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Bubblehead1980 · 09-19-20, 03:28 PM

TMO+ custom mods

USS Drum

Departed Brisbane 6 September 1943. Dropped off supplies east of Wewak on 11 September then proceeded to patrol area in Truk-Rabaul shipping lanes.

Oddly enough from September 13-October 5 had zero enemy contacts in such historically busy shipping lane* Just a few patrol planes and frequently foul weather. On October 29 encountered a surfaced Gato class submarine heading SW, likely returning Brisbane from patrol.

On October 5 at 2200 SJ made contact just north of chokepoint area between Admiralty Islands and New Ireland. Closed in to find a 8 ships, four escort convoy . Sent contact report and closed for night surface attack.

Contact stated tankers are now priority targets. Happened to spot in the middle column a large GENYO MARU tanker 11000+ tons. Starboard flanking escort left position to search. We approached get in close enough to fire on middle column with high speed settings. Calm seas, dark night but a bit of a glow and haze.

Suddenly convoy zigged, star shells fired over us and two shell splashes landed about 300 yards to port. Suspect enemy had radar as visual spotting was not likely. With range still too far for a good shot, changed torpedo to low speed setting. After a shell splash came too close, pulled the plug to periscope depth. Plotting the new speed at 6 1/2 knots with the forward escort pinging and rushing in at just 800 yards. fired four torpedoes at GENYO MARU and two at an AKITA MARU AK as we dove (gotta love the TDC and PK)

As we passed 125 feet torpedo impact of four torpedoes and massive explosion sounds from above As we passed 150 feet dpeth charges exploded ll around but not too close. Then reports of two more torpedoes impacting. Evaded depth charges for five hours. surfaced after dawn. We had sunk the Genyo Maru and the Akita Maru was dead in water and down by stern as apparent torpedo impact had blown her stern off. Finished off with a torpedo and ship sunk.

Caught up with convoy after pursuit until 1300, sunk two more ships. Evaded for another end around. In heavy seas around 0300 on 6 October fired six torpedoes in a spread at middle of convoy from 5,000 yards( heavy seas and escorts preventing from getting any closer) Four torpedoes impacted three targets. RYUNN MARU sunk. Two other unknowns damaged.

While departing area on surface under long range gunfire a near miss caused hull damage.

With fuel down to 30 percent, two bow torpedoes and four aft left, and now some hull damage compromising DRUM's diving ability, five ships sunk and two others damaged(eight ships in convoy originally), decided to head for Brisbane and end the 24 hour + battle.

Arrived Brisbane October 13.

09-19-20, 03:28 PM	#43
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	TMO+ custom mods USS Drum Departed Brisbane 6 September 1943. Dropped off supplies east of Wewak on 11 September then proceeded to patrol area in Truk-Rabaul shipping lanes. Oddly enough from September 13-October 5 had zero enemy contacts in such historically busy shipping lane* Just a few patrol planes and frequently foul weather. On October 29 encountered a surfaced Gato class submarine heading SW, likely returning Brisbane from patrol. On October 5 at 2200 SJ made contact just north of chokepoint area between Admiralty Islands and New Ireland. Closed in to find a 8 ships, four escort convoy . Sent contact report and closed for night surface attack. Contact stated tankers are now priority targets. Happened to spot in the middle column a large GENYO MARU tanker 11000+ tons. Starboard flanking escort left position to search. We approached get in close enough to fire on middle column with high speed settings. Calm seas, dark night but a bit of a glow and haze. Suddenly convoy zigged, star shells fired over us and two shell splashes landed about 300 yards to port. Suspect enemy had radar as visual spotting was not likely. With range still too far for a good shot, changed torpedo to low speed setting. After a shell splash came too close, pulled the plug to periscope depth. Plotting the new speed at 6 1/2 knots with the forward escort pinging and rushing in at just 800 yards. fired four torpedoes at GENYO MARU and two at an AKITA MARU AK as we dove (gotta love the TDC and PK) As we passed 125 feet torpedo impact of four torpedoes and massive explosion sounds from above As we passed 150 feet dpeth charges exploded ll around but not too close. Then reports of two more torpedoes impacting. Evaded depth charges for five hours. surfaced after dawn. We had sunk the Genyo Maru and the Akita Maru was dead in water and down by stern as apparent torpedo impact had blown her stern off. Finished off with a torpedo and ship sunk. Caught up with convoy after pursuit until 1300, sunk two more ships. Evaded for another end around. In heavy seas around 0300 on 6 October fired six torpedoes in a spread at middle of convoy from 5,000 yards( heavy seas and escorts preventing from getting any closer) Four torpedoes impacted three targets. RYUNN MARU sunk. Two other unknowns damaged. While departing area on surface under long range gunfire a near miss caused hull damage. With fuel down to 30 percent, two bow torpedoes and four aft left, and now some hull damage compromising DRUM's diving ability, five ships sunk and two others damaged(eight ships in convoy originally), decided to head for Brisbane and end the 24 hour + battle. Arrived Brisbane October 13.