Operation Teardrop

Operation Teardrop: A Naval Operation in WWII

Imagine a time when the Atlantic Ocean was not just a vast expanse of water but a battleground where the fate of nations hung in the balance. Operation Teardrop, a US Navy operation during World War II, was one such pivotal moment.

The Threat of V-1 Flying Bombs

During late 1944, rumors began to circulate that German U-boats were being armed with V-1 flying bombs. The rumors seemed too good to be true, but the US Navy took them seriously enough to plan a response. Could it be that these submarines, once mere threats of the deep, now posed an aerial threat as well?

The Formulation of Operation Teardrop

In late December 1944, spies reported that Germany was preparing rocket-equipped submarines. The Mayor of New York City warned of a potential attack, but the US Department of War downplayed the threat. However, in response to these reports, the Atlantic Fleet prepared Operation Teardrop to defend against aerial raiders and missiles.

The Task Forces at Sea

The US Navy formed two large task forces to operate in the mid-Atlantic as a barrier against submarines approaching the east coast. These task forces were like sentinels, ready to face any threat that might come their way. The first task force, known as the First Barrier Force, included escort carriers USS Mission Bay and Croatan and destroyer escorts.

The Battle of U-Boats

On April 18, 1945, the First Barrier Force encountered two U-boats: U-1235 and U-880. Using Hedgehog anti-submarine mortars, they sank both submarines with their deadly barrage. The next day, Consolidated B-24 Liberators spotted U-805 on the surface during nights of 18–19 April. Despite efforts to attack it, U-805 managed to escape after being depth charged for two hours.

The Second Barrier Force

Meanwhile, the Second Barrier Force had sailed from Quonset and Bermuda on April 16 to patrol inshore waters around Halifax. They encountered their first U-boat on April 23 when a Grumman TBF Avenger sighted U-881 about 74 nautical miles north west of Bogue, which was not seriously damaged.

The Capture and Interrogation

U-546 attempted to attack Core on April 24 but was detected and escaped after being chased by USS Frederick C. Davis at 08:30. A T-5 torpedo struck Foxer decoy’s destroyer escort, sinking her with 126 crewmen. Eight American escorts hunted U-546 before severely damaging it. The submarine surfaced but sank after further attacks. Kapitänleutnant Just and 32 crewmen survived and were taken prisoner.

The Final Success

On April 21-22, the First Barrier Force scored its final success by sinking U-518 with Hedgehog attacks. The Second Barrier Force continued to search for remaining U-boats, eventually establishing their final barrier line along the 60th meridian on May 7.

The Aftermath and Legacy

Following the German surrender, the US Navy accepted the surrender of four U-boats at sea before returning to bases on the US east coast. The crews of two U-boats were interrogated and confirmed they were not fitted with missile launching equipment. A captain who commanded a boat that tested rockets was subjected to an abusive interrogation, which led to his suicide shortly after.

Further Developments

The tactics used in Teardrop operation were evaluated as successful in forcing submarines to remain submerged. The US Navy later used a variant of the V-1 rocket to test the feasibility of launching missiles from submarines. Successful tests began on February 12, 1947, and led to the development of further submarine-launched cruise missiles.

Operation Teardrop stands as a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the US Navy during World War II. It was a battle not just against submarines but also against misinformation and fear. The lessons learned from this operation paved the way for future advancements in naval warfare, ensuring that the deep waters remained a formidable barrier.