Hi Ken,

See the article at: [www.uboat.net] entitled “Treatment of Merchant Ship Survivors by U-boat Crews 1939 - 1945”.

The attack took place in rough weather and a pair of escorts came up just as U-48 was leaving (forcing her to dive) and depth charged her.

Additionally the commander of U-48 Herbert Schultze had a history of helping survivors when he could, not shooting at them so you can be sure your uncle wasn’t targeted. Beaverdale used her radio to send a distress signal which was picked up by U-48 and it was probably the radio room that was targeted.

Regards,

Ken Dunn