True Story: From one US Sub to another; HELP!

[JoeCorrado]

At 0401 on 30 October 1944, Salmon established radar contact with a large Japanese tanker (Takane Maru, 10,021 tons) escorted by four frigate class vessels, radioed a contact report giving the position, course and speed of the target, and then commenced surface chase

It is always easier to get into trouble than it is to get out of it.

So, what happens when you are a lone submarine, far from home and you desperately need a helping hand?

Apparently you call your buddies.

7-37. Salmon proceeded toward Saipan on three engines, making a speed of about sixteen knots. Her condition at this time was still very dangerous for she was limited to surface operations only, her best speed was less than that of most Japanese anti-submarine escorts, and she was still within easy aircraft bombing distance from the Japanese home islands. At 0532, Salmon radioed for assistance from U.S. submarines in the near vicinity and at about midnight on 31 October was joined by Trigger, Silversides and Sterlet, about 450 miles southeast of Kyushu. Salmon had been forced to stop in this position in order to repair a serious main engine lube oil leak which developed on a line located in a difficult position to reach. While awaiting rendezvous, several torpedoes were fired at her by a Japanese submarine but all missed and SalmonSalmon moored alongside Fulton (AS11) in Tanapag Harbor, Saipan. immediately got underway again. The friendly submarine screen was maintained all the way to Saipan and in addition, starting at dawn on 2 November, continuous daylight air coverage was provided. At 1950 on 3 November

Read the complete account of the USS Salmon's action which culminated in her desperate emergency battle surface to take on not one, not two, but FOUR Japanese escorts... and how she fought them all off, ravaged one in particular and still lived to tell the intense and totally heroic tale.

The official report (complete with photos) is enough to make for a nail biting story in it's own right can be found here. It is absolutely well worth the read.

Don't ever give up!