TMO Update BH V2.0
27 January 1944
USS GATO SS-212
100 difficulty, cams and contacts on for testing purposes
Testing out series of new lifeguard missions added to campaign.
After running into a convoy while in area DUNKERS DERP on 22/23 January, sinking a large tanker, large merchant, and a mid sized merchant in night surface attack, received orders on 24 January to assume Lifeguard station off Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands . These carrier air strikes are in advanced of invasion of Kwajalein on 31 January.
Dodged a few patrol planes en route as hornets nest stirred in general area after GATO's attack on convoy, but arrived on station 6 miles off Eniwetok Atoll before midnight 27 January per orders.
At 0901 SD radar made contact with group of aircraft at 10 miles, submerged just in case were enemy but soon spotted TBF, F6F, SB2C and SBD aircraft bearing 190. Sounds of AA fire were heard and a few "puffs" observed near planes.
Watched as planes attacked ships in lagoon and land installations (have added land installations planes and ships will attack, namely fuel tanks, looking for others). GATO closed in submerged to get a closer look at action.
Watched a SB2C Helldiver on fire crash in the lagoon, no chute or smoke marker visible. At 0913 , bsberved a F6F explode and a parachute open. Avaitor splashes down about 5000-6000 yards SSE of Eniwetok. Gato went to 80 feet and ahead full to close the distance.
After a brief run, came to periscope depth and slowed for observation. A smoke marker was visible at bearing 343 about 8000 yards. This rescue would be a risk due to suspected shore batteries nearby, but GATO would pick the flyboy up regardless.
GATO closed to the location of the smoke marker and man in the water was spotted bearing 343. GATO came to 25 feet, decks slightly awash. LT jg H.C. Clifton, USNR, was rescued from the water. Just after pulling the aviator aboard, a large shell splash was observed about 1000 yards off starboard bow. Seems the shore batteries spotted us. GATO quickly went to 100 feet before coming back to periscope depth. By 1000 the first wave had cleared the area.
At 1015 sound made contact with what was revealed to be a small PC type vessel exiting southern entrance of the atoll, sweeping area of GATO's rescue, no doubt called in to hunt us after being spotted. GATO cleared area en route to lifeguard station North of Eniwetok for the second wave, due around 1230.
At 1145 GATO surfaced 10 miles North of Eniwetok on lifeguard station. At 1233 SD contacted large number of planes. Soon spotted TBF, F6F, and SB2C aircraft. These bombers went to work on islands in north end of lagoon as well as sinking a AK damaged in previous attack and cleared area by 1310.
At 1331 received report of downed aircrew in raft 5 miles NNE of the atoll. GATO went to four engine speed , making 21 knots in the calm seas.
Soon spotted two F6F's circling a raft (added this into the campaign) and a smoke marker on the horizon. Continued closing at high speed. Soon, GATO arrived and pulled the downed crew in the raft aboard.
Rescued were:
LT A.D. Sanford, USN.
ENS F.F. Walker, USN.
ARM2c S.E. Hartford, USN.
GATO returned to lifeguard station after completing this rescue.
At 1545 the third wave of aircraft, consisting of F6F and TBF arrived over the lagoon and struck facilities without incident. With this, the final wave scheduled for the day departing area at 1615, GATO stood easy by per orders remained in area.
At 1801, as dusk settled lookouts spotted a RUFE floatplane bearing 124 closing. SD failed to detected plane as was flying low (new SD settings!) ordered a crash dive. RUFE made a strafing run as GATO submerged in 41 seconds. As GATO passed 120 feet, two explosions, not close. Remained submerged until after dark, surfacing at 2100 to cruise area. A single strike is scheduled for the following day, with GATO due to be on lifeguard station by 0600.
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