Coastal Command, Biscay
 

Does anyone know the typical altitude of Allied aircraft on night ASV reconnaissance against U-boats crossing the Bay of Biscay, circa 1943–44?

Re: Coastal Command, Biscay
 

Nick. I have some 407 Sq U-boat night attack forms. They seem to be between 500 and 1,200 feet.
Hope this helps.

Richard

Re: Coastal Command, Biscay
 

Thanks Richard, that is helpful. I’m trying to work out the mechanics of German aircraft trying to home on ASV signals, which they could only do from below. It’s not surprising they had problems!

Re: Coastal Command, Biscay
 

Nick, I do not know if it was an official procedure but I have noted that some CC patrols flew higher when blockade runners were believed to be around, I think 2500+ on occasion if the weather allowed.

Bruce

Re: Coastal Command, Biscay
 

There is a discussion of best altitude to be used in a ASW games forum here:

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/pr....asp?m=2759959

and one of the participants says this:

"I asked my father, who flew ASW patrol (in the South Atlantic in 1944-45), what altitude he flew for his patrols. He stated that the "search" altitude was 1500 ft. Attacks were to be made according to the flak encountered with a "don't fire til you see the whites of their eyes" attitude to be adopted if you felt you were taking the sub by surprise. "

Re: Coastal Command, Biscay
 

That's somewhere I'd never have thought of looking, thanks!