[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update BH V2.0 (Testing)
100 difficulty, cams contacts on for testing.

Testing Life Guard objectives added to campaign for 1945.

USS Sea Dog SS-401
July 1945


Departed Pearl Harbor June 21 1945 with orders to to Lifeguard Duty in Area 4 in support of Task Force 38 (Halsey) air strikes on Japan scheduled to begin 10 July 1945 in addition to regular B-28 strikes from the Mariana Islands against Japan. (no B-29 for SH 4 yet somehow, B-24 filling in). with air strikes on Tokyo area . Real operation in July-August 1945 by TF 38 (which included TF 37 aka British Pacific Fleet..These forces are now present in the campaign at historical times and places with air strikes)


After departing a stop at Saipan to top off fuel, proceeded to assigned station 10 NM off Cape Nojima Saki in Tokyo area. Arrived on station at 1900 9 July, meeting the 0000 10 July deadline in operation order.


Searched area for shipping through the night. At 0430 spotted a large fishing boat. A quick gun action with 40 and 20 MM sunk the 200 ton fishing vessel.


At 1000 (base time, which sub clock is on) as dawn began to break, with SEA DOG within 10 miles of shore, submerged and began observation of area. Raised SD mast just before noon and at 1234 SD contacted multiple aircraft at 24000 yards. Periscope observation soon revealed 30+ aircraft...F6F, F4U, TBF, SB2C heading for Tokyo area.


Per procedure, SEA DOG's lifeguard station is situated along the planned egress route of the strikes. Multiple planes, some flying high, some low flew over SEA DOG's position.


At 1351 received radio report of downed pilot in raft in Sagami Wan, F6F circling his wingman. SEA DOG went to GQ, Surfaced and heading for report at flank speed.


Spotted a smoke marker bearing 021 estimated range about five miles. Closed marker to find a downed pilot in water (not the contact reported). Quickly retrieved the downed aviator and proceeded to original contact.


Soon had a lone SD contact and a few minutes later spotted a smoke marker. Observed F6F at low altitude circling area. Closed contact to find downed aviator in water, who was quickly recovered. Departed area to return to designated lifeguard station for expected second wave from TF 38.


About 6 miles from designated station, a low flying aircraft which SD failed to detect was spotted. Crash dive was ordered and as SEA DOG leveled off at 150 feet, large explosions were heard above.


About 30 minutes later came to periscope depth and spotted aircraft of second wave inbound Tokyo area, taking heavy AA fire from Cape Nojima (AA guns added to strategic locations). One TBF was observed to exploded, no survivors observed.


At 1642 received report of downed aircrew in raft near Cape Inubosaki, surfaced and proceeded area at flank speed. Crew called back to GQ, 40 and 20 mm guns ordered manned to defend against aircraft and for quick response to mine sighting as contact location was just inside area of known minefield.


After a 46 minute run was nearing Cape Inubosaki when SJ made a contact bearing 344 28100 yards. Soon outline and smoke plume of a trawler PC type vessel was spotted rounding Inubosaki, possibly heading towards downed pilot (smoke marker now visible). 5 inch gun ordered manned in case needed to fire on this PC. Suddenly SD made contacts and soon two F4U's were observed bearing 200. Appears F4U's spotted the trawler and closed in. Rocket (and gun?) attacks left the trawler on fire, which soon sunk two miles E of Cape Inubosaki.


SEA DOG continued to near what was revealed to be a occupied raft. Sharp lookout was kept for shore batteries and mines. Soon several mines were spotted off port a nf starboard bow, mines detonated by 40 and 20 mm gunfire. F4U's were not making runs at enemy positions on Cape Inubosaki in the distance.


SEA DOG soon came along side the raft and recovered the crew, then reversed course to travel back the "clear" track through the minefield and return to the lifeguard station off Cape Nojima.



A fast closing SD contact forced SEA DOG to submerge as approached lifeguard station. While back on station, raised SD mast soon detected another inbound wave from TF 38. Observed mid air collision between two F6F's over Cape Nojima with two parachutes and soon two smoke markers. One aviator was down over land, other roughly 6000 yards off shore in clear view of shore batteries. SEA DOG closed downed aviator submerged and entering shallow waters.


After some time, aviator had drifted towards SEA DOG, which came to decks awash for a quick rescue. Shore batteries spotted SEA DOG and opened fire, with shell splashes visible as submerged just after rescue



Returned to station and observed final wave of the day outbound without further reports of downed plans. Maintained station until dark, then surfaced and searched area for unreported downed aircrew.


At midnight , SEA DOG was released from station as TF 38 would be moving on (to refuel on 11-12 July, then strike Northern Japan on 14 July) and began patrol of Area 4, primarily coastal waters used by enemy shipping.

At 0300 received orders to proceed to the Kamaishi area by midnight 13 July. Task Unit 34.8.1 (TU 34.8.1) ...battleships USS South Dakota, Indiana and Massachusetts as well as heavy cruisers USS Quincy and Chicago and nine destroyers, under Rear Admiral John F. Shafroth Jr. was scheduled to bombard Kamaishi on 14 July. SEA DOG was assigned to reconnoiter the area ahead of time, conduct observation of the bombardment, in addition to conducting pre and post bombardment photography of Kamaishi for damage assessment purposes.

Arrived off Kamaishi just after midnight 13 July and reconnoitered the area through the day, taking photography of small vessels anchored in port and the steelworks industry (industry added to the campaign.loc file in some coastal cities where appropriate) Avoiding a PC and aircraft through the day.


At 1100 on 14 July SEA DOG was submerged just 6 miles off Kamaishi as bombardment was scheduled to begin at noon.A quick trip to radar depth, SJ detected the approaching Task Unit, PPI showing them in a impressive single file battle line.


At 1221 bombardment by battleships began with few shore batteries returning fire. Fires (fuel tanks) and explosions observed a shore. One DD and one CA took hits from shore batteries with a fire observed on the DD . After roughly 35 minutes the bombardment ended, apparently causing heavy damage.


SEA DOG headed for open ocean, returning after dawn on 15 July to take post bombardment photos. Masts of sunken vessels in harbors were observed, as was damage ashore.


Returned to lifeguard station as TF 38 was to strike Tokyo again on 17 and 18 July.


On 18 July, received reports of raft in Sagami Wan but no raft was located.


Released from lifeguard on 19th, continued patrol of area 4.



Received message that Destroyer Squadron (DESRON 61) would make a anti shipping sweep in Sagami Wan night of 22-23 July. (Battle of Sagami Bay, last surface action of the war)



At 2150 on 22 July, SEA DOG made SJ contact on a small convoy of two AK and two SC in Sagami Wan. Went to GQ and began to close for night surface attack. A contact report was sent and soon SJ had contact with approaching DESRON 61. Closed on 3000 ton freighter and fired three MK 18 torpedoes from 1,2,3 from a range of 2500 yards. All three torpedoes hit. The ship, apparently loaded with ammo, explode in a particularly amazing fashion. Fires served to help illuminate SEA DOG as she turned away at high speed under heavy fire. Severe machine gun rounds impacting, with one lookout wounded by gunfire. Both SC's now in pursuit of SEA DOG.

APR-1 was not detecting DESRON's radar signals as they closed at high speed and engaged the subchasers in a violent, close range gun battle, sinking both subchasers. Another DD engaged and sunk the other AK by gunfire.


SEA DOG secured from GQ, with one 4200 HOTO MARU freighter sunk.



SEA DOG received orders to Area 6 to cover TF 38's (and TF 37 British carriers) strikes on Osaka-Kobe area on 24 July, while others were Kure Naval Base and Inland Sea.


Multiple planes observed through day returning from strike smoking and one on fire crashed, with no survivors. At 1701, received reports of British Avanger torpedo bomber downed in Kii Suido, crew in raft with Hellcats circling.


SEA DOG went to GQ and rushed in at flank speed, AA guns manned.


A PC type guard boat encountered at 1741 was quickly dispatched with 5 inch gun fire from 3100 yards. Vessel sunk at 1746. SD soon detected two contacts, in time observed to be Hellcats circling a raft in middle of the Kii Suido.


Just after picking up the crew, a low flying PETE single engine floatplane(did not show up on SD radar) was spotted closing. 40 mm and 20 MM guns opened fire as SEA DOG conducted evasive maneuvers, PETE's bombs missing astern to starboard. 40 mm hits were observed and plane left area.

At 1803 APR-1 detected radar signals and then SJ made contact. Range of contact was rapidly decreasing. Soon a PT type boat was spotted bearing 188 closing high speed. SEA DOG remained on the surface to avoid submerging in shallow, possible mine infested waters.


Unable to outrun the PT, SEA DOG pulled the pluge, submerging in about 450 feet of water. PT closed in, pinging, dropping several depth charges, but none were close. On its fourth run, one charge, believed right above to port, caused heavy damage to the conning tower. Flooding reported with equipment smashed and injuries. Compartment was abandoned as completely flooded (moved crew out as bulkhead damage was 90 percent and quickly flooded. Hull damage went to 10 percent).


After several more close runs, increased depth and multiple SBT-1 decoy launches, was able to shake the nasty little bugger (as the downed Brit aircrew would likely have called him). Over time conning tower was pumped and surfaced. Both periscope heads were destroyed, rendering scopes non operational. This along with other damage and questionable integrity of conning tower, prompted decision to request permission to return home. Reply to status report granted discretion to RTB. SEA DOG set course for Guam.



At 0814 following morning, made SJ contact, then visual contact with Task Force 38. Quite the impressive sight. (not realistic but fun to get inside and move about looking the fleet over, if they are moving at a speed catch match, which is rare)


While en route to Guam on 27 July, received reports of PBY missing in area. Proceeded to conduct search and at 1804 on 28 July, spotted a smoke marker and soon observed a PBY down in water (added V2.0) Rescued crew via raft. Used 40 and 20 MM to scuttle the PBY, which was not capable of taking off again.


Arrived Guam 1 August at 1130 hours. Terminated patrol.