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

[Joda87]

Here is the link of NARA T1022 R3047:

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/3386...objectPage=694

Check sheet number 694, among papers of U-281 navigation diary, that is about Oct.17th 1943.

It is clearly shown the Sunderland shot down from "Dauter" (Helmut Dauter, U-448) and the attempt to sink U-281 from a "Liberator". U-281 fired with AA guns. 2 soldiers wounded.

According to the help you all gave me above, it looks that the B-24 belonged to RAF No.120 Squadron. But I cannot find evidence of this....
Anyone can help me?

Is there a possibility to find the RAF Squadrons war diaries concerning U-boot hunt?

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi 'Joda87',

The No. 120 Squadron RAF Operations Record Book for October 1943 is available online, at the following locations:

- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8387141
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8387142

You can view the relevant pages at the bottom with watermarks, but if you create a National Archives account (no cost) and sign in, you can download the entire files for free.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Stig Jarlevik]

Geoffrey Sinclair offers the following additions

Follow up for Joda87, Air 22/164 is the relevant Coastal Command Weekly
Summaries. The 16 and 17 October 1943 submarine attacks take two pages,
(Pictures 383 and 384 in my copy) I do not think 12 O'Clock High allows
photographs.

South West Iceland,
On the 16th two home based B-24 each made two attacks, each B-24
claiming a sinking with survivors in the water while three Iceland based
B-24 also each made two attacks against U-boats. I read it as 5 B-24
each found a U-boat, making 2 attacks on each boat.

On the 17th a home based Sunderland made an attack and was forced to
ditch while Iceland based B-24, 6 different aircraft reported between
them 2 sightings and 8 attacks meaning 3 aircraft each did 2 attacks, as
I read it 2 aircraft were doing second attacks on the same U-boat, 1
aircraft attacked 2 U-boats. An Iceland based Hudson reported a sighting.

Geoffrey

[Joda87]

Thank you si much guys!

Much appreciated as always, great forum indeed

[Joda87]

Originally Posted by Andrew Arthy

Hi 'Joda87',

The No. 120 Squadron RAF Operations Record Book for October 1943 is available online, at the following locations:

- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8387141
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8387142

You can view the relevant pages at the bottom with watermarks, but if you create a National Archives account (no cost) and sign in, you can download the entire files for free.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

Dear Andrew,
I tried to dinf on National Archives also the record books for N.59 and No.86 Squadrons, but I didnt find. Mayone they are not online? I find them in the hierarchy but they are not readable.

Maybe I made some mistake?

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Joda87,

No problem, here they are:

- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8452409
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8452409
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8454955
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8454954

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

[Joda87]

Originally Posted by Andrew Arthy

Hi Joda87,

No problem, here they are:

- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8452409
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8452409
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8454955
- https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8454954

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

Great! Thank you very much! Very kind from you


I wish you a happy Easter day btw !

[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