U-BOATS DESTROYED

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22136, 7 September 1943, Page 3

U-BOATS DESTROYED

GERMAN SUPPLY CRAFT LONDON, Sept. 6 Seven more German submarines, including two valuable supply craft, have been destroyed at the approaches to the Bay of Biscay, states a joint Admiralty and Air Ministry report. An official communique cays: “A reconnaissance had established that the enemy was often attempting to make the passage of the Bay of Biscay less perilous by sending out groups of two or three U-boats in company. Accordingly offensive natrols by surface forces of the Royal Navy and by Allied aircraft were increased both in strength and scope.” Barrage of Fire The resulting actions were then described. In the first action, for instance, “a Sunderland and a Halifax sighted three U-boats proceeding at full speed on the surface. As the aircraft manoeuvred they were met by a barrage of anti-aircraft fire from the enemy’s deck armament. Ultimately the U-boats became separated. In an attempt to disengage they started to suberge. The Sunderland immediately flew low over one and carried out a skilful attack with depth charges. One fell on the conning tower and three more rent the hull near the starboard bow. The U-boat sank within a few minutes, leaving over twenty of its company in the sea. “Soon afterwards the Halifax attacked one of the two remaining Üboats, but is was impossible to observe the full results.” On another occasion “a single Üboat was attacked and mortally damaged by a Liberator. The enemy patched finally by the Halifax. Besettled by the stem and was destween thirty and fifty survivors were seen in the water.” The communique then describes an face forces under Captain F. J. Walker, of H.M.S. Kite, co-operated action in the Atlantic in which surwith aircraft in the destruction of three submarines. It adds: “Signals of congratulation for the notable victory, founded on excellent team work, were made by the Admiralty and Air Ministry to the personnel of the surface and air forces which had taken part in these operations.”