B-17 CC Additional Material by Robert M Stitt

mine the extent of the damage caused by the attack. Where there are indications, such as wreckage or persisting oil, or
air bubbles, that the U/Boat may be forced to re-surface, the aircraft is to remain over the site and maintain position and
height best suited for delivering another attack.
On other occasions, excepting, of course, when the U/Boat is definitely sunk, and except when the aircraft is on convoy
escort duty, or at night, “baiting tactics”, are to be employed. Aircraft proceeding en route to escort a convoy should not
remain over the site of an attack for a period longer than fifteen minutes.
BAITING TACTICS.
In adopting “baiting tactics” the aircraft will set course from the position of the attack to a distance of at least 30 miles
and will remain outside this range for not less than 30 minutes. The aircraft should then return to the scene of the attack,
taking full advantage of cloud, sun and weather conditions for concealment, in the hope that the U/Boat will have again
surfaced.
PHOTOGRAPHS.
Photographs are to be taken whenever possible and duties are to be allotted as necessary to individual members of the
crew prior to take-off. The most important photographs are those recording the attack. The rear, or mirror camera is to be
turned on at least five seconds before the release of the depth charges and must be kept on for a minimum of 15 seconds
afterwards, throughout which period the pilot should make no alteration of course.
SIGNALS PROCEDURE.
The Captain of aircraft must always appreciate the situation relative to the task upon which he is engaged and bear in
mind the order of precedence for the despatch of signals subsequent to the sighting and attack of a U/Boat.
Whenever a U/Boat is sighted by an aircraft on an A/S patrol or sweep, if there is sufficient time and opportunity without
interfering with the efficiency of the attack, the Captain of aircraft will instruct the W/T operator to transmit on his operational
frequency the Group 465 from the Naval section of the Air Force code. The Group is to be preceded by his own
aircraft call-sign and will indicate that an attack is about to be made on a U/Boat. If it is subsequently discovered that no
U/Boat is present, a cancellation must be sent immediately and an acknowledgement obtained from W/T control. This
procedure does not apply to aircraft on a convoy escort, who are to make initial reports of sightings by R/T to the S.O.
Escort. It may also be suspended in special circumstances, when the risk from enemy fighters is considered such as to
justify wireless silence.
When engaged on escort duty, the Captain of Aircraft must, as soon as possible inform the Senior Officer of the surface
vessels of the presence of any U/Boat sighted, giving the position as a bearing and distance relative to the vessel(s) or in
the case of convoys, relative to the centre of the convoy. This report is to be made by R/T, or V/S, if R/T communication
cannot be established; co-ordinates for latitude and longitude positions are not to be used. The making of this report must
not, however, be allowed to prejudice the efficiency of the aircraft’s attack on the U/Boat and will usually be sent after the
attack has been completed.
When an aircraft on convoy escort estimates that it has sunk a U/Boat, the report is to be made by V/S to S.O. Escort.
Only if this is impossible is R/T to be used.
Aircraft on protective sweeps, when from a previous sighting the position of the convoy is known and the aircraft is within
20 minutes’ flying thereof, will close on the convoy and inform the S.O. Escort of the presence of a U/Boat.
Signals reporting sightings and attacks of U/Boats are to be sent to base as follows, unless special instructions have
been issued to the contrary:-
(i) Immediately after the attack, when on A/S patrol or sweep.
(ii) Immediately after informing S.O. Escort when on escort duty, or on a sweep where the aircraft is in sight of or in
R/T communication with S.O. Escort.
(iii) While closing on a convoy, when on a sweep.
It is essential that the relevant information be passed to base in the correct form and without delay. The signals to be sent
on the completion of an attack are as follows:-
(i) The Groups 465 and 472 together.
(ii) The Group 511, denoting also the type of attack, but not giving an estimate of hits unless a direct bomb hit on the
surface on a U/Boat is actually seen.
(iii) If the U/Boat is forced to the surface after the attack in an obviously damaged condition and remains there for
an appreciable time, the Group 512 should be sent. If this happens immediately after the attack and before the
Group 511 has been sent, the Group 512 may be sent in lieu.
(iv) If the U/Boat does not dive on being attacked, the Group 467 should be sent.
(v) If, after either 512 or 467 has been sent, the U/Boat subsequently dives, the Group 466 should be transmitted.
The first signal (Groups 465 and 472) should always be sent uncoded, i.e. as it appears in the Naval section of the Air
Force Code. All subsequent signals and amplifying reports are to be sent in special “SYKO”.
All future action either by S.O. Escorts or base depends on receiving accurate reports from the aircraft. No signal is to
be sent claiming the destruction of a U/Boat unless there is complete and absolute certainty. Probable destruction calls
for an amplifying signal giving accurate details. Amplifying reports on U/Boats disabled on the surface must be made at
intervals of not less than 15 minutes.
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