U848 under attack (photos)

[GREY WOLF 3]

Type IXD2
Ordered 20 Jan 1941

Laid down 6 Jan 1942 AG Weser, Bremen (werk 1054)
Launched 6 Oct 1942

Commissioned 20 Feb 1943 Korvkpt. Wilhelm Rollmann (Knights Cross)
Commanders 20 Feb 1943 - 5 Nov 1943 FrgKpt. Wilhelm Rollmann (Knights Cross)

Career
1 patrol 20 Feb 1943 - 31 Jul 1943 4. Flottille (training)

1 Aug 1943 - 5 Nov 1943 12. Flottille (front boat)


Successes 1 ship sunk for a total of 4,573 GRT
Fate Sunk 5 Nov, 1943 in the South Atlantic south-west of Ascension Island, in approximate position 10.09S, 18.00W, by depth charges from 3 Liberator and 2 Mitchell aircraft (VB-107 & US Army 1st Compron). 63 dead (all hands lost).

Photographs by Attacking Aircraft
Photographs taken during attacks by LT Charles A. Baldwin, USNR, 107-B-12

First attack - 6 Mk-47 DB's spaced 60 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 75 feet/215 knots, target angle 2700- bomb explosions straddled the conning tower, first two to port and four to starboard, third DB was a dud - no AA fire encountered

DB's splashing, sixth DB in the air

DB's splashes

Start of DB explosions

U-848 turned tightly to starboard foiling the second run - no DB's were dropped - no AA fire encountered

Second attack - 3 Mk-47 DB's spaced 60 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 25 feet/speed unreported, target angle 600- bombs fell short, nearest DB estimated from photographs at 200 feet - AA fire encountered after pulling out hit the port vertical fin

Gunners take cover as DB's begin to explode

DB's explode

Photographs taken during attacks by LT William R. Ford, USNR, 107-B-4

Third attack - 6 Mk-47 DB's spaced 60 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 125 feet/190 knots, target angle 1000- bombs fell short, nearest explosion estimated from photographs at 250 feet - heavy AA fire was encountered

Fourth attack - 3 Mk-47 DB's spaced 60 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 100 feet/215 knots, target angle 240 0- bombs fell short, nearest explosion estimated from photographs at 50 feet - no AA fire was encountered

Start of DB explosions

DB explosions

No photographs were taken during attacks by LT W. E. Hill, USNR, PB4Y-1, 107-B-8

Fifth attack - 6 Mk-47 DB's spaced 65 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 150 feet/180 knots, target angle 900- bombs fell short, nearest explosion estimated from photographs at 100 feet - heavy AA fire was encountered, # 2 engine set afire - aircraft returned to base without making a second attack

Photographs were taken during attacks by CAPT Philip Main, USAAC, B-25-C, 41-12540

Sixth attack - 2 500 lb. demolition bombs, spaced 50 feet, fused 1/10 sec. delay, dropped from 1480 feet/200 knots, target angle approximately 600- bombs fell short, nearest explosion estimated from photographs at 200 feet - heavy AA fire was encountered

U-boat maneuvering as aircraft approaches
Seventh attack - 4 500 lb. demolition bombs, spaced 50 feet, fused 1/10 sec. delay, dropped from 1480 feet/200 knots, target angle approximately 600- bombs fell short, nearest explosion estimated from photographs at 20 feet - heavy AA fire encountered damaging hydraulic system

U-boat maneuvering as aircraft approaches

No photographs were taken during attacks by MAJ R. T. Akins, USAAC, B-25-C, 41-12629

Eighth attack - 6 500 lb. demolition bombs, spaced 50 feet, fused 1/10 sec. delay, dropped from 2400 feet/210 knots, target angle approximately 210 0- bombs fell over, nearest explosion estimated from photographs at 25 feet - heavy AA fire was encountered

Photographs taken during attacks by LT S. K. Taylor, USNR, PB4Y-1, 107-B-4

Ninth attack - 5 Mk-47 DBs spaced 60 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 70 feet/225 knots, target angle 3150- third and fourth bombs of string were reported to have straddled the submarine just forward of the conning tower - heavy AA fire was encountered

DBs splashing

Start of DB explosion

DB explosion

Tenth attack - 4 Mk-47 DB's spaced 60 FT fused at 25 feet, dropped from 50 feet/165 knots, target angle 000 0- all three bombs exploded very close to the submarine's starboard side - heavy AA fire was encountered

DB splashes, last DB in air