At 1018 hours on 2 May 1943 Whitley G.R.Mk.VII (BD602) of No.612 Sqd, flown by Sergeant J.L. Richards from Davidstow Moor, Cornwall, came across a U-boat heading north off La Rochelle. Richards attacked, but his depth charges undershot. An exchange of fire with machine guns took place, the front gunner firing 200 rounds and the rear gunner firing 800 rounds. Hits were scored on the U-boat, which dived steeply. Nothing more was seen, although the Whitley remained in the area for two and a half hours. Ref: ADM 199/1418
