[torpedobait]

On my last (fifth) patrol out of Brisbane to deliver 32 tons of cargo to Mindanao,(departing 11/25/43) in Gato I returned to Brisbane on 12/19/43 only to find that the base (tilted anchor) had been changed to Milne Bay. I reviewed all communications since the start of the patrol and had no Operational notice of a base change. I was able to successfully end the mission by making it to Milne Bay.

It just seems strange to get a base change without receiving a notice first.

Also, following the first GATO patrol from Brisbane leaving there on 5/11/1943, upon my return on 5/16/43 to Brisbane I was offered an Instructor position at Annapolis, which I declined and paid a penalty in Renown. I don't think it was because of bad performance. My tonnoges per patrol were in the 50,000+ range, with the lowest to date at around 31 k, with ALL objectives met to date. Then after the third patrol, on 9/22/43 I was offered a new boat, which I also declined, apparently without penalty. This was followed by the fifth patrol that included the base change noted above. I will continue this career in Gato now out of Milne Bay.

Just wanted you all to know...