. 2. Short 70 feet, directly abeam aft portion of conning tower. | ||
| No. 3. Short 10 feet, directly abeam aft portion of conning tower. | ||
| No. 4. Long 50 feet. | ||
| At the time of the drop the UB had not been observed to make any change in course, or any attempt to crash dive. During the approach run, the UB remained on the surface making the same course and speed as when first observed. Three men were observed in the conning tower, two were standing by, and the third was observed trying to man an "Automatic Cannon" on the bridge. At the time of drop the UB was still riding the surface and the side blisters were observed below the vents. | ||
| The explosion was observed to occur just aft of the conning tower by the tail gunner, S/Sgt. E. Yuschak, who fired 125 rounds at the UB. The explosion enveloped the after portion of the UB and it immediately started to settle stern first. Debris was observed in the air after the explosion. The UB was then observed to be in a position with the stern down, bow up, making a 45 degree angle with the surface. The entire bow section from the conning tower forward was sticking up in the air and the UB sank stern first. The time interval from the time of explosion to the time it went under water was 55 seconds. (Estimated) During this time interval, several men came to the surface alongside the sinking UB. One large piece of debris was observed which was a cylindrical object 18' to 20' long and 5' in diameter. The survivors made their way to this object and clung to it. The area of debris was 200' in diameter and the oil slick which rapidly developed was 600' by 300', when the plane left the area 1/2 hour later. The survivors wore miscellaneous gear, one had on a yellow life jacket, and another wore shorts only. The U/B was not observed to be broken. Just before leaving the area a mass of brown (paint like) substance came up in the middle of the oil slick. | ||
| In reply to the question, "Why do you think U/B was running on surface and did not attempt to crash dive prior to attack"? The crew set up the following explanation: | ||
| 1. Surprised as a result of flying cloud cover. | ||
| 2. Surprised as a result of radar not being used. | ||
| 3. Very effective camouflage. Mediterranean Sea Blue, top of plane; cloud white bottom of plane. | ||
| 4. Distance from operating base. (plane) | ||
| 5. Sighting and attack made with benefit of sun gauge. | ||
| 6. A combination of any or all of the above. | ||
- 2 - |
||
 |
 |
|
NAVY DISTRIBUTION LIST |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
ARMY DISTRIBUTION LIST |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|