Bubblehead1980
08-19-11, 01:15 AM
I decided to start a new career in January 1944 out of Fremantle.For more of a challenge I decided to forego the Balao class and go with a Gato since with a Balao its pretty easy to go to 600 feet and evade escorts.Gato can go fairly deep but def not where a Balao can.Anyway I also decided to play this patrol with both contacts and cams off.While I usually play without cams, Iam used to contacts for purely time saving reasons.I decided to go without them anyway and would play when I could.
TMO 2.1, RSRD. 100 realism, no cams or contacts.Long read but most of you should enjoy it and the shots at the end.Although shots were limited due to no cams and I didnt dally around getting photos after attacks since the escorts were rather vicious.
Departed port on January 17, 1944 from Fremantle and headed for Darwin to refuel and then proceeded via the Banda and Molucca Seas to my patrol area in the Celebes Sea chokepoint just below Davao, Phillippines.After several days of nothing, I attacked a lone Kinoposan Maru freighter with two fish in a daylight submerged attack.The two Mark 14's set for 5 and 10 feet demolished her.I surfaced and after diving for an air patrol and evading a two ship hunter killer group, surfaced.Around 0800 on January 31, 1944 radar detected a convoy of 6 ships and 2 escorts.We closed and after several hours set up off their projected track for a bow shot.
The convoy was one consisting of six tankers including three 10,000 ton Nippon Maru Class Tankers with two Buzyun Maru mid sized tankers and one small fry Haruna Maru.Attacking from the port side, I decided to fire three fish each at two of the big tankers.Fish were set at 5, 10 and 15 feet.When just 1100 yards off their track I fired at both tankers.Soon all fish hit and both tankers erupted into huge fireballs, they were no doubt filled with fuel.I then swung the stern tubes to bear on the small haruna maru tanker and fired two fish at her from 900 yards.Soon a Type C escort was closing, I dropped the scope and ordered 300 feet(test depth)The Type C closed in.A lone torpedo impact was reported, damn I thought, new that tanker was making 6 knots instead of the 5 1/2 estimated, mustve sped up some.The escort then stopped and listened, I ordered all stop, suddenly he sped up and overshot me by an estimated 400 yards where he dropped a large pattern(counted 8 spalshes) .I then began my standard evasion tactic(20 degrees rudder in either direction so making a slow, constant turn, confuses the escorts, never know just where you are going) However, both escorts were on scene and apparently detected once they began to ping, before long the pings where hitting my sub.Seven runs and two hours later I was at 350 feet but with no damage.They gave up suddenly and went on.Coming back to scope depth I discovered two things.The seas had picked up somewhat, prob helped me out and why they seemed to lose me suddenly.I also saw that the haruna maru was badly damaged, sinking by the stern but hanging on.Not worth a torpedo, I ordered battle surface.
My boat surfaced and the deck gun crew put 10 shells into the tough little tanker, which suffered an internal explosion and let go, she went to the bottom.I secured from GQ, ordered torpedos reloaded and headed off on the convoys estimated course and within an hour,we had SJ contact.I decided to hold off, rest and wait for a night surface attack.
The night was favorable for a surface attack with a half moon and calm yet slightly choppy seas.When the moon set around 2300, we went to GQ and set off their path at 4,000 yards, moving in slowly and keeping a 0 AOB on the lead escort.The tankers were now in a single file line, the two medium tankers up front, the big bow in rear.I decided to fire a spread of four at the big tanker and two at the mid sized.I figured since the tankers were filled with fuel, theyd blow easy and the big tanker was worth the four fish to ensure a good spread.I closed to 3000 yards off their path and fired.
About 20 seconds before the fish hit, the forward escort which had made a sudden turn to patrol the flank spotted me.Star shells went off and the tankers slowed and began to evade.Two of the four fish hit the big tanker, setting her afire in a big way but not catastrophic explosions.One fish hit the mid sized tanker, started a large fire but the hit was in the forward area, a non vital point.
I was soon racing away at nearly 21 knots, dodging some gunfire but in the dark night they soon lost me.I could see the fire's burning, I figured the big tanker for dead in the water(she was not moving on radar) and others were off ahead.I made a large circle back and as was closing from 10000 yards to give her a coup de grace, she began to move, suppose she made repairs.
I raced ahead and secured from GQ, no time for another surface attack, I decided I would attack submerged at dawn on Febuary 1, 1944.I attacked from the port since the surface attack was from starboard, this time I would give my stern tubes a chance.Two to the big tanker and two to the other.Due to the pesky lead escort and having my props facing her, I was only able to close to 2050 yards when I fired.The two hit the big tanker(which was low in the water due to flooding) and set off a huge explosion as I hit her critical spots this time.The other tanker managed to evade to the two fish barely.I went to 300 feet and endured yet another tough depth charging.
After 3 1/2 hours I manage to slip away, only after taking damage to compressor, conning tower bulkhead, hydraulic pumps, port prop shaft and starn tubes.
I surfaced and raced ahead while damage was repaired, setting up for another night surface attack.After moonset again at 2300(2330 actually) I closed in to just 2400 yards and fired my last bow torpedos at the second mid sized tanker.They hit and she exploded in a briliant manner, then capsized(have not seen many merchants capsize in SH, usually only BB's and CA's) The escorts had no idea where I was as I raced off into the night.Now I had four stern torpedos left and raced ahead for a dawn attack on the lone survivor of the tanker convoy.
I lost contact around 0500, they had zigged .I had wrote down their base course(looked like they were heading for Palau Islands) and made a high speed run in serarch, finally around 0800, SJ picked them up.I moved ahead at flank speed, set up off their path and ordered a dive.I closed in to 1800 yards, at 100 feet, then came up t scope depth for a stern shot, pefect set up.I fired two fish set for 10 feet, both hit and the tanker, like the ones before, exploded into a great ball of flame.Suddenly, an explosion occured near me, but they escorts were not.I looked up with the scope to see a single engine floatplane(Pete I believe) pulling out of a dive.The escorts were alerted and rushing in at me.I ordered a dive at high speed to 300 feet.Cutting speed when below thermal layer.I stopped at 250 as they closed in, then as they prepared to drop, I went to 300 feet at flank speed.The ruse worked as could tell all the charges(as many as 20 between the two escorts)exploded above me.I then went silent until lost speed and went to ahead 1/3 on silent running.After being forced to 375 feet, I managed to evade the escorts and slip away.With plenty of fuel and two good fish left, I resumed patrol but in the far eastern area of my patrol zone.
The next few days included nothing but a hunter killer group of DD's and some planes.I them moved back into the kill zone of my last convoy.
Finally, on the 7th of February around 0900 I detected a smaller convoy with three ships and two escorts.I dove off their projected path and closed in at 100 feet and ahead standard, risky in calm seas but had to to get close enough.I slowed, came to scope depth and raised the scope.I could not believe, another convoy of tankers.Three fat Nippon Maru tankers in single file, with just two escorts!
I closed in close enough and decided I'd bag the last tanker in line, would give me time to bring my stern around.I fired my final two fish set for 8 and 15 feet, both hit and the tanker exploded in a huge fireball, she was loaded with fuel.I then dropped my scope and went to 300 feet.After 10 minutes, the escorts located me.What ensued was one of the toughest counterattacks I have ever been through.They made as many as 12 runs in a four hour period, forcing me to 400 feet at one point.I suffered a variety of damage from many close charges but luckily nothing too serious.The escorts were skilled and determined hunters that nearly had me a few times.
After four hours (REAL TIME!!) I slipped away while at 350 feet.I stayed under until dark, surfaced and headed for home.I had bagged seven fuel tankers and one merchant for 54,700 tons.I made it home and was awarded the Navy Cross for the "Tanker Sweep" The Gato was also given a refit, cutting her conning tower down and slapping on the MS 32 paint scheme in addition to a 40 MM forward gun.
I've never had such a patrol with contacts off, it was tough but oh so fun.
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_054039_474.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_054030_209.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_054029_595.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_052854_833.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034319_135.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034318_593.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034316_037.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034308_465.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034307_954.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_032501_374.jpg
TMO 2.1, RSRD. 100 realism, no cams or contacts.Long read but most of you should enjoy it and the shots at the end.Although shots were limited due to no cams and I didnt dally around getting photos after attacks since the escorts were rather vicious.
Departed port on January 17, 1944 from Fremantle and headed for Darwin to refuel and then proceeded via the Banda and Molucca Seas to my patrol area in the Celebes Sea chokepoint just below Davao, Phillippines.After several days of nothing, I attacked a lone Kinoposan Maru freighter with two fish in a daylight submerged attack.The two Mark 14's set for 5 and 10 feet demolished her.I surfaced and after diving for an air patrol and evading a two ship hunter killer group, surfaced.Around 0800 on January 31, 1944 radar detected a convoy of 6 ships and 2 escorts.We closed and after several hours set up off their projected track for a bow shot.
The convoy was one consisting of six tankers including three 10,000 ton Nippon Maru Class Tankers with two Buzyun Maru mid sized tankers and one small fry Haruna Maru.Attacking from the port side, I decided to fire three fish each at two of the big tankers.Fish were set at 5, 10 and 15 feet.When just 1100 yards off their track I fired at both tankers.Soon all fish hit and both tankers erupted into huge fireballs, they were no doubt filled with fuel.I then swung the stern tubes to bear on the small haruna maru tanker and fired two fish at her from 900 yards.Soon a Type C escort was closing, I dropped the scope and ordered 300 feet(test depth)The Type C closed in.A lone torpedo impact was reported, damn I thought, new that tanker was making 6 knots instead of the 5 1/2 estimated, mustve sped up some.The escort then stopped and listened, I ordered all stop, suddenly he sped up and overshot me by an estimated 400 yards where he dropped a large pattern(counted 8 spalshes) .I then began my standard evasion tactic(20 degrees rudder in either direction so making a slow, constant turn, confuses the escorts, never know just where you are going) However, both escorts were on scene and apparently detected once they began to ping, before long the pings where hitting my sub.Seven runs and two hours later I was at 350 feet but with no damage.They gave up suddenly and went on.Coming back to scope depth I discovered two things.The seas had picked up somewhat, prob helped me out and why they seemed to lose me suddenly.I also saw that the haruna maru was badly damaged, sinking by the stern but hanging on.Not worth a torpedo, I ordered battle surface.
My boat surfaced and the deck gun crew put 10 shells into the tough little tanker, which suffered an internal explosion and let go, she went to the bottom.I secured from GQ, ordered torpedos reloaded and headed off on the convoys estimated course and within an hour,we had SJ contact.I decided to hold off, rest and wait for a night surface attack.
The night was favorable for a surface attack with a half moon and calm yet slightly choppy seas.When the moon set around 2300, we went to GQ and set off their path at 4,000 yards, moving in slowly and keeping a 0 AOB on the lead escort.The tankers were now in a single file line, the two medium tankers up front, the big bow in rear.I decided to fire a spread of four at the big tanker and two at the mid sized.I figured since the tankers were filled with fuel, theyd blow easy and the big tanker was worth the four fish to ensure a good spread.I closed to 3000 yards off their path and fired.
About 20 seconds before the fish hit, the forward escort which had made a sudden turn to patrol the flank spotted me.Star shells went off and the tankers slowed and began to evade.Two of the four fish hit the big tanker, setting her afire in a big way but not catastrophic explosions.One fish hit the mid sized tanker, started a large fire but the hit was in the forward area, a non vital point.
I was soon racing away at nearly 21 knots, dodging some gunfire but in the dark night they soon lost me.I could see the fire's burning, I figured the big tanker for dead in the water(she was not moving on radar) and others were off ahead.I made a large circle back and as was closing from 10000 yards to give her a coup de grace, she began to move, suppose she made repairs.
I raced ahead and secured from GQ, no time for another surface attack, I decided I would attack submerged at dawn on Febuary 1, 1944.I attacked from the port since the surface attack was from starboard, this time I would give my stern tubes a chance.Two to the big tanker and two to the other.Due to the pesky lead escort and having my props facing her, I was only able to close to 2050 yards when I fired.The two hit the big tanker(which was low in the water due to flooding) and set off a huge explosion as I hit her critical spots this time.The other tanker managed to evade to the two fish barely.I went to 300 feet and endured yet another tough depth charging.
After 3 1/2 hours I manage to slip away, only after taking damage to compressor, conning tower bulkhead, hydraulic pumps, port prop shaft and starn tubes.
I surfaced and raced ahead while damage was repaired, setting up for another night surface attack.After moonset again at 2300(2330 actually) I closed in to just 2400 yards and fired my last bow torpedos at the second mid sized tanker.They hit and she exploded in a briliant manner, then capsized(have not seen many merchants capsize in SH, usually only BB's and CA's) The escorts had no idea where I was as I raced off into the night.Now I had four stern torpedos left and raced ahead for a dawn attack on the lone survivor of the tanker convoy.
I lost contact around 0500, they had zigged .I had wrote down their base course(looked like they were heading for Palau Islands) and made a high speed run in serarch, finally around 0800, SJ picked them up.I moved ahead at flank speed, set up off their path and ordered a dive.I closed in to 1800 yards, at 100 feet, then came up t scope depth for a stern shot, pefect set up.I fired two fish set for 10 feet, both hit and the tanker, like the ones before, exploded into a great ball of flame.Suddenly, an explosion occured near me, but they escorts were not.I looked up with the scope to see a single engine floatplane(Pete I believe) pulling out of a dive.The escorts were alerted and rushing in at me.I ordered a dive at high speed to 300 feet.Cutting speed when below thermal layer.I stopped at 250 as they closed in, then as they prepared to drop, I went to 300 feet at flank speed.The ruse worked as could tell all the charges(as many as 20 between the two escorts)exploded above me.I then went silent until lost speed and went to ahead 1/3 on silent running.After being forced to 375 feet, I managed to evade the escorts and slip away.With plenty of fuel and two good fish left, I resumed patrol but in the far eastern area of my patrol zone.
The next few days included nothing but a hunter killer group of DD's and some planes.I them moved back into the kill zone of my last convoy.
Finally, on the 7th of February around 0900 I detected a smaller convoy with three ships and two escorts.I dove off their projected path and closed in at 100 feet and ahead standard, risky in calm seas but had to to get close enough.I slowed, came to scope depth and raised the scope.I could not believe, another convoy of tankers.Three fat Nippon Maru tankers in single file, with just two escorts!
I closed in close enough and decided I'd bag the last tanker in line, would give me time to bring my stern around.I fired my final two fish set for 8 and 15 feet, both hit and the tanker exploded in a huge fireball, she was loaded with fuel.I then dropped my scope and went to 300 feet.After 10 minutes, the escorts located me.What ensued was one of the toughest counterattacks I have ever been through.They made as many as 12 runs in a four hour period, forcing me to 400 feet at one point.I suffered a variety of damage from many close charges but luckily nothing too serious.The escorts were skilled and determined hunters that nearly had me a few times.
After four hours (REAL TIME!!) I slipped away while at 350 feet.I stayed under until dark, surfaced and headed for home.I had bagged seven fuel tankers and one merchant for 54,700 tons.I made it home and was awarded the Navy Cross for the "Tanker Sweep" The Gato was also given a refit, cutting her conning tower down and slapping on the MS 32 paint scheme in addition to a 40 MM forward gun.
I've never had such a patrol with contacts off, it was tough but oh so fun.
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_054039_474.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_054030_209.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_054029_595.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_052854_833.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034319_135.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034318_593.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034316_037.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034308_465.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_034307_954.jpg
http://i407.photobucket.com/albums/pp152/jstringr1685/SH4Img2011-08-18_032501_374.jpg