Soviet Catalina L-2
 

Hi guys

Catalina L-2 was a civilian aircraft delivered to Russia in 1938. Converted to military use and destroyed by U-boat gunfire while at anchor in Moller Bay on 25 July 1942.

Do we know which U-boat was responsible?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Soviet Catalina L-2
 

U-601 (Kptlt. Peter-Ottmar Grau) entered Moller Bay during the night of 26/27 July 1942 in order to attack the radio station located there. It fired 44 shells from the 88mm deck gun and 280 rounds with the 20mm AA guns, reporting the destruction of the radio station, several shelters and storage sheds and two Catalina flying boats lying at anchor.

Re: Soviet Catalina L-2
 

Many thanks indeed, Rainer.

Excellent information and great response.

Much appreciated once again.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Soviet Catalina L-2
 

A now defunct website listing Soviet Northern Fleet aircraft losses in WWII (http://www.eismeerfront.com/eis_html/poteri.htm) had two GST (Soviet code of the Catalina) of 118 MRAP were lost on 27 July 1942 in "Karmakuly Bay", so this seems to confirm the claims of U-601. Except that if one of the GST was listed as "sinking after being shot at by enemy submarine", the second is listed as "sinking, shot down by aircraft".

Re: Soviet Catalina L-2
 

A quick Google search seems to indicate that I may have been misleaded by Google translation. The second loss comment might be "aviation mechanic killed".

The link below points on a Soviet forum where apparently someone posted two original Soviet documents regarding these losses:
http://sk16.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1012&start=40

And this other link confirms one KIA for 118 MRAP in the attack:
http://sk16.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f...315472ba085418

Re: Soviet Catalina L-2
 

Thanks for that Laurent.

I'll send you a PM soon!

Cheers
Brian