In 1944 on april 8 Harlfinger in Trigger ran into a convoy that was the largest they had encountered so far in the war. 4 columns of ships with about 5 ships in each row. Equalling 20 ships or about. There were 10 escorts identified with it but properbly more. Trigger took 25 close depth charges at 300 ft. - later 6 destroyers circled him for 18 hours.... Water leak, temperature in the boat at 135 deg F, lights out, cork insulation flying around in the boat, switches undone, valves leaked, hull buckled in and out.
Above is from reading Silent Victory by Clay Blair Jr. - a magnificent book that lists more or less ALL submarine patrols and what they encountered on each patroll.
I would say the most average encounter would be two merchants and two escorts in a convoy.
March 12 was the date Chester Nimitz (jr.) sent the message to Christie that he had now deactivated the magnetic exploders. Nimitz were up to that patrol officer in charge of developing the exploders in Fremantle. They simply gave up on having them work at all at that point. Christie then gave orders to not use the magnetic exploders.
|