USS Tambor War Patrol

[AVGWarhawk]

On her tenth war patrol, the USS Tambor survived one of the worst depth-charge attacks experienced by an American submarine during World War II. In one of the most complete accountings of such an event, her crew provided a compartment-by-compartment report.


http://www.usni.org/magazines/navalhistory/story.asp?STORY_ID=2083

[Bubblehead1980]

Thanks for posting this, quite a read.Many subs had close calls like this, Seahorse and Halibut come to mind.Halibut never went to war again, pretty sure Seahorse did not either.Never knew this about Tambor though.Wild stuff.

[Sevrin]

On the aft deck, the heavy 5-inch gun had been knocked off its trunnions, despite the bracket that held its barrel in place. The conning tower had been driven back three inches against the pressure hull and was misaligned. And, most disturbing, a 21-inch-long crack was visible in the outer hull.

That's pretty hardcore, amazing they survived that one... :o

[Ducimus]

Every time accounts like this one come up, i keep wondering why this theater isn't more popular. This is truly one of those stories where truth is stranger then fiction. Wasn't there a book being published using Bob Hunt's diary as it's basis? "We were Pirates" i think was the title. I'll have to look into that.

[Sevrin]

i keep wondering why this theater isn't more popular.

Me 2, given the size and scope of the Japanese navy with all those well-known carriers and battleships lurking around, not to mention the famous battles throughout the Pacific.

Most people are U-boat crazy I guess.... It's that whole 'das boot' syndrome... :yep:

[Ducimus]

Don't get me started. :)

[WarlordATF]

WOW, good read, Thanks for posting this! I have been reading alot since i bought SH4 and this is one of the best stories i've seen so far. Major Respect to that Boat and Crew, Just surviving was amazing, much less all the improvised repairs that had to be made. Just imagine the poor guy being lowered into the scope well by his ankles! :o

As for this theatre, I don't really understand it either. I Loved Silent Service,GATO and SH1 and i really hope the 1st SH5 expansion will be for US Boats, kinda the reverse of SH4. I do enjoy the U-Boats. SH3 is alot of fun,but as an American i feel more of a connection to the pacific theatre.

[Bubblehead1980]

Perhaps it goes back to the "Europe First" policy agreed to by FDR, who knows.Also, because of Das Boot being sort of a pop culture thing.You have sub sim types who are casual gamers who enjoy the game aspect, then you have those of us who are history nuts and enjoy the history that is played out in the game.Well face facts, there are more casual gamers out there, like it or not.So combine the pop culture aspect of Das Boot, perhaps U-571 for some, German U Boat and Battle of the Atlantic have been more in the limelight in recent years.

Look at the 50's and 60's, several great US submarines movies....Run Silent, Run Deep, Torpedo Run among others.I can't think of any recent US submarine movies, so there hasn't been that much exposure compared to U Boats.

Hopefully someone with the pull at a major studio will get a hold of a good script and make a worthwhile submarine movie dealing with an American Fleetboat in the Pacific during WW II.You want drama, look no further than the story of the Tambor, the Halibut or Seahorse, the last two also suffered heavy damage like the Tambor.Halibut was so badly damaged it never saw combat again.Seahorse made one more patrol on lifeguard duty but was pretty much a broken boat after he close call(much like Tambor, was depth charged severely and pushed several feet into the ocean floor)

On that note, don't get your hopes up because most of Hollywood is not in the business of making anything to do with America look positive.The exception I say is Tom Hanks/Spielberg projects such as Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers.Hanks is involved with The Pacific, which will be on HBO sometime in 2010, sure it will be great.

So thats my theory and once again not to take anything away from the Battle of the Atlantic and all, but I am just more interested in the PTO, everyone has their preference.

[Wilcke]

Every time accounts like this one come up, i keep wondering why this theater isn't more popular. This is truly one of those stories where truth is stranger then fiction. Wasn't there a book being published using Bob Hunt's diary as it's basis? "We were Pirates" i think was the title. I'll have to look into that.

Here you go!

http://www.amazon.com/We-Were-Pirates-Torpedomans-Pacific/dp/1591147786

and one signed by the author!

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=11340892&signed=1&wquery=we+were+pirates&qsort=p&cm_sp=works*listing*signed

[snakeyez]

Yeah, that link is an excerpt from Hunt's book "We Were Pirates" - a good read. Papaw sure loved the Tambor.

[cwelt]

Wow... what a patrol log! Amazing they managed to pull out of it all and not only that but repair the sub enough to sink one more before ending the patrol. Can't imagine sitting for half a day listening to your world fall apart around you, just waiting for the inevitable to happen. What a strong leader they had and a good crew to stay focused and work together to survive. Amazing read!