The First ( RL ) patrols to Empire waters

Crosseye76 · 03-15-07, 03:07 AM

I've seen a few comments and thoughts about patrol areas for SH4. Some mention that Empire waters might be dangerous to patrol in until later in the war.

On December 11th, only four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Gudgeon eased by the still smoking hulks of the Battlewagons and left on a war patrol. Her destination ? Bungo Suido, the southern entrance to the Inland Sea. The USS Pollack left on the 13th for the waters off Tokyo Bay, and the USS Plunger departed on the 14th for the north entrance to the Inland Sea.

The results were ( no surprise) meager, Plunger sank one ship, Pollack got two. On the way home, Gudgeon was ordered to intercept I-73, heading back to Japan after her patrol in Hawaiian waters. Gudgeon sank her on Jan. 27th.

There was still a very, very long way to go, with bitter failure and tragic losses to weather, but they were there, on the first days of a new war. And the Japanese began to get a glimmer of things to come: From Borneo to Empire waters, Japanese cargo ships knew they could feel the shattering impact of a torpedo at any time, any place, even when they were in sight of Home.

It does not seem that Submariners considered Empire waters to be more or less dangerous than other locations. They, like most Submariners, wanted to go where the tonnage was to be found. I find myself looking forward to both early war and late war patrols in Empire waters...... Sink 'em all !

nattydread · 03-15-07, 04:22 AM

Yeah they want to be in the Inland Sea, but it wasnt exactly easy from what I've read. Do-able..yes, but never so easy you could let your guard down and get too cocky.

AirborneTD · 03-15-07, 06:09 AM

The Inland Sea and Empire Waters were 2 very different places. The Empire waters (basically) east of and including the mainlands was patrolled as stated above the entire war.

The Inland Sea was difficult to get to and was only penetrated by a handful of boats.

Crosseye76 · 03-15-07, 11:15 AM

I don't think U.S. boats actually entered the Inland Sea. That's the body of water in between the Islands of Honshu and Shikoku.

I think your thinking of the Sea of Japan, the body of water between Japan and Korea / Manchuria.

U.S. boats were very wary of there, especially after the Wahoo was lost exiting the La Perouse Strait in Oct. 1943.

03-15-07, 03:07 AM	#1
Crosseye76 Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 258 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The First ( RL ) patrols to Empire waters I've seen a few comments and thoughts about patrol areas for SH4. Some mention that Empire waters might be dangerous to patrol in until later in the war. On December 11th, only four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the USS Gudgeon eased by the still smoking hulks of the Battlewagons and left on a war patrol. Her destination ? Bungo Suido, the southern entrance to the Inland Sea. The USS Pollack left on the 13th for the waters off Tokyo Bay, and the USS Plunger departed on the 14th for the north entrance to the Inland Sea. The results were ( no surprise) meager, Plunger sank one ship, Pollack got two. On the way home, Gudgeon was ordered to intercept I-73, heading back to Japan after her patrol in Hawaiian waters. Gudgeon sank her on Jan. 27th. There was still a very, very long way to go, with bitter failure and tragic losses to weather, but they were there, on the first days of a new war. And the Japanese began to get a glimmer of things to come: From Borneo to Empire waters, Japanese cargo ships knew they could feel the shattering impact of a torpedo at any time, any place, even when they were in sight of Home. It does not seem that Submariners considered Empire waters to be more or less dangerous than other locations. They, like most Submariners, wanted to go where the tonnage was to be found. I find myself looking forward to both early war and late war patrols in Empire waters...... Sink 'em all ! __________________ There are only two kinds of ships. Submarines and Targets.

03-15-07, 06:09 AM	#3
AirborneTD Engineer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 204 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	The Inland Sea and Empire Waters were 2 very different places. The Empire waters (basically) east of and including the mainlands was patrolled as stated above the entire war. The Inland Sea was difficult to get to and was only penetrated by a handful of boats. __________________ "You know, you might get surrounded." "We're paratroopers, Lieutenant. We're supposed to be surrounded." --Band of Brothers

03-15-07, 11:15 AM	#4
Crosseye76 Lieutenant Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 258 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't think U.S. boats actually entered the Inland Sea. That's the body of water in between the Islands of Honshu and Shikoku. I think your thinking of the Sea of Japan, the body of water between Japan and Korea / Manchuria. U.S. boats were very wary of there, especially after the Wahoo was lost exiting the La Perouse Strait in Oct. 1943. __________________ There are only two kinds of ships. Submarines and Targets.

03-15-07, 04:22 AM	#2
nattydread Captain Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 498 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Yeah they want to be in the Inland Sea, but it wasnt exactly easy from what I've read. Do-able..yes, but never so easy you could let your guard down and get too cocky.