Royal Canadian Air Force attacks Against Submarines during WWII -Battle of Atlantic
1939-1945
Compiled by Roger Litwiller ©
Date | U-Boat | Sqn/Base/AC/Pilot/ Latitude/Longitude |
Details |
31 Jul 1942 |
U754 Sunk |
113 Squadron RCAF Yarmouth, NS Hudson BW 625 S/L N.E. Small 4302N 6425W |
South East of Cape Sable.
1st successful attack by Eastern Air Command. |
30 Oct 1942 |
U520 Sunk |
10 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Digby 747 F/L D.F. Raynes 4747N 4950W |
150 miles E of St. John’s, NF
Returning from patrol of Convoy ON140, sank U520 with four 250 lb depth charges. |
30 Oct 1942 |
U658 Sunk |
145 Squadron RCAF Torbay, NF Hudson 784 F/O E.L. Robinson 5032N 4632W |
320 Miles east of St. John’s, NF. |
Date | U-Boat | Sqn/Base/AC/Pilot/ Latitude/Longitude |
Details |
4 Feb 1943 |
U414 Damaged |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Canso A F/L F.C Colborne |
North Atlantic
U-Boat severely damaged, forced to return to St. Nazaire. |
6 Feb 1943 |
U-403 Damaged |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Canso A |
Strafed and three bombs dropped by aircraft from 5 Squadron RCAF causing moderate damage to U-403. |
24 Feb 1943 |
U604 Damaged |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Canso A F/L F.C. Colborne 4420N 4030W |
Forced to return to Brest |
4 May 1943 |
U209 (U630) Sunk |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Torbay, NF Canso 9747 S/L B.H. Moffit 5638N 4232W |
270 miles S of Cape Farewell, Greenland.
U209 was attacked by 5 Sqn and severely damaged; she sank on 7 May due to the damage received in this attack. -originally reported as U630 sunk in this attack. U630 was sunk on 6 May by HMS VIDETTE. |
4 May 1943 |
U438 Damaged |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Torbay, NF Canso 9747 S/L B.H. Moffit |
Unable to assess extent of damage to U-Boat as it was sunk by HMS PELICAN two days later. |
13 May 1943 |
U753 (U456) Sunk (Shared) |
423 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland. Sunderland W6006 F/L J. Musgrave 4837N 2239W |
Mid-Atlantic, off the Brittany peninsula
Credit shared with HMCS DRUMHELLER and HMS LAGAN. -Original records show U456 sunk in this attack. Post-war assessments indicate it was U753. U456 sank on 12 May 1943, while diving to avoid HMS OPPORTUNE having being given crippling damage from a torpedo fired by a Liberator aircraft from RAF 86 Sqn. |
3 Jul 1943 |
U420 Damaged |
10 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Liberator 587 P/O R.R. Stevenson |
Severely damaged, with two sailors killed and one wounded, U420 was forced to return to Lorient. |
2 Aug 1943 |
U706 Sunk (Shared) |
415 Squadron RCAF Thorny Island, Hants Hampden S/Ldr C.G. Ruttan 4615N 1025W |
NW of Cape Ortegal, Spain
415 Sqn aircraft strafed and bombed U706 with six depth charges, then USAF Liberator from 4th A/S Sqn USAAF/T came in and finished the attack, sinking the U-Boat. |
4 Aug 1943 |
U489 Sunk |
423 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Sunderland DD859 F/O A.A. Bishop 6111N 1438W |
In the Western Approaches, 170 miles SE of Iceland.
Sunderland was shot down by return fire from U489, five of the eleven crew were killed. The other six, all wounded were rescued by a destroyer along with 23 survivors from U489. |
7 Sep 1943 |
U584 (U669) Attacked |
407 Squadron RCAF Chivenor, Devon. Wellington HF115 P/O E.M. O’Donnell 4536N 1013W |
Bay Of Biscay
Originally recorded as sinking U669. Post-war records indicate it was in fact U584 attacked and escaped without damage. U669 disappeared on 30 August 1943, possibly from a diving accident. |
19 Sep 1943 |
U341 Sunk |
10 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Liberator 586 F/L R.F. Fisher 5840N 2530W |
500 miles S of Iceland
Aircraft was returning to Gander from Iceland, having escorted HMS RENOWN with Winston Churchill embarked as the British Prime Minister was returning to the UK following the Quebec Conference in Convoy ONS18. |
8 Oct 1943 |
U610 Sunk |
423 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Sunderland DD863 F/O A.H. Russell 5545N 2433W |
Mid-Atlantic, in the Western Approaches.
Four depth charges were dropped on the U-Boat, lifting the sub 15 to 20 feet breaking her in two. U610 had sunk by the time the Sunderland returned to the area and the aircrew reported seeing 15 submariners amongst an extensive debris field. No survivors were rescued. |
17 Oct 1943 |
U448 Damaged |
422 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Sunderland JM712 F/Lt. P. Sargent 5950N 3030W |
Mid-Atlantic
Two U-boats spotted on the surface, Sargent made two attacks, taking heavy return fire from both submarines. In the first attack three 250 lbs. Torpex depth charges were dropped short of U448. On the second attack the Sunderland took heavy direct fire, killing two of the aircrew. Two depth charges straddled the conning tower of U448, the explosion lifted the submarine before it disappeared beneath the waves. U281 was seen moving away on the surface. Sargent headed his aircraft towards the convoy and ditched near HMS DRURY. The Sunderland broke up on ditching, killing F/Lt Sargent. Coastal Command credits Sargent with a damaging U448, but does not identify the submarine. In fact U448 had been seriously damaged in the attack, killing one submariner and wounding two others and was forced to return to base. |
26 Oct 1943 |
U91 (U420) Attacked |
10 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Liberator 586 F/L R.M. Aldwinkle 5049N 4101W |
This attack was previously credited as sinking U420, post-war assessments have found Liberator 586 in fact attacked U91. The U-Boat escaped undamaged.
The loss of U420 is now assessed as “unknown.” |
31 Oct 1943 |
U537 Attacked |
11 Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Hudson Cape Race |
Cape Race
-8 rockets fired at U-Boat, all missed. U537 had just set up an automatic weather station in Martin Bay, Labrador on 22 October 1943. |
10 Nov 1943 |
U537 Attacked |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Canso A |
Cape Race
Four bombs dropped, undamaged in the attack |
11 Nov 1943 |
U537 Damaged |
5 (BR) Squadron RCAF Gander, NF Canso A |
Cape Race
Slightly damaged by four Depth charges, forcing the U-Boat to return to base. |
19 Nov 1943 |
U648 Attacked |
422 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Sunderland W6031 F/O J.D. B. Ulrichson 4240N 1930W |
Mid-Atlantic
F/O J.D. B. Ulrichson’s Sunderland while attacking U648 was severely damaged by return fire from the U-Boat. The Sunderland broke off the attack, an SOS from the damaged aircraft was sent approximately an hour later, stating they were about to ditch. No trace of the aircraft or crew of eleven was found. -U648 was undamaged in this attack. -Some reports list this aircraft shot down by U618 on the same date. |
22 Dec 1943 |
U1062 Damaged |
404 Squadron RCAF Wick, ScotlandBeaufighter -F/O I. GillespieBeaufighter -F/Lt R. Munro Beaufighter Beaufighter 5759N 0652W |
South of Farsund, Norway Four Beaufighters from 404 Sqn along with four torpedo equipped Beaufighters from 144 Sqn RAF spotted a German minesweeper M-489 escorting a U-1062, south of Farsund, Norway. The five Beaufighters from 404 Squadron attacked the submarine scoring several cannon hits on the conning tower. Heavy return fire from both German vessels was directed at the fighters, shooting down two of the aircraft, commanded by F/O I. Gillespie and F/Lt R. Munro. 404 Squadron shares credit with 144 Squadron in damaging U-1062. Three submariners in U-1062 were wounded, one died later and one sailor in the minesweeper was wounded. There were no survivors from the two Beaufighters shot down. |
Date | U-Boat | Sqn/Base/AC/Pilot/ Latitude/Longitude |
Details |
11 Feb 1944 |
U283 Sunk |
407 Squadron RCAF Limavady, Derry. Wellington MP 578 F/O P.W. Heron 6045N 1250W |
South West of Faeroe Islands.
Six depth charges were dropped on U283, sinking the U-Boat. |
22 Feb 1944 |
U550 Damaged |
162 Squadron RCAF Reykjavik, Iceland Canso 9841 F/O C.C. Cunningham |
South of Iceland
-Four Depth Charges were dropped on the U-Boat, killing two sailors. U550 was sunk later on this patrol on 16 April 1944. |
10 Mar 1944 |
U625 Sunk |
422 Squadron RCAF St. Angelo, Northern Ireland Sunderland EK591 WO2 W.F. Morton 5253N 2019W |
West of Ireland
Six Torpex Depth Charges were dropped from a height of 50 feet. Four were seen to straddle the submarine. The U-Boat emerged from the explosions and performed a slow circle and then submerged briefly. Resurfaced came to a stop. Someone from the U-Boat signaled the Sunderland, “Fine Bombish” as the crew began to abandon. Seventeen were seen in rafts, sadly they were lost in a storm that followed. |
17 Apr 1944 |
U342 Sunk |
162 Squadron RCAF Reykjavik, Iceland Canso 9767 F/O T.C. Cooke 6023N 2920W |
Southwest of the Faroe Islands.
F/O T.C. Cooke & aircrew dropped 3 depth charges and strafed the German submarine. |
24 Apr 1944 |
U672 (U311) Damaged |
423 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Sunderland DD862 F/L F.G. Fellows 5036N 1836W |
This attack originally listed as sinking U311. Post war assessment shows U672 was attacked and severely damaged. The U-Boat was able to limp back to base.Ă‚Â U311 was actually sunk by HMCShips MATANE and SWANSEA on 22 April. |
4 May 1944 |
U846 Sunk |
407 Squadron RCAF Chivenor, Devon. Wellington HF134 F/O L.J. Bateman 4604N 0920W |
North of Cape Ortegal, Spain.
Bateman dropped six 250 pound Depth Charges on the U-Boat from a height of 150 feet. After the explosions return fire from U846 ceased and only a large oil patch remained. |
24 May 1944 |
U921 Damaged |
422 Squadron RCAF Sullom Voe, Shetland Is. Sunderland DV990 F/O G.E. Holley |
U921 was attacked on the surface by F/O Holley, dropping bombs, all missed. U-921 returned fire and the Sunderland crashed into the sea, all 12 airmen were killed. |
423 Squadron RCAF Sullom Voe, Shetland Is. Sunderland DW111 F/L R.H. Nesbitt 6334N 0302W |
While patrolling a parallel course to Holley’s Sunderland, Nesbitt’s second pilot spotted a smoke trail and turned towards it. The front gunner spotted a U-Boat on the surface and closed to attack, dropping 5 Depth Charges, all landed short. It is thought Nesbitt may have been distracted, passing over the wreckage of an aircraft in the water as he made his attack. Three submariners in U921 were injured by machine gun fire, including her skipper Oblt. Wolfgang Leu. Leu ordered his sub to dive and assisted the other two sailors below and then closed the hatch, sacrificing himself to save his boat. U921 was ordered back to Trondheim, Norway due to damage sustained in the attack. | ||
3 Jun 1944 |
U477 Sunk |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9816 F/L R.E. MacBride 6359N 0137E |
250 miles North of Shetlands
U477 was spotted on the surface at a range of 4 miles. MacBride closed the distance and the Canso Gunner opened fire at 1000 yards, scoring several hits on the conning tower. Four depth charges were released from a height of 60 feet, explosions were seen to straddle the U-Boat, lifting it out of the water. Losing all forward momentum the crippled submarine turned to port, before sinking. Five survivors were spotted, apparently waving at the Canso, although according to German records, none were rescued. |
7 Jun 1944 |
U989 Damaged |
407 Squadron RCAF Chivenor, Devon. Wellington HF149 S/L W. Farrell |
Bay of Biscay U989 was attacked by Farrell and a Liberator from 224 Squadron RAF, damaging the submarine and wounding her skipper. The U-Boat was forced to return to base. |
11 Jun 1944 |
U980 Sunk |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9842 F/O L. Sherman 6307N 0026E |
North West of Bergen, Norway. Sherman released four depth charges on U980 from height of 50 feet, one dropped near the port side between the bow and conning tower. Emerging from the plumes of water, the sub began to settle and U980 sank 10 minutes after the attack. Thirty-five German submariners survived the attack. |
13 Jun 1944 |
U715 Sunk |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9816 W/C C.G.W. Chapman 6245N 0259W |
North East of Faeroes. Forced to ditch due to damage from return fire from the U-Boat the crew spent 9 hours in the water. One drowned, the other seven were rescued. Chapman awarded DSO, 1st to RCAF. |
13 Jun 1944 |
U480 Attacked |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9842 F/O L. Sherman 6410N 0011W |
Alesund, Norway
Sherman reported they were attacking a U-Boat near Alesund, Norway, then nothing more was heard from his aircraft. During the attack U-480 shot down the Canso, three of the aircrew were killed when the aircraft ditched and another four were lost, waiting rescue. The sole survivor, F/Sgt J.E. Roberts was picked up by a fishing vessel, in critical condition and rushed to Alesund Hospital, were he became a POW. |
24 Jun 1944 |
U971 Sunk(Shared) |
407 Squadron RCAF Chivenor, Devon. Wellington Pilot F.H. Foster |
South West of Scilly
-Wellington “L” attacked and damaged U971, she was attacked and sunk later that day by aircraft of Czech OTU Squadron RAF and HMCS HAIDA and HMS ESKIMO Some accounts place this attack on 20 June. |
24 Jun 1944 |
U1225 Sunk |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9754 “P” F/L D.E. Hornell 6300N 0050W |
120 miles north of Shetlands Forced to ditch due to damage from return fire from the U-Boat, the crew spent 21 hours in a single life raft. Two crew members died and Hornell died shortly after rescue. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. 1st VC to the RCAF. |
30 Jun 1944 | U478 Sunk (Shared) |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9841 F/L R.E. MacBride 6327N 0050W |
Norwegian Sea, north east of Faroes Islands Canso had its Depth Charges hung up and homed in a Liberator from No. 86 Squadron RAF to finish the attack. 162 Squadron was given a share in the sinking of U478. |
4 Aug 1944 |
U300 Damaged |
162 Squadron RCAF Wick, Scotland Canso 9759 F/O W.O. Marshall |
Damaged in the attack included both periscopes and a ballast tank, forcing U300 to return to Bergen for repairs. |
9 Sep 1944 |
U484 Sunk (Shared) |
423 Squadron RCAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland Sunderland ML825 F/O J.N. Farren 5651N 0804W |
Farren’s aircraft had spotted whitish vapour or steam, nine miles away and turned to investigate. The vapour had disappeared but a wake extending 100 feet was seen, indicating a submarine. The Sunderland attacked with eight depth charges set to 25 feet, only four dropped from the port side. Farren contacted HMCShips DUNVER and HESPELER nearby. Farren remained in the area for over six hours while the two RCN ships hunted for the U-Boat. HESPLER and DUNVER are credited with sinking U484.
NOTE: In 1997, Mr Robert Coppock from the British Admiralty found evidence that U484 may have been sunk by HMS PORTCHESTER CASTLE and HMS HELMSDALE, suggesting the Canadian attack was on a “nonsub” target. Canadian records still list the submarines demise by HESPELER and DUNVER, although 423 Squadron does not received an official share in the credit for the initial attack U484. |
30 Oct 1944 |
U1061 Damaged |
407 Squadron RCAF Chivenor, Devon. Wellington NB839 F/O J. Neelin 6143N 0342W |
Neelin dropped six depth charges ahead of the conning tower of U1061. Their attack was followed by a B-24 from 224 Squadron RAF.Ă‚Â The U-Boat was severely damaged, but managed to escape to Maloy, Norway. |
30 Dec 1944 |
U486 (U772) Attacked |
407 Squadron RCAF Chivenor, Devon. Wellington NB855 S/L C.I.W. Taylor 5005N 0231W |
English Channel, 30 miles south of Portland Bill Taylor was originally credited with sinking U772, post war assessment give credit to HMShips FITZROY, REDMILL and BYRON for sinking U772 on 27 March 1945.
It is now believed Taylor attacked U486, which escaped undamaged. |
Date | U-Boat | Sqn/Base/AC/Pilot/ Latitude/Longitude |
Details |
2 May 1945 |
U2359 Sunk (Shared) |
404 Squadron RCAF Banff, Scotland. 4 Mosquitos 5729N 1124E |
Kattegat, east of Denmark
-Four Mosquitos from 404 Sqn acted as air cover to RAF Mosquitos of 143 and 248 Squadrons and Mustangs firing RPs. 404 Sqn shares in the credit, but did not actively attack U2359. |
Cover Photo: Surrender of the German submarine U-889. The aircraft is a Consolidated Canso A flying boat of No. 161 Squadron, R.C.A.F. Credit: Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-116720.
Sources:
- 162 Squadron History, Vertical Files, Shearwater Aviation Museum.
- North Atlantic Squadron, Story of 10 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron RCAF, Vertical Files, Shearwater Aviation Museum.
- The Story of No. 5 (BR), The Dartmouth Squadron, Vertical Files, Shearwater Aviation Museum.
- Eastern Air Command, Text for Eastern Air Command Exhibit, Vertical Files, Shearwater Aviation Museum.
- 404 Squadron RCAF, Vertical Files, Shearwater Aviation Museum.
- 10 (BR) Sqn., Vertical Files, Shearwater Aviation Museum.
- The Canadian Naval Chronicle 1939-1945, Fraser McKee/Robert Darlington, Vanwell Publishing, 1989.
- RCAF Squadrons and Aircraft, S. Kostenuk/J. Griffin, Samual Stevens Hakkert & Company Toronto & Sarasota, 1977.
- Canadian Squadrons in Coastal Command, Andrew Hendrie, Vanwell Publishing, 1997.
- U-Boats Against Canada, German Submarines in Canadian Waters, Michael L. Hadley, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1985.
- UBoat Net, https://uboat.net/
- U-Boat Archive, http://www.uboatarchive.net/
Related Posts:
- Canada and the Battle Of Atlantic
- Royal Canadian Navy -Victory’s/Losses WWII
- Royal Canadian Air Force -Victory’s/Losses WWII
- Canadian and Newfoundland Merchant Navy Losses WWII
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