TMO RSRD USS Drum War Patrol 3
100 difficulty. Cams off, contacts on.
Order to patrol Philippine Sea in support of Operation Forager(invasion of Mariana Islands) . departed June 1, 1944 from Pearl Harbor. Refueled at Johnston Island. Headed en route to area at 12 knots to arrive by 6-17-1944 as ordered.
Arrived in area night of June 16th and began patrolling within 50 NM of assigned coordinates as ordered.
June 18- 2004 hours:Radar contact made with large group of ships moving East at high speed. Closed and dived off track at 2150 hours, avoiding the forward destroyer screen.
After a "high speed" run of 6 knots at 350 feet, came to scope depth quietly to find myself in middle of a Japanese task force. 5 or so large columns roughly 3500 yards between ships. Heavy cruisers, escorts carriers, battleships. Soon the large silhouette and pagoda mast structure of a battleship caught my attention in the setting sun so went to 100 feet and paralleled course between the two columns. Went deeper to avoid a marauding destroyer.
Came back to scope depth after 10 minutes, could see the large battleship in scope now at 7,000 yardsand in perfect position to set up on a Yamato Class Battleship. Several observations and speed had slowed from 20 to 12 knots, but no zigging, not alerted. Set all 6 Mar 14's in forward tubes for 25 feet and Mark 18's in stern tubes as well. Next observation a plane was spotted, dipped down to 100 feet, then back up.Opened outer doors as TDC data checked perfect.Came to port to line up for a shot, 1000 yards off port side would be the firing point.
Fired 6 Mark 14's from exactly 1000 yards. The Yamato BB attempted to evade once spotted the wakes but unable, all six torpedoes hit home. Immediately turned to bring stern tubes around. The battleships smoking, slowed to 4.8 knots. Fired all four stern torpedoes. Went to 100 feet, reloading tubes while coming about for another bow shot. Before torpedoes hit, plane dropped two close bombs and sound had a distant DD roaring in.
3 of four Mark 18's hit the the target.While at flank speed now attempting to overtake the slow moving ship(going on sound) . Came back to scope depth. Discovered a second Yamato Class BB trailing the one just torpedoed, coming up fast, suddenly turned towards us, would run us over, forced a dive to 100 feet.Listened as second Yamato roared overhead.
Back to scope depth after Yamato had cleared, we had now pulled ahead of the first Yamato class BB. Would have to hurry, Two DD's from two different directions were rushing in. Luck was on Drum's side, as seas began to pick up, they were coming close, dropping charges but not locating me just yet.
Fired more torpedoes. All hitting and causing large explosions. The Yamato stopped her engines and listed developed. The Destroyer's rushed in pinging, forcing us deep. A few depth charges dropped, just one or two close.
We had fired 15 torpedoes with 14 hits.About 15 minutes after last torpedo hit. A massive series of explosions were heard.Drum was at 400 feet and about 4000 yards from last marked position of the target. Could soon hear breaking up noises and more explosions. Ship reported as sunk. Coming back to surface, could see see her burning, sinking, and large debris field. Went to 300 feet and evaded destroyers.
Surfaced but unable to locate task force as had sped away.
Continued patrol in area, contacted a Task Force on June 19, 1944 around 2000 hours but numerous planes prevented closing on surface.One dropped bombs, prompting two destroyers to coming hunting. Attempted down the throat shot but DD managed to avoid. The pair never came close with charges but hunted us for 5 hours before heading away at high speed.
Upon surfacing ordered to remain in area until 0000 hours on June 20 then return to base. Set course for Pearl Harbor. Arrived on June 8, 1944.
Fun patrol. Believe it's only second time in all years played RSRD had a real shot at Yamato. Tough target.Definitely lucked out being in right place at right time.
