Depth charge plumes from LCDR Prueher's attack. U-604 had submerged 16 seconds prior to the attack.

Residue from depth charge explosions

 

 
 
     
 
NARRATIVE OF FIRST ATTACK AUGUST 3
     
          Took off at 0510 August 3 from Recife on anti-submarine search, together with two other Liberators of VB-107 and two Venturas of VB-129. At 0722 107-B-1 sighted a sub wake at 09-33 South, 30-37 West on course 120 T. The plane had already lost altitude to investigate a radar contact, which had been identified as a rain squall about 20 miles to the west of the sighting. Sighting was made as plane was regaining altitude. FIrst sighting was of a persistant white cap 10 to 12 miles distant. As the distance was closed, a dark object was identified as a sub; the conning tower was seen but it submerged before any detail could be observed. Attack was made 16 seconds after submergence, target angle 2250.  
     
          At the time of release the sub was observed underwater as a green streak turning to starboard. Six mark 47 torpex bombs were dropped, setting 25' spaced for 60 feet at 200 knots. The first four were seen entering the water about 10 feet to port of and paralleling the track of the green streak and exploding on the same track. The other two porpoised through the water, entering from 50 to 60 feet further, and exploding. After the explosion of the first four bombs the water formed a column which came to a point at the top; the column of water from the second two bombs was three quarters the height of the first, and the top appeared square. Approximately 5 seconds after 2nd bomb explosion there appeared to be a general under-water explosion in the area. The surface of the water was raised by the boiling motion underneath, somewhat like the initial explosion of depth charges dropped by a surface craft. An oil slick about 150 ft in diameter, roughly shaped like a figure 8, was observed after this second explosion. No welling up of oil was noticed.  
     
          Just after the drop, a second sub was seen about 10 to 12 miles to the southeast, on course about 3000T. It submerged promptly, and no details were observed. A white exhaust smoke was seen just before the submergence.  
     
          The plane remained in the area making a short gambit for 45 minutes, when it was relieved on station by 107-B-8, 107-B-1 then returned to Reciefe to rearm, landing at 1020.