November 1942, USS Trout TMO 2.0 100 realism. Tough and disappointing patrol in Area 7 thus far.Caught a convoy leaving Bungo Suido around 9 November, tracked it and was ready to attack at dawn when she zigged, putting me 5.4 miles out in left field, so surfaced, end around, ready again another zig, then a plane spotted me while submerged waiting on escorts to get out of visual range, attacked but missed of course alerted escorts, a Chidori escort soon moved in, dropped a couple tooth shakers but never had me, I was at 250 feet and seas were heavy.I then made a high speed submerged run in since convoy had slowed and the closest escort was distracted.I managed to get close and attack but TEN, yes TEN torpedos, 6 forward and 10 aft fired at a large tanker and merchant were all prematures, the DD's then moved and forced me deep.The convoy had left my area by the time I could surface, plus battery was down to 25 percent, seas rough, fish had to be reloaded and crew had been at GQ for 14 hours, broke off attack.
After dealing with storms next few days, weather clear with calm seas, moved in to Bungo Suido for patrol.Dove at dawn and riding at 100 feet until sun was up for periscope patrol(hate this but how you have to patrol in 42 during day if actually in the straigh itself due to planes, shore batteries etc) sonar made contact with a "warship" which brought me to the conning tower and orders to scope depth.I couldnt see anything and sound you could barely hear a faint prop sound, possible submarine?
As we closed I could just see a periscope feather, we had a submerged submarine, we went to GQ and slowly closed.Good solution, target was making 8 knots with a 70 degree AOB.Readied two Mark 14's, fired one....10 seconds into run, prematurely exploded, fired two and readied number 3, another premature
Fired 3, it prematured and now target was alerted since sonar reported it was moving slowly now and could see it was zigging.I ordered flank speed and 150 feet in case it could fire torpedos(didnt think it could but never knew the midget subs were in the campaign and never know if ducimus got sneaky since someone did make it where AI could fire torpedos) I decided to get in close, surface fast and use the big 51 cal deck gun Trout was new equipped with aft(from the V boats) We were soon in position and battle surfaced.Quickly aimed and fired a shot, which feel short, but the second was right on, hit the conning tower, heard the impact and saw the splash.We then went ahead flank moving away in case she could return the favor but the shell hit home, she was disabled, sonar quit reporting contact and she was not moving anymore but she was not sunk yet, we came about quickly and rammed her, she went down and Trout was credited with one midget sub sunk.Soon planes arrived and bombed the area but I was submerged.
Some shots, you can see the midgets scope if you look closely.
