TMO with custom mods
4 Luzon Straits-Convoy College area.
USS Drum SS 228 (Gato Class)
Departed March 29 for patrol area Convoy College Luzon Straits.
Acting on an ULTRA. Patrolled for a large convoy (Take Ichi Convoy, see previous post) and made SJ contact at 0032 24 April.
Convoy is 16 ships with 13 escorts moving 12 knots and zigging often. Attempted to penetrate the screen by on three occasions forced to back away. A Yagumo Class DD came within 2500 yards but managed to remain unseen as kept bow pointing at him, slowly backing away with right rudder to maintain low profile.
Finally decided to fire from outside the screen from long range, utilizing the Mark 14's low speed setting. Dark night so difficult to pick out targets visually. Aimed for center mass of ships on PPI scope with spread. At 0347 fired six torpedoes from 7100 yards. Turned and quickly fired spread from stern tubes aimed in similar fashion.
After a long torpedo run, could see and hear torpedo impacts in distance. 6 out of ten fired hit, not bad. About three minutes after impact a large secondary explosion occurred. Could also see a very large troopships in distance with a fire on its bow, but moving along swiftly.
Moved out in distance to reload torpedoes and get in another attack before dawn if possible. Lost contact on SJ then reestablished. Convoy ships were constant helming making obtaining a solid solution difficult from long distances. Managed to get to 4100 yards when an escort left a gap in screen while making a high speed run to check the flank. Aimed for a large troopship identified as KITRUIN MARU and fired four torpedoes. Unfortunately, one of the torpedoes passed jut astern of an escort that raced into position unexpectedly. The escort spotted the torpedoes and sounded the alarm. Targets all turned away. All four torpedoes missed. A Shiratsuyu DD spotted us or detected on radar as it began raced right towards us at high speed. With dawn approaching and turning away presenting broadsides too risky as could expose to gunfire, ordered a dive.
As we dove to 375 feet a lone torpedo impact was heard, we had lucked out and hit something. Depth charges followed (a few close ones) and were hunted by two particularly persistent escorts for six hours. 1230 back at periscope depth, all was clear. Surfaced and had two SJ contacts at 13 NM. Turned course and noticed they were stationary. Either escorts playing possum or damaged vessels left behind. Figured most likely damaged vessels from first attack due to distance and proximity to location of first attack. Also came across debris field soon after surfacing, something had sunk, perhaps from our lone torpedo impact on last attack or a mortally wounded vessel from first attack.
As closed two contacts could see they were troopships about 3100 yards apart, dead in water. One down by the stern, other listing heavily to port. Obviously, our victims of DRUM's initial salvo. Ordered deck gun manned. Closed in to finish them off. Took about 20 4 inch gun hits each to finish them off. Both were troopships of SAKITO MARU class 6800 tons.
Secured from GQ, raced ahead to try and reestablish contact with convoy but numerous patrol planes forced us to keep diving. Unable to locate convoy and at 0000 April 25 ended pursuit after 24 hours. Resumed patrol of area.
Two large troopships sunk, believe sunk vessel of unknown type as well.
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