U-31

The Type VIIA boat U-31, commanded by Kapitanleutnant Johannes Habekost, was the first U-boat to be sunk by the RAF in World War 2. At midday on 11 March 1940 Blenheim Mk.IV (P4852) of No. 82 Sqd, flown by Squadron Leader Miles V. Delap, from Watton, Norfolk, was on patrol off Borkum, when the U-boat was spotted, as shown here. Delap dropped all four bombs in a salvo from low level, two of which hit the target. The force of the explosions damaged the Blenheim but it returned safely. The U-boat sank, leavng black oil on the surface, and all fifty-eight crew members lost their lives. She was raised by the Germans, repaired and recommissioned at Wilhelmshaven on 30 July 1940. Ref: ADM 199/2057