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You are here: Home / Association, Organization, Not-For-Profit, Philanthropy / Sarasota MOAA: Joe Jennings – World War II – Sinking A Submarine

Sarasota MOAA: Joe Jennings – World War II – Sinking A Submarine

July 11, 2022 by Post

I was a First Radio/RADAR operator assigned to a US Navy Squadron (VP.94), operating in the South Atlantic Ocean. We were assigned the job of Anti-Submarine patrol protecting our convoys en-route to north Africa with equipment and supplies for the fight there against the German army. My assigned aircraft was part of a 25 aircraft squadron operating over most of the east coast of south America but mostly off the coast of Brazil, out to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Our primary mission was to keep the Subs down off of surface operation, sinking operation was the secondary course. On the morning of a day in about the month of June 1943, we cleared the runway out of Forteleza, Brazil heading to our 16 to 18 hour mission. About 50 miles out past the coastline we caught sight of a Brazilian Sailboat called a Jangada. It was heading west and left a distinctive line in the water.

The Pilot of our airplane lined up on that trail mark. In about 20 minutes on that line we spotted a Submarine. It was obvious that the Jangada had carried drums of fuel to a rendezvous and provided fuel for the Sub.

We were operating at about 6000 ft. at the base of clouds so that we were not seen by the crew of the Sub immediately. Also these type airplanes are painted purposely to blend in with cloud cover. We were not able to attack immediately because we were equipped with depth charge bombs not contact bombs. We had 4 bombs, 2 under each wing. We also had 1  30 caliber machine gun and 2  50 caliber machine guns.

We had as a crew practiced this scenario several times so what had to be done, we executed. First action was to strafe the Sub to force it down.

The first pass, because we caught him by surprise, he returned fire. On the second pass he had prepared to dive, which he started as we came in on the strafing run. He went under, turning to port as we could clearly see. The pilot made a quick turn to the starboard, circled and came in over the Sub. We could see the Sub outline. Our bombs were released over the sub in the preset pattern —- first, —- left outboard, second — right outboard, third —- left inboard, last—-right inboard. 

We circled the area to confirm. Some debris was spotted. My job was to clear radio operations, notify base and direct support aircraft into the area.  2 other aircraft arrived and the area was surveilled for a couple of hours. A review of the incident was held with supporting intelligence and the conclusion was the Sub was sunk.

Joe Jennings

___________________________

Additional detail on the story Sinking of a German Submarine.
The following is added detail on the sinking of the German Submarine story. A Navy PBY-5A aircraft is designed for long distant patrol to be manned with 2 Pilots, 1 Navigator, 1 Chief Mechanic, 2 Radio Operators, 1 extra Mechanic and 2 gunners/ Observers. Actually all of the crew are trained gunners/observers. At first sighting of the Submarine the pilot directed me to take alert radio action and establish contact with home base. I sent the pre-assigned code to close down all traffic. I then contacted home base to stay in contact until the attack was completely ended. Additional traffic to home base was to pass the geographic coordinates In addition support assets were requested. A Navy Blimp with a Tether Sonar was about 60 miles south but could not respond because of high headwinds.  Two PBY’s did respond, arriving within 30 minutes.
The first action was the strafing run to force the Sub to dive. Our gunners performed with precision, we did get return fire on this pass, getting 2 bullet holes. On the 2nd run he started his emergency dive. I continued communication with home base and assets throughout the surveillance. Conclusion of this action was after a full debrief by all involved. It was concluded the Submarine had been sunk. The Pilots and Crew were awarded Gold Stars for their Airwings.
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