First Images of German Submarine Sunk in Calpe

This news article was last updated by the: on the: 21 Dec 2011

First Images of German Submarine Sunk in Calpe Archaeological divers of the Spanish Fundación Greenwich have finally photographed the German submarine U77, which was destroyed in March 1943 in a British air attack. The submarine was spotted by a plane from the 48th squadron based in Gibraltar, who launched an attack. The submarine was submerged at the time and, although damaged, managed to escape. A second aircraft was called to assist and this Lockheed A-28 Hanson spotted the submarine on the surface about 30 miles northwest of the first attack. After an hour of fighting, the aircraft dropped four depth charges which landed within metres of the sub. As the night took hold, the commander ordered the crew to abandon ship. Around 20 sailors managed to reach life rafts, but only 9 of them survived, having been rescued by fishing boats from Calpe. Around 30 sailors lost their lives, largely believed to have suffered hypothermia.