South Yorkshire Times, May 27th, 1944
Helped To Sink U-Boat
Mexborough Man’s Share in Convoy Battle
Sub-Lieutenant Kenneth William Horsfield (23) of Mexborough, flew as observer in the Swordfish aircraft which sank the second of two U-boats, definitely known to have been destroyed when in packs they engaged in an Allied convoy to Russia in a running fight around the North Cape without sinking even one of our merchantmen. Sub-Lieut Horsfield is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Horsfield of Genoa Street, Mexborough, and volunteered for duties with the Fleet Air Arm in 1941.
The action was fought in appalling weather and rough seas. After one enemy sub-marine had been destroyed by the joint action of a Swordfish and the British destroyer H.M.S. Onslaught the second U-boat was sighted by the crew of Sub-Lieut. Horsfield’s craft on the surface about twelve miles away, and heading straight for the convoy.
The pilot of the plane, Lt. E. Bennett, of Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex, has described the action on sighting the U-boat, he said they took a bearing and climbed into the clouds. They flew for five minutes then dived through a gap and saw the submarine below. It was taken completely by surprise and Lt. Bennett released his bombs and saw them hit. In addition, as they climbed away the rear gunner poured 500 rounds from his machine guns into the conning tower. The U-boat zig-zagged out of control. Two minutes later it slewed hard to starboard, the stern rose to an angle of about 60 degrees, and the submarine sank.
Diving low, they saw about 15 survivors, struggling amid wreckage in the water and signalled a destroyer, which picked up the three men still alive.
Sub-Lieut. Horsfield is an old boy of Mexborough Secondary School. He entered Sheffield University in 1940 to begin training for a teaching career but volunteered for duty in the Fleet Air Arm the following year. While at Mexborough Secondary School he played for the school at football. He has had success as an athlete, winning a number of cups for sprinting in Trinidad as a trainee for the Fleet Air Arm. Sub-Lt. Horsfield had his last home leave in March