Patrol info for U-487
Date lookup for 13 Jul 1943
| Departure | Arrival / Fate | Duration | ||
| 15 Jun 1943 | Bordeaux | 13 Jul 1943 | Lost | 29 days |
Commander | Officers * |
 Oblt. (R) Helmut Metz |
U-487's position on 13 Jul 1943
Ships hit by U-487 on this date
General Events during this patrol
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Attacks on U-487 during this patrol
13 Jul 1943
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
American Wildcat (VC-13 USN, pilot Lt (jg) Earl H. Steiger)
The sinking of U-487
19.21 hrs, SW of the Azores: the milch cow boat was attacked by USN carrier aircraft of VC-13 from USS Core after a refuelling meeting was reported by ULTRA. An Avenger/Wildcat team (pilots Lt R.P. Williams and Lt (jg) E.H. Steiger) completely surprised U-487 - crew were seen sun-bathing on deck and AA guns were unmanned during the first attack run. Four depth charges straddled the boat, which came to a stop in a large oil patch. The Wildcat attempted a second strafing run, but was hit by flak and crashed off the port bow, killing the pilot. Two more Wildcats (Lt Cdr C.W. Brewer and Lt J.R. Brownstein) then arrived, and their strafing attacks allowed a second Avenger (Lt (jg) J.F. Schoby) to drop four depth charges direct on target. The detonations lifted U-487 out of the water and broke her back, sinking her in a matter of seconds. 33 survivors were later rescued by USS Barker.
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* These are officers that later became commanders themselves.