Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Arlo]

Well, it is a copyright issue..

No offense, mate ... but I'm not thinking so .......

http://www.wipo.int/freepublications/en/intproperty/909/wipo_pub_909.html

If you were to build an actual replica of a B-29 and claim it to be an authentic B-29 then perhaps there would be a case for patent infringement (though I doubt Boeing would do anything more than prove the plane is a replica and not authentic and let the fallout of fraudulent claim do its natural damage). If you were to use part of an already existent melody or a piece of literature (not as a quote but portraying it as original material of your own with no credit given to the true origin) then you would be subject to copyright infringement.

The claim that the depiction of a Boeing B-29 as a 3D model in Silent Hunter would be subject to copyright infringement law and could (and would) be successfully prosecuted as such (by Boeing), I believe, is an unreasonable fear. If that were the case then there are literally thousands of games out there subject to lawsuit.

Now, if Ubisoft (or whomever retains the copyright of SH4, currently) decided that adding accurate models of anything to SH4 undermined the intellectual content of the game or presented a commercial threat to their products/intellectual property .... well .... its a little late to worry about Boeing getting upset that yet another game depicts a famous bomber of theirs.

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_042629_156_zps90eaba40.jpg

[IonicRipper]

^ Spooky

S-32 patrol #1
http://i49.tinypic.com/16josjm.jpg

S-32 patrol #2
http://i49.tinypic.com/ftzm7s.jpg

[Arlo]

S-32 patrol 2 is quite awesome.

[IonicRipper]

I though so too as i was admiring my boat from the external cam.
The colors came out strange though.

[fireftr18]

I though so too as i was admiring my boat from the external cam.
The colors came out strange though.

I think the colors came out great. The pictures are beautiful.

[seaplate hitman]

latest s-18 skin. A little historical, a little fun.




http://i878.photobucket.com/albums/ab342/Tigershark496/s-39_2_zps63e7564a.png



Is there someone give me some images or pinups resource as the above picture?

[Succat]

RN Littorio


http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-11-28txj26.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-11-37t5jbr.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-11-44x1k54.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-12-0120j63.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-12-25tqk0r.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-15-12sbkop.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2706-15-1657jg6.jpg

[Succat]

USS Montana after repain at Surabaya naval yard


http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2712-47-12iheih.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2712-44-01dqfpy.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2713-07-39bjilk.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2713-07-44osdh0.jpg

http://www.abload.de/img/sh42012-12-2713-15-502desn.jpg

[Billy Guile]

Was shocked to see actual forums dedicated to this game(first silent hunters). played the first before the millenium. rediscovered and have been hooked once again. so, i suppose a story. cut out all the stuff to get to the fun part.

After evading a Destroyer and its desperate hunt of me in the harbor, I managed to sneak just off the main docks of the Hiroshima Naval Base. After sitting submerged for 18 hours for what seemed to be typhoon weather to leave, I was able to get a crystal clear image of the Battleship Yamato at berth. After arguing with myself for a few minutes, I decided to acquiesce and get out while I had the chance. I had made it a point to complete this photograph objective without disturbing anything other than the water being displaced around the vessel.

Slowly making the turns to head out in to the sea, the Destroyer from earlier had decided to show up again. I made it a point this time to stay in the shallows, away from the likely areas that a sub would be detected. This particular Japanese ship wasn't having it. Under silent running, I watched the sound contact close in. The first run immediately took out both torpedo launch capability. Without even the chance to fire a shot, I was now amputated. Decided to continue on the slow drag as I only had near 800 yards to deeper water under the keel. Agonizingly watching the contact begin his circle for another run, I went through the measures of deploying decoys, hoping it would buy me time. It didn't.

Counting down the seconds by how I had timed my entrance into open waters, I saw a glimmer of hope. I then received notification that the Destroyer was now doubling my speed and on a direct approach from 270 degrees, where we would meet up. Ordering the emergency dive, we began to skim the bottom of the ocean as it went downward. The ping rate was to the point, it drove me crazy enough to think blowing ballast and shooting out of the water to the surface was a good idea. Maybe a run 'n gun... Desperate.

Funny thing happened right then. The emergency surface rate of my tin can pointed my nose near 65-70 degrees. Suppose it had something to do with the sudden flank speed.

(Now, I like the outside camera. Just to look around and see the beautiful stuff this game can put out. Good thing, too... I turned it on)

What I see is a Destroyer, her guys dropping barrels off like a party for tea fanatics in 1773. I then see the front of the Destroyer suddenly lifting out of the water. My jaw on the ground, the crew alerting me that flooding was beginning, I watched my sub literally take the Destroyer out from underneath, and capsize it without a second thought. All I could think as she leveled out on the waterline is... How low where those depth charges set for...

Suffice it to say, limping back to Pearl was NOT a stress free experience. But the laugh of taking out a Destroyer without a single shot fired... heh.

[Dammit_Carl!]

Dang, dudes. I'm not so hot on sub sims but damned if this thread hasn't sold me on this.

Great work to all that've posted, by the way.

[Onkel Neal]

Was shocked to see actual forums dedicated to this game(first silent hunters).




Lol, where have you been? :)

Great story and first post, welcome aboard. You have some catching up to do. (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=236):ping:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome Aboard Billy http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/welcome.gif

[merc4ulfate]

http://imageshack.us/a/img716/6126/halfmast.jpg


Ok it is 11-12-1942 and I am entering Midway after a patrol ... who died?

[Mobius1990]

Succat, you are not alone anymore!
Here comes another "Surface Ship Player" :)

http://s14.directupload.net/images/130110/prtp5i8o.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

http://s7.directupload.net/images/130110/pfnfuwz6.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

http://s1.directupload.net/images/130110/i8xayi8m.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

http://s1.directupload.net/images/130110/zzldz2uy.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

http://s1.directupload.net/images/130110/jwv8idep.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

[chrysanthos]

for japanese battleship lovers only ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-qZALXgX_Q

[Armistead]

Nice pic Mobius, really like the fog shot.:up:

[chrysanthos]

chech out these IJN ships

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93hm-RszxK8

[Armistead]

I had a good life living on the base in Manila. The food was good, the women were beautiful, but the war was on, the Japanese were attacking, so off on my first patrol. My Exec Wern was excited as I, we were going to pay the enemy back for Pearl. I had long dreamed of being a war hero, coming back from a succesful patrol to the sound of band music and women screaming my name, now I have my chance.

We left on Dec. 11, passed Cavite, out to sea. Wern had the bridge, I was getting some rest. Wern spotted a plane, thinking it was American, started waving at it. It moved closer, turned out to be a Jap. Wern ordered crash dive, but didn't react fast enough to get our lil S boat under. I was awakened by a blast, the enemy plane scored a good hit.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_185339_890.jpg

Wern came down, he was still complaining about an old arm injury, said it had kept him up all night, so he was tired. I looked at him, head down in shame, holding his arm in what appeared agony for him. "What a baby" I thought to myself.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_185947_750.jpg

We're not getting off to a good start to be heros, our engines destroyed, flooding, we could do nothing, but start repairing damage. Our mechanic thought he could get the engines running in a day, then try to get back to Manila for some repairs and get back out and earn some medals.

Later that afternoon I noticed a plane circling way over head, was he toying with us? We couldn't move, so we watched him. Finally he came down, sucker dropped a torp about 1500 yards away, all we could do is watch, then BAM, direct hit.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_185617_468.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_185746_718.jpg



Several men were killed, boat about ruined, we slowly started sinking from the surface......

"We're going under, every man for himself" shouted Wern in a panic as he inflated our only raft, jumped overboard and took off alone for Manila. I went down into the sub with the crew, determined to save my ship or die, but slowly it slipped under. I tried blowing ballast, nothing worked. Slowly it tilted over due to flooding and headed down for the deep.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-24_190144_656.jpg

Oh well, so much for being a hero...

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-08_093610_361.jpg

[Cybermat47]

^^^^

I don't see what the Yamato has to do with-GAH!

[larsonboram]

http://i45.tinypic.com/35c0ho6.jpg

ENCOUNTER!!!!


4 Carriers Plus Battleships 2 fleet 2 escort , 6 destroyers, 2 cruisers, 3 battleships.

Me....S-19[? Correct ship number?] Sugar boat :)

End Result....

Cons
Fuel leaks, destroyed Periscopes Both of them. Damaged guns, propellers,

Pros.
1 Sunk Main Fleet Carrier. Hyruk something

By the way, 640X480 is the smallest I can go for a size or the pics at tinypic

[seaplate hitman]

Good story and beautiful photos!

[Stratolancer]

Found this guy while I was stalking a task force.
http://imageshack.us/a/img5/908/sh4img20130202215047767.jpg
What is this? A ghost from the past?

Also: No mod was currently installed when I saw this guy.

[Cybermat47]

What is this? A ghost from the past?


That's the Flying Dutchman. I've heard that he can take on a Yamato, and win with his ghostly ways :o

[fireftr18]

The Flying Dutchman, Aye. :salute: She's our favorite stock easter egg. :)

[Armistead]

Moving several of my Sub patrols from Ubi to here....

Here it is Feb 45, good career, no deaths, no use of saves. I have two convoys, one coming out of port going west, one on the bottom going to port coming east. I decide to go flank and attack the one coming out, diving in front going right at them. Water is 500ft, but 0 wind.
I have set all escorts to vet or elite in RSRD in 45... http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_001417_140.jpg

Coming at them, they hear me and come around and make runs, often side by side or right after the other, I outrun the first attacks.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_004253_750.jpg

The convoy was now near, I decided to risk an attack, Had to circle around for a shot. I timed where I could shoot between escort runs. I got the shots off, sunk one, hit the other two, all M18's. However, one escort scored some damage, flooded me and I had to control the dive with speed. Here two escort listening helping those with sonar pinging.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_005611_703.jpg
I had to use some speed to control my dive due to flooding, not helping, but kept evading almost rubbing bottom. The attacks were endless, more minor damage. http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_014100_296.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_020058_812.jpg

These devils would make runs almost side by side.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-29_225019_781.jpg



Worse, after surviving multiple attacks, escorts from the other group just a few nms away joined in..on top of me here. Decoys saved me several times. Things were getting worse, batteries were damaged and I no longer had speed to evade.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_015243_453.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_015838_218.jpg

I was about out of compressed air, decoys, flooded, but now controlled, could get one knot at flank. Most the escorts went back to fleeing convoys. I was down to only two escorts making dry runs, so thought they were out of charges. I thought I would survive. Then this devil that left earlier to rejoin the convoy comes back, you can see him coming up.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_021218_203.jpg

I couldn't do much. His first run was perfect, dump about 24 charges, he makes a perfect run, I could do nothing with no speed, dive planes, no compresed air...direct hit and a kill....

My career over
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_022124_531.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-30_022151_468.jpg

Why didn't I just chase the group leaving and wait for better
conditions...why can't I just wait..I played so smart up to now...So 3 years now still haven't finished a career without a death.

[Armistead]

Sorry bout sizing, will fix it later.

Here is story of me trying to sink four Yamato BB's, but only got 3.

Caught Kurita SE out of
the Bern, hit first Y with 6 M16's, all near bow, **** thing caught fire and kept going.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_165836_656.jpg

Hit the Y behind me with 3, stopped it, one miss, 2 more sunk it.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_170044_406.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_170325_562.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_172102_859.jpg

The other Y put out the fires fast and took off lagging behind the main group, but making 19kts.
I set all my capital ships to elite, so they repair too fast.

I couldn't catch it as the group changed course, but it finally turned back. I dived deep under main group and it finally came up.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_180324_687.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_180543_031.jpg

I chased the group, gonna cut it off coming into Brunei. I lost full contact, but regained it back in the Bern, but the Y's didn't respawn.
They beat me back to Brunei. It left again early Nov, so I waited and passed up several nice BB TF. It finally came up with a nice BB group.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_195921_687.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_200433_734.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_202416_406.jpg

So 3 Y's sunk, wasted two torps that were misses, so four M16's left. I could'n't find the other Y when it left, so I took out a Hiyo.
Funny, I hit it with two in the bow, it kept going full speed with it's bow under water. It went on 20 nm's before the bow went under so far the props came out of the water, spinning at full speed in the air, it went no where. It finally sunk hours later.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_214427_593.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_215538_984.jpg

Here is the convoy I attacked later. With the storm I was able to have at it with all guns. Some great action.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-27_233938_078.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-28_000028_031.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-28_001809_515.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-28_002356_781.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-28_003649_156.jpg

Aftermath of storm battle.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-28_005146_656.jpg

I think I could've went over
300K with no refit, but wasted a lot of gun ammo on 3 Type C escorts and smaller merchants, not to mention gun barrel flying all over the place due to waves. Hate I didn't take time to search all the large merchants.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2011-03-28_010359_296.jpg

[Mork_417]

Very cool reports. :up:

I'm loving your screenshots! Mind if i ask what mods your running?

My SH4 is still stock. :oops:

[captgeo]

great report armistead:up: , now all you have to do is get your buddy to post same here also.

These reports are great for all players, gives them different tactics to try out if they are not already doing the same.:yeah:

[Armistead]

Very cool reports. :up:

I'm loving your screenshots! Mind if i ask what mods your running?

My SH4 is still stock. :oops:

These are older reports that I'm posting from Ubi, not sure of mod setup, but looks like TMO, plus I use numerous other mods.

[AVGWarhawk]

I think it is RFB being used. :hmmm:

[Armistead]

Pearl has been attacked. The Philippines under invasion. It's Jan in Surabaya. I'm given one of the older boats, a Salmom, but it will do.

Before we leave we are instructed all the way to the Halmahera Sea. I'm mad, the invasion is coming to Java, but the Admiral thinks Carrier Divisions will be leaving Palau to support the Java invasion.

The Doc hears reports a few of the guys have been over to Madaam's why on shore leave...I swear, they'll never learn.

"Well, step up, lets have a look" says Doc.

Doc: "Captgeo,..turn your head and cough...you're good."
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-10_183618_164.jpg

Doc: "Alright Blowtanks, what's up..Geesh..."
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-10_183504_711.jpg

Blowtanks: "That's all Johnson Doc..."
DOc: "Including the red sores, oh well, bend over."

NEXT..."What, Wernher, who do you think you're fooling with that hat...Oh my, you really had a time, at least the swelling makes it look bigger...I'll need my hammer."

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-10_183820_633.jpg

We leave Java, not long we see smoke, but just some burning ships, we move on.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-01_173243_629.jpg

Intel says two enemy carriers will be leaving Palau to raid Ambrom. We look off the coast of Ambrom. Looking at my map, we decide to try to cut them off on the return leg. We spot a Hiryu and Soryu class.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-02_215400_363.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-02_215910_129.jpg

We do a end around and sink both.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-02_224939_285.jpg

We are told to refit at Darwin since it's just two days away. Why at Darwin we get some fresh intel. The Japs will be sending a large Carrier group through the Halmahera pass. We're told to get there ASAP. We arrive on station, after a few days we get many sonar contacts.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_010933_785.jpg

We ID 4 Carriers, 6 CA's,including two Mogami's, a few BB's and at least 14 DDs. I track to where I can shoot bow and sterns at seperate carriers. We shoot, the torps arrive and strike both carriers at the same time.


http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_011353_410.jpg

No misses, all eight hit, one sinks quickly, I have to finish one off dead in the water. The TF passes over. We evade and give chase. This group should be headed to Kendari, just a day away, we start our end around. The DD's had a double ring extending over 10nms around the carriers. We lost visuals with the remaining carriers and track with sonar. Often DD's came back and chased us off.

Here is the chase. We had sunk 2 carriers before the refit and two in the Buru strait. The group is now headed for Kendari as we work around to the left. We want those last two carriers.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_032141_332.jpg

We get around at dawn and work to the front and start tracking on the two remaining carriers.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_155704_691.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_034221_394.jpg

The plan is the same, get between both carriers and shoot bow and sterns at the same time. Tracking was off, I shoot 4 at the bow target at over 2000 yards...but all four hit.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_161513_925.jpg
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_161534_254.jpg

I had only two stern remaining, he was zigging, but I got him with both.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_161650_535.jpg

The front target sinks.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_162239_879.jpg

The rear target takes a rear list, but moves on.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_163905_988.jpg

I chase it almost into Kendari Harbor..but sonar shows it had turned SE...dang..it was way off headed south. I chased it until noon. It was lagging far behind the TF, soon they left it and it became easy prey...


http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_175736_113.jpg

We head back to Darwin for fuel to get back to Surabaya..Dang, ran into a huge 30 plus ship convoy...no torps, had to leave it.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-10-03_182234_457.jpg

Made it to Darwin, 4 carriers sunk, but no rest for us. We are told Java is under attack. Intel has another large Carrier group coming through the Timor pass just 11 hours away from where we are, the Akagi, Kagi, ect...Loaded up, we're vectored to ambush this TF...You would think we've done enough.

We're on our way..

[Armistead]

I think it is RFB being used. :hmmm:

Nah, never liked RFB, although I do have a habit of tweaking mods.

[Armistead]

I was in convoy heaven, fought 3 large ones as they pass through the same area, just shooting at big ships.

This TYPEAB with his 6 Y guns was being a bug, so I timed him as he passed a large Pass. The torp set deep went right under him into the big boy. Look and you can see the escort already splitting from the explosion.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193202_406.jpg

Then he buckles...lol
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193224_234.jpg

And one heck of an explosion

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193342_312.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193413_937.jpg

One torp, two kills....

[Sniper297]

I didn't get a video or screenshots since none of this was planned, it just sort of happened. Career with a Sargo class, Webster's improved US torpedos, current test version of my resupply mod, otherwise stock 1.4. Found a task force with one Yamato, two large tankers, and one Takao heavy cruiser in the starboard column, port column was one Kongo BB, two Hiryu CVs, one Furutaka CA. 12 escorts. Dove to 220 feet under a layer facing away from the task force at a 45 degree angle to fire all four stern tubes at the Yamato first, then turn left to fire the bow tubes at the Kongo and the two carriers. That was the plan anyway, but like most plans it didn't survive first contact with the enemy. After the lead escort passed overhead I ordered periscope depth, passing 80 feet I hear high repetition pinging - the lead escort decided to double back. Okay, the jig is up, fire the stern tubes at Yamato, go to flank speed and start my turn to port to line up on the Kongo and carriers. Up scope, look to see where the escorts are, the lead is 600 yards behind and drops too early - another escort following him gets caught in his depth charge blast, a third escort heading toward me from the side collides with the lead escort and both are destroyed. Things are looking up, so I fire two at the Kongo and one at the leading Hiryu, all three hit. Yamato meantime dead in the water, fire my last loaded bow tube at the Kongo, which stopped him dead. Kicked out a decoy and went down to 100 feet while waiting for reload, turned to intercept the last Hiryu. 10 minutes later back to periscope depth - Yamato is sinking, Kongo is sunk, Hiryu 1500 yards ahead, fire and hit. At this point I've sunk 2 BBs, 2 CVs, time to head for the deep and call it a day.
But.
The 9 remaining escorts are still chasing each other's tails in circles outside, new fish 90% loaded, the Furutaka has collided with a tanker 2500 yards ahead and both are sitting there tangled up between me and the nearest destroyers. :arrgh!: Close in on them and fire one fish at each, down they go. I've done enough for one day, Miller Time.

So after going deep and silent, move slowly outside the five mile circle, back to periscope depth, no sound contacts no visual, surface the boat and head for the resupply base. Still got 4 fish forward and 2 aft, the following day as I'm approaching the resupply base I get another contact - One Takao cruiser, one large tanker, 7 escorts - it's the remains of the task force from yesterday! :arrgh!: So I run in there, two fish at each, wiped out the entire task force except for the escorts. Who actually didn't need any help from me, they were doing a pretty good job on each other, I saw ANOTHER incident where a destroyer crossed too close behind another one and got blown up by his depth charges. Six out of 12 escorts sunk by their own bad seamanship and lack of training in the use of explosives, most fun I ever had without taking my clothes off. :|\\

[captgeo]

right on Sniper:up:, bagged the Yammy:yeah:

@ armistead: great SS's.....story to go with...LOL

[Sniper297]

Yeah, that was kinda surprising. Rule of thumb for surface ships when you see torpedo wakes;

If the torpedoes are coming from forward of the beam, turn toward the wakes and speed up, they will miss astern.
If the wakes are coming from aft of the beam, turn away from them and slow down, they will miss ahead.

That tin can forced me to fire too soon, the Yamato was still over 2000 yards away and at a bad angle - if he had turned toward the wakes all four would have missed. But when the escort sounded the "ALL HANDS MAN YOUR PANIC STATIONS" alarm the Yamato immediately turned the wrong way, and all four hit him broadside.

[Mork_417]

These are older reports that I'm posting from Ubi, not sure of mod setup, but looks like TMO, plus I use numerous other mods.

Ok, thanks.

[Mork_417]

Sat down a bit this morning, and decided to try the Yamato scenario.

Never made it past the screen of destroyers. I managed to lose them after the first encounter, but both scopes were out of commission for good. So, I tried to follow the fleet for a bit, but managed to get myself found again. This time it did not end well for me. :doh:

162

[paulhager]

U.S.S PICUDA (SS 382)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL May 27, 1944

From: The Commanding Officer
To: Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet

Subject: U.S.S. PICUDA (SS 382), Report of War Patrol #3.

Enclosures: pictures and charts, covering third war patrol.

Bernard H. Schwartz

(A) Prologue

New 5” gun installed. MacDonald promoted to PO 3rd Class. Put him in charge of the gun crew. Abele promoted to Sr. PO. He and Ensign Townsend have been taking apart and generally fussing over the Mark 6 Exploders. Our magnetic pistol test at the beginning of patrol 2 was very successful - we hope to build on that success this patrol.

Torpedo loadout: 4 Mark 14, 4 Mark 18 – stern; 8 Mark 14, 8 Mark 18 – bow.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all times below are GMT.)

(B) Narrative

05 APR – 17 APR
Departed 5 April to recon 3 island bases: Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai.

In transit to Yap.

Flash message received: Intercept IJN forces en route to Saipan from Home Islands. ETA to port of Saipan: early hours of 20 April. At 12 knots, we’re a little over a day away from the Saipan area.

18 APR
By 1800, 40 nm West of Saipan. The orders offered no details on the course the convoy would follow though it should be expected to come from the NW. Practically speaking, close the island, the convoy could appear anywhere in the quadrant from North to West.

With a day and a half to go until the expected arrival of Japanese forces, decided to investigate the nearby port of Garapan.

19 APR
Approached Garapan from the NW at 0200. Radar showed several ships riding at anchor. Two ships were patrolling.

Initially proceeded South down the coast then turned to approach from due West. Meanwhile, one of the patrollers was heading North, along the coast – perhaps heading to the port on the other side of the island.

At 10000 yards, went to periscope depth. Closed to 3000 yards submerged. A quick survey revealed a Buzyun Maru, a Ryuun Maru, an Akita Maru, and an Auxiliary Gunboat all anchored. The remaining patroller was nowhere to be seen. As we prepared to retire from the area and report our findings, the OOD, who had just gone to the observation scope, informed us with remarkable composure that a gunboat was 300 yards dead astern and approaching. Somehow it had come from directly behind and not been picked up by our sound equipment.

Attack #1
The boat was too close for a torpedo shot. Of the two options remaining the worse was to go deeper. The gunboat would roll depth charges and we would be helpless. Therefore, we battle surfaced and went to flank speed, turning to bring the deck gun to bear. The 40 mm Bofors opened up immediately and took out the machine gunner in the bow. As the turn brought the deck gun to bear, it roared to life. The first shell took the gunboat amidships. The second took out the wheelhouse. The Bofors meanwhile stitched the boat at the waterline. The gunboat was finished.

There was a spout of water 100 yards to port. An Auxiliary Gunboat at anchor had gotten into the action. Now we crash dived.

Although the orders had not specified it, operational security was assumed to dictate that we not reveal our presence in the area. Under the circumstances, there was no longer any need for stealth. We leveled off at 200 and circled to make a complete sound check of the area. Nothing stirred within the range of our sensors. There were no sounds of ships getting up steam or weighing anchor. All was quiet. We couldn’t leave it at that – we aimed to liven things up a bit.

We withdrew another 1000 yards and went to periscope depth. The Ryuun Maru was the largest target available so we selected it and fired a Mark 14 from the stern tube. It struck amidships.

http://imageshack.us/a/img163/6753/194404190408z.jpg


One torpedo proved insufficient so we hit it with a second Mark 14. The Maru still refused to sink so we withdrew to 6000 yards and surfaced to finish it with the 5”. Even with radar to assist, the gunners missed the first few shots but when they finally got a couple of hits we could see that the Maru was done for. And none too soon because the Auxiliary Gunboat was getting the range as well. We went to flank speed, turned away, and then crash dived.

http://imageshack.us/a/img829/7601/194404190431z.jpg


At 10000 yards from the nearest ship we surfaced and made our way to the East side of the island and the Port of Saipan.

On our journey to the East side of the island, “gremlins” got into the SJ radar – we put our crack engineers on the problem.

We rediscovered that second patrol boat at sunset, just North of the port. The crash dive took 49 seconds – better than our best drill thus far. An approaching enemy sub killer tends to concentrate the mind.

http://imageshack.us/a/img215/8638/194404190816z2.jpg


We found a thermal at 180 and kept going, down to 400 feet. Some minutes later, our enemy roiled the Pacific with depth charges at least 1000 yards astern.

http://imageshack.us/a/img812/9889/194404190828z.jpg


After 10 minutes, we secured from silent running and the repair work on our radar resumed. The repair team asserted that it would be functional in no more than an hour.

At 0930 we rose to radar depth. The unit came to life and at the end of the first complete sweep we saw a total of seven objects – one of these was undoubtedly our pursuer. A few more sweeps showed that the 6 blips in the harbor were stationary. The escort moved forward at slow speed and then stopped – it was listening for us.

Attack #2
We went to 28’ – decks awash – and made a slow approach at 5 knots. The target, a Sokuten Minelayer, remained stationary as we closed to 2700 yards. At that point, we loosed a Mark 14 set to high speed.

http://imageshack.us/a/img829/9213/194404191001z.jpg


The minelayer exploded and sank almost immediately.

With the only patroller eliminated, none of the other ships posed a threat. From 1100 to 1245, we systematically destroyed all 5 ships in the harbor, starting with two Sokuten Minelayers. This was followed by an Akita Maru, a Heito Maru, and a Taihosan Maru. A total of 10 torpedoes were expended in the attack. Along with the 2 from the previous attack, half our torpedoes were gone.

The remaining object was not a ship – it was a float plane we dispatched with the 40 mm.

20 FEB – 24 FEB
Conducted reconnaissance of the three islands, starting with Yap. We continued on to Ulithi and Woleai. (Intelligence gathered on this mission is in a separate report filed with ComSubPac and marked SECRET.) After informing ComSubPac about the successful conclusion of our mission, we were ordered to conduct offensive operations along the Japan-Rabaul shipping lane.

25 APR – 18 MAY
A long, fruitless patrol. Ventured to the Bismarck Sea, dodged a couple of aircraft patrols. Then proceeded North, pursuing a zig-zag path to Saipan, thence to area around Truk. Made close approach to Truk and radar found a number of ships at anchor.

Made a second run to Bismarck Sea and again meandered around.

Made a second run to Truk – no contacts.

With fuel below 35% reported to ComSubPac. Was ordered back to new base at Majuro.

19 MAY – 25 MAY
Return to base. Dock 25 May.

(C) Fuel Consumed
76%

(D) Weather
Normal for area(s).

(E) Torpedoes Expended
12 – 8 ships sunk, estimated tonnage 18568.

(F) References
See Patrol 2 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=201958)
See Patrol 4 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2018912&postcount=484) (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2018912&postcount=484) (http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6421019045/m/3101018788)

[paulhager]

U.S.S PICUDA (SS 382)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL August 6, 1944

From: The Commanding Officer
To: Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet

Subject: U.S.S. PICUDA (SS 382), Report of War Patrol #4.

Enclosures: pictures and charts, covering fourth war patrol.

Bernard H. Schwartz

(A) Prologue

A few old comrades move on to new assignments. A new Chief named Fred Austerlitz joins the crew. He comes highly recommended as a torpedo expert. Austerlitz is assigned the billet in the aft torpedo room left by PO 1st Putnam.

Torpedo loadout: 8 Mark 18 – stern; 8 Mark 14, 8 Mark 18 – bow.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all times below are GMT.)

(B) Narrative

13 JUN – 17 JUN
Left Majuro – made high speed run to Manus Island to top off tanks and proceed to PZ.

Along the way received several reports which suggested major IJN Fleet operations were in progress:
0200 14 JUN, USS Redfin reported 4BB, 4CV, 8CA, many DDs; 5° 00’ N, 119° 38’ E, 10°T, 12KTS.
2030 15 JUN, USS Cavalla reported 15+ large combatants; 11° 50’ N, 131° 52’ E, 50°T, 12KTS.
2200 15 JUN, USS Seahorse reported BBs, CAs, DDs; 5° 25’ N, 128° 15’ E, 20°T, 15KTS.
0740 16 JUN, USS Flying Fish reported heavy units; 12° 45’ N, 124° 20’ E, 90°T, 12KTS.
1530 17 JUN, USS Cavalla reported an AO and 3DD; 11° 43’ N, 130° 25’ E, 10°T, 12KTS.

Connecting the dots suggested a battle might be in the offing to the NW. We were nowhere close.

18 JUN – 27 JUN
In transit to PZ. Arrive 2300, 27 June.

On 21 June, received reports of a carrier battle in the vicinity of the Marianas. Sounded like we gave the IJN a real pasting!

28 JUN
Attack #1
A single crossed our path: a Momoyama Maru. Hit the Maru with a perfect shot from the stern right under the stack. Broke her back.

We have nothing but praise for the designers of the Mark 18. It’s accurate and reliable – we’ve never had a dud. In contrast, we’ve had some duds with the Mark 14.

29 JUN
Attack #2
Just before sundown, another single sailed into range. We were able to get into position for a stern tube shot with our target silhouetted by the fading light of the Western sky.

The ship, a Kinposan Maru, went dead in the water but failed to sink so we moved to 2200 yards off the stern, which had no gun mount, and reduced the ship to a burning and sinking hulk with the 5”.

30 JUN
Attack #3
Moments after receiving orders to patrol in the East China Sea, another ship hove into view. Amazingly, it was the third unescorted merchant ship we’d encountered in as many days. We attacked from 2800 yards off the track. A Mark 14 set for 2’ under the keel was used – it detonated just behind the stack.

That should have finished the Heito Maru but it stubbornly remained afloat. We surfaced and began shelling it. The first several rounds were either wide of the target or overshot. The ship began firing toward us just as a 5” shell finally struck the ship in the vicinity of the stern cargo hold. There was a brilliant flash followed by a rising fireball.

Three torpedoes and a few 5” rounds had sunk 3 enemy ships – we were off to a very good start.

We secured from general quarters and set course for our new PZ.

31 JUN
Attack #4
Just before arriving at our patrol zone, a flotilla of sampans crossed our path. The gunners could always use some practice so we fired on them with both the 5” and the 40mm, sinking 2. Then we continued on.

An hour or so later radar picked up an approaching plane. We dived for an hour and then resumed our course.

01 JUL – 04 JUL
Patrolling.

Attack #5
We had been ordered to patrol in this area for 96 hours and we were close to time to report in to ComSubPac when an unescorted merchant approached from the East – speed was 10 knots, course was 273°T. Made a surface attack from 1600 yards using a Mark 14. Result: 1 shot, 1 kill.

Shortly after our victory, ComSubPac sent a flash message alerting of a convoy en route to the Home Islands traveling through the Formosa Strait. We were close to the track of this convoy and therefore plotted an intercept course. At the same time we reported in to ComSubPac which approved our stalk of the convoy, after which we were to patrol 100 nm West of Manila.

05 JUL
At 0525 radar picked up ships at 34000 yards bearing 135. This couldn’t be the same convoy, which had to still be some distance to the SW. We counted 15 ships in the convoy: position 26° 18’ N, 121° 40’ E; Course 90°T, Speed 10 knots. Twelve ships were in 3 columns, 3 abreast. There was an escort running patterns ahead of the center column, either an escort or a small freighter trailing the center column, and about 3000 yards back from it, an escort running patterns.

We initiated an end around maneuver at 16 knots and for the next hour closed the distance to 20000 yards while pulling ahead. At 0635, position was 26° 18’ N, 121° 51’ E; Course 90°T, Speed 10 knots.

A check of the ephemeris revealed that, if the convoy continued at its present course and speed, the Sun would set at 1046 – moonrise would be at 0955. The moon would be just short of full. We could attack in 4 hours and 25 minutes – 12 minutes before the end of civil twilight and 1 hour 5 minutes after moonrise. Too bright for a surface attack at anything closer that 3000 yards. With clear weather the moon would only get brighter as it rose in the sky, again precluding a close-in surface attack.

The alternative was to make a submerged daylight attack ASAP but that made it more likely the escorts would tie us up long enough for the convoy to escape. Fortunately, it would take at least another hour to get into position for the daylight attack – time we could use to consider our options.

Attack #6
The decision was taken out of our hands: the convoy changed course at 0810. New Course: 10°T; New Speed 8 KTS. Now we had to run a new end around.

We were in position a little before sunset. The lead ship in the center column was chosen as a reference target. We submerged when the lead escort was at 9000 yards – even in the fading twilight, the moon made it far too bright to remain on the surface.

http://imageshack.us/a/img830/3716/194407051033z.jpg


The center column leader proved to be a Nagara Maru – perfect! There was another Nagara in the far column, number 2 position. All of the other ships were smaller. The center Nagara would remain the target – we’d just refine the solution. The only lingering issue was how many torpedoes to allocate. We settled on the 3 Mark 14’s in tubes 1-3 – a miss would have a decent chance of hitting a ship in the adjoining column. Torpedoes 1 and 3 were set for 15 feet and 12 feet respectively. Number 2 was set for 26 feet, magnetic trigger.

We fired the spread and dove the boat. Depth here was only 430’ which was barely enough room to maneuver.

The first torpedo struck right on schedule at 11:19:41.

http://imageshack.us/a/img404/3655/194407051119z.jpg


Numbers 2 and 3 also hit. She was done for.

We found a thermal at 270, leveled off at 300, and went to silent running. We were unmolested by the escorts.

At 1155, we secured from silent running and began reloading torpedoes. Rose to radar depth at 1300. An escort was conducting a sprint-drift search, range 9000, bearing 200. We surfaced and set course for our new PZ.

06 JUL
In transit to PZ.

Attack #7
A singleton showed up on the radar screen at 1930: Course 358°T, Speed 11 KTS. It turned out to be a Nagara Maru. Got into position for a stern shot and fired a spread of 2, both of which hit.

Two hits should have sufficed but the Maru stubbornly sailed on. We surfaced and used the deck gun to convince her she was dead.

07 JUL
Attack #8
Yet another unescorted merchant strayed into our path. Initially it was traveling at 11 knots, 30°T, however, it changed course on us, necessitating some rapid adjustments on our part. The target, an Akita Maru, slowed to 9 knots, then sped up to 10 just before we hit it with a Mark 18 from tube 4. Her back was broken and we left her to her fate.


08 JUL
Reached PZ.

09 JUL – 10 JUL
Patrolling. Harassed by enemy aircraft from dawn ‘til dusk.


Attack #9
Patrolled within radar range of the entrance to Manila Bay. Late on the 10th, target appeared heading North: 11 KTS, 344°T. We were already in a good position to attack so we tracked its approach over the next hour-and-a-half.

11 JUL
The actual attack took place took place at 0012 on the 11th. A single Mark 18 was fired under the keel of the target, a Hakusika Maru. Wind was brisk and waves were a bit choppy, which makes such shots problematic, as was the case this time. The torpedo detonated but didn’t seem to significantly damage to the Maru, which commenced a series of S-turns. We turned the boat to pursue and readied the Mark 14’s in tubes 1 and 2, setting them for 15 feet and high speed. Had to guestimate the target speed and course. Fired both with a 1 degree spread. The first was dead on target, the second missed astern – our first miss of the entire patrol!

http://imageshack.us/a/img63/9759/194407110025z.jpg


Viewed through the periscope it was not immediately apparent that the second hit had much of an effect. However, after a few minutes, the ship slowed and began to settle by the stern. The end came abruptly seven minutes later as the Maru slid, stern first, into the Pacific.


Attack #10
This PZ had been very good to us and our good fortune was to continue. Several hours later, a blip showed up on radar – a ship headed West: Speed 10 KTS, 273°T. We’d have to chase it but with all diesel generators pouring amps into the motors, we quickly overtook it. Then it altered course, coming to 257°T and it slowed to 9 KTS.

The attack was made from 1600 yards – a single Mark 18 from tube 2. It struck just behind the stack and split the ship – a Ryuun Maru – in two.

We had 10 torpedoes remaining and had sunk just over 49000 tons of enemy shipping.


12 JUL – 13 JUL
Our time in this PZ expired so we reported our status to ComSubPac. Our new PZ was closer to home: East of Okinawa.

We proceeded to our PZ at two-engine speed.

14 JUL
Attack #11
Early on the 14th, a ship crossed our path: Speed 9 KTS, Course 239°T. Setup for the attack was easy. Then the target threw us a curve and changed course and speed: 11 KTS, 261°T. Some fast footwork and we again had a good attack position, 1600 yards off the target’s track. Radar and sonar gave us a good solution on an Akita Maru. Then something strange happened.

As we were preparing to fire our last Mark 14, the Maru slowed, its searchlight pierced the night, and it commenced making S-turns. Since we had been submerged for the last several thousand yards of the target’s approach because of light conditions and our own phosphorescent wake, it was inconceivable that the target saw our periscope. The alternative was equally unlikely – that it had listening gear and was reacting to our final ranging sonar pulses.

Irrespective of the reason our target was taking evasive action, the attack continued. We had to rapidly recompute course and speed, which amounted to some educated guesses plus Kentucky windage. The Mark 14 lanced toward the target at 46 knots. From the periscope it was possible to see the ship’s searchlight fix on the torpedo’s wake and the ship begin to accelerate and turn away. It was too little, too late.

http://imageshack.us/a/img87/5310/194407141328z.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img214/5638/194407141329z.jpg


The ship completed its turn, stopped and settled by the stern.

We surfaced and continued on toward our PZ. So far we had sunk over 50000 tons of enemy shipping and had 9 torpedoes – all Mark 18’s – remaining.

15 JUL – 17 JUL
Detected approaching enemy aircraft. However, just before we dived the boat, our radar detector sounded – the aircraft had radar! Fortunately, we’ve got inverse squared versus inverse to the fourth power in our favor – that and good old American know-how. We surfaced after an hour.

There were no further incidents on the way to the PZ, which we reach early on the 17th.

18 JUL – 20 JUL
Patrolling.

21 JUL
Attack #12
Surface contact – 0105, Speed 11 KTS, Course 253°T. Tracked for the better part of an hour, then the target changed course/speed at 0155: 9 KTS, 228°T. It appears that, often as not, the enemy zigs around the top of the hour.

This time we didn’t use active sonar to refresh our solution – we strictly relied on popping up the scope.

The target was allocated 1 Mark 18, set for a foot-and-a-half below the keel. The hit was right under the stack, which should have broken the target – a Ryuun Maru – in half.

http://imageshack.us/a/img514/9214/194407210255z.jpg


If there is a slight variation in a torpedo’s depth keeping, which might be expected in heavy seas, then that could explain the observed behavior: sometimes the torpedo strikes the hull; sometimes the torpedo goes a few feet too deep which attenuates the explosive bubble effect. Seas were moderate, not heavy, for this attack. Perhaps even that was enough to disrupt the depth keeping.

The Maru was sailing away, with a distinct starboard list. When it was stern on, we surfaced – the ship only had a bow deck gun and we should be in the shadow provided by the superstructure. We opened fire at just under 2000 yards – the first two shots were wide but then our gunner had the range and rocked the target with several hits. The ship began to turn, bringing the bow gun to bear. The first shot was very short. The second coincided with one of our hits and was much closer.

http://imageshack.us/a/img411/7243/194407210302z.jpg


We directed the gunners to target the enemy’s main armament. They scored a hit – or so we thought until the Maru responded with a shot that showered the bridge watch with spray. We crash dived.

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/9919/194407210303z.jpg


We leveled off at 100 and allowed the ship to open the distance, then returned to periscope depth. Once again the ship was presenting its stern so we surfaced again – this time the range was 2400. Several unanswered hits sufficed to finish her off.

http://imageshack.us/a/img297/7356/194407210316z.jpg


When our operations in this patrol zone ended, ComSubPac ordered us back to the Philippines – this time to patrol in a 100 nm radius centered 40 nm North of Calyan Island. Fuel was hovering just above 50% so we couldn’t do too many more of these long distance jaunts.

22 JUL – 24 JUL
In transit to PZ.

Received message from ComSubPac on 22 July: new base at Saipan. Somewhat ironic given the devastation we’d visited upon the Japanese there during our last visit.

Reached PZ.

24 JUL – 27 JUL
Patrolling.

New patrol zone 150 nm West – the overlap happened to find us starting our patrol in the PZ.

28 JUL
Attack #13
Our last attack of this, our fourth patrol, began at 1201. While running the Eastern leg of our search pattern we found a small convoy of 7 ships heading north: Position 20° 33’ N, 119° 50’ E; Speed 11 KTS; Course 01°T. The convoy was assumed to consist of 3 merchants in a single column in the center and four escorts in a diamond centered on the last ship in the column. When we’ve encountered this formation in the past, the ships in positions 2 and 3 are high value – often Nagara Marus. We considered the possibility that this time they might be large tankers.

We had to do an end around – there was nothing for it but to go to flank speed, burning up more of our precious fuel. Mindful that formations often zig at the top of the hour, we chose an oblique course that should give us a good setup ASAP. Although the moon was up and fairly bright, seas were rough and there was a light mist. A surface attack was a possibility.

We got a rude awakening when we closed to within 20000 yards of the lead merchant – roughly 18000 yards from the near escort: the radar warning sounded. Although we had the advantage of better radar equipment and, of course, the radar equation, this development played hob with our plans. Clearly, a surface attack was now out of the question. A submerged attack made it more likely that the escort’s passive sonar would pick us up before we could get close – though this situation should be mitigated somewhat by the wave action’s effect on the hull-mounted sensors.

The quick attack was no longer feasible – we changed course to a parallel track at 20000 and began to pull away. The constant radar warning became annoying so we turned it off – it wasn’t telling us anything we didn’t already know.

Top of the hour came and went and the convoy doggedly continued at the same course and speed.

We finally reached a position about 6000 yards off the convoy track and turned 90 degrees to it. We submerged to decks awash and continued on at 5 knots, taking our final radar readings on the lead merchant. Once we had a good solution we dived the boat – distance was around 3000 yards from the track. The hope was to find a reasonably shallow thermal that we could exploit to get close, then come to periscope depth inside the screen.

We found the thermal at 220. We continued down to 250, silent running. We were roughly 2200 yards off the track.

When the lead escort passed our bow, we began to rise to periscope depth. If we’d timed things right we should have a good shot on the number 2 merchant, then we could submerge to the safety of the Pacific’s depths.

The timing was near perfect. When the periscope broke the surface it was pointed on the bearing (135) of the flank escort, which was oblivious to our presence. Swiveling quickly showed the lead merchant, an Akita Maru was just crossing our bow. In the number 2 position was a Nagara Maru. A quick check of number 3 brought a very welcome surprise: a Taiyo CVE! That would be our target. No time for fanciness – the 4 remaining Mark 18’s in the bow had been set for 12 feet, impact pistol. We got the solution and fired all 4 at the CVE. Then we dove for that thermal at 4 knots.

The first torpedo was a couple of seconds late on target. A couple of seconds later, number 2 hit.

http://imageshack.us/a/img217/2946/194407281453z.jpg


Numbers 3 and 4 followed quickly. The men involuntarily cheered. Who could blame them? However, celebrations ended as we crossed the thermal and resumed silent running.

We leveled off at 420 and made a slow turn to course 180. Escorts dashed about upstairs but never dropped any depth charges nor gave any indication that they had the faintest idea where we were.

An hour after the attack most of the convoy had moved on but one escort was laying back, making sprint drift searches 2000-3000 yards away, bearing 115. We felt safe enough to secure from silent running and go to 3 knots.

After another couple of hours, the escort was no longer in evidence. We went to periscope depth and did a couple of 360 scans. Nothing. Then we went to radar depth and did two complete sweeps. Nothing. Surfaced the boat at 1752 – almost 3 hours to the minute after firing at the target. We were alone.

Reported to base and resumed patrol.

30 JUL
The time in the PZ had expired so we contacted ComSubPac and got the expected, “return to base” message.

31 JUL – 4 AUG
Returning to new base at Saipan. Arrived 4 August.

(C) Fuel Consumed
84%

(D) Weather
Normal for the area(s).

(E) Torpedoes Expended
20 (8 Mark 14, 12 Mark 18) – 10 merchant ships, 1 CVE + 2 Sampans sunk by gunfire; estimated tonnage, 77,743.

(F) References
See Patrol 3 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2018897&postcount=483)
See Patrol 5 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2019134&postcount=486)

[captgeo]

right on, good report m8:yeah:

[paulhager]

U.S.S PICUDA (SS 382)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL September 24, 1944

From: The Commanding Officer
To: Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet

Subject: U.S.S. PICUDA (SS 382), Report of War Patrol #5.

Enclosures: pictures and charts, covering fifth war patrol.

Bernard H. Schwartz

(A) Prologue

Promoted to Commander.

A decoy dispenser was installed that should spoof enemy sonar. A few changes on board as some veteran crew members transfered out to new subs and replacements came aboard.

Torpedo loadout: 8 Mark 18 – stern; 8 Mark 14, 8 Mark 18 – bow.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all times below are GMT.)

(B) Narrative

26 AUG – 31 AUG
In transit to Point Baker: the Bashi Channel in the Luzon Strait. Upon arrival, began conducting anti-shipping operations.

01 SEP
Patrolling.

02 SEP
Attack #1
Target detected at 1734, 10 KTS, 54°T. A full Moon made a close-in surface attack problematic so opted for submerged attack.

Submerged when target at 8000. Refreshed TDC range data with active sonar. Target, a Momoyama Maru, did not zig at top of the hour. One Mark 18 from the stern was fired, range 1400. We got a hit right under the stack and she went dead and dark but she stayed afloat.

http://imageshack.us/a/img521/4080/194409021917z.jpg


Rather than waste another torpedo, we maneuvered to a position directly astern at 1800 yards and surfaced. The gun crew took over, missing the first two shots but scoring consistently thereafter. After the 10th hit, ceased firing to assess the damage. It was enough. As the ship sank, we notified ComSubPac.

We received orders to patrol 100 nm East of Cam Ranh Bay.

03 SEP
In transit to Cam Ranh Bay PZ.

Attack #2.
Our next target materialized at 1512, an Akita Maru headed South: 10 KTS, 173°T. Once again, chose to make a submerged attack using a Mark 18 from the stern tubes. This attack was a bit more successful – one hit under the stack proved sufficient.

http://imageshack.us/a/img59/1727/194409031645z.jpg


Returned to course for Cam Ranh Bay PZ.

04 SEP
In transit to PZ.

05 SEP
Continued voyage to PZ throughout the daylight hours.

Attack #3
Another single detected. Time 1830, Speed 9 KTS, Course 38°T. As had been the case for over a week, wind speed close to 0, gentle swells, perfect visibility.

Another stern attack was chosen for this target, a Zinbu Maru, however, 2 Mark 18’s were selected. Range was closer to 2000 yards. Right after firing, the target slowed and began to sail in the familiar evasive S-curve maneuver. Of course the two torpedoes missed far ahead. We readied two more torpedoes and fired. Both of these hit.

http://imageshack.us/a/img842/8200/194409052015z.jpg


We’ve noted this behavior at least once before on a clear night with limited wave action. Surely the lookouts could not have seen our periscope, which was never up for more than 30 seconds. For better or worse, we’ve expended 6 torpedoes for 3 kills.

Returned to course.

06 SEP
En route to PZ.

07 SEP
Arrive PZ and hit by heavy rain and fog – visibility 300 yards.

Attack #4
Radar picked up a ship approaching Cam Ranh Bay, moving very slowly – 1 to 2 knots.

We closed to 1000 yards and cut the motors. We drifted to inside 900 yards as the slow moving ship crossed our bow. Rather than fire a torpedo, we manned the deck gun and, with directions from the radar operator, commenced firing. With the first hit, the searchlights came on – now we had a target showing dimly through the gloom.

http://imageshack.us/a/img267/5195/194409071409z.jpg

There was an explosion and flames, which made targeting even easier. A few more rounds and there was a final, satisfying explosion. She was finished.

As best as we could determine, our victim was a Hieto Maru.

We continued on to a position within radar range of the entrance to Cam Ranh Bay from which vantage we could pick off any ships entering or leaving the port.

08 SEP
Attack #5
The storm continued unabated. At 0223 a contact appeared to the SW: 9 KTS, 30°T. Range was 40000. We started only 2200 yards off its track – we reduced that to 1000. At 0300, another target appeared 40000 yard NNE, also headed in our direction: 8 KTS, 197°T. After we finished with target 1, we’d go after this one.

Visibility was nil so the first attack was conducted radar only. We fired 3 Mark 18’s – 2 hit. There was no huge secondary explosion to render our victim visible. A couple of the lookouts said they saw it break in half.

The second attack was conducted radar only as well – not surprising since the storm had been going without letup for the better part of a day. Our target changed course, necessitating an adjustment on our part. We fired 2 Mark 14’s at the high speed setting – range was a shade over 800. Only one of the two hit but this time we got a nice explosion, easily visible from the bridge.

http://imageshack.us/a/img100/8346/194409080526z.jpg


The storm showed no signs of letting up so we investigated Cam Ranh Bay and found. . .nothing. We returned to patrolling outside.

09 SEP
Attack #6
The storm was entering its 3rd day when radar showed us another target. We initially tracked it at 9 KTS, 195°T. As it approached, it sped up and altered course slightly, eventually settling on 11 KTS, 196°T. We fired 2 Mark 14’s and got 1 hit.

It was insufficient to get a kill though the target was crippled – its speed was slowed to 3 knots. We commenced radar-directed fire from the deck gun and finished it off.

Shortly after this attack, the storm finally ended.

10 SEP
Patrolling.

11 SEP
Attack #7
The weather was now the antithesis of what it had been two days earlier – visibility was perfect, seas were calm. Late in the day, the lookouts detected smoke on the horizon minutes after the radar showed a single pip. Course was northerly: 344°T; speed was slow: 6 knots. We closed and fired 3 Mark 18’s – all hit.

http://imageshack.us/a/img827/4466/194409111005z.jpg


After this attack we contacted ComSubPac and were given a new PZ – 150 nm off the Mekong Delta.

12 SEP
Attack #8
Received report of an enemy vessel just off the delta heading NE at medium speed. Reached the PZ shortly thereafter and plotted an intercept course. Radar picked up the ship an hour later: 10 KTS, 40°T.

Initial contact was made in the alluvial shallows off the mouth of the Mekong. Accordingly, we stayed 20000 yards ahead of the target in order to attack when we had reached deeper water.

The attack was made with the remaining 2 Mark 18’s in the stern from a range of 1400. Both hit.

There is no sight quite as satisfying as a ship whose back has been broken in an attack because there is no doubt that she is dead.

Attack #9
We moved a little farther East and resumed patrolling. Roughly 11 hours later, we detected another ship. We started out with a good angle on the ship which was traveling at 8 knots, 197°T. Just minutes after we had obtained these data, the ship turned to 253°T and accelerated to 14 knots. One would almost think that we had been spotted but at night with a light mist that would have been impossible at 40000 yards. We went to flank speed to get into position.

For some inexplicable reason, the ship slowed to 11 knots, which made our task much easier. Thanks to the radar and frequent updates to the TDC we had a good solution. We were at 3000 yards and still at an oblique angle but were confident enough to attack from that position. We fired the remaining Mark 14’s in a pattern designed to “walk” from the bow to the stern. All four torpedoes were running hot, straight, and normal.

The torpedoes hit as planned: the first struck the bow, the second just in front of the stack and broke her in half.

The other two Mark 14’s struck a corpse.

We radioed ComSubPac and were ordered back to base.

13 SEP – 21 SEP
Returned to base. Only incident in transit: had to dive to avoid aircraft at 2314 on 14 September.

Docked 21 September at 1712.

(C) Fuel Consumed
56% - Saipan is much closer to the action.

(D) Weather
See information on storm, above.

(E) Torpedoes Expended
22 (14 Mark 18, 8 Mark 14) – 10 merchant ships, estimated tonnage 52, 997.

(F) References
See Patrol 4 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2018912&postcount=484)
See Patrol 6 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2030360&postcount=487)

[paulhager]

U.S.S PICUDA (SS 382)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL November 07, 1944

From: The Commanding Officer
To: Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet

Subject: U.S.S. PICUDA (SS 382), Report of War Patrol #6.

Enclosures: pictures and charts, covering sixth war patrol.

Bernard H. Schwartz

(A) Prologue

Several promotions and transfers among the crew. No new equipment/weapon systems installed. Gaskets on all outer torpedo doors replaced. Old motor on the SJ radar antenna was replaced. Offered the opportunity to test the Mark 27 “Cutie” torpedo. Seemed too small (too “cute”), both in terms of size and warhead charge, to be of any real utility. Chose not to accept the offer.

Received classified briefing and sealed orders to be locked in the Captain’s safe. We were to leave Saipan, head North of the island and then proceed at 12 knots on course 280. On D+1 we were to open the sealed orders.

Torpedo loadout: 8 Mark 18 – stern; 8 Mark 14, 8 Mark 18 – bow.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all times below are GMT.)

(B) Narrative

01 OCT
Left Saipan at 1400, 1 October.

02 OCT
The sealed orders were opened.

“SS-382 is to proceed at 12 knots to Op Area ‘Maru Morgue’ and patrol within a 50 nm radius of point ABLAZE (refer to chart). Duration of the patrol is to be no less than 120 hours. You are to report any contact with IJN Fleet units and engage at your discretion. If no contact, proceed to Sibuyan Sea at best speed to arrive no later than 22 October 0800 GMT. Under no circumstances are Japanese merchant ships to be attacked as they might betray your position. If no enemy contact has been made by 26 October 0100 GMT, report to ComSubPac for further orders.”

03 OCT – 06 OCT
In transit to PZ. Arrive late on 6 October.

07 OCT – 09 OCT
Patrolling

11 OCT
Weather: clear, brisk winds, some chop.

At 0550 detected large task force moving fast: Speed 16 KTS, Course 30°T – range 37500 yards. There appeared to be 5 columns with a circular array of escorts surrounding them. Position was favorable for an attack on the center column – with the sea state, hiding under a thermal until the screen passed and then rising to periscope depth for a quick attack seemed the best plan.

While racing to get into position the radar detector sounded. We gave it a few minutes and then dived the boat. We found a thermal at 200, continued to 210 and went silent.

We waited for the escorts to pass overhead but instead, passive sonar indicated that the task force was turning away. We’d have to surface and go after it. We went to periscope depth to ascertain the new course. Upon raising scope, the first ship to appear was an Atlanta Class CL at 3000 yards – it was Halsey and the carriers! What were they doing up here?

We surfaced and saw one of the new Iowa BB’s at 5000 yards.


The TF completed its turn and headed off to the SE.

It was frightening to contemplate what might have happened had there been heavy rain and fog. We would almost certainly have tried to attack by a combination of radar and sonar. As the Japanese Empire shrinks and the Pacific becomes an American lake, the likelihood of meeting friendlies increases. It means we can no longer assume that ships encountered in Japanese territory are hostile.

Completed the 120 hours and set course for the Sibuyan Sea by way of the Luzon Strait, speed 12 knots.

12 OCT
At 1905 detected TF, range 33000 yards: Position 22° 28’ N 122° 56’ E; Speed 16 KTS; Course 135°T. TF had three columns in the center of a circular arrangement of escorts. The TF was not spread out so an attack from outside the screen, if conducted with Mark 14’s, was feasible. Seas were moderate, with a light mist. A waning crescent Moon had just risen. Decent conditions for a surface attack.

At 1924, a second TF SW of the 1st appeared. Meanwhile, our target TF seemed to be in the midst of a major reshuffling. One ship didn’t seem to be participating, so we began tracking it.

At 1938 the radar warning sounded – we were being painted. We went to decks awash to reduce our cross section. Fortunately, we were very close to our attack position.

The closest escort would pass within 2000 yards. We planned on firing before then, which would give us time to dive for a thermal – escaping on the surface seemed decidedly problematic. The main target came into visual range – we had a good solution. We prepared to fire 3 Mark 14’s when we finally got a good look at the target silhouette.

It was an Iowa Class BB! Again! We were a half minute away from hitting her with three torpedoes.

We sent a blinker message to the near DD – must have given her captain a fright. After an exchange of recognition signals, we surfaced and returned to our course.

12 OCT – 16 OCT
In transit to Sibuyan Sea.

On the 13th clouds rolled in and the sky darkened but the storm passed us by.

Arrived entrance of Sibuyan Sea on the 16th.


17 OCT – 22 OCT
Patrolling.

23 OCT
Received Flash message that large enemy TF spotted and engaged in Palawan passage by Dace and Darter. Based upon this report, the TF could be headed in our direction. We terminated the patrol and raced at flank speed to an optimal ambush point: the Western entrance to the Tablas Strait.

At 2130, a large force was detected North of Semirara Island and SW of Liwagao Island: Position 12° 09’ N 121° 18’ E; Speed 22 KTS, Course 95°T. The TF was arranged in 2 columns and surrounded by escorts. As the TF passed Semirara, it began to turn for its run through the strait, coming to course 53°T.

We had good position so only a slight adjustment was needed. At the current speed of the TF, we should engage just after sunrise.

The TF zigged: Speed 22 KTS, Course 35°T. We adjusted again, setting up for a bow shot. As we did so the radar warning sounded. We went to decks awash.

Attack #1
As the TF passed through the narrow passage between the two islands, several escorts on the starboard side fell back. This was ideal because we were now set up 1400 yards to the starboard off the track of said column. All that was required was to avoid a couple of escorts and then we should be able to set up the attack unmolested. Accordingly, we dived the boat, hoping for a shallow thermal. We found it at 165 feet.

The hydrophone operator tracked the flank escort – the one that would pass close behind us. When he lost it, we began a slow rise – we crossed the thermal just as the escort reappeared from our baffles. At 80 feet we opened tube doors 1 through 6.

Weather was clear but there was heavy wave action – when we popped the scope only an intermittent view was possible. However, a quick scan of the near column showed several CAs, followed by a Kongo BB. Bringing up the rear was a big boy – a very big boy: a Yamato Class BB. In fact both Yamatos were present in the TF – the sister ship was bringing up the rear in the port column.

The Yamato (or Musashi – they look identical) would be our target. Tubes 4 through 6 were loaded with Mark 18’s. They were set for magnetic, depth 37. The three Mark 14’s in tubes 1 through 3 were set for 30 feet, impact, and high speed. The 3 Mark 18’s would be fired first, then the 14’s. Six torpedoes probably wouldn’t be enough for a big boy like this so we also readied the 4 stern tubes – depth 30 – and opened the outer doors. Thanks to our PK, we could fire the two salvos from the bow while executing a hard turn to port. This would bring our stern tubes to bear just in time – we hoped – to fire them at the target as well.

After our final update to the TDC, we commenced the hard turn. The 3 Mark 18’s were fired a few seconds later with a fairly wide pattern: midships, bow, then stern. The Mark 14’s are nearly 60% faster so we delayed firing them accordingly. All torpedoes away, we continued the turn. Then the Mark 18’s hit – one, two, three – with the 14’s right behind.

http://imageshack.us/a/img408/9849/194410232235z.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img109/1456/194410232236z0.jpg

Six hits! But we weren’t done. The OOD was on the observation scope – two DD’s were approaching. Meanwhile, our target was making a port turn and slowing, there were only a few seconds to set up the shot. Guesstimated the speed as 11 knots and the course as 40°T, then fired a very wide spread from the stern tubes. There was no time to watch the attack play out – we crash dived, releasing decoys at 100 feet.

Torpedo 1 missed. Torpedo 2 hit, as did number 3. Number 4 was a miss. We crossed the thermal and went to silent running, allowing momentum to carry us deeper. We leveled off at 420 feet. There were no depth charges. Even the decoy didn’t seem to generate any interest.

We continued the port turn in a leisurely fashion. The hydrophone operator reported on the fast screws of the escorts milling around above us. He proffered another report: a warship some distance off was emitting a strange rattling noise that sounded like a propeller shaft out of balance. Our target?

The escorts seemed to tire of the search and hightailed it off toward the TF. Normally, the enemy leaves one or two escorts to conduct sprint drift searches close to the suspected location of a sub but the hydrophone operator said that he could account for all of the escorts and they had all left. He also said the target emitting the rattling noise was still out there, moving slow.




We gave it a half hour and went to periscope depth – making several quick 360’s. Nothing. Next, radar depth. The nearest targets were bearing 300, long range. At 2312 we surfaced and began torpedo reload. The radar showed a large pip at 13400 and a smaller one at 14000. The large one was traveling at 9 knots, 35°T – the smaller one appeared to be accelerating away, leaving the slower one to itself. Curious.

We continued to track the near target. It had slowed to 6 knots by 2337. By 2345 it was moving at 4 knots, 0°T.

24 OCT
Attack #1 (continued)
At 0003, the “Big Boy” – as the crew called the battleship – was scanning us with his targeting radars. We hoped we were too small a target for the big guns.

We closed to visual range as we passed – the pagoda tower visible through the haze. The guns didn’t fire but BB juked away from us. We continued running due North.

Assuming that BB was trying to keep up with the TF, when we reached a position between it and the last known position of the TF – which had now disappeared from our screen – we submerged and doubled back.

By 0107 we were getting in position for a bow shot.




As BB closed, it suddenly made a starboard course change. It was easier to just target it with the stern tubes – all four. Final range was 600 yards when we fired. The first torpedo struck under number 2 turret.




Three more slammed into BB but it seemed to shake them off. Unbelievable! We began a starboard turn to bring the bow tubes to bear when a large fireball erupted from the number 3 turret, followed almost immediately by an audible boom. It had to be the magazine exploding.




More explosions rocked BB – in less than a minute, it was settling into the deep water of the Tablas Strait.

During the terminal phase of the attack, the SD had picked up an aircraft at long range but then it had disappeared. Since all was clear we surfaced. In a matter of seconds, bombs were bursting around us – we crash dived. The wave action must have interfered with the antenna – that’s the only explanation for how the aircraft was able to get so close. Once inside (CLASSIFIED) range, the SD can no longer detect aircraft above (CLASSIFIED) altitude. If the SD antenna was inoperative for a few sweeps that could explain what happened.

We remained submerged for a half hour and then returned to periscope depth. The SD was functioning properly because it detected the same, or another, aircraft patrolling. We followed it for another 15 minutes until it disappeared to the NW. We surfaced and headed North at 3 engine speed, while radioing ComSubPac with our report. We were given a new PZ in the Formosa Strait.

Attack #2
Just before sunset, we sailed North of Verde Island and into the Western passage. Radar began picking up two ships approaching. Presently, one of them began scanning us with radar so we submerged. As the Sun set, a ***a CL and escort hove into view.




It was a worthy target, to which we allocated 3 of our remaining 10 torpedoes: the Mark 14’s in tubes 1 through 3. All 3 hit.




Unlike the escorts for the TF, which left the BB to its fate, this escort hung around and listened. We had to crawl away on our electrics. Fortunately, the escort did not have radar so we were able to surface in due course and escape under cloak of darkness.

Attack #3
At 2000, a single appeared. After more than 3 weeks with no action the past 24 hours had seen a lot.

Our target proved to be a merchant – we targeted it with the two remaining Mark 14’s.




We resumed course for our PZ – now down to 5 torpedoes.

25 OCT
Traveling to PZ.

26 OCT
Reached patrol zone.

Attack #4
Just before sunrise, a single was detected. As the Sun rose, we attacked it with 2 torpedoes, both of which hit.




We had expended 21 torpedoes and sunk 2 cargo ships and two warships for an estimated 77,375 tons!

27 OCT
Attack #5
The night of the 27th, visibility was marginal when radar spotted a convoy headed South toward our position: Speed 8 KTS, Course 196°T. It was composed of 12 merchants in 3 columns with 3 escorts. With only 3 torpedoes left, we’d go for the biggest target.

We obtained a good radar solution on the lead ship in the center column. As we closed in, the radar detector sounded, so we made the final approach decks awash, getting into position 2400 yards off the center column. As the convoy approached we went to radar depth and continued tracking.

When the lead escort passed, we got a reasonably good visual on that lead center ship – it was a Ryuun Maru. We allocated all our remaining torpedoes. We fired and turned away. All torpedoes missed. Not sure how we could have missed at that range. Possibly the last stadimeter check was on an adjoining ship – it was dark enough for that to have happened.

Even though we were out of torpedoes, we still had three more days to patrol. Only then could we go home.

28 OCT
Patrolling.

29 OCT
Attack #6
Though bereft of torpedoes, when a solitary merchant came within radar range, we chose to engage it with the 5”. We submerged to allow it to come within range and then surfaced. From ordering surface until the first shot was fired took 2 minutes and it was a hit! Range was 5200 yards – it was an incredible shot. Many of the subsequent shots were misses but the gunners got a creditable number of hits when we were within 4000 yards. On the down side it took about half our ammo to get the kill. The up side – the merchant was never able to fire a single round in our direction.



Attack #7
This would prove to be our last attack of the patrol. Unlike the previous attack, this one took place at night so we were able to approach on the surface. We got closer before we opened fire – around 4000 yards. Even though it was night, with lower visibility, the hit percentage was higher, possibly because the early hits started a fire among containers stacked on the foredeck. As we closed in to 3200 yards, the target began returning fire from guns mounted fore and aft. We threw it into reverse – all back full – and continued firing. A shell splashed no more than 20’ in front of the boat! Eventually, the rate of fire from the target fell off. When the ship began launching life boats we ceased fire. A final explosion wracked the vessel. She broke in two and sank.



30 OCT – 5 NOV
We notified ComSubPac when we reached the end of our time on station and were ordered to return to a new base at Guam.

The trip home was uneventful – arrived at Guam 5 November.

(C) Fuel Consumed
77%.

(D) Weather
Normal for the area(s).

(E) Torpedoes Expended
24 (16 Mark 18, 8 Mark 14) – 6 ships (4 cargo, 2 warships), estimated tonnage 87,599.

(F) References
See Patrol 5 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2019134&postcount=486)
See Patrol 7 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2030362&postcount=488)

[paulhager]

U.S.S PICUDA (SS 382)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

CONFIDENTIAL Month dd, 194_

From: The Commanding Officer
To: Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet

Subject: U.S.S. PICUDA (SS 382), Report of War Patrol #7.

Enclosures: pictures and charts, covering seventh war patrol.

Bernard H. Schwartz

(A) Prologue

The “Pike” was offered the opportunity to try out another experimental torpedo, the Mark 16. Unlike the diminutive “Cutie”, this one is standard size and has large warhead. In fact, at 943 pounds, it is the largest in the U.S. inventory. The Mark 16 doesn’t home like the “Cutie” but it runs at 46 knots for an amazing 13700 yards! In view of our sinking the Musashi (intelligence verified the identity of our target), we’ve been offered 12 of these super torpedoes. In return, all we have to do is provide a detailed report of each torpedo’s performance (see Attachment A). Naturally, we accepted the offer.

Torpedo loadout: 8 Mark 18 – stern; 4 Mark 18, 12 Mark 16 – bow.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all times below are GMT.)

(B) Narrative

23 NOV – 29 NOV
Left Guam at 1700, 23 November. Reached patrol zone 29 November. Everything routine in transit.

30 NOV
Received report of ship just outside the PZ, headed ENE at medium speed. We altered our search pattern to account for its possible movements. We were lucky to catch in our one of our sweeps because it had changed course: Speed 10 KTS, Course 01°T. Seas were moderate, light haze – we would make a submerged attack and try out one of the Mark 16’s.

Attack#1.
The ship was obvious bound for the Bungo so it was unlikely to make any major course change. We obtained a good radar solution. When the ship came into visual range we went to radar depth, now using the radar to supplement our periscope observations.

The ship was a Ryuun Maru – we set the Mark 16 for magnetic and depth for 1½ feet below the keel and opened the outer door.

We went to p-depth and let the PK run for awhile before raising the scope. We were on the money. We downed scope. When the PK indicated that the target was bearing 335, we popped the scope for the terminal reading. Everything looked good – we fired and downed scope. Five seconds before the torpedo was to hit, we raised the scope again. It detonated just behind the stack.

(http://img169.imageshack.us/i/194411300504z.jpg/)


Not a perfect shot but it should have been good enough. However, the Maru wasn’t dead, it turned to port and began to withdraw. We allowed it to open the range to 2200 and then battle surfaced. We got off the first 3 shots from the 5” before the Maru could respond.

(http://img94.imageshack.us/i/194411300511z.jpg/)


By the time the Maru was able to fire, it was uncoordinated and ineffective. A few more 5” hits and she was done.

The first test of the Mark 16 revealed nothing special. The large warhead should have been enough to deliver the quietus to the Maru but it didn’t. Perhaps the magnetic exploder didn’t detonate in the optimal position. Maybe a depth problem. With 11 remaining, there will be enough for several more tests.

01 DEC
Attack #2
Minutes after the clock reached 0000, our second target appeared. Initially its speed was 7 knots, course 249°T. However, about the time we got into position it changed course to 270°T and accelerated to 8 knots.

The ship turned out to be a Haruna Maru – a small tanker. It wasn’t work a Mark 16, so we readied the Mark 18 in tube one. The attack was nothing special and the one torpedo sufficed.

(http://img25.imageshack.us/i/194412010157z.jpg/)


Sent a message notifying ComSubPac of our kill. About 45 minutes later, two aircraft were spotted at long range. Both appeared to converging directly on our position. The Japanese must have DF’ed our position somehow – perhaps patrolling subs. There was nothing for it but to dive. We remained submerged until nightfall, then we sent another message to ComSubPac requesting an update to our orders. We were given a new PZ in proximity to Iwo Jima.

02 DEC – 04 DEC
In transit to patrol zone.

05 DEC – 09 DEC
Patrolling, in the course of which, we moved farther West.

10 DEC
Attack #3
At 0021, began tracking ship: Speed 9 KTS, Course 69°T. At 0109, changed course to 76°T. Turned out to be another Haruna Maru. Once again, we chose not to waste a Mark 16 on it and went with a Mark 18. One hit, one kill.

(http://img87.imageshack.us/i/194412100207z.jpg/)

11 DEC – 12 DEC
Patrolling.

13 DEC
Attack #4
Yet another small merchant came our way. Perhaps solid evidence that Japan is on the ropes: we’ve sunk the large ships in such numbers that only pitifully small ones remain. For this attack we used a Mark 18 from the stern.

(http://img268.imageshack.us/i/194412130132z.jpg/)


We reported in to ComSubPac late in the day so that if we were DF’ed it would be dark by the time planes had been vectored to our location. We were given a new patrol zone in the NE end of the Tsushima Strait.

14 DEC
Attack #5
Convoy detected at 2225, 10 knots, 185°T. Seven ships, 2 escorts. It was only a few minutes before dawn. We decided to use the Mark 18’s in the stern and set up 2400 yards off the track.

As the convoy came into visual range, we selected the lead two ships in the near column: a Momoyama Maru and an Akita Maru. They would be attacked in reverse order the number 2 Akita first, followed by the Momoyama.

The attack couldn’t have gone better. Each target was hit twice.

(http://img834.imageshack.us/i/194412142331z.jpg/)

(http://img255.imageshack.us/i/194412142332z.jpg/)


Although we didn’t get visual confirmation, we could hear the ships breaking up as we dove for 400 feet.

Both escorts began to search for us – somehow, despite our wakeless torpedoes they began depth charging only 500 yards away. Then the hydrophone operator alerted us that one of the escorts was approaching fast. That bit of information we didn’t need because the whole crew could hear the pinging. Just when the escort passed overhead, we executed a hard port turn and released decoys. We dove the boat to 545 and resumed silent running. This seemed to confuse the escorts which blasted away at the decoy.



(http://img169.imageshack.us/i/194412142351z.jpg/)


Unfortunately the decoy kept them occupied only a few minutes because one of the escorts made another pass. We repeated our previous maneuver except we turned hard astarboard. Again the the destroyers went after the decoy. This time, instead of trying to maneuver away, we settled on the bottom at 667 feet. It is unlikely that the Japanese sonar can pick us up.

. . .

Thirty minutes have elapsed since a near miss damaged our pumps, 2 electric motors, and caused flooding. If we don’t surface soon, we won’t be able to. One of the escorts is still up there – thankfully, the other returned to the convoy. I plan on trying to ambush him and hit him with a full spread of Mark 16’s. God be with us.




(C) Fuel Consumed
TBD%.

(D) Weather
Normal for the area(s).

(E) Torpedoes Expended
xx (xx Mark 18, xx Mark 16) – x ships, estimated tonnage xx,xxx.

(F) References
See Patrol 6 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2030360&postcount=487)
See Patrol 1 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=201862)


NOTE FROM USN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
We know from contemporaneous Japanese action reports that an American submarine was rammed on the surface and sunk and that all hands perished. Thanks to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Department of Marine Archeology and their dives in the Tsushima Strait we have been able to confirm that the sub was the Picuda, which was officially reported missing and presumed lost on 14 December 1945. The Picuda was found in 667 feet of water and this unfinished report was retrieved from the Captain’s safe.

Along with the reports filed by Commander Schwartz, this narrative reveals for the first time that Schwartz, whose exploits up to and including this attack had been nothing less than stellar, made a fatal error in judgment by ceasing evasive maneuvers and, instead, laying on the bottom. Forensic analysis validated Schwartz’s statement that a near miss caused damage and flooding that could not be controlled at that depth.

All 6 torpedoes were still in the bow tubes when the submarine was found. Schwartz never got off his last ditch attack.

[Armistead]

Well Paul, was God with you or not?

[JagdPanzer44]

Recently came back to SHIV after a long layoff. Love it. Using RFB+RSRD.

Leaving Manila with a new paint job... (If pix don't show, blame postimage :))

http://s19.postimg.org/xf6cwfkur/sargo1.jpg

http://s19.postimg.org/gsosncrwz/sargo2.jpg

http://s19.postimg.org/8pqmc17bn/sargo4.jpg

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-25_161746_625_zps59f507ce.png

[JagdPanzer44]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2012-07-25_161746_625_zps59f507ce.png

That's just an awesome shot. Dig that dazzle pattern! :rock:

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

http://imageshack.us/a/img407/8603/sh420130328104039761.jpg

[JagdPanzer44]

http://s19.postimg.org/onv77st3n/sun_one.jpg

http://s19.postimg.org/4uj3f3fpv/sun_two.jpg

http://s19.postimg.org/5lbtkvi37/sun_three.jpg

[in_vino_vomitus]

I've actually been playing Silent Hunter for quite a while. I started off with SH1 last century, stopped playing, discovered SH4 in the bargain bin of my local games store, liked that well enough, and then, I can't remember how, found the forums, and in them, TMO.......

Ducimus talks about wanting to make the game more immersive. I don't think he needs me to say that he succeeded. When my computer got virused and it's replacement got water damaged, and it's replacement, wouldn't run the modded game - Well, the stock game just didn't cut it any more, in much the same way that a double espresso won't really do it for a crack head.

So. I stopped playing for a couple of years. Then I searched the forums for a way to make the game work with windows 8 - I saw nothing, which made me think I was just installing it wrong. I tried harder, it worked and now I'm just as hooked as before, only I'm rustier than Jimmy Hoffa's pushbike. On the plus side, I'm getting lots of practice evading DD's and by elimination working out all the stupid mistakes that I didn't used to make so much.

Anyway, the forum says I should make a post, and I can see that's a good idea, so here I am. Without wishing to sound too much like a beauty queen I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who's spent time writing mods, tutorials and utilities and increased the fun factor on this game exponentially.

Finally, since this is a screenshot thread - Here's a pic of the DD that managed to set off one of my torpedoes, causing it's target to successfully evade the rest, and went on to teach me a valuable lesson in humility with a couple of its friends.......

[Armistead]

Glad to have you onboard, start your own thread and introduce yourself..

[Fifi]

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/675362SH4Img20130403184204736.jpg

[Cpt Aurora]

Dammit, im realy waiting for a sale on this game..

(Sorry for being off-topic, admiring the screens:up:!)

[R3dakted]

The craziest thing to happen to me so far in SH4 has to be my first encounter with a Yamato-class BB.

I received a Flash message during the ingress to my official patrol area that said that a Jap TF was enroute from Truk to Home Waters. Since I was within range of the projected track of the TF, I throttled up and moseyed over to patrol the area the TF was likely to transit on the final leg of its journey to the Mainland.

After patrolling for about 24hrs my radar op spotted a blip on his scope that was further offshore from my patrol area, but roughly on track for the heading I was expecting the TF to steam in from.

I turned to face the new contact, doing a gentle 10kts and letting them continue to head toward me. Lo and behold, a little while later the radar screen suddenly had around ten more contacts, and they were tracking in my direction at a steady rate. I tracked them on the scope for a while, enough to get a rough idea of their speed, which i tagged as being somewhere around 17kts. As the weather was a little too calm for my liking I elected to submerge and wait for them to come into visual range - and I did NOT want to be spotted prematurely by patrolling aircraft. In the meantime, my hydrophone operators kept me informed of the rough track of the contacts - and they were still heading straight towards me. All the better for my batteries. I kept an ear on the hydrophones and waited, in the meantime calculating approximately when the contacts would be in visual range.

At the allotted time I slid up to periscope depth, raised the Attack scope and nearly choked - where there had been fine weather, there was now a bleeding great thunderstorm and visibility was close to zero. More than a little annoyed I surfaced the boat and flicked the radars on. The TF was still on its expected track and I decided that I was going to take a shot at it, thunderstorm or not. To that end I chose to approach them from their starboard beam as it seemed to me that there were only one or two escorts on that side of the TF.

I set the solution up to 340 degrees, 17kts, AoB at 70 degrees starboard. There would be no TDC tracking for this shot. I took position at 80ft and waited, and went to Silent Running.

After what seemed like forever I had at least two strong contacts coming up to 340 degrees on the hydrophone. I fired a full spread of torps with around ten seconds between them. I ducked down to 150ft and turned parallel to the line of advance of the TF, as there were contacts coming up fast on my port beam and I really didn't feel like getting rammed by them.

Three hits!

I turned and came up to 80ft depth and shot the rear tubes with a wide spread in the general direction of the other passing ships, hoping to score a lucky hit or two. Sadly, no torps connected this time around. We heard pinging, but no depth charge drops.

Ducking down to 200ft we set about reloading the tubes, which attracted some attention. Still, no depth charges in the water, just more pinging. After the tubes were finally reloaded we slid up to periscope depth for a quick look around - and saw that the weather and visibility were still terrible. There were no hydrophone contacts nearby that we knew of. Surfacing, the radar guy told me that the TF was hightailing it out of the area towards the general direction of Tokyo.. but that there was also a single contact about 6000 yds away, back near where I'd fired the first shots. The contact was stationary. I figured it was most likely a DD, but decided to go back and investigate anyway. So back we went, ducking under the thermal layer so that we could risk Ahead 2/3rds.

A bit later on we risked coming up to Radar depth for a quick sweep and found that the contact was still roughly in the same place. We stalked in for a closer look, keeping the scope up. At a range of around 1000 yards I decided to take a shot. Hit! No kill though, and the shape we saw looming out of the fog when the torp exploded was far too tall for a DD. So I fired the rest of the tubes toward the glow of flames. Hits! But STILL the target was refusing to die.

So we kept shooting at it, setting torps for around 20ft depth.

After around the tenth torpedo hit, the beast was revealed by a series of almighty explosions. Yamato! It must have had its engines stopped by our initial attack. After eating (probably) its thirteenth torpedo, it had finally decided to die, victim of the Ghost of the Storm.

[Father Goose]

R3dakted, one of the best first posts I've ever read! :yeah:
Welcome to SubSim. :subsim:

[R3dakted]

Thanks, Father Goose! :)

Admittedly, I've been lurking around here for a while .. had to surface eventually though, was in need of new supplies / Mods ;)

:salute: :subsim:

[Father Goose]

With your excellent writing ability I hope you share other "war stories" with us if you have the time.
Down the road, your own campaign thread would be awesome! :yeah:

Happy hunting! :lurk:

[magic452]

Welcome to the boat mate. :salute:
I agree excellent first post, keep up the good work. :up::up:

Magic

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim R3dakted...great first post http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[R3dakted]

Cheers for the great welcome, guys! :ahoy:

:subsim:

[in_vino_vomitus]

When we got our orders to sail into Taipei harbour and take some pictures I asked around. The consensus seemed to be that the best bet would be to stay at home, throw a huge party and try to drink ourselves to death. The Navy would be minus a crew, but would at least get to keep the boat. A net gain on the probable result of an attempt at harbour infiltration. The trouble with orders is all in the name. Requests can be denied, suggestions can be dismissed, but orders are, in the end, orders. So that was that.

Approaching the harbour via the deep water channel in the small hours revealed a Subchaser and a DD on picket duty. With impeccable timing and some luck, we might have slipped between them, but my timing is generally held to be pretty poor, and luck is a thing that, if not for the bad kind, I'd have none of at all. In any case, dawn was going to break while we were in there, and there was no way I was doing this in daylight, so we withdrew a few miles offshore to think.

The obvious thing to do seemed to be to go around, and this we did, at dusk that evening, heading into shallow water to the west of the harbour and running in at about 7 knots with decks awash, cutting speed to 4 knots as we passed what I thought would be the Subchaser's closest point of approach. As the lighthouse hove into view we went to radar depth, and then, once we'd charted the positions of the two groups at anchor, we went to PD and went silent.

To my surprise, this tactic seemed to be working. I'd got off a couple of photos and was on my way to look at the TF at anchor, when my sonarman reported a warship at medium speed closing. Had he detected us? [How??] was it his normal patrol track? Was it the evil machinations of a certain Captain Scurvy? I'd heard he'd given some kind of intelligence boosting formula to Japanese DD captains, this seemed more like a superpower......

Right then, the situation looked decidedly sub-optimal. We were in shallow water, in a harbour, with a destroyer approaching our beam, between us and the open water. Our only hope of survival seemed to be him not spotting us. No sooner had I let that thought fly, than his active sonar started playing that delightful tune we all know and love.....

I went to flank speed, he passed close astern, dropped a pattern of depth charges, that we survived with minor damage, I swung hard to port, wanting more water under the keel and to be closer to open water. His second pass seemed to be taking longer to arrive than I'd thought. I popped up the periscope and saw him parallelling our course about 500 yards off our port beam. He seemed to have smoke and the glow of a fire at his stern. An own goal, from one of his depth charges?

It didn't take him too long to reacquire us, and I didn't hold out much hope of evading repeated attacks. After all, we could dodge him a thousand times. He only had to hit us once. As he steamed towards us, I wished I'd loaded some mark 10's into the stern tubes.......

Anyway, I figured since he knew where we were, and we'd be sunk soon enough, there was no point in saving ammo until we had a perfect solution. I set the stern torpedoes for minimum depth. Set the target speed for zero and the range to the maximum. The bearing wasn't changing much, and I thought that by hitting the send button on the ADT before each shot, I could fire a spread of torpedoes, one of which he might catch as he tried to evade the others. Provided none were duds or prematures or just ran deep, there was very definitely a slim chance of a hit.

No.7 was a premature detonation, two of the others just plain missed, but imagine my surprise when one of the four detonated under his stern. By the look of it, a near miss that the magnetic exploder had set off. I was less happy about the fact that he was still afloat and still pinging, but the fact is, that was the closest he came to us from that point on. He seemed to find the other side of the harbour far more interesting, so we left him checking out the Western approaches, while we slipped away to the Northeast.

And to add icing to the cake, while we were scurrying around after his first run, I managed to get the photos that we came for. Harbour infiltration? nothing to it. - Only joking... - my advice is to stay at home and have the party.......

[Jimbuna]

SINK EM ALL!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

[CaptainNemo]

http://www.aotd-flottille.de/Bilder/rsrdsub.jpg

[Father Goose]

CaptainNemo, that may be the most realistic picture I've ever seen from SH4. I'm still not sure it's not real! :)

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/carriersubawash-1.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2009-12-03_180701_296.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-01-06_042637_937-1.jpg

[R3dakted]

CaptainNemo, that may be the most realistic picture I've ever seen from SH4. I'm still not sure it's not real! :)

I second that :o
Very nice pic. :salute:

[fireftr18]

I second that :o
Very nice pic. :salute:

That is a nice pic. How about that last one from Armistead? That's beautiful. :salute:

[R3dakted]

That is a nice pic. How about that last one from Armistead? That's beautiful. :salute:
That Armistead guy .. ? He'd make a great Naval photographer .. !! :up: lol

[MGR1]

Two from the SOM Groups "Soviet Seaway" addon:

http://imageshack.us/a/img402/5579/swkatyusha00.jpg
Katyusha off the North Cape.

http://imageshack.us/a/img526/3964/swleninets00.jpg
A Leninets wallowing in rough seas - top heavy these minelayers:

"Comrade Commissar! Permission to be sick....!":Kaleun_Sick:

Mike.:)

[Redmane]

I took the boat out on patrol after spending some time with Rockin' Robbin's tutorials on the O'Kane solution.

USS Gudgeon (SS-211) January 23, '43. We had run far to the southeast from Honshu past Sofu Gan, and were in the Dunkers Derp area when I radioed in for new orders. We pulled patrol duty in an area we had just passed through, north of Iwo Jima in Corridor II. A few hours after turning the boat around we ran into bad weather, heavy rain and fog, high seas, the usual pea soup. Early the next morning I was up on the bridge when Sonar called contact on a warship moving fast, and approaching from our port stern quarter to the SSE. Then sonar called another, and another, and another. I ordered the boat to flank speed and turned to a heading of 285 true. A few minutes later I went below to the plotting table in the control room, because by then we had some twelve contacts, all warships, a definite enemy task force headed our way. According to our radar plot they were making about 20 knots. We still had 14 torpedos on the boat, and I would love to make a dent in the IJN's fleet register, but the weather was horrible. We had pulled off two blind attacks before in similar conditions using a radar/sonar combination for the solution, but those were slow moving merchants. What to do? And then I thought "O'Kane!" We had already used the solution with great success while we were patrolling off Honshu a couple of weeks ago, if anything had a good chance of hitting in weather like this, O'Kane just might be the ticket. We had the TF's course and speed from our target plot, it only remained to see if we could get in close enough and use the sonar bearing calls to help us time a target at the firing line. I set up the shot, and we closed the range.

As we approached the TF's course line the XO notified me that radar showed the closest escorts to us had picked up a contact on us and were headed our way. And of course they had radioed this to the TF commander, because the entire outfit had slowed down and started jinking. We ran another calculation of the TF's speed and came up with 12 knots. I wasn't ready to give up just yet. We were close enough now to make our last turn, so I ordered "New Course 251." The escorts wouldn't have any better luck seeing us than we would seeing them, lets find out what happens. Our sensors showed them closing on us from several bearings along the port side, and soon I knew we had a good chance. They couldn't see us, but we could see the flashing of their Aldis lamps through the murk as they approached. Buy now we were nearly there, so I ordered 2/3's ahead, then 1/3, then all stop. The entire task force was flashing at us, if we could stay out of trouble long enough things might pay off. The nearest escort was inside 1500 yards now, still blind to us, but still coming. A short while later we heard the first pings of active sonar. Time for a little more security, I thought, and ordered the boat to radar depth. A quick look at the plot showed we would have a target at the firing line in mere moments. I raised the scope just enough to clear the housing and saw the rust streaked side of a jap destroyer filling my view. "Dive the boat! Back Emergency" I hollered. I'm not sure how close it was, but we escaped with no damage whatsoever, and I still wasn't giving up on that TF. "Ahead 2/3's, periscope depth!" We hadn't gotten too deep, and the rough sea had saved us so far from an almost certain depth charging. We got the boat up a little higher, 57 feet and I could see through the rain and fog once again the Aldis lamps of the TF. Six tube doors were already opened and all the Mrk 14's in them were set to high speed. With the aid of those flashing lamps I watched the hazy silouette of a ship pass the firing line: "Fire 1... Fire 2!" A few moments later we heard the impacts and then a tremendous roar as the ship we had hit exploded. Another Aldis lamp, another ship's outline: "Fire 3... Fire 4!" Moments after that, my heart almost stopped. "Torpedo is a dud, sir!" but then "Torpedo impact!" and again the roar of an exploding warship reached us.

I thought about another shot, but decided against it. We had 2 fish left loaded up front and two of the tubes we'd just emptied would stay that way until we rearmed the boat. We still had 4 loaded aft, and two reserves, so we would be in good shape for the patrol we still had to do. "New Depth 400', Rig for Silent Running," I called, and we motored quietly away to the SSE. I can plainly state that at the time I had no idea what type of ships we sank, but when I checked my log I found an entry there for 1 Takao and 1 Maya class heavy cruiser.

O'Kane Rocks!:rock:

[theelite1500]

Early 1942, near Kobe Harbor...

We entered the inlet. All was going well until we ran into a patrol. We sat on the bottom of the bay with a destroyer and a gunboat right on top of us, slowly inching forward as to not be detected again. Minor damage sustained.

1:00 AM, Kobe Harbor...

We escaped the patrol without any further mayhem. We did brief scouting of the area to find out what will soon be at the bottom of the harbor. 2 Fuso battleships and a cruiser would do (I forgot the class, as this was several months ago.) The 2 BBs were parallel to each other, about 1 NM apart. We positioned ourselves perpendicular to the ships, and fired all 4 aft tubes and 5 fore tubes. The 4 aft torps all exploded. One Fuso down. 4 fore torps hit, but one was a dud. The fifth one missed by a matter of feet, before smashing into a nearby destroyer. One destroyer down. I was preparing to finish off the second Fuso when, BOOM! The ship went up in a fireball. I moved in on the cruiser, then fired 2 fore torps. I think I hit it in the sweet spot. One cruiser down.

3:30 PM, Hiroshima Harbor...

We decided to take the long way out. In the harbor was a Fuso and a Hiryu. With only 6 torps left, I had to weigh my options heavily. I chose the Fuso, because I was pretty sure it had a higher tonnage. "Flood the tubes! Prepare to fire on the Fuso!" I was about to give the order to fire when I thought to think what would have a bigger effect on the war effort. I couldn't choose what would be better: to bask in the fame of having the most tonnage in the navy, or to change the war.It really was a hard choice. After much consideration, I made up my mind. I shifted the scope over to the carrier, and fired.

It wasn't so bad, after all. My commander was proud of my choice and gave me a shiny, new Gato!!!! :D

[Redmane]

June '43 took command of USS Balao (SS-285) at Perth-Fremantle and headed out on patrol. We had an agent to drop off near Singapore of all places. After we made our delivery, we spent a couple of tense days sneaking past Singapore through all the shallows there and made it to the South China Sea, then ran the Pallawan Passage over towards Manila Bay. Nothing much was moving except for the occasional search plane. We turned south, ran down the Mindoro Strait and we were about 30 miles off the southwestern tip of Panay when we made contact with an enemy TF speeding up behind us from the north. Their track lay just a couple miles off our starboard side, and after getting the boat turned toward it I began to look for what we might have coming. To my wondering eyes, 2 fleet carriers were lined up in the center column of the TF, making it the first carrier TF we had yet encountered since the start of the war. They were moving along at 21 knots and flanked by heavy and light cruisers. Once we had verified their speed we dropped the boat down to radar depth and closed up on the course track, setting up a 70' constant bearing attack angle. I was hoping we could bag both of them, the leader was a Hiryu class the second was Shokaku class. But no matter what, we were gonna get one of them. They were moving so fast I didn't even try for a divergent spread on the torpedos, just unloaded 3 at the Hiryu, then waited a bit for the Shokaku to reach the firing line and emptied the last 3 forward tubes on her. Just as I did so, the Hiryu must have spotted the inbound torpedo tracks, because the TF sirens started wailing. Too late so far as she was concerned, all three torpedos hit and detonated, and after a few moments, so did the Hiryu. I'd forseen the possibility of the alarm being sounded since the water was fairly calm, so before launching the last three topedos I'd reset the solution speed to 17 knots, but it wasn't quite enough. The Shokaku managed to get turned enough to dodge the topedos aimed at her, but we weren't too disappointed, because a Maya heavy cruiser was next in line beyond the carrier, took two of the torps, blew up and sank. We had finally meet our first carrier TF and cut it right in half, at least so far as it's carrier element went.

[Luno]

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae325/rboiko1/sh42013-05-1800-21-31-588_zps75bd2c1f.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/rboiko1/media/sh42013-05-1800-21-31-588_zps75bd2c1f.jpg.html)

[Redmane]

Bummer. :wah:

[Redmane]

Just managed to do something I've been trying to accomplish since learning about the constant bearing method of fire control for torpedos, widely known here at Subsim as the "O'kane Solution." This method allows a skipper to use the same solution for two different targets. A particular example would be the lead ships in different columns of a convoy. We were patroling in the Sulu Sea, and had entered the eastern approach of the Balabak Straits, planning to pass through and patrol the South China Sea. We were in the first area of shelving bottom, but still with about 380' of water under the keel when we made contact on a 5 freighter convoy also heading west into the strait. I was thinking of getting out ahead of them, tracking them 'til they got through, then attacking if an opportunity arose in deeper water. But when they zigged back our way the position this offered was too tempting, so we closed up on their track and got into place. I set up a 75' angle on their track, so the shot was set for an AOB of 65' with a 10' shoot line. A Biyo Maru was leading the far column, and a Hakusika Maru the near column of the convoy. All 6 forward tubes were open with torpedo speed set to high and depth to 10'. The Biyo came into view and I waited 'til the kingpost of her aft cargo mast was under the aim point before shooting the first fish, then lauched the next 2 using divergent point of aim, working forward to get a nice spread. She must have seen the incoming torpedo tracks shortly before the first impact, because while I was waiting on the Hakusika to get well into the aimpoint, sirens started to sound. Rather than wait and miss the chance I fired the next 3 tubes in quick succession, a plain old longitudinal spread at the big freighter. By this time the first slavo had gone in, all torps hitting at or near their aim-points on the Biyo. She was sinking after the second impact, so the 3rd hit was just overkill. A few seconds later all 3 of the second salvo impacted on the Hakusika. She took a few moments to start sinking, and by that time the escorts were closing, searching with active sonar. We crash dived for the bottom, pinging for depth as we went so as to avoid grounding the boat. Once below the thermal we dropped back to 1/3rd ahead and put some full rudder to it, getting a bit off the line we'd been on making all that noise during the dive, and started to level off at about 350' We took some pretty good close barrages, but only minor damage. One of the engine room bulkheads was sprung and minor flooding ensued, but it was quickly repaired and pumped dry. We did have to make a couple of short dashes at high speed to avoid some of the remaining attacks, but the surface was rough which made evasion much easier. The same barrage that sprang the bulkhead also damaged one of the 20MM AA-guns and injured some of the fellows in the engine room, as well as messing up the boat's paint job, but all that was taken care of later.

[joefremont]

October 44 off Luzon Island. I headed into this area after getting the radio message that an American task force was headed into the area and requesting available units to sweep the area. That evening I saw a large task force heading east and toward me on radar but the formation was in a line which I had only seen allied ships do so I stayed on the surface until I had eyes on one of the lead DD's, and it was a Fletcher class. Since it was friendly I stuck around to watch them pass before continuing north on my patrol.

The core of the task force was five North Carolina class BB's and a Tennessee class BB. Now I forgave them when on my last campaign I sank 5 Ise class battleships total when only two ever existed, but I never saw more than two in any one TF. But how can they put five North Carolina's in the same TF when there were only two built.

End of rant, Carry on.

PS: I am using an unmodified game.

[CaptainNemo]

http://www.aotd-flottille.de/Bilder/sideview.jpg

http://www.aotd-flottille.de/Bilder/rsrd.bmp

http://www.aotd-flottille.de/Bilder/loginscreen.bmp

[fireftr18]

Cool shots CaptainNemo. :salute: Especially the one with the sinking ship in the background.

[Luno]

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae325/rboiko1/sh42013-05-1723-44-51-202_zpsd2798ce3.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/rboiko1/media/sh42013-05-1723-44-51-202_zpsd2798ce3.jpg.html)

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae325/rboiko1/sh42013-05-1801-50-38-483_zpse8b5db19.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/rboiko1/media/sh42013-05-1801-50-38-483_zpse8b5db19.jpg.html)

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae325/rboiko1/sh42013-05-1723-46-36-030_zps1ff912fe.jpg (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/rboiko1/media/sh42013-05-1723-46-36-030_zps1ff912fe.jpg.html)

Great shots Nemo :salute:

[joefremont]

http://fsairlines.net/temp/SH4Img@2013-05-24_22.59.02_805.jpg

A sight to gladden a sub commanders heart!

Came up to periscope depth near a medium size task force and saw to my amazement, the first line of ships going away from was a Akitsu CVE and then two Shokaku CV's. I quickly opened all tubes then fired three MK14's at the far CV, waited 30 fired three Mk14's at the middle CV and then hard to starboard. The view to the CV's was blocked by the CVE but all six fish found there targets. By the time I was ready to unleash my rear torps they CV's had disappeared below the waves and a DD was pinging at me hard 1000 yard way closing fast. Fired one mk18 at the DD and the other 3 at the CVE. Dove down to 350ft heading away from the TF. Switched to the external camera to enjoy the show. All four fish hit there targets.

I just wish that as the CV's roll over those nicely lined up aircraft would slide off the deck.

[Luno]

Nice job :yeah:

[Bubblehead1980]

I was in convoy heaven, fought 3 large ones as they pass through the same area, just shooting at big ships.

This TYPEAB with his 6 Y guns was being a bug, so I timed him as he passed a large Pass. The torp set deep went right under him into the big boy. Look and you can see the escort already splitting from the explosion.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193202_406.jpg

Then he buckles...lol
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193224_234.jpg

And one heck of an explosion

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193342_312.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2010-04-24_193413_937.jpg

One torp, two kills....

Awesome, love when this happens, esp if it was not on purpose lol.

[flusi737]

I don't know whether this is the wrong thread for it....is there a modern subs pics thread? :):haha:

http://hostthenpost.org/uploads/81481c6ad61bcff18c2c00aec62ddb82.jpg (http://hostthenpost.org)

[theelite1500]

Uh, how do I upload images?

[fireftr18]

Uh, how do I upload images?
You need to use a hosting site such as photo bucket. It has an app with it to copy a url to post.

[theelite1500]

Thank You! I hope this works.

[theelite1500]

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/b489/theelite1500/8239e7b5-d490-4830-bf01-a087fd287d60_zps3703a414.jpg

SH4+PE+Slightly Subnuclear MK14+Me=:D

[Redmane]

I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong here. Is it required that all images be jpeg still? It seems fairly certain that many of these screens aren't resized. I suppose I may need to get a file converter if they must still be in jpeg format.

[joefremont]

July 45, USS Balao,
400 nm south of Tokyo bay, unmodified game.

I get radar contact for a small convoy of one merchant and three escorts heading straight for me. Thinking that it looks like one of a dozen passenger ships convoys I have seen I dive down to 350ft, all stop, silent running and wait for the first escort to pass over me. To my surprise the first escort starts depth charging me. Now this is the first time this campaign that an escort has even found me that deep.

First damage I get is to the deck guns and AA guns. I find it curious that the crewmen assigned to the guns are also injured, the only members of the crew injured at that point. I find it very interesting that the gunners are injured even though at a depth of 350 feet they are nowhere near there stations.

The DD crews are obviously very good as despite all my attempts to escape they sink me. Still debating if I should re-load my last saved game when I re-armed at Saipan or just call the campaign done and go on to something else.

I had been thinking of going off and doing a SH3 campaign before coming back to SH4 with GFO instead of the stock game.

[Bubblehead1980]

July 45, USS Balao,
400 nm south of Tokyo bay, unmodified game.

I get radar contact for a small convoy of one merchant and three escorts heading straight for me. Thinking that it looks like one of a dozen passenger ships convoys I have seen I dive down to 350ft, all stop, silent running and wait for the first escort to pass over me. To my surprise the first escort starts depth charging me. Now this is the first time this campaign that an escort has even found me that deep.

First damage I get is to the deck guns and AA guns. I find it curious that the crewmen assigned to the guns are also injured, the only members of the crew injured at that point. I find it very interesting that the gunners are injured even though at a depth of 350 feet they are nowhere near there stations.

The DD crews are obviously very good as despite all my attempts to escape they sink me. Still debating if I should re-load my last saved game when I re-armed at Saipan or just call the campaign done and go on to something else.

I had been thinking of going off and doing a SH3 campaign before coming back to SH4 with GFO instead of the stock game.

You have a taste of stock, now should go with mods and see what a world of difference. TMO with RSRD is a must, plus Traveller Mod for TMO, makes SH 4 what it should have been.Learning curve is there but it's worth it.

[alexnoble3d]

http://imageshack.us/a/img822/4584/sh4img20130601131754126.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/1048/sh4img20130601123209800.jpg

[Armistead]

Awesome, love when this happens, esp if it was not on purpose lol.

Ah,a doubter that it was a perfectly aimed timed shot....:O:
Actually, I try it all the time, but it's more luck than anything. One thing for sure, it blew the hell out of that escort:yeah:

[Armistead]

nice pics alex:yeah:

[Cybermat47]

http://imageshack.us/a/img407/8603/sh420130328104039761.jpg

Awesome, can't believe I missed that!

[Kptlt. Neuerburg]

Awesome, can't believe I missed that! Thanks!:Kaleun_Salute: Edit: 1,000th Post!

[Armistead]

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu235/Armistead1424/SH4Img2013-06-08_181440_562_zps15cb9d26.png

[fireftr18]

Nice! :salute:

[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.


http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/sh4_2013_06_12_02_44_45_978_zpsf54a5b9e.png (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/datsun260zyojimbo/media/sh4_2013_06_12_02_44_45_978_zpsf54a5b9e.png.html)

[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.

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/sh4_2013_06_12_23_25_44_881_zpsb2e25c49.png (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/datsun260zyojimbo/media/sh4_2013_06_12_23_25_44_881_zpsb2e25c49.png.html)

First torpedo impact
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/sh4_2013_06_12_23_26_01_096_zps367042e7.png (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/datsun260zyojimbo/media/sh4_2013_06_12_23_26_01_096_zps367042e7.png.html)


Second impact
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/sh4_2013_06_12_23_26_04_386_zps85a8eb48.png (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/datsun260zyojimbo/media/sh4_2013_06_12_23_26_04_386_zps85a8eb48.png.html)

[Stealhead]

Old passenger liner sunk in the Luzon Straight on August 29th 1942 by the USS Grayback SS208.
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/sh4_2013_06_16_19_26_30_728_zps3116d9ad.png (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/datsun260zyojimbo/media/sh4_2013_06_16_19_26_30_728_zps3116d9ad.png.html)



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....
http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q527/datsun260zyojimbo/sh4_2013_06_06_17_58_29_699_zps929280d9.png (http://s1162.photobucket.com/user/datsun260zyojimbo/media/sh4_2013_06_06_17_58_29_699_zps929280d9.png.html)

[Red October1984]

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.


http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/3c/64/33/exterior-of-bojangles.jpg

[Stealhead]

I dont see that vessel in the identification manual.:hmmm:

[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?:06:

Ta

Gryff:ping:

[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]

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.):03:

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]

http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/rr114/MudcatC7/SH4Img2013-06-22_210125_059_zps5a8fa8e9.png?t=1372119694

[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.

http://i.imgur.com/haQBaBx.png

[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...



http://i.imgur.com/h7mYGmO.png
http://i.imgur.com/AxCUX1E.png
http://i.imgur.com/Pxj8AMX.png
http://i.imgur.com/GCLmY07.png
http://i.imgur.com/lBZizq8.png
http://i.imgur.com/y8hR4r5.png
http://i.imgur.com/6IsGgYr.png
http://i.imgur.com/k2UAVbx.png
http://i.imgur.com/Cvoyrp9.png
http://i.imgur.com/r1xUMs9.png
http://i.imgur.com/crEGJkm.png
http://i.imgur.com/p8nLwvt.png
http://i.imgur.com/63dPM2P.png
http://i.imgur.com/Hj2QnMh.png
http://i.imgur.com/eidpKv5.png
http://i.imgur.com/IIVWU6m.png
http://i.imgur.com/fHobKEO.png
http://i.imgur.com/cSaEPvB.png
http://i.imgur.com/P2NMKV2.png

[Gryffon300]

Very much enjoying the story threads. I wouldn't mind contributing (I've just had a great first patrol ex Pearl, but I want to do it justice), so I need some technical advice or a referral to a good 'How to' thread, to find out:

- What are the best methods for capturing events (shots) - I see both screen shots and what look like event camera or free camera shots; and,

-what is the best method for capturing log data for ship ID, tonnage etc to provide accurate detail. (I've found and tried to install a report generator utility unsuccessfully - so I'm looking for a fix or an alternative.)

Thanks
Gryff

[in_vino_vomitus]

CTRL+F11 grabs a screenshot and the DEL key on the number pad removes the dials. The details of your kills ought to appear in the captains log automatically. I have to say I'm not sure how to post full-size pictures. Looking forward to a patrol report - you write pretty well :)

[Tonnagekoenig]

Hi all,

here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5g37KpjSk5w

is a little video i made as promotion for our Aces of the Deep-Mod "Fall of the rising sun!" and our upcoming online-campaign. Have fun watching. I hope you like it!

So long. :salute:

[Gryffon300]

CTRL+F11 grabs a screenshot and the DEL key on the number pad removes the dials. The details of your kills ought to appear in the captains log automatically. I have to say I'm not sure how to post full-size pictures. Looking forward to a patrol report - you write pretty well :)

Thanks for your kind words and information. I was wondering why the little 'Camera' button doesn't work in my set-up. So, I'll give your method a go, though, like you, I'd like a few more options/skills up my sleeve. I would have LOVED to have known what to do in my first cruise - there was one artistically beautiful explosion that I desperately wanted to be able to capture for memories and to share with you...

Anyway, I'll give it a go to explain a mission - see what you think.

Tight Hatches

Gryff

[in_vino_vomitus]

Looking forward to it :) - also worked out the full size pic thing - you need to upload the pic elsewhere and insert the link - it's the button between the speech bubble and the letter/envelope on the toolbar....

[Overkill]

:yeah: Awesome video, sir!

[Gryffon300]

07-12-1941
Well, my Darling, here is (hopefully) the first of several journals that I will keep for you and the boys to be passed on to you (again, hopefully in person!) after hostilities end. I want you all to understand some of the things that we go through, but especially to help the boys understand what it means to go to war, and help them decide whether a life in the military really is for them. I have felt that Josh and Aaron sometimes get 'braid-dazzled' by the uniform. I want them joining for their own reasons - not from some misplaced hero-worship.

However this has come into your hands, you should know that our mutual acquaintance at Mahalo Pete's is being tasked to be our 'Bookkeeper' for this somewhat unmilitary and highly clandestine project. (There is certainly no-one at the Dolphin's Hole that I would entrust, being mostly navy, and its way too risky to entrust any of the crew or base personnel - it would be a career-ender for them and a Court Martial for me. The Military Intelligence guys would NOT appreciate what I am about to do. I know you understand this, but I implore you to refrain from mentioning this in any correspondence - the Censors would be all over it like flies on a cow-pat.)

I know you will be reading this a long time from now (maybe years - who knows how long this damn thing will last?), but I've got to say again how much I regret the decision to send you all off to the wilds of Canada. I still believe with everything that's in me that it's the right decision to keep you all safe. How an Aussie ended up skipping a boat in the Yank Navy, and his family learning to handle a White Christmas is still a head-scratcher, but I pray, with the perspective of time, we will see that we made the right decision for the safety of our family.

So as not to sugar-coat anything, and to be of use to the boys if they ever go Nautical, I may get a bit technical, but in between all that, I hope it means something to you. Anyway, here we go:

I am proud to report that the 'powers that be' have finally relented and decided to recognise my stirling qualities (not to say years of experience on that leaky pommie sausage), and assigned me as skipper of the USS Permit (SS-178)! It's a Porpoise class - a bit better than the old tub, eh? (As you new-chum Canadians would say.)

__________________________________________________ ____________

08-12-1941
After minor refits (new air and surface radars and upgraded guns and paint-job), I've been handed a ship-shape command and after our final provisioning sees us full away the day after the attack on Pearl. It was pretty hairy, but thankfully, it doesn't look like our boats were a priority target, so the Big Guns took the brunt of it. (The magazine going up on the Arizona knocked the wind out of me more than a mile away while I was dodging like a dingo on the way to a bunker.)

__________________________________________________ _______________

12-12-1941
Some of my Septic Tank crew are a fair bit taller than the Jack-Tars I've crewed with, so I'm having more than a few chuckles hearing the curses fly as yet another bloke bangs his scone on the overhead. (This early in the cruise, we have a virtual cobble-stone pavement of cans throughout a lot of the companion-ways for extra storage, thus reducing the headroom by about 6". It's normal procedure for us, as you know, but I don't know if these guys have done it this way before - I must ask the Purser. On these long-range boats, I think the gang should appreciate my little private deal with the chandlers in a few weeks time. I'm determined that we celebrate Christmas with a bit of panache - though I must say, these blokes certainly get, and expect, a level of quality and quantity of grub that still beggars the imagination. Rationing is something absolutely foreign to them.)

__________________________________________________ ____________

15-12-1941
We are off to the South China Sea. The orders in this Navy are a little weird, my love. They seem to afford us skippers unusual latitude - get to an area and loiter for a few days, then do as I deem fit. VERY different from the totally prescriptive orders I'm used to with the Brits. So, given that I don't have a required date to be on-station at the designated co-ordinates, I have twisted the COB's arm and got him enthusiastic about a three-day detour to Wake Island. With all the wild rumours going around regarding the disposition of advancing Jap forces, I think it wise to get some personal experience with possible future hot-spots. (We'll probably scope-out Midway on the way back, if all goes well.)

To 'make up' for the extra distance, we've compromised on running at 2/3 rds. This wasn't a hard sell: one of the skippers I've had a chin-wag with insists that that is the only way to run (given that it's 6 or 7 thousand miles to the patrol zone!) Bit of a change from the old Strategy and Planning lecturer at Sub School. I can hear him now, "Just what do you imagine 'Standard Speed' means, Mr?" Sarcastic twat.)

__________________________________________________ ____________

20-12-1941
Well, we've spent a day or so nosing around. Just as well. I'd never go in there submerged - I don't even think I'd be able to send a fish in there at the normal running depth - I'd have to set it to run shallow from the harbour mouth at night to give us a shot at taking things out at anchor. Had a couple of air raids come over from the West while we were there - so obviously there's something nasty out there prowling around.
Well, mission accomplished - off to patrol off China.

__________________________________________________ ___________

21-12-1941
Holy Smoke!
We'd hardly cleared Wake last night (about 15 nm west, I think - must get a scribe to make note of these time and location things for future logs) when we started to pick up sporadic radar and sound returns. We went to Flank on a direct course and over the next half hour we began getting multiple returns. It sure as heck wasn't our boys! The returns were trending right, so we bent our course westward to intercept. Another half hour and we were tracking half a dozen returns. I'd been bitching to another senior skipper about not seeing any convoys - looks like I got my wish. On the other hand, it seemed that their speed was at or above 12 knots, so maybe our 'virgin' boat was about to see what it was like to tangle with a task-force! It never rains, but it pours, right?

Continued to close, and started to get some visuals at between 3.5 and 4.5 nm. It was dark enough, and I was down to slow so as not to show a bow-wave and there she was. A fleet carrier. Of course! That explains the Zeros raiding Wake. We adjusted our angle of attack to give a nice intercept inside the destroyer screen (only pool-ball-rack three and the lead was sniffing around west of the line of advance). I was about 2.5 nm east of the intersect-line with the carrier about 4 nm down-range when another carrier came into view! I was about to 'phone it in' when up pops a Heavy cruiser, then a couple of minutes later, a second! Embarrassment of riches!

Radar said there was nothing serious behind that one, so I called in the sighting and went to periscope depth. SubPac responded that they had no idea that these scorpions were in the area - so I believe it was worth the risk to get in a good report. We drove in for the optimum firing solution, with my tiny mind going like a cat on a hot tin roof. You know what I'm like at a Smorgasbord - too much choice leaves me strategising how to get a little bit of everything. So, 2 prime and 2 secondary targets (plus avoiding destroyers) and only 4 forward torps and two rear. Hmmm.:hmmm:

I would normally assume 4 plus for a carrier, but with the destroyers far enough away, I was willing to risk 3 and 3, hope for a disable and a clean-up later. Put the crew on battle-alert status, opened all tube doors, set tubes 1-3 for slow and 4-6 on fast, set depth at draft minus 10 (I'd heard some nasty rumours about these American torps running deep - among other problems).

I let the lead run past square at about 1500 then we let go a good spread right, mid, left at the Hiryu. Then, went to hard port at flank, and zeroed the rudder as we came to bear on the Soryu, let lose with a 'centre-shot', then went to hard port again. About then the first of the 'slows' hit. Eventually came to bear again for the rear on our second friend (who hadn't started to change course yet), went to centre rudder and ahead Standard and put a right & left into her.

Carried on to put some distance in and watched as all three impacted the Soryu! I lost track of the strikes on the Hiryu, but I know we had two hits, maybe three. Within an hour, the Hiryu was listing and disabled and the Soryu was going down. The Cruisers and escorts hung about for a while, but not long enough to reload more than one - even with my best guys on the job. I had come about and let it rip at a Cruiser, but it was a dud, so I went deep and silent and slunk off to get away from the (pretty lost) escorts.

After they eventually picked up and headed off, I came off 'Silent' & relieved the crew and allowed them to stand down from battle stations (even though this was going to slow my re-loading time). No hurry now.

__________________________________________________ _____________

21-12-'41 (cont)
Around dawn, I surfaced at about 6,500 from the cripple. It hadn't seemed to settle any more during the night and the list seemed about the same. I didn't want to give them the benefit of wasting another torp if i could avoid it, so I let loose with the new deck gun and armour-piercing shells. It was too far, so I continued to move in (cautiously!), but received no return fire. It was great gunnery practice for us, and I expended the entire load of armour pierces and about half my HE's and I was wondering what in the Seven Oceans I was thinking trying to down a Carrier with my little BB-gun, when she decided to do a slow role. Chalk up a second carrier! Were the gun crew ever cock-a-hoop! Who ever heard of a 50 cal sinking a carrier? The boys will be getting a few rounds shouted for them at the Dolphin's to retell THAT one over and over. (Though, there's one scurvy Captain I know that I'm sure will be wanting photographic evidence. Honestly, I couldn't say I blame him.)

It was well after sun-up, but I was still getting the occasional trace of the remainder of the task force NNE of our position, so, "Why not?". Off we went at flank having done the improbable, full of p*** and vinegar. We could do anything!

After chasing them for a couple of hours, the returns started to get stronger! Quickly. They were coming back at us! So, once again, we were in the hunt. Got on the line of advance in perfect firing position BUT, with about 2 nm to go to the intercept point, they altered coarse to the SE.:/\\!! I shot off 4 'Hail Mary's', not expecting anything, and was not disappointed - 2 duds, a premi and a miss.

Well, we waited till they were at extreme range, and once again surfaced and gave chase for the better part of the morning, only to have them double back on us, again! What WERE they thinking? Probably awaiting new orders. I'm sure that there were intense discussions going on back at HQ about which officer(s) was going to have the honour of committing hara-kiri! Whatever they had planned must surely be aborted now, and the reason for the carrier group is gone without the carriers. I wonder if the bridge officers are on deck in their white kimono readying to go meet their ancestors? Either way, from what we learned of Bushido, I wouldn't want to be them. Poor buggers.

So, set up again and waited. The two Mayas came barrelling through at 16 knots, so no mucking around. Set all to fast and again opened all doors. Let loose 3 at the first and our last 2 at the second - similar to the carrier procedure. I got two premature detonations and a dud on the first lucky SOB, but got a BEWDY single hit on the second. It must have been the perfect depth setting right underneath the magazine, because that one hit sent her up in the most astounding fire-ball that took her to the bottom in short order. It was absolutely transfixing - I couldn't take my eye from the scope. pretty negligent of me, cause this time the destroyers were much closer (less spread-out, only having two ships to guard now). They were pinging their little heads off, but once again RSRD served me well.

Eventually saw them off, got up and chased them - don't know why I bothered - don't know what I thought we would do if we caught them as we were by now out of torps. They saved me the trouble of finding out - this lot eventually headed off into the blue to the NW and outran me. Thought we'd be good little submariners and continue on to our patrol zone (old habits die hard). I had a gun with 60 odd shells left plus a bunch of eyeballs that may prove useful to the decision-makers, so we will continue to our zone with about 42,000 tons of enemy capital ships under our ballast. Its a grand feeling.

__________________________________________________ _______

25-12-'41
Had a cheerful, solemn Christmas. All my treats and the special foods went down a treat. Even a tot of rum each was appreciated - though I heard a lot of moaning that it wasn't bourbon. There's just no pleasing some people. (Actually, it was all done in good cheer - as comradely ribbing of the 'Aussssie' Skip - why they can't pronounce Aussie or G'day, I haven't worked out yet, but they genuinely can't, so I'll have to get used to it or charge them with dereliction of duty. Can't make up my mind which yet, as I told them. They are talking about putting it to the vote. They're a good bunch.)

__________________________________________________ ______

30-12-'41
Ran into a solo merchant (a Nagara) on the afternoon of the 28th , almost literally. The weather was atrocious - rain and fog with limited visibility. Picked up this tub on our systems and groped around closing in on him. We were on the surface, at General Quarters, prepared to take him on with the gun, slogging through a heavy sea, when we broke through the mist to see him looming over us, broadside at about 150 yards! Oops! We both lit off, with me in emergency astern and both of us blazing away. We must have been down to about 20 yards, well within my White Knuckle Zone, by the time we were stopped and starting to withdraw. Some skipper! Rookie mistake.

Anyway, by the time we had extracted ourselves from his visual range he had inflicted some serious damage on the ship and some of the crew. But, so had we, and I kept smashing away at him beyond visual range. Even though we were often only getting about 1 in 3 hits when the range or angle changed, we eventually put him down. Another 7,000 tons. Now, I had to look to my boat and crew.

Over the next day got it mostly all repaired - still about 15% reduction in integrity, so there will be no excursions to the depths, if I can avoid it. Needless to say, we are on our way back to Pearl. Now, I don't want you to worry (you can't anyway - you won't even know about it for weeks or months), but I WAS slightly wounded in the encounter, along with several of the crew. I didn't even know it at the time. It was only after I woke up with my eye swollen shut after I went to my bunk and fell asleep instantly (many hours after the encounter - once I was sure of the safe disposition of the boat and well-being of the crew).

THEY were well aware of the ruddy great shiner that I was developing - they later told me they just thought I was "being stoical". I'll never disabuse them of the notion - truth is, I didn't feel a thing. At least, not until today - I've got a lump the size of an orange, can't see out of it, and have the mother of all headaches. The medic has me looking positively piratical, and says I have to get X-Rayed back in base - he suspects a fractured eye socket. We got off lightly. Hope it was worth it.

__________________________________________________ _______

12-01-'42
Had an uneventful transit. We had a fine New Year's celebration with the last of the 'Special Stores'. I think it meant a lot.

We are about an hour out of port and the COB has just affixed the upended broom to the observation scope. Signals have been running hot and there's apparently quite a reception committee lined up for yours truly (mostly, "Well done", with a little sting-in-the-tail, "Please explain!" thrown in for that last fiasco). Whisper has it that I have a Purple Heart and a Navy Bronze Star waiting for me dock-side. Is that good? Don't know how special it is - I'll have to have a talk to a Yank who understands these awards, but I'm sure its no Victoria Cross, so I'm not going to be famous.

I'll sneak this out to 'the Bookkeeper' for safe keeping. I'll do another one on my next cruise to keep this one safe... The next one will be a lot shorter - less gum-flapping.

Miss you all badly. Hope Josh and Aaron enjoyed their first White Christmas - made a change from beach sand, I'll bet.

Thinking of you always,

Marcus.

[Tonnagekoenig]

Thanks!

By the way, here http://85.25.133.181//SH4-Onlinecampaign/OK8/Intro-HQ.wmv you find the HQ-Version. I find it much better :yep:.

[Gryffon300]

CTRL+F11 grabs a screenshot and the DEL key on the number pad removes the dials. The details of your kills ought to appear in the captains log automatically. I have to say I'm not sure how to post full-size pictures. Looking forward to a patrol report - you write pretty well :)

Hi Vino

I've been revisiting the screen-shot issue. Its going to take me a little longer as, although Ctrl+F11 seems to do something, the .bmp file it creates is dumped into the SH4 folder, which is not good, as it means mucking around in that folder. Cutting and pasting in that folder is not great process - so I'll have to explore a way to control the destination folder, if possible.

Of more concern, however, is that the file (that is named like this - SH4Img@2013-07-03_16.16.14_529.bmp) is not openable, with an error message that comes up reading, "Windows Photo Viewer can't open this picture because the file appears to be damaged, corrupted, or is too large." (All the files are 3 MB).

More homework. (Sigh.) Can anyone point me to fix-up instructions?

Thanks
Griff

[in_vino_vomitus]

Well written - and good shooting :)

Funny thing about the screenshot thing is that the exact same thing happened to me. I move all of my images to a screenshot folder and then mess with them there - I'm sure there's a better way, but this has worked perfectly up 'til now. Last night I moved some over, opened them up and got the same error message you described, which has never happened before -
wierd.....

[Gryffon300]

Well written - and good shooting :)
Thanks for that.

Funny thing about the screenshot thing is that the exact same thing happened to me. I move all of my images to a screenshot folder and then mess with them there - I'm sure there's a better way, but this has worked perfectly up 'til now. Last night I moved some over, opened them up and got the same error message you described, which has never happened before -
wierd.....

I promise, IT WASN'T ME. I didn't do it. Not my fault. I didn't break it! Weird and a little spooky. Maybe its a recent Microsoft update that has created a problem?

Anyway, I'm a bit grumpy just now. I've just exited Truck Lagoon on the early hours of Aug 17, '42, having snuck through, avoiding 4 small subchasers to take out 9 or 10 merchants (4 east of Dublon, 4 East of Truck and 1 West of Truck, using a combination of Torps and gun on the last 5 - one torp each and gun if that wasn't enough), for a total of over 60,000 tons. I also then spotted a task force anchored to the West of the channel off the Truck docks, consisting of a Fleet Carrier, a Heavy Cruiser, Several Light Cruisers and a few DDs.

I got all this done, escaped under cover of darkness up the North Channel on the surface, and was on my way to my designated patrol zone (completely out of ammo) and the game 'killed' me because I ran out of Oxygen!!! :/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!! I was aware of a glitch, because I was showing CO2, but diving and surfacing multiple times did not clear it. So, the Beast gave me another Purple Heart and a nice medal, I didn't get time to 'save', because I was cruising on time-compression. It probably wouldn't have helped anyway, because it wouldn't have let me RTB because of the O2 issue. It was determined to suffocate us regardless.

So, I'll have no option but to go back to my previous save in the channel 8,500 yds SE of the Dublon dock. I'll probably "cheat" this time and by-pass the merchants and have a go (long range - about 4,500 yds - from the channel) at the capital ships. Getting a Carrier and a Cruiser or two may be sufficient compensation.

Grrrrr.

Gryff

[in_vino_vomitus]

Yeah - if you just save your game and reload it, that usually fixes it - I've had a similar thing happen with silent running - I try to turn it on but despite the command being acknowledged the icon refuses to appear - this is usually followed by depth charges dropping like confetti. Something I have noticed though, is that the game stores periscope photos - the ones you take on photo recon missions - they're in the Documents\SH4\Data\Photo\ folder. The quality isn't great though - This is one....

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/9208388232_fa39e30f7c_o.jpg

[Gryffon300]

Yeah - if you just save your game and reload it, that usually fixes it - I've had a similar thing happen with silent running - I try to turn it on but despite the command being acknowledged the icon refuses to appear - this is usually followed by depth charges dropping like confetti. Something I have noticed though, is that the game stores periscope photos - the ones you take on photo recon missions - they're in the Documents\SH4\Data\Photo\ folder. The quality isn't great though - This is one....

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/9208388232_fa39e30f7c_o.jpg

Yes, I have a few inactive buttons beyond the darkened 'camera' button. I've never been able to get the 'select target' gun button to work - I could have used it in a recent encounter at night in a target-rich environment - I wanted my crew to take out an excessively annoying and persistent sub-chaser (I had already put over 10 HE and AP rounds into him!).

I haven't had a recon mission yet, so I'll be curious to see whether the photo capture you speak of will function. What I find of great interest, though, is that the game saves the image as a jpg, rather than the bmp's that I am struggling with. Thanks for that info.

Gryff

[Gryffon300]

Hello again. I have started this second journal to try and ensure that you get to see at least one sometime in the future. Just as well, because on my way back from this mission, I was re-directed to Midway as a base, rather than back to Pearl. I've managed to speak with The Bookkeeper and he assures me he will keep the first one safe for us.

Anyway, after some minor repairs, we headed out for our Patrol zone around Hokkaido. We got there with no serious encounters. (I'm not going to bother mentioning the multiple and regular avoidance dives on all these pleasure cruises to evade detection by aircraft, unless something happens - just take it as read that in any cruise there will be 10 - 20 crash dives for this issue.)

Hung out for a few days in the area with nothing exciting happening. Absent any indicators to suggest a likely Happy Hunting Ground, we did my usual high-tech target discovery method - you remember the Dart Board Navigator game we developed, well, it's evolved a little. (These Yanks aren't so much into darts, but they ARE up for a bit of fun!)

We got the XO blindfolded in the Ward Room with a dart board on the wall. We crammed as many as possible into the room, turned him around three times, then had to shout instructions to get him on target on the board. In the confusion and bedlam, there were a couple of near misses, and one fellow (Chef'o) got a dart in his shoulder - but it taught them all a lesson about too many Chiefs causing total confusion! When they figured out that it was better to elect one bloke to give directions, it worked out much better (of course, it tickled their funny bones to select the most junior swabbie on the boat to Boss the XO around. Gave them all a cheer - they've taken to calling the lad 'Nav'. After what resulted, I suspect he has that moniker forever.)

Anyway, we use the dart board as a compass rose to select our heading. Once the XO eventually landed one, out came the protractor for a precise heading, and so it was that we headed off in the direction 'chosen' by 'Nav' and the XO, roughly SE, away from our designated patrol zone.

__________________________________________________ ______

One night, several days later, about 170 nm SE of our original patrol plot, we arrived at Long 145° 41' E, Lat 38° 36' N early in the morning of 29/06/42 and picked up some high-speed targets on radar.

I stayed up once I had tracked them to an interception point till they were in visual - a little group of 3 unescorted Takao Heavy Cruisers tracking NNE at about 16 knots! Outstanding!

They were line-astern running a moderate zig-zag, as expected. I set all 8 torps to high speed, opened the doors and lined up at about 900 yds from the line of advance and hoped. I got 3 away at the lead, then went to flank at hard a-port and put 3 toward the second. I then continued hard left to bring the rear to bear for the last 2 on the third one as it was going away at about 45 degrees on it's rear quarter.

Got a couple of hits on one and one on the second, with several premi detonations and misses (mostly running too deep - well below the set depth), and missed the third (for some reason, the skipper had decided not to carry on in a straight line!). Both the first two were slowing and in trouble, the third went into a high speed circling pattern around it's crippled fellows. I wasn't too concerned about going to flank to chase them while re-loading.

I got a few more shots off from fore and aft at all three, with multiple premi's and misses, but eventually a second into #2, but none into #3 (with so much happening, don't know what happened). As it turned out, #1 & #2 sank within minutes of each other (certainly tougher than that lucky shot on the Maya HC in the last cruise!).

In the meantime, #3 took off NNE at over 30 knots, importantly, on the original course. I waited for him to get beyond visual range (at about 6.5 nm in these conditions), then surfaced and went to flank on a slightly divergent course, with the recharge off, to squeeze an extra knot or two out of her, and settled down for a long stern chase, relying on the faint hope that the quarry would stay on the previously observed line AND drop back down to the original speed.

We got everything squared away, all remaining tubes re-loaded (down to 4 fish forward). We diverged to then run parallel to the old course line 9 nm offset. We lost all track for about 3 hours, but then started to pick something up on radar about on the line we had plotted. An hour or so after that, we were confident we were onto the quarry!

Hours later, we had overtaken and moved in to await the blast-past. Sure enough through it came and we let loose all 4 remaining torps (set to 10 and 15, hoping that they wouldn't dive too deep under the 20' draft). Tagged it with two fish and 13 hours after the first two, we sent the third to meet his siblings.

I really don't understand HOW we were able to catch him. Any decent skip with a brain in his noggin would have put himself on an alternate course for a couple of hours before returning to the objective. These Japs must not have the authority or inclination to deviate from their orders - if so, that 'discipline' certainly was a weakness this time and cost them dearly. He may not have dreamed WE would hunt him down, but he SHOULD have had the wit to be concerned that we would have set a snare for him with other subs along his route! Such tunnel vision cost over 750 men their lives. Such "Charge of the Light Brigade" blind obedience I didn't think had existed since the early days of the 'War to End Wars'. When will we ever learn?

Of the 16 torps we launched, I had: 6 hits; 3 misses; 1 dud; and, 6 premature explosions. I'm going to have WORDS with the armourers when we get back, you can bet on that!! Almost half my fish were useless!

__________________________________________________ ______

Just as a PS, before I hide this away here on Midway - got home to another yadda-yadda reception - the brass thought taking out so many cap ships on Japan's doorstep gave them a real bloody nose and will be a propaganda coup. Speaking of which, while we were still in range of Japan, we heard this amusing radio broadcast by this girl who is calling herself Tokyo Rose. She plays lots of good American Swing, but in between times she says amusing things like, "You build them, we sink them." After our little escapade, that gave the boys a good belly-laugh, I can tell you!

__________________________________________________ _______

I was on the way to the bank to get a lock-box account for this when I dropped into a pub here just outside the base. Of course it was full of servicemen of all descriptions but I found a booth and was amusing myself with a quiet toast to my fabulous crew. I'm reliably informed that a promotion to Commander is in the wind, together with a new boat (a Tambour class - more torpedoes!). I was hoping that most of my crew will be transferred with me and staring into my glass when I heard a loud call, "Mark-san!"

No guesses who that was! Yep, what were the chances that I'd lob in the same gin-joint as Miyagi-san! Kesuke had signed up immediately after Pearl in the Army with the 442nd (with many other Japanese Americans, apparently.) Unfortunately, he tells me that his pregnant wife has been interned in a camp, the same as the poor bloody Italians and Germans interned back home earlier in the war. I hope nothing bad happens, but he says that the government is stealing their home from them. Sometimes governments use the innocents for propaganda - the first casualty of war is truth?

I'm going to send you contact details for her - who knows? you may be able to do something for her from Canada - it's the least we could do for all their kindnesses to us. Mind you, did I EVER get some queer looks for talking with a 'filthy Jap'. A chest full of medals helped (I was off to the Base Commander's office after the bank - hence the need for some fortification. You know how much I love chin-wagging with the desk-warmers!). But, you know how people are, so whatever you decide to try to do for them, use discretion, eh?

Always Yours

Marcus

[Gryffon300]

Well written - and good shooting :)

Funny thing about the screenshot thing is that the exact same thing happened to me. I move all of my images to a screenshot folder and then mess with them there - I'm sure there's a better way, but this has worked perfectly up 'til now. Last night I moved some over, opened them up and got the same error message you described, which has never happened before -
wierd.....

Hey, Vino, you old Sauce! Guess what, it fixed itself!

Here's a reprint of a post I put in the Mod Workshop 'CO2' thread.

Very weird stuff. As both myself and Vomitus developed an inability to open bmp files simultaneously, it was mooted that there may have been a Microsoft upgrade that had 'killed the function. I have tried multiple solutions, but to no avail. However, last night, after yet another series of standard Windows auto upgrades (131 MB's worth!), I took a bunch of screen shots on the off chance I could do something with them (I wanted proof that the game was not giving me credit for 3 out of the 6 Capitals (2 x Heavy and 1 x Light Cruisers).

I did not have much hope, but after the mission, I went to the saved files, and immediately noticed a significant difference. As previously noted, the un-openable files are 3MB files, whereas all of last night's shots were 5MB. Ah,ha! Something is going on. Sure enough, I can open and view them all.

Don't ask me what happened, I'm just glad something, somewhere was changed (but not by me).

Gryff

[grislyatoms]

*As seen from one of the crew, in letters home*

I swear, Donna, the old man's butt cheeks are so tight, he could crack walnuts with them. Pressure tests. Timing us on dives from different speeds to different depths. Recording each and every sunset/sunrise at different lat/long. Dive drills. Surface drills. Endurance drills. I have had it with him!

Just let me at the Japs! There aren't any here, there won't be any [censored], I could throw a [censored] and hit [censored].

[in_vino_vomitus]

Hey, Vino, you old Sauce! Guess what, it fixed itself!


Gryff

Nice one :) - Mine is still misbehaving, which is a shame, I'll have to look into the updates thing....

Since this is a story thread I should say I started a RSRD campaign and just had a lulu of a shot. just south of Cam Ranh bay in early Dec '42. First patrol out.

Picked up a sonar contact at extreme range and thought it was a merchant - very low pitched and slow. Got a course and speed roughed out and an intercept plotted. Since it was done without radar or visual cues it was very rough indeed, but it got me ahead of the target. By the time I picked it up visually, my sonar operator had let me know it was a warship. long story short, it was a heavy cruiser. The light was bad and I didn't have a positive ID, but I used the SWAG system to estimate that a heavy cruiser is about 650 feet long and timed it through the crosshairs. It was altering course pretty constantly - anyway my TMA had given me 13 knots and SWAG had given me 10 so I split the difference at 11 1/2 knots and set up for DoK shot with a 20 degree lead angle. I decided to fire all four tubes in case of misses or duds. I set 1 & 3 to run deep and enabled the magnetic pistols.

The first one just barely clipped the bow, I suspect if I'd set it to contact it might not have, but the second hit right underneath the forward turret, and I suspect, set off the magazine, there were two big secondary explosions. the third hit under the bridge, but I suspect it was redundant. The fourth was a dud.

As luck would have it I saved it as a replay, so there's a chance I might get a screenshot or two yet. It's certainly fun sitting in front of the sub watching the fish launch. Oh for video capture software.....

[grislyatoms]

BTW, I LOVE your username!

[Gryffon300]

Nice one :) - Mine is still misbehaving, which is a shame, I'll have to look into the updates thing....

Gosh, darn golly! I have to take it back, mine is back to the same problem again. I applied a new mod half way through the game (different smoke - which, like others, is supposed to be applicable while at sea). The last half of the mission shots have reverted to the 3 MB file size and are unopenable, so you won't get to see some truly wonderful shots. Rats.

Got any of that vino left? I feel like drowning some sorrows...

Gryff

[in_vino_vomitus]

That's interesting. I have a clean version installed, so I'll try with that and see what happens. I don't look forward to choosing between screenshots and a mod I like though.

On the subject of mods and damage multipliers, I read what you said elsewhere about sinking half of the IJN with four and a half torpedoes [ I confess, I may have my numbers wrong]. I've been using the fire damage mod, but lately have joined the Kriegsmarine, so the torpedoes aren't comparable. I will say though, that I've had a couple of merchants sink a long time after a single hit - One of them I watched, there was definitely flooding but it was settling very very slowly. I didn't time it and I'm pretty impatient, but I used a lot of TC before biting the bullet and firing one of my two remaining torpedoes. Imagine my language as I got the "Enemy Unit Destroyed" just as the fish was leaving the tube.


The second one of note was a merchant i fired two at [my last two] for one hit to the bow. It was burning, but it didn't stop and didn't appear to be settling in the water. I followed it on the surface [Type ii U-Boat - No deck gun] for a while, but it didn't look like it was sinking so I gave up and headed home. Shortly thereafter, I was notified of its demise.

Anyway, I'm happy to credit the fire damage mod, since the flooding I could see didn't seem to be doing the trick, but I have to say, it didn't seem in any way excessive or unrealistic - I have no idea what real life would have looked like, but it didn't break the fourth wall. Maybe you're getting too many hits. Have you thought about handicapping yourself in some way?


And Grisly' - if that was for me, Thanks :)

[c13Garrison]

((This patrol was the highlight of my un-modded career, which netted over a million tons, just missing 10x the tonnage of the next highest ranked skipper in that war.))

While Captain of the Balao in October of 1944 word was out that major Japanese units would be steaming towards our landings in the Philippines. I gave orders for us to set up off the coast north of those positions and sit tight.

We waited for 4 days, and I was beginning to worry I'd picked a bad spot. Just when I was about to bring us south closer to the beaches, what should hit our sonar but a massive return; not a trite convoy or task-force, but 30+ ships spread over a 10 mile front. Visuals revealed Yamato or Musashi was in the center.

I decided to just sit quiet, dive to 300, then go to periscope depth and shoot. I felt I was pretty well placed. With the range down to 7nm at night, I slowly went deep, engines still and at silent running. However, I wasn't savvy enough. As I passed 250 echo ranging started pinning me, and the depth charges started. They must have detected our malfunctioning surface search radar before I dove- or else they could see a twig on a log at 7 miles in the dark.


None of them felt close to my depth, but the problem was that we'd been detected. Now they would start zigzagging, and at least 5 destroyers seemed to be looking for us. I wasn't about to pass up this chance though. I ordered slow ahead to try to get a little distance from the circling hounds before I came back up.


I put about 1000 yards behind me, but then was worried I would be out of position to the oncoming behemoths in the center of the formation. I ordered back 1/3 and starboard rudder to maintain what I estimated to be the correct placement by dead reckoning off sonar and started back up. During our short scoot the inevitable had happened in the sprawling hive of chaos above. 30 ships traveling at high speed at night, with as many as 10 circling in subchase mode; a Takao class cruiser outright ran over the stern of a destroyer. I can't imagine the DD survived, but I never had the time to find out.


It was those extra 1000 yards that kicked the poodle. "Up scope." What do I see dead ahead but the Yamato...so close she filled the scope! I desperately tried to lock a solution - at 224 yards! At least that was the last number I saw as her main batteries swiftly rotated and depressed. With an 18" salvo blasting into the water and the eager echo ranging furiously closing again from the east I fired all 6 tubes and headed back for 300 feet. The track to target was ridiculously short, 10 seconds or so, ...and nothing happened. I checked the sonar track, and there they were- running well past Yamato. I realized what must have happened. The torpedoes, fired from 60 feet below the surface, hadn't had time to pitch up to 30' before they reached her. They harmlessly ran out, while I endured 2 hours of battering for my foolhardy hubris.


The denouement is no better. 14 hours later I was still nearby as the fleet made its escape. They were under air attack and were firing their main batteries SE at targets I could not see. 6 tubes fired at 6000 yards produced no better result. I can only assume the low-speed tracks were spotted by the many escorts and she altered course; I was well on my way down by the time they would have drawn near her.

That was the only time we spotted those ships from my service in the war, and all we got for it was a blistering headache. From that time on we were a lot more cautious. I wanted to get them all home at the end.

Captain Garrison Lloyd, USS Balao

[in_vino_vomitus]

Good story - It must have been a real kick in the teeth to miss from that distance, but there's nothing quite like surviving to get you over it :)

[Gryffon300]

That's interesting. I have a clean version installed, so I'll try with that and see what happens. I don't look forward to choosing between screenshots and a mod I like though.

Maybe you're getting too many hits. Have you thought about handicapping yourself in some way?
Ok Vino (and other interested parties).

Re screenshot hangs; freezes and hang-ups; CTDs and unopenable BMP files: I have a possible work-around that adds another side-benefit.

I was looking for a utility that would work on Windows 7 (or 8) as well as my older XP that would easily and automatically close down background applications, processes and services and, importantly, be easy to switch them back on again when finished gaming. The idea is to reduce CPU and memory drag from background junk while you are playing, improving all round performance. Found one (thanks TorpX! - and Rockin Robbins!).

Seems to do everything I want, PLUS (and here is the kicker) it has both an image and video capture functionality! Ctrl-Alt-P for picture drops a nice little jpg into a SEPARATE folder (no more messing around in the game folder to retrieve! (Bonus!). So far, I like what I'm seeing. Worth a try. (Video hangs sometimes, but I'm not so fussed anyway.) I don't know if its permitted to link to it here, but I'm sure someone will advise if not...

http://www.razerzone.com/gamebooster

Good luck :up:

Gryff

PS, as for handicapping myself, that's really not necessary - I find I am quite demented enough as is, thank you very much, and anything extra would be superfluous.

[in_vino_vomitus]

Nice1 :) Looks just what the doctor ordered :)

[in_vino_vomitus]

Excellent piece of gear - You're too far away for me to buy you a beer, but I'll definitely drink one for you ::Kaleun_Cheers:

[Gryffon300]

Excellent piece of gear - You're too far away for me to buy you a beer, but I'll definitely drink one for you ::Kaleun_Cheers:

Thanks mate, here's right back at you!

(From the part of the planet you're from, you could make it a Duchy Originals Ale - downing a few of those actually made me think that there was something to Home Brews, and that certain members of the Royal Family were actually making a positive contribution to the world!!)

Cheers :woot:
Gryff

[in_vino_vomitus]

On the subject of home brewing - If you do it right, with malt and hops, rather than extracts, you can make better beer than many commercial breweries do - It can be tricky having 40 pints of beer, brewed to your exact taste, just lying around the house though....

As far as our esteemed Royal Family goes - They're German - of course they appreciate good beer :)

And because this is a story thread, I guess I'd better tell one. Having stepped back to 1939 and changed shirts, I found myself in a Type IX U-Boat off the Portugese coast. Tracking a Southbound convoy, I was detected by the lead escort, the sea was fairly rough and I dived deep and I found that at 500', they couldn't detect me. So I went to 4 kts and headed for the convoy. It was a pretty big one, so there was still a lot of it left when I reached its track. I came to periscope depth, pretty much in the middle of them, and saw this as I passed 90 ft.....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/9333710434_5df2fc7b05_c.jpg

Guess where my first torpedo went........

All in all I stayed under the convoy for a long time, I fired all my tubes, went deep, and matched their course. I was never detected. I managed to reload and come up for another attack. The only reason I didn't get huge tonnage was that although most of the torpedoes hit their targets, most of the hits failed to detonate:/\\!!

I made the mistake of saving whilst under the convoy, and subsequently was unable to reload - but after some experimentation, it seems that if there are a lot of ships in the vicinity, the best thing to do is get clear of them before saving - any saved game in proximity to the convoy crashed the game when reloaded - just like I did with the fourth wall there :)

The sinking dynamics in OM seem different - I have no idea what realistic looks like, but certainly they don't go down as quick. Thanks to the Game Booster software you pointed me at, I have these photos of a French freighter I met. I gave it two torpedoes, surfaced and finished it with the deck gun. It went down fairly quickly [about 15 mins], but I've had them take much longer.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5471/9333710646_8a601a26c3_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9333710824_833e5af013_c.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/9333710982_38ae236a3b_c.jpg

Incidentally, one thing that amuses me is the difference in language between the event as it's happening and what goes in the log. Like those Edwardian gentlemen climbers "Mr Hartington-Smythe negotiated the overhang, with some difficulty and a few choice epithets...." In the case above, my "Tracking a Southbound convoy, I was detected by the lead escort" - would have been more like:

"Captain, he's spotted us."

"Don't panic Number One, we're well outside his visual range"

"Have you been in the medicine chest!!? Look at that bow wave - You think the Captain just decided to try out his water skis? - pointed at us?

"That's a very good point Number One - Crash dive!!"

Obviously the choicest epithets have been omitted for reasons of public decency. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who has conversations like this with themselves when making decisions. Given the decisions I'm given to making, my imaginary First Lieutenant tends towards insubordination - on the premise that a Court Martial is preferable to a memorial service.....

[c13Garrison]

*while sipping his morning coffee, he smiles...*

"See, you're not mad after all Captain."

"Shadd-up Mr. Biggles."

"Yes Sir."

*sips & smiles...*

[Gryffon300]

On the subject of home brewing - If you do it right, with malt and hops, rather than extracts, you can make better beer than many commercial breweries do - It can be tricky having 40 pints of beer, brewed to your exact taste, just lying around the house though....

As far as our esteemed Royal Family goes - They're German - of course they appreciate good beer :)

and saw this as I passed 90 ft.....

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/9333710434_5df2fc7b05_c.jpg

Guess where my first torpedo went........

"That's a very good point Number One - Crash dive!!"

[/I]Obviously the choicest epithets have been omitted for reasons of public decency. I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who has conversations like this with themselves when making decisions.

Thanks. Sweeeet. And I thought I was the only one!
:haha:
Gryff

[grislyatoms]

"At least that was the last number I saw as her main batteries swiftly rotated and depressed. With an 18" salvo blasting into the water"

That's the point when certain body parts shrivel and shrink! :huh:

[in_vino_vomitus]

"At least that was the last number I saw as her main batteries swiftly rotated and depressed. With an 18" salvo blasting into the water"

That's the point when certain body parts shrivel and shrink! :huh:

I wonder what the actual minimum range was for those things? I'm guessing it would be well in excess of sensible torpedo range...

[grislyatoms]

At that range, I would imagine beehive shells in salvo would be devastating to a shallow submarine. They could fuse them for "pretty close" range in aircraft defense, as I recall.

[in_vino_vomitus]

At that range, I would imagine beehive shells in salvo would be devastating to a shallow submarine. They could fuse them for "pretty close" range in aircraft defense, as I recall.

They had beehive rounds for 18" guns? Scary............

[grislyatoms]

They did. 18" shotgun shell, essentially.:o

[c13Garrison]

...Damn. When I saw the "firing", I was more concerned that I'd been spotted. I didn't really consider that a sub at 60' depth could be hurt. That's a lot of water resistance to overcome to get a projectile that deep, and in fluid dynamics resistance has to be a bitch.

[c13Garrison]

The S-36 was on her second war patrol. Due to prolonged time on multiple stations and a fruitless side-trip to scout Cam-Rahn Bay, Java was being invaded before we could resupply, so Darwin was where we finally made port. We had only tallied a single small freighter, so I was inclined to take us back out since we still had operational orders. Looking at the map though it would be a lot of navigational rigamarole to get back on station up south of Okinawa, and then the return trip. Given we had a full load of fuel relatively far north, being docked in Darwin, it occurred to me that Truk wasn't much farther. I could count for sure on finding ships, maybe something significant, and then plot a straight course to Midway to re-provision. It would be a week longer perhaps, but I thought worth a go.

Plotting a course south of New Guinea and cutting up below Bouganville, we approached Truk from the South-East having had to dodge only a few air patrols on the entire sortie. I set a point 12nm south of the southern channel as my aim point.

Still about 20 miles from the closest "safe" surfaced position I had figured, lookouts spotted a small escort closing fast at long range. I watched it for about 30 seconds and concluded it had spotted us. Just like the S-30 & S-37, two members of my Subron now lost, first discovery when surfaced had been made by the enemy. If the ship had had any meaningful armament I'm sure shells raining down would have been my welcoming card to Truk.

I ordered a crash dive but immediately cut to 1/3 speed once we were awash to still the wake, but upped it to slow ahead once we passed the thermal layer. I had tested the boat off Manila on the first day of the war, so while the water was deep here I took her to 400'. Being discovered 30 miles south of a major base was Not my plan, and I had no idea what kind of trouble might be raising steam to come looking for me.

Given the long range of the sighting, by the time it reached our last location we were a few hundred yards on. I heard depth charging, but distantly, and gratefully saw by sonar plot that it started circling our last known position. Seeing we had seemingly dodged a bullet, I proceeded on course, giving myself 8 miles to run before coming up for a peek and maybe a breath of air.

After proceeding about 5 miles sonar indicated a merchant approaching, and 90 seconds of data allowed us to draw a plot that would take him right across our path, heading WNW to transect our NW course. Seeing as this was the first merchantman I'd had a hint of since the Luzon Straits more than 3 weeks prior, I was inclined to intercept given it was being so obliging. We came to periscope depth, and with speed close to zero raised the scope. It was a standard merchantman proceeding alone, and the escort 5 miles astern was no longer being detected. Confirming its track, I dropped the scope and ordered slow ahead to reach our shooting point. Torpedo run would be about 1500 yards. I took a peek at 4000 yards, then raised the scope again when it reached about 1800 yards.

It was sitting pretty in the scope, but I noticed a slight change in bearing and speed. It must have been making a turn to approach the Truk shipping channel as I couldn't fathom that it had spotted us. However, it was now opening the range and making for a dicey shot. With no time to lose since I couldn't exactly surface and scoot around her so close to Truk, I tried to mentally picture how a slow turn to starboard would affect her position at impact, picked 2 points on her forward hull as marks and fired. My goal was to hit her on the back half.

The first torpedo impacted after a 90 second run, painfully long when you know your target is changing its bearing and its rate of change of range. I raised scope to see the second impact right on her screws, while the first was a 2/3's the way down her hull. "Two hits Biggles, right in the works." Smugly I watched her continue to turn, looking for her to lose speed and come to a stop. ...and instead, she Raised speed, and smartly began a zig-zag to the North East. "...that son-of-a... Damn Biggles. Who-ever their chief engineer is he must've gone to Yale." Making 11 knots, I watched her move off, and then was reminded what an ass-stupid thing I'd been doing for the last 8 minutes.

Making 8 knots with the periscope up must've made a pretty mark on the water. Two Zeroes took off from Truk and immediately vectored towards us. "Down-scope, depth 300 ahead standard." I was less concerned about their attack than about the fact that I was in a very bad spot to be visited by my hosts.

Continuing back on my original course at 300', we were watching sonar for news of the merchantman we'd hit, when Sonar reported first one, then two warships closing at long range and high speed. I maintained speed until our plot showed them at 6000 yards, then went to 1/3 & silent running. The afternoon was a long creep then, but we slowly stretched the distance to the two hunters, now circling our last known position. We reached the original point I plotted for my Truk approach, but it felt too close, so I proceeded north 2 more miles, then came up to periscope depth. Nothing in sight, nothing on radar. With speed at zero I decided to surface. The batteries were down to 79%, and I wanted my freighter.

I stood bridge watch with the crew as dusk was settling, very anxious that either a late air patrol launch or falling shell would be the next thing announced, as we lay surfaced just 10 miles south of Truk's southern shipping channel. As we began our watch, Sonar somehow sifted from amongst the krill whispering that the freighter we had hit more than 2 hours before was breaking up. A small reward, yet I felt gratified, and after calling it in HQ was bemused that my assignment to hunt shipping off Luzon had finally been completed. The minutes dragged on, and I began to feel the lighting was poor enough that we might be safe and I could consider heading west, when I realized something. THREE escorts were presumably looking for me, 5 and 10 miles behind me. How many harbour patrols could Truk have? I might have a golden opportunity now.

We stayed up for less than an hour. When the batteries showed 85% I took us down to 120', and plotted a course into the shipping channels. I had 10 torpedoes, I ought to find something worthwhile laying in there. I asked the Chief for 3 1/2 knots, that would make for a 5 hour entry that would get us back out to deep waters roughly at dawn, 11 hours from now. Nobody on the boat could remember when dawn came for some reason, but I guessed 6.

The next 5 hours were erie. Slow ahead, just listening, knowing that only 120' would be like shooting a penny in a puddle if we were detected. Not a single contact came up during the whole road in, not even the hounds far to the south. Calling all stop I ordered periscope depth. We'd reached the edge of the first harbourage, time to take a look... and it was like Christmas. 8 ships lying at anchor in a 7500 yard area. If I'd had twice as many fish I could have a gambler's chance at sinking them all, ...but, I thought there might be something bigger here, and I didn't want to tip my hand for a freighter if I didn't have to. We proceeded deeper.

The next anchorage held another 6 or 7 merchants, and a single subchaser also at rest. Once again, I made the call to pass them by. It would mean going more than half-way in to continue, so I realized I'd probably be exiting to the north by going on, but I wanted to find something worth all this effort. As it stood, I'd had no hint I was even in danger, so going on didn't seem any more daunting than turning around and going back.

Finally approaching Truk proper, it was after 4am when I raised scope again. Another anchorage, more merchants, but there, finally, my hard earned prize; ...a 6,000 ton light cruiser. I looked around, there had to be something bigger... Going back down we pressed on another 6000 yards, then popping the scope to look around again. More merchants up to the north, one to the far west, but not a single other warship. Somewhat frustrated, given the hour I resigned myself to bagging just what was off Truk port here. It would be daylight by the time I got to deep water, and I definitely didn't want planes spotting me in shallow water. I started maneuvering to set up my first shot, closing to a point 1500 yds from the cruiser and 2000 from a freighter at a different bearing. It would be a significant offset to shoot both on a common bearing, so I was deciding which way to slew the boat first.

"Con Sonar! New Contact Warship bearing 005 Long range closing fast!" ...I would have said '****, Biggles', but at this point it was hardly necessary. We all just had.

Without changing bearing I ordered "Shoot 1!" on the freighter, turned the scope about 70* starboard and ordered "Shoot 2 3 4!" on the light cruiser, then with not a single revolution of the propellers took us to the bottom. 133' down, we prayed while listening for the explosions of our torpedoes. ...which didn't come. I went to the plotting table, trying to figure out how I could miss stationary targets at under 2000 yards. Because of the offset, their 150 yard or-so straight run from the tubes before turning must have made for a significantly different solution than I'd allowed for. The fish probably missed by less than a boat length. Disappointed, we sat on the bottom waiting to pay our bill.

The waiter, however, never brought the check. The escort only pinged once at about 2500 yards, then slowed, and leisurely went Right over us, turning east -and not searching. We listened for 20 minutes, until it passed detection. "...Well. We'll have to thank the guy that picked up our tab. Secure from silent running Biggles, lets let them re-load." After another 25 minutes we came to periscope depth again. I switched to the Attack scope, because it was growing so light out that the night scope gave an imperfect view. I didn't know how far away the escort was, but I reasoned that it wouldn't be easy to get back to my location given the landmass that was likely between us. I set my bearing dead on the light cruiser and fired 2. They both hit, the second causing a large explosion aft. However after 90 seconds the ship showed no sign of even settling, so given I didn't want to hang around Truk in broad daylight I went ahead and fired a third. The fish was just clearing the tube when the cruiser's masts noticeably dipped towards me. It had rolled about 30* by the time the 3rd fish hit, so it probably hit decking for all I know. There was a 2nd large explosion, this one had to be the after magazines, and it rolled on its back settling by the stern.

I turned towards the other freighter, plotting our exit course as I did so. Firing #4, the torpedo hit, but because I didn't want to wait for another reload I just hoped that it would cause enough flooding to do it in. If it ever did sink though we didn't pick it up. Half-way out the north channel I risked periscope depth just to see what I might have missed, but only found one medium freighter which I put the last two fish in. We then made our agonizing way out the north channel, finally making deep waters, and continued on to put some distance between us and the harbour. 10 miles out I came up to take a peek, and with nothing detected we surfaced.

15 1/2 hours we'd been under, but we'd made it. Although there wasn't a huge warship prize to be found, it was good to know that "showing" ourselves 15 miles offshore might be a useful tactic to use in the future, and to discover that we could successfully hide on the bottom. Grateful for the lowering overcast skies, we set our course for Midway. "Secure from battle-stations Biggles. Let's break out the apple cobbler, I think we all deserve a treat." It was June 6, and looked to be a quiet voyage back. We were all relieved.

...

1_TriggerMaru_Overhaul_2-5
1_TMO_25_small_patch
RSRDC_TMO_V502
Fixed Zero Bomb Load RSRDC
LST_TMO_v2
RSRDC_V5xx_Patch1
Improved Stock Environment_v3_TMO&RFB
Submarine Hull Numbers
TDW_Ship_Plane_Fire_Damage_v1_3_SH4
Easier AI for TMO 2.5 by Orpheus

[Gryffon300]

I wonder what the actual minimum range was for those things? I'm guessing it would be well in excess of sensible torpedo range...

That's exactly what I would have thought, but, if my high-school maths still works for me (no guarantees), then it is MUCH closer than I would have credited!

Most BB main guns could achieve a declination (negative elevation) of 5 degrees. Now, I had a look at the Yamato specs, as a for instance, and just a rough measurement puts the centre of the lowest turrets (the fore and aft mains) at about the same height above water level as it's draft, which I rounded to 10m.

Ignoring the height point location (the 'muzzle' or the point of origin near the centre-line of the ship), and the ballistic curvature at this short distance, a 10m height with a -5 deg elevation gives a distance to splash down of a mere 115m! (If I can believe my calculator..) That takes out your periscope. If the shell can penetrate water to the required extent, then at 20m deep, you have to be a further 230m away for the shell to be visiting the helmsman.

So, assuming a level sea, and deep water penetration through a couple hundred of metres of wet stuff, then a mere 350m gets you deaded. (Even if the shell doesn't make it, hydro-shock compression overpressure may well rupture the hull - but that's only a hypothesis. I need someone to test it: if you'd like to volunteer - I'm sure the Yamato would be delighted to accommodate you!) :know:

My Old Man had a direct experience with this kind of thing. A combined Aussie/US group was moving along the coast off Korea ('51, I think), when they came under fire from some mobile shore batteries on high cliffs. The group made smoke and scattered all over the joint (not very effectively in some cases). Most headed out, but the skipper on one Aussie Frigate panicked and got his heading 180 deg wrong and ended up, once he broke through the smoke and confusion, heading TOWARD the batteries.

The Yanks all thought he was crazy brave, but all on board knew he was just going into panic mode (as usual). It worked out. The theory was always that they survived through a combination of poor gunnery by the Koreans and then getting so close in that they couldn't depress the guns sufficiently to come to bear on the Frigate, so all the shells went screaming overhead (a few into funnels etc, but no harm done - just as well they had no howitzers!). The Frigate, on the other hand, was able to chew away at the cliff-top and took out the battery.

It reinforces my thought that much military 'heroics' are just mistakes by people doing things that they haven't thought through properly... But that's just me.

In case you are wondering, the Skip didn't go on to fame - although he got mentioned in dispatches for this action - too many subsequent SNAFUS: like getting effectively stranded up an ice-bound river by blocking the intake ports with said ice, thus preventing the steam heat-exchanger from working. The engine room could only achieve 1-2 knots headway after they (brilliantly) jury-rigged a way to use BILGE WATER as a substitute.

His best trick, though, was ordering full astern over a full pattern spread of depth-charges (over the protests of the Chief ERA). Lifted the back-end of the ship out of the water; broke a couple of stoker's ankles; made it impossible to see or breath in the engine room for 15 mins with the asbestos in the air shaken off the pipe lapping; and bent a prop shaft. It would have been worse had not the ERA delayed executing the order by repeatedly asking for confirmation. The skip got side-ways 'promoted' to a shore-based position. Love the military's version of the Peter Principle. :hmph:

Cheers

Gryff

[in_vino_vomitus]

Yeah, I went and looked up naval artillery online and was surprised to find the guns depressed that far, I'd assumed there would be no operational requirement. I'd be interested to know how much water a shell with that much mass and inertia would penetrate. Probably not much, since unlike rifle bullets, shells are really designed to expand on impact :)

I can relate to the experience of the inept skipper. I've known a few infantry officers who'd have been unlikely to make it through combat without some friendly fire. A company commander in my unit was once court-martialled for losing his rifle on exercise. Someone had obviously taken it while he was asleep, and the rumour was that it had been disassembled and buried on the training area. He got a slap on the wrist, some loss of seniority and an administrative posting, which may well have saved lives further down the line. Anyone whose weapon can be taken from them while asleep, doesn't really count as a soldier - Queen's Commission notwithstanding...

It's funny - I miss my Dad now, more than I did when he died. I'd have loved to hear more about his time in the Navy. I remember once he told me how strange it felt to be standing on the deck of a blacked-out ship, listening to the drone of planes overhead, and knowing that those planes were looking for him. I know that he was part of Combined Ops at some point, and I have a memory of him saying he coxwained a Landing Craft, also that he was in some way involved in the D-Day landings. He never spoke much about that sort of thing, and by the time we were old enough to relate as adults, we didn't have the time. When I was twenty, it seemed that 52 was a reasonable age to die, but now I'm 51 it seems a bit harsh......

One story he did tell me though, is of a time he was stationed in India. The Rum ration was stored in the jail, and a couple of guys who were locked up there, managed to smuggle a keg out to their friends, just before they were released, which was on a Friday. The rum would be missed on Monday, which left that particular watch/mess the weekend to dispose of the evidence. [What does the Navy call a Platoon anyway].

So - the scene he painted was of a tropical beach with about 30 guys collapsed on it like victims of a ground burst and in the middle, this squat, black keg of Pussers rum, like some pagan idol. Every so often one of the bodies would stir, stagger to its feet and over to the keg, fill a mug with rum, stagger away, drink and fall down again. I'm told the stuff was pretty potent........ Anyway, they got rid of it although it sounds like it could easily have gone the other way....

=====================

Also c13G' - You tell a good tale - thanks :up:

As an aside - I know that there's a distance between the round and the muzzle in which the trajectory is completely flat - It's of little interest when discussing small arms fire, but it can have implications for larger calibres. e.g. most tanks can't engage at short distances with their guns over the rear decks. Anyway. I have always understood the term "Point Blank range" to refer to this particular distance - Anyone know if that's true?

[c13Garrison]

I just recalled something relevant- imagine that...

In the book "Neptune's Inferno", by James Hornfischer, in the chapter describing the duel between the USS Washington & the Kirishima, he makes the assertion that the Japanese specifically had shallow angle shells designed to strike an enemy ship below the waterline. I'm trying to find the source to site...

And I can't find it, so I probably should withhold commentary, but I will introduce that it is a possibility that such munitions existed. If I find anything I'll post it.

- and thank you Vino for the positive commentary. I am now encouraged to perhaps write more in the future, we shall see!

[Azgrim]

Hello everyone.
When I came to this thread, I didn't even imagine what interesting stories I would find here. Thank you for sharing!

Long story short.

At my current campain I have Gar-class Gudgeon SS-211 Sub.
At the first patrol, somewhere in the ocean, at night, I've encountered jap sub, sailing perpendicularly to my course.
:arrgh!: I sunk her.
It was the first sunk ship in this campain.
By the way:
http://s12.postimg.org/8ftasc815/How.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/8ftasc815/)

A few days later I was at Wikipedia, reading about names and classes of US subs.
Here's what Wiki says about Gudgeon (the full article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gudgeon_%28SS-211%29)):
On 11 December, Gudgeon (commanded by Elton W. "Joe" Grenfell (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elton_W._Grenfell&action=edit&redlink=1)) departed Pearl Harbor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Harbor) on the first American submarine war patrol of World War II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II). ... She was the first American submarine to patrol along the Japanese coast itself, as her area took her off Kyūshū (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ky%C5%ABsh%C5%AB) in the home islands. On 27 January 1942, en route home, Gudgeon became the first United States Navy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy) submarine to sink an enemy warship in World War II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II). Gudgeon fired three torpedoes, and I-73 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_submarine_I-73)[8] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gudgeon_%28SS-211%29#cite_note-8) was destroyed; though Gudgeon claimed only damage, the loss was confirmed by HYPO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Station_HYPO).
As you may see, I-73 is a jap sub.

Is this a coincidence, or just a game script?
I don't know. But I liked it. :D

What do you think? :hmmm:

[grislyatoms]

U.S.S. Trout, Tambor class, Captain Bart Mancuso reporting. May '43, Sea of Okhotsk, 8th patrol. 5 merchants, 24,000 (roughly) tons this patrol, 9 torpedoes left, plus 2 mark 27 in the stern tubes I'm reluctant to use. ~80 rounds of 5 inch left. Have used about 1/4 of our fuel. This will be the first patrol in some time in which we have used more ordnance than fuel!

Took some small-arms fire from a crippled cargo ship. Damage negligible. Continuing patrol.

[TorpX]

Is this a coincidence, or just a game script?
I don't know. But I liked it. :D

What do you think? :hmmm:
Coincidence, I guess, but a very good one. :yep:


In the book "Neptune's Inferno", by James Hornfischer, in the chapter describing the duel between the USS Washington & the Kirishima, he makes the assertion that the Japanese specifically had shallow angle shells designed to strike an enemy ship below the waterline.

I've read that their shell were designed with this in mind. I don't think it was so much they felt they needed to specifically hit targets there, but that the shell increased the available target surface area, and was an advantage. They didn't say exactly what was different about the shell, though. I don't see what you would need to change about the shell, as long as you had a delayed action, base fuze, which you would want anyway.


About the 5 degree declination, that does seem a bit odd. Perhaps they did expect to make devistating close range broadsides with this.

[Gryffon300]

Coincidence, I guess, but a very good one. :yep:

About the 5 degree declination, that does seem a bit odd. Perhaps they did expect to make devistating close range broadsides with this.


Too right - enemy subs are INCREDIBLY rare. (I've yet to encounter one.) Well done!

As to the gun thing - I'm wondering if the primary idea was to allow dynamic gun travel during aiming to counteract ship roll from the swell. Accurate Naval gunnery from a moving base has always impressed and baffled me.. :hmmm:

Gryff

[Gryffon300]

Yeah, I went and looked up naval artillery online and was surprised to find the guns depressed that far, I'd assumed there would be no operational requirement. I'd be interested to know how much water a shell with that much mass and inertia would penetrate. Probably not much, since unlike rifle bullets, shells are really designed to expand on impact :)

I can relate to the experience of the inept skipper. I've known a few infantry officers who'd have been unlikely to make it through combat without some friendly fire. A company commander in my unit was once court-martialled for losing his rifle on exercise. Someone had obviously taken it while he was asleep, and the rumour was that it had been disassembled and buried on the training area. He got a slap on the wrist, some loss of seniority and an administrative posting, which may well have saved lives further down the line. Anyone whose weapon can be taken from them while asleep, doesn't really count as a soldier - Queen's Commission notwithstanding...

It's funny - I miss my Dad now, more than I did when he died. I'd have loved to hear more about his time in the Navy. I remember once he told me how strange it felt to be standing on the deck of a blacked-out ship, listening to the drone of planes overhead, and knowing that those planes were looking for him. I know that he was part of Combined Ops at some point, and I have a memory of him saying he coxwained a Landing Craft, also that he was in some way involved in the D-Day landings. He never spoke much about that sort of thing, and by the time we were old enough to relate as adults, we didn't have the time. When I was twenty, it seemed that 52 was a reasonable age to die, but now I'm 51 it seems a bit harsh......

One story he did tell me though, is of a time he was stationed in India. The Rum ration was stored in the jail, and a couple of guys who were locked up there, managed to smuggle a keg out to their friends, just before they were released, which was on a Friday. The rum would be missed on Monday, which left that particular watch/mess the weekend to dispose of the evidence. [What does the Navy call a Platoon anyway].

So - the scene he painted was of a tropical beach with about 30 guys collapsed on it like victims of a ground burst and in the middle, this squat, black keg of Pussers rum, like some pagan idol. Every so often one of the bodies would stir, stagger to its feet and over to the keg, fill a mug with rum, stagger away, drink and fall down again. I'm told the stuff was pretty potent........ Anyway, they got rid of it although it sounds like it could easily have gone the other way....

=====================

Also c13G' - You tell a good tale - thanks :up:

As an aside - I know that there's a distance between the round and the muzzle in which the trajectory is completely flat - It's of little interest when discussing small arms fire, but it can have implications for larger calibres. e.g. most tanks can't engage at short distances with their guns over the rear decks. Anyway. I have always understood the term "Point Blank range" to refer to this particular distance - Anyone know if that's true?

Thanks for the info, Vino, and for the excellent tale of your Dad's 'Purloining of the King's Rations', or 'Liberating' them, depending on your point of view. Worthy of a scene from 'The Hangover IV'!

Puts me in mind of my ol' bloke's first encounter with Sake on leave in Japan. They all thought it was 'cat's p***' and 'weak' until they tried to stand up. Whereupon, he would invariably launch into his favourite doggerel:
"He is not drunk who from the floor / can rise, and rising, drink once more;
But drunk is he who prostrate lies / where-from neither can he drink nor rise."

Yes, there are lots of creative ways to 'give someone a message' that they don't belong. The aggravating thing ids that so often its the ratings that have to apply their own summary judgement, rather than 'management' being alert enough to take preventive action and get rid of obviously dead wood.

Gryff

[c13Garrison]

Lt.Cmdr Chester Garrison, S-36, Patrol 5.

The cold leeched through the hull. After 13 months of tropical air and sun, the waters south of Attu were a huge shift. It could still get dank and stuffy, but now you could actually hear complaints about the chill from time to time.

The orders to proceed to Dutch Harbor, coming just as we were about to dock in Brisbane, were Not eagerly received. No liberty, 6 hours to refuel and provision, then out to sea again, some much needed maintenance getting shelved for an additional 3 weeks. Our route north paid handsomely for the inconvenience though as we stumbled head-long into a Jap task force southeast of Truk. Everything was picture perfect, only the results worthy of note; 1 Hiryu Fleet Carrier struck 4 times amidships, going under within 10 minutes. Due to excessive care and boat management not a single ping or depth charge heard in reply.

Since arrival in Dutch Harbor though, morale had slumped. Down south we had a hope to find big fleet units, but up here the cold seemed to sap the gumption from the human spirit, from everyone on base. The hunting most talked about was for bear and salmon.

Now we'd been on station 50 miles southwest of Attu for 48 days, and despite two traffic reports of inbound convoys we'd had not a single sighting. We were starting to look not at an 0-3 or 0-4 patrol, but a patrol without a single at bat.

"Biggles," says I, "how far to Midway?"

Biggles gave me one of those looks that said, 'My name is Lt. Watkins, but I'm not going to say anything because I'm afraid you'll do something weirder.' "...Just in range sir, if we're careful."

"Set course for Midway then, I'll be damned if I'm going to let the Navy Department deprive us of good hunting. They've all gone Dutchy. We're going back to Truk."

"Quite a long ways from our assigned patrol zone Captain, very sensible." Watkins rolled up the charts.

"That's the spirit Biggles!" With a hearty clap on the shoulder I sent him back to work.

About 3 weeks later we found ourselves off the north shipping channel of Truk. With full batteries we submerged at dusk and began our entry at 130'. Call it bravado or foolishness, but given I'd been in these waters before I allowed slow ahead as our pace. The last time through there'd been ships anchored just about everywhere, so I carefully came to a full stop at every anchorage and went to periscope depth to look around.

At the first and second stops there was nothing, and nothing at all on sonar. That sense of erie-ness I'd felt here before started to return. We were approaching the northern end of the Truk anchorage when Sonar finally had a contact. First one, then a second warship, moving east-to-west across the mouth of the channel. They should pass by long before we got there, so I simply ordered reduced speed. At 1/3 ahead we continued on. Once we were in their baffles I ordered slow ahead. After about 16 minutes they had just about cleared to the west, and we were within 100 yards of exiting the channel.

"Con Sonar new contact! Warship bearing 285 medium speed closing!"

This was horrible timing. The new patrol's plot took it through the same general path as the other two, whose wakes I had manfully been attempting to cross. We were still in the channel, and its plot was heading right towards us.

"Range?" "1100 yards Sir!"

"Back 1/3!" I watched our speed hastily drop towards zero for about 8 seconds. "All stop! Bottom the boat."

I'd done this once before, but I had a feeling the Japanese vigilance was a bit higher for some reason. This 3rd escort might almost be trailing the other two Specifically to mind their baffles.

Our depth settled, approaching 150' where I presumed the bottom to be. To my mild surprise, our depth continued to fall. "180...190...passing test Captain...200...210...220...230...240..-"

CRUNCH, and a valve popped somewhere in the Con, its irritating hiss sounding terribly loud in our desperately quiet state. The bottom was at 246'?

"I damn sure hope we're not in a hole..."

"I could take a sounding if you prefer Captain."

"Shadd-up Biggles."

"Yes-sir."

The patrol approached, and the yeoman drew its plot. With haunting accuracy it drew nearer. Its engines churning overhead sounded ominous as it reached us, then it passed our bows by about 30 feet and continued on its track. We all exhaled in relief, knowing now that we were buried in his own plant noise.

"Alright, give me 5 feet, then ahead at 1 knot."

We lifted a few feet, then proceeded slowly forward. After the patroler's engine noise was lost from us in the deep channels we proceeded slowly ahead.

We reached the approximate center of the northern half of that anchorage, and at all-stop came to periscope depth. I looked around, and now was outright shocked. Not a ship in sight. "This can't be..." I muttered, increasing magnification and ordering all lights out as I peered intensely into the scope. Slowly turning finally allowed me to see a profile bearing 314, it looked like a freighter perhaps 7000 yards away.

"Down scope, depth 200, ahead slow. There's something there, but I sure as heck hope we find more. Plot bearing 320 for 5000 yards."

We crept forward, and the hour passed 3am. There was no helping it, it would be broad daylight when we got out of here. We reached the southern half of the anchorage and came up to look again. Sonar reported distant warships to the far south, but moving slow.

Looking around I had 2 contacts, both maru, anchored SE & NE- not sure how I missed the NE one when we were closer. Two freighters were fine, but with all the active patrolling I was finding I thought sure there had to be more. I made my very careful scan of the horizon again, turning north through west to- I finally smiled. There, against the shores to the far southwest, the unmistakable profiles of warships- and I'll be damned, a carrier.

"We finally found what we came for, but the bad news is they're deep in on a shallow shelf. We'll have to be extremely cautious. ...Biggles, come left to 270, I don't want to turn into the shelf. Ahead 1/3 and take us to 220' for as long as its there."

We circled onto our westerly heading, and when Sonar warned the rising floor was close we came up to 150', then 120', and finally to 50'. We crept out amongst the weeds at 2 knots. Glancing at the clock, I gave myself 4 hours to get back to the deep channels. I was pretty sure I didn't want to be in 60' of water at sunrise.

We moved forward about 2500 yards, and I risked an peek so I knew how to set up. At all-stop I raised the scope. "...Carrier, a couple cruisers, a four-stacker from the ancient past, ...about 6 targets to choose from. ...Let's set 290, maybe we can get 2 on the carrier and 2 on the cruiser, then circle away to the northwest..."

We again moved forward, but a new contact from Sonar caused me to pop up for a look again. Another destroyer closing from the south at slow, so it hadn't seen us, but depending upon what side of that small island it chose to sail it could be tro... wait. What's th- "Bingo!" The Yamato, lying at anchor in a sheltered hollow.

Everything else was out the window. The biggest prize of the war was just sitting there.

I knew we'd have to reload, which meant shooting from a spot that it wouldn't be easy to reach, and I was damn well going to use every fish I had on that bastard. ...there was a subchaser tied up alongside the western edge of the islet. At 1 knot I took us SSE then pointed us SW, straight at the Yamato, 370 yards from the islet, and 150 yards off the bow of the subchaser. "All stop. ...up scope."

Setting the torpedoes to run between 25 and 30 feet, I selected my targeting points. Range was 1200 yards, offset zero. "...open all tubes...Fire 1...Fire 2...Fire 3...Fire 4 down scope bottom the boat..."

The torpedoes ran as we settled on the bottom at 66'. Now came the riskiest gambit yet. "Secure from silent running. Re-load all tubes." As the torpedoes reached their end-run the unmistakeable sounds of men vainly trying to move heavy ordinance quietly echoed through the boat.

The 4 torpedoes impacted, presumably about 100 yards apart along the length of the hull. Our jubilation swiftly died cold as Sonar tripped over himself trying to report.

"Con Sonar, New contacts, many warships, long range, closing- the Subchaser is pinging Captain!"

Of course we could all hear it pinging. The trick was, were we too far forward of its detection cone for it to get an answer. With any luck, we were, and they wouldn't be able to raise steam swiftly and actually start hunting.

"Steady as she goes. Report when Tube 4 is ready."

We reloaded the tubes, keeping track of the bustling activity waking up across the harbor. No-one was moving fast, so my conclusion was that we hadn't actually been detected. For 20 minutes we tracked more and more ships at speed, none of them in a hurry though. The closest was out in the channel we'd left a few hours before, heading our way at a leisurely speed.

"Tube 4 ready Sir!"

"Make your depth 50 feet, up-scope." The sight of the Yamato was a bit disheartening, as it looked absolutely unperturbed. I spread the next 4 torpedoes at different points along its hull, and as soon as #4 was free I lowered the scope and bottomed the boat again.

"Impact!...Impact!...Impact!...dud Sir." Well, that was rotten luck, but I knew better to complain knowing how bad the Mk 14 boys had it.

Reloading continued, as the harbor escorts made their slow listening way south through the anchorage. We probably had the anchored fleet to thank for them not closing faster, as they acted as a navigational hazard and effective screen for us to the northwest, and the islet of course sheltered us to the south and east.

I was starting to worry, as when Tube 4 finally reported ready the closest of the closing escorts was under 1000 yards. Getting out was going to be tight. "Up scope at 50 feet."

The giant lay there quietly. I fired my last 4 torpedoes, one at the screws, and one each at the magazines of the 3 mains. I watched these close. Each torpedo impacted and exploded, not causing the fireworks I was desperately hoping for, but the last torpedo did cause an explosion of some kind, and there seemed to finally be a small remnant of a fire as I lowered the scope; the only apparent mark to indicate it had been the victim of malicious intent.

"...well, its out of our hands now. Set depth 65', come right to 070, give me one knot only, commence silent running and everybody pray like hell."

The next 2 hours were the most unnerving we'd ever endured. No less than 7 escorts closed on our position by the islet, desperately listening for a hint of us to allow them to begin what would amount to a summary execution. Dawn broke as we crept through the weeds right through the formation of the hunters, sometimes so close that I feared a rudder might scrape our tower, and proceeding at 1 knot we had no capacity for evasion at all. Finally passing the lip of the shelf, I gratefully took us deeper, finally settling to 230' back in the anchorage.

Counting on the slowly circling escorts to be making enough noise to mask ours, I allowed 1/3 ahead when we had made just 800 yards from the nearest ones behind us. Taking advantage of the discovery that the waters were deeper than I'd thought, we crept out back to the north at 230', and when the sound of the last warship was lost as we entered the confines of the channel I increased to ahead slow.

When we were 9nm clear of the channel in deep waters and down to 10% battery I ordered periscope depth. With everything showing clear, we surfaced. This time 17 hours we'd been under, but we'd made it. I looked back to the south with my binoculars, hoping to see a tiny column of smoke rising on the southern horizon, but apparently the little blaze I'd started had been safely extinguished. I frowned, knowing that despite my best efforts we were going back to port with nothing to show for it but expended effort and materiel.

"Apple cobbler time Captain?"

"No, ...none for me. Take the Con Lieutenant."

"Yes Captain."

[in_vino_vomitus]

Good read :)

[Azgrim]

Lt.Cmdr Chester Garrison, this is a magnificent story!
Doing all this... on S-class! You've got balls!
I wouldn't get this close even on my Balao :salute:

This was my today's patrol. Unfortunately, with casualties.
http://s12.postimg.org/v74cigl1l/SH4.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/v74cigl1l/)

[TorpX]

As to the gun thing - I'm wondering if the primary idea was to allow dynamic gun travel during aiming to counteract ship roll from the swell. Accurate Naval gunnery from a moving base has always impressed and baffled me.. :hmmm:

It only occured to me after I posted, but the gun depression must be to compensate for any listing. Otherwise, a port list would make the ship almost defenseless from starboard, and vice-versa.

[Gryffon300]

It only occured to me after I posted, but the gun depression must be to compensate for any listing. Otherwise, a port list would make the ship almost defenseless from starboard, and vice-versa.

Exactly right. Whether from listing or swell, whenever the deck on your side pointed above the horizon, the gunner would be in trouble for short-range targets!
G

[Gryffon300]

Lt.Cmdr Chester Garrison, S-36, Patrol 5.

Setting the torpedoes to run between 25 and 30 feet, I selected my targeting points. Range was 1200 yards, offset zero. "...open all tubes...Fire 1...Fire 2...Fire 3...Fire 4 down scope bottom the boat..."

Bloody good yarn, Fort! I thought I was the only one that rabbited on at length like that, but I for one am glad you did - it sure puts you at the Nav table right next to you. Good stuff. :rock:

It sounds like you have a similar relationship with Biggles as I have with Swain. He will never just accept an order from the X - he always has to have a comment as he sets a new heading. Thank God he has a sense of humour and an ironic outlook. He tells me he is part Navajo - always saying things like, "Yat-ta-hey" instead of, "Very good, Sir!" I knighted him as an Honorary Aussie during the Crossing the Line ceremony so I wouldn't have to have him charged with insubordination. Aussies are like that.

Anyway, other than to thank you for regaling us with your story, I must tell you that I, too, have gone 'off the reservation' in search of targets and ended up in Truck (though not in an 'S'. Gutsy!). I found the Yamato also, after they repaired it, post your attack, and put it on the bottom, but got no credit, thanks to shallow water at that anchorage, I think.

The point I'm getting around to though, is to ask you why you chose to run your fish relatively shallow against her. My instructors advised going for 'Influence Trigger' belly shots for maximum effect. I've tried 35, even 40' settings on the Beast that seemed to work. (When those early Mk 14s weren't dudding or prematuring on me! My little discussions with Ordinance after early patrols may have had an impact - they are getting much better..)

Anyway, I would be keen to get other Skipper's opinions on optimal depth settings. Any theories?

Tight Hatches

Gryff

[c13Garrison]

The reasoning is simple- I only had Mk10's, so contact was my only recourse. Then consider I only had 12 torps in total, and I didn't want to lose 1/12th of my "throw weight" due to an errant deep run. :)

However thank you for your kind commentary, one and all! I enjoy writing, and the Biggles thing just kind of happened as comic relief. That's the second tale he appears in, and I wager he'll feature until we're sunk. There's quite a bit of backstory piling up about him.

Speaking of the Yamato in Truk though, I'm tempted to not go after her if she can't be sunk there. That's a helluva risk for no reward. -- just took new construction, Balao. Obviously Captain Garrison would see a need for more torps on board! Won't be writing more right away though, family in town for a week.

[grislyatoms]

Mid June, '43. Patrol Sea of Japan/Hokkaido coast via La Perouse strait. Got a bad feeling about this.

Sank two lone merchants for ~10k tons approaching the strait. Submerged for the day in deep water to wait for night to cross.

About 3/4 of the way through deck watch spotted what I assume to be fishing boats under sail (no sonar or radar contact). Went to periscope depth to keep from being seen. Crawled out into deep water at dead slow. Made it through, recharging batteries and giving the crew some fresh air. Still very jumpy.

[Gryffon300]

The reasoning is simple- I only had Mk10's, so contact was my only recourse. Then consider I only had 12 torps in total, and I didn't want to lose 1/12th of my "throw weight" due to an errant deep run. :)

Doh! (Insert forehead-slapping smilie). I had not realised some of the Mk10 characteristics. You live and learn (or you die dumb.)

Gryff

[Gryffon300]

To: SubSim Tactics Advisory Group, SubPac N2
From: Capt Marcus Griffin, Balao SS-285
RE: Targeting Dilemma

Deviated as requested Flash Traffic STOP Intercepted TF Yamato; 2 x Kongo; 2 x FC w heavy escort 33N 141E 15:00 21/05/43 STOP 1 x Kongo; 1 x FC sunk STOP Yamato; 1 x Kongo; 1 x FC disabled dead in water STOP 3 torps remain STOP
Plan A: 1 torp each - confidence level high would finish FC & Kongo, but Yamato?
Plan B: 1 x torp Kongo; 2 x torp Yamato, finish FC w gun
Plan C: 3 x torp Yamato; gun for FC & hope for Kongo STOP
Have this night despatched carrier pigeon with microfilm of Obs Scope recon shot of Yamato, FC and (distance behind & left of FC) Kongo STOP
Will surface tomorrow night usual time and await transmit directive STOP
END END END

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/4123/s0fi.jpg

(Seriously, so what would YOU do?) :06:

Flash update STOP In last hour Hiyo has succumbed to fire from original single torp STOP Modified Plan B & C only remain STOP Please advise as previous STOP
END END END

[grislyatoms]

I don't believe I would surface for a deck gun attack in that situation with any of them still afloat...

Tough choice. I believe I would concentrate on the FC, then the Kongo. I wouldn't bother with Yamato. 3 more may not sink her, while the others at least have a pretty good chance.

[in_vino_vomitus]

And so we return from our first patrol and I understand what Uncle Rudi meant when he wished me an unexciting time. I'm happy to say his wish for me came true. It may be that there's no safer place to fight the war than from inside a U-Boat. Certainly if the British continue to drive ships past us like flocks of sheep, then their sheepdogs will need to grow better ears or it will be a very short war indeed.

I would love to tell you tales of high heroics, but in truth there weren't any. Well - there was one moment when we dived to avoid a plane. He spotted us and dropped a bomb that shook the boat slightly. A sailor in the aft torpedo room banged his head and bled a little. We'd dived to avoid about twenty planes at this point. This was the first time any had seen us, so the crash of the bomb exploding surprised us all, but it was nowhere close to us really, and it was the closest danger to us in the whole patrol.

It very nearly wasn't though, when a British Destroyer saw us - For all they seem to be deaf, some of them have good eyes. we must have been five kilometers away and it wasn't a particularly bright night. He was in front of a convoy we were overtaking. When I told Grandpa [The Captain], he just told me not to worry. "We're too far away for them to see us leutnant" is all he said. "I'm sure you're right sir" I replied "I expect he's heading this way incredibly slowly and that bow wave is just a trick of the light". Well - that got his attention, and to be honest I was expecting unpleasant consequences, but the thing about cleaning bilges, or any punishment detail, is that the dead are exempt. Anyway, I won't make too much of the affair, he was a long way away, and when he got to where we'd been, so were we. They dropped a lot of depth charges [another escort came over to help] but we were a hundred meters deep and a kilometer away. They kept at it for a long time though...

What surprised me was that our wise old Grandfather, took us towards the convoy. I think he saw the puzzled look on my face as he ordered a turn to the West. I admit, I was expecting him to abandon the attack, but he said "Think about it Leutnant. It's not that they don't know where we are - they're sure we're somewhere we're not. With all the noise they're making, killing fish back there, and all the noise the convoy is making in front of us, we're invisible, and if those idiots in the destroyers haven't got the sense to sit and listen instead of dumping high explosive overboard, then maybe the convoy commander hasn't got the sense to change his course and speed. - So. what say you Leutnant Beck. Shall we find out?"

And find out we did. We came to periscope depth in the rear third of the convoy and they hadn't changed course or speed. They probably thought those destroyers wouldn't have been dropping so many bombs unless they had a U-boat under them to bomb - we picked three targets, two ahead and one aft - and gave them two eels each. Once again our venerable Patriarch surprised me, ordering us to dive deep and stay under the convoy. I admit, I thought he was pushing his luck, but we never heard a thing from the escorts. As for our torpedoes, we heard two explosions. Dieter, our soundman says that more of them hit, but failed to function. I thought at the time it was pretty unlucky to have so many kaput, but you know, probably half of the eels we fired, just bounced off the ships we fired them at. It's a good job we never got depth charged. It would be tremendously unfair to be sunk over a torpedo that didn't work. Still, I'm sure that sort of bad luck can't happen twice in a lifetime - And I can hear you now warning me about tempting fate - don't worry, I promise I'll turn three times and spit just after I've written this....

Anyway. How to finish? We came back up, we fired another six eels. One of them was at a tanker we hit on our first attack, it was listing heavily but still afloat. Needless to say of the two in this salvo that failed to work, this was one of them. We got two more hits though - another tanker and a merchantman. this time the Old man took us West again, away from the convoy, we heard two of our victims breaking up as we were coming up to periscope depth.

Once we reloaded our tubes we went back and did more or less the same thing again so I won't bore you with an account of that. The only thing I'll say, is that diving to check on the position of the convoy a few hours later, Dieter reported two contacts trailing the convoy, barely moving. Of course we went over to collect them and it was the tanker and a supply ship that we'd hit but not sunk in the early hours. The gun crew got to give them the coup de grace, and I have to say that our U-Boat has a very fine gun crew. I've heard of gunners that couldn't hit a U-Boat pen if they were inside it, but not on our boat.....

So. that was our first patrol, and if all of them are like that, then I'll have no complaints at all, but I'm sure that both sides will get better at this.

I don't need to tell you that you must never discuss these letters with anyone, under any circumstances. Especially if you should hear me telling a more "entertaining" version of this story to Frau Hansen's daughter Lotte....

Your obedient Nephew

Philipp

[c13Garrison]

@Gryff. I agree with Griz, but great hunting! A fine picture for the wall of the wardroom.

@Vino. Great story telling. It will be enjoyable to read the Nephew's posts; and interesting twist making the protagonist the Exec rather than Captain.

[in_vino_vomitus]

c13G' Thanks :)

Gryff - I'd probably put all three under Yamato's keel - Maybe one at a time in case the first one hit something vital. I'd assume the magazines are under the turrets.... Of course I've made a career out of bad decisions so probably your best bet is to make my plan A, your plan Z.....

[Gryffon300]

Ah, now. You see? You lot are no better than my wardroom! Three suggestions from three different skips - and all supported by clear logic.

The 'Swain has volunteered to go on a Vision Quest; Cheffo has offered to run a sweepstake; and the Buffer has volunteered to go three rounds with any challenger to decide the issue by force of arms (he really is just after another 'Victory' tattoo for his left arm to match the ones on his right. He got positively pouty when I told him he wasn't going to get his wish on this cruise).

I'm not confident about the probable number of duds in the last three, so I've decided to go for the Kongo KNOWING at least one will work and take him down. I agree that slow shots, taking time to assess results, is the way to go in this case. As can be seen from the last flash update, the Hiyo took itself under. ONE torp plus fire - wonderful! (Thank you TDW!)

I would certainly have had no hesitation trying to take the FC under by gun had it not done so AFTER I had taken down the Kongo (to eliminate cross-fire). But, I'm not a total nutter. I would have surfaced 3,500 to 4000yds from the FC, with the FC BETWEEN us and the Yamato. I'm sure that eventually, IF the radio was still functional on the FC, that eventually they would have been able to provide some kind of Fire Control for the Yamato, but not before we had done some damage (especially as I would have waited till nightfall, making spotting and ranging me more difficult).

Anyway, we will never know now - pity really - it was such an elegant plan! Off to sink a Kongo and, with any luck, Yamamoto's barge.

Wish me luck.

Gryff :salute:

[Gryffon300]

And so we return from our first patrol and I understand what Uncle Rudi meant when he wished me an unexciting time. I'm happy to say his wish for me came true. It may be that there's no safer place to fight the war than from inside a U-Boat. Certainly if the British continue to drive ships past us like flocks of sheep, then their sheepdogs will need to grow better ears or it will be a very short war indeed.

I would love to tell you tales of high heroics, but in truth there weren't any.

Sehr gute Geshichte, mein Freund! Ein wenig Apfel Schnaps, ja?:up:

Gryff

[Gryffon300]

I don't believe I would surface for a deck gun attack in that situation with any of them still afloat...

Tough choice. I believe I would concentrate on the FC, then the Kongo. I wouldn't bother with Yamato. 3 more may not sink her, while the others at least have a pretty good chance.

Agree. Wilco. thanks

Gryff

[Armistead]

Agree. Wilco. thanks

Gryff

Good patrol!

Not sure what mods you use, but if TMO, you can forget using your deck gun on a capital warship. I did sink a smaller carrier escort with the deck gun after two torp hits, but took a lot of shells.

What I would've done in your situation depends on the number of torp hits on the two BB's.

[Bubblehead1980]

To: SubSim Tactics Advisory Group, SubPac N2
From: Capt Marcus Griffin, Balao SS-285
RE: Targeting Dilemma

Deviated as requested Flash Traffic STOP Intercepted TF Yamato; 2 x Kongo; 2 x FC w heavy escort 33N 141E 15:00 21/05/43 STOP 1 x Kongo; 1 x FC sunk STOP Yamato; 1 x Kongo; 1 x FC disabled dead in water STOP 3 torps remain STOP
Plan A: 1 torp each - confidence level high would finish FC & Kongo, but Yamato?
Plan B: 1 x torp Kongo; 2 x torp Yamato, finish FC w gun
Plan C: 3 x torp Yamato; gun for FC & hope for Kongo STOP
Have this night despatched carrier pigeon with microfilm of Obs Scope recon shot of Yamato, FC and (distance behind & left of FC) Kongo STOP
Will surface tomorrow night usual time and await transmit directive STOP
END END END

http://imageshack.us/a/img17/4123/s0fi.jpg

(Seriously, so what would YOU do?) :06:

Flash update STOP In last hour Hiyo has succumbed to fire from original single torp STOP Modified Plan B & C only remain STOP Please advise as previous STOP
END END END

Time date location of this tf ?

[Gryffon300]

Time date location of this tf ?

As suggested in first line, first detected transiting Truck to Home waters (Tokyo Wan) at about 13:00 - 21st, May '43 near coordinates indicated (not far from where Flash message suggested they may end up).

Here is a screen shot from the following day after I loitered overnight on the surface about 1000yds outside of the circle, centred on the DiW Yamato, while we recharged, got some breathable air, and waited for The Beast to sink (dream on). The 3 parallel tracks were the line of travel of the columns. If you ever get the chance, its a great nut to crack. I'll probably save and re-run like a Single Mission to see if I can improve the outcome..

I'll also throw in a shot that I took just after I took down the last Kongo, near to my then-current position. They can seek, but they will never find!

You will note that the second Hiyo is still afloat almost a day later. But it IS officially 'sunk'! - see red icon 500 or so yds from Yamato at centre of compass circle.)

Cheers

Gryff

http://imageshack.us/a/img703/9676/sc8m.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img821/9379/kwco.jpg

Rest In Pieces.

Got to get to my Patrol Zone now and hunt for some unaccompanied Merchants to harass with the gun - can't go back with unexpended ordnance!

[Gryffon300]

Good patrol!

Not sure what mods you use, but if TMO, you can forget using your deck gun on a capital warship. I did sink a smaller carrier escort with the deck gun after two torp hits, but took a lot of shells.

What I would've done in your situation depends on the number of torp hits on the two BB's.

Thanks Armistead. I did once finish a carrier with gun, and you are right, it took my entire HE and half my AP reserve, but it finished her off. DiW, with heavy list, I figure would be worth a go.

The Kongos were not much trouble with 2 or 3 fish (well aimed and at the right depth), but I gave up counting how many effective hits (among the duds) on the Y. I was certainly able to count 5 nice holes at the bottom of her hull on one side and one on the other, when cruising beneath her with periscope extended for a nice underwater view (I think it was you that gave me that great idea).

By the way, the mosquitoes are troublesome this time of year, don't you find?

http://imageshack.us/a/img541/8798/s9be.jpg

Cheers

Gryff

[Bubblehead1980]

As suggested in first line, first detected transiting Truck to Home waters (Tokyo Wan) at about 13:00 - 21st, May '43 near coordinates indicated (not far from where Flash message suggested they may end up).

Here is a screen shot from the following day after I loitered overnight on the surface about 1000yds outside of the circle, centred on the DiW Yamato, while we recharged, got some breathable air, and waited for The Beast to sink (dream on). The 3 parallel tracks were the line of travel of the columns. If you ever get the chance, its a great nut to crack. I'll probably save and re-run like a Single Mission to see if I can improve the outcome..

I'll also throw in a shot that I took just after I took down the last Kongo, near to my then-current position. They can seek, but they will never find!

You will note that the second Hiyo is still afloat almost a day later. But it IS officially 'sunk'! - see red icon 500 or so yds from Yamato at centre of compass circle.)

Cheers

Gryff

http://imageshack.us/a/img703/9676/sc8m.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img821/9379/kwco.jpg

Rest In Pieces.

Got to get to my Patrol Zone now and hunt for some unaccompanied Merchants to harass with the gun - can't go back with unexpended ordnance!


I had to reread the first post, sorry, did not see the time/date/location when i asked this.I was curious as TF's in RSRD are somewhat rare since based on historical data.Much like a real sub skipper, a rsrd player could go entire career without seeing a capital ship.right time, right place kind of thing.The ultra's are great, being within range, plotting, racing to area to see if can make contact.Randomly stumbling across groups is fun as well.

[grislyatoms]

My entire SH4 career I have never encountered a capital ship. Nor a submarine. Encountered a British sub one time just east of the English Channel in GWX.

Anyway, good hunting/shooting, Skipper! :salute:

Sure is a pretty sight seeing her capsized like that:arrgh!:

[grislyatoms]

We finished our "SOJ via La Perouse strait" patrol fairly well. Came back with unexpended ordnance (two fish in the forward tubes, 23 rounds of 5 inch) as fuel was bingo after running down the coast of Hokkaido. Still, pretty good patrol, 27K tons. Crew got an issue of rum grog each (out of the Skipper's personal stash, for medicinal purposes only) as we approached Midway.

Reloaded, refitted with improved SJ radar.

New assignment: "SOJ via La Perouse strait".:huh:

I DON'T LIKE SHALLOW, NARROW WATER!:wah:

Come on, subpac!:down:

[grislyatoms]

I guess we all have a "Biggles" or "Bernard" on our boats. :)

Mr. Moore, one of my sonar folks.

"Target bearing 352, constant speed. Target bearing 354, constant speed" At that point I have my finger on the trigger.

"Contact lost".:o

I call him, alternatively, either "Gilligan" or Ensign Parker...:D

[Gryffon300]

My entire SH4 career I have never encountered a capital ship. Nor a submarine. Encountered a British sub one time just east of the English Channel in GWX.

Anyway, good hunting/shooting, Skipper! :salute:

Sure is a pretty sight seeing her capsized like that:arrgh!:

Tusen tack! Yes, wait till you see my Plan Z tactical approach coming soon!

Sounds like you could do with a new sound man. Maybe that's why you have never encountered any 'Heavies' - he never reports them! (Just his way of keeping safe. Or maybe he is a British agent? Just thinking...)

Cheers, Bear

Gryff

[Gryffon300]

OK, with thanks to Torpedobait :salute: ("The thing is, even though the bow or stern may be sitting on the bottom, it is not considered "sunk" until your crew reports the sinking. It may take 10 torpedoes for the Yamato, maybe more if you wait too long between reloading and hitting her again." 'SH4: WoP - Anyone encountered this bug? Little angry' - #15) for the reinforcement of the idea discussed several times of late regarding the race between damage accumulation from your attack and repairs underway from the Damage Control teams. I ran a different attack profile, hitting the Yamato with far less hits, but closer together. Here's the story: :ping:

__________________________________________________ _______

Journal 1: Cptn Marcus Griffin

Yes, that's right, they've upped my rating and given me another stripe. I like to think it's been because we've been pretty successful and brought the Balao back from several patrols now with no major damage, but, truth be told, it's probably as much to do with the fact that we have lost some good crews and skippers that need replacement. Fortunes of War, eh?

I don't know if you have heard after trying to get in touch with Mrs Miyagi, but if not I have appalling news. I have had an uncensored letter smuggled to me from Kesuke where he tells me that both his wife and child died in the tripple-cursed internment camp. He feels the Government and country he is fighting for killed his family. "They have stolen my life." I don't know how or if he will ever get over it.
__________________________________________________ ______
[Extract]
17/05/43
So that leads up to the start of what will probably prove to be our greatest single contribution to the war. We got some Flash Traffic while on our way to deployment in the Formosa Strait requesting that anyone within range attempt an intercept of a Task Force on its way from Truck back to Japan. We got to the designated area a day early, so were able to take out a merchant that night with the gun.

21/05/43
After lunch, radar picked up an oncoming group - hopefully our TF. We had to steam hard for a couple of hours to intercept, but we got there in time to be submerged with smoke on the horizon.

They were steaming at 16 - 18 knots to the NW and we approached from the West, heading NE. At radar depth we were able to see that there were three columns with a roving screen. Once we had plotted the track of the main columns, we went quiet and all stop at depth (below the layer) in line with the westernmost column track. We selected that to place ourselves between two forward escorts.

Once they were level, I came off Silent; went to Flank; ordered Battle Stations; and ordered Periscope depth, aiming to be able to see by the time we were between the first two tracks (which were all 2200 yds apart) and set for fore and aft shots. Once there, we had a look and I nearly had a heart attack! A screen of 5 or more escorts, two Kongo Battleships; two Fleet Carriers; and the Yamato! The first column was an FC; the second was the Yamato followed by a Kongo; and the third an FC followed by the other Kongo.

Although the furthest FC was nicely in my green zone, at nearly 3,500 yds, I thought it was a low percentage shot, and so, refrained (besides I wanted all 6 forwards for the Yamato). I set all 6 to 35' and rears to 25', opened all doors and counted down. Within a minute or two, she was almost in my green zone, so I started launching, starting at 5 degrees forward (I will use forward and aft in this, rather than left or right, so you don't have to remember whether I'm shooting from the forward or aft tubes and whether they are crossing from left to right etc), then 3; 1; 0; 1; 3.

As soon as the last was away, I ordered up a bearing 10 deg further E and spun around and lined up on the FC in my '6'. The change in bearing brought the FC into the green and, instead of my usual two, I let one go at 3 deg forward, by now at about 2000yds. Just before firing, the first torp impacted the Yamato. All 6 torps hit, with only one dud.

By then, I had spun to my starboard to lock onto the Kongo trailing the Yamato. I was, by now, crossing his track, so it was bearing down on me square on at less then 1000 yds. He was zig-zagging by now, so I was hoping he would be at a down-swing (away from me) when he got to my '6' otherwise he would be too close to fire on.

Again, I was intent on only hitting him with 1 to slow him down, so I could retain 2 for another salvo at the Yamato. As you know, I had a go once before in Truck, but took too long between reloads and re-fires, which allowed them too much time to repair, I wasn't going to make that mistake again!

So, while I waited for the Kongo that was charging down my throat, I had a look at how the re-loads were going and tube one was seconds away from ready. Knowing this, I locked on to the other Kongo about to cross my bows at about 1800 yds on the far track, set the torp to 3 forward / 25' and, before it reached the green, let rip. I then spun around as the other Kongo was going through my hot zone (thankfully at about 500 yds - everything was working for us!) and sent one away at 5 deg forward, then ordered hard to starboard to come to bear on the Yamato with my last two.

As I swung, I got a hit on the stern Kongo while I was setting the fish to 35'. The Yamato seemed to be taking on a list and slowing, so I set 0 and 3 forward at about 2150 yds and fired. About then the forward Kongo got a hit as I was ordering down scope and, ordered hard to port and laid in a bearing to parallel their track and 300', as the escorts were taking a mild interest in me by this stage. As I was going under, the sweetest sound of all - BOTH fish got the Yamato forward!

I was determined to close for the kill on any and all that I could, so stayed at Flank (NOT my usual style, believe me!) and jigged around changing direction and depth regularly after every DC pass. Chef-o yelled about a few busted plates, and our teeth got a right Royal rattling, and I still haven't got rid of the ringing in my ears, but we managed.

http://imageshack.us/a/img443/1756/tx01.jpg

As you can see, the escorts were a little put out.

While we were rattling around down there, we heard a great sound - one of my hits was going down - the FC - with only one torp in her belly! Fabulous. The crew got a 'Yay!' out of that, believe me. By then I was slipping the noose (slightly) on the escorts, so, still at Flank, if you can believe it, I ordered P depth and aligned on the nice low thugga-chugga-thugga coming from the Big Bloke.

I could not credit what was in the scope, so I changed eyes, but the view was the same.

http://imageshack.us/a/img594/664/tr3x.jpg

You can see the sunk FC in the background (the fire & the smoke to the far left is only burning oil from her before she keeled over), and a heavily listing Kongo, but, far more interesting (at least from a propaganda perspective), is the Yamato, obviously in huge distress.

I took this shot less than ten minutes later:

http://imageshack.us/a/img594/5121/6vny.jpg

I have better shots from an aesthetic point of view, but, even to a layman, this one is definitive for identification, with the three-gun turret visible. And all with only 7 effective torp hits! Well. My my. We'd done it. No 'Yay's!' this time - just stunned silence as I ordered a return to the deeps to try and shake the escorts. I figured that we could pick up the rest at our leisure, because last time the Yamato was in trouble no-one would leave her. In fact, we had seen an FC and a wounded BB RETURN from miles away to support the Admiral (and, no doubt, stand ready to pick up survivors if required) - but not this time.

Within short order the escorts were fleeing after the vanishing heavies and soon were just smoke on the horizon. Of course, now full of bravado, we upped and after them. On a ten nm parallel track, which we had to adjust once to the west when they jigged, at 20 knots (turned off battery recharge - still had 75%), we overtook first a slower Kongo, then the rest doing 18 knots many hours later. (Dodging some air-cover from the Hiyo en passant.)

In the dead of night we again positioned ahead and went silent stop as the escorts barrelled by, then we put two into the fresh Hiyo, followed by one, then a second into the Kongo, then went down to wait. As we were coming up to see what was taking the on-fire Kongo so long, a new player came barrelling through. It was the other Kongo (or its twin)! It had been repaired and pumped out, I guess, 'cause she was fast and trim with no list. So, for being so obliging, I put two into her and, within half an hour, both Kongos were on their way to the deeps.

So, there you have it. I still have torps to spare, but we got an entire TF. By not allowing the Yamato time to repair, I ended up with a long chase, rather than a turkey shoot. But, I GOT the YAMATO! Doing it the other way, it was much easier to get the rest of the fleet, but I ran the risk of running out of torps and still not getting the main prize.

I'll evade the rest of this angry but dispirited escort and move on to our patrol zone and do some more damage before heading home. I'll break out the last of the Christams egg-nog brandy for the boys as soon as we are out of detection range and back to normal stations. We all deserve it!

______________________________________________ End extract.

Marcus

[in_vino_vomitus]

Nice shooting Captain - Well told as usual :)

[in_vino_vomitus]

Back from our second patrol. Seasoned veterans now! Once again there was no death-defying heroism. No braving the gauntlet of destroyers to visit ruin on the enemy. Mostly this was because the enemy was so hard to find, but having found him, sneaking past his watchdogs wasn't so hard to do. Our torpedoes performed no better this time, and poor Lothar, our chief torpedoman worked his people very hard indeed maintaining them. Certainly when Dieter reported the duds, we knew it was through no fault of theirs, but still they suffered. I don't think anyone got less rest than they did, and seaman Moller had two fingers broken pulling a battery out in heavy seas. These are very heavy batteries.

Still, we claimed 35,000 tons, which is reasonable hunting. Our gun crew claimed two scalps in the 'Kanal. One going out and the other returning. The second one was settling in the water, there was no smoke, or any sign of burning, and the gun crew were holding fire, when suddenly an explosion blew the bow clean off. We were about 800 meters away, but we still felt the shockwave. Whatever they were carrying, it was better on the seabed than being fired at the Wehrmacht.

I said the enemy was hard to find. We spent nearly three weeks patrolling along the convoy routes and at first we were all very excited when a ship was heard, but soon the excitement stopped. After chasing down one vessel and getting into position to fire, Grandfather demanded I check our position. I told him we were 100Km west of Lisbon, he had me go over my figures three times, and I confess I was afraid he'd caught me in some schoolboy error, so I checked and rechecked, and told him I was as sure of our position as it was reasonably possible to be. "If you say so Leutnant", he replied "I just wanted to make sure we weren't off Panama, since that's the only flag I've seen this month".

The next time we saw a merchantman, we didn't even try to be stealthy. We went to full ahead and sailed straight for them. I don't know who was the more surprised. Us at seeing the Red Ensign, or them when we torpedoed them. They took no evasive action whatsoever. I can only assume they thought we were one of theirs. We were less than five hundred meters directly off his starboard beam. The old man ordered the tubes opened, took a guess at the speed and fired in about ten seconds after spotting the flag. One cannot take satisfaction from such a victory, but war is not a matter of style, and this time at least, our eels ran true.

The next day, we found the convoy we were looking for, and as I have said, approaching it undetected wasn't difficult. We fired twelve eels, some of them missed, which was strange since everything seemed perfect. We sank two and damaged one more. It seems almost a waste of time hiding from the Royal Navy. The first time I heard their ASDIC, I thought for sure we were going to suffer, but they never found us. I know how you hate me tempting fate, but this really does seem too easy......

I hope to have a more entertaining tale for you next time.

Your obedient Nephew

Phillipp

[c13Garrison]

Just a quick note from familial purgatory, I very much enjoyed "grandfather's" quip about Panamanian flags. :up:

Carry on, my wayward sons!

[Gryffon300]

Back from our second patrol. Seasoned veterans now!

I know how you hate me tempting fate, but this really does seem too easy......

I hope to have a more entertaining tale for you next time.

Your obedient Nephew

Phillipp

Nice patrol for getting the drift of your boat and crew, and well told. I was wining like a stuck pig my first patrol, for also never caught a convoy, so you are doing better than I did! Enjoy!

(I've skinned a few knuckles slinging batteries around, too, so - my sympathies to your crew.)

A great yarn (and my thanks to you for the kind comments on my adventures), but I suspect you may be being lulled into a false sense of security. If you can hear their ASDIC, eventually, they will figure out how to listen for a return! What is called for is a finely judged balance of Aggression and Fear (we won't tell der Fuhrer about that last one, OK?)

Be courageous, my friend, but PLEASE, don't let me hear you come back like that dog Jurgens did last week boasting of sinking a Hospital Ship - the cheers and back-slapping made me ill. (I suspect, being a true Man of the Sea, that his father will disown him if he ever finds out.) I know you to be an honourable man. I have observed it in you often, so I'm sure you won't be like him and abandon your true spirit of martial chivalry!

May your spears fly true, my friend.

Gryff

[Gryffon300]

Just a quick note from familial purgatory, I very much enjoyed "grandfather's" quip about Panamanian flags. :up:

Carry on, my wayward sons!

You're right about that - it was very droll.

G

[in_vino_vomitus]

Thanks :)

So far it seems like convoys are the default for allied ships. I haven't counted, but 15-20 ships seems a reasonable estimate, usually escorted by a cruiser and 2-4 destroyers. I installed the harder escorts mod, but even so in a reasonable swell, ASDIC doesn't seem up to much, but then it's only 1939. I fear Leutnant Beck is going to get all the excitement he can handle before much longer.......

One problem they've had has been missing shots they shouldn't have. Turns out that if the optics give you a correct height [range] reading, then the length [speed] is out. The captain pulled a few strings, cancelled some shore leave and got his boat included in a training exercise, where he could confirm range and speed numbers directly from the target ships, in return for helping train their hydrophone operators.

Once the Captain had the numbers it was simple enough to work out the correction, so the boat won't be late out on her scheduled patrol. But he wrote a strongly worded letter to Herr Professor Heisenberg at Zeiss, who designed the optics. What he will do in response is uncertain....

As for torpedoing a hospital ship. What manner of man would do such a thing? And to boast of it afterward beggars belief. It's frustrating to plan and execute an attack, only to identify the target as neutral, or non-combatant and be compelled to abort, but one has to respect neutrals. Of course if a ship in a convoy is flying a neutral flag, which we have seen, then that is a different matter entirely.....

Once again, thank you both for your kind words. I look forward to hearing of your latest exploits........

:Kaleun_Salute:

[grislyatoms]

(I suspect, being a true Man of the Sea, that his father will disown him if he ever finds out.)

He sounds a like a true ol' Baltic salt. :salute:

[in_vino_vomitus]

...............................

Be courageous, my friend, but PLEASE, don't let me hear you come back like that dog Jurgens did last week boasting of sinking a Hospital Ship - the cheers and back-slapping made me ill. (I suspect, being a true Man of the Sea, that his father will disown him if he ever finds out.) I know you to be an honourable man. I have observed it in you often, so I'm sure you won't be like him and abandon your true spirit of martial chivalry!

May your spears fly true, my friend.

Gryff

It seems that, in response to a signal from The U-Boat responsible, ships in the area have been requested to lend assistance to a Panamanian vessel that was struck by two torpedoes off Northern Portugal last night. Details are scarce, but it appears that the ship was misidentified, although the attack took place in daylight. It's possible that the sea state was a contributory factor, although it's hard to imagine how the Captain could have failed to see the Panamanian flag.

No communication has been received from the stricken vessel. Possibly her radio equipment was damaged by one of the torpedo strikes. Certainly one of them has damaged her propellers. The Captain of U-43 reports her settling in the water and not under way, with some smoke coming from the area of her stern, but no flames visible. It's not clear at this time if the flooding can be contained, but the crew appear not to be making any preparations to abandon the ship.

There was some reluctance within the BdU to releasing the information, since to do so would give away the location of U-43. This was weighed against the political consequences of attacking a neutral ship. In the end it was decided to embargo the information for four hours, in order to allow U-43 to clear the area, and then inform the Panamanian and Portuguese governments. An unconfirmed number of vessels are currently en route to the last reported position of the stricken ship.

------------------------------

Or to put it another way - :Kaleun_Sick:

[c13Garrison]

Eyes Only

To:

Executive Officer U-43

From:

BdU Oberfähnrich to Konteradmiral Donitz


Regarding The Porto Incident

Documents pertaining to the U-43's involvement in this affair have been requested by the office of Herr Ribbentrop.

Your food manifest has been forwarded from your last resupply. We trust our unfortunate mistake will be much appreciated by the officers of U-43.

Let us be assured such misfortunes do not repeat?

Schmidt


___

...I imagine it would have sounded a bit different, but I was briefly amused thinking of the communiques that such an accident would have caused. :)

Sounds like it will be a Noteworthy patrol!! :up:

[Admiral Halsey]

Just got back into Tulagi after the first Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. I got either the Hiei or Kirishima two Takao-class heavy cruisers that were stopped dead in the water from damage and would have had a Destroyer if not for the Mark 14 being the Mark 14. Now I just have to wait until the second battle to try and get the other Battleship.

[in_vino_vomitus]

Just got back into Tulagi after the first Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. I got either the Hiei or Kirishima two Takao-class heavy cruisers that were stopped dead in the water from damage and would have had a Destroyer if not for the Mark 14 being the Mark 14. Now I just have to wait until the second battle to try and get the other Battleship.

That sounds like a serious amount of fun - If I ever make it back into TMO, I'll make a point of being there with you :)

[Gryffon300]

(I suspect, being a true Man of the Sea, that his father will disown him if he ever finds out.)

He sounds a like a true ol' Baltic salt. :salute:

You have that right, Bear.

Cheers

Gryff

PS, If you are up for a think about the moral challenges that arise from loyalty to or rejection of an ideology or regime, they tell me that they are going to make the story about this incident into as movie or something, tentatively titled, 'Those Who are About to Die' (though, personally, I would prefer the Latin, 'Morituri'). If it ever gets made into a movie, or written up as a novel, it would be a great story to explore. :hmm2:

[Admiral Halsey]

That sounds like a serious amount of fun - If I ever make it back into TMO, I'll make a point of being there with you :)

I look forwards to seeing you. Oh and I got the other battleship.

[in_vino_vomitus]

It feels very good indeed to be back on dry land. And even better to know that when we begin our next patrol we won't be getting to know a new Captain. You heard of our Panamanian misadventure I assume? How it stayed out of the news is a mystery to me, but there are other channels, and I expect by now everybody with a relative in the Kriegsmarine will know that U-43 torpedoed a Panamanian cargo ship in the Golf von Biscaya. Have you heard the joke they're telling now? "What's the difference between the French flag and the Panamanian flag? - You don't know? - You must be the Captain of U43...." I have to say that it's not safe to repeat that in the presence of our crew, even though they have amused themselves at the Captains expense. I was forced to reprimand Stroesser and Dietrich for a piece of improvised theatre, whereby Stroesser, playing the Captain, saluted Dietrich and said "Mein Fuhrer, I have the honour to report a successful attack on a merchantman belonging to your enemies in Panama" To which Dietrich replied "You are mistaken - I have no enemies in Pamana." "You have now Mein Fuhrer." Returned Stroesser. It was well done and I'm sure my face betrayed me, when I told the chief to find them some more useful way to fill the time they obviously had too much of. Of course the crew will joke at the Captains expense - the punishment was for letting me catch them. Sailors should not be so careless.

As for the sinking. it was a rough sea and we were submerged. Grandfather's thinking was that a submerged attack, is in all cases preferable because a ship that can't see you, won't try to avoid you. He wasn't flying a flag at the masthead and the swell obscured the one at the stern. I won't tell you what Grandfather said when he saw it. One of the eels hit well astern and disabled the propellers. In all probability it flooded the engine room too. We radioed her position to BdU, but there was nothing else that we could do. At the time it wasn't clear that she was lost. She had settled in the water somewhat, and she wasn't making way, but it's not unknown for a ship to be torpedoed and not to sink, so we continued our patrol. Sooner or later, somebody was bound to do this. it's unfortunate that it should be us.

A consequence of this is that we now approach lone ships on the surface. If they are enemy ships we sink them with "Die Pistole" As the crew have taken to calling the deck gun. There's quite a rivalry between them and the torpedomen. On this patrol, the gunners sank four. I wonder how long it will be before the British start to arm their merchantmen? As it is, one tried to ram us. It's almost as if he didn't want to be sunk, and to give him his due - he almost wasn't.

I said once, that both sides would get better at this, and it's so satisfying to be proved right. The Captain of the British destroyer that almost sent us to the bottom, will likely never know he was the cause of my joy. We'd joined the convoy as usual, and hit a tanker and two freighters. We dived and stayed under them to reload tubes, and came back up to fire again. we finished off the tanker, hit another and dived once more. We had two torpedoes left for the forward tubes. Remember when Uncle Rudi told me why it was bad luck to take the third light off a match? Well that destroyer captain probably had an uncle Rudi too - An uncle Tommy perhaps? We thought we were pretty safe. We could still hear charges going off intermittently behind us and we were right in the middle of the convoy. Anyway, we came up to periscope depth, had a look around, and saw one of the freighters we'd hit earlier on fire. We turned towards it and dived to let one of its fellows pass over us, came back up and were preparing to shoot, when another ship passed in front of us. As it cleared our front, we heard PING!! PING!! PING!! PING!! and Dieter warned us of a warship approaching fast from astern. We dived, and went to flank speed and slalomed away from there like a champion skiier. Even so we took damage. Fortunately it seems their ASDIC can't reach us below 50 meters and we got away, but it seems that the British are trying harder now. So we must try harder too.

Your obedient Nephew

Philipp

[c13Garrison]

"It was our 14th patrol, February of '44. We'd had some successes in the recent past, bagging an Ise south of Bungo, catching a lone Shoho-class in transit, and a small handful of merchantmen. We were the best boat in the fleet by almost 3x the tonnage of the #2 boat."

"On this patrol we had sailed south at high speed to be in position to greet a convoy arriving at Pelilu. We were well placed, the weather was awful, and after skirting too close to a patrolling escort 4 of them were searching for us 8 miles from where we were. The Captain ordered ahead standard- we would try to slip through the southern channel to investigate the anchorage, as the 21st had come and gone by an hour without our convoy appearing. Visibility was less than 300 yards- 0100, Heavy Rain, Heavy Fog."

" 'Course laid in Sir,' I announced."

"Very well Biggles, -"

"Captain Garrison! Captain Garrison! There's a protocol issue amidships! The Laundry requires your immediate attention!"

"The Captain left without a word. ...Well, he didn't order me to follow the course I'd laid in, and he didn't surrender the Con, so ...far be it from me to overstep my bounds. ...so, about 8 minutes later when we ran ourselves 30 yards up a beach at 11 knots, it must have been due to some brilliant plan of the Captain's."

...I see. ...We will continue this interrogation later, Lt. Biggles.

He sighed.

"...Watkins, Rikugun Chūsa, Lt. Watkins."

___
:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!:/\\!!

:dead:

[in_vino_vomitus]

Ask not for whom the bell tolls............


I hope he has a successor.....

[c13Garrison]

He will, as soon as I download the Narwhal mod.

I would have reloaded from last save, but I had accomplished so much on this patrol that just "wiping the slate" felt ...disappointingly empty. So, Garrison & Biggles are interred, and now I will ruminate over a new Captain and Executive Officer personality. Can't be quite so comic I think. I'll mull it over.

[Gryffon300]

Thanks for sharing such great stories of late - some VERY funny incidents being reported. Its worth your time to keep us informed.

Regards

Gryff

[Clean Sweep]

Finally a worthy story for me to present!

Last night I was on patrol in the South China Sea, just a little north by north easy of the Malaysia. Riding on the surface radar picked up four surface contacts and I move to intercept and go down to periscope depth, maintaining sound tracking. Once I was closer I got on the periscope and to my amazement saw a glorious ship, ID'd a "Huge European Liner." My mouth was watering I wanted this target so badly. She was moving right to left on my periscope at medium speed. Three destroyers were escorting her. One at the front, on at the rear and the third on her starboard, out of view.

I was still a decent distance away but well within sonar range of the destroyers. I kicked up to flank speed and got the attention of te forward and aft escorts. The rear escort was closing in much faster so I turned to meet her head on. At 700 yards I shot off two fish and crash dived to 300ft at flank speed. The destroyer was hit twice and sank. The other destroyer that was closing in came over me and made an attempt to depth charge me but I was already pretty deep and took no damage.

While that destroyer began to circle around I came back up to periscope depth, still at flank speed to keep distance on the destroyer now at my aft. The liner was at about 3,000 yards at this point dead ahead of me. I kept a track going to maintain a solid firing solution. At 2,500 yards I fired a spread of four fish to the liner, and shot one aft at the pursuing destroyer and crash dived once more. The destroyer at my rear took the hit but was damaged only, and not sunk.

The line took four of four hits and exploded before sinking. At 300ft I rigged for silent runnin leaving the last two destroyers baffled and searching while I quietly slipped out of the area.

Was a great run!

[Clean Sweep]

I also apologize for the many spelling errors, I'm using my phone.

[larsonboram]

http://i44.tinypic.com/15mjztf.jpg experimenting with Improved Environmental Effects 3.0

[larsonboram]

http://i41.tinypic.com/2poy16c.jpg

This one is with RFB_2.0 and RSDC_RFB2.0

[in_vino_vomitus]

Good work :)

[c13Garrison]

The fates have favored you! Well done. :up:

Whenever I try to bull-rush a convoy I usually get damaged And my torpedoes miss...

[c13Garrison]

22 January 1942
Lt.Cmdr. Gael Glenn, USS Narwhal

Departed Pearl afternoon of 12/7 with orders to park off of Tokyo Bay and conduct unrestricted anti-shipping operations. Arrived in theater Christmas day.

Stayed on station for roughly 108 hours, no contacts reported excepting for a distant warship contact that disappeared, likely the furthermost edge of the Tokyo Bay patrol screen. Elected to enter Tokyo Bay seeking targets.

On entry must have been spotted by shore observers, sonar contact had 1 slow target approaching then joined by a fast contact approaching. Set torpedoes shallow, but upon sighting targets were a Small Subchaser and a Minelayer. Not deeming these torpedo worthy we went deep to 200' and continued in at 1-2 knots. Subchaser passed directly overhead without detecting us. We continued on for about 6000 yards, then surfaced to press further in. Unsighted shore batteries soon opened fire, roughly 1/2 way through the neck of the passage. Before we could dive the forward 6" mount was hit, destroying it. Seamen 3rd Class Vincent Fitzpatrick and Dilbert Rosencrans were killed, 3 others wounded. Slight damage to hull. We continued in submerged at Slow Ahead for about 2 hours.

On entering the Bay we stopped 1000 yards WNW north of the first Yokohama lighthouse, steering SSE. No sonar contacts were reported.

Periscope revealed 2 Heavy Cruisers lying at anchor to the west, a Fuso class battleship alongside dock in the harbor, and a light carrier 1200 yards astern of us. Only active contacts were distant and placid, so we commenced an attack.

T1 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Premature
T2 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Keel Impact
T3 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Keel Impact
T4 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Keel Impact

Target began a noticeable list within 5 minutes, within 15 it had rolled past 60*. By action's end the starboard edge of her conning tower was touching the water, total list about 85*. No fire, conclude sunk by flooding.

T5 & 6 Taiyo 20feet Magnetic; Deeprun
T7 & 8 Taiyo 12feet Magnetic; Keel Impact

T9 Furutaka HC 12feet Magnetic; Premature
T10 F Heavy Cr 12feet Magnetic; Deeprun

T11 & 12 Taiyo 8feet Magnetic; Keel Impact

Carrier, only marginally settling on an even keel from first 2 hits, immediately suffered large explosion from shot 12, explosions then began stem to stern, planes parked on deck being tossed about and overboard by the blasts. Settled on an even keel within 15 minutes. Sunk by Magazine/AvGas fire & flooding.

T13 & 14 Furutaka 12feet Magnetic; Premature/Deeprun
T15 & 16 Furutaka 12feet Magnetic; Premature
T17 & 18 Takao 8feet; KeelKill/Keel

First torpedo detonated under forward magazines, igniting them and destroying the ship. Second torpedo detonated under engine spaces but was insult to injury. Sunk by catastrophic magazine explosion.

T19 Furutaka 8feet Magnetic; Deeprun
T20 Furutaka 3feet Magnetic; Premature

Observations.

Furutaka Class target aside, 9 of 12 torpedoes fired hit, doing great damage. All 8 fired at Furutaka failed or ran deep. Great damage was caused, but taken as a whole more than 50% failed. The Mk14 is an excellent torpedo, but something with the Furutaka's harbourage was clearly in play. Perhaps the Japanese have some kind of active electromagnetic torpedo defense installed on Furutaka?

Return trip conducted survey of Johnston & Christmas Islands, report clear.

GG

[iyiskipper]

http://i40.tinypic.com/24xidmd.jpg

had a bit of fun Test Tweaking how to add upack turrets in TemplateMod =)

[Bubblehead1980]

22 January 1942
Lt.Cmdr. Gael Glenn, USS Narwhal

Departed Pearl afternoon of 12/7 with orders to park off of Tokyo Bay and conduct unrestricted anti-shipping operations. Arrived in theater Christmas day.

Stayed on station for roughly 108 hours, no contacts reported excepting for a distant warship contact that disappeared, likely the furthermost edge of the Tokyo Bay patrol screen. Elected to enter Tokyo Bay seeking targets.

On entry must have been spotted by shore observers, sonar contact had 1 slow target approaching then joined by a fast contact approaching. Set torpedoes shallow, but upon sighting targets were a Small Subchaser and a Minelayer. Not deeming these torpedo worthy we went deep to 200' and continued in at 1-2 knots. Subchaser passed directly overhead without detecting us. We continued on for about 6000 yards, then surfaced to press further in. Unsighted shore batteries soon opened fire, roughly 1/2 way through the neck of the passage. Before we could dive the forward 6" mount was hit, destroying it. Seamen 3rd Class Vincent Fitzpatrick and Dilbert Rosencrans were killed, 3 others wounded. Slight damage to hull. We continued in submerged at Slow Ahead for about 2 hours.

On entering the Bay we stopped 1000 yards WNW north of the first Yokohama lighthouse, steering SSE. No sonar contacts were reported.

Periscope revealed 2 Heavy Cruisers lying at anchor to the west, a Fuso class battleship alongside dock in the harbor, and a light carrier 1200 yards astern of us. Only active contacts were distant and placid, so we commenced an attack.

T1 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Premature
T2 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Keel Impact
T3 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Keel Impact
T4 Fuso 20feet Magnetic; Keel Impact

Target began a noticeable list within 5 minutes, within 15 it had rolled past 60*. By action's end the starboard edge of her conning tower was touching the water, total list about 85*. No fire, conclude sunk by flooding.

T5 & 6 Taiyo 20feet Magnetic; Deeprun
T7 & 8 Taiyo 12feet Magnetic; Keel Impact

T9 Furutaka HC 12feet Magnetic; Premature
T10 F Heavy Cr 12feet Magnetic; Deeprun

T11 & 12 Taiyo 8feet Magnetic; Keel Impact

Carrier, only marginally settling on an even keel from first 2 hits, immediately suffered large explosion from shot 12, explosions then began stem to stern, planes parked on deck being tossed about and overboard by the blasts. Settled on an even keel within 15 minutes. Sunk by Magazine/AvGas fire & flooding.

T13 & 14 Furutaka 12feet Magnetic; Premature/Deeprun
T15 & 16 Furutaka 12feet Magnetic; Premature
T17 & 18 Takao 8feet; KeelKill/Keel

First torpedo detonated under forward magazines, igniting them and destroying the ship. Second torpedo detonated under engine spaces but was insult to injury. Sunk by catastrophic magazine explosion.

T19 Furutaka 8feet Magnetic; Deeprun
T20 Furutaka 3feet Magnetic; Premature

Observations.

Furutaka Class target aside, 9 of 12 torpedoes fired hit, doing great damage. All 8 fired at Furutaka failed or ran deep. Great damage was caused, but taken as a whole more than 50% failed. The Mk14 is an excellent torpedo, but something with the Furutaka's harbourage was clearly in play. Perhaps the Japanese have some kind of active electromagnetic torpedo defense installed on Furutaka?

Return trip conducted survey of Johnston & Christmas Islands, report clear.

GG

Ah, gotta love early war patrols.

[Bubblehead1980]

USS Gudgeon Second Patrol out of Pearl Harbor Feb-April 1942

Departed on the evening of February 9, 1942 for Patrol Area in the Bismark Archipelago. Arrived off Kavieng on 25 February and moved in the next morning to reconnoiter the area submerged.Encountered multiple planes, including one that spotted me in the clear water, dropping a few close bombs, no damage.Moved out in the area and conducted daytime submerged patrol, spotting heavy smoke once on Feb 28, but was unable to make contact as it was almost dusk, nightfall concealed the possible merchant.After surfacing, headed into Bismark Sea and continued patrol, submerged to avoid the heavy air traffic.Around noon on March 4, 1942 in middle of Bismark Sea, sound picked up heavy screws, closed submerged and by 1300, had a task force of three heavy cruisers.

Set up an attack to fire from 1000 yards, the 4 miles at flank speed left battery power low, but seemed worth it.Fired six torpedoes at middle heavy cruiser from 900 yards.Torpedo 1 ran number 2, prematurely exploded, number ran normal, as did four and five.Six seemed to run normal as well. The CA's were alerted by the prematurely exploding fish and just barely able to avoid the salvo.Suddenly a thud was heard against the hull of my ship, and the report of a dud torpedo was reported.Apparently, torpedo number six circled back and hit my sub, must have been running much deeper than set also.The erratic movement was not detected until we heard it hit the hull(most likely conning tower.External cam off so not sure) A hard turn to starboard had my stern tubes now on the third CA with a great set up, fired all four fish as she zigged at 12 knots, fired from 700 yards, all four prematurely detonated.The TF moved out of sight as we surfaced to reload, charge batters and move ahead for an end around.

The cruisers must have launched their float planes as soon multiple single engine float planes were coming in from their direction, forcing us to dive 6 times.

By late afternoon, was ahead of the TF again, assuming it resumed base course.Before long the cruisers came back of the horizon. We closed to attack but a zig ruined my set up, could not fire from 5,400 yards.We surfaced after they sped out of sight, dodged another floatplane and as dusk was settling, they came back, out guess that they were indeed heading for Rabaul was correct.Closed in and at dusk, fired six torpedoes at the lead heavy cruiser.

No prematures so far, the first torpedo hit in the bow area, another hit amidships, then suddenly, the next two prematurely detonated.Then, the next two hit aft, setting off aft magazine apparently as a loud, massive explosion went off , the entire ship from bow to stern was on fire and listing, the other cruisers now zigging, put their spotlights on my scope and began to fire.I ordered 80 feet, then back to scope depth in time to see the cruiser we hit capsizize and let out one more giant explosion before she disappeared. By this time my after tubes were on the other cruiser, I fired all four, they all ran underneath the keel without exploding, two prematurely exploded 30 seconds apart about 100 yards from the cruiser, after passing under.Soon an aircraft became visible in my scope as the sun was disappearing on the horizon, We went to 100 feet and were unharmed by the bombs that fell.

Surfacing an hour later, all the remained was the burning oil slick and debris of from the cruiser.We attempted to move along their anticipated track for a dawn scope attack as they entered Rabaul, but never regained contact.Resumed patrol in area.On the morning of March 9, 1942, now on a patrol in the south channel off Rabaul.Encountered a TF of heavy and light cruiser, surprisingly unescorted, heading my way.Fired four torpedoes from 1200 yards(closest get get in time) all four run hot, straight, and normal but the cruiser's lookouts were on alert, they spotted them in time and evaded all four.The last two missing the bow just by inches, so close the magnetic detonator was set off, no damage seemed to be done to the ca however.

Out of torpedoes, continued to patrol channel for rest of the day then to send contact reports if any more task forces left Rabaul, then headed to Pearl Harbor, arriving April 1, 1942.

[c13Garrison]

That is a gripping, painful patrol. So much energy expended; I feel your pain! - and that #6 that circled back on you, that's incredible. I almost hope that happens to me sometime! Almost.

I was about to write a summary of Captain Glenn's 2nd & 3rd patrols, but ironically he would be praising the torpedoes. My Mk 1's have had about a 75% success rate over those 2 patrols, and 3 ships (DD/HC/Maru) were sunk by single shots.

It could be a very amusing write-up as he appeals to the B.O. not to mess around with a very successful torpedo. - He's still convinced that the 8 failures on Furutaka were due to some experimental defensive magnetic device...

I've also decided prematures are less frustrating for me than a dud. Yes, they might alert the enemy, but at least I can immediately decide what to do next, rather than holding my breath for 90-120 seconds only to hear a dull 'thud'.

[in_vino_vomitus]

Gripping report Captain - Especially the circle runner - congrats on the cruiser

I prefer duds to prematures, since it confirms the solution works - kind of like a consolation prize :)

Looking forward to Cmdr Glenn's next report

[pstein]

New guy here. I've lurked for awhile and finally joined.

Anyway, here we go:

Lt. Cdr. P. Stein, USS Tambor (SS-198) 5th War Patrol

Based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Patrol started 24 April, 1942, orders were to deploy to East China Sea, engage Japanese merchant shipping.

Load out was following: 24 Mk. 14 Torpedoes with Mark 6 Magnetic exploder disabled (apparently doesn't exist in Steam version of SH4).

War Diary follows:

000 24th April: Departure from Pearl. Only Navigator, XO, and I are privy to station. At least until we reach the midway point.

1200 29th April: Continuing towards station. Sporadic contact reports. Have passed Wake Island, with surprising lack of air attack.

0500 1 May: Have sighted Medium European Composite off of starboard bow. Crew has been brought to battle stations.

0510: European composite has opened fire. Diving to periscope depth.

0515: Have reached firing position. Firing Tubes 1-4.

0517: One hit of four. Reloading tubes.

0530: Two more misses. Turning about to use stern tubes. Freighter is settling by the stern.

0600: Finally in position for stern tubes. Fired one torpedo, and one hit. Enemy destroyed: European Composite of approx. 6000 tons. No life raft sighted, but shot was taken from over 3000 yards. Continuing on course.

1500: Alarm, enemy aircraft spotted on SD radar. Diving to periscope depth.

2000: Have finally surfaced, and nearly on station.

6 May 1942: Corregidor has surrendered. Luckily, Trout was able to obtain much of the gold bullion on the island.

Nothing nearby for last 4 days. Now steaming at flank speed to intercept task force.

0300: Have sighted large enemy task force, with one Fuso-Class battleship, at least one Kongo-Class Battlecruiser, and at least one Takeo-Class Heavy Cruiser. Range is approx. 9000 yards.

0315: In position to fire on Fuso-Class Battleship.

0318: Takeo-Class Heavy Cruiser is shielding Fuso-Class. I cannot wait any longer. Destroyers are closing in; it's now or never. Tubes 1-6 fired. New depth of 160 ft ordered, all engines ahead one-third. Range approx. 5000 yards.

0325: 5 hits of 6. Takeo Class heavy cruiser destroyed. Approximately 16000 tons.

0400: Going back to periscope depth. Examination reveals enemy destroyers still searching. Task force about 9000 yards away. Shot is impractical.

1200: Finally surfaced. Destroyer finally gave up around 0700. Heading for home.

14 May 1942: Have returned to Pearl. Received Patrol Star for actions.

Total score was 2 ships for roughly 22000 tons. That makes it 10 ships for about 75000 tons through my five patrols. First patrol was a wash, but all others have been very successful.

There seems to be a depth-keeping issue with the Mk. 14. I set it to explode at 10 ft, but it missed the target completely. This seems to be in keeping with issues that other skippers have had, namely Lt. Cdr. Warder of Seawolf and Lt. Cdr. Jacobs of Sargo. Also, quality of Japanese merchant gunners seems to be rather low, but advise keeping in position where you can't get hit.

[in_vino_vomitus]

Welcome aboard :salute: - Congratulations on the cruiser - Looking forward to reading about the next one :)

[in_vino_vomitus]

Back from our fourth voyage to the Eastern Atlantic. It was very much the same as the last one. Ships travel either alone or in convoy; Most lone vessels are neutral, convoys are obviously belligerent, and travel in two directions; North or South, plus or minus ten degrees; Get ahead of them, submerge and, depending on the sea state, get below fifty meters and you can go underneath the front escorts, come to periscope depth in the midst of the convoy, select your targets and fire with impunity. it's hard to imagine how any convoy could make it from Gibraltar to the 'Kanal, when it's so easy to put torpedoes into their ships. We carry twenty-six torpedoes. In theory every one of them can sink a ship. This patrol we fired twenty-four torpedoes and sank three - One of those, we finished with Die Pistole.

Some of this is our fault. Our eels don't like acute angles. If they don't hit within twenty degees of the beam, then the chances are they won't explode. This shouldn't matter, since they have a device to set them off if they only pass under the ship - a marvel of science. Most of the time using this means the eel doesn't even reach the ship it's meant for, before it explodes, announcing our presence to the world.

Anyway, the number of ships we fired at, is the number of ships we hit, misses notwithstanding - and yet of the ships we hit, we sank three. What is going wrong? As you can imagine it's affecting morale. For all that it's an honour to give one's life for one's country, nobody wants to lose ones life over a faulty torpedo. To die in battle is what sailors, and battles are for, but for lives to be wasted is a crime.....

However, after firing at three ships and sinking one, we were creeping away, listening to the escorts killing fish behind us, when Dieter picked up a faint contact, well behind the convoy. One of the ships we'd fired at, had had one torpedo miss, but the other had detonated. We were hoping we'd hear it breaking up at some point, which happens more often than not, but we never did. Anyway Dieter picked it up, dead in the water. We headed towards it and saw the smoke from well over the horizon. The escorts were still too close for us to surface, so we approached submerged, surfaced, and finished her off with Die Pistole. I took a picture....

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9483222973_29e915af82_c.jpg

The only other thing of note was on the return. We were in the 'Kanal at night, making about 14 knots, when an explosion came from nowhere. We dived, but found we were taking on water from the forward torpedo room, and were unable to maintain depth control. We were in sixty meters of water at the time, and before you could say it, we were sitting on the bottom. Dieter was unable to hear anything, which doesn't mean it wasn't a surface vessel, but it strongly suggests otherwise. Anyway, I hate to ruin the suspense, but we made repairs and were able to surface, but it was a sobering experience to be sent to the bottom and have no idea what put us there. I usually hate sailing through the 'Kanal - too narrow and too shallow, but this time at least I was glad of the second...

Your obedient nephew

Philipp

[Clean Sweep]

Thought I'd share this eerie encounter I just had. Currently on my third war patrol aboard the Tang. In the Philippine Sea east of Luzon. Was running on the surface during a storm in the middle of the night. No stars, no moon, just black skies and white caps rolling... Then off to my port came an apparition, three lights that looked to make an outline of a boat as if one light was forward, one aft, and one on a mast. Couldn't physically see a vessel but the positioning of the lights made it appear none other than a ship. Thinking I came into a Japanese convoy without my crew knowing, I ran to the sonar and surface radar but nothing was picking up. Went back out on deck and watch as the lights slowly faded away into the rain squalls... So creepy!

[Clean Sweep]

Also,

RIP Torpedoman's Mate 1st Class Russell A. Garrison, USS Tang

KIA August 20, 1944

Carbon monoxide poisoning during submerged combat operations.

Posthumously promoted to Chief Torpedoman's Mate.

[c13Garrison]

Commander Gael Glenn, U.S.S. Narwhal
3 August 1942

...crew performance adequate, ...torpedo performance exemplary...

--

*double knock* "Captain?"

"Yes Lieutenant Ryan, come in."

"Good morning Captain. All is well on the boat Sir, we'll be ready to get underway whenever our orders clear."

"Very good Lieutenant. However you didn't need to drive all the way over here to tell me that. What's on your mind?"

"I understood you'd be writing up the torpedo performance summaries that were misplaced this morning..."

"You are correct, as usual. And, this is relevant how?"

"Well, Sir, I've been talking to a lot of other submariners here. On Midway there's no place for anyone to hide. ...I think you might want to consider this sir."

Lieutenant Ryan hands over an envelope, revealing papers within.

"What's this?..."

"That Sir, is a letter of protest that a few other Captains would like you to sign. Its a general complaint about the quality of the Mk 14s."

The envelope is unemotionally handed back to Commander Glenn's exec.

"I'm not interested in conspiracies and incompetence Lieutenant."

"Sir, you've got to consider, there's a lot of grousing about those torps. You're the only captain I know who isn't complaining, and the fact that you're blowing on the Bureau's ass about them is going to look - ...very odd, sir."

"...I see. ...well Lieutenant, how would you describe a torpedo that has a less than 15% premature rate, a less than 5% dud rate, and only requires alert attentiveness to account for a prevalence to run deep? I'll be damned if I'm going to sign some memorandum just because no-one else is bright enough to manage their tactics correctly."

"Sir, I understand of course, but look at all the reports coming in from the whole theater. Where there's smoke there's fire Sir, it can't all be negligent usage-"

"Ryan, for two straight patrols we've come back with 10 ships sunk. Over 4 patrols we've sunk 4 Jap cruisers with Single shot kills and a destroyer. That torpedo is not a problem. Do I make myself clear?"

"...Yes sir, perfectly clear."

"Good. ...my boat runs like an Elgin watch Lieutenant, not a Roman forum. ...Precision, promptness, attention to detail. More of This, and less of That." He points at the envelope in Ryan's hand.

"Yes sir. ...I'll get back to the ship."

"Do that. Good morning Lieutenant."

Ryan nods, and leaves.

--

...effectiveness of Japanese escorts improving, tenacity as well. 4 escorts searched for us at last known location for 36 hours...Slow Ahead seems to draw attention from over 4000 yards...Jap depth-charging inefficient and ill aimed...

...suggesting commendation for our torpedo chief...

[Admiral Halsey]

Just got back from a patrol that saw me utterly decimate Kurita's Center Force. I ended up sinking both the Yamato and Musashi and I still had enough time to do a flank run towards the Surigao Strait and sink a heavy cruiser from the retreating Southern Force.

[Gryffon300]

To die in battle is what sailors, and battles are for, but for lives to be wasted is a crime.....

We were in the 'Kanal at night, making about 14 knots, when an explosion came from nowhere.

Dieter was unable to hear anything, which doesn't mean it wasn't a surface vessel, but it strongly suggests otherwise.

Philipp

Agree, just being Kannon Fodder is not good for the soul. Sorry for the morale challenge - we'll have to send a Stiff Note to Krupps! (or whoever).

Any chance the Kanal explosion could have been an air-dropped mine?

Cheers, my friend

Gryff

[c13Garrison]

@Halsey- Now THAT has to be a rarity, bagging Both Yamatos in a single attack. I'd love to see a video replay of that. Bravo.

@Clean Sweep- Very spooky indeed. Assuming they were not stars, and I presume you ruled that out, that's quite an apparition.

@Vino- As always, I love the flavor of your letters home. A unique touch, and the angle you captured the pic from was perfect. It really looked like it could have been from someone standing on the deck.

@pstein- Welcome aboard, and kudos for something I just don't have the patience to do; logging the watch hours so precisely! For me if its no longer in the message buffer I just don't know when it happened.

[grislyatoms]

First patrol on my "dead is dead" career now that I have everything set the way I want.

Approaching Southern end of the Okinawa chain, ran across a lone Zinbu Maru. May have spotted us, as he changed course several times. 3 torpedos fired, one was a dud, the other two premature detonations.

Manuevered into another position, fired two torpedoes. One dud, one missed.

Manuevered into a 3rd position, Fired all four bow tubes. 3 hits, one dud. Target exploded and sank.

Started to get underway again, same area, when sound contacts started popping up situated to the South. Their track would lead them right on top of us. Surfaced about 3 a.m. in the middle of the largest convoy I have ever seen. Fired approximately ten torpedoes, out of those, a couple misses, a couple duds. Took down two merchants for about 10K tons.

Dove deep, took some depth charges from escorts, nothing too severe. Attempted to get into position for our last few torpedoes but was unable due mainly to repeated air contacts.

Decided to head to the barn. One our way back, spotted a lone merchant. Fired two torpedoes, on miss, one dud. Battle surfaced and engaged target with deck gun. After 5-6 hits, target exploded and sank. Three crew manning the deck gun dead, 2 injured, boat shipshape. Returned to Pearl with just shy of 18K tons for the patrol.

[in_vino_vomitus]

I don't know about a mine, but I suspect it was air dropped. Generally I travel through the Channel submerged during daylight and at high speed at night. The aim being to vacate the area as quickly as possible. surface patrol craft seem mostly to be armed trawlers, and they don't appear to have ASDIC - I've never been pinged by one, or depth charged for that matter - even when I've been detected. The destroyers I've seen have all appeared to be en route to somewhere, rather than on patrol. During the day the air threat is quite high, but it tends to disappear after dusk.

Anyway, I was in TC, it was well after nightfall, when suddenly I snapped back into normal time with damage reports coming in and flooding in the bow torpedo room. I hit crash dive out of reflex, but we were halfway under by that point. It seems that mark IX boats don't have much tolerance for flooding. Fortunately the bottom wasn't too deep and the damage was slight, so we made repairs fairly quickly, but at no point did we hear anything on the hydrophones. Even if it was a lucky shot from a warship at extreme range you'd expect it to come over for a look.

Unless it was a programme bug, then I suspect it was an aircraft - it's not unknown for them to fly at night, but if it was, then my lookouts completely missed it. Travelling at full ahead, I guess my wake would have been quite visible.

I guess I'll never know....

[grislyatoms]

Can't speak for SHIV as I have yet to play the German side, but in SHIII GWX I know from intimate, unfortunate experience that the English Channel is heavily mined...

[in_vino_vomitus]

I had that thought - It's only the fact that we survived that made me think it wasn't - A tethered mine would have blown our bow off surely?

[c13Garrison]

"All quiet Captain. It looks like they'll make it ashore without raising a ruckus."

We were 200 yards offshore of the Makin atoll, watching the marines we'd just ferried over start to jump into the surf. Patrol number 5 was a freighting job for us to start. The trip down from Midway had been quiet and calm and we'd been easily able to adjust our speed so as to arrive offshore about dusk.

"It does Lieutenant. Maintain the watch, we'll provide fire support if its needed. Argonaut must be out of sight up the coast a ways."

"Aye Sir."

The deep hours passed tensely for us, but we were asked to fire on no targets. We heard small arms fire echoing from various distances, but it certainly didn't sound like a pitched battle was underway. About dawn as we were beginning to work west to round the southern heel of the atoll the boats started to return and we had our blinker signal from Argonaut that she was going to edge up to the beach to ease the load-up some contraband. Nautilus was standing by her.

We proceeded northward about 10 minutes.

"Captain, air-search reports a long range contact bearing 021 inbound."

This was unwelcome news. We had plenty of time to dive, but our sisters could still be in shallow water and we had no knowledge of how long they would have their pants down.

"Man the AA guns Ryan, we need to engage that plane."

"Aye Sir! Man the flak guns!"

We continued on course at 9 knots, and soon the big 4-engined flying boat came into view. Banking on a steady firing platform being a card in our favor, we opened up just as it began its pass. Flames sprouted from its #1 engine and fuselage, but it was undeterred and dropped 2 small bombs astern. They succeeded in killing some fish in our wake.

"Mind your bearings, she's turning back!"

The big flying boat had a very astute gunner on board and as it banked around peppered our boat with quite a few rounds. We maintained a steady fire but to no obvious effect. It was precisely 0700. Then-

The boatswain's call sounded. "Relieve the watch!"

"...I commend your attention to detail Lieutenant Ryan, but let's hold off on that just a little while yet shall we?"

The plane began its second pass, and a 3rd small fire started on her, but once again she completed her run and dropped 2 bombs, this time with Much greater accuracy. A cacophony of calls blistered the air as the world shook everyone on the bridge from their feet.

"Hit sir! Bulkhead destroyed! Flooding! Man down! Medic!"

"Hard to port ahead flank battle-stations!"

We turned into the retreating plane as I rushed below. It was a mess. Forward torpedo room and Command deck were taking water, fully half the crew was injured, but the worst of it was up above. The forward AA station and after 6" mount were destroyed, and their crews killed, including our gunnery expert. The plane was likely satisfied it had hurt us badly and also worried about everything burning up around them as it never deviated from its exit course and disappeared off radar in time.

"Come back on course ahead slow. How's our bunkerage?"

"Fuel levels holding steady Sir."

"Alright, ...let's get to work and see what we can get done here."

Over the next 4 hours everything was repaired, thanks to our wizard of an engineer. The bodies of the deck crew were laid in the after battery compartment, and their personnel rotated up to serve the guns. The hull was thoroughly battered, but we were sea worthy.

"What course shall we steer captain?"

"...we still have some stations to keep, and heading back now won't help ...them." I nodded aft. "Continue on course, proceed with patrol."

We patrolled for 2 further weeks, to two different stations in the Gilberts and Marshalls. Not a single ship was sighted, and numerous planes were assiduously avoided.

Having had no luck, and not wanting to give up on salvaging this patrol, rather than steer for another station that would have taxed our fuel more than my liking I set course for Truk. There were always ships around there I'd heard.

Approaching Truk from the south, we were running at radar depth when we detected a merchant to the east, also steering for the south channel. We set up at 1500 yards.

"...Fire 1...Fire 2...Fi (boom) re 3-" "Premature detonation Sir!" "...and Fire 4."

Fish #2 exploded early too, and the merchant started turning. Fish #3 & 4 continued on their way. "5 seconds ...3 seconds...impact Now-"

Thud.

"...#3 is a dud sir. ...and #4 has missed aft."

I frowned. "Well, that's rotten luck. ...there's contacts closing, let's let this one go and renew our run in. Hopefully the patrols will head out here now."

We continued on course, and being slow and cautious at 200' feet we entered the anchorage after about 3 hours of running, avoiding 2 escorts that seemed interested in our vicinity. Up scope showed a bit of a shock though. Terrible fog, visibility less than 200 yards. Laborious steering finally put a freighter astern of us, and we fired both tubes.

"...#1 premature-", Ryan said uselessly, "...#2 running true...5 seconds...3..."

Thud.

"Dud, Sir." Was that Relish I was hearing in Ryan's tone? He stared at me stone-faced.

"...Let's get out of here Ryan, there's too much going on that I don't like."

We returned to open waters in the dark before dawn, and plotted a course around Truk and heading back to Midway. Just as dawn was threatening to break we detected a merchant heading north west. It was crossing our path, so we submerged and waited for it. We fired 4 torps.

"...#1 - premature, ...#2... premature..., #3... premature, #4 running true..."

Thud.

Ryan just looked at me.

"Surface and blow them to hell."

The replacement gun crew did an excellent job, as the execution took just about 3 minutes and I detected no misses from either gun. As we watched the ship's two halves bob and slowly sink the sun rose in the east.

"Ryan, when we get back to Midway I think there's some mail I'd like you to post for me."

"Yes Sir." Ryan didn't hide his smile.

I wouldn't smile for a good while.

---
KIA LtJG Barton M. Brown
KIA PO1C Vincent H. Molony
KIA S1C Bruce Acker
KIA S1C Dilbert Bannister
KIA S1C Henry D. Moore
KIA S1C Romando Martinez
KIA S2C Albert Barringer, first patrol
KIA S2C Marshall Blanchard, first patrol

[grislyatoms]

Great read!

"The boatswain's call sounded. "Relieve the watch!"

"...I commend your attention to detail Lieutenant Ryan, but let's hold off on that just a little while yet shall we?""

:har:

[grislyatoms]

I had that thought - It's only the fact that we survived that made me think it wasn't - A tethered mine would have blown our bow off surely?
I would certainly think so...

[in_vino_vomitus]

""All quiet Captain. It looks like they'll make it ashore without raising a ruckus."

We were 200 yards offshore of the Makin atoll, watching the marines we'd just ferried over start to jump into the surf. Patrol number 5 was a freighting job for us to start. The trip down from Midway had been quiet and calm and we'd been easily able to adjust our speed so as to arrive offshore about dusk.

"It does Lieutenant. Maintain the watch, we'll provide fire support if its needed. Argonaut must be out of sight up the coast a ways."

"Aye Sir.""

Good read, as usual :)

[grislyatoms]

ComSubPac Eyes Only communique

From: Lt. Commander Bart Mancuso, Sr. Nautilus

Re: Mk. XIV. Suspect faults. Please advise.

Engaged target 53 NM WSW of point Abuse. One dud, one hit. 5126 ton recognize as Zinbu Maru. Wilco as ordered. Seas 5, weather clear.

[Clean Sweep]

After some much needed R&R for the crew, and a refit and overhaul of their boat, the Tang has put out from Pearl today for her fourth war patrol! Happy hunting!

http://i42.tinypic.com/2ewee4y.jpg

[c13Garrison]

Thanks for the appreciation. Glenn doesn't seem as entertaining as Garrison was, but he'll round into form.

I just read one of Armistead's reports from quite awhile ago and I think his tales make mine look like liner notes. My fav tho is still vino's with that one masterfully placed photo.

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO RSRD USS Gudgeon-Gar Class-3rd Patrol

Departed Pearl Harbor on April 9, 1942 and headed to patrol Solomon Sea/Coral Sea area to scout for possible Japanese Fleet movements towards Australia.Refueled at Noumea on April 28, 1942 then proceeded to patrol South of Rabaul.

Around 0400 on May 2, 1942, in the south channel off Rabaul, between New Britain and New Ireland, lookouts spotted a submarine.Immediately went to battlestations, turned stern towards target and moved ahead.After going to GQ, ordered a dive.Using sound, set boat up to be 800 yards off projected track.Soon had a Japanese submarine's silhouette in my scope, apparently heading in for a dawn arrival after returning from patrol.Track was too close for a bow shot so turned hard and brought stern tubes around.At just 700 yards, fired 4 torpedoes.Speed error seemed to have occurred in our solution as the first two, aimed amidships seemed to be track too far astern, one soon prematurely exploded, another missed astern.However, the other two, aimed forward, hit just seconds apart, causing a large secondary explosions, the sub went down by the bow within 45 seconds.

Surfaced then dived at dawn, dodging large flying boats while patroling off Rabaul.A high speed merchant was coming from the north, attempted to close before it made it into port but was too far out of position.Around 1400, a Destroyer of Kamikaze class began patroling the area, while attempting to set up a shot, he detected us, and closed, fired two torpedoes but both failed to hit, went deep and endured about an hour of inaccurate depth charging .

One May 4, departed area for Coral Sea to scout for TF 17 as Japanese fleet was expected in the area.On the morning of May 8, made contact with TF 17, scouted few miles ahead when a large war of Japanese planes attacked the TF.The Lexington was hit by two torpedoes, multiple bombs and left listing, Yorktown had a deck fire, our AA gun downed one "Val" but then we were forced to dive.Spent rest of day dodging other planes.(Screenshots failed to capture for some reason, it was an impressive display)

That night we made contact on a large warship that at dawn was revealed to be The "Wounded Bear" aka Shokaku, damaged by our planes, heading NW at high speed.The big carrier managed to evade us despite making contact briefly, mainly due to her picking up speed to an estimated 24.5 knots.Released from patrol, headed to patrol west of Truk, to pick up any damaged ships perhaps leaving.While on submerged patrol west of Truk on May 16, 1942, sound picked up fast, heavy screws closing.Noting would not be able to close submerged, surfaced and closed at flank speed, soon a carrier and two destroyers were in sight, making 18 knots, we closed fast and before could dive, the DD's spotted us, shell splashes hitting around us as we headed for the deep.After going to 250, silent running, then speeding up, managed to evading the DD's who ran above us making 30+knots, could not hear us making flank speed for the now constant helming carrier.We came to scope depth and the carriers fast zig put her 800 yards off our bow.Guessing her speed to be 16 knots, fired 6 torpedoes and went to hard port rudder, to bring stern tubes around.Four hit, one prematurely exploded, another missed. The carrier was smoking and slowed for a moment, then speed up, stern tubes around and fired, they prematurely exploded.Fortunately, a large explosion rocked the carrier, she slowed then after about an hour, she capsized, leaving a slew of lifeboats on the surface.The DD's closed in and dropping many charges, all set too shallow.

I then headed for home, but was sent to Midway Island for a refit, then assigned to patrol NW of the island as Japanese operations were expected(ordered there after sending a status report) . Failed to make contact with enemy fleet, but did rescue 3 downed aviators.Returned to Pearl Harbor on June 15, 1942.

Images below are:

The scope view are of US planes heading to attack the Japanese Fleet on morning of May 8, 1942 in The Battle of The Coral Sea.

The dark long scope view is that of the IJN submarine sunk off Rabaul on May 2, 1942.

The other shots are various snapshots of the Zuikakau(obviously)

http://i.imgur.com/gVw81sZ.png (http://imgur.com/gVw81sZ)
http://i.imgur.com/UkJ0zKC.png (http://imgur.com/UkJ0zKC)
http://i.imgur.com/2urIvRU.png (http://imgur.com/2urIvRU)
http://i.imgur.com/ppQfSm2.png (http://imgur.com/ppQfSm2)
http://i.imgur.com/p0srOsC.png (http://imgur.com/p0srOsC)
http://i.imgur.com/eN8rKdH.png (http://imgur.com/eN8rKdH)

[pstein]

USS Tambor Patrol Report, patrol start 7 June 1942. Lt. Cmdr. P. Stein commanding.

Orders to deploy to East China Sea. En route, met up with large European Composite. Commenced attack at unknown time (wasn't paying it much attention). Fired tubes 1, 3, 5 at it. All missed, at least one premature. Fired tubes 2, 4, 6. One hit, rest missed. This theme continued throughout the engagement. Most of my torpedoes were premature or duds. Some missed outright. I shelled the freighter with approx. 10 rounds from my 4 in. deck gun. Made final attack with all 10 tubes. All missed, and I didn't bother to stay around any longer.

Returned to Pearl with heavy disappointment. The Mk. 14 is simply not a good torpedo. The Mk. 6 magnetic exploder is terrible. I will disable it from hereon out.

[in_vino_vomitus]

Thanks for the appreciation. Glenn doesn't seem as entertaining as Garrison was, but he'll round into form.

I just read one of Armistead's reports from quite awhile ago and I think his tales make mine look like liner notes. My fav tho is still vino's with that one masterfully placed photo.

Thanks for making my day m8 - the cheque is in the post:)

I'd say similarly appreciative things about your tales, but then it would start to sound like the BAFTAs - suffice to say they don't look like liner notes, no matter whose work they're compared to.

Since I'm unable to buy you a beer, I'll raise a glass to captains Garrison and Glenn, on your behalf.........

Prost!! :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Clean Sweep]

10 OCTOBER 1944
TO: SUBCOMPAC
FROM: TASK FORCE MIDWAY
RE: USS TANG REPORTED OVERDUE

Upon completion of patrolling "Convoy College." USS TANG reported on 3 October to be en route to Midway for refueling and rearmament. As of this day 10 October, TANG has not arrived and no radio message has been recieves either from the TANG or sent to her.

If not contact by 13 October, TANG will be declared lost.

END

[Clean Sweep]

New career, allow me to introduce you to Lieutenant Commander J.D. Sullivan, we join him upon his appointment to command of his own fleet boat and his first mission... I hope you all enjoy this series I plan to begin writing.

LCDR J.D. Sullivan
USS Bowfin (SS-287)
June 6, 1943

Finally earned my own boat last week, a beautiful new Balao class named the Bowfin. After earning my keep the past year aboard the Wahoo as XO, top brass felt it was finally my turn to take the helm of one of their fleet boats. I was to be sent immediately to Midway, where the Bowfin and her crew were waiting.

Arriving at Midway I briefly met with my crew. Most of whom were young and never been on a submarine before, or a boat for that matter. My NCOs are reasonably experienced. Chief of the Boat is old era Navy, right out of the Great White Fleet. Will definitely put his wise mind to great use. Anything Mr. COB says is good enough for me.

My XO, on the other hand, well let's just say his intentions are good, but I'll never figure out how he made it through the Academy. Even the 90-day reserve officers have a little more moxie. None the less, the Navy could do a lot worse.

I'm proud to have my own command finally, the promotion was well received as my wife was proud to pin my silver oak leafs upon my lapels. I just hope that I live up to this opportunity and don't let her down, myself down, but most importantly, my crew down. These kids, some just out of high school, or not even finishing it, their whole lives ahead of them still. And it's my job to make sure each and everyone of them get back to fulfill theirs. Weird being the captain of the boat, and second youngest. With Mr. COB at 52, my 36 year old baby face makes me look like one of the boys... But that's not really important.

Fast forward to today, orders came through for our first mission, I was itching to get out to sea again, but wasn't too thrilled on our task. We're taking an agent of the Office of Strategic Services to the Japanese mainland, right into Akkeshi. Moral is high and most of the crew is excited to get under way. Though I'm not all too enthusiastic having to baby sit a VIP for several days and provide anything he asks for as if he's Babe Ruth! Heh, I give it three days before the boys decide to toss him over, not that they would but you get the point.

Well, we're about to push out, lots of work to do. We'll see how this goes. Hopefully this milk run into Japan will give the men a good deal of experience and knowledge... Until the next time...

[c13Garrison]

Looking forward to hearing about Commander Sullivan! But the Tang, bad luck, or too chancy driving? :hmmm:

[Clean Sweep]

Looking forward to hearing about Commander Sullivan! But the Tang, bad luck, or too chancy driving? :hmmm:

See for yourself...

http://i42.tinypic.com/1z4vcxh.jpg

[in_vino_vomitus]

All I can say, is that if you forgot to pack the duct tape it's your own damn fault........

Looking forward to hearing more from Cdr Sullivan.



See for yourself...

http://i42.tinypic.com/1z4vcxh.jpg

[HertogJan]

See for yourself...

http://i42.tinypic.com/1z4vcxh.jpg


Hope you brought sunscreen for the crew :cool:

[in_vino_vomitus]

Dear aunt Grethe.

A little more excitement was had on our fifth outing. This time we sailed for the waters off the Irish coast. It was a fruitful patrol. We claimed 35000 tonnes. If I'd had my way we'd have claimed more, and I received a stern rebuke from Grandfather on that account - We'd tracked a lone vessel, submerged and done all the things needed to send her to the bottom. We had her course and speed and we were perfectly positioned, about 400 meters off her track. All that was missing was the command to fire. Instead, came the command to close the tubes and stand down. I queried this, since we were no longer constrained by those ludicrous Prize Rules and we were in a Zone of Conflict. Neutral flag or no we were entitled to sink her.

"Leutnant Beck" Replied Grandfather, "Unrestricted warfare is not the same as indiscriminate warfare. I'd sooner eat an Albatross strudel than sink a neutral ship. I prefer to leave declarations of war to people higher in the chain of command. Even if it had tanks parked on the foredeck and a banner on the masthead saying Love from Liverpool, if we sink her, the world will discover that she was sailing out of Dublin, carrying holy water and crewed by nuns. Easy for you to say sink her and be damned, when it's traditionally not the first officers role to serve as scapegoat. You'll have your own U-Boat soon enough. If I ever hear of a rowboat being torpedoed in a boating lake, I'll know who did it at least....."

Of course I apologised. One does not query such an order in public, and in truth I think Grandfather is correct. There is a bigger picture to think of and submarines, in the last war, made powerful enemies for Germany, who might otherwise have never joined the fight against us. Still, if it was me, I'd have sunk her.

We fired our first, and last eels in the 'Kanal. The first target was perfect for Die Pistole, but we torpedoed her, the second was in heavy seas - too heavy to use the deck gun safely, but that's what we did. Here's why:

The first ship, we encountered as we were leaving the Strasse, just past Calais. Nobody wants to wait around there. Go through on the surface, in daylight - which we have done - and the children throw stones at you from the clifftops. So - we were through the narrowest part when Horst, who has eyes like Freya - I swear he'd still be our best lookout if we put him in the engine room - Horst reported a lone merchantman off the starboard beam. The sea was calm, the moon was rising, Grandfather decided to give her to the gun crew and save torpedoes. We'd closed to probably about 700 meters and the gunners were taking aim when Stroesser and Dietrich, our two comedians, both reported patrol craft at long range. Suddenly the plan changed. Grandfather ordered tubes one and two opened, shouted down the bearing and Bow angle, turned to Horst and said "What do you think? five knots?" "Nearer seven sir." replied Horst, so we set six and fired - it took about as much time to do as to say - then we turned tail and ran. The explosions drew the patrol, but they never saw our wake, or us, so we watched them slip over the horizon, circling and shining their searchlights, looking for our periscope. We didn't need to submerge. One thing I can guarantee you. Horst is never leaving U-43. On the plus side, he gets more fresh air than most of us.

The last eels of the patrol, and also the last shells, were fired in the 'Kanal on our way home. We had two eels left in the stern tubes. We fired at a French merchantman making about 13 knots. The first was a dud, the second detonated forward of the superstructure. It slowed her down, but Grandfather wanted to be sure so we surfaced, in heavy seas and put the Musketeers, as they have taken to calling themselves, to work.

They scored many hits, but in the end we simply ran out of ammunition. I have no idea if she made it to port or not, but my guess would be that she did. As long as she stayed afloat and moving, she was no more than three hours from Portsmouth. The Musketeers suffered though. A couple of times they had to hang on as waves swept the deck. Ordinarily we'd never have used the gun, but it was all we had and she was getting away. Grandfather suggested to the chief that Schnapps was in order. It's an open secret that he keeps a bottle for "medicinal purposes". Regulations or no, one thing I've found is that morale is water soluble, but Schnapps and hot coffee go a long way to bringing it back.

We sank a tanker from about 3 kilometers after we were spotted by an escort. He turned towards us, so we showed him our stern and increased speed, but he saw us anyway. He probably saw our wake, but if we hadn't been making it, then he'd have seen us nonetheless. He fired. We dived, and then turned through 180 degrees and headed for the convoy at flank speed. "Is this wise?" I asked - very quietly. "No, not at all." admitted Grandfather. We should break contact and reacquire them, but by then they'll be in shallow water, infested by patrol boats and the RAF swarming round us like bluebottles. I prefer to engage them here if I can. He thinks we're heading Northwest and he's making upwards of twenty knots to get to where he thinks we'll be, and all his friends are coming to help him. If past performance is anything to go by, he'll be moving too fast, and we'll be too deep, to be detected. Are you a gambling man Leutnant?"

The gamble paid off. We made a long run at flank speed, a hundred meters deep, came to periscope depth and saw a tanker crossing our bow at about three thousand meters. It was the last ship in the convoy and the escorts were once again, killing fish behind us. We set the eels to run deep and fired all four bow tubes. Wasteful I know, but I have noticed that Grandfather is not quite so thoughtful about belligerents as neutrals. Once he decides we attack then we attack, even from three kilometers. I feel he has something of the berserker about him.

In fairness, we had many eels and little fuel at that point, so it made as much sense to shoot as not, but my feeling is, that thought never entered the head of our Captain.

Out of the four eels we fired, three did nothing. Perhaps they ran too deep, perhaps they missed. Some of them were always going to miss, given the spread of the salvo - but one of them detonated, and one was all it took. We were trailing the convoy, submerged and reloading tubes, hoping it would fall far enough behind to finish with Die Pistole, when Dieter heard it heading for the bottom.

After that we chased a couple of contacts reported to be in our area, but we didn't find them. We'd burned through about two-thirds of our fuel and it looked like we'd be bringing eels back with us, when we dived for our evening hydrophone check and Dieter reported multiple contacts dead ahead. We surfaced and made for them at full speed. As we were about to submerge to check their bearing, Horst [who else] caught sight of an escort. Soon even I could see the smoke. It looked like the horizon was on fire. At first it looked like we were approaching them from the side, so Grandfather ordered a turn to port to bring us on a parallel course. It soon became obvious that the convoy was heading directly towards us. It had many, many columns. Twelve, possibly more. We submerged and turned to close with them, slipped past the escorts as easily as ever, selected our targets..... Then Grandfather uttered an oath I feel no need to repeat, and announced we'd been spotted. "Are you sure sir?" I asked. I couldn't think how they'd managed it. "Well they're sending up flares, and it's not Guy Fawkes Nacht, so I'd say that either that Destroyer captain has had some very good news, or he thinks there's a U-boat somewhere near. Still, he can't hear us or he'd be coming over to contribute to our retirement fund. Flood all tubes. prepare for firing...."

We fired all six eels. The first pair at a tanker about 40 degrees off the starboard bow, range about two thousand meters. As we were about to fire at a freighter dead ahead we were pinged. We fired and Grandfather shouted to Dieter for a bearing on the escort pinging us. We went to flank speed and fired the last two eels at a target ten degrees off the stern. Then we dived and went hard to port. It was a very busy half minute. In all the excitement nobody thought to reset the depth of the eels - because of the angle, we wanted them to pass under the tanker. Anyway. Six fired, four detonated. One target sank within minutes, another took much longer. From the bearings it would seem the tanker we coveted wasn't among them. We reloaded, came back up, and found the convoy some way behind us moving very erratically. We ought to have closed the range before firing again, but Grandfather didn't. He fired at the tanker - or a tanker at least - from extreme range. All of our eels missed. I'm not completely sure he didn't just want to finish them and go home. If he did, he wasn't the only one.

Anyway. A productive patrol, but a long one. We got back with about five percent of our fuel left. There's no doubt the British are getting better at this, but we still have the upper hand I think. If only our eels would explode more often....

Your Obedient Nephew

Phillipp

[c13Garrison]

:Kaleun_Cheers:

Willkommen! Grandfather seems to be as mercurial as some captains I know in the Pacific, and just as sardonic. :up: A fun tale.

[in_vino_vomitus]

:Kaleun_Cheers:

Willkommen! Grandfather seems to be as mercurial as some captains I know in the Pacific, and just as sardonic. :up: A fun tale.


Danke....:Kaleun_Cheers:

[CalolinaCoyote]

OOC: I decided to do one.

TO: LCDR TAFFY OWAIN
FROM: COMSUBPAC

YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN COMMAND OF YOUR OWN BOAT. REPORT TO CAVITE NAVAL BASE, PHILIPPINES TO TAKE COMMAND OF USS SAILFISH (SS-192), A SARGO BOAT. REPORT TO TF6, US ASIATIC FLEET NO LATER THEN DEC. 7, 1941.

Lieutenant Commander Taffy Owain
USS Sailfish (SS-192)
December 7, 1941

The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor, us and other bases in the Pacific. We have been ordered to sea, under the orders of Admiral Hart, to begin unrestricted warfare against the Japanese. The bastards strike us on a Sunday, and now its time to do the Lord's work on set them straight, and deliver revenge on the enemy. We have ordered to recon the Lingayen Gulf and then Vigan for enemy ships.

[Clean Sweep]

16 OCTOBER 1944
TO: SUBCOMPAC
FROM: TASK FORCE MIDWAY
RE: USS TANG REPORTED OVERDUE

The TANG is now six days over due. No radio contact has been recieved either to or from the vessel. Aerial recon has turned up no visual contact of any ship, wreck, or crew. The TANG is hereby declared lost, with all hands on board. and is stricken from the Naval Registrar.