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Bubblehead1980 · 10-14-20, 03:13 PM

TMO w custom mods.

USS Drum SS-228

12th War Patrol

Area 6.

Frustrating patrol concludes.

After frustrating attempts to attack convoy hugging cost due to radar equipped escorts and being detected by aircraft while patrolling in shore, moved out to sea to reload and rest. Six Mark 18s left in forward tubes with four Mark 14 reloads. All stern torpedoes expended.

February 22 moved back inshore to patrol for traffic. Detected a convoy of three ships with 6 escorts near dusk Close enough could pull off a dusk torpedo attack, then follow up with last four in a night surface attack.

Maneuvered into perfect firing position 1800 yards off track inside the screen while starboard flank escort was away on a sweep. Fired three Mark 18's each at a SEIA MARU and AKITA MARU. During torpedo run, heard gunfire and soon pinging. Raised scope to see freighters had slowed and were maneuvering. Only one torpedo found its mark damaging AKITA MARU. Not sure how was detected(possible merchants have hydrophones) escorts were closing.

Dropped decoys went deep as possible in relatively shallow water and made high speed run to deeper water. Few close depth charges but after sometime lost the escorts. Decoys are a blessing.

Surfaced, made end around. Fired four Mark 14's from 5600 yards. Two hit SEIA MARU which was obviously loaded with volatile materials such as am on as it exploded in a massive fireball after just one hit. Turned away with radar equipped escorts pursuing me but could not close the range.Plenty of fuel aboard, set course for Pearl Harbor at Standard speed (15.5 knots). Arrived March 3.

Ended patrol with two Matsu class DE sunk, three fishing boats sunk, one SEIA MARU 7250 tons sunk. One AKITA MARU damaged.

Most frustrating patrol have had in long time. 1945 gets challenging.

10-14-20, 03:13 PM	#74
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	TMO w custom mods. USS Drum SS-228 12th War Patrol Area 6. Frustrating patrol concludes. After frustrating attempts to attack convoy hugging cost due to radar equipped escorts and being detected by aircraft while patrolling in shore, moved out to sea to reload and rest. Six Mark 18s left in forward tubes with four Mark 14 reloads. All stern torpedoes expended. February 22 moved back inshore to patrol for traffic. Detected a convoy of three ships with 6 escorts near dusk Close enough could pull off a dusk torpedo attack, then follow up with last four in a night surface attack. Maneuvered into perfect firing position 1800 yards off track inside the screen while starboard flank escort was away on a sweep. Fired three Mark 18's each at a SEIA MARU and AKITA MARU. During torpedo run, heard gunfire and soon pinging. Raised scope to see freighters had slowed and were maneuvering. Only one torpedo found its mark damaging AKITA MARU. Not sure how was detected(possible merchants have hydrophones) escorts were closing. Dropped decoys went deep as possible in relatively shallow water and made high speed run to deeper water. Few close depth charges but after sometime lost the escorts. Decoys are a blessing. Surfaced, made end around. Fired four Mark 14's from 5600 yards. Two hit SEIA MARU which was obviously loaded with volatile materials such as am on as it exploded in a massive fireball after just one hit. Turned away with radar equipped escorts pursuing me but could not close the range.Plenty of fuel aboard, set course for Pearl Harbor at Standard speed (15.5 knots). Arrived March 3. Ended patrol with two Matsu class DE sunk, three fishing boats sunk, one SEIA MARU 7250 tons sunk. One AKITA MARU damaged. Most frustrating patrol have had in long time. 1945 gets challenging.