Incident Overview
Date: Monday 12 June 1944
Aircraft Type: Short Sunderland III
Owner/operator: Royal Air Force – RAF
Registration Number: ML880
Location: Bay of Biscay –
ÿ Atlantic Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: Short Sunderland ML880 aircraftShort Sunderland ML880 aircraft
On June 11, 1944, a Short Sunderland ML880 of RAF took off from RAF Pembroke Dock to conduct an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay. The aircraft failed to return to base, with no communication received, and was presumed to have been shot down by enemy surface craft or U-boats. A German broadcast reported two Sunderlands had been shot down in the area.On June 11, 1944, a Short Sunderland ML880 of RAF took off from RAF Pembroke Dock to conduct an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay. The aircraft failed to return to base, with no communication received, and was presumed to have been shot down by enemy surface craft or U-boats. A German broadcast reported two Sunderlands had been shot down in the area.
Description
Short Sunderland ML880 of 228 Sqn RAF took off from RAF Pembroke Dock at 18:10 on 11 June 1944, to carry out an anti-submarine patrol in the Bay of Biscay. It was due back at base at 07:25 hours on 12 June, but failed to return. No signals were received from the aircraft and it was assumed that it was shot down by either enemy surface craft or U boat, and that the crew were all lost at sea. A German broadcast was heard the following day claiming that two Sunderlands had been shot down in the Bay of Bisay area.
Source of Information
http://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z019_1.pdfhttp://www.awm.gov.au/catalogue/research_centre/pdf/rc09125z019_1.pdfPrimary Cause
Possible enemy surface craft or U-boat engagement.Possible enemy surface craft or U-boat engagement.Share on:
