Long chase, many duds.

[Armistead]

Got a flash of a convoy coming west of Truk, flank got me there the day they should arrive, but no convoy. I then picked up a sonar hit coming out of the west entrance to Truk. I figured small ships, but a TF was coming out of 1 DD, 2 Kongo's and a Chistose plane carrier. They came right at me.

First set up on first Kongo...all 6 M14s were prematures or duds. Turned to fire sterns, one hit on next Kongo with a M10, I had 5 of those. That didn't slow it down.

They were going 19 knots, heavy seas, but would do some random zigs. I did another end around, 6 more..2 misses, rest failed torps. Another end around.

I chased this group from Truk past Guam over 500 miles, 4 days. Finally loaded my M10's and for whatever reason one Kongo turned back and I got 3 into him. That slowed him down. Had two M14's left, one hit, one dud.

It sat dead in the water for hours and finally exploded and sank. I think all but 2 M14's were duds....How I wanted the other Kongo and Chistose...but back to base no torps.