Soviet Sub B-1 "Sunfish" sunk by British Coastal Command

[Bruce Dennis]

Originally Posted by researcher111

... I disagree about the LIB's crew guilt , they were
guided by Ops Room which on their turn were on constant contact with RN Intel
unless otherwise proven I consider RN Ops and Intel as accountable because previous
recon aircraft made clear position reports .

Alex, this type of patrol was not 'guided by the ops room'. The mission was to be at a certain area and then search: even the method of searching was specified in advance and the pilot could only vary it in small ways, usually to allow for visibility. It was the responsibility of the crew to navigate properly.

You have said that the progress of the submarine was being monitored: all friendly boats and ships in transit were registered on a daily movements ledger run by the Royal Navy and their progress was followed. Then, as they progressed, they were passed from one naval command to the next. It was routine. Allied intelligence would be involved in reporting any new enemy activities, NOT tracking routine movements of Allied vessels.

The earlier position report was correct, but that is no surprise since the sub was in the right place. It was the airplane that was in the wrong place and then the crew did not follow procedure for identifying a target.

You have mentioned RN Intelligence as playing a part in the events but I have never seen anything to link any branch of Allied Intelligence to the movement of the B-1. They did correctly report to Coastal Command the possibility of a U-boat. This is what they were supposed to do and it was then the job of CC to react and take steps to ensure their aircrews attacked the right target. This includes checking what friendly traffic was in the area and giving the aircrews clear instructions on which areas they were forbidden to carry out attacks. This assumes the crews navigate adequately.

As Rainer has said, the TNA documents cover the event. I have seen them.
There were many friendly fire accidents and this was one of them. It was tragic, but it is not a mystery. But, if you have some evidence that contradicts this, I will be glad to see it.

I hope this helps.
Bruce