[Bubblehead1980]

TMO 2.5 w custom mods.
100 difficulty, cams off, contacts on.

USS Drum SS-228 First War Patrol
Area 4-Tokyo Bay area.
17 April-6 June 1942



Departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor on 1 April arriving 10 April.


17 April-

0900-Departed Pearl Harbor for patrol Area 4- Tokyo Bay area, via Midway.


18-20 April-Conducted dive, gunnery, and emergency drills en route Midway. Dive time down to 41 seconds.

21 April-

0756-1130-Fueled at Midway.


30 April-

1823-33 30 N 142 0 E. SD contact 6 NM closing fast. Submerged to 100 feet. Remained submerged until night fall.


1 May-

0030-136 NM SSE of Tokyo, entered patrol Area 4.

1034-SD contacted 10 NM closing. Submerged.

1400-Surface.


2 May-

0930-Dive for submerged patrol.


1446-63 (estimated) NM S of Tokyo, sound contact bearing 018 long range.

1454-Visual contact with mid sized freighter on estimated course/speed 090 9 knots.


1455-General Quarters.

1524-Target zigged forcing long range shot.


1526-Attack No. 1: Fired two MK 14 torpedoes Range:3334 yards AOB 101 Torpedo Depth: 10 ft Point of Aim(POA): Middle of Target (MOT)

1527-Large explosion. Possible torpedo detonation, premature.

1528- second torpedo missed. Target zigging.


1550-Attack No. 1 (continued) Fired 1 MK 14 1300 yards AOB: 115 Depth:6 ft Target evaded by just a few yards to port. Aircraft on scene, DRUM went to 300 ft.

2313-Surfaced for end around. While conducting end around, target zigged towards DRUM at dusk. DRUM submerged turned to course 230 to intercept.

2344-Attack No. 1 (continued) Fired two Mk 14 torpedoes. Range 800 yards AOB 75 depth 10 feet. Target zigging on course 030 5.5 knots.

Both torpedoes impacted target amidships. Target slowed, then stopped. Visibility limited due to night fall.


2351-AKITA MARU 3939 tons sunk at 34 39 N 140 17 E.

2352-Surface. Secure GQ.


3 May-

1108-Submerged for day due to numerous patrol planes.


4 May-

0452-0456-Sunk two armed fishing boats by gunfire. Estimated 200 tons each. Position 34 34 N 139 41 E.

0818-Spotted KASAGISAN MARU 2427 ton freighter. Went to General Quarters.


0909-Attack No. 2: Fired two Mk 14 torpedoes from stern tubes. Range:1090 yards AOB 80 depth 6 ft. POA:MOT.

Torpedo 1 veered to port and entered circular run. Ordered emergency depth to 100 feet, firing second torpedo as DRUM descended.

Torpedo 2 launched and assumed correct course. However, in an odd occurrence, torpedo 1 was completing its loop and collided with torpedo 2. Even more astounding, they torpedoes did not detonate. Torpedo 1 was knocked off course to starboard by torpedo 1, likely damaging the gyro, which failed to reset. Torpedo 1 completed its circle and exploded roughly directly over DRUM. DRUM was shake but no damage.

Torpedo 2 missed astern of the target(judging by sound). End of run explosion heard minutes later.


0913-Poor firing angle preventing firing another torpedo.

0914-Considering small size of freighter, that it appeared unarmed, opted to surface and engage with deck gun. From 3000 yards ship responded to DRUM with machine gun and auto cannon fire, none of which impacted.

DRUM's gun however scored 21 hits with 3 inch gun. Vessel was left afire and drifting. Crew abandoned ship, KASAGISAN MARU 2427 tons sunk at 34 42 N 140 02 E.


0931-Smoke sighted 031 degrees. Pursuit course frank speed for intercept.

0936-Sighted PC type vessel in distance bearing 154 6 NM. Likely heading to sinking scene of the maru.


1024-SD contact 11 NM. Steady range, not closing.

1029-SD contact suddenly began closing DRUM. Aircraft observed like patrol plane, H6K MAVIS. Drum submerged to 150 feet.

1031-Series of explosions presumed from bombs from aircraft.

Aircraft contacts prevented DRUM from closing on target for rest of day. At 1800 lost sound contact.


2330-Surface.



7 May-

0430-Entered Suruga Bay on surface.


0600-Submerged in Suruga Bay.


1200-Sound and visual contact made near simultaneously on KANAGA MARU class freighter. Course 015 9 knots. DRUM closed from long range at 90 feet and 6 knots.


1303-Attack No. 3: Fired two MK 14 torpedoes. Range 1000 AOB: 85(S) Depth: T1-26 feet for keel shot T2:15 feet Torpedo 1 was observed passing directly under target. Torpedo 2 prematurely detonated.

1304-Fired another MK 14 torpedo. Range: 800 yards AOB:60 Depth:10 ft POA:MOT. Torpedo impacted amidships. Target took on small starboard list with small fired on the stern but not sinking. Due to close range, moved along side to turn and set up for coupe de grace with stern tubes.

1306-Sound reports warship closing fast from bearing 310. No visual on contact, likely coming to aid of the maru.


1316-Spotted Chidori class torpedo boat at 4000 yards bearing 340 closing fast.

1317-Attack No. 3 (continued) Fired one Mark 14 range 800 AOB 60 depth 7 ft. Torpedo hit as aimed.

1319- KANAGA MARU 4923 tons sunk at 34 39 N 138 36 E in Suruga Bay.


1320-Chidori closing fast from 2000 yards. Ordered DRUM to 300 feet, rigged for silent running and depth charge. DRUM turned into to prevent narrow sonar profile.


1322-Pinging began. Depth charges dropped over next 18 minutes.

1340-A depth charge detonated very close to DRUM estimated at or just above DRUM's depth to port of amidships area. Leaks in piping and pressure lines. Damage reported to pumps and batteries, mother minor damage reported.

1342-DRUM drifted to 325 feet, likely due to heavy trim pump damage as precise depth control grew difficult.

1345-1415- Chidori continued searching but no charges came that close again.

By 1420-At least four other warship contacts arrived in area hunting DRUM . Including (judging by sound) one destroyer, others likely patrol craft) .


Over next five hours, over 200 depth charges were dropped. Trim pump now functioning properly. DRUM was forced to 375 feet to get under the patterns.

Various amounts of damage throughout boat, none serious.


2050-Only two sound contacts, believe others are "sleeping" listening for DRUM .

2100-Batteries down to 10 percent. This is due to the high speed runs required during attack and evasion, as well as damage suffered.

2330-Periscope depth. All clear, DRUM surfaced into dark night and to recharge batteries.


8 May-Submerged North end Suruga Bay.

1215-Attempted to close freighter crossing bay for Shizouka, but unable to close before reached port.


1300-While at periscope depth, a single engine float plane was spotted diving for DRUM/ Ordered emergency depth 200 feet.

1301-As DRUM passed 105 feet, three large explosions were noted, but not close.

1321-Sound has two contacts closing from west and south. Likely PC's responding to planes report. Took DRUM to 300 feet, silent running. Spent rest of day dodging patrol craft.


2330-Surfaced South-East end Suruga Bay. Exited bay and set course of Sagami Wan.

9 May-No contacts.


10 May-

0421-34 44 N 139 13 E 11 NM west of Oshima Island, spotted unknown destroyer. Bearing 035 4000 yards high speed. DRUM turned hard to port to present stern and evade. DD did not spot DRUM as continued on.

0900-Dive


1001-Spotted two large fishing boats 6000 yards vis periscope.


1031-Sound reported lone warship contact long range approaching from SW. Visual shows thing masts likely of DD.

1044-Sound reported heavy screws at bearing 345. Masters and superstructure of large warships visible bearing 345. Likely CA or CL.

1045-General Quarters.


1048-Two AOBA Class Heavy Cruisers parallel of one another heading SSW out of Tokyo Bay, no escort visible.


1051-As working into position, the DD sound reported earlier was arriving on scene and would cross just astern of DRUM .

1053-DD began pinging but did not close DRUM. CA's began zigging at 14 knots.


1107-Attack No. 4. Fired three MK 14 torpedoes. Range 1200 yards AOB 70 POA MOT. Two premature detonations. Target turned away to port from the third torpedo, taking the torpedoes course. Torpedo ran along the starboard side of the cruiser and detonated roughly adjacent to the amidships area as magnetic detonator was set off by the nearby cruiser. The cruiser momentarily slowed, but soon sped up and turned to the north. Possible some damage was caused, however the full effect of the explosion was not absorbed by the cruiser.


1108-DRUM to 300 feet, silent running, rigged for depth charge. The DD made several runs but no charges were close. Two other DD's arrived in area within twenty minutes but did not contact DRUM. Spent rest of day evaded aircraft of patrols.


2330-Surface.


11 May-

0300-Receoved communique from COMBSUBPAC regarding enemy CV damaged(WOUNDED BEAR) in Coral Sea engagement likely destined to return home islands in coming week. DRUM set course to take up position off Kii Suido in Area 6.


14 May-Sunk three fishing boats by gunfire at 32 50 N 134 41 E. Fishing armed and opened fire.


16 May-

1523-Based on contact report from TRITON and other intelligence, believed WOUNDED BEAR destination is Bungo Suido. DRUM set course for position in the approaches.


1000-Off Bungo Suido. Submerged.


1900-Notcied sudden increase in air activity in area, possibly indicating approach of carrier.


2015-Sound detected fast, heavy props at long range. Surfaced DRUM and made high speed run to intercept.

2045-Single engine dive bomber... likely D3A VAL closed DRUM from 9500 yards. Lookouts spotted the aircraft, SD failed to detect. DRUM made emergency dive. As DRUM passed 85 feet, two explosions shook boat, no damage reported.


2110-Surface.


2111-32 42 N 132 13 E. Off Bungo Suido visually spotted a CV at long range on course 014 est speed 17 knots. Went to General Quarters and closed.

2130-A DD was observed racing towards DRUM at high speed. DD opened from from long range. DRUM forced to dive as shell splashes were close, in spite of range.

2146-300 feet. Two destroyers made numerous depth charge attacks. While never seemed to establish strong contact, continued to hunt DRUM.

2231-Sound contact lost with enemy carrier as it entered Bungo Suido.


Over next 19(!) hours the enemy destroyers hunted DRUM. Staying within 2000-8000 yards.


Finally losing contact on 18 May.

18 May-

2330-Surfaced. Disappointed was unable to close the carrier, set course returned to Area 4 off Tokyo.

21 May-

1639-Spotted enemy DD departing Tokyo Bay on ideal track for an attack. Went to General Quarters and began to approach.

1645-Target changed course, causing a longer range shot.

1650-Attack No. 5-Fired two MK 14 torpedoes set to 3 ft . Range 3900 yards AOB 70 MOT.

1651-Both torpedoes prematurely detonated. DD alerted. DRUM went deep. DD did not locate DRUM, but dropped a few charges in the area before departing.


22 May-

0327-Sunk two armed fishing boats by gunfire at 34 30 N 139 44 E.


1230-Smoke on horizon bearing 154 degrees. Multiple plumes, presumed convoy. Course 090 to intercept.

1240-General Quarters.

1250-Convoy 050 speed 9 knots. Likely destination is Tokyo Bay., Made high speed run at depth of 200 feet to close.


1310-Convoy consisted of four ships in single column escort by single Shiratsuyu Destroyer 1000 yards ahead. Convoy composition was: One medium AK, one large AP, one large AK, one medium AK.

1321-Attack No. 5: Fired three Mark 14 torpedoes at large AP .Range 1000 yards AOB 90 depth 10 feet. POA:MOT. All three torpedoes hit target as aimed. Vessel quickly took a stern list with a fire amidships.

1322-KITURIN MARU troopship(6783 tons) quickly sunk at 34 47 N 139 43 E. No survivors visible.

1323-DD closing fast. DRUM went to 300 feet, rigged for depth charge and silent running, turned into the DD to minimize sonar profile.

1327-1900-DRUM at 350 feet. DD hunting. Multiple charges dropped, few close shook boat, but no serious damage.

2000-Lost contact with DD.

2300-Attempted to surface by SD contact forced DRUM to dive again.


23 May-

0000-Surface.


24 May-

0921- Sunk 200 ton fishing boat by gunfire at 33 10 N 140 46 E. Armed boat hit DRUM with MG/AC fire, no injuries or damage.

1000-Submerged for day patrol.


1511-Smoke on horizon bearing 016. SD sweep. Surfaced to close distance.


1515-Two plumes smoke spotted. General Quarters.

1521-SD contact 6 NM. DRUM submerged, closed contacts at 100 feet and high speed.


1540-Periscope depth. Two large merchants, unescorted on course 340 9 knots. With just two torpedoes left, both in stern tubes. Decided to cross the track and shoot the lead with torpedoes, attack remaining freighter with deck gun if possible.

1545-Aircraft spotted. Took DRUM to 100 feet.

1550-Back at periscope depth. Targets both resemble KIGAN MARU 7390 tons.


1556-Attack No. 6: Fired two MK 14 torpedoes. Range: 900 yards AOB 90 depth 28/20 feet. Torpedo 1 detonated just after arming at 350 yards. Torpedo 2 observed running under the target but failed to exploded.


1557-Close range revealed both ships mounted large guns fore and aft. With ideal visual conditions and aircraft presence in area, not advisable to make deck gun attack. Turned away, observing the ships, which split up heading in different directions.

1600-G4M "Betty" bombers flying low over water appeared suddenly. DRUM went to 150 feet. No explosions.


2330-Surface.Torpedoes expended, set course for Pearl Harbor via Midway.

28 and 29 May, submerged to avoid SD contacts, likely from Wake Island.


2 June-

Fueled at Midway. Departed at 1300


3 June

0600-Morning trim dive. As Drum settled at 100 feet, a submerged enemy submarine was audible at bearing 095. Sounds of torpedoes in water heard as well. DRUM apparently narrowly missed disaster. Went to 300 feet at silent running. Maintained submerged transit for day.

2300-After careful sweep. Surfaced.


4 June-

Throughout day received various radio traffic regarding fleet engagement off Midway Island.


6 June-

0915-Arrived Pearl Harbor. Terminated patrol.