Identifying Aircraft Involved in Uboat Search

[Peter Clare]

Hi Mark,

On 22/23 February 1945 120 Squadron were involved in a U-boat hunt using Sono buoys.

On 22nd Liberator S/120 sighted and attacked a U-boat after dropping a pattern of Sono buoys, after the attack the U-boat appeared to circle in the area indicating damage to its steering gear. Escort vessels were homed onto the area.

Also on the 22nd, Liberator O/120 was involved in the same hunt, dropping a pattern of Sono buoys on a suspected target, but owing to the escort group being in the area contact was only maintained intermittently.

On the 23rd another 120 Liberator joined the hunt (Aircraft code not readable) A basic Sono pattern was dropped and faint propeller beats were heard.

Also on the 23rd Liberator S/120 was ordered to the area and dropped a Sono buoy pattern but with no results.

Liberator X/120 joined the hunt but did not drop any Sono buoys.

Liberator O/120 then joined the hunt dropping a Sono pattern and obtaining a positive result. The escort group was advised of the contact.


The above is taken from the 120 Squadron ORB, no aircraft serial numbers are given and positions are not included in the report. At the time 120 Squadron were operating out of Ballykelly, Northern Ireland.


Hope this is of some help

Regards
Peter