Bubblehead1980
10-28-10, 08:23 PM
TMO 2.0
RSRD
November 14, 1944
Formosa Straits
USS Rasher-Gato
Left Guam on 7 November, arrived without incident in Formosa Straits, entered via Northern entrance.Took just 24 hours to contact a large 10 ship, 4 escort convoy around 1600, decided to try for night surface attack so moved ahead about 6 miles and let them trail me until it was dark.Seas are heavy, light fog out, moon light is more than I'd like but figured with some slick conning of the boat, could get inside the screen for a decent surface attack with Mark 14's.
Made 3 tries to get inside the screen, one time I had perfect shot when the flank escort suddenly came rushing back from his wild patrol way out in left field, I was not quite ready to fire and didnt want to dive, so made a fast dash out of position, the escort passed withing 1200 yards but did not see me, I kept my AOB 0 on him until he was out of sight, then rushed ahead at flank speed.
Decided I would have to fire from outside the screen, set up a plot and could get a shot off at 4800 yards, not bad for night surface attack.So in position, let the escort pass, fired 3 fish each at two large Hakusika(? I think they were Hauksikas, either way, they were large) Marus, they were goners for sure.The second wave of fish would pass close to the escort but surely he wouldnt see them at night in the wavy dark waters.Sure enough, the star shells soon went off, and the convoy ships slowed down, causing all my fish to miss:damn:
Escorts began depth charging as I slipped away, never knew where I was.:damn:
So now when I reload tomorrow, will rush ahead and come back once they have quit zigging, hopefully will get another chance at night surface, if not, will go for submerged attack but its risky in Formosa Straits, luckily in a deeper area, says I have 402 feet under my keel.We shall see.sucks wasting six torpedos though.Trying to save some for when the heavies transit the strait later in the month.
RSRD
November 14, 1944
Formosa Straits
USS Rasher-Gato
Left Guam on 7 November, arrived without incident in Formosa Straits, entered via Northern entrance.Took just 24 hours to contact a large 10 ship, 4 escort convoy around 1600, decided to try for night surface attack so moved ahead about 6 miles and let them trail me until it was dark.Seas are heavy, light fog out, moon light is more than I'd like but figured with some slick conning of the boat, could get inside the screen for a decent surface attack with Mark 14's.
Made 3 tries to get inside the screen, one time I had perfect shot when the flank escort suddenly came rushing back from his wild patrol way out in left field, I was not quite ready to fire and didnt want to dive, so made a fast dash out of position, the escort passed withing 1200 yards but did not see me, I kept my AOB 0 on him until he was out of sight, then rushed ahead at flank speed.
Decided I would have to fire from outside the screen, set up a plot and could get a shot off at 4800 yards, not bad for night surface attack.So in position, let the escort pass, fired 3 fish each at two large Hakusika(? I think they were Hauksikas, either way, they were large) Marus, they were goners for sure.The second wave of fish would pass close to the escort but surely he wouldnt see them at night in the wavy dark waters.Sure enough, the star shells soon went off, and the convoy ships slowed down, causing all my fish to miss:damn:
Escorts began depth charging as I slipped away, never knew where I was.:damn:
So now when I reload tomorrow, will rush ahead and come back once they have quit zigging, hopefully will get another chance at night surface, if not, will go for submerged attack but its risky in Formosa Straits, luckily in a deeper area, says I have 402 feet under my keel.We shall see.sucks wasting six torpedos though.Trying to save some for when the heavies transit the strait later in the month.