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Old 08-27-20, 07:23 AM   #5
Bubblehead1980
Navy Seal
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Florida USA
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USS Pollack SS-180
Porpoise Class
Transferred to Brisbane after first patrol
Departed for assigned area off Truk on July 20 1942


While in en route via Solomon Sea a surfaced IJN submarine came into view just after dawn. SJ radar did not make contact.Managed to slip ahead undetected and dove off projected track on silent running. Submarine came into view making 15 knots. From 1100 yards fired three Mark 14 torpedoes. Two prematurely exploded 50 yards or less from target. The submarine was able to avoid the third torpedo, barely. As it passed just ahead of the bow, the magnetic exploder was triggered. The sub's engines stopped, seems the shock wave damaged the sub(?). Set up to fire fourth bow torpedo, on final observation saw it pick up speed, so held to adjust solution. Sub's engines started up again and began fleeing at high speed but seemed to be going under, "diving" (AI subs cant dive in SH 4, likely taking on water due to damaged hull from the close torpedo explosion). Adjusted speed, fired fourth torpedo. The sub's conning tower was under as torpedo passed over and exploded. Sound could still hear the sub's props. As I recently added AI torpedo mod to IJN subs (not sure if works yet) was worried about torpedoes, so ordered 250 feet and evasive movement. Lost contact with sub soon after. No credit in log for sunken submarine.

Made submerged run for rest of the day at 4 knots, surfaced at night and headed for patrol area....
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