Tell us what you're up to in current campaign (lets get this one going lol)

[Sammy-rai]

1943 January 18, just off the SE coast of New Ireland, 0200 hours -

Weather: moderate rain, moderate waves, limited visibility.

At 0200 hours a contact was obtained by surface radar, closing, from the north, along the SE coast of New Ireland. Turned out to be 3 ships, with one vessel off to the side ahead of the other two ships, which were in a line.

The skipper conned the SnapperII to a firing position about 800 meters from the formation's probable path.and waited, submerged. Plan was to attack the first of the ships in the line and then circumstances permitting, follow up against the trailing ship. The lead vessel was presumed to be an escort of some sort and so ignored for the time being. The two ships traveling in a line were presumed to be merchants.

As the formation came within 1200 meters distance, the target vessel was identified as the 3200 GT Aden Maru. The other two contacts could still not be sighted due to weather conditions. The initial torpedo attack went off without difficulties. The result was a hit amidships to the Aden Maru. Captain Skeezix observed, and then ordered a second torpedo fired against her. This was followed by a crash drive in order avoid the anticipated response of the escort. As the sub prepared to dive, the exec noted that the freighter was slowing down while listing slightly to port.

Unseen, the second torpedo exploded on time and so was deemed a hit as well. But there was no protective response from either of the other contacts. Instead, tracked by sonar, they were heading straight for the safety of the broad but shallow waters of a nearby cove.

The captain cancelled the crash dive and ordered the Snapper surfaced. The torpedoed merchant was dead in the water and listing badly. The sub left it for the time being and pursued the fleeing Japanese vessels at flank speed, but these reached the cove easily. Here they began to twist and turn, making them difficult targets for a torpedo attack. The Snapper was eventually positioned outside the cove, ready to intercept any attempt to sneak out. Still dark and raining, the sub continued to track the two contacts 3000 meters away via radar and sonar.

An hour went by without either contact attempting a breakout. The skipper then ordered the Snapper forward at pericsope depth towards the contact which had been following behind the Aden Maru. After about 5 minutes, the engineer warned that depth under keel was now down to 5 meters and that continuing submerged would be hazardous.

By now the Snapper was still about 1700 meters from its target and just nosing over into 'shallow waters'. Captain Skeezix mulled over the situation and then said, "That's it, then. It's getting light and they're most likely waiting for help to arrive. Let's go back and finish off that cripple. Reverse standard". But before the helmsman could respond the sonar operator reported that the Snapper was being pinged and that the contact in front of them had swung about and was closing fast.

The captain was speechless for a moment and then ordered a dive to 30 meters.Thirty meters was the lowest the Snapper could get in these waters before the other vessel arrived. The exec, who had swung the periscope around to appraise the approaching enemy, began shouting "Dammit she's got a bone in her teeth - she's got a bone in her teeth ! Full emergency reverse! Full right rudder!". (When later asked what type of ship it was, he replied that "It looked to be some sort of a budget-version of a destroyer.")

The pinging grew in volume. Skeezix realized that he had unwittingly conned the Snapper into an exposed position. From experience he knew that their attacker's next action would be either to ram or make a depth charge run as the ship passed over the sub.

While the Snapper continued its slow backward descent, the pinging suddenly stopped while the whoosh-whoosh sound of the attacker's screws grew louder over them. The captain and crew knew what was in store and waited for a depth charge barrage to begin. At only 30 meters under, the Snapper was a sitting duck and would be torn apart by the explosions.

But no depth charges were dropped. Instead, the sonar operator reported that the Kaya DE veered off to the side, slowed to a crawl, and began circling around. Meanwhile, the Snapper continued retreating backwards slowly but surely towards deeper waters. No one had an explanation for why the enemy had broken off its attack.

At a distance of 3000 meters from the Kaya DE the captain ordered that the SnapperII be surfaced and set course for the crippled Aden Maru. Upon arrival, the sub's deck gun finished off the freighter with four explosive rounds. The skipper then conferred with his officers and decided that the Snapper's next move would be to once again run down those two vessels they had left in the cove.


But by now the two Japanese ships had departed the cove and were once again heading SE along the coast towards 'The Slot' and Guadalcanal. The Snapper plotted a course to make an end run around these two and cut them off.

The Snapper sped along at flank speed and in under an hour began to come up along side the Japanese ships at a distance of 3000 meters. The sub easily tracked them with its sonar and radar while the enemy seemed oblivious of their presence, due to the heavy rains. However, it was starting to get light.

In another half hour the Snapper had swung in to the right and once again settled into a submerged attack position (just as a snapping turtle should). By now it was daylight. At the right moment it sent a torpedo towards the lead ship, a Kaya DE. This torpedo was erratic. Luckily, the Snapper followed with another torpedo despite being discovered and shelled by the DE's sister ship all the while conducting its attack. The second fish passed the first and detonated in the bow of the Kaya. Then the first torpedo arrived, curving towards the bow area as well and detonating. The Kaya sank in less than five minutes.






The skipper was fuming at the remaining Kaya. Earlier it had fooled him badly and by all rights should have sunk the Snapper in shallow waters. And now she had interfered in their bid to sink the other DE. In any event, its attack had again chewed up the conning tower and the equipment there. Captain Skeezix was out after blood!

Thus, though the remaining Kaya fled promptly, the SnapperII relentlessly hunted it down and dispatched it with the last torpedo from its bow tubes.

The sub spent the rest of the day submerged, then surfaced after sunrise and radioed to ComSubPac:

FIVE HOUR RUNNING BATTLE DURING NIGHT CONVOY THREE ALL SUNK

"Let's see what they have to say now, sir! ", declared the radio operator. Captain Skeezix smiled back but said nothing.

Results: 5 torpedoes fired, 3 ships sunk, of which 1 sinking was deck-gun assisted.

Comments: Why did the Kaya veer off from the ram/depth charge attack ? Did it lack depth charges ? Did it have a novice crew ? Why did the Kaya switch from timid to aggressive tactics ?

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by Sammy-rai

Comments: Why did the Kaya veer off from the ram/depth charge attack ? Did it lack depth charges ? Did it have a novice crew ? Why did the Kaya switch from timid to aggressive tactics ?

they knew whom they were up against....and left the building in a hurry.

[Rhodes]

August 1943.

The USS Paddle (Gato class) just left a buddy (commando) in Okinawa in the early morning hours.

And then SUBPAC decided to send me to check a harbour and take picturesque photos of it, north of Bungo Strait...

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Rhodes

August 1943.

The USS Paddle (Gato class) just left a buddy (commando) in Okinawa in the early morning hours.

And then SUBPAC decided to send me to check a harbour and take picturesque photos of it, north of Bungo Strait...

lol I would have a err "radio failure" , noted in ships log to show we never received such (moronic, unrealistic) orders. I really would just go hunt ships in Area 7instead, stay out of the straits, possible mines and all. You'll get way more renown for sinking ships. Fortunately, in soon to be released V2.0, such silly photo orders will be gone.


Funny you post about this, I am in final stages of work for next mod release, mostly tested. I've eliminated those ridiculous photo missions as well as the special missions as mentioned. Now, photo missions now are to photograph invasion beaches before hand or to photograph during/after bombardments by friendly warships for damage assessments. A few coastal ports can be photographed if possible. Many are based on real photo missions US subs conducted during the war.

Currently I am adding the new patrol objectives into campaign...namely lifeguard assignments for late war(complete overhauled, not boring/ unrealistic as in stock , TMO eliminated them all together previously, but were such a big part of sub operations in 1944/1945, had to add them. In testing they have been fun/exciting.

[Rhodes]

I don't mind this kind of missions, but from time to time. And I do prefer the insertions ones. But not one after the other,like there is nothing else to do.
The insertion went well, I spot shore batteries and went underwater, 50ft always until the spot. Pop up and kick the command out,go to work! And went under again and got away.
The harbour was a little more idiotic, crossed the strait at night, surface and noticed that was a storm raging.
Had to wait near the target until it cleared, going back and forth waiting at night on the surface and bellow during the day. No warships,just a few merchants. It made me remember "Destination: Tokyo".
When the weather cleared,took the pick and sunk 2 ships.
Now subpac send me to patrol corridor II... and after this:



What the hell do they think we are? The bus?

Never saw this order, never received this order and who says I did, lies!

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Rhodes

I don't mind this kind of missions, but from time to time. And I do prefer the insertions ones. But not one after the other,like there is nothing else to do.
The insertion went well, I spot shore batteries and went underwater, 50ft always until the spot. Pop up and kick the command out,go to work! And went under again and got away.
The harbour was a little more idiotic, crossed the strait at night, surface and noticed that was a storm raging.
Had to wait near the target until it cleared, going back and forth waiting at night on the surface and bellow during the day. No warships,just a few merchants. It made me remember "Destination: Tokyo".
When the weather cleared,took the pick and sunk 2 ships.
Now subpac send me to patrol corridor II... and after this:



What the hell do they think we are? The bus?

Never saw this order, never received this order and who says I did, lies!

I would not mind occasional photo mission etc if they made sense, had some sense of historical accuracy, were not repetitive, boring etc. Thus, why I changed them in upcoming version to be more immersive, to make sense.


What message? Your radio is broken lol

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO V2.0
100 difficulty, cams and contacts on for testing purposes.


Testing out patrol objectives added to new campaign, among them lifeguard missions for 1945.


Ordered to lifeguard station in Tokyo area(Sagami Wan). Lifeguard station is along the departure route of the bombers. Near daily B-29 raids (B-24 substituting, as we do not have a B-29 for SH 4, yet) on Tokyo area will make for a busy assignment as I have added AA guns to target areas, as well as "targets" for bombers actually attack/engage. Per history, B-29's switching to night time missions in March 1945.


January 24 1945


About 1300 SD radar picked up large waves of bombers heading South away from Tokyo. Via periscope, observed a few of the high flying bombers, but noticed at bearing 030 a smoke trail, appeared one was hit.

At 1312 observed bomber exploded and several chutes visible. Wreckage followed by downed aircrew splashed into the waters 11 miles SSE of Yokosuka. Risky area for rescue, heavily patrol typically, close to air bases, shore batteries on each side of bay and possible mines. Ordered GQ, surfaced with AA guns manned and deck gun crew on stand by. Upon surfacing, went to four engine speed, closed aircrew splash down position at flank speed.


1338 spotted smoke marker in distance bearing 010.


1341 APR-1 detected radar emissions, possibly land based radar.

1344 APR-1 detected radar emissions and made simultaneous SJ contact bearing 300 11 miles.


1351 spotted raft with several aircrew (loved the rescue raft mod) , pulled along side, conducted rescue of five aircrew in raft.. Another smoke marker was spotted bearing 091, this would take BALAO closer to shore and possible shore batteries, but ordered flank speed to close the marker.


1402 spotted airman bobbing in the water bearing 351.


1403 SD contact 11000 yards closing.


1405 "PETE" spotted bearing 174. AA gunners ordered to open fire when aircraft closed.


1407 After a couple minutes meandering around, PETE made a attack run. 40 and 20 MM AA guns opened fired. PETE dropped two bombs, not close. While pulling out of dive, 40 MM forward got a solid hit on the PETE, which caught fired made a wild turn, and then splashed into the bay.


Approached the downed airman's position less than 10000 yards off the eastern shore of the bay, where shore batteries were known to be located with caution.


Our SJ contact from earlier was now closing, with APR-1 detecting his radar signals, we rushed in a flank speed to snatch up the airman. Pulled along side and rescue him, as we were turning away at high speed, spotted shell splashes and observed the flashes from shore batteries. Continued opening range at high speed with slight constant zig along base course, "chasing" the splashes.


Lookouts spotted aircraft bearing 040 (flying low, SD did not detect it). Spotted aircraft as two "KATE" type torpedo bombers closing in fast.


As closed, observed the bombers had depth charge/bombs aboard, not torpedoes. Swung into the KATES to bring broadside firing of AA guns at the KATES. Also loaded up 5 inch AA ammunition and fired(only can do this manually) as well. One KATE caught fire and splashed into the water, other braved through and dropped a "stick" which missed as KATE circled back made a "dry" run, then flew on.


Lookouts spotted our SJ contact astern, it was DE type vessel closing at high speed but still at 9000 yards. BALAO continued high speed jaunt into open waters, dodging occasional shell splash from shore batteries.

In open waters with the DE, not identified as a Matsu Class , overtaking BALAO quickly, submerged, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

BALAO first went to 450 feet, as the DE closed in pinging, dropped a couple patterns, which were way off. Then after about ten minutes of pinging, DE made a run and laid a nice, close pattern, causing minor damage. Balao wen to 500 ft, more close depth charges, finally at 600 feet, escort seemed to have trouble tracking BALAO, but kept hunting.

After three hours, lost contact, but aware he may have been "sleeping", maintained 600 feet and silent running. Secured from GQ.


Upon returning to periscope depth and then radar depth for sweep, closest contact was 18000 yards astern. Secured silent running and surfaced to search general area for other aircrew along the formations retirement path to towards the Mariana Islands.

One hour after surfacing, received report of downed aircrew near Hachijo- Jima about 95 miles away. (report was likely hours old due to time submerged but broadcasted until received as marked in the mission file). Set course for Hachijo Jima at flank speed.

Spotted aviator in water five miles West of Hachijo Jima, as slowed to come along side to recover him, APR-1 and SD radar had simultaneous contact at 7 miles. Submerged to avoid, raised SD antenna. SD contact was lost 5 minutes later. Surfaced and closed downed airman, rescuing him from the water. Without no strike scheduled for next day, decided to proceed to Cape Inubosaki Area and patrol for coastal shipping.