[Bubblehead1980]

I've been working on the TMO UpdateV2.0 so have not been on patrol in a while. Testing out some new lifeguard patrol objectives (major revamp as they were terrible done in stock and were used in TMO)

USS Gato SS 212 map contacts and external cam on for testing, otherwise on max difficulty.


I was on patrol In DUNKERS DERP on 22 January 1944, awaiting orders to lifeguard station when SJ made contact at 28500 yards at 2341 hours. PPI scope indicated a large convoy in three columns, four ships each with five escorts. Soon plotted convoy as Northbound convoy, likely from Truk.

Closed range ant at 15000 yards called crew to GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE as conditions were ideal for night surface attack. There was no visible moon, just a slight glow in the otherwise dark night with crisp night air, winds at 3 kts direction 274, no fog, with moderate clouds.

GATO approached from the starboard side, looking to exploit the gap left every so often when escort would leave station to "sweep". GATO was ahead of convoy just 6000 yards ahead of convoy matching their 8 kt speed. At 0052 on 23 January 1944, escort made his sweep and GATO made a "U turn" into the convoy, increased speed to 15 knots and set course to enter via the gap.

As GATO came closer to lead escort, slowed to 10 knots to reduce bow and stern wakes. Soon noticed spacing was such could get inside convoy and with the enemy escort returning to station sooner than expected at high speed, decided to head inside. Maneuvered inside towards the center column where the most important ships are typically located, had a few tense moments as passed between first and second ships in outside starboard column, two mid sized AK's, roughly 4000 tons each.


Convoy was on course 340 at 8.5 kts and at 0101 the escor, now identified as a Chidori class torpedo boat, was back on station. Soon identified a large 11000 ton tanker similar to GENYO MARU and a large merchant similar to NAGARA MARU in center column. MK 14 3-A torpedoes in tubes 1-6 were made ready to fire, set to 10 feet. Stern tubes 7,8,9 with MK 18-1 torpedoes made ready as well, set to 10 feet.

At 0116, fired tubes 1,2,3 at the large AK. Each shot fired on single bearing with MOT (Middle of Target) as aiming point at five second intervals. Switched target to the tanker. Tubes 4,5,6 fired on divergent spread, as individual shots...aim points were middle of target, aft mast, fore mast.


Switched to Aft TBT and fired tubes 7,8,9 at mid sized AK astern. Immediately following release of last torpedo, ordered turn port aiming for intended "exit" spot.


At 0117 three torpedoes hit the large AK forward, setting it afire. Moments later, one torpedo hit the tanker, which erupted into a massive fireball, as it was obviously loaded with oil/fuel. Last two torpedoes were obviously redundant but contributed further to the conflagration.

By this point, GATO was up to flank speed and running through the convoy. A nearby AK spotted us and illuminated with spotlight, firing machine guns and then decks guns, a few close machine gun rounds, but no worries. Just then boom! two out of three MK 18's hit the AK astern, setting her afire. About 40 seconds later, ship erupted into massive fireball and split into two at keel amidships (love the fire damage mod!). At this point, star shells, spotlights, and fires had the area fairly well illuminated as GATO dodged gunfire.


Original escape spot was now blocked by a SC type escort, GATO changed course passing uncomfortably close to a mid sized AK astern in port column, which fired on GATO with her machine guns.

Soon noticed the Chidori had detected GATO and was closing at very high rate of speed. With one MK 18 (purposely saved for just this scenario) in tube 10, torpedo was set to minimum depth and tube opened. Course was changed to bring stern to bear for "Down the throat" shot on the on rushing Chidori if needed.


Chidori was closing fast from 4100 yards and APR-1 detected radar emissions ahead. Soon SD had a contact at 13000 yards closing fast. Seems a night flyer was called in from Iwo Jima, which was less than 100 miles away.

At 0120 fired Tube 10 down the throat from 3500 yards. Torpedo tracked perfectly but run below target(!). At 3000 yards, Chidori kicked on spotlight and opened fire. A crash dive was ordered.


GATO, was below in 38 seconds, on her way to 300 feet rigged for silent running and depth charge. Chidori began pinging immediately but at his high speed overshot GATO and dropped his pattern of charges too far ahead, none were close, but made a lot of noise.

GATO soon leveled at 300 feet as pinging returned. On this pass, Chidori pattern was on point, with one close charge pushing GATO to 311 feet, shaking boat terribly, causing minor damage. Ordered GATO to 350 feet as escort closed in for next run. A well delivered pattern of charges shook the boat violently. Minor flooding in forward torpedo room and conning tower quickly controlled.

GATO went to 375 feet and on next run went ahead to port on "burst" of speed (ahead flank) for one minute fifteen seconds. This seemed to throw the Chidori off initially as next pattern was not nearly as close.

However, two warship contacts soon arrived on scene , making runs, tooth shakers, but none were too close.

0144 the GENYO MARU tanker 11800 tons sunk! (love the longer sinking times I've implemented into V2.0)

Escorts soon made three depth charge runs in quick succession. GATO was forced to 390 feet. A close charge busted compressor and trim pumps, along with damage to dive planes transmission, but nothing too serious.

At 0201 NAGARAR MARU sunk.


Over next six hours GATO was depth charged numerous times by one escort, as other two departed scene and rejoined convoy. Some charges were close but GATO escaped further damage.


At 0830 after several hours of "sleeping" , escort was heard leaving area. Came to periscope depth, spotted a BETTY bearing 274 at 5000 yards, searching area. Went to 200 feet, secured GQ, reloaded tubes. At 1100 , back at periscope depth, all clear, surfaced to catch convoy, but SD contacts continued to force dives , preventing end around.

At 1400 on surface at flank speed to catch up with convoy, lookouts spotted aircraft astern, a BETTY was visible, flying low at high speed heading our way!. CRASH DIVE! (SD has been modified for realistic performance, contacts flying below 1000 feet at unlikely to be detected. Most planes in game fly above 1000 though).

As GATO passed 150 feet, boom! Boat was shaken, close bombs/depth charges from plane. Minor air and piping leaks in conning tower, lights went out for a few seconds, boat shaken but overall no further damage.

Went to 300 feet and remained so until dark, as each time went up, detected aircraft. At 1900, two DD arrived in area about 9000 yards away, hunting, likely based on earlier plane contact.

Surfaced at 2300, recharged batteries and back on patrol, awaiting lifeguard orders.