U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Good morning everyone,
I need your help to know, if possible, information about an attack that U-boat 281 suffered on 17 October 1943.

According to the logbook, which can be found on the NAW archive (T1022 R3047), at about 12:35 am the U-281 was intercepted by a B-24 and a Short S25 Sunderland. The attack lasted a few minutes, then the Sunderland was shot down by on-board anti-aircraft fire.
The B-24 returned, intercepting U-281 again at about 19:11, dropping a few bombs.

At that time U-281 was in sector AK2488 (central co-ordinates 59°09'00 ‘N, 031°00'00 ’W, North Atlantic, east of the southern tip of Greenland).

Is it possible to know to which wing the two aircraft belonged (and also if USAAF or RAF?), knowing the date and position?

It is a complex question but only this forum can help me...;)

Thanks in advance!
Marco

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

The Sunderland appears to be Sunderland JM712, Mk. III from 422 squadron.

Search for JM712 on this page:
https://caspir.warplane.com/aircraft...t-no/200001568

The U-boat was part of a wolfpack attacking convoys ONS 20 and ON 206:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convoys_ONS_20/ON_206

RAF Liberator squadrons mentioned in the above actions were
86 Squadron and 59 Squadron and 120 Squadron.

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Absolutely great, thank you so much!!

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Is there a chance to find the same also for the B-24 "Liberator" involved in the attack at U-281 the same day? Oct.17th 1943....

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

According to Clay Blair there were two U-boats involved here, the other being U-470 whose AA was responsible for the Sunderland loss ( the Sunderland ditched near the frigate Drury of ONS-20). U-470 was then attacked and sunk by two B-24s of 120 sqdn. and one of 59 sqdn. Blair does not mention U-281.

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Thank you sir.
Unfortunately I cannot attach the jpeg showing the page...!!

It is correct that the AA gun was not from U-281, but from "Dauter" (Helmut Dauter, U-448). U-281 was sailing near him. Anyway U-281 was attacked by a "Liberator", and some sailors were wounded. No great damages anyway.

It would be very interesting to know something about this B.24 too...

Btw, if something in my translation from U-281 diary is wrong , please correct me...!

Thank you in advance

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Geoffrey Sinclair offers the following

U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please

U-281 shot down a Sunderland of 422 squadron RCAF (F/Lt P T Sargent). on
17 October 1943. B-24 from 59, 86 and 120 RAF squadrons were present,
making a number of attacks and sinking U-964, U-844 and U-470, you would
need to check the squadron records for reports of unsuccessful attacks.

The Coastal Command weekly summary has B-24 reporting 8 attacks plus 2
sightings South West of Iceland on 17 October.

Action around convoy ONS.20.

B Rgds
Geoffrey

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Many thanks!
Are the files of the Coastal Command weekly summary available? Is there a website?

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Another reference:


https://uboat.net/boats/u281.htm

Re: U-281: B-24 and Sunderland attack, info needed please
 

Blair attributes the sinking of U-844 to 59 (W.J. Thomas) and 86 (E.A. Bland) squadron B-24s, the latter being shot down. U964 was sunk by a B-24 of 86 squadron (G.D. Gamble), with some of the crew being rescued by U-231.

The sinking of U-470 he attributes to H.F. Kerrigan and B.E. Peck of 120, and W.G. Loney of 59.