U-boat Archive - U-68 - A/S Cruise Report

U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE ____7 April 1944__________Z.D.______0:00__________1200 POSITION

36°56'N

17°44'W

SHIPS IN COMPANY: Same	Sunrise	0701	Sunset	1935
	Moonrise	1831	Moonset	0638
	One day before full moon.

WEATHER___Partly Cloudy___VISIBILITY___12 miles___WIND___NW - 16 knots.___

FLYING CONDITIONS__Average CLOUDS_Cumulus _SEA Slight with slight swell.

SURFACE TEMP.___64°_F.___________

TIME EVENT

0300	Launched 4 VT on A/S search, GP#6, axis 030°(T).

0729	Recovered planes from 0300 flight.

0932	DAQ bearing of 322°(T) on U/B weather report. Strong skywave on 12215 kc.

1800	Launched 4VT and 4VF on A/S search, GP#6, P.O. 030°(T).

1903	Recovered VF3; kink in purchase cable #1 wire delayed landing of other VF scheduled for this time.

2015	VT21 had radar contact at 34°46'N, 16°24'W; dropped smoke light, then dropped sonobuoy and received only water noises. Range of blip was 3 miles.

2042	VT24 sighted UGS37.

2119	Completed recovery of VF planes.
****
2235	Recovered VTs from 1800 flight. VT25 caught and broke #1 wire, picked up #3 wire, purchase cable jammed in #1 arresting gear unit grazed the second barrier. Slight damage to prop.

	NOTE: Landing Signal Officer used VHF radio to bring the planes aboard for the night landings.

2300	Scheduled flight cancelled to permit repairs to be made to the arresting gear.

****
2135	U.S.S. Pope left formation to investigate the area of VT21's 2015 radar contact. Results negative.

	HOURS FLOWN
	VT	VF
TODAY	35.5	11.9
BROUGHT FWD.	1058.9	562.5
TOTAL	1094.4	547.4

ANNEX B Page 36.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE ____8 April 1944__________Z.D.______0:00__________1200 POSITION

34°50'N

17°03'W

SHIPS IN COMPANY: Same	Sunrise	0644	Sunset	1939
	Moonrise	1935	Moonset	0652
	FULL MOON

WEATHER___ Cloudy___VISIBILITY___15 miles___WIND___WNW 15 knots.___

FLYING CONDITIONS__Average CLOUDS_Cumulus alto-stratus _SEA Slight

SURFACE TEMP.___65°_F.___________

TIME EVENT

0210	U.S.S. POPE rejoined formation.

0304	Launched 4VT on A/S search, GP#6, axis 060°(T).

0730	Recovered all planes from first flight. Arresting gear wires # one and #3 down.

0943	Sighted oil slick at 35°04'N 16°42'W USS POPE left formation to investigate. Results negative.

1028	U.S.S. POPE rejoined formation.

1800	Launched 4 VT on A/S search, GP#6 axis 000°(T)

1833	USS FLAHERTY came along starboard side to transfer to carrier MELANSON, E.J. F1c 802 11 07 for removal of foreign body from eye.

2123	VT24 flying at 900 ft. sighted sub, visual and radar; while VT24 was circling to get it up-moon contact disappeared. Lat. 35°02'N 19°18'W. Radar contact picked up at 6 mile; disappeared at 4 mi.

2130	VT21 sighted Swedish ship Pedro Christopherson, at 35°24'N 18°41'W on CUS 090°, 6 knots, about 50 miles ahead of predicted position.

*2000	#1 arresting gear unit back in commission. Repairs accomplished; reeved new purchase cable, installed new crosshead, replaced five (5) damaged sheaves.

2222	Recovered planes from 1800 flight.

2315	Passed the "PEDRO CHRISTOPHERSON" abeam.

2315	Launched 2 VT to attack U/B sighted at 2123.

2320	Liberator passed over ship, went out with our planes. Tried to communicate with it on 3000 kc and 2410 kc without success.

	HOURS FLOWN
	VT	VF
TODAY	42.6	000.0
BROUGHT FWD.	1094.4	574.4
TOTAL	1137.0	574.4

ANNEX B Page 36.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE ____9 April 1944__________Z.D.______0:00__________1200 POSITION

34°22'N

19°41'W

SHIPS IN COMPANY: Same	Sunrise	0653	Sunset	1942
	Moonrise	2034	Moonset	0737
	One day after full moon.

WEATHER__Cloudy - Rain___VISIBILITY___6-12 miles___WIND___WSW 12 knots.___

FLYING CONDITIONS Undesirable to average CLOUDS_Strato-cumulus Alto-stratus SEA Calm

SURFACE TEMP.___65°_F.___________

TIME EVENT

0027	VT23 (Lt.H.E. Hoerner) reported he had sighted U/B and was making attack.

0030	VT23 reported he had attacked sub. Sub fired on plane before submerging. Negative results on sonobuoys. Entire T.G. immediately headed toward scene of attack, 34°49'N, 19°18'W (DRT).

0116	Launched VT22 to search for and attack U/B; scene of attack then bearing 252°, 25 miles from ship. 10/10 overcast ceiling 1800' and lowering; visibility 8 miles.

0202	Carrier alone had radar contact bearing 306° 5 miles. USS CHATELAIN sent to investigate reported negative results.

0225	USS POPE reported sound contact bearing 037°, 3000 yds. POPE detached and ordered to sink submarine, 35°10'N, 19°01'W.

0231	USS CHATELAIN reported sound contact bearing 120°. Later evaluated as fish noises.

0237	Launched VT29 to conduct search at scene of attack. Vectored to scene using radar plots of other planes which were circling spot. 10/10 overcast; visibility 8 miles; scattered showers.

0241	Passed through heavy oil slick.

0301	Recovered VT24 and VT23. Visibility 6 miles, restricted by showers.

0511	Recovered VT22.

0532	Launched VT30 and vectored him to scene of attack on radar plot of VT29. 10/10 overcast; intermittent light rain restricting visibility; ceiling 1800 feet.

0614	Unidentified aircraft bearing 285°, 25 miles; assumed to be land based patrol. Tried to establish communications with him on 3000 kc. and 2410 kc., no success.

ANNEX B Page 37.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE __9 April 1944 (continued) _

TIME EVENT

0645	Vectored VT29 to scene of sound contact of U.S.S. POPE which was reported as class "A" with radar contact at same bearing and range.

0648	VT29 reported oil slick bearing 060° 12 miles from ship; dropped two (2) sonobuoys. Had not yet sighted USS POPE.

0700	Launched 4VF on A/S search to cover 110 miles on reciprocal bearing 036° - 216° and 50 miles on either side; launching point midway between attack by VT23 and POPE's contact. Sky overcast, strato-cumulus, few breaks; ceiling 2500'.

0705	VT29 (LT.(JG) N.D. ORCUTT) made attack on sonobuoy indication of U/B; then about 5 miles from POPE.

0711	Launched VT21 to relieve VT29 in station.

0735	USS PILLSBURY and USS FLAHERTY left formation to commence search at the scene of the 0030 attack by VT23.

0737	Recovered VT29.

0737	As VT30 (Lt.(jg) D.W. Brooks) was being vectored on a modified square search around VT23's attack point, sighted surfaced sub and made attack. U/B fired at plane and submerged, 34°38'N, 19°39'W (DRT).

0742	USS PILLSBURY and USS FLAHERTY directed to proceed to point of attack by VT30, sink sub and bring back prisoners.

0750	VT21 (Lt.(jg) A.R. Thompson) reported negative results from an attack on definite sonobuoy noises.

0759	Launched VT31 to search S.W., making a modified square search around area of VT30's sighting.

0810	Comcortdiv 4 reported PILLSBURY and FLAHERTY were over point marked by aircraft green dye marker.

0820	USS PILLSBURY reported sound contact.

0837	Recovered VT30.

0910	USS POPE reported she had made two runs on contact, lost it and unable to regain contact. Ordered to rejoin. USS CHATELAIN directed to proceed to join PILLSBURY and FLAHERTY. Carrier, without escort changed course to N.E. to meet POPE. VF recalled from search to act as A/S Patrol around ship.

0933	DAQ bearing 316°(T) on U/B weather report on 12215 kc.

ANNEX B Page 38.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE __9 April 1944 (continued) _

TIME EVENT

0940	U.S.S. POPE rejoined. CUS changed to SW to vicinity of other three DE's.

1016	Recovered VF9 and VF6.

1100	Sighted 3DE's on horizon bearing 200°(T).

1109	Launched VT29 for search and attack and VF6 and VF9 for A/S patrol.

1130	USS POPE, escorting carrier, reported doubtful sound contact 1000 yards on port bow; left formation to investigate leaving carrier with no escort. Other DE's searching then about 8 miles south. 2VF in air directed to fly A/S patrol around carrier.

1136	Recovered VT21.

1202	Launched VT25 to assist POPW.

1215	USS POPE making class "A" attacks, then bore 349°, 11 miles from carrier.

1240	Recovered VT31.

1250	Comcort div 4 detached the CHATELAIN from his group to assist the POPE, who was successfully maintaining contact.

1344	Passed an LST and DE on CUS 089° 9.5 knots 34°10'N, 20°00'W approximately at predicted position.

1354	USS POPE reported oil bubbles coming up.

1446	USS PILLSBURY and USS FLAHERTY joined search on POPE's contact.

1507	Comcortdiv 4 reported U/B had surfaced close aboard the CHATELAIN. The ship's attacked immediately as did VT25 (Lt.(jg) W.F. Pattison) with rockets. Fighters orbiting carrier VF6 (lt.(jg) C.D. Hardesty and VF9 (Ens. E.R. Taylor) and VT29 (Lt.(jg) R.J. Wade) then conducting square search to the West were all vectored to join the flight then bearing 005° 20 miles from ship.

1511	Ships ordered to cease fire; crew abandoning U/B. Planes also ordered to cease fire. DEs commenced recovery of survivors.

1514	USS CHATELAIN reported U/B had sunk. 34°35'N, 19°18'W (Nav.). U/B was No. U-515 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Werner HENKE, ten days out of Lorient.

- - - -	USS POPE reported that in view of experience gained in attacks on U-515, she was convinced that her contact at 0225 was a genuine U/B contact.

ANNEX B Page 39.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE __9 April 1944 (continued) _

TIME EVENT

1519	Launched 2VT and 2VF to conduct square search around point of 0705 attack by VT29.

1540	Recovered VT29, VT25, VF6 and VF9.

1651	USS CHATELAIN came along starboard side and transferred to carrier five prisoners, two men and three officers.

1730	All DEs except POPE resumed station as A/S screen.

1900	Hauling line to POPE parted after 21 prisoners had been transferred. Second hauling line rigged immediately also parted. Transfer of prisoners postponed.

1930	USS POPE resumed station in screen.

1939	Launched 2VT on A/S search, GP#5 to the NE.

1949	Recovered 2VT and 2VF.

2057	VT29 sighted convoy UGS35 at 36°05'N, 19°41'W on CUS 270° SP 7 kts., several hours ahead of predicted position.

2336	Launched 2VT on A/S search, GP#5 axis, 225°(T). Weather: heavy overcast to SE with clouds from 700' to 8000'. Both planes on instruments most of flight.

2355	Recovered VT23. Deck pitching badly. Plane picked up #6 wire and crashed barrier. Propeller and wheel fairing damaged.

	HOURS FLOWN
	VT	VF
TODAY	56.3	34.7
BROUGHT FWD.	1137.0	574.4
TOTAL	1193.3	609.1

ANNEX B Page 40.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE ____10 April 1944__________Z.D.______0:00__________1200 POSITION

32°25'N

18°58'W

SHIPS IN COMPANY: Same	Sunrise	0655	Sunset	1940
	Moonrise	2138	Moonset	0811
	Two days after full moon.

WEATHER___ Cloudy___VISIBILITY___15 miles___WIND___NNE 8 knots.___

FLYING CONDITIONS__Good CLOUDS_Alto-cumulus-cumulus_SEA Calm no swell

SURFACE TEMP.___64.0°_F.___________

TIME EVENT

0002	Recovered VT29 crashed barrier; slight damage to propeller; deck pitching badly.

0245	VT31 sighted Portuguese ship at 34°32'N, 20°50'W. CUS 180° 7 knots. NOt in dispatches.

0332	Launched 2VT on A/S search, GP#5, axis 225°(T). Heavy overcast to SE from sea level to 8000'.

0336	Recovered VT21.

0352	Recovered VT31 (Lt.(jg) R.E. Bordelon (1000th operational landing for this ship).

0358	VT30 (Lt.(jg) E.E. Wallace), flying on instruments at 700', following a radar indication, picked up at 4-1/2 miles, broke through into a clear spot and sighted a surfaced U/B; made two attacks, the second one after the sub had submerged. Due to extremely poor visibility it was impossible to observe the results of this attack except that a bright light was observed glowing under the water or on the surface. Due to poor communications, intelligible report not received until 0415. Wallace gave location as bearing 142°, 70 to 78 miles from ship, approximately at 33°40'N, 18°39'W.

0415	TG changed CUS to 142°(T) the bearing given by Wallace for the scene of the attack.

0420	Recalled VT22 from westerly sector.

0454	Launched 1VT and 1VF as killer group. By this time VT22 was over the carrier and all three were vectored to the scene of the attack. 10/10 overcast; ceiling 2300 feet.

0502	Comcortdiv 4 directed to take three escort ahead to attack location. USS POPE stayed with carrier.

0528	VT24 reported on station over float light and shortly thereafter the four planes at the scene were joined up sufficiently to commence square search.

ANNEX B Page 41.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE __10 April 1944 (continued) _

TIME EVENT

0557	Received Cominch dispatch 100412 reporting enigma type DF at 0255 within 100 miles of 35°N 20°W.

0625	VT24 (Lt. S.G. Parsons) flying on instruments at 300' following radar indication picked up at 8 miles broke into a clear spot and sighted U/B. Sub put up heavy anti-aircraft fire, but with VF4 (Lt. R.K. Gould) strafing, VT24 and VT22 (Lt. H.E. Hoerner) delivered a series of attacks, the last two after the U/B had submerged. There followed a terrific underwater explosion, with large air bubbles, debris, oil, battery acid, torpedo air flasks and several survivors coming to the surface and again a large glowing light underwater. VT30 then out of ammunition stayed over the scene giving a blow-by-blow description. Sinking occurred at 3325'N 1859'W (corrected by Nav. LAN). Submarine was U-68, Captain Loutzinas, outbound.

0640	Ordered VT24 to return to base as left wing was badly damaged by anti-A/C fire (one hit by shell with instantaneous fuse made clean hole 4" diameter in lower surface of left wing and fragment holes in upper surface).

0650	Launched 1VT and 2VF vectored to scene of sinking to hold the spot till the escorts arrived. 10/10 overcast.

0715	Recovered VT24.

0716	VF4 reported only one survivor in water still alive. Later picked up by escort.

0730	VT30 reported negative results on sonobuoy after the sinking. It was thought there might be two U/Bs in that vicinity. The sinking bore 210°(T) 10 miles from the 0358 attack.

0737	Recovered VT30.

0815	Recovered VT22.

0905	3 escorts at scene of the sinking. USS CHATELAIN sighted survivor and wreckage.

0927	Recovered VF4.

0950	Recovered VF9.

1052	USS FLAHERTY rejoined carrier.

1104	Launched 2VT to conduct square search at scene of sinking.

1111	Recovered 1VT and 1 VF.

1145	TG arrived at scene of sinking.

1315	USS POPE came alongside and commenced transferring 17 prisoners, the first five on stretchers (U-515)

ANNEX B Page 42.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE __10 April 1944 (continued) _

TIME EVENT

1540	USS CHATELAIN came alongside and transferred one prisoner from U-68 and one torpedo air flask picked up at scene of sinking.

1725	USS PILLSBURY came alongside and transferred one prisoner.

2000	Escorts took station on night radar scouting line at 7 mile intervals.

2050	Passed flashing light in water, USS CHATELAIN and USS PILLSBURY left station to investigate.

2145	PILLSBURY reported light picked up was patented Navy life preserver type.

2145	PILLSBURY and CHATELAIN back on station.

	HOURS FLOWN
	VT	VF
TODAY	20.6	12.1
BROUGHT FWD.	1193.3	609.1
TOTAL	1213.9	621.2

ANNEX B Page 43.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE ____11 April 1944__________Z.D.______0:00__________1200 POSITION

32°14'N

21°01'W

SHIPS IN COMPANY: Same	Sunrise	0656	Sunset	1943
	Moonrise	2234	Moonset	0849
	Three days after Full Moon

WEATHER___Mostly Clear___VISIBILITY___15 miles___WIND___North 8 knots.___

FLYING CONDITIONS__Good CLOUDS_Cumulus _SEA Calm sea No swell

SURFACE TEMP.___64.0°_F.___________

TIME EVENT

0003	Launched 2VT on A/S search GP#5 axis 225°(T).

0412	Launched 4VT and 4VF on A/S search GP#2, axis 225°(T).

0438	Recovered 2VT from 0003 flight.

0546	Poor DAQ bearing of 020(T) on U/B message on 5710 Kc.

0550	Vectored VT22 to search area astern along DAQ bearing.

0823	Recovered all planes from 0412 flight.

1537	Launched 4VF on A/S search GP#2, axis 025°(T).

1745	VF6 sighted 12 mile oil slick at 33°30'N, 19°10'W, several miles west of sinking of U-68, yellow sawdust looking matter at one end.

1810	VF3 sighted Spanish ship CABO DE HORNOS at 32°08'N, 18°58'W on CUS 248°, 8 knots. Not mentioned in dispatches.

1850	VF5 (Ens. E.R.Taylor) sighted possible wake at 31°11'N, 20°56'W.

1950	Recovered 4VF from 1537 flight.

1955	TG took CUS SW to close position of 1850 wake sighting and conduct square search.

2135	Sighted Spanish ship "CABO DE HORNOS" as anticipated from information obtained from 1810 A/C sighting.

	HOURS FLOWN
	VT	VF
TODAY	34.0	33.3
BROUGHT FWD.	1213.9	621.2
TOTAL	1247.9	654.5

ANNEX B Page 44.

CVE60/A16-3 U.S.S. GUADALCANAL

SECRET OPERATIONS

DATE ____12 April 1944__________Z.D.______0:00__________1200 POSITION

32°14'N

21°01'W

SHIPS IN COMPANY: Same	Sunrise	0659	Sunset	1951
	Moonrise	2337	Moonset	0924
	Four days after Full Moon

WEATHER___Partly cloudy___VISIBILITY___15 miles___WIND__NE to NW 10 knots.

FLYING CONDITIONS__Good CLOUDS_Cumulus _SEA Calm sea No swell

SURFACE TEMP.___64°_F.___________

TIME EVENT

0017	Launched 2VT on A/S radar search, GP#5, axis 218°(T).

0049	Recovered 2VT from 11/2034 flight.

0350	Launched 4VT and 4VF on A/S search GP#6, axis 218°(T).

0424	REcovered 2VT from 0017 flight.

0809	Recovered 0350 flight.

1530	Launched 4VF on A/S search, GP#7, less sector V, axis 045°(T).

1546	VF1 reported small oil slick bearing 061°, 14 miles from ship.

1617	Launched VF4 - Late getting off for 1530 mission.

1715	VF1 reported large oils slick covering 70 to 100 sq miles at 33°41'N, 19°02'W, near sinking of U-68.

1850	VF5 reported large oil slick at 34°01'N, 18°38'W.

1945	Recovered all planes from third flight. Pilots flying to North and NE reported heavy overcast and rain 90 to 95 miles out.

2013	USS FLAHERTY alongside to transfer emergency appendix case, HARKER, S.M. F1c 710 58 75 USNR, by stretcher.

2100	Escorts took station on night radar scouting line at 7 mile intervals.

2330	Escorts took station in close screen preparatory to launching.

2333	Successful appendectomy completed on HARKER.

	HOURS FLOWN
	VT	VF
TODAY	24.8	38.33
BROUGHT FWD.	1247.9	654.5
TOTAL	1272.7	692.8

ANNEX B Page 45.

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