Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[CaptBC]

PATROL REPORT
U.S.S. POLLACK SS-180
2nd. WAR PATROL
FEBRUARY 19, 1942 – APRIL 6, 1942
LCDR. R. E. CHAMBERLAIN, COMMANDING

February 19, 1942
0133 Depart Pearl Harbor, TH with orders to patrol near Luzon, and sink enemy shipping. “Polly” is handling a bit differently after refit. We will be performing trim dives to get the crew into shape. Still no operable radar set.

February 21, 1942
2004 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, position 170o26’E,26o50’N. Torpedoes remaining 16. Fuel remaining 94%. No contacts to report.

February 23, 1942
2004 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, position 163o39’E,25o46’N. Torpedoes remaining 16. Fuel remaining 90%. No contacts to report.

February 24, 1942
2002 Ordered periscope depth in preparation to surface, observed unidentified contact bearing 180, appears to be a cylindrical object oriented about the vertical axis. We surface and turn the boat to investigate. Location 160o53’E,25o22’N.

2009 Unidentified contact vanishes! We search the area for possible clues. Nothing was found. We resumed previous course.

February 26, 1942
2031 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, position 155o02’E,24o39’N. Torpedoes remaining 16. Fuel remaining 84%.

February 28, 1942
2053 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, position 147o53’E,23o40’N. Torpedoes remaining 16. Fuel remaining 79%. No contacts to report.

March 3, 1942
0600 Off the island of Higashi, sat at periscope depth and observed most of the morning. No visual contacts. Made depth to 80 feet, no sonar contacts. Resumed our journey to the patrol zone at 1132 course heading 260.

March 4, 1942
0904 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, position 138o33’E,24o13’N. Torpedoes remaining 16. Fuel remaining 71%. No contacts yet!

March 6, 1942
0922 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, position 133o05’E,23o20’N. Torpedoes remaining 16. Fuel remaining 68%. No contacts to report.

March 10, 1942
0605 Enemy convoy sighted bearing 315! Ordered periscope depth and plotted course to intercept. Light fog in the area.

0649 Radio contact report to COMSUBPAC, position 125o29’E,22o16’N estimated speed 8 knots on course heading 041. Enemy convoy consisting of four columns of three ships each, with one destroyer leading and two destroyers bracketing the rear of the convoy.

0651 Received radio transmission from COMSUBPAC, with orders to break-off from the convoy and resume mission. The message advised that other assets would be deployed against the convoy. I ordered silent running and resume course to Luzon. Made depth to 65 ft. to mask any sound with surface noise, but still deep enough to monitor the convoy with our hydrophones.

0728 There is a destroyer directly aft, and one approaching our port beam. All stop. Slowly settle to 150 ft, then ordered turns for 1 knot.

0742 Destroyer depth charging us! He is still fishing, as charges are shallow and away from us. Ordered course heading 180 and depth of 200 ft.

0748 The other destroyer begins his depth charge run. Charges are deeper, but still miss Polly. We are now under a thermal layer and are making course adjustments to get away from the destroyers. They alternate their runs as we continue to open range.

0818 The destroyers break-off from their attack and return to their convoy stations. Damage report from all stations – no damage. Resuming course for Luzon.

1109 Secured from silent running. Played some music to cheer-up the crew for a job well done! Making way at 2/3 speed, depth 80 ft.

2156 Radar (finally working!) reports convoy contact bearing 301, long range. Plot course-heading 163 to intercept and investigate contact.

2248 Visual contact with enemy convoy, location 124o46’E,22o03’N, estimated speed 13 knots, course heading 076. Radio contact report to COMSUBPAC.

2250 Receive radio traffic from COMSUBPAC, “GOOD FIND X WILL DIRECT FURTHER ASSETS TO INTERCEPT X BREAK CONTACT AND RTB AT YOUR DISCRETION X” Ordered silent running, turns for 1 knot, dive to 200 feet, course heading 265.

2259 Enemy destroyer closing fast bearing 264. Destroyer making search pattern. We are not detected as he returns to the convoy at 2306.

March 11, 1942
2312 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, location 122o48’E,21o55’N. Torpedoes remaining 16, Fuel remaining 60%.

March 12, 1942
0317 Arrive to our patrol zone in Luzon Strait. Received a radio message from COMSUBPAC, “ENGAGE ENEMY MERCHANT SHIPPING IN AREA LUZON.”

1750 Sonar detects slow screws bearing 110. Ordered all stop to listen and attempt to classify.

1832 At periscope depth. Two merchant ships spotted, lead freighter of the Biyo Maru class, rear freighter of the Heito Maru class. “Polly” getting into position for a torpedo shot.

1858 Torpedoes missed, going off course enroute to target. Battle surfaced and engaged with deck gun.

1904 Heito Maru class sunk, after receiving fire from the vessel, 4472 tons. Location 121o13’E, 21o53’N. All hands lost.

1907 Biyo Maru class sunk, 5491 tons. Location 121o13’E, 21o52’N All hands lost.

2057 Sonar contact bearing 004, classified as a merchant closing slow. We set course to intercept.

2124 Engaging enemy fishing boat with the deck gun.

2127 Fishing boat sunk, went up like a roman candle! A spectacular fire totally consumed the vessel. A lifeboat was launched, but no one had a chance to board. All hands lost. 2 tons. Location 121o10’E, 21o47’N.

2305 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, location 121o09’E, 21o44’N Torpedoes remaining 12, Fuel remaining 59%, Total cargo ships destroyed 3, total tonnage 9965 tons.

March 13, 1942
0532 Receive radio contact report of a large enemy convoy at location 121o24’E, 21o21’N, course heading 045, estimated speed 9 knots. We plot course to intercept.

0548 Initial contact, radar reports contact bearing 074.

0555 Visual sighting, bearing 075. Battle stations torpedo! Making depth 40 feet, ahead 1/3 bell.

0725 Fired spread of four torpedoes against enemy convoy. Dove to 200 feet and ordered silent running. Ordered engine room to make revolutions for 1 knot. Turned left to course heading 045.

0737 Report from sonar that all torpedoes missed target. Tracking destroyers, no change in activity related to our torpedo run. Continuing silent running, we remain undetected.

2302 Surface and report status to COMSUBPAC, location 121o29’E, 21o24’N. Torpedoes remaining 8. Fuel remaining 59%. Total cargo ships sunk 3. Total tonnage sunk 9965.

2303 Radar contact bearing 225, long range.

March 14, 1942
0922 Radio status report to COMSUBPAC, location 121o46’E, 20o55’N Torpedoes remaining 8. Fuel remaining 58%.

March 16, 1942
0223 Radio report of an enemy convoy location 121o15’E, 21o21’N, course heading 067, approximate speed 9 knots. Plotting course to intercept.

0542 Enemy convoy sighted. We are in position ahead of the convoy. Battle stations torpedo! We will submerge to 200’, order silent running, engine room make revolutions for 1 knot. We will wait for the lead escort to pass, then engage the merchants.

0659 Beginning our attack! 2 torpedoes fired against Nagara Maru class freighter, 1 hit! It causes minimal damage, and the ship continues. 2 torpedoes fired against Taihosan Maru class freighter, both hit! Ship goes down with all hands, 1852 tons. Location 121o50’E, 21o34’N. 2 torpedoes fired from after tubes against Kasagisan Maru class freighter, angle was correct, believe that both torps run under target. 5 destroyers escorting, spotlights popping, time to get out of Dodge!

0717 Ordered depth 200’, engine room make revolutions for 1 knot, ordered silent running. Listening to the destroyers searching for us. Making evasive maneuvers.

0812 Contacts moving away! Destroyers cannot pick us out of the merchant noise. Reloading after tubes with our last 2 fish. Angles were good during attack, torpedo wakes directly to target, believe those that missed run under despite setting at minimum depth. All ranges under 1000 yards. All torpedoes issued Pearl Harbor, TH.

0815 Secured from battle stations torpedo. After tubes loaded and ready.

March 17, 1942
0110 Watch reports two enemy destroyers spotted bearing 271. Dived slow and silent to 200’, sonar tracking their movement. Sonar reports no change in course or speed, we believe we were not detected.

1913 Sonar reports tracking a merchant vessel bearing 338.

2052 Sonar reports losing contact of merchant vessel.

March 18, 1942
0238 Radar reports tracking contacts bearing 306.

0248 Radar reports contacts turning onto closing course at high speed, bearing 287. Battle stations submerged! Crash dive!

0302 Leveling off at depth 210’, order engine room to make revolutions for 1 knot, ordered silent running.

0315 Sonar reports fast screws closing bearing 287.

0407 Sonar reports warship contact moving away, bearing 141. Ordered helm to return to base course, maintain speed and depth, maintain silent running.

0613 Ordered periscope depth. Visual check of the area, all clear. Surface the boat! Secure battle stations, secure silent running. Engine room make revolutions for 10 knots. Weather: light fog, wind 22 mph from 085.

1018 Dived to 140’, ordered ahead 2/3, fuel remaining 54%. Torpedoes remaining 2 (astern). Patrol objectives have been accomplished, plotting course to Midway Island via Japanese coast in hope of intercepting merchant traffic.

2340 Watch reports spotting two fishing boats, we approach on surface and engage with the deck gun.

2343 Two fishing boats sunk, 2 tons each, location 121o37’E, 20o13’N.

March 19, 1942
0154 Watch reports spotting a freighter astern closing! Appears to be Heito Maru class. Dive to 40’, Battle stations torpedo! Moving “Polly” into position for a stern shot.

0227 Firing tube 5!

0228 Firing tube 6!

0228 Torpedo hit! Impact at stern of target, right into the screws! Target dead in the water!

0229 Torpedo hit! Impact just aft of the stack. Fires on the deck.

0234 Flooding evident in the target, her stern is dipping into the water.

0235 Surface the boat! Time to give the gunnery crew a little practice.

0240 Heito Maru class sunk, 3954 tons. Location 121o59’E, 20o01’N Empty lifeboat seen in the water.

March 20, 1942
1222 Sonar reports multiple contacts closing, bearing 343. Turning to port to bearing 343.

1306 Convoy passing our position, 4 DD’s escorting, many of the freighters are armed. We remain silent at periscope depth and do not engage.

1619 Surface the boat! No contacts since the convoy, all convoys encountered on this patrol have been escorted by at least 3 DD’s. Took stock of remaining ammunition, 93 armor piercing shells for the deck gun, 1200 armor piercing shells and 598 high explosive shells for the anti-aircraft guns, no torpedoes remaining. Fuel remaining 50%.

1647 Calculated distance to Midway Island, the remaining fuel will just get us there. Set course to Midway at two-engine speed.

March 22, 1942
0227 Dived to avoid 2 DD’s on patrol.

0824 Watch spotted a DD and a gunboat dead ahead moving NE. Gunboat appears to have suffered damage, and is smoking amidships. Gunboat is trailing, we plot course to intercept, all ahead flank! Battle stations surface!

0833 Not enough speed to end-around on the gunboat, we give up the chase and return to course.

1023 Lost contact on the gunboat, moving away to the NE.

April 3, 1942
1345 Arrive Midway Island. Dock and refit with fuel, torpedoes and supplies. No ammunition available.

1645 Depart Midway Island. Set course to Pearl Harbor, TH at four-engine speed.

1824 Watch reports hearing aircraft. Dived to avoid. No contact.

April 5, 1942
1600 Wind increasing speed from the ENE, light fog. Thunder is heard, but no rain.

April 6, 1942
2346 Arrive at Pearl Harbor, TH. Dock and end patrol.

REPORTED SINKINGS

TOTAL WARSHIPS SUNK 0 TONNAGE 0
TOTAL MERHANT SHIPS SUNK 4 TONNAGE 15,769
TOTAL SMALL VESSELS SUNK 3 TONNAGE 6
TOTAL VESSELS THIS PATROL 7 TONNAGE 15,775

TOTAL CAREER TONNAGE 55,570 TONS

CREW MANAGEMENT
Seaman Everett Martin promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class.
Seaman Edward T. Jones promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class.

Respectfully,
LCDR. R. E. Chamberlain
U.S.S. Pollack SS-180

[Wilhelm Heidkamp]

Willy

[kikn79]

Great patrol. Nicely written.

Chuck

[ReallyDedPoet]

Originally Posted by kikn79

Great patrol. Nicely written.

Chuck

I'll second that, well done CaptBC


RDP

[tedhealy]

December 1942, I'm based out of Brisbane and I've been hanging around the Palau-Rabaul shipping lane. I get a radio message indicating a cruiser, 2 troop transports, and 4 DDs will be off the coast of New Guinea in a little less than 2 days. What a happy coincidence, at flank speed I can get there in 48 hours. I've got more than enough fuel to make the run so I set off at 20 knots.

About 10 hours away from the indicated spot, I run into a near 0 visibility storm. Of course I also nearly run into a medium freighter in the storm. It's spotted at under 500 yards as it emerges from the fog. I make the quick decision to crash dive. I'm probably too close for a snap shot so I go under for 2 minutes, surface, and resume course at flank speed.

I approach the area where the convoy is supposed to be as the sun sets on a partly cloudy day. Beautiful colors, but no time to admire the scenery, the SJ picks up a large group of ships at long distance. As I approach the radar shows 7 blips, must be the convoy I'm looking for.

I close the distance and try to discern their course. Looks similar to my own SE and they must be doing at least 15 knots as I'm having tourble closing. The convoy shape appears to be the 2 troop ships and cruiser in a line with the 4 DDs in a diamond around them.

Course change! The convoy is now pulling away on the radar, they appear to now be going east. I turn to follow. As the sun is slowly sinking below the horizon I catch up to and spot one of the escorting DDs. I keep my distance and try to parallel his course. The convoy has to be doing 15 or 16 knots as I'm barely over taking at 20 knots.

Course change again! They are now heading northeast and pulling away as the last light of the day is now completely gone. If they are heading north towards Japan or even northeast towards Rabaul, I might not be able to get a good shot off. If they are zig zagging and will return to their east or southeast course towards the Solomons, I'll have a chance at a great set up. I turn northeast to follow.

I close to within 15,000 yards of the convoy and observe them on the PPI. The DD protecting their right flank peels off towards me. I need nerves of steel as he approaches in the darkness to withing 8000 yards, 7000, 6000. I don't want to submerge and slow to lose any of the ground I gained on the convoy. I have to stay on the surface so I slow to 10 knots to limit my wake. The DD is showing her profile as it comes to within 5000 yards. It ranges out ahead, then turns back and repeats. Every time it turns it looks like it may be heading right for me. I hover over the crash dive command until it completes the turn and shows it's not coming right at me. How close can I get without him seeing me? 4000! Ahhh! How can he not see me? He must!

This cat and mouse game continues and I slow to under 5 knots and make like a hole in the water. Crap! Another 2 ships on the radar not part of the convoy directly ahead at long range. They appear to be heading right at me. What in the world are they?

Whatever the DD was looking for ranging away from the convoy, it gets tired of looking for and moves back to the convoy which is now roughly 10,000 yards away. A relief, but these 2 new contacts are a new worry.

The 2 new contacts are slow but also now closing to under 10,000 yards. I can't maneuver around these 2 without giving up ground to the convoy. I can't attack the 2 without alerting the convoy. I continue after the convoy at flank speed and continually look over to the 2 new contacts straining to make out what they are as they draw near. Whatever the first thing is, it appears to be huge. What is slow and looks huge? It has to be a sail! It's a fishing boat! I can avoid it easily and not worry about it.

Looking back to the convoy, they are just starting to take shape on the horizon at roughly 9000 yards. I see the leading DD, the right flank DD, 3 freighter type ships, and the trailing DD. I can't make out the left flank DD on the far side. Hmm, I want the cruiser, but none of the ships looks like a cruiser. Was the intelligence wrong? No time to worry about it. I select the trailing freighter type and assume it's one of the troop transports. Large funnel, several masts, must be it.

I set up the TDC and PK. 16 knots, NE course, about 8500 yards. Crap! The right flank DD and the trailing DD peel off the convoy and start moving closer to me! It quickly dawns on me, this might be my best chance to take a shot. I go over my torpedo settings and TDC info, looks good. I may be overestimating speed and I know the AOB is not perfect, but this is it.

Thank the sub maker I have 6 forward firing tubes. I shoot 5 because I always like to keep 1 forward tube for just in case purposes. 1st goes down the middle, 2nd goes 1 degree to the left, 3rd goes 1 to the right, 4th goes 2 the left, and the 5th goes 4 to the left. Range at firing was between 8 and 9 thousand yards. It's going to be a long wait. I slow, submerge to 200 feet, and turn away to the southeast and creep away.

A HIT!!! 1 hit and 4 misses, but a hit at damn near 5 miles away! I don't know which torpedo hit or if it was my selected target or not, but a hit nonetheless. None of the DDs seem to be closing on me, so I creep back to periscope depth. As I'm coming up I get the ship sunk message. The sliver bullet kills!

I spy through the scope the DDs rapidly signaling each other and searching with spotlights. I'm at over 5 miles away now and I'm not that worried. I go back down to 200 feet and slink away.

My longest shot and kill ever in SH3 or SH4. I'd say my previous best was probably around 4000 yards. I checked out the clipboard to see what I actually sunk and it turns out it was the cruiser, but not quite what I was expecting. It was an aux cruiser and looked just like a 4 masted freighter in the recognition book. Not what I was expecting, but still a great kill.

[kikn79]

DANG!! That is some seriously nice shooting!!!

Chuck

[peewee]

Is this what they mean by 'crossing the Pacific' ?????

[kikn79]

Originally Posted by peewee

Is this what they mean by 'crossing the Pacific' ?????

NICE!! If you pumped a fish into them, I'll bet you could get a "twofer."

Chuck

[Syxx_Killer]

Originally Posted by peewee

Is this what they mean by 'crossing the Pacific' ?????

Same thing happened to me a while back. Got both of 'em, too.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...postcount=1801

[Gunfighter]

for the guys across the pond will resize to 1680x1050

[Pikes]

version 1.5 with TMO and RSRD. Iwo Jima had a single ship in port. However the game had placed it not quite fitting in the dock so it was juddering with the physics. Well when i hit it, it popped out into the air and sat on the dockside in two pieces. Ofc the image is heavily modified for drama but it was a lot of fun to watch a ship explode into the air.

[Laconic]

This is why you don't chase armed merchants on the surface. I learned my lesson.

[Gunfighter]

will resize to 1680x1050

[kriller2]

[kikn79]

Kriller,
That water looks FANTASTIC!!!!!

Chuck