1943 January 14, just off the SW coast of New Ireland, kl 2200 -
Surface radar, then sonar detected a 4-vessel box formation, with one contact leading them and two more contacts astride the box's flanks.
As the SnapperII moved into firing position 90 degrees relative to the direction of the convoy, a preliminary speed estimate was taken. The result was 28 knots, either a mistake or the fastest convoy the Snapper had ever seen. A speed measurement was taken on another vessel and this time the result was 30 knots. Some sort of task force, then ??
Regardless, being well in front of their plotted path the SnapperII easily achieved a good firing position, 800 meters from the convoy's predicted passing point. SnapperII then went to periscope depth. Bow tubes were opened. Following normal procedure, firing would commence when the leading 'merchant' reached the 15 degree bearing point. Still no visual.
Visibility was decent and sea conditions were calm so as the spearpoint ship came within 1200 meters distance it was IDed as a Chidori, the feared anti-sub escort. It passed by surprisingly quickly. The sub's attack team now swung into action, working on a fix for the nearest vessels in convoy box.
To their surprise, both vessels were mere 1300-ton destroyers. Where were the juicy targets ? Suddenly it was noticed that the convoy box had reached the 15 degree mark without any of the contacts having been locked in and targeted. The captain then ordered that the trailing vessel in the box be attacked. The attack team went to work but by the time they had calculated a firing solution on the rearmost vessel in the box (a small Kaya class destroyer-escort), its bearing was 340 degrees and rapidly receding.
Captain Skeezix called off that attack and said to concentrate on hitting the nearest escort vessel guarding the rear of the convoy box. The last ship in this convoy, It loomed out of the darkness suddenly, nearer to the sub than it's companions had been. 'A Fubuki sir!' reported the exec. The attack team worked feverishly to achieve a firing solution but the 1750-ton destroyer had swept by the 15 degree firing point and was passing the 0 degree bearing before the team was finished. They then improvised a 345 degree targeting solution and quickly fired off two eels.
Watching their wakes, the skipper noticed at once that the 2 torpedoes had swung 90 degrees and seemed to be following a parallel course off to the side of the Fubuki. And that the Fubuki was pulling away from the torpedoes! In their haste to work out a firing solution, no one had told the torpedo room to set the speed to 'high'.
Results: 2 torpedoes fired, no hits.
Comments: What kind of setup was this - 2 full-sized destroyers guarding 4 smaller vessels ? Possibly an express-speed convoy? On the positive side, the Snapper remained undetected by this quite formidable group with great ASW potential. No pinging of any kind by any vessel at any time while the Snapper was observing. 800 meters is much too close for targeting a fast-moving convoy at night, even with clear skies and calm waters. Was this an ASW group trying to trick a sub into attacking it or an express convoy speeding on to Bouganville ? Attack team miscalculated time available to set up a firing solution, resulting in no attack and unsuccessful attack.
|