Tankers as priority targets

[Bubblehead1980]

Little reading to make sure getting some things accurate in my upgrade to RSRD. Seems around October/November 1943 Fremantle subs were given orders to make oil tankers priority targets. Rather sink a 3200 ton tanker than a 9000 ton freighter. Did SubPac boats follow this strategy as well? They likely encountered less tankers than Australia boats given the patrol areas and all but curious if anyone knows this? Exact dates orders went out? Havent been able to find this yet. I have included a message in the radio traffic in campaign to inform player of this. I've also boosted the renown earned for sinking tankers, especially the large ones and with new ship pack, have about 8 tankers now for a variety, including Tonan Maru No 2 and No 3 as well as the "OM" Paula Brit ankerwhich has been turned into a japanese tanker.

[propbeanie]

I don't have the dates myself, but they were a priority. I'm not sure if lurker has the documentation in his files or not... I did read it somewhere though...

[Rockin Robbins]

I don't have it but may know where to find in the the "Remember When" collection from the US Sub Vets of WWII. They're going to be mighty hard to find as the organization went dormant a few years back. Not enough survivors left to run the organization. I'll check it tonight.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Rockin Robbins

I don't have it but may know where to find in the the "Remember When" collection from the US Sub Vets of WWII. They're going to be mighty hard to find as the organization went dormant a few years back. Not enough survivors left to run the organization. I'll check it tonight.

Thanks. That is sad so few are left. As of now I have two messages. One shows up from COMSUBSOWESPAC in October 43 declaring Tankers a priority .One from COMSUBPAC in November. Would like to get definite dates if possible and change. Delete the COMSUBPAC message if they were not given such an order. I'm assuming they were, would make sense.

[cdrsubron7]

U.S. Submarine Warfare Directives The Chief of Naval Operations issued a directive on 7 December 1941 to "Execute unrestricted air and submarine warfare against Japan". The major mission assigned our submarines was the anti-ship (torpedo attack) mission. Early in the war Japanese capital ships were assigned as primary targets. Later, the priority was placed on merchant ships in order to cut off the Japanese supply of critical war materials, fuel, and food to her wide-spread ocean empire and to the home islands.
On 13 April 1944, our submarines were instructed to give priority to fleet destroyers. The purpose was to reduce the major defensive strength of Japanese combatant groups and high priority merchant shipping.
Later still, the highest priority was placed on tankers. The objective was to cut off fuel to the fleet and the Japanese home islands.

The above quote is from......https://archive.hnsa.org/doc/subsinpacific.htm

Hope this helps you out Bubblehead1980.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by cdrsubron7

The above quote is from......https://archive.hnsa.org/doc/subsinpacific.htm

Hope this helps you out Bubblehead1980.

Thank you. One of the sites I had already view though.