| :::: Flight - Mission Details ::::.... |
Base: Ballykelly
Time UP: 0524 hrs (22nd) - Time DOWN: 2250 hrs 22nd) - DURATION: 17hrs 24 mins
Op: CLA Sweep
Details:
A/C was in posn. 5559N,1750W when it sighted a U/B visually (believed to be 740 ton type) red 010'/ 3/4 mile from 200 ft. A/C approached through small rain cloud and surprised U/B which opened fire with twin 20mm cannon aft of C/T. One cannon shell entered port wing and exploded causing serious damage and no casualties. A/C tracked over C/T and from 75ft released 6 D/C's at spacing 55ft but last D/C entered 50ft overshot to starboard. A/C then turned quickly and approached for 2nd attack from green 170' red to U/B height 50ft. U-boat had submerged for 4 seconds when two D/C's were dropped spacing 80 ft. Centre of explosion seen 100ft ahead of the diving swirl. 25 mins after the attack a patch of oil 50ft in diameter was seen in posn. of 2nd attack. A/C remained in posn. until 1915 when relieved by A/120.
Crews on this day:
'C/59': F/L W. Teare (capt) - F/O C.E. McArthur (2nd-pilot) - F/O J.C. Goodacre (Nav) - F/O J.E. Collins - F/Sgt's J.P. Williams & J. Barr - Sgt. F. Stoneman & W/O J.W. Mitchell.
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Liberator FL946 - M/59 (F/O W.G. Loney & crew) was called to the area but upon reaching the posn. of the first sighting sent by 'E/59', radio contact could not be made. A square search was ebing started when they received a signal to R/B (return to base) immediately.
| :::: More U-boat Details ::::.... |
Unknown
| :::: AIR27/556 ::::.... |
During WWII, the RAF used three-letter codes to identify their aircraft from a distance. Two large letters were painted before the roundel, which signified the squadron to which the aircraft belonged, and another letter was painted after the roundel which indicated the individual aircraft. Aditionally, there was the individual serial number for each aircraft, which was painted in a much smaller size, usually somewhere at the rear of the aircraft: (more)
Codes used by RAF 59 Squadron:
PJ Sep 1938 - Sep 1939
TR Sep 1939 - Oct 1942
1 Aug 1943 - Jul 1944
WE Jul 1944 - Oct 1945
BY Oct 1945 - Jun 1946, Dec 1947 - Oct 1950