C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
The stacks but because of poor visibility conditions and the fact that they were looking directly down on the ship, could not see the size or location of the superstructure or make out any other details except the overall size which is estimated at 5,000 tons and the course which was westerly. After passing over the target both pilots saw what appeared to be an expanding halo of light which passed on ahead of the plane and disappeared leaving everything behind it momentarily illuminated. Exactly the same phenomenon was repeated before the first light had vanished. Observers in the after station saw two brilliant flashes which illuminated an area approximately two miles in radius. The actual source of the light3 however, was cut off from their view by the tail of the plane. Their momentary reaction was that the plane had been caught in searchlights. Lieutenant PALMER's first impression was that he was being fired on by concentrated AA and he pushed over into a further glide, levelling off at 200 feet and leaving the area without change of course. At a distance of three miles he made a left turn and scanned the area visually but nothing could be seen. For the next 25 minutes Lieutenant PALMER searched the vicinity by radar and twice flew over the position whore the ship had been attacked but it was not seen again nor was there any indication whatsoever on the radar scope. It is felt there is ample evidence to indicate that this ship sank as the result of internal explosions caused by two 500 pound bomb hits.
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