 The British patrol aircraft prevented Group Trutz from attacking the Home Fleet . At 21 : 48 on 17 July , a Consolidated B @-@ 24 Liberator assigned to No. 86 Squadron detected and sank U @-@ 361 ; none of the submarine 's crew were rescued . Eight minutes later a No. 210 Squadron Consolidated PBY Catalina piloted by Flying Officer John Cruickshank spotted U @-@ 347 on the surface . The submarine 's anti @-@ aircraft guns damaged the Catalina , killing the navigator and wounding Cruickshank as well as three other crewmen , but the pilot continued his attack and sank U @-@ 347 with depth charges . The Catalina managed to return to base , and Cruickshank was awarded the Victoria Cross for this action . That night the Home Fleet sailed through the gap in the German patrol line that had been opened by the sinking of the two submarines . 
