UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
 
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO
  A16-3(05)                                                                                                  c/o Postmaster  
                                                                                                                     New York, N. Y.,  
  C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                                                      March 7, 1942.  
     
 
From: Commander Patrol Squadron Eighty-Two.
To    : Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via   : Official Channels.
   
Subject: Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on March 1, 1942.
   
Reference: (a)  U.N.S.R. Article 874(6).
   
Enclosure: (A)  Photograph - showing bomb slicks and submarine swirl.
  (B)  Photograph - Same as (A) except about 15 seconds later.
  (C)  Photograph - same as (A) except about 1 minute 30 seconds later.
  (D)  Photograph - Showing oil slick which formed around detonation and about 5 minutes after attack.
 
     
          1.        On March 1, 1942, 82-P-8 sighted an enemy submarine and made an attack with depth bombs.  This engagement occurred during anti-submarine patrol operations conducted by Task Unit 4.3.5.  Report is submitted herewith in accordance with reference (a).  
     
          2.        (a)  82-P-8 took off from base Roger at 1100 LZT (plus 2.5) March 1, 1942, to conduct anti-submarine patrol in area between Latitude 45 and 47 North and between Longitude 50 and 54 West.  When returning to base at 1330 LZT and when about thirty miles south of Cape Race, flying at 600 feet altitude on a northerly course, sighted a submarine on the surface fifteen miles ahead on an easterly course.  This position was approximately Latitude 46-22 North, Longitude 53-10 West, and within sight of Cape Race and Mistaken Point  
     
 
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UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
 
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO
  A16-3(05)                                                                                                  c/o Postmaster  
                                                                                                                     New York, N. Y.,  
  C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                                                      March 7, 1942.  
     
  Subject:        Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on March 1, 1942.  
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  on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland.  Wind was from the northwest with approximately 15 knots force.  Sky was less than fifty per cent overcast with ceiling about 700 feet.  
     
                  (b)  Plane opened bomb bay doors, armed the two Mark 17 depth bombs fitted with Mark 24 fuses, set to depth of fifty (50) feet and commenced attack immediately.  Attack was made from the south, down sun, and across the axis of the submarine.  The submarine, whose superstructure was painted light grey, was cruising slowly on the surface and made no attempt to dive until just before the airplane dropped the depth bombs.  At the time of release all the submarine was visible except the bow.  The bombs were released at about 40 or 50 feet altitude and both landed short of the submarine off the starboard bow.  The detonations was observed by the pilots and crew to be on either side of submarine.  Plane continued on course, after dropping bombs, then made a climbing left turn.  First photograph taken, Enclosure (A), shows the two bomb slicks and swirl left by crash dive of the submarine, about thirty seconds after attack.  Additional photographs are forwarded as Enclosures (B), (C) and (D).   
     
                  (c)  About four or five minutes after attack oil started to rise and continued until plane departed for base about 1440 LZT.  
     
                  (d)  The plane crew is as follows:  
 
Pilot : Ensign W. Tepuni, A-V(N), U.S.N.R.
Co-Pilot : Ensign A. P. Spencer, A-V(N), U.S.N.R.
Mechanic : HAWLEY, T. S., #287-34-09, AMM2c.
Radioman : GRIFFIN, L. E., #321-31-78, ARM2c, U.S.N.
 
     
 
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UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
 
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO
  A16-3(05)                                                                                                  c/o Postmaster  
                                                                                                                     New York, N. Y.,  
  C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                                                      March 7, 1942.  
     
  Subject:        Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on March 1, 1942.  
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                  Employment of crew during attack is as follows:  
     
                  Pilot at controls and released bombs.  
                  Co-pilot, by side of pilot, armed bombs and stood by manual release.  
                  Mechanic, on lookout in cabin and took pictures after attack.  
                  Radioman, on lookout with binoculars.  
     
                  (e)  The pilot of the plane reports that each member of his crew performed his assigned duties in an efficient and systematic manner.  The pilot and crew of this airplane are to be commended for their efficient and effective attack on this submarine.  
     
          3.        At 1530 LZT dispatched three airplanes 82-P-10, 82-P-5 and 82-P-8, the latter being the same plane and crew that made attack, to observe oil slick.  Oil was observed to still be rising and plume was moving very slowly to the east or cross wind.  It was assumed that submarine had recovered from initial attack and was attempting to escape on an easterly course, the same as when originally sighted.  The rate of advance was determined by dropping smoke lights at about 1700 LZT, each dropped a Mark 17 depth bomb with a MArk 24 fuse set for 50 feet about 600 feet ahead of end of slick.  As a result of these drops, the oil stopped rising for about a minute, followed by increasing oil rise.  The oil track showed that the rate of advance was retarded.  82-P-10 then dropped another depth bomb without any noticeable change.  82-P-8 dropped still another depth bomb at about 1830 LZT.  All planes returned and landed at the base at dark.  
     
 
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UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
 
SUPPORT FORCE
PATROL WING EIGHT
PATROL SQUADRON EIGHTY-TWO
  A16-3(05)                                                                                                  c/o Postmaster  
                                                                                                                     New York, N. Y.,  
  C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                                                      March 7, 1942.  
     
  Subject:        Report of Engagement with Enemy Submarine on March 1, 1942.  
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          4.        A plane was over the slick at first light the following morning March 2, 1942, and observed the oil slick was still active and in the same location as the last point of attack.  A search was conducted to maximum range of speed of submarine on March 2, 1942.  Two destroyers, the U.S.S. GLEAVES and U.S.S. BERNADOU were at the scene of the oil slick and dropped depth charges.  
     
          5.        Daily observations have been made of the oil slick and at sunset March 6, 1942, oil was observed to still be rising slowly in the same location.  
     
     
                                                                                         
                                                                                         W. L. ERDMANN.  
     
     
  Cc:  
          ComPatWing Seven, with enclosures (direct)