12 October 1942. At mid-day on 12 October 1942 S/L. T M. Bulloch DFC and crew flying in Liberator 'H' of No.120 Squadron operating out of Iceland were flying close escort for convoy ONS136 as it passed to the south-west of their base. One of the crew sighted the wake of an unidentified craft some eight miles away to the starboard. Bulloch curved round after it and closed the vessel out of the sun; as he straightened out the Liberator he saw that the cause of the wake was a submarine. The aircraft lined up on the stern of the U-boat and attacked almost along its length. As the submarine disappeared under the nose of his aircraft Bulloch let go of his depth-charges in a very closely spaced stick with only twenty-five feet between them. Two of them failed to leave the bomb-bay but the remaining six splashed into the water with remarkable precision. One of the depth-charges exploded near the stern, two went off on each side of the hull and the sixth exploded next to the bow. Pieces of metal from the boat flew high into the air and a large oval chunk just missed the rear of the Liberator. Her pressure hull ruptured in several places, the submarine broke up and sank, bringing the career of U 597 (Bopst) and the lives of her entire crew to an end. At 1540 hrs during this sortie S/L. Bulloch attempted to attack a second U-boat but his two remaining depth-charges failed to leave the aircraft.
What a curious circunstance, dear friend Liberator......You put your post exactly 65 years + that te date of the attack of U-597. Another matter: I hope this Forum are in your interest, Aircraft of World War II - Warbird Forums. Curiosity: Are some members with similar nick at yours in WW2F. Jan.
One of my relatives, Hans Bücken, (*1922- +12.10.1942) came to death in the U-597. I'm looking for pictures of the U-597 crew, and also for pictures of the Liberator crew, who attecked the U-597. Anyone, who can help? regards, Stefan Kahlen, Germany
Hi Stefan, Welcome! I found this website with at least one pcture of a crew member on the U 597, but maybe thay can help you more! Good luck with your search!! http://www.sharkhunters.com/index.html http://www.sharkhunters.com/xmugs4.htm
By another curious coincidence, I have for sale an excellent painting by M. A. Kinnear of this very incident - do you know of anyone who would be interested?
Dear Stephan: I search in Ebay and found: Bulloch own RAF FDC Sunk U Boat Signed himself en venta en eBay.es (finaliza el 12-jul-08 15:00:27 H.Esp) or Bulloch own RAF FDC Sunk U Boat Signed himself bei eBay.de: Original Certified (endet 12.07.08 15:00:27 MESZ) (same article in diferent languages)Item number: 250266976646 Jan.
S/L T. M. Bullock is the highest scoring ASW pilot in WW2. He is credited with sinking 3 U-boats, U-597, U-611, and U-514, and badly damaging another, U-89. S/L Bullock survived the war, and is still alive today
Hi Stefan, My grandfather was the commander of U-597, Eberhard Bopst. For sometime now I have been researching him and his boat, however very little photo's. I can send you a photo of my grandfather and the only pic that I have been able to find of his boat albeit a rather poor quality. I also have a picture taken by the rear gunner of the liberator aircraft the moment the depth charges went off, very emotional picture, again I can forward this to you if you wish. Let me know your email and I'll send what I have. Do you have any photo's of your realtive - Johaan Bucken date of birth 31.07.1922 Rank - MtrOGfr/Seaman 2nd Class Brgds, Andy Bopst PS I also have the war diary from U-597 (approx 50pages) I can email thsi to you as well, however its approx 7mb in total.
Andy : may I ask the same from you to send a foto of your Father and the diary I would be most interested in reading it ........ with many thanks and will send you a private message Erich ~
Erich, I tried to email you the diary but your email server is full. Let me know when you can receive more alternatively give me a different email address to send to. Cheers, Andy
