On her tenth patrol during Operation Torch, U-331 was damaged by an escort and then by a No. 500 Squadron RAF Lockheed Hudson, which jammed the forward hatch open and prevented diving. HMS Wilton was sent to seize the surfaced submarine. Fairey Albacores from HMS Furious, covered by Martlets from HMS Formidable, attacked before the surrender signals reached them. The strike killed 32 crew members, while 17, including the commander, survived. Broken communications across the mixed air-surface force turned an attempted capture into a lethal attack.
Notable Point · 59:15-1:00:58
U-331's surrender signals fail to stop an air attack
During Operation Torch, damage forces U-331 to the surface, but aircraft attack before the submarine's surrender signals reach them.