[sergei]

Wanted to wait until I started a new career before posting in this thread.

Left Manila Dec 7th 1941. After enduring 2 weeks of heavy rain, followed by 2 weeks of fog, was just about to give up this patrol as a bust when, on Jan 7th, our luck changed.
Just as the weather was clearing we ran into a small convoy making its way up the western side of Formosa. Bagged a large merchant and a tanker, and slink away during the ensuing chaos.
Decided to make the long transit to our new base at Surabaya.
Going through the Makassar Strait we spotted a lone small freighter. Submerged to attack. 3 duds and one miss later, and with the weather too rough for a gun action, we decided it must be his lucky day and let him go on his way.
50 miles out from our new base, spotted 2 medium size Japanese freighters, happily steaming towards Surabaya acting for all the world as if there wasn't a war on.
Guess they didn't get the memo.
As they are crossing our bow at about 2000 yards, we shoot our last 4 bow torpedoes, 2 at each target. This time they all work! Scratch 2 more marus.
Arrived at Surabaya Jan 17th 1942, 6 weeks after leaving Manila.

All in all a very highly first war patrol for the Captain and crew of the USS Shark.