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On 1st Aug 1943, the Short Sunderland 'B for Baker' of No. 10 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force (commanded by Lt. K. G. “Bob” Fry) was on patrol above the Bay of Biscay flying at 1,700 feet over tumultuous seas beneath a cloudy sky. About 1630 hours her look-outs saw 'five sloops and a Catalina engaged in a U-boat hunt'. The captain of 'B for Baker' decided to take a hand and had just altered course to do so when he 'sighted a U-boat two miles away on the starboard bow': the U-454, commanded by Kpt. Burckhard Hackländer.
The submarine was some six miles from the nearest sloop and was moving on the surface at a speed of about ten knots. 'B for Baker', making a tight turn, attacked from the U-boat's starboard quarter at an angle of sixty degrees from her track. During the run in, that most perilous of moments--for if the depth charges were to be accurately dropped it was necessary to fly straight and level--she came under heavy 20-mm. cannon fire. This was returned by the Sunderland's forward gunner, but soon the flying boat was in trouble. First the inner port engine was hit and then, when there were still some 400 yards to go, the starboard main fuel tank was pierced and petrol poured into the cockpit in which sat the captain and his two co-pilots, all three of whom were by then seriously wounded. Despite the petrol and the pain, they flew on and from a height of fifty feet dropped six depth charges of which three fell on one side and three on the other of the target.
Illustrative image
The foam and spray of the explosions had scarcely melted when the rear gunner 'saw the U-boat lift out of the water and then sink by the bows'. 'B for Baker' was also mortally wounded. Her captain made for the sloops, but was forced to set down before he reached them. An attempt to ditch failed, and the subsequent crash killed the pilot (Fry) and five aircrew. Six survivors were rescued by HMS Wren of the 2nd Escort Group, while HMS Kite saved the commander and 13 survivors from U-454.
Burckhard Hackländer
(1914/2001)
The submarine was some six miles from the nearest sloop and was moving on the surface at a speed of about ten knots. 'B for Baker', making a tight turn, attacked from the U-boat's starboard quarter at an angle of sixty degrees from her track. During the run in, that most perilous of moments--for if the depth charges were to be accurately dropped it was necessary to fly straight and level--she came under heavy 20-mm. cannon fire. This was returned by the Sunderland's forward gunner, but soon the flying boat was in trouble. First the inner port engine was hit and then, when there were still some 400 yards to go, the starboard main fuel tank was pierced and petrol poured into the cockpit in which sat the captain and his two co-pilots, all three of whom were by then seriously wounded. Despite the petrol and the pain, they flew on and from a height of fifty feet dropped six depth charges of which three fell on one side and three on the other of the target.
Illustrative image
The foam and spray of the explosions had scarcely melted when the rear gunner 'saw the U-boat lift out of the water and then sink by the bows'. 'B for Baker' was also mortally wounded. Her captain made for the sloops, but was forced to set down before he reached them. An attempt to ditch failed, and the subsequent crash killed the pilot (Fry) and five aircrew. Six survivors were rescued by HMS Wren of the 2nd Escort Group, while HMS Kite saved the commander and 13 survivors from U-454.
Burckhard Hackländer
(1914/2001)
From:
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