U-576 and VC-9

[CJE]

I have just read that the wreck of U-576 had been found off North Carolina coast.
The article states (as does www.uboat.net) that it was sunk by two OS2Us of VC-9 on 15 July 1942.
I am most surprised because VC-9 was created six months after the sinking and had no Kingfishers at all.
Can aynone tell which unit they belonged to?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Reports on this action without giving the unit of the aircraft:
http://www.fold3.com/image/267972860/
http://www.fold3.com/image/267934365/
http://www.fold3.com/image/267918403/ (plane identified as OS2U3 from Cherry Point)

The war history of Cherry Point Base has apparently nothing on 15 July 1942 (I have not read all, it is not in chronogical order), but in August 1942, VS-9 left the base:
http://www.fold3.com/image/302010895/

By the way, on the webpage http://www.uboat.net/boats/u576.htm, the general sumamry says VC-9, but the note says VS-9 and gave the pilots' names.

So VS-9 (no history online on fold3 for this month and this unit).

[CJE]

Merci Laurent.

[twocee]

It was indeed from VS9, which was the Air Group 9 scouting squadron. From April until September 1942 VB9 and VS9 were detached for inshore patrol duties, VB9 at Quonset Point, VS9 at Cherry Point. They then rejoined the parent air group at Norfolk to await completion of Essex.

[Rainer]

I've corrected the typo in the summary and added a few more details to our page about U-576: http://uboat.net/boats/u576.htm

[twocee]

The squadron was VS9, part of Carrier Air Group 9, it was not VS-9D4, neither was it one of the Inshore Patrol Squadrons.

[Rainer]

Hi George

Thanks for your input, changed the note accordingly.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

I found the idea of a carrier unit to be equipped with OS2U-3 floatplanes curious, but I am corrected, it is true.

The war diary for VS-9 for March and April 1942 is available on fold3 and shows that it was equiped with Vindicators and SNJ in March and received OS2U-3 in April, sending shortly after a detachment of 6 Kingfishers and crews to Cherry Point.
See: http://www.fold3.com/image/267817985/

And a new search enabled me to find the combat report of the two crews of VS-9 involved:
http://www.fold3.com/image/268061176/
(and next pages)

[DavidIsby]

Although the first USN escort carrier, USS Long Island, initially operated wheeled OS2Us for anti-submarine patrol.

[Rainer]

Laurent, thank you for the combat report of VS-9.

On a side note, does anyone know where one could get details about the attacks carried out by USAAF aircraft flying anti-submarine patrols on the US East Coast from this time frame (first half of 1942)?

This question is somewhat related to U-576 as the U-boat reported having been bombed on 13 July 1942 and sustained irreparable damage to one of its ballast tanks. I'm trying to identify the aircraft responsible and the ESF diary mentions three USAAF attacks on this day (http://www.fold3.com/image/1/267918305/), but I would like to know the Squadrons respective pilots for these attacks:
13 Jul 42/1455 EWT a B-17E from Langley Field (pilot Lt. Tuttle)
13 Jul 42/1511 EWT a B-17 from Langley Field
13 Jul 42/1755 EWT a B-25 from Mitchel Field