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

[RSwank]

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.

[Joda87]

Absolutely great, thank you so much!!

[Joda87]

Originally Posted by RSwank

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

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....

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Joda87

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....

From UK National Archives HW 13/37, "German Naval Air Activity, Vol.XI, ZIP/947–1038 (Oct 1 1943–Dec 31 1943)"

G.A.F. Sea Reconnaissance and Offensive Activity (Home Area and Atlantic) for 17th October 1943, ZIP/No. 693

3. Anti Coastal Command Patrols by 13./KG 40 from Lorient

7 Ju 88 to take off at 1100 [GMT+1] in 14 West 4833, returning at 1600.
2 aircraft were identified in W/T.

N was plotted in 14 West 772 at 1312 and given a fix in 14 West 6983 at 1335. Aircraft homed on KERLIN BASTARD at 1359.

No information is available concerning aircraft G.

'All landed' signal was made at 1429.

Note: A U.S. LIBERATOR (C of 22 Squadron) was attacked by at least 12 (sic) e/a identified as Ju 88's in 47º 14’ N, 8º 35’ W. The attack was broken off after 17 minutes. 1 E/A was claimed destroyed and 1 damaged.

A C.C. LIBERATOR was attacked by 6 Ju 88's in 46º N, 10º W 1450. Our aircraft gained cloud cover and contact was lost.

The U-Boat Command war diary for 16–31 October 1943 (translated into English) is here: https://www.uboatarchive.net/BDU/BDUKTBOCT43.htm

[twocee]

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.

[Joda87]

Originally Posted by twocee

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.

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

[Stig Jarlevik]

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

[Joda87]

Originally Posted by Stig Jarlevik

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

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

[edwest2]

Another reference:


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

[twocee]

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.