Possibly the shortest career I've ever had in SH 4.
TMO RSRD
100 realism, ex camera off.
USS Batfish June 1944, out of Fremantle, Australia.
Departed on June 7 with orders top proceed to Northern South China Sea off Hainan Island.
After topping off at Exmouth Gulf, transiting via Lombok Strait(dodging patrols I added, makes it exciting and challenging. ) . While transiting Sibutu Pass into the Sulu Sea, detected a convoy on radar, 6 ships and two escorts.Planned to make an attack and send a contact report, then proceed to area.
Dove at 1145 hours, positioned for a stern tube attack with Mark 18's. Targeted a large freighter(8,000 tons) from 2500 yards.Just as fourth fish left tube 10, convoy made a zig the torpedoes missed. The convoy was now about to run over top of me, I ordered 200 feet depth. As I passed 80 feet, heard a ships alarm sound and sonar reported a warship closing fast.As we passed 140 feet, pinging began from astern, to port. I ordered us to 412 feet, test depth.Pinging grew intense from two directions, now had two escorts(one Type C escort and one aux subchaser) closing in
After multiple runs I seemed to shake them, was forced to 575 feet though, then the type c(sounded like it) came roaring in and dropped a massive pattern, two close charges caused heavy damage. Bow tubes reported destroyed, flooding in forward torpedo room, compressor heavily damaged, periscope heads destroyed, radio severely damaged, forward batteries damaged,sonar damaged.
After a couple more runs had situation under control, was cruising at 600 feet when type c made another run.several charges were close.Lights went out, stern batteries damaged, forward batteries destroyed, flooding in control room and conning tower, more flooding in forward torpedo room, variosu equipment destroyed or heavily damaged, we were now taking a down angle and sinking below 650 feet.Emergency back power and orders for rise on planes stopped the boats descent momentarily but as heavy flooding occurred in forward torpedo room, we began to sink deeper, finally climbing back after blowing tanks.Eventually flooding was stopped in other compartments and we leveled off somewhat at 430 feet while repairs were conducted. Batfish was in trouble though, only 30 percent battery left, Much of equipment damaged, only 30 percent compressed air reserve. Then came the good news, escorts coming back for another run, with all the noise, both knew where we were. Each made a run right after another. Several close charges, caused flooding in control room again, destroyed the compressor. We again began to sink out of control despite all efforts.Only option was to blow ballast, hope could make a run on surface, diesels were untouched. Blowing the tanks, rose to 80 feet and stalled, then blew tanks again using last of compressed air and surfaced with 40 MM aft and forward manned, as well as 20 mm manned. The 5 inch deck gun forward was non operational as we discovered, destroyed in the depth charge attack.
both escorts were astern, one just 2000 yards away. Ordered flank speed, began firing at us and aft 40 MM went to work on the aux subchaser, causing an explosion on her fantail when depth charges were hit. As we sped away both were firing automatic fire and deck cannons, shell splashes landing dangerously close, as automatic fire hit the boat a few times.
We were only making 15 knots at flank speed.Noticed sub was riding low in water, this was due to heavy flooding.The aux subchaser was firing but not moving, apparently damaged.The type C was blasting away but circling.Shells roared overhead(using sounds from Fall of Rising Son, very nice sounds FX) and splashed in the sea.Soon one found it's mark, landing astern where he aft gun crew on 40 MM and 20 MM were. All three crewman KIA. Hull now compromised, no diving for us.Also noticed three lookouts were KIA before this, likely from automatic gunfire. An Ensign on bridge, and two lookouts in shears, all three KIA.
The Type C escort was now pursuing blasting away at just 3200 yards and closing. Riding low in water(water was being pumped out) , ordered new gun crews to the deck. Stern tubes still operational, one Mark 18 completed reloading. Put aft TBT and set up for a down the throat shot if needed.Meanwhile we were dodging shells, many were landing close.Fired aft 40 MM at the type C scoring a few hits which started a fire , the ship slowed, still firing as we finally picked up another 2 knots and slowly pulled away, dodging more shells as we headed north towards sulu sea away from the escorts.
The type c escort continued to fire but circled, burning but the fire died out soon . Finally, one shell landed close enough scoring a hit in the forward torpedo room, injuring many in compartment and causing heavy flooding, we began to sink lower in water.Shells continued to roar overhead, landed near but no more hit as we slowly opened the range.
Finally we were out of range and lost contact, exiting Sibutu Pass into the Sulu Sea. flooding eventually was controlled, water pumped.Clearly the patrol was over, now challenge was making it back to Fremantle via enemy infested waters, with no bow tubes operational, six key crewmen KIA, much of boat's key equipment destroyed.
Night fall we turned south through Sibutu Pass, into Celebes Sea and headed to Lombok Strait via Makassar Strait. Unable to dive, stayed on surface. An SD radar contact as entered Java Sea caused concern but stayed outside 10 miles.
Finally reached Lombok Strait, waited for nightfall and made a run at flank speed. Dodged the northern guard, but ran into a patrol boat in center, dodging it was tricky but managed, southern guard was way out of position and exited cleanly by 0400.
Arrived back at Fremantle on June 26, 1944. After docking, was informed my carreer was over as was relieved of duty.
