Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Stealhead]

A dutch cargo ship sailing north along the East Coast of the United Sates around 40 miles south of New York City in the early morning hours of January 5th 1942 roughly 25 miles off the coast.Range was approximately 2,000m when the eels where fired both hit but one was a dud(quirky electrics).

The vessel sat dead in that water refusing to sink so I had to put about a dozen 10.5cm rounds down range to polish her off.

I was concerned that she might spot me so close in but the night was very dark(as you can see) I crept along with the decks completely awash with only the fairwater on the surface I later fully surfaced so the gun crew could man the gun.She never saw me not in enough time to alter her fate anyway.

U-162 Type IXC if you let your eyes adjust for a few seconds it will become clearer the stack is 1 inch left of the red cross hairs the bottom hair is over the bridge the white paint sure made things easier.

No actual Dutchmen where harmed during the proceedings.I meant to take more shots but that would have meant pausing the action to make the menu go way then pressing the key combo that my capture program uses and all and that takes away from the excitement.I could always use the save replay feature but that takes up space and takes forever to get to the point you want to see again.I'm a submarine skipper not a film maker.

[theelite1500]

I was concerned that she might spot me so close in but the night was very dark(as you can see)

No, I can't see. It's too dark! XD

[desertstriker]

good shot

[Stealhead]

Another U-162 attack this time it is a Hog Island Freighter.
This vessel was heading west and was approximately 25 miles east of Chesapeake Bay which was most likely the destination and from there to Norfolk or Baltimore.

Range was approximately 1,800m two eels fired and hit.

These are direct image captures I have not altered the brightness because it takes away from the effect.If you have a desk top light or other bright light turn it off an you will be able to see things more clearly.Original resolution was 1650x1080.



First torpedo impact



Second impact

[Stealhead]

Old passenger liner sunk in the Luzon Straight on August 29th 1942 by the USS Grayback SS208.




In an unrelated sinking we see Mr. Bo-Jan-Gles(bojangles) of Hello Kitty,Japan the moment he realized that the career of Japanese merchant marine was a bad choice.He just wanted to dance for you in worn out shoes....

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Stealhead

In an unrelated sinking we see Mr. Bo-Jan-Gles(bojangles) of Hello Kitty,Japan the moment he realized that the career of Japanese merchant marine was a bad choice.He just wanted to dance for you in worn out shoes....

Years later, his son, Bojangle Jr. started up a successful restaurant chain.

[Stealhead]

I dont see that vessel in the identification manual.

[CalolinaCoyote]

My test patrol lol

Lt. Cdr. Test
S-36
Asiatic Fleet

COMSUBPAC orders us to drop up supplies in Formosa. Ask if orders received were actual. Confirmed to be true orders, departed Cavite, bound for Formosa. Discovered a troop transport with three escorts, engaging.

Note: S-36 sunk the troop transport, but was lost at sea. The sub was sunk in a depth charge attack by three destroyers.

[Gryffon300]

I'm sorry if this is not the place to ask, but I felt those sharing patrol stories might be a place to start.

At the beginning of my Career, operating out of Fremantle, heading up through Makassar. On or about Oct 7, flash traffic arrives giving co-ordinates for an expected passage on Oct, 10, early AM, of a 42 unit convoy ex Singapore, heading to Rabaul.

Now, I know "Navy Intelligence" is an oxymoron, but I have tried re-running this scenario multiple times now, loitering for 48 hours around the co-ordinates (0300N 12120E), both on surface and long sessions submerged (Improved Surface Radar & Sonar). Nada.

I've also drifted up toward the entry passage, and also plonked myself squarely in the gap between Borneo and the Sulus (Tawi Tawi). Zip (other than the odd Maru waddling through. I don't mind taking out the solos with torps and/or gun (someone must like it - they keep lumping Navy Crosses on me), but I'm hankering for the convoy action and a bit of IJN action!)

Any clues? Or is the flash traffic junk intel?

Ta

Gryff

[fireftr18]

It's a report of a predicted arrival based on the speed and direction the convoy is moving at the time of the sighting. The convoy can change speed and direction before it gets to you. I have had them come through early, late, and sometimes didn't get them at all.

[Gryffon300]

Originally Posted by fireftr18

It's a report of a predicted arrival based on the speed and direction the convoy is moving at the time of the sighting. The convoy can change speed and direction before it gets to you. I have had them come through early, late, and sometimes didn't get them at all.

Yep, I assumed that things would change, but I figured that at least they would still blast through the strait sometime. I was wondering if the given co-ordinates are vaguely accurate, as I have seen some wildly wrong intel. For example, I am currently running the next mission - Dec, 14 1942, and have received flash traffic on Dec, 16 advising that a cruiser, 2 transports and 4DDs will be transiting Madang Roads on the 18th at coordinates 0513S 14554E. I've got a brother-in-law that is a tank commander that needs to know about this! (Check it on Google Earth, if you don't believe me.)

Tight Hatches

Gryff

As a PS, in the original Intel, I couldn't really see why the location was given, as it was so far South of what I would expect to be the route the convoy would take (I can get why the convoy may come down through the little deep-water slot between The Sulu Archipelago and Borneo, but then it would seem logical that they would track fairly much due East to pass about mid-way between Mindanao and Celebes (which is reinforced by the tracks shown on the Campaign Map (Radio & Map under Miscellaneous). That's why I thought that maybe several of you established that the quoted coordinates may have been wrong.

[Overkill]

[in_vino_vomitus]

This doesn't compare with some of the epics people have recounted here but it was a new experience for me. Most of the time, convoy attacks tend to be Shoot and Scoot, and on the approach to this one [Zinbu maru, Tyohei Maru, two Akita's and a destroyer] I thought the same thing would happen. I was feeling very wary of the destroyer, since on my previous patrol, a lone destroyer had almost ended my career. With heavy damage and flooding, making three knots at flank speed and unable to steer, in desperation I'd surfaced and surprisingly, had survived, with heavy losses. Anyway, sonar conditions were good, and I wasn't in the mood for taking too many chances, so my plan was to fire at long-ish range and hope to be outside the detection envelope before the torpedoes impacted.

Anyway, I've been trying to use the PK more and been having mixed results, and since I was expecting a depth charging, I wanted to make sure it was worth the trouble so I set up for a shoot DoK style, and the only reason I mention this, is because since I started trying to use the PK I'm even more amazed at the robustness of the DoK method. Between that and the Solution Solver, I never used to turn the TDC on. So in the spirit of credit where credit's due; Thanks guys - Nice work.....

So. I was set up about 1500 yards off the beam. The destroyer had been on the opposite side of the convoy, but as they approached. he was cutting through the middle, changing sides and heading towards me. I went silent and stopped engines. As the first ship crossed the wire I fired two torpedoes on slow. I fired two on high speed as the next one passed and the escort began pinging. I changed my point of aim and fired the last two at the destroyer then went to flank speed, full left rudder, and set depth for 400'

I heard one impact reported, and I heard two explosions that were obviously premature detonations, but what I couldn't fathom was why the escort hadn't increased speed, or why it had stopped pinging. I went silent and held depth at 300', since we obviously weren't being pursued. the sonar operator reported breakup noises, the escort had disappeared from the sonar plot. I admit - I checked the log and sure enough the destroyer was in it. When I came up to periscope depth, one of the Akitas was dead in the water with its bows submerged, and the rest of the convoy had slowed to about 3 knots - Do they pick up survivors? - that's what it looked like......

Anyway the rest of the evening can be summed up in two words. Turkey Shoot. As I say, it doesn't rank particularly highly in the tales told in these pages, but it was a new experience for me to have not only got away with the depth charging, but also to suddenly find myself with an unescorted convoy to wreak mayhem on. I wonder when that will happen again....

[Bubblehead1980]

Added some traffic to Wewak Harbor in a mod im putting together.Testing to make sure this would show up, I headed for Wewak Harbor in January 43(as Wahoo did) and like Wahoo I dove at 0330 on January 24, 1943, slipped into check out the harbor. Before noon I had a DD with several submarines nested next to her.I went to GQ and began to close, Just as I was about to fire from 3,000 yards(trying not to fire from the extremely shallow waters, only had about 120 feet below me.Just as I was about to fire a spread a the DD and one at a sub(figuring explosion of the sub would wake it out) the DD got underway, and turned in my direction, closing at high speed, decided to go for the "Down the Throat" shot, turned into her at flank speed and from 600 yards fired 6 torpedos and headed deep.As we passed 85 feet, torpedo impact, huge explosions, two fish hit, several others exploded themselves(magnetic exploders) Came back to scope depth soon after turning stern tubes toward last known location and heading to exit the habor in case the harbor patrol shows up(luckily, it was out of sight, and out of range of sensors on other side of harbor) Finally, my scope broke the water to find the DD burning, broken into two sections.

[Bubblehead1980]

First Patrol USS Trepang(Balao) June 1944. 100 realism.Cams and contacts on.

Departed Manus Island on June 7, 1944, assigned to support Operation Forager(invasion of Mariannas) and assigned to patrol an area in Philippine Sea.Arrived on station on June 17, 1944 and began patrolling. On the night of June 18, 1944 around 2100, made radar contact with large group of pips.Moving at 12 knots(estimated) began moving in, setting up for night surface attack, then radar warning equipment began going off as the large formation came on the scope, scratch that deciding to track and attack at dawn via periscope.After a night of tracking, course changes etc, was ahead and ready to attack at dawn, went to GQ and moved in, dove about 7 miles ahead of what I now figured is a Task Force of some type.Going to deep to get under the escort screen , had a few tense moments but at 500 feet and silent running, they didnt know I was there, after feeling was clearing, listening on sound for heavy screw, came up in what I figured would be the best place.Came to scope depth to find myself in the middle of a carrier task force.Alarmingly close to me was the big carrier Taiho(figured by sound it was a big carrier or BB, plotting out estimated trask etc where needed to be) as a course change had occurred, would not be able to make a bow shot in time, so went to 100 feet, ahead standard and began a turn to bring stern around for a shot.Set torpedoes for 25, 15, 25, 15 feet accordingly and came back to scope depth to check on speed and get a working solution. I heard the ships alarm go off, either Taiho has hydrophones and heard me or the plane droning overhead spotted me in the glassy seas, not sure.Up scope to see Taiho making a zig, adjusted , entered speed, aob, bearing, range, opened outer doors and finally on correct bearing at about 700 yards, fired all four stern tubes.All four hit, causing large explosions and fires, I then off and began a turn to bring bow tubes around for a coup de grace if needed when a powerful explosion rocked the big carrier, she began settling by her stern, she was done for.I then began tracking a Shokaku class carrier off in distance, about 6000 yards ahead as pinging started, several DD's were racing in.I was tracking while watching the Taiho sink, I then went deep to avoid the barrages of depth charges from 5 DD's.A large explosion occured, Taiho sank.

I escaped and attempted to surface but with carriers nearby and alerted, I was kept down by large number of aircraft.Surfaced after dusk, attempting to make contact but never regained.After assignment was satisfied, headed for convoy college area(Bashii Channel) .

Arriving in Bashii Channel, dodged a few planes, sank a patrol boat with the deck gun and moved in after a contact report on a large convoy coming from the South China Sea came in, judging by her course and speed, would be in the area withing 48 hours.June 28, 1944, seas were heavy and skies gray, made contact on fast moving convoy coming heading SW.Moved in and down, had a convoy of four large troopships and two escorts.Fired six torpedoes at the Conte Verde Liner, all hit, she went dead in the water and began to sink.Fired all four stern tubes at a Horai Maru, she exploded and sank.Finally, there was a large passenger ship coming on, with one bow torpedo reloaded, I fired, figuring could slow her down, attack later.In this rough weather, escorts were useless, could not seem to locate me. The single fish, set for 25 feet, hit the target, she slowed while a small fire burned and took a list while other torpedoes were loading.Suddenly, she began to sink, a 8000 ton troopships went down after one well placed torpedo, have to love it.I went deep and avoided a few poorly placed depth charges.As the Akizuki DD and Matsu DE speed off to escort their one remaining ship.

I surfaced, 9 fish left and patrolled, spotted a small freighter on June 30 but not worth torpedo and seas too rough for deck gun attack, let her go.On July 1, an Ultra came in about a German U Boat heading for Formosa Straits, entering from the south on July 2nd.Being in the area, I headed there.On the morning of July 2nd, submerged and began listening via sonar, with occasional radar sweeps.Sound soon had faint, light props in the distance, began to close, sound then reported a warship moving at medium speed.Radar showed nothing, visual had a tiny, low speck in the water.This was most likely the U boat, what luck(had never encountered u boats except in Java Sea area) .Unfortunately, we were way out in left field, could not surface so went to 200 feet and ahead flank for a run to close the range.Came back to scope depth, should be able to fire from 1100 yards, perfect.Tracked speed at 9 knots.However, U boat's actual course took her slightly away, would have to fire from less than ideal range of 1800 yards, so decided to fire all tubes in a large spread, should almost guarantee a hit.

Fired 6 torpedoes at 10 second intervals...shortly after 4th left tube, u boat opened fire with her deck gun at my scope and sped up but it was too late, the first fish caught her right in the stern, then another in the bow area , about where forward torpedo room would be,which caused a huge explosion, another hit her amidships, she took an immediate down angle, then another hit her in the conning down, the forced of explosion blew her back to surface(lol), other two fish missed. U boat quickly began to settle with a big forward down angle again while burning profusely, soon, she was gone.

I left the area at high speed, 3 Mark 14's left in bow tubes.Dodged a few planes and avoided a surface patrol.Finally, on July 4th, radar contacts on what turned out to be two Takao Heavy Cruisers and two escorts.I was able to close to 1800 yards, fired 3 at the lead cruiser, all three hit, I went deep to avoid the barrage of charges, which came, some close. THe cruiser languished, burning, and listing, then capsized.Following this a few minutes later, a massive, loud explosion occurred (magazine detonation? however that is simulated) as it was the second loudest/largest explosions I have ever witnessed in SH 4. Rather impressive.

After escapaing the DD's, set sail for home, arrived Manus Island, 90k tons down.

One of my best patrols, a lot of luck running into great targets.I have sunk the Taiho before, but in different time and place and this was lucky finding her as I did.First time I've sunk a U boat in a campaign I believe.Troop convoy was traffic I added, they are rare so nice to see they spawned.

Some screen shots...