[Bubblehead1980]

TMO 2.5 w custom mods.
100 realism cams on contacts off.

USS Baya SS-318
Fourth War Patrol
7 December 1944-14 January 1945
Area B4 and B5 - South China Sea
Departed with 68 Officers and Men aboard.
18 Mark 18 torpedoes
6 Mark 14 torpedoes
300 rounds 5 inch ammunition.
2000 rounds 40 MM ammunition.
2000 rounds 20 MM ammunition.


Departed Fremantle 7 December and conducted gunnery drills en route to Exmouth Gulf. Arrived off entrance to Gulf on 9 December but stormy conditions delayed entrance by twenty four hours until cleared. Refuel and departed for patrol area via Lombok Strait.

Night of 12 January transited Lombok Strait. No patrol craft encountered, one SD contact emitting radar was detected but did not come within 7 NM of Baya. Exited strait and headed for patrol area via Sibutu Pass. Sulu Sea/ Mindoro Strait due to intelligence of recent mining efforts of Balabac Strait by Japanese.

Detected Allied landing forces off Mindoro at Mangarin Bay on 14 December.

Arrived in patrol area after midnight on 17 December. Anticipated few contacts as Japanese convoy routes had shift closer to Indochina and China coast but remained vigilant. However, only contacts have from arrival in patrol area for next nine days were the occasional patrol aircraft for which Baya submerged to remain undetected.

An enemy heavy cruiser with a destroyer escorting was reported 100 NM NW of Baya on 23 December, attempted to intercept but unable to establish contact. Resumed patrol.


25 December 2301: SJ contact Bearing 093 12 NM. Position: 13 10 N 113 40 E.

Immediately began closing at full speed. As it became apparent by changing bearing this group of ships were moving at high speed, increased to flank speed and slowly began to gain proper position. PPI showed a single column of five contacts flanked by four contacts presumed to be escorts. Radar emissions were coming from multiple vessels. Given the speed and radar emissions, presumed these to be warships, perhaps an enemy task force.



2341:Went to General Quarters. Given the radar emissions and full moon, opted for a submerged torpedo attack. Needing extra speed, Baya was pushed on overload and made 22 knots, enough to pull ahead of the group's estimated 19.5-20 knots.

26 December-

0203- Submerged for attack. Conned boat inside the screen to fire at main body from 1000 yards. In the dark but moonlight night, observed A DD leading a Myoko Class Heavy Cruiser and an unknown Light Cruiser. Readied all Mark 18 's in tubes 1-6 and had stern tubes readied as well.

0221: Fired six Mark 18 torpedoes. Range: 1000 yards AOB: 70 Target speed: 20.5 knots Point(s) of AIM: three to middle of target, two forward, one aft. Torpedo Depth:10 feet.

0222: All six torpedoes impacted at roughly points of aim. Third hit amidships caused a large explosion, likely the ships engines as she seemed to slow rapidly as other torpedoes hit.

0224: The CA was left adrift and burning from bow to stern. The light CL beyond her spotted Baya's scope as she had turned at high speed upon impact and was now just 300 yards away with her Spotlight was on Baya and firing at her periscope scope.

0225 With destroyers pinging and rushing in as well as risk of ramming by the CL, Ordered Baya to 450 feet, rigged for Silent Running and Depth Charge. Two SBT decoys were dropped during the descent. Passed thermal layer at 274 feet.

0228: As Baya passed 378 feet first destroyer made a depth charge run. As roared overhead ordered flank speed with ten degrees left rudder and one more decoy released.


Other destroyers were heard dropping charges some distance away, likely having detected the previously released decoys. However, the destroyer focused on us was first team and did not take the bait as made three successive runs on Baya. While no serious damage was suffered, the boat was shaken by charges on each run as the destroyer seemed to find Baya's depth.

At 0241 as destroyer made another run after four minutes of pinging, as destroyer stopping just before passing overhead to drop, ordered ahead flank, hard port rudder, and depth of 575 feet. Deployed decoy at 500 feet
and leveled boat off at 575 feet.

The destroyer seemed to lose contact and dropped charges some distance off , believe on the last decoy released. As Baya began to slip away, another DD rushed into the scene and began pinging. After ten minutes of pinging Baya and stopped, attacking something else, seemed to regain contact on Baya as rushed in, ordered ahead flank hard starboard turn and took the boat to 600 feet.The destroyer seemed to lose contact as made no more close runs on Baya.

0253 sounds of the cruiser sinking and breaking up were heard, confirming the sinking of the Myoko Class CA.

0304 sonar reported warships leaving area at very high speed. In case of "sleepers", Baya remained submerged for next hour. While ideally would have stayed down longer, wanted to utilize remaining night to pull ahead for a dawn follow up attack if possible.

0400- Slowly began ascent to periscope depth. At scope depth and then radar depth, area was clear.

0415- Surfaced and set course to 090 at flank seed. As departed area, checked the estimated position of the Myoko's sinking. debris, oil slick, and floatsam were discovered further confirming the sinking.


0430 Secured from General Quarters and continued pursuit for end around.

0521 SJ detected the task force making estimated 16 knots. Went back to GQ and commenced end around passing tf at 5 NM, at times having to move further away due to marauding escort on starboard flank,


0601: Ahead of convoy with Mark 14's in forward tubes, rushed in on surface. Sky was lighter but still dark enough fire high speed surface run before diving in order to fire from close range.


0618 Baya was 5000 yards off track and 9000 yards from target.Now had visual on the CL now identified as an Oyodo Class Light Cruiser. As was preparing to dive, radar detected the starboard flank and lead destroyers moving toward Baya while rest of group turned to NE. Unlikely Baya was visually spotted in the dark, enemy radar must have detected her. Turned away at high speed but enemy destroyers with their obvious speed advantage were closing in. One in particular was running right down Baya's track. Prepared for down the throat shot with Mark 18's in stern tubes but when target was at 4800 yards began zigging making the success of a long range bow shot unlikely. Anticipating would be illuminated fired upon any second, ordered a dive.


Once submerged, ordered decoy dropped at 150 feet and began a slow turn to port . Took Baya to 600 feet. While pinging did contact Baya, the destroyer never gained a lock and no depth charges were close After thirty minutes they left the area


0705 After remaining submerged in case of sleepers, Baya was back at scope depth with no enemy contacts in sight. No radar contacts either. Surfaced but had to submerged again due to aircraft in area.

Finally at 0830 surfaced.With crew fatigue setting in, batteries needing to be charged, and chances of regaining contact low, broke off pursuit and resumed patrol.


At 1200 on 26 December received radio report that the task force we encountered the previous evening was observed by patrol planes and believed to be heading to attack the Mindoro landing area. After some quick navigation and plotting, turned course for Mindoro at flank speed run as beleieved if could not make it there before the enemy arrived, could be in position to catch them as withdrew.


As we passed 15 NM N of Calauit Island just after 2334 on 26 December, could in the darkness of the night, see flashes in the distance, most likely that was an engagement off Mindoro.

As crossed the Mindoro Strait at high speed, SD made multiple contacts, USAAF bombers based in area making their attacks. A report came in saying PT boats and aircraft were attacking.

0111 saw large fireball in the distance.

0141 SJ made contact on several large vessels at 000 heading our way at high speed. (position 12 20 N 120 50 E in Mindoro Strait).

Closed for night surface attack as aircraft continued to harass the retiring enemy force. Targeted the largest ship, which was previously identified Oyodo Light Cruiser.

0146 AB-25 was spotted flying low and burning and crashed just 400 yards off starboard side of Baya.


0148 4000 yards off track as prepared to fire, the two DD's leading the the CL in the single column suddenly turned towards at high speed Baya and opened fire. Immediately ordered a dive and boat settled to periscope depth. Turned Baya into the lead DD rushing in, presenting a perfect 0 degree AOB for a down the throat shot.

0150 With the DD (believed to be Shiratsuyu Class) at 600 yards fired three Mark 14's and ordered a dive to 600 feet. As passed 90 feet. Three large explosions heard as three torpedoes impacted the target. Several secondary explosions occurred as well. The other DD was heard to no longer be closing. Came to scope depth to observe the Shiratsuyu as it slipped under the waves bow first.

The other DD was on fire and burning, apparently from aircraft hits but soon detected Baya and came in. At 600 feet was able to avoid the persistent and effective yet somewhat brief depth charge attack.

Back at scope depth thirty minutes later, could see gunfire in the distance towards west side of Mindoro Strait. Surfaced but was unable to regain contact with enemy. Secured from GQ and set course for return to patrol area.

27 December

0714- While on bridge observed pink smoke marker in distance at bearing 075. Turned course at best speed.

0744- Rescued downed B-25 aircrewman at 12 33 N 119 59 E off Busuanga Island. Six minutes later rescued another downed aircrewman in same location several hundred yards apart.

27 December-4 January- Patrolled assigned area in South China Sea. No further contacts aside from a daily patrol plane. Avoided being sighted while in area.


5 January 1945: 0000- Departed patrol area due to low fuel (high speed runs consumed a lot of fuel) and set course for Fremantle arriving 14 January where terminated patrol.


Patrol Stats:

Total Vessels Sunk:2
Total Tonnage:
Torpedoes Fired:9 Mark 18=6 Mark 14=3
Number of attacks made: 2
5 inch ammunition expended:0
40 ammunition expended:0
20mm expended:0


Ships Sunk:

1.) CA- Myoko Class Heavy Cruiser 15879 tons 1944/12/26 0253 hours. Position:12 50 N 116 E

2.) DD-Shiratsuyu Class Destroyer 1685 tons 1944/12/27 0150 hours. Position: 12 21 N 120 39 E in Mindoro Strait.

Aircrew Rescued:2

Rescue # 1: 1944/12/27 0744. 12 33 N 119 59 E 15 NM off Busuanga Island.

Rescue #2: 1944/12/27 0750. 12 33 N 119 59 E 15 NM off Busuanga