U-751

The Type VIIC boat U-751 left St Nazaire on 14 July 1942 for a seventh war cruise, under the command of Kapitanleutnant Gerhard Bigalk, bound for the North Atlantic. About 200 miles west-north-west of Cape Ortegal, Spain three days later, it was attacked by Whitley G.R.Mk.VII of No.502 Sqd, flown by Pilot Officer A.R.Hunt, from St.Eval, Cornwall. Anti-submarine bombs were dropped and several machine-gun attacks were made, as shown in this photograph. About an hour later Lancaster Mk.1 (R5724) of No.61 Sqd, flown by Flight Lieutenant P.R. Casement, from St.Eval, arrived. This was one of several Lancasters of Bomber Command on detachment to Coastal Command for a short experimental period. Two attacks were made with depth charges and anit-submarine bombs, as well as with machine guns. As the Lancaster left, some German crew members were seen to shake their fists. The U-boat sank with the loss of all forty-eight crew members. Ref: ADM 199/2059