[Crannogman]

USS Balao, late afternoon March 2 1943, western approaches to St George Channel.
Heavy rain and fog, 7kt winds.

USS Balao was conducting a standard switchback barrier patrol West of Rabaul; 6 bow and 3 stern Mk14s still aboard. Hydrophone picked up merchant screws to the East, heading WNW at medium speed. Balao altered course to intercept, and detected 3 more merchants and a small warship farther behind the first.
After a quick conference, the CO decided that the very-reduced visibility would be suitable for a high-speed surfaced torpedo run against the head of the column, attacking each ship as it came in sight and the running off into the settling dusk before the following escort could make contact.

Apparently the Japs have radar. Soon after the whole line was picking up on radar, the merchants began to zig-zag and the escort made a beeline for Balao. The CO took Balao to flank, crossing the convoys's T at about 3000y. The presumed destroyer, which had moved to the convoys's port side, was now stuck with the lead merchant interposed between himself and Balao.

Balao and the convoy approached each other about head-on, passing just to starboard. Balao was able to make out the escort's signal light and superstructure, chancing a spread at 1500y that missed abaft. Balao submerged to decks awash in an effort to present a smaller target, yet began receiving aimed shellfire before making visual contact.

The Fubuki loomed out of the mist and raced on by, receiving relatively-ineffective 20mm counterfire. An aft torpedo was vainly loosed as the destroyer faded into the rain, making to come about to starboard behind Balao. A 4500-ton freighter next appeared 500 yards of Balao's starboard-bow, firing small arms until a Mk14 broke her keel a few seconds later. The next two merchants peeled-off to port, but the last turned starboard and presented an easy broadside target; it too was quickly dispatched.
Balao turned South, seeking the next closest merchant, which was moving too fast to catch with decks awash. The boat surfaced and pursued, but was unable to get an adequate solution on the maneuvering freighter from abaft.

Down to one Mk14, and receiving aimed fire from the obscured Fubuki, Balao turned Southeast at flank speed. The Fubuki gave chase, landing a third and final hit to the sub before turning back to the fleeing freighters. Damage Control was able to fix most systems, but the pressure hull was not considered fit for meaningful diving. Balao took advantage of nightfall to slip through the St George passage and make a beeline for Midway.