Deck guns and Molotov Cocktails

Von Tonner · 06-05-07, 05:58 AM

There are some who deride the effective use of deck guns as a weapon on Subs, holding the opinion that they were only defensive in nature, reloads slow etc, etc. Obviously no one told Cdr Morton

"Wahoo left on the following morning to investigate a ship on the horizon, which proved to be a small diesel-driven freighter. The submarine commenced firing with her 20-millimeter and four-inch guns. The freighter tried to ram, but Wahoo had no trouble in keeping clear. She continued her gunfire, seting the freighter ablaze from stem to stern and leaving her dead in the water. The crew alternated looks through the periscope as the freighter sank."

"...Later that day, Wahoo sighted a 100-ton trawler and opened up with her four-inch and 20-millimeter guns. When all three 20-millimeter guns jammed, Wahoo went alongside the riddled trawler and the Wahoo men hurled on board some homemade Molotov cocktails, gifts from the marines at Midway Island. :rotfl:Wahoo departed, leaving the ship wrecked, spouting flame and smoke. On 28 March, while conducting a surfaced patrol on the Shimonoseki-Formosa shipping route, Wahoo opened fire on two motor sampans with two 20-millimeter guns. They did not sink but were also left wrecked."

"...The next day, Wahoo sighted freighter Satsuki Wahoo Maru. She fired two torpedoes; when both exploded prematurely, so Wahoo battle surfaced to use her guns. She closed the target, raked her with 20-millimeter shells and holed her with almost 90 rounds of four-inch. The target caught fire in several places and sank in about one hour."

"...The next day, she sighted a sampan and fired warning shots across the bow. When the sampan failed to stop, the submarine opened up on it with her 20-millimeter and four-inch guns. The sampan was soon a wreck with no signs of life. However, six Japanese fishermen surrendered and were taken on board as prisoners of war. Eight hours later, Wahoo opened fire on two more sampans, enveloping them in flames."

And there is another instance (I think it was her) where she took on a oil refinery or depot on shore with her deck gun.

06-05-07, 05:58 AM	#1
Von Tonner Seasoned Skipper Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 711 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Deck guns and Molotov Cocktails There are some who deride the effective use of deck guns as a weapon on Subs, holding the opinion that they were only defensive in nature, reloads slow etc, etc. Obviously no one told Cdr Morton "Wahoo left on the following morning to investigate a ship on the horizon, which proved to be a small diesel-driven freighter. The submarine commenced firing with her 20-millimeter and four-inch guns. The freighter tried to ram, but Wahoo had no trouble in keeping clear. She continued her gunfire, seting the freighter ablaze from stem to stern and leaving her dead in the water. The crew alternated looks through the periscope as the freighter sank." "...Later that day, Wahoo sighted a 100-ton trawler and opened up with her four-inch and 20-millimeter guns. When all three 20-millimeter guns jammed, Wahoo went alongside the riddled trawler and the Wahoo men hurled on board some homemade Molotov cocktails, gifts from the marines at Midway Island. :rotfl:Wahoo departed, leaving the ship wrecked, spouting flame and smoke. On 28 March, while conducting a surfaced patrol on the Shimonoseki-Formosa shipping route, Wahoo opened fire on two motor sampans with two 20-millimeter guns. They did not sink but were also left wrecked." "...The next day, Wahoo sighted freighter Satsuki Wahoo Maru. She fired two torpedoes; when both exploded prematurely, so Wahoo battle surfaced to use her guns. She closed the target, raked her with 20-millimeter shells and holed her with almost 90 rounds of four-inch. The target caught fire in several places and sank in about one hour." "...The next day, she sighted a sampan and fired warning shots across the bow. When the sampan failed to stop, the submarine opened up on it with her 20-millimeter and four-inch guns. The sampan was soon a wreck with no signs of life. However, six Japanese fishermen surrendered and were taken on board as prisoners of war. Eight hours later, Wahoo opened fire on two more sampans, enveloping them in flames." And there is another instance (I think it was her) where she took on a oil refinery or depot on shore with her deck gun.