Official Squadron Diary for 2-3 May 1944

The six pages below are copies of the pages of the Form 540, the official Squadron Dairy for the days of 2 and 3
May 1944. They deal with the attack and sinking of U-852 in the Gulf of Aden and were written by Fg Off
PF Cottis, the Squadron Intelligence Officer. All errors from the originals have been left in.

Maritime Patrols

F540 Page 1

No. 8 Squadron

Date.	Aircraft Type & Number.	Crew.	Duty.	Time.		Details of Flight or Sortie	References.
Date.	Aircraft Type & Number.	Crew.	Duty.	Up.	Down.	Details of Flight or Sortie	References.
02/5/44	WELLINGTON MARK VIII JA 271	F/O.J.R.MOSER F/O.N.F.OGILVIE. (Can) F/O.F.Q.WHEATCROFT SGT.EVANS.K.R. SGT.WALLACE.A.R. SGT.BRENNAN.M.	For Submarine Strike.	1045	1947 ~~2245~~	Patrol :- For Submarine Strike. Observed:- Aircraft airborne ADEN for submarine strike . There were nil sightings and aircraft landed at SCUISCUIBAN. Remarks :- 6 - 250lb D.Cs and 6000 rounds of ammunition carried. None expended.
2/5/44 to 3/5/44	WELLINGTON MARK XIII HZ 703	F/S.McGIVNEY.J.H. (Can) F/O.L.G.SIMONS. (Can) F/S.HART.A. (Aus) SGT.BOWLEY.J.A. SGT.LEMON.P.E. SGT.WALLIS.F.R.G.	For Submarine Strike.	2110	0345	Patrol :- For U-Boat Strike. Observed:- Aircraft airborne SALALAH for submarine strike. The submarine was found in position SCLK 3348 - exploded. Aircraft landed at SCUISCUIBAN. Remarks :- 6 - 250lb Torpex D.Cs and 6000 rounds of ammunition carried. None Expended
3/5/44	WELLINGTON MARK XIII MP 767	F/O.G.R.D.ATHER STONE. F/O.WOOD. F/O.L.H.A.JEFFERS F/O.W.WHITELEY. F/O.T.C.STEVENS. SGT.L.C.FLEET.	For U-Boat Strike.	2100	0510	Patrol :- For U-Boat Strike. Observed:- Aircraft airborne SALALAH for U- boat strike. Submarine sighted in position SCLK 3348, stationary at 0155 hours. At 0225 hours, submarine scuttled and on fire and at 0305 hours, landing party accepted open surrender. Survivors being taken aboard a destroyer . A second destroyer arrived at 0407 hours. Aircraft signalled " I Go ". Aircraft landed at SCUISCUIBAN. Remarks :- 6 - 250lb D.Cs and 6000 rounds of ammunition carried. None expended.
3/5/44	WELLINGTON MARK XIII HZ 958	F/LT.R.A.HENDRIE	For Submarine STRIKE.	0135	0635	PATROL :- For Submarine Strike. Observed:- Aircraft airborne SCUISCUIBAN for submarine strike. The submarine was found in position and the destroyer gave orders to make an attack. 6 D.Cs were dropped which failed to go off, suspected too shall ow water. The submarine was found to have been scuttled. A/C landed SCUISCUIBAN.