TMO Update V2.0
USS Barb SS-220
January 1944
Area 8
26 January
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TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3
0608 SJ contact bearing 343 27,340 yards. (Ship Contact No.3)
0610 Ordered course 309 Speed 20 kts to close contact.
0615 Multiple pips indicated convoy. GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE
0633 Convoy course estimated 142 Speed Estimate 8 knts.
Eight pips total, six vessels with two escorts, one forward, one rear.
0649 Sighted convoy bearing 087 10,170 yards.
0656 Contact Report Sent.
Convoy Sighted 28-43N 133-00E
Estimated Course/Speed
139 degrees at 8 knots
0658 Lead Escort appears to be Chidori Class Torpedo Boat
0700 Received reply to contact report. X ATTACK X
0719 Approached convoy 3500 yards off track, lead escort sweeping along path.
Several tense moments as waited for him to pass by so could close in for attack.
0741 Fired Tubes 1,2,3,4,5,6 (two per target) at three mid sized AK in port column
0742 During torpedo run, convoy began turn for what appeared to be routine
:44 zig, causing torpedoes at forward and rear target to miss.
0743 Torpedo impact! Two torpedoes hit the middle AK. Large fires and a secondary explosion followed.
:01
0743 During BARB's turn away from convoy, received gunfire from merchant vessels as well as illuminated by searchlights
:15 star shells. Trailing escort, identified as a Minesweeper/Type A Shimushu Escort, already
in the midst of his "sweep" due to the convoys regular zig, began closing on BARB,
firing several rounds from deck gun. BARB was racing away, but the escort was keeping pace.
0745 Observed Chidori Class escort now rushing to join the pursuit. Several shell splashes landed well ahead and well astern.
0746 With the closest escort keeping pace, obvious could match BARB's speed. Ordered
engines put into overload with governors tied down (AHEAD EMERGENCY Ability)
BARB was soon at a surace speed of 22.8 knots, pulling away from the Shimushu Escort.
However, it appeared Chidori escort, which BARB could not outrun,
increased speed and was closing.
0755 Both escorts 3500 yards astern, but slowed and began search patterns, apparently convinced BARB had submerged. This was confirmed when both dropped depth charges, while BARB disappeared into the night.
0815 After opening distance, set course to end round convoy for follow up attack
before dawn if possible. Torpedo reload ordered.
0900 Escort rejoined convoy, one other remained in area of attack searching (Radar indication)
0933 Brought stern to bear for approach. Readied tubes 7,8,9,10.
0950 Fired tubes 7,8,9 2000 yards.
0952 Torpedo impact! All three MK 18 torpedoes hit as aimed.
0954 AK sunk in less than two minutes at 28-33N 132-55E. Chidori heading BARB's way BARB raced away at best speed.
1009 With dawn in just over a hour, secured GQ. Ordered stern tubes reloaded and moved ahead for follow up submerged attack at dawn.
1030 Dawn. SD contact 21200 yards (Aircraft Contact No. 5)
1032 Series of explosions above, astern. Aircraft apparently observed BARB,
no damage.
1100 Periscope Depth. Observed flying boat (EMILY) 7000 yards astern bearing 176/ Ordered 150 feet. (Aircraft Contact No. 5)
1300 Depth 60 ft. Extended SD mast to check area.
1331 SD contact 12000 yards, steady. (Aircraft Contact No. 6)
Ordered 150 ft
1421 Several explosions distant, astern, reverberated throughout the boat.
Enemy aircraft depth charges likely source.
1500 Periscope depth. Raised SD mast.
1504 SD contact 28000 yards closing (Aircraft Contact No.7)
1505 Ordered 200 ft.
1510 Convoy likely out of our are by this point, decided to remain submerged until night fall due to persistent air cover in area.
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