Today in 1942, HMCS Assiniboine, a member of escort group C-1, protecting convoy SC-94, sunk the German submarine U-210. Pictured: U-210 seen from HMCS Assiniboine, 6 August 1942. Credit: G.E. Salter. LAC MIKAN: PA-037443. #Thread

The following is quoted from the report filed on 10 August 1942 by LCdr John Stubbs, HMCS Assiniboine's commanding officer, and one of Canada's greatest naval heroes. Stubbs is pictured on the Bridge of Assiniboine in September 1940. LAC MIKAN: 3203180.

"I closed U-boat to ram at full speed... He opened fire with all his guns and for about 35 minutes the action continued at a point blank range of about 100 to 300 yards." LAC MIKAN: PA-144289.

"A second degree fire broke out on the starboard side at the break of the forecastle and spread almost to the bridge and through the sick bay flat."

XO and future VAdm Ralph Hennessy was awarded a DSC for his actions leading the damage control effort. LAC MIKAN: PA-184007.

"During most of the action we were so close that I could make out the Commanding Officer on the conning tower bending down occasionally to pass wheel orders."

Only meters away, U-210 attempts to dive. LAC MIKAN: PA-037444.

"Three or four times we just missed him. The officers left the conning tower in order to dive, and in the few seconds during which he was on a steady course we rammed him just abaft the conning tower." LAC MIKAN: PA-037445.

"After a little manoeuvring, we rammed him again well abaft the conning tower and fired a shallow pattern of depth charges as we passed. Also one 4.7″ shell from “Y” Gun scored a direct hit on his bows. He sank by the head in about two minutes."

Burial at sea of Ordinary Seaman Kenneth Watson, who died in the action which resulted in the sinking of U-210. 6 August 1942. LAC MIKAN: 3365450.