Floating survivors, some in dinghies, and litter of wreckage from the 500-ton German U-boat U243 ...

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Accession Number 135147
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Print silver gelatin
Maker RAAF Photographer
Place made Atlantic Ocean: Bay of Biscay
Date made 8 July 1944
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Floating survivors, some in dinghies, and litter of wreckage from the 500-ton German U-boat U243 which sank after being attacked by two Sunderland aircraft of No. 10 Squadron, some 170 nautical miles west of St Nazaire, France. The aircraft were H, piloted by Flying Officer W B Tilley, and K, piloted by Flight Lieutenant R E Cargeeg. Tilley, who made the initial attack, and scored hits, was credited with the sinking and awarded the DFC. Sunk by depth charges, U243 lost 11 dead and had 38 survivors. A dinghy and food-pack were dropped by Tilley to the survivors. (Similar photograph at SUK12406.)