U-269
U269 had been commissioned in July 1942 and now belonged to the 6th
U-Boat Flotilla based at the occupied French port of St Nazaire. Sea
trials of new equipment during April and May 1944 had resulted in U269
moving to the port of Brest and it was from here that her commander
Oberleutnant Georg Uhl, began a patrol on 6th June. In the early hours of
the morning of 11th June U269 was detected on the surface by Liberators
radar approximately six miles away. The aircraft, commanded by F/L J
Posnett, made visual contact shortly afterwards and began a depth charge
attack during which time she was engaged by 20mm and 37mm anti-aircraft
fire from the submarine. The Liberator's outer starboard engine was hit as
was the fuselage and some control surfaces. The damage was sufficient to
prevent all but one of the depth charges from releasing and the U-Boat
sustained no damage.
The Liberators crew dealt with an onboard fire and jettisoned the
remaining depth charges and the aircraft slowly regained height and
eventually returned safely to base.
Having survived this attack U269 was attacked and sunk by the
Frigate HMS Bickerton two weeks later. Thirty three of the crew were saved
but the casualties included the commander.
U-269 by Ivan Berryman This limited edition print depicts the Type VIIC U-Boat U269 during an
engagement in the English Channel with a B24 Liberator from 224 Squadron
based at St Eval in Cornwall.