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TorpX · 10-29-13, 09:04 PM

All this talk of planes reminds me of my first career in SHCE......

I had just been given command of a new S-class boat. [Ok, it wasn't really new, but it was new to me.] Anyway, I was eager to go out on patrol and avenge the destruction that occured at Pearl Harbor. My first patrol assignment was to go from Manila to an area off Indochina. I didn't know what to expect, but I was young and eager.

When we arrived at our patrol zone, we layed to, and came to a stop. Fuel is precious. Nothing but water as far as the eye could see. I knew sub patrols are largely a waiting game, so I went below.

It wasn't long before one of the lookouts shouted: "aircraft spotted, sir!". I go up and take a look. It certainly couldn't be friendly, not here. At first I couldn't tell how far away it was, but within seconds, I realized it was making a bee line for us at high speed. I yell "Crash dive!", but it was too late. I could see the bomb seperate from the plane, and slowly fall as the plane roared over. The explosion was deafening, but incredably we were still in one piece. As we tumble down the ladder and start clawing for depth, I am holding my breath. I know we will not be at a safe depth before he has time to make another pass. Sure enough, before we reach 200 ft., another explosion shakes the boat. After we get to 200, I order a 90 degree turn, and then reduce speed. Though our nerves are frayed, we have sustained no serious damage. I feel better now; we are safe.

..................................

A half hour later, the sound man hears pinging coming from at least three different ships, closing, getting louder. I think to myself, this is great, just great. The last thing I wanted to do is tangle with a gaggle of destroyers. Thank God, I remember what they taught us at the Naval Academy. I order 2/3 speed, and have the helmsman steer a Normal Evasion Course. After a while we reduce speed, and wait, carefully monitoring the hydrophones. After a very tense period, their sounds fade out. We can finally relax.

The moral to the story is:

1. Do not wait to the last minute to dive your boat.

2. It is better to not even let aircraft spot you at all.

10-29-13, 09:04 PM	#2
TorpX Silent Hunter Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3,975 Downloads: 153 Uploads: 11	All this talk of planes reminds me of my first career in SHCE...... I had just been given command of a new S-class boat. [Ok, it wasn't really new, but it was new to me.] Anyway, I was eager to go out on patrol and avenge the destruction that occured at Pearl Harbor. My first patrol assignment was to go from Manila to an area off Indochina. I didn't know what to expect, but I was young and eager. When we arrived at our patrol zone, we layed to, and came to a stop. Fuel is precious. Nothing but water as far as the eye could see. I knew sub patrols are largely a waiting game, so I went below. It wasn't long before one of the lookouts shouted: "aircraft spotted, sir!". I go up and take a look. It certainly couldn't be friendly, not here. At first I couldn't tell how far away it was, but within seconds, I realized it was making a bee line for us at high speed. I yell "Crash dive!", but it was too late. I could see the bomb seperate from the plane, and slowly fall as the plane roared over. The explosion was deafening, but incredably we were still in one piece. As we tumble down the ladder and start clawing for depth, I am holding my breath. I know we will not be at a safe depth before he has time to make another pass. Sure enough, before we reach 200 ft., another explosion shakes the boat. After we get to 200, I order a 90 degree turn, and then reduce speed. Though our nerves are frayed, we have sustained no serious damage. I feel better now; we are safe. .................................. A half hour later, the sound man hears pinging coming from at least three different ships, closing, getting louder. I think to myself, this is great, just great. The last thing I wanted to do is tangle with a gaggle of destroyers. Thank God, I remember what they taught us at the Naval Academy. I order 2/3 speed, and have the helmsman steer a Normal Evasion Course. After a while we reduce speed, and wait, carefully monitoring the hydrophones. After a very tense period, their sounds fade out. We can finally relax. The moral to the story is: 1. Do not wait to the last minute to dive your boat. 2. It is better to not even let aircraft spot you at all.