Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980
Started a new career...Balao-USS Hammerhead June 1944, Pearl Harbor.
Ordered to support Operation Forager(Invasion fof Mariannas) east of the Islands.On June 18, 1944 about 0500 made radar contact, rushed ahead, dove at dawn.Closed in, quietly sneaking under an Ashasio Destroyer while at 500 feet, sped up to 6 knots, came to scope depth, fleet carrier Taiho right in front of me at 3000 yards.Set all six Mark 14's for 15 feet, opened outer doors, raised scope again, began firing, as 6th torpedo was leaving tube, noticed target and every other began a zig to starboard, they were not alerted yet, they were making their morning zig, ah the luck.Torpedoes passed agead, number 6 barely missing the bow.Went to 600 feet, avoided charges, could not stay on surface to chase due to heavy air activity.  |
I've had this happen several times but I hadn't fired yet, was just about 300 yards short of my firing position.
One fast convoy did this to me three times in a row,
took four set ups to get my torpedoes off.
Magic