Hello,

Captain EJP Burling,a pilot in the newly formed Royal Air Force, was awarded the DFC for an attack on a submarine in the North Channel off Alexandria on 8 April. The award was gazetted in the London Gazette 2 July 1918 Number 30775 p 7745.
The incident is described in official correspondence as follows: On 8 April 1918 Seaplane N1581 and Observer A.M.3 Crisp W/T, while on escort patrol sighted a periscope of a submarine about 3/4 mile away from the convoy entering the North Channel. An attack was immediately made, the first bomb dropping slightly on the quarter of the submarine which evidently upset her steering gear, as she turned sharply round with her periscope still showing. The Seaplane was then turned sharply round and the second bomb dropped just behind the periscope from a height of about 400feet. The submarine disappeared immediately. This attack prevented any possible attack on a large convoy of ships proceeding to the entrance to the North Channel. This attack was carried out when Captain Burling had the bulk of flying to do on Escort Patrols, in addition to organising a new station under adverse conditions, daily patrols being carried out although the seaplanes had been exposed in the open for nearly 3 months.

It would seem from the losses list that the submarine got away. Can anyone confirm or refute this, and/or throw any more light on the incident.

Many thanks

Mike Peaker