6 Group Unavailable
Pilot Flying Officer Al Bishop.in command of his own crew in Sunderland DD859, sank U-489 in August 1943. Bishop's victim was a 'Milch Cow', a large tanker-submarine used to re-supply other U-Boats. Caught on the surface south of Iceland, the U·boat fought back and as Bishop made his level approach the Sunderland was repeatably hit and crewmen Injured. Bishop pressed home his attack and droppig six depth charges with deadly effect. Mortally damaged, the Sunderland was ditched and cartwheeled into the sea with the loss of five of the crew: Bishop and the survivors were soon joined by the U•Boat crew who abandoned ship close by, the submarine taking Its last dive and exploding soon after. The Sunderlanders and the U-Boat survivors steadfastly Ignored each other before rescue arrived from the Royal Navy. Bishop was awarded a well deserved DFC.Excerpt by Charlie Mason from The Sunderland Flying Boat Queen Vol 3 By John Evans"
Sergeant F Hadcroft: killed; Sergeant H Gossop, Flight Sergeant J B Horsburgh, Warrant Officer J S Kelly (RCAF), Flying Officer H B Parliament (RCAF): missing believed killed; Flying Officer D M Wettlaufer, Sergeant H E Finn, Flying Officer A A Bishop, Flight Sergeant J A V Richard, Sergeant P McDonnell, Flying Officer E A Mountford (all injured RCAF): injured
