A Brief Introduction to the Pacific Submarine War

[Ducimus]

New to Silent Hunter 4? Fresh out of the Atlantic theater? Have very little idea about the Pacific submarine theater? Then this post is for you! Alternately you can watch a 45 minute movie online:

History Channel special on US Sub attack plans (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2427972655646186523&q=silent+service&total=559&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=8)


Prewar Doctrine - How the US submarine came about
An escalation of tensions during the latter part of the 1930's indicating the possibility of a war in the Pacific led the US Navy to actively develop a submarine capable of supporting surface fleet operations. Since Submarines were originally looked upon to serve as scouts and screens for the navy's capital warships; the desired "fleet boat" would be required to possess the speed, the range and the ability to maintain extended deployments which would be necessary for a war in the world's largest ocean.

This design evolved slowly during pre war years that culminated with the Tambor and gar class at the outbreak of war. Two more designs were evolved during the war. The design evolution, in chronological order is as follows:



S Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_S_class_submarine) - WW1 submarine with 4 bow torpedos
Porpoise Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Porpoise_(SS-172)) - 4 bow, and 2 aft torpedos
Salmon Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Salmon_(SS-182)) - 4 bow, and 4 aft tubes
Sargo Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Sargo_(SS-188)) - a refinement of the Salmon class, with the same number of tubes
Tambor/Gar Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Tambor_(SS-198)) - The first fleet boat that had the specifications the Submarine service was looking for with 6 bow and 4 stern torpedo tubes.
Gato Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gato_class_submarine) - This was the "standard" fleet submarine of WWII. A refinement of the Tambor and Gar class, with the same number of torpedo tubes
Balao Class (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balao_class_submarine) - The Balao class was an upgraded version of the Gato class, mostly noted for increased diving depth.





Outbreak of War - Entirely unprepaired
For the US Submarine Service, like the rest of the nation, Pearl harbor marked the entry to WW2, with one minor exception - they were present during the attack. The Japanese ignored the submarine base entirely. This would later prove to be a costly mistake.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/pearl.jpg
The USS Narwhal, and USS Tautog would later share credit for one of the first credited kills in WW2 by shooting down a Japanese Zero

The U.S. Navy's submarine force was caught woefully unprepared for the type of warfare which they were about to face. All of the pre-war, peacetime training for the U.S. submarine commanders which was previously geared in support of the surface fleet, was now obsolete and impractical. Submarines were originally looked upon to serve as scouts and screens for the navy's capital warships. Unfortunately, following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor virtually no surface fleet of any consequence remained in the Pacific waters for which to scout or screen. The United States Navy developers of tactical planning for submarine warfare never anticipated the situation that they found themselves in during those early days of the war. With the American Navy in the Pacific all but destroyed, the rules of submarine warfare had to be drastically changed. That change, came about via one simple and blunt order.

"Execute unrestricted air and submarine warfare against Japan."
- Admiral R. Stark, Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, December 1941.

The Submarine war in the pacific had begun.





The Torpedos are fine, you're not using them correctly - so says the Naval Bureau of Ordinance


Much has been written about this, and is argubly the one piece of the history in the pacific that everyone has heard of. The problems were many.

- magnetic exploder which was kept so secret, the Naval bureau of ordinance was afraid to live fire test it during peace time, for fear that the secret would get out.

- Firing pin being bent, therefore torpedo not detonating when hitting the side of a ship at a 90 degree angle.

- Erratic depth control.

Some nice quotes about this fiasco:
"…the unhappy saga of the Mark 14 torpedo and its Mark VI magnetic exploder is, perhaps, a perfect example of the mayhem that can be created when experts bury their heads in the sand and steadfastly refuse to face facts."

"America entered the war with torpedoes far inferior to those of the enemy, and the fault lay squarely with the United States Bureau of Ordnance. It was ineffectual in research and development, inept in testing. It was inadequate in manufacturing, and feeble in its supervision of Newport. It was wanting in collegiality with the rest of the Navy, and it failed to trust those fighting under the Pacific surface."

"That…desk-bound staffers refused to listen to suggestions and criticisms from those they had sent into combat with this weapon seems, in retrospect, incomprehensibly stubborn and stupid…. The torpedo scandal of the U.S. submarine force in World War II was one of the worst in the history of any kind of warfare."

Needless to say, the Naval bureau of ordinance was on every submariner's s**t list. It wasn't until sometime in august, 1943 until the torpedos were tested, and the defects found. Until then, US submariners were going war, trusting their lives to a weapon that was unreliable, and could even turn against them by running erraticllly in a circular path. If you've ever heard the phrase, "Torpedo running hot straight and normal!", its because the hydrophone operator was listening for erratic movement in the torpedos!

Even during late war years, this erratic behavior was never fully rectified, as was exemplified when the USS Tang. She was about to head home after a very productive patrol, and was on the surface shooting her last torpedo at a damaged freighter when this torpedo, her last torpedo on board, ran circular and hit the Tang, sinking one of the most famous, and productive boats of the war.




A different kind of theater - a different kind of enemy
The pacific theater differed in many respects. Particuarlly were submarines were concerned. Unlike the atlantic, submarines in the pacific were tasked to do alot more then harvest as much tonnage of enemy ships as they can. They also actively participated in the overall effort to defeat japan. Some of these additional tasks included:

- Lifeguarding Rescues of downed pilots
- Wolf Packs operations
- Recon Missions
- Minelaying Missions
- Supply Missions
- Special Transport Missions
- Anti-Picket Boat Sweeps

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/air_crew.jpg
Rescuing of downed pilots

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/commando.jpg
Docking at pearl harbor after what can be dubbed as a successful commando raid.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/bearded_crew_01.jpg
Unloading 20 tons of gold bars and silver pesos evacuated from the Philippines, at Pearl Harbor, 3 March 1942.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/Scope.jpg
Naturally, when not doing some extra-curricular tasking, US submarines were doing what submarines do best, sink ships!

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/harbor_raid.jpg
Encouraged to be aggressive, the raiding, (and sometimes shelling) of ancorages were not uncommon.

The enemy being fought, the Japanese Empire, was unlike any enemy fought against during WW2. Any rules of conflict that may have existed in the atlantic, were a bit less prevelant in the pacific. The japanese believed, and fought by, the code of bushido. It effect most every aspect of the war the Japanese participated in. The gist of this code, was that surrender was dishonorable. To surrender was to dishonor ones self, and ones family and ancestors. To surrender was to be subhuman. So more often then not the japanese, on a personal level, fought very tenaciously to the very end. Unfortunately several attrocities (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_war_crimes) were commited. From Pearl harbor, to batan, to Tarawa , to Iwo Jima, the pacific theater was a hotbed of war in its ugliest form.
http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/warcrime.gif


Hatred for the enemy ran high, and woe be to the submariner or pilot who was captured by the japanese. Not all died, but not all lived, it was truly, ugly. It can be said, that compared to the atlantic, what the pacific lacked in massive scale, it more then made up for in intensity.




Structure of Submarine Operations
Submarines in the pacific operated out of three primary ports. Pearl Harbor, Fremantle, and Brisbane. Submarines were divided by numbered squadron called SubRons. Each squadron had a submarine tender which was responsible for the upkeep and maintance of the subs assigned to it.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/tender.jpg

The pacific theater was divided into two areas of operations, with each area headed by a admiral, similar in position to the germans Karl Donitz. These two operational heads were known as:

COMSUBPAC - short for commander submarines pacific
COMSUBSOWESPAC - short for Commander submarines South West Pacific

Naturally, each had their own idea on how the submarine war should be run.




Life on board - It was hot.
Due to operational requirements, the habitiablity of life on a US submarine was indeed greater then most submarine forces of the time. However, how "easy" US submariners had it, is often misrespresented. Truth be told, life on a US Submarine was much like any other submarine.
http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/life_onboard.jpg

Of life on board, one submarine veteran had this to say:

" It is said that submariners must learn to live with others even more so than in a marriage, and I agree. But the food was great. Elsewhere in the Navy the food wasn't bad, but on a submarine it was superb. There were always night rations if you were on duty, and the cooks whipped up marvelous meals."

"Since we were in the tropics, it also was extremely hot, sometimes as high as 130 degrees. We drank gallons of water and downed plenty of salt pills. The worst was when we submerged. That was rough because by four in the afternoon the heat, atmosphere and humidity inside were unbearable. Everybody suffered, but you managed to cope with it. Then, when we surfaced, even that warm tropical air felt good."


"We normally traveled a long way on our patrols, as much as 5,000 to 7,000 miles round trip, sometimes all the way from Perth, Australia, north across the equator. Actually, much of our missions was spent going to and returning from our patrol areas. The submarine usually carried food for 75 to 80 days. A typical patrol area was set up in rectangular form, such as an area 50 miles by 250 miles. The submarine patrolled back and forth near shipping lanes or harbors in the assigned area waiting for shipping. The goal was to wipe out Japan's merchant shipping and cut her supply lines."

"Heading out to our patrol area, the submarine stayed on the surface. But when we moved into range of our sector where Japanese planes might become a factor, the submarine remained underwater all day. At that time we'd flip-flop our schedules so that most activity occurred during the night, when the submarine could be on the surface and we could get fresh air. During the day, when we has less air available in the submersed submarine, we slept. Normally we dove about 4 a.m., just before sunrise, and remained underwater until about one half-hour after sunset. Breakfast was served around 4 p.m., and after surfacing at night we'd do all our work. About midnight we'd have dinner."

As for that air conditioning? Another sub vet called it a "glorified dehumidfier". The real purpose of the Air conditioning wasn't for the crews comfort, but to protect the eletrical systems inside the submarine from moister.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/bearded_crew_02.jpg
Enjoying that tropical breeze, shaving was optional, some submariners would have contests as to who could grow the fullest beard.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/battle_flag.jpg
Generally speaking, US submarines didn't sport conning tower insignia. They didn't want individual boats to be indentifiable by the enemy. Instead they would have a battle flag that would reflect their boats accomplishments.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/sub_emblem.jpg
Although some conning tower artwork did appear from time to time.


It was not a pleasure cruise - Of Occupational hazards, unsung heroism, and a Silent Service

The US Submarine service, earned the moniker, "The Silent Service" in many respects. Firstly, when under depth charge attack, one had to be quiet. Secondly, during wartime, all aspects of the submarine war were kept quiet, and not advertised. The US Navy didn't want to give the japanese any idea of success or failure in regards to submarine actions, or japanese ASW efforts. Last, but not least, most of the danger faced, the heroism, and the valor of these submariners go by unnoticed in the pages of history, the media, and the general public. The stories are many, all one has to do, is dig to find them.

A few highlights:

- The USS Gato, after surfacing from an intense depth charge attack discovered a live depth charge on her deck at the same time two enemy escorts were sighted headed in her direction. She outran them while disposing of the depth charge by setting it adrift on a rubber raft.

- The USS Gurnard one one depth charge attack, went deep to withstand an 88 depth charge barrage. The same boat later endurded 98 depth charges before the escort broke off its attack.

- The USS Billfish in one attack was inundated with depth charges by the Japanese. The constant barrage was threatening to tear the submarine apart and sink her. So she submerge 170 feet below test depth for 12 hours with a ruptured aft pressure hull and while the submarine was riddled with major leaks through the stern tubes and various hull fittings. She then took evasive actions by innovative maneuvers that retraced their path under the submarine's oil slick left by an explosion near the fuel ballast tanks. An officer was later cited as saying " There were three (Japanese) destroyers up there. We had a 412-foot test depth. I took the boat down to 650 feet. That was the only way to keep them from getting a depth charge underneath us."

- Another US submarine (whos name eludes me at the moment), endured a 48 hour depth charging before the escorts broke off its attack. The captain of this boat, with his sub low on batteries, and oxygen, was seriously considering surfacing and fighting with the deck gun. Thankfully the japanese destroyer broke off its attack before this plan of action was carried out.

One US sub vet when asked about some his experiences in the pacific, had this to day:

On attacking:

"We'd try to get in under 1,500 feet, to get as short a shot as possible and give the target little time to evade the torpedo. The captain peered through the periscope on the approach in to get bearings. The crew and everything else on the submarine formed the weapon, and our captain was the man with his finger on the trigger. He made all the observations and decisions on when to fire. If a vessel was escorted, we'd fire and then get the hell out of there, listening for any sounds of explosions. You can hear a torpedo hit underwater ... it makes a clang and a bang ... but many sinkings were only confirmed after the war. Until that time it boiled down to the captain's word. If he was not sure of a sinking, he'd only report a hit. When you heard a torpedo explode, there was a lot of cheering throughout the submarine and guys saying, "Man, we sank a ship." We didn't realize that sailors, just like us, were dying. It's strange that you feel good about killing men, but you didn't think of that until later."

On most memoriable experience:
"On Christmas Eve, 1942, the most memorable event in all the time I was in the war occured between New Guinea and New Britain. We were on the sirface at night ... almost midnight ... which would be Christmas day, when suddenly another submarine surfaces 1,000 yards astern. Everyone on the bridge clearly saw the sub because it surfaced in the moonlight. We quickly readied a torpedo, submerged, shot and sank the submarine. We never received credit for sinking it because no one saw it sink for sure, but we heard the hit, no question about that, and our sonar man heard the release of air associated with a sinking. I'll tell you, it was a cause for celebration that Christmas, but it was sobering for us because we realized it could have easily done the same to us."

On another experience:
"In May 1943 we went off northern Japan, and was it cold! The water temperature was very low, making the inside of our submarine cold. We sank one merchant vessel in one attack before eluding the destroyer escorts, then fired a spread of torpedoes at another convoy and hit the lead freighter. (Those ships were later identified as the passenger/cargoman Iburi Maru and the freighter Shinju Maru, totaling 6,900 tons.) We dove deep and really got worked over by depth charges this time. After two hours the charges subsided, so we came back up to periscope depth, but the captain quickly spotted a Japanese plane circling above. The attacks resumed and lasted for another eight hours. Other than short periods to go to the head, we stayed on station all 10 hours. Three destroyers tried to edge us toward shore by heading us off, and while one destroyer ran at us and dropped depth charges, the other two observed for any signs of us. The attack seemed to go on and on forever, and guys were wondering, "God, aren't they ever going to quit?"

Every time we thought they'd left, another destroyer would come across our bow. A couple of men cracked under the pressure and began crying and shaking. Our captain, Dinty Moore, quietly had the men removed from the control room. They were all right afterward, but none of us said anything about it to them because we knew we all were on a microscopic edge of mentally breaking ... it could have been us. The captain finally got us out."

[Ducimus]

On being depth charged:

You were scared as hell! It felt like being inside a steel drum while someone banged on it. There wasn't much anybody could do except wait in unbearable heat and try to think of other things. The air got foul, and there was nothing to duck behind, no defense but stand and wait for something to happen. If the destroyer had sonar, when you heard the ping you knew he had a fix on you. It was a helpless feeling. The unwritten code said you could be frightened but you weren't supposed to show it ... but there were a lot of white knuckles during those attacks. You didn't feel much like talking, but there was a lot of praying. I was scared and anyone who tells you they weren't is lying.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/wahoo_cr.jpg

We dove as deep as we could ... our (depth) range was 300 feet ... and went on silent running. During silent running, all machines, pumps, blowers and so forth were shut down and the bulkheads secured. Talking was kept to a minimum, and only then in hushed tones. You also wanted to avoid dropping any loud objects. It was then up to the captain to get us out. When an enemy destroyer charged in for the attack, it came in fast so it could get out of the way of depth-charge explosions, but the high speed meant that he couldn't hear us move as well. The captain would try to guess the destroyer's approach, then move the submarine out of the attack path when he thought the destroyer could not detect any sound because of high speed and churning waters. It became a guessing game, like two swords dueling in the dark. There was a cat-and-mouse aspect to it.



One of the more incredible incidences of the pacific submarine war, deals with the immortal phrase, "Taker her down!" At 0100, On 7 February USS Growler ( Howard W. Gilmore commanding) stealthily approached a gunboat for a night surface attack. The small fast ship suddenly turned to ram. Unable to avoid the collision, Gilmore ordered left full rudder and all ahead flank, and rammed the enemy amidships at 17 knots.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/takeherdown_01.jpg

As machine gun fire raked them at point-blank range, Commander Gilmore ordered the bridge cleared. As the commanding officer, Gilmore was the last to leave the bridge, and was grievously wounded before he could get below. Realizing that he was jeopardizing his boat's escape, he ordered "Take her down!" and shut the hatch, remaining on the bridge while his boat dived. By saving his command at the expense of his own life, Commander Gilmore became one of the six submariners to earn the Medal of Honor. (A seaman and another officer also lost their lives in this incident).
http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/takeherdown_02.jpg

Severely damaged but still under control, Growler returned to Brisbane under command of her exec.


Since the pacific submarine war was won, with far fewer casualties then what was inflicted upon the germans in the atlantic, most assume that the pacific was a cakewalk shooting gallery. This simply isn't true. While the japanese ASW strategy was indeed lacking strategically, tactically, the empire of Japan had some formidible captains who made good on opportunity. The US Submarine service comprised of only 1.6 percent of all US Naval personnel in the Pacific; yet 1 out of every 5 US submariners would lose their lives.

But the Japanese wasn't the only threat to look out for, reefs and shoals are plenty in the pacific where waters are shallow in many areas as the USS Darter found out the hard way:
http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/grounded.jpg

Here is what remains of the USS darter today, she never did get herself off that reef:
http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/darter_today.jpg



The usual statistics

What the pacific theater lacked in scale of submarine operations, it more then made up for in intensity. The overall impact that the United States Navy's submarine forces had on the outcome of the war in the Pacific is often understated. To study the Pacific theater without looking closely at the battle figures compiled by the Silent Service would be a grave injustice to any student of the war and to the valiant men who unselfishly gave of themselves. Comprising less then 1.6% of all US Naval personnel in the Pacific, yet accounting for more then half of all enemy shipping sunk.

http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/graph.jpg

Historians have stated that a major factor contributing to Japan's surrender was this island nation's recognition of the fact that she was unable to sustain the war effort due to the severe shortages of raw materials and basic essentials. By eliminating their ability to import vital goods and supplies, American submarines were able to do to Japan what Hitler's U-Boat force came close to doing to England.

In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never has so much been owed by so many to so few." Approximately 244 submarines from the Porpoise class to the Balao class were comissioned between 1930, and 1945, and served during WW2. The US submarine service sustained the highest mortality rate of all branches of the U.S. Military with a total of 52 United States submarines lost, and 1 in 5 submariners losing their lives. 3,505 American submariners are on eternal patrol.

The story of the Pacific submarine theater, and the Silent Service is one that is often missed, or passed by. With no blockbuster style movie to generate interest, the deeds , valor and heroism, of this theater often go by unsung and unnoticed, and fades from the public conciousness. To the last, the silent service in WW2 lives up to its moniker. The study of the pacific theater, the essence of it all, the spirit, the romance, isn't summed up by any movie like Das Boat, but by a simple poem written by a man who was there.

The poem is called, "The Trigger Maru", and it embodies everything that the pacific theater was about. ( I should note that this is in no way meant to a reference or a plug, for the mod of the same name) It was written by a crew member aboard the USS Trigger. While it was meant to tell about the tale of a single boat, it infact tells the tale of the pacific submarine war.


I'm the galloping ghost of the Japanese coast.
You don't hear of me and my crew
But just ask any man off the coast of Japan.
If he knows of the Trigger Maru.

I look sleek and slender alongside my tender.
With others like me at my side,
But we'll tell you a story of battle and glory,
As enemy waters we ride.

I've been stuck on a rock, felt the depth charge's shock,
Been north to a place called Attu,
and I've sunk me two freighters atop the equator
Hot work, but the sea was cold blue.

I've cruised close inshore and carried the war
to the Empire Island Honshu,
While they wire Yokahama I could see Fujiyama,
So I stayed, to admire the view.

When we rigged to run silently, deeply I dived,
And within me the heat was terrific.
My men pouring sweat, silent and yet
Cursed me and the whole damned Pacific.

Then destroyers came sounding and depth charges pounding
My submarine crew took the test.
Far in that far off land there are no friends on hand,
To answer a call of distress.

I was blasted and shaken (some damage I be taken),
my hull bleeds and pipe lines do, too
I've come in from out there for machinery repair,
And a rest for me and my crew.

I got by on cool nerve and in silence I served,
Though I took some hard knocks in return,
One propeller shaft sprung and my battery's done,
But the enemy ships I saw burn.

I'm the galloping ghost of the Japanese coast,
You don't hear of me and my crew.
But just ask any man off the coast of Japan,
If he knows of the Trigger Maru.

[raymond6751]

Thank you for the history. That was well written and showed compassion.

[elanaiba]

Trust this guy to rest on the Christmas break, eh?

Excellent Ducimus :)

[Asmodean]

Nice Idea, nice post :up: , Sticky?

two mistakes:
"a breif introduction" and the second Tambor/Gar Class should of course be the Gato class.

[Mush Martin]

Boy that all takes me back a few years Nice Post!
M:up:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Thanks for this Ducimus, very well done :up:


RDP

[kylesplanet]

Well that just fires me up! I'm gonna have to let my guys run the shop today, I have some important stuff to take care of.:p Look out bad guys, here I come!

[AVGWarhawk]

Nicely written and yes, shows compassion and respect for the submariners!

[Digital_Trucker]

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/digital_trucker/Smilies/Bravo.gif Very well done, sir:up:

[John Channing]

WOW!

I mean... just WOW!

JCC

[Sailor Steve]

WIKI? You used WIKI???:rotfl:




Actually, in this case, it seems to be the best online source.:sunny:

Good read.:rock:

[Ducimus]

WIKI? You used WIKI???:rotfl:




Actually, in this case, it seems to be the best online source.:sunny:



For the information on subs, unfortunatly wiki is the best source. Amazingly enough.

-----------

As an aside, here some pictures i was trying to work into the post, but didn't cause it sort of ruined continunity, (and i ran outta gas :roll: )

http://www.ducimus.net/sh4/pto/capture.jpg


http://www.ducimus.net/sh4/pto/gun_action_02.jpg


http://www.ducimus.net/sh4/pto/trawler.jpg


http://www.ducimus.net/sh4/pto/humor.jpg

[ReallyDedPoet]

A different kind of theater - a different kind of enemy
The pacific theater differed in many respects. Particuarlly were submarines were concerned. Unlike the atlantic, submarines in the pacific were tasked to do alot more then harvest as much tonnage of enemy ships as they can. They also actively participated in the overall effort to defeat japan. Some of these additional tasks included:

- Lifeguarding Rescues of downed pilots
- Wolf Packs operations
- Recon Missions
- Minelaying Missions
- Supply Missions
- Special Transport Missions
- Anti-Picket Boat Sweeps

The above, just another reason why I play SH4, the variey of tasks that our thrown your way. They make you feel like you are really part of the experience.

No more just going to a grid and patrolling that area, then a free for all after that.


RDP

[Wilcke]

Well done!:up:

[CDR Resser]

Thanks D. Once again, oustanding work.:up:
In an astonisning announcment, Ducimus, recently retired from modding, has been appointed the official site historian.:rotfl:
I love that USS Darter "Battle Surface" drawing. Hilarious.

[ReallyDedPoet]

I'll also add this from Fleetsubmarine.com


The American fleet submarine may arguably be called the most successful naval weapon of World War II. The aircraft carriers got all the publicity, but it was the submarine fleet that destroyed most of the Japanese merchant fleet, isolating the home islands, crippling Japanese industry, and preventing resupply and reinforcement of Japanese island garrisons.
From America's entry into World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, until the Japanese surrender was signed on 2 September 1945, American submarines were responsible for sinking more than half of all Japanese tonnage. This, despite the fact that the submarine forces comprised less than 2% of the Navy, and spent the first 18 months of the war battling the Navy bureaucracy over defective torpedoes.


http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/graphics/wahoo1.jpg
U.S.S. Wahoo pictured in July 1943 off Mare Island Navy Yard. Commanded by Dudley "Mush" Morton,
Wahoo was one of the most successful American submarines of World War II. Four months after this picture
was taken she was lost with all hands while attempting to exit the Sea of Japan after sinking four ships for a
total of 13,000 tons. Her wartime total was 60,038 tons.


RDP

[Kirby_TFS]

As always Ducimus your posts are fantastic! Lots of good info in this post and well worth the read. Thanks for all your contributions.:up:

[shoot-kill-win]

Dont forget that the U.S. Silent Service was home to the "Champion Submarine Killing Submarine" of WWII, The U.S.S. Batfish sinking three Japanese submarines in under 72 hours, plus another 11 ships.
Below is the quote given when recieving her Presidential unit Citation
"For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese combatant forces during the sixth War Patrol in the South China Sea from December 30, 1944 to March 3, 1945. Persistent and aggressive in her search for vital targets, the USS Batfish relentlessly tracked down the enemy and in three separate, brilliantly executed attacks, launched her torpedoes with devastating speed and skill and demolished three Japanese submarines. By the destruction of these formidable and threatening hostile Fleet units in a single War Patrol, the Batfish contributed significantly to the successful completion of the war. The courage, superb seamanship and gallant fighting spirit of her officers and men reflect the highest credit upon herself and the United States Naval Services."



Battle Flag:

http://www.ussbatfish.com/photos/btlflag.jpg

[kiwi_2005]

Excellent read! :up:

[SteveW1]

Absolutely fabulous post you just rock Ducimus:rock:

[Bale]

Ahoy !

- Another US submarine (whos name eludes me at the moment), endured a 48 hour depth charging before the escorts broke off its attack. The captain of this boat, with his sub low on batteries, and oxygen, was seriously considering surfacing and fighting with the deck gun. Thankfully the japanese destroyer broke off its attack before this plan of action was carried out.


I think this was the USS Salmon ... i believe i had seen the story somewhere in the net. If i found the link i post it here



edit: here some links with the story of the USS Salmon. the gunfight was on 30. October 1944.
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-s/ss182.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Salmon_(SS-182)

http://www.subvetpaul.com/Her_Last_Dive.html

[dmlavan]

Great post - lots of good reading for a former U-boat Kaleun :hmm:

[rrmelend]

Sweet work Ducimus. Thanks for taking the time to do this for all of us.:up:

[scrag]

Well written - I really enjoy reading concise stuff like what was posted. I know the bulk of you are on the mainland but it is an incredible feeling to walk over to the Sub base, past the chapel that Nimitz helped build, past Lockwood hall, to tour the Submarine Escape tower and gaze out over to Ford Island and see the ARIZONA memorial with the Mighty MO standing guard duty over Battleship Row. The sense of history here is incredible. Damage from the attack is still here on a number of buildings and yet a growing number of our Children do not understand or comprehend this place or the battle that took place here. This week a friend of my Son is visiting from the mainland and we are taking her to visit the ARIZONA. I wish more people would stand apart from the game and realize that History is what caused it to be created - and it is up to the new style of historians to ensure that it remains accurate and it remains a reminder to those who play that real lives were sacrificed in a fight against tyranny.

[odjig292]

Ducimus, you are indeed a person of many talents. The summary was an excellent start for "newbies" but equally enjoyable to the old timers. Well done, as usual.

[u.Prestige]

Great post!
Where can I find infomation of most successful submarines and commanders of USA during WW2?

[modisch]

Thank you, Ducimus, for you work and write up.

I've long enjoyed your mod (consistently improving my SHIV experience since the beginning)... and I certainly enjoyed reading your posts.

Best wishes,

-m

[SilentOtto]

Thank you Mr. Ducimus for sharing! And please keep doing it from time to time, it has been a deeply enjoyable and insightful read!

And, if I may, here go a couple personal remarks, while we wait for chapter 2... ;)

First, this kind of reading has given me, keen as I am for the Atlantische scenario, loads more fun and feeling for my sh4 gaming, so it keeps being great to have you as host while learning more about the pacific scenario (all the TM's, and now this).

I also need to tell you (though you shouldn't give half a damn about this) that since I read this chapter of yours, I now consider you a much nicer guy than I thought before... Having loads of knowledge on a matter, and still keep on dicussing minor and basic things with ill-tempered and clueless fellows around here, require a lot of patience and kindness which I thought you lacked... on a first glance!

Hope this makes some sense, keep it up!!

[SS-18rider]

Hey Ducimus...

There is on more film to add to your sticky:

Silent Service - Attackplans of WW2

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2427972655646186523&q=silent+service&total=559&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=8

[Ducimus]

Hey Ducimus...

There is on more film to add to your sticky:

Silent Service - Attackplans of WW2

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2427972655646186523&q=silent+service&total=559&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=8


Oh yes. Definatly a keeper.

[ReallyDedPoet]

This thread just keeps getting better and better, some really nice additions :yep::up:


RDP

[aurora-7]

Maybe it's been posted already but I did not find reference to this in the forum.

The San Francisco Maritime National Park has a web page the includes an extensive training manual the describes WWII fleet submarine functionality. It was a publication made just after the war.

So if you enjoy reading about the main hyrdraulic and lubrication systems and standard watch routines of WWII fleet subs, take a look:

http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/index.htm

[Sailor Steve]

I'm surprised you couldn't find a reference here, as it is the standard title we all use anytime any question comes up.:sunny:

[Rockin Robbins]

I just finished reading the single best article I've ever read regarding the faulty torpedoes on the US Sub Vets of WWII (http://www.ussubvetsofworldwarii.org/BlattIndex.html) website. Click the link and select "Faulty Ordinance to read the whole thing. I'll quote a small part of it:
Perhaps Admiral Lockwood encapsulated the submariners' long frustration best when he suggested at a wartime conference in Washington that, "If the Bureau of Ordnance can't provide us with torpedoes that will hit and explode . . . then for God's sake, get the Bureau of Ships to design a boat hook with which we can rip the plates off a target's side." Although his submarines never had to resort to such measures, history has tended to overlook their early months of struggle, focusing instead on the final two years of their campaign.
What must never be forgotten is the fact that just over 50 years ago, submariners were forced to engage the enemy for 18 months with ordnance that proved to be at least 70 percent unreliable. Often, Japanese merchantmen would enter port with unexploded Mark XIV torpedoes thrust into their hulls.
Sounds like my occasional portrayals of Admiral Lockwood may not be far off the mark!

[Rockin Robbins]

I reproduce this in full from the newsletter of the USS Tinosa, the sub that blew the lid off the Mark 14 scandal. You wanted details about US sub operations, here you go. I apologize for all the nightmares you will experience over the next several weeks:
The TINOSA BLATT

Volume I August 1980 Number 2 THE HEAD
by Paul Wittmer, Motor Machinist Mate

My favorite story is about an incident with the 500 gallon sanitary tank and the two associated toilets which were located in the aft end of the After Battery Room.

Some background explanations are in order for those who haven't seen or experienced the workings of these necessary devices. All facilities are located below the water line at all times, so getting rid of the waste materials required some special operations.
On a fleet type submarine of WWII vintage, there were three facilities located strategically; one single unit in the aft end of the boat, one single unit in the forward end of the boat and the double facility connected to a 500 gallon sanitary tank. The double toilets, showers and sinks were located in the After Battery Room next to the Forward Engine Room compartment. Also in the After Battery Room there was the cook's galley, with a sink and the larger scullery sink which drained into the 500 gallon tank. Also directly across an aisle from the two toilets, were some small sinks for washing faces and brushing the teeth. Behind the sinks were two shower stalls which also drained into the 500 gallon tank. These two toilet compartments had no swinging doors and when in use, one could observe anyone brushing his teeth or shaving. Of course, the showers were only in use every fifth day, again no doors were on these stalls. So the layout consisted of the upper half of a semicircular hull with two toilets facing the sinks and shower stalls located across an aisle way.

Now in this wash room, there were many small drawers located under the sinks for use of crew members to store their shaving gear, toothbrushes, etc.. Above the sinks, there were bundles of electrical cables and other piping as well as an oscillating electric fan used to circulate the damp air. There were never enough small drawers to accommodate the crew, so many men would tuck their toothbrush into a favorite spot among the electrical cables.

The two toilets at each end of the boat required a unique set of operations in order to use and discharge the waste to sea. There were valves and levers to be operated in the proper sequence, else one would truly regret his mistake. But this story is not about these two heads!
It's the 500 gallon tank that became most interesting one evening when I had the first below deck watch upon entering port.
While at sea, there are three duty sections with one section taking the watch at any one time. In port, one section will have the duty. The duty section must remain aboard, man the boat, stand the topside watches and the below decks watches. Only qualified men could stand the below decks watches. Each watch standee was armed with a 45 caliber automatic sidearm. While at sea, it was the responsibility of the Auxiliary Machinist Mate to discharge the 500 gallon sanitary tank by blowing the contents, using air pressure, to sea whenever it became necessary. When in port, this responsibility fell to the below decks watch standee. We came into port after a long war patrol at sea and the first watch fell to me. A check-off of the condition of each compartment revealed that the 500 gallon tank was nearly full and required immediate attention.

The operation of clearing this tank is usually not a problem. All the drains into the tank have to be closed. All the vents from the tank also have to be closed. The stainless steel toilet bowls each had a flapper valve operated by a lever on the side of each toilet. These flapper valves were about 4 inches in diameter loosely held in place by a linkage to the operating handle. Each flapper valve had a rubber type gasket to assure a seal. All was made ready to blow this tank to sea, the two flapper valves were closed and all other conditions were ready to apply air pressure to the contents of the tank.

The air control valves and gauges were located in the second shower stall against the Engine Room bulkhead. Pressure was applied, usually about 10 and not more than 20 pounds per square inch air pressure would cause the tank to be discharged while on the surface. Proper operation could be heard. This tank was capable of being discharged at maximum submerged depth also, so it was considered a high pressure tank.

On this occasion, nothing was happening when air was applied - - - something was wrong! I secured the system and called the Auxiliary Machinist who was tending this function for the past many weeks. It was my good buddy, Red who advised me, "Yeah, I know about that tank, someone must have flushed a rag into the tank during one of the field days. Let me help you".
If a rag or even a matchstick got into this tank it could jam one of the discharge valves.

Red and I set up the tank again and he got into the shower stall to operate the air controls, while I looked over his shoulder. Red put in 20 pounds, then 30 then 40 still no results, he boosted the pressure up to 90 pounds per square inch. That did it.

Either one or both of those four inch flapper valves with their rubber type gaskets just blew out. This was followed by four inch streams of sanitary waste which went directly up, hit the curve of the hull and followed this curve around where it dumped on the shower stalls, sinks, fan, toothbrushes and the two of us. It all happened fast. In a matter of seconds we were up to our ankles in you know what.

A standing rule aboard a submarine; if you make a mess, you are required to clean it up. We were drenched. Buckets of hot water were acquired and we doused the area. Then we went topside, threw our clothes over the side and I had to clean the gun, holster and belt. Red had to open the bonnets of the sea valves and remove the obstruction the next morning, a real nasty job.

After the incident, the Chief of the Boat put up a sign, "Don't use the toothbrushes, the S - - - hit the fan.
---end---
You may now go to lunch.:sunny:

[Wilcke]

RR,

...after I take a dump:yep: ....biscuits and gravy for me please!

Great read! Thanks! Anything mechanical and sequenced I just eat up...no pun intended!:up:

[Sailor Steve]

Often, Japanese merchantmen would enter port with unexploded Mark XIV torpedoes thrust into their hulls. Sounds like my occasional portrayals of Admiral Lockwood may not be far off the mark! The Japanese merchant shipping documents include the record of one ship that flooded and sank - after being hit by a torpedo that didn't explode!

[SteamWake]

Well done.

This is the type of thing that should have been a part of the games original documentation. It would have answered alot of the 'noob' questions right off the bat.

[The Fishlord]

Another US submarine (whos name eludes me at the moment), endured a 48 hour depth charging before the escorts broke off its attack. The captain of this boat, with his sub low on batteries, and oxygen, was seriously considering surfacing and fighting with the deck gun. Thankfully the japanese destroyer broke off its attack before this plan of action was carried out.

I believe this was the USS Trigger, on a patrol November 1943 (correct me if I'm wrong on the date). There was a set of at least four, probably five destroyers depth charging for around 36 hours, from one evening, to the next evening, to the morning.

I read about it in the book "Submarine!" the passage goes something like this (can't get it exact, my friend is reading the book now):

"We have tried to go beneath the area where the water becomes much cooler, and so evade soundgear detection, but we've used up this 'velvet' long ago. The escorts have formed a tight ring around Trigger. We try to go through the hole in the ring, left by the last escort doing its depth charge run, but two more escorts always dart into place to fill the gap. We cannot go any deeper and we dare not increase speed, for fear of attracting a more accurate attack.

Sometimes instead of dropping their charges, they make a dry run, as if to say 'We know you're down there ol' boy. Might as well surface and get it over with.' We all know that there will come a point when our batteries are out and our O2 canisters are empty.
But we have a contingency in case of this event. Trigger will never surrender. We'll come up in the darkest hour of the night, all hands at the gun stations. It will be mighty dangerous for anything short of a full-fledged destroyer to get in our way.

...

Finally, a gap! Trigger darts through. They do not hear us.

Four hours later, we surfaced. Though the air was hot and humid, it did not bother us. After being in 124 degree heat for 36 hours it seems to be nothing but pure, undiluted Joy."

Good post, I feel like the US sub war in the Pacific doesn't get enough honor.

[SurfnSea]

"Another US submarine (whos name eludes me at the moment), endured a 48 hour depth charging before the escorts broke off its attack. The captain of this boat, with his sub low on batteries, and oxygen, was seriously considering surfacing and fighting with the deck gun. Thankfully the japanese destroyer broke off its attack before this plan of action was carried out."

Could the submarine you're talking about be the USS Puffer? They were down, "...a record thirty seven hours and forty-five minutes." This was around August-December 1943. I found this information in Volume 1 of Silent Service by Clay Blair, pages 470-471.

[Michiboot]

awesome read man, thanks for taking the time.

[Torps]

I originally missed this post but I must say nicely written Ducimus!

[loftyheights]

Hello there, I'm new to SH but find it totally phenom. I like to think I'm fairly knowledgable about WW2 but never realise how much the US sub fleet endoured. You guys know your ****. I knew all about the atlantic war and the major battles in the pacific (midway, guadal canal etc.) but playing SH4 and reading your posts has made me research and it was pretty awful for the sub crews of the US fleet out there.

As I said Im knew to the game, does anyone have 1 particular tip that might help me progress?

Cheers Lofty!

[loftyheights]

Hello there, I'm new to SH but find it totally phenom. I like to think I'm fairly knowledgable about WW2 but never realise how much the US sub fleet endoured. You guys know your ****. I knew all about the atlantic war and the major battles in the pacific (midway, guadal canal etc.) but playing SH4 and reading your posts has made me research and it was pretty awful for the sub crews of the US fleet out there.

As I said Im knew to the game, does anyone have 1 particular tip that might help me progress?

Cheers Lofty!

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD!:sunny:

[Sledgehammer427]

there we go, the name of that boat has eluded me since i read this post.

the USS Puffer was the submarine that was under for 37 some odd hours.
the men did have to suffer through 125 degree heat, and, when entering a compartment a meager 100 degrees they suffered horrible cases of the shivers, many of them thought they were suffering seziures!

[Fearless]

Awesome read :cool: Top stuff Ducimus :rock:

[Lionman]

Hello there, I'm new to SH but find it totally phenom. I like to think I'm fairly knowledgable about WW2 but never realise how much the US sub fleet endoured. You guys know your ****. I knew all about the atlantic war and the major battles in the pacific (midway, guadal canal etc.) but playing SH4 and reading your posts has made me research and it was pretty awful for the sub crews of the US fleet out there.

As I said Im knew to the game, does anyone have 1 particular tip that might help me progress?

Cheers Lofty!
Welcome aboard matey.

And to those who wrote the major part of this thread - many thanks - it all needs saying - many times.

[Falkirion]

Amazing read. I had no idea about most of the things that the US Submariners went through in WW2, though I just got into SH4 tonight. Looking forward to learning my way around these beautiful machines of the deep.

[Xia288]

Very nicely done sir ! Not only educational but also brought out a strong fighting spirits of US submariners in that troubled era of post Pearl Harbor days.:up:

[Admiral Von Gerlach]

To the Men and the boats of the US Sub fleet in WWII
Following rigorous training of officers and careful selection of crew, life on a sub in WWII was tough, on both the men and the boats. The Us fleet boats were some of the best of their time, and had ammenities that made the long arduous cruises bearable, but heat down below when submerged was often constantly over 100 degrees, and danger surrounded them on every side while in the Patrol area of their patrols, and the journey there and back was long and tough as well. They relied totaly on the judgmenet and eye of the skippers and execs, and every hand was part of the highly complex machine what was the 1940's boat. These were very close quarters, with little privacy other than one's own thoughts, and fears....and the pressures were immense on all hands. Of the active duty men 1 in 4 did not come home. Some few were rescued but many are still on duty with their boats and their exact fate may never be known. What stands out over the years is the bravery and the highest quality of the officers and men, as one looks at aging photographs, one can feel across the interveining time their character and their dedication. There were many heros, known and unkown, and they extended the force and power of the USN and our efforts in the war on the front line with a personal dedication and surrounded by each other in the tiny self contined world of their subs.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/42/lieutcmdmortonexecrichajv0.jpg
Morton, Skipper of the Wahoo (SS-238) and O'Kane Exec plotting an attack

The skipper was the key, for he carried the weight of the boat, along with the Chief of the Boat, and to both of them, everyone turned for leadership both overt and in daily attetntion to duty. The unspoken rule on subs was if you made a mess, you cleaned it up, and you looked out for your shipmates as much as you ever did for yourself and you looked out for the boat first of all. A lookout spotting a smoke trail or a plane might make the differnec between life and death, a successful contact or an empty patrol. We have pictures and history to remember some of these men with, and among the finest were the men of the Fleet Gato class boat USS Wahoo, SS-238 that was launched at Mare Island in 1942 and was sunk on her fifth war patrol, along with her legendary skipper Lieutenant Commander Dudley Morton and her entire crew. Her early successes and dedication to duty brightened those dark days for all in the Service and beyond, and her "clean sweep" mission in 1943 that is recorded in some aging photos shared here was a classic example of what those men and ships faced and accomplished. Remember this was the time of the dud torps, and how they kept going in spite of that, and the huge odds against them at that time.
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/573/wahoousntl2.jpg
USS Wahoo (SS-238), 1942-1943
USS Wahoo, a 1525-ton Gato class submarine built at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, was commissioned in May 1942. She operated off the west coast until August, then deployed to Pearl Harbor to begin combat operations. Wahoo's first war patrol, in the vicinity of Truk from late August into mid-October, sank no Japanese ships, though one freighter was apparently damaged. Her second patrol, in November and December 1942, took her from Pearl Harbor to the waters between Truk and the northern Solomon Islands. She sank a tanker and attacked an enemy submarine before heading for Brisbane, Australia.

On the last day of 1942, Lieutenant Commander Dudley W. Morton took command of Wahoo. In her next war patrol, into the area north of New Guinea in January and February, Morton demonstrated great daring and talent, attacking several Japanese ships, sinking three and leaving others damaged. Wahoo's fourth patrol, out of Pearl Harbor between late February and early April 1943, took her to the East China and Yellow Seas. There her aggressive attacks cost the enemy nine ships. From late April to late May, the submarine operated in the cold waters off Hokkaido and the Kurile Islands. Many ships were attacked, but faulty torpedoes kept the score to only three sinkings. Following this patrol, her fifth, Wahoo went to California for an overhaul.

Torpedo problems contributed greatly to an unsuccessful outcome in Wahoo's sixth war patrol, into the nearly land-locked and essentially "unfished" Sea of Japan during August 1943. In four days inside that target-rich body of water, she attacked nine ships, fired a dozen torpedoes and had misses, broaches or failures to explode in every case. Wahoo returned to the Sea of Japan in September, entering through the narrow strait between Hokkaido and Sakhalin for what was planned to be a stay of three weeks. From Japanese records, it is known that she sank four ships. However, the Japanese also reported a successful anti-submarine attack in the La Pérouse Strait on 11 October. Their target was undoubtedly Wahoo, lost with her entire crew while finishing the active portion of her seventh war patrol.

In an extraordinary combat career that was recognized by the award of a Presidential Unit Citation, USS Wahoo sank twenty enemy ships, at a time when the submarine force was hobbled by unreliable torpedoes. When the Pacific War concluded some twenty-two months later, after torpedo upgrades had helped U.S. submarines slaughter the Japanese logistics fleet, Wahoo was still seventh among them in terms of numbers of ships sunk.

At the end of December 1942, following two lackluster war patrols, USS Wahoo received a new Commanding Officer, the very aggressive and talented Dudley W. Morton. With a spirited pep talk about his intentions and expectations, Morton raised morale among his officers and crew. He implemented a number of innovations, among them placing Executive Officer Richard H. O'Kane at the periscope, so that the Commanding Officer could focus on the complete tactical picture instead of just on what could be seen through that one sensor.
To begin her third war patrol, Wahoo stood out of Brisbane, Australia, in mid-January 1943, with orders to reconnoiter Wewak, a Japanese base on the northern side of New Guinea, then attack shipping in the waters beyond. Using only a home-made chart, on 24 January Morton took his submarine into Wewak harbor, torpedoed and badly damaged the destroyer Harusame at close range and escaped unscathed.
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/9568/haruasamejan241943hd2.jpg
Harusame Damaged Jan 1943 later repaired and returned to service
Taken thru the Scope of the Wahoo

Two days later, Wahoo encountered a convoy, sank a freighter and the transport Buyo Maru and damaged another cargo ship. Wahoo made additional attacks on a tanker and a freighter. Afterwards, she reported by radio: "In ten-hour running gun and torpedo battle destroyed entire convoy of two freighters one transport one tanker ... all torpedoes expended".

Lieutenant Commander Dudley W. Morton, Commanding Officer, with another officer (probably Lieutenant Richard H. O'Kane), in Wahoo's conning tower during her attack on a Japanese convoy north of New Guinea, 26 January 1943. Several ships, among them the transport Buyo Maru, were sunk in this action.

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/4811/sinkingqi9.jpg
Nittsu Maru (Japanese cargo ship)
Sinking in the Yellow Sea, off China, on 23 March 1943. Periscope photograph, taken from USS Wahoo (SS-238), which had torpedoed her.

After an escort ship thwarted his attempt to use Wahoo's deck gun against another convoy on 27 January, Morton made a second radio report: "Another running gun battle today. Destroyer gunning, Wahoo running". Subsequently, the submarine conducted a photographic reconaissance of Fais Island, near Ulithi Atoll, then headed for Pearl Harbor. She arrived on 7 February 1943, with a broom lashed to her periscope to signify a "clean sweep" of enemy targets. Receiving a hero's welcome, Wahoo's exploits were widely publicized, boosting the confidence of both the American Public and of other members of the Submarine Force
Clean Sweep Feb 1943
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7387/cleansweep1vv7.jpg (http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7387/cleansweep1vv7.jpg)
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6042/cleansweep2xx2.jpg
The broom lashed to the periscope head, indicating a "clean sweep" of enemy targets encountered; pennant bearing the slogan "Shoot the sunza bitches" and eight small flags, representing claimed sinkings of two Japanese warships and six merchant vessels.

Note that the forward radar mast, mounted in front of the periscope shears, has been censored out of this photograph

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/7860/abandtowelcomeao7.jpg
A Band to welcome them to Home Port

Morton the Exemplary Skipper
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/6177/captainmortonzt7.jpg

In mid-1942, Lieutenant Commander Morton joined Submarine Squadron FOUR as a Prospective Commanding Officer and briefly was in charge of the elderly submarine Dolphin. After making a patrol on the much-newer Wahoo as an observer, at year's end he became her Commanding Officer. Morton soon proved himself to be one of World War II's most daring and able submarine commanders, an inspiration to many of his colleagues during a period when the Pacific submarine force was shaking off excessively cautious tactical doctrines while simultaneously suffering under the dispiriting burden of unreliable torpedoes. In January and February 1943, he took Wahoo into the waters off northern New Guinea, where several Japanese ships were sunk or seriously damaged, among them the destroyer Harusame, torpedoed after an almost incredibly bold penetration of Wewak harbor, and the transport Buyo Maru.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1064/buyomarutransportsinkinyl4.jpg
Buyo Maru Sinking
From February into October 1943, Commander Morton took Wahoo on four more patrols, covering enemy-controlled waters in the shallow Yellow Sea, off Northern Japan and into the Sea of Japan. Continuing to use innovative attack techniques, including placing his Executive Officer at the periscope, thus allowing the captain to fully visualize the entire situation, he sank another sixteen ships. Only one patrol, in the Sea of Japan in August, was unproductive, with poor torpedo performance as a contributing cause. Morton and Wahoo returned to the same area in September, at a cost to the Japanese cargo fleet of four ships. However, on 11 October 1943 while exiting the Sea of Japan through La Pérouse Strait, Wahoo was lost with all hands.

In his five war patrols, Dudley W. Morton had sunk a total of nineteen enemy ships, of some 55,000 tons, making him one of the Pacific War's top three submarine commanders in terms of ships sunk. His achievements were recognized by the award of no less than four Navy Crosses, the last one posthumous, and a Presidential Unit Citation for Wahoo.

The destroyer USS Morton (DD-948), 1959-1992, was named in honor of Commander Dudley W. Morton.

Danger is a Daily Routine
Crew of the Wahoo under attack by depth charges at 300 ft in 1943
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7039/depthchargingjan43300ftrl7.jpg
Scene in the control room during Wahoo's 27 January 1943 action with a Japanese destroyer. When the photo was taken the submarine was at 300 feet, rigged for depth charges. Six charges had just gone off and the crew was awaiting more. Lieutenant Commander Dudley W. Morton, Wahoo's Commanding Officer, reported this action as: "Another running gun fight ... destroyer gunning ... Wahoo running". Shaved head on crewman at right is a product of an Equator crossing ceremony three days previously.

Exec O'Kane gets his own boat
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3665/mortonandokaneonthebridpp3.jpg
Lieutenant Commander Dudley W. Morton, USN,Commanding Officer, USS Wahoo (SS-238), at right
With his Executive Officer, Lieutenant Richard H. O'Kane in Pearl Harbor 1943

O'Kane was detached to command the new boat Tang (SS-306)in 1943, and went on to be one of the most successful sub skippers in the way accounting for 24 Japanese ships, his boat sank from an accidental detonation from their own last fish at the end of a very succcesful patrol, it circled around and sank the Tang but not until she and O'Kane has decimated a Japanese convoy enroute with planes stacked on the decks to help in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, this was the text of the Medal of Honor Citation describing it:

Medal of Honor citation of Commander Richard Hetherington O'Kane (as printed in his official biography):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the USS TANG operating against two enemy Japanese convoys on October 23 and 24, 1944, during her Fifth and last War Patrol. Boldly maneuvering on the surface into the midst of a heavily escorted convoy, Commander O'Kane stood in a fusillade of bullets and shells from all directions to launch smashing hits on three tankers, coolly swung his ship to fire at a freighter and, in a split second decision, shot out of the path of an onrushing transport, missing it by inches. Boxed in by blazing tankers, a freighter, transport and several destroyers, he blasted two of the targets with his remaining torpedoes and, with pyrotechnics bursting on all sides, cleared the area. Twenty-four hours later, he again made contact with a heavily escorted convoy steaming to support the Leyte campaign with reinforcements and supplies and with crated planes piled high on each unit. In defiance of the enemy' relentless fire, he closed the concentration of ships and in quick succession sent two torpedoes each into the first and second transports and an adjacent tanker, finding his mark with each torpedo in a series of violent explosions at less than a thousand-yard range. With ships bearing down from all sides, he charged the enemy at high speed, exploding the tanker in a burst of flame, smashing the transport dead in the water and blasting the destroyer with a mighty roar which rocked the TANG from stem to stern. Expending his last two torpedoes into the remnants of a once powerful convoy before his own ship went down, Commander O'Kane aided by his gallant command, achieved an illustrious record of heroism in combat, enhancing the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

O'Kane was taken prisoner by the Japanese and held secretly until the end of the war.He later became a much respected Commander of several sub squadrons and the Sub School at New Groton.

In the end, it was men, ordinary but extrodinary men like Morton and O'Kane and all their crews that made the submarine war in the Pacific one of the most effective arms of all of the Allied efforts to stop the Japanese Empire.

To those who remain alive and the few boats that we have with us and to those boats and men who did not return, these thoughs and thanks are dedicated. We owe them so much, and they gave us all they had, and experiencing this in this remarkable sim is a way to honour their memory and their courage.

All Photographs are from the offical USN Historical Collection and are declared in the public domain as being taken by active duty US military personell. The Music clip is to give a sense of the fragile link that existed between the base in Pearl and the boats at sea, and the joy they must have felt on return.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4420/yahoorefitsanfranjuly43sf0.jpg
SSN Wahoo Returning to the War deparitng Mare Island after refit in 1943

The Boats that survive....
Gato class

USS Silversides (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/silversides.htm) (Muskegon, Michigan)
USS Drum (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/drum.htm) (Mobile, Alabama)
USS Cobia (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/cobia.htm) (Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
USS Cod (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/cod.htm) (Cleveland, Ohio)










Balao class

USS Bowfin (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/bowfin.htm) (Honolulu, Hawaii)
USS Pampanito (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/pampanito.htm) (San Francisco, California)
USS Lionfish (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/lionfish.htm) (Fall River, Massachusetts
USS Becuna (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/becuna.htm) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
USS Batfish (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/becuna.htm)(Muskogee, Oklahoma)










Tench class

USS Torsk (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/torsk.htm) (Baltimore, Maryland)

Of all of these boats, I believe only the Cod remains in totally intact condition, no holes cut in pressure hull, exactly as she was in commission. There may be additional boats in mothballs or other locations, but these boats are all open to the public and a memorial to the gallant silent service.


During four years of war,the USN sub fleet were responsible for the sinking more than 600,000 tons of Japanese warships and more than 5,000,000 tons of merchant shipping. The Sub force never numbered over 2% of the Fleet at any time.This work was vital to cutting off the supplies and materials that Japan needed to continue the war and contributed a great deal to the final peace.

A Music Sample from Pearl from that time that the crews might have heard on KGMB out of Honolulu as they thankfully returned to port after a war patrol. When the Sun Goes down - Kalama's Quartet.

http://files.filefront.com/When+The+Sun+Goes+Down+Kanmp3/;12372928;/fileinfo.html

And i think it is appropriate to consider the Imperial Japanese Navy and their submarine force as well. They were hampered by many things as well, severe Fleet Doctrine restrictions on their operational range of mission, i.e forces to be picket boats and escorts for fleet units in main doctrine at war start, not allowed to use their potential and range, and many other material and war related challenges later on. They were equally brave, and dedicated to their duty and achived some successes in the face of the odds as well. The INJ subs were marvels of development, and surpasses anything achieved by other navies in general with the larger boats, tho there were occasional unique units in the RN and French navy equal in some ways. In the end, the Peace that came from this war brought peace and understanding to both sides and it is a marvel to see INJ veterans and USN veterans discussing their war time encounters in reunioins and private, but as the years go by, fewer and fewer of both sides are present for muster, and our thoughts and respect must remind us of their dedication to service and to us all.

[Mr.O'Bannon]

I didn't know the Darter was still there on the reef. Amazing! The Dace and the Darter ambushed some Imperial heavy ships of the line at Leyte. Truly wolves of the Pacific.

[shoot-kill-win]

The Boats that survive....
Gato class
USS Silversides (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/silversides.htm) (Muskegon, Michigan)
USS Drum (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/drum.htm) (Mobile, Alabama)
USS Cobia (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/cobia.htm) (Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
USS Cod (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/cod.htm) (Cleveland, Ohio)








Balao class
USS Bowfin (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/bowfin.htm) (Honolulu, Hawaii)
USS Pampanito (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/pampanito.htm) (San Francisco, California)
USS Lionfish (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/lionfish.htm) (Fall River, Massachusetts
USS Becuna (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/becuna.htm) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)








Tench class
USS Torsk (http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/butowsky1/torsk.htm) (Baltimore, Maryland)

Of all of these boats, I believe only the Cod remains in totally intact condition, no holes cut in pressure hull, exactly as she was in commission. There may be additional boats in mothballs or other locations, but these boats are all open to the public and a memorial to the gallant silent service.









Do not forget about the U.S.S. Batfish, or the Razorback, both Balao class boats, that are still around for the public to see. Razorback has undergone the guppy conversion though. Batfish is still in WWII condition minus her deck gun. It seems as though Batfish is a lesser known submarine, even though it holds a very significant record: sinking 3 Japanese submarines within 76 hours, a record still held to this day.

To find out more info on the Batfish and all other museums boats, visit http://www.submarinemuseums.org (http://www.submarinemuseums.org/)

[Admiral Von Gerlach]

Oh my, sorry about that Capt Fyfe and the Batfish ...how could they be left out! sorry about that, will add info soon.

[Sailor Steve]

I didn't see Cavalla there either.
http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee4/billn53/Seawolf%20Park%20Cleanup/

[Red Heat]

OUTSTANDING READ...AND PICS! :o

[ReallyDedPoet]

Yeah, some good stuff for sure :yep::up:


RDP

[Socialmisfit]

Do not forget about the U.S.S. Batfish, or the Razorback, both Balao class boats, that are still around for the public to see. Razorback has undergone the guppy conversion though. Batfish is still in WWII condition minus her deck gun. It seems as though Batfish is a lesser known submarine, even though it holds a very significant record: sinking 3 Japanese submarines within 76 hours, a record still held to this day.

To find out more info on the Batfish and all other museums boats, visit http://www.submarinemuseums.org (http://www.submarinemuseums.org/)


I live about 50 miles from the Batfish's current berth. I've only had the opprotunity to stop by once, about 4 years ago. Pretty nice place, but I don't like how shes just sitting in the dirt, no blocks or nothing underneath. Kind of sad looking. But at least she survived the chopping block I guess. I just wonder what the bottom of her hull looks like? I'm going to try and make it back up that way this summer, I don't go to Tulsa quite as much as I used to. Hopefully she looks better than the picture they have on their website, looks like she needs a paint job!

[ReFaN]

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/subreports.htm

im really in love with this site, just found it, and searched this thread for it and couldnt find any matches. so i thought id link it.

[Spyguy101]

1 in 5. I guess my grandfather was one of the lucky 4.

[Bethune]

Very cool , i'm really getting into submarines.

[Treetop64]

Excellent, excellent post, D.

The technology of the US fleet boats in WWII is what astonishes me the most, particularly that of the TDC. A truly remarkable technological feat. These things were shoe-horned into fleet boats even before Pearl was bombed; the TDC MkI was designed, built, and installed during the mid 1930's!

Truly amazing.

[Morpheus]

I'm in your fanclub Ducimus

[Werekoala]

I think the sub that survived 48 hours of depth-charge attack was the USS Seal (I'm reading a book right now that details the experience of one of the crewmen who served on that patrol). SO intense. They had one torpedo in the aft tubes about 1/2 way in before the pressure lodged it in the tube. One of the crewmen somehow managed to shove it in on sheer brute force before the pressure on the outer door could punch into the compartment during the initial dive.

They had charged a convoy that was hugging the coast off on Honshu, fired forward tubes, then dove deep to go under the convoy line to use their aft tubes for a second salvo. When they came up, they found out that there were 5-7 destroyers between the convoy and the shoreline, and so began the "fun".

Going back through the thread, it seems like there are multiple subs who had similar experiences! :)

[Ducimus]

What book? :)

[Werekoala]

"The Depths of Courage - American Submariners at War with Japan, 1941-1945" by Flint Whitlock and Ron Smith. Got it at Half-Price books for $5.98 hardcover. (Flint Whitlock - is there a more stereotypical action-hero name?)

Next up - "Shinano! - The Sinking of Japan's Secret Supership" by Captain Joseph F. Enright, USN. Half-Price Books, $9.48 hardcover. Details one of the patrols of the USS Archer-Fish, who holds the single-patrol record for tonnage at 72,000 - all from one ship. :) Apparently the Shinano was laid down as the third in the Yamato/Mushashi class super-battleships but they converted it to a flat-top in the middle of the war. It was sunk hugging the Japanese coast before it was fully fitted out and ready for service. Hardly sporting. ;)

[R4222]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51HMXT4547L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU02_.jpg (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/155750217X/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link)

I have found this to be the most complete work on the Pacific Submarine campagin. I read this and was totally hooked on the subject and the period.

As a Brit I can't get my head around being a U-boat skipper.

My Farther was in the Royal Navy on the Carrier HMS Furious so I guess its Allies only for me.

[Wilcke]

There are quite a few titles about the Silent Service, but this is the way to go for a first read on the campaign. The data in the back is pretty awesome too!

[Hooch]

Having served on a diesel electric boat not unlike the ones used in silent hunter 4 (look up british o boats though i served on, an aussie one) i can claim an experience little in modern day have.
the experience of having a torpedo hit about 10 feet from where i was working. luckily for me it was dummy torp and it hit the dome protecting the sonar.
scary as hell as you hear it approach then BANG... didn't do much good for my nerves.
I have a lot of respect for the men who served in subs in any of the theatres on any side. it was a difficult and hazerdous as survival wasn't good for a submarine caught by the enemy.
lots of subs where lost around the UK and med to both ships, planes and good old minefields

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD! :sunny:

[Admiral8Q]

Hooch, you served on an O-Class? Nice!

Welcome aboard! :rock::salute:

[Rrannett]

I have been playing submarine sims since Silent Hunter I. Am now on TMO2 and GWX3. Enjoying them immensely! But just today I came upon this thread and I absolutely have to applaud the initial presentation by Ducimus, and the very entertaining followup by the numerous other posters. The modding work that has been performed by you gentlemen (you know who you are) and the intensity that has been displayed by all in these various postings and threads is remarkable. Today I gained a great respect for the men of the Silent Service, and those of you who carry on the spirit on the internet! "Thank you for the Memories" - with apologies to Bob Hope.:salute:

[Forensicman101]

One of my students sent me a jpeg map showing dates and locations of US landings in the pacific theatre of operations; I've no idea were it came from originally. I find it very handy for working out where the Japanese & Americans are on the map at any given time. (Wouldn't it be good if the terrain held by the two sides was colour coded so players could see at a glance where the enemy territory was?)

He asked if I'd give him extra marks for his next essay, sadly I wasn't able to but he did get my thanks, & I posted some mod files to him!

Link:http://www.filefront.com/user/forensicman

[Anthony W.]

Remaining tench boats - you forgot the Requin and Thornback

This is an amazing thread.

I have the insane urge to make an amateur film.

If I lived anywhere near a sub, I would go through all the channels and get that done. I love producing.

EDIT: Beginning to write a screenplay as we speak

[simkodavid]

Hello all,

Many years ago I used to play a lot with Silent Hunter Commander Edition, I dragged the game from DOS through windows 98.

I really would like to taste the game again, is it fair to say that Silent Hunter 4 has the most resemblance to the first one arena and missions wise?

Thanks

[Sailor Steve]

SH4 is the only game currently available that has American submarines. It takes the concept of SHCE to a whole new level. It has a couple of flaws, but don't they all? This is the one you want.

Sorry to sound like a shill for the game, but it is that good.

[simkodavid]

Thanks Sailor Steve, may I bother you with one more question please?

I'm running Windows 7 64 bit version, any problems installing and running SH4?

Many thanks in advance.


Edit:Sorry, probably the wrong thread for that question, I'll start searching and reading other threads in the SH4 forum.

[Sailor Steve]

As far as I know there are no problems at all. That said, I'm still stuck with XP.

[Gerald]

As far as I know there are no problems at all. That said, I'm still stuck with XP. Steve, is not it time to upgrade to W7 :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

I agree with Steve....I've an SH4 installation on W7 64 bit and it is running smoothly.

[Sailor Steve]

Steve, is not it time to upgrade to W7 :hmmm:
Are you going to buy me a new computer, with 8 gigs of RAM and a 5970 video card? Mine is six years old, single core, AGP video slot. The money spent on Win7 would be wasted on this machine.

[Gerald]

Are you going to buy me a new computer, with 8 gigs of RAM and a 5970 video card? Mine is six years old, single core, AGP video slot. The money spent on Win7 would be wasted on this machine. It's true ... but there may be a solution for you .. PM if you want to know more, :yep:

[simkodavid]

Are you going to buy me a new computer, with 8 gigs of RAM and a 5970 video card? Mine is six years old, single core, AGP video slot. The money spent on Win7 would be wasted on this machine.

First of all thanks for answering my question regarding Windows 7 64 bit.

About buying a new PC, I never buy new PCs, I always buy second hand parts from people which must always have the newest hardware.

I bought an Asus M/B, with quad Q6600 cpu and 4 GB for about $120, for extra $150 I bought HD 4870 and added 4 GB of ram, used of course, all from local ads at local forums. For windows 64 bit I asked a stuff member of a local college to purchase one for me (if he didn't buy for himself). Microsoft policy where I live is to grant every school teachers, college stuff members, students (students get 7 Pro x64 for free through MSDN), members of educational board and so on with the right to purchase OS or Office suite for about 20$ to 30$. Even some High-Tech companies offer all their employees with such deals, so it's not such a big problem to purchase a copy the legal way, if you happen to have a friend, or a friend of a friend who is a Microsoft employee, he can purchase for you any piece of software you like for 10% of the normal price (that was true 4 years ago, I'm not sure about now).

Now I'm about to buy E6700 / 3.2 Ghz Processor Asus M/b 4 GB ram and HD 5450 for 150$ which will be excellent for HTPC, I'm packing it in a used case+psu which I got for nothing because the case is ugly for my friend's taste. The only thing I had to buy new it the hard drive, for some reason, people upgrading their PC always tend to keep their old HD and add a new one, so for my gaming pc I bought a 500GB hd and for the HTPC I'll probably by 1TB or 2TB.

I'm sure that in other countries like the US, prices for used hardware is even cheaper but buying used H/W from eBay is very expensive when overseas shipment is included.

IMHO, new hardware is a waste of money, the money saved I use for a fast Internet connection, WWII DVDs on amazon:up: and so on.

[BigWalleye]

Since you imply that you are not in the US, you are perhaps unfamiliar with how things work here.

First of all, if you are a bona-fide student, getting someone else to buy you a student copy and then resell it is OK, but unnecessary. You could buy your own. If you do not qualify for the discount price, but buy from someone who is, then you are knowingly buying something which the seller has no right to sell.

Here's a quote from the Amazon webpage for Adobe CS6 Student Edition (first thing I could find):

"Please note: Adobe Student & Teacher Edition products are for students and educators only. If you (or the person you are buying the product for) are a student or educator, you may use any Adobe Student Edition product...."

If you would be comfortable purchasing a copy of MS Office for $50 with no registration or authentication - in other words, an obvious pirate copy - then what you are doing shouldn't cause you any concern. Personally, as an ex-software developer, I do not support piracy, but your ethics are your business. I just want ensure that you make an informed choice.

[Sailor Steve]

Since you imply that you are not in the US, you are perhaps unfamiliar with how things work here.
Thanks for the help, but you might want to note that the post you're answering was made a year ago and the poster himself hasn't been on these boards since. You're not likely to get a response. :sunny:

[Arlo]

Thanks for the help, but you might want to note that the post you're answering was made a year ago and the poster himself hasn't been on these boards since. You're not likely to get a response. :sunny:

Speaking of a year ago (or close to it) I haven't posted in awhile. Hiyas SS! I've got my eye on a 4' Gato model for the mantle of the new house the wife and I anticiapte moving into next month. Costs a c-bill and the wife asked if that's what I want for Christmas. Luckily my brain still works and I said, "No, all I want is you." (I'll buy it after Chrstmas) :cool:

[marklbailey]

I am a retired RAN type, currently conducting postgraduate research into the protection of maritime trade, through the Australian Defence Force Academy.

There is a work entitled Senji Yuso Sendan Shi (Wartime Transportation Convoys History), by Shinshichiro Komamiya, published by Shuppan Kyodosha, Tokyo, 1987. I believe it's pretty well known by some people here.

I, and a research librarian assisting me, have so far had no luck in locating a “published” translation.

We both agree that there is definitely “something” in existence, in the way of a translation.

There are a couple of published books which actually cite an English translation of the above.


It would appear that the person who did the translation was William G. Somerville and we have seen a lead that he is (or was) based in Lincolnshire, England.

I have been able to track a possible snail mail address for Mr Somerville, and have mailed him a letter (I can only hope I have the right fellow).

The research librarian has checked for any copy holdings on WorldCat and has found no copies. (WorldCat is a database reflecting the holdings of over 10,000 libraries worldwide.) No-one has this. I have been talking with David Lotz at USN Historical Command and they are also looking for it.

So the fact that he can find no record in WorldCat of any English translation tells him that the translated version of Komamiya’s book was never published (he's been a research librarian for the 28 years I have known him and he's very good at it!). He is now quite sure of that. Had it been published there would be a record with library holdings data in the WorldCat database, simply because a bunch of libraries (especially the American military academy libraries) would have acquired copies of the translated version.

So we think what has happened is that it has been translated and then distributed amongst a very small community of individual researchers, probably as a Word document (on cdrom)

Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Has anyone seen, or heard of, this?

I have seen some hints, traced to this board, indicating that it might have been done for subsim. (You have no idea how badly this torqued out my friend the research librarian, who had never considered that wargamers appreciate primary source material as much as researchers do. I pointed him at Fred T Jane's Naval wargame, and he called me rude names.)

I can be contacted on my home email, jalans12ATbigpondDOTcom

While I really need a copy for my research, I will also make sure that ADFA library, the RAN Seapower Centre and Dave Lotz get copies too. I believe it to be important to get a primary source like this into the research libraries.

I might add that I have been able to find a copy of Rollo Appleyard's CB 1515 (16) The Elements of Convoy Defence in Submarine Warfare (1919) thought lost since being withdrawn in 1939. Find of a lifetime, that, it only took 19 years.

Regards: Mark

[Sailor Steve]

PM and email sent. :sunny:

[in_vino_vomitus]

It occurred to me that although I read these threads I should maybe say a few thank you's. This is an excellent piece of work Ducimus. Thanks to you and everyone who's added to it.

[Solyne]

Excellent brief, thank you.

[kparaziel]

Great history lesson, thanks!!

[Jimbuna]

Great history lesson, thanks!!

Welcome to SubSim :sunny:

[Aktungbby]

kparaziel!:Kaleun_Salute:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome to SUBSIM : )

[Ofacet]

This... was... wonderful... *silent weeping* congratulations sir!

[pratolano]

Six years later, I just wanted to say thanks for a great post and history lesson! I love this stuff. Extreme respect to those who served. :salute:

[World_Devastator]

Six years later, I just wanted to say thanks for a great post and history lesson! I love this stuff. Extreme respect to those who served. :salute:

I firmly agree!

[thegrindre]

Excellent! This was very exhilarating. :up:

:salute:

[Wizz]

This is a really fantastic thread, and while it was obviously started a few years ago, I'm very happy that it was stickied.

After a decade long interest with German U-boats (I started with SHII, fell in love with it, and was surprised with the timely release of SHIII - obviously having a subsim of this quality hooked me properly!), I've only recently returned to delve back into SHIV. I played it on it's release, but never really found the same interest in the Pacific campaign. Let's not talk about SHV.... :wah:

Well, I'm not sure why, but I have really enjoyed getting back into SHIV, and have found the amount of readily available archive information to be fantastic! While no dearth of it on the German side, the US by virtue of both their victory and English language have really helped me get back into it. I had no idea as to the real depth [pun fully intended] of the Submarine effort during the Pacific.

I've got lots of reading to do, but it has been fantastic to revisit these forums and find references to the detail I so very much love to delve into!

Happy hunting all!

[en20649]

This is great! I was just starting out in SH4 and this really gets me into it :yeah:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim en :sunny:

[TopcatWA]

Well written & descriptive.:up::up:

[patterson]

:Kaleun_Salute:cool... :up:

[Aktungbby]

Patterson!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim patterson :salute:

[cookiemonste]

Very interessting read. Well done.
I know nothing about the Pacific theatre, could anybody recomend me a good book about the US submarine campaign?

[ShotMagnet]

Silent Victory, by Clay Blair. This title has been mentioned in this thread already, but bears repeating. Excellent book, full of good info. Cannot recommend it highly enough.


Shot

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim Shot :salute:

[Aktungbby]

ShotMagnet!:Kaleun_Salute:

[ShotMagnet]

Thanks, gents.

I expect to actually start playing the game by the end of this week. Wish me luck. Or if you like, watch me fall flat on my face.


Shot

[propbeanie]

https://store.ubi.com/us/silent-hunter-wolves-of-the-pacific-gold-edition/56c4948988a7e300458b47fa.html?lang=en_US

First though, right-click on the SH4.exe file, and choose "Properties", then the "Details" tab. Right in the middle of that little window, you should see "Product version: "... :salute:

[Noobicum4Ever]

It is very useful for players who have only played in the Atlantic!
The main purpose of the U-boats was to sink merchant ships that ensured the survival of the United Kingdom.
Now I can find out what the role of American submarines was in the war against the Japanese Imperial Navy.
Thank you guys!

[Noobicum4Ever]

"Then this post is for you! Alternately you can watch a 45 minute movie online:

History Channel special on US Sub attack plans"

It is not working anymore!
Where I can see the movie?

[propbeanie]

Is this it, I wonder?:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Ih0oF8YNY

:salute:

[AdmiralHairdo]

Fantastic post, I really feel that I learned a lot. I especially loved the contemporaneous photos.

I have never heard of Howard Gilmore, but that story really pulls at the heart strings too.

[jorgegonzalito]

Everything read and seen in images, makes me wonder if it is not a lack of respect that we continue with this game.

[boxhead]

I have to make a post somewhere in order to reactivate download privileges.
I intend to sink them all.

[Aktungbby]

boxhead! The infamous :subsim: seven-year-itch has ended your long silent run (since 2014?) Welcome to the surface; commence downloading!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Bubblehead1980]

I have to make a post somewhere in order to reactivate download privileges.
I intend to sink them all.


Welcome back:Kaleun_Salute: A lot of great things going on with SH 4. I released an update to TMO 2.5 last month, major overhaul, includes campaign traffic rework, addition of many ships, darker nights, and ability to pull off historically accurate night surface attacks. Hope you will check it out.

Fall of the Rising Sun (FOTRS) is an excellent mod and the new standard for SH 4, things that team have done are beyond amazing and made my update possible. I hope will check it out as well. Happy Hunting:Kaleun_Salute: