So, I'm on my second patrol in my Balao out of Pearl Harbor, searching for enemy ships just off the east coast of Kyushu, when the SJ radar picks up a contact moving in my general direction. I run a plot, calculate course and speed, plot an intercept, and move in front of it. As it is daylight, I submerge and lie in wait for it. After a while, a small old split freighter flying a Japanese flag comes into view. I double check my course plot, range to the firing point, speed of the target, and other such things. When it reaches firing position, I fire a single Mk XIV torpedo, figuring that one will be fine. BOOM! Targeting was great, torpedo hit and was reliable, but it didn't go down.
I quickly adjust the scope over and fire a second shot at it, but my hasty guesses as to new AOB and speed are off and fish #2 passes in front of the ship. Now, Lt. Lunkhead takes over. Thinking the merchant was unarmed, because it was a small ship and no gun was seen through the periscope while taking the shot, he orders a battle surface. Needless to say, the deck gun was on the rear of the boat, and even though the freighter was on fire and listing heavily to port, the gun crew was on the ball. Before we even get out first shot off, the crew is screaming MEDIC!. I take 3 hits before I can order us back underwater, and by that time the water pouring in the holes made by the gun eventually prove to be unstoppable. I did wind up getting the message "She's going down, sir!" right before we went after her.
