The ship„O“ took off from Predannack at 1410 hrs. Shortly afterwards a Radar Operator Miroslav Vild reported two blips to a skipper. But they were too tiny for surface vessels. The bomber was approaching the spot about two miles distant. As soon as two periscopes´ telltale came in sight of the skipper, he went into a bomb and strafing run. Rocket racks were extended, a bomb bay opened and a seamarker made ready. First two pairs of rockets were launched from the distance of about 1.250 ft. Further three pairs followed in three seconds. Our crewmen dropped as eight depth charges as a seamarker on the spot locating two U boats. The water turned yellow green there. Both the periscopes had watched the Allied surface vesels nearby.
The Liberator bomber circled over the spot and contacted two destroyers both in light and radio. HMCS Haida and HMS Eskimo rushed to the scene full steam and took station at the angle of ninety degrees . Their being in these positions for three minutes seemed to be endless for our crewmen circling above meanwhile. The asdic operators did their best to localize both the Uboats. Suddenly one destroyer moved forward while dropping depth charges on both the sides. Having sailed for two hundred meters she turned back and stopped. Explosions ensued. As soon as the sea level smooth was the second destroyer crossed the circle at the right angle while dropping the D/Cs too. Both HMS Eskimo and HMCS took turns depthcharging for some time.
U 971 emerged in twenty minutes and gave up. Her crewmen were saved by one of the destroyers and the sub was put under her tug. The ´O ´ Lib proceeded to patrol.
NOTE : U 971 sank 49.01N 05.35W ie NW the Brest Penninsula´ s tip
Research&Reading :
Miroslav Vild - Osud byl mym pritelem ie Fate was my friend – Nase vojsko Publ. 1985
Paul Herbert Freyer – Smrt na všech mořích ie Death in all the Seas - Nase vojsko Publ 1982
Anthony Hall - Operation Overlord D-Day Day by Day Grange Books plc 2003
www.uboat.net/boats/u971.htm