Tell us what you're up to in your current campaign!

[Bubblehead1980]

Share stories of your current patrol!

Please include Date, sub class, homeport(Pearl, Fremantle) and patrol area.


12/18/1941
USS Porpoise(Porpoise Class)
Pearl Harbor, HI

100 miles South-West of Wake Island

Left Pearl Harbor on 8 December and headed for Wake Island at Full Speed(16 knots) in order to stand guard against possible IJN invasion.Arrived in Area around midnight on 17 December.Stayed on surface since in friendly area.At 1117 a large four engine aircraft was spotted by lookouts(no SD radar yet) approaching from the South, ordered a dive and submerged to 150 feet.Bombs soon fell, close but no damage.
Went on a periscope patrol until dusk, surfaced and recharged batteries.

Dove at dawn on 18 December for submerged patrol.Around 1400, sound picked up fast screws.Surfaced to try and close.Soon two destroyers were spotted racing towards us and began firing, ordered GQ and a dive to 250 feet, evading several depth charges and closed in direction of heavy screw noises.After a long run at high speed, came to scope depth to find four large heavy cruisers of the IJN in my scope, at 7,682 yards.Prepared for a long range shot, since could get no closer due to low batteries and a DD staying in area as well as high speed(17 knots of the TF) As stood by to fire, the TF made a sharp zig away, no use in firing, went deep until DD cleared area, surfaced and recharged batteries overnight.

Dawn, searching an area west of Wake Island now, lookouts reported an aircraft, a dive was ordered as a lone "Kate" torpedo plane, not armed with bomb or torpedo made a strafing run, injuring the OOD and a lookout.

submerged for an hour then back to scope depth, surfaced until 50 miles away, then dove again for scope patrol(hate this but like to follow early war tactics in early war, adds a challenge) Around 1200, sound had heavy screws, along with merchant screws and DD's.Closed in a bit but could tell would not be able to get close enough for a shot, surfaced for a n end around.During the end around we were apparently spotted, once again a Destroyer raced in, forcing us to dive and this one was part of the A team, forced us to 250 feet and to stay at 2 knots on silent running.Finally escort left after 21 depth charges, some close.

Surfaced for recharge, will try again.Good thing is got off some contact reports.

Soon

[Armistead]

This may have been my hardest patrol ever, certainly rewarding. I thought the patrol before was my hardest, but this beat it. I finally found the large carrier fleet entering the Indian Ocean in support of Java.

Course I told one of my long stories, but here is what made it so hard.

After first attack, 3 carriers down, one Kongo damaged I had to chase it on the surface or let it go. It still was making 17 kts and I was a good 10nms in the rear when I gave chase. I fought and dealt with planes non stop. Became a pain as I finally had to yo yo with each plane sighting, took 3-4 hours of game play just to get to dark.

The upsetter was the next attack. I was taking stad measures, getting ready to shot when a Kongo ran over me. I was looking in the scope, then underwater, it pushed me to 100 ft, damged my scope. Since they were going fast, I had to shoot. Got a few hits, but not the wounded Kongo I was after...That mistake meant another long end around.

Last attack, no charge, 50% damage and 3 torps left. I aimed at the Kongo and a damn carrier cuts across and ruins the setup. It was too close to shoot. Had to wait for it to pass before I could shoot, but got it.

Barely escaped with my life...
Very nice group, 5 carriers, 5 BB's..bout 20 othrs.

Battle of Savu.
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...5/m/9401009588

Patrol before, got 5 carriers..
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/t...5/m/7411023588

[Diopos]

Armistead,
it is reports like yours that fastfed reads and ends up in starting threads like this one ---> link



.

[Thrair]

Him and me both. :P

Early war, I'm usually fine once I get into a Gato. I love those boats. Got a soft spot for em.

Later war, I run into more...... difficulties.

*EDIT* As for what I'm during right now, it's fairly boring. Steaming towards a patrol. Got a pair of sampans on the way.

[Armistead]

Bubble, Did you ever try the battle of Savo. Fastfed said he couldn't find it on the right night Aug 8. Since that was close, I went ahead and waited Aug 8 myself...US invasion force never showed up, nor did the japs, so somethings wrong somewhere. I'll go look in the mission file, but only mod different I'm running now since last time is radar mod, new version scaf. TMO shouldn't be the problem since RSRD runs after. I've found it several times without problems before. All other historical traffic has been fine, so not sure whats up.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Armistead

Bubble, Did you ever try the battle of Savo. Fastfed said he couldn't find it on the right night Aug 8. Since that was close, I went ahead and waited Aug 8 myself...US invasion force never showed up, nor did the japs, so somethings wrong somewhere. I'll go look in the mission file, but only mod different I'm running now since last time is radar mod, new version scaf. TMO shouldn't be the problem since RSRD runs after. I've found it several times without problems before. All other historical traffic has been fine, so not sure whats up.

I did make it to the Battle of Savo Island about a week and a half ago in an S-Boat.The US invasion force showed up on morning of August 7 as supposed to.The night of August 8/9 the Japanese cruisers arrived, sank the picket destroyer northwest of Savo, one cruiser was left dead in water from gunfire/torpedos from the DD.The force then came right to me, I fired my four Mark 10's submerged from 800 yards and scored four hits, 20 minutes later the Furataka heavy CA exploded and sank.The escorting DD forced me deep, I came back up and gave the cruiser dead in the water four more torpedos(took four to finish her off, she was stubborn) so i missed the engagement between the Allied and IJN cruisers.I surfaced and went around the north end of the island, just before dawn saw the IJN cruisers finishing off two US cruisers in distance(via bincoulars), which were burning furiously.I dove and closed on yet another Furataka, fired two to conserve my last torpedos, both hit, thebig ship didnt slow down but within ten minutes have developed a serious port list and slowed to just 8 knots.I was working back into position to administer the coup de grace but could not , seems this one was getting way, then after another 20 minutes, in the distance, I saw the cruiser capsize, she was done! The big belly of this cruiser stayed visible for an hour before she finally slipped intot he deep.

Three heavy cruisers in one night, not bad.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Sorry, nothing glamorous to report right now.
RFB/RSRDC

February 4, 1944
Balao Class
Home Port: Guam
Last assignment: Patrol Japan-Luzon Sipping Lanes

Nothing was found in the barren section of ocean I was sent to patrol for 96 hours. Right now I'm finishing up some harbor raping at Okinawa (Naha, Itoman). Got 50k worth of tonnage so far but, I'm almost out of torps and DG ammo. Will have to refit as soon as this last Merchie sinks.

[corsair15]

March 8, 1942
Tambor Class

Position: (Not sure) about 200 Miles west of Guam.

Right now I'm trying to get in range of a HUGE Task Force. However, during my travels of course I've run into delay after delay. Airplanes forcing me under all day, Subchasers coming out of nowehere; the norm.


Today was different though. As I was trying to close the distance between me and the and task force, and allow myself some time to prepare for the attack, I ran into two airplanes, followed by two escorts. I spotted the escorts on the horizon, dove to periscope depth and waited for them to be in range since they were heading for me; but the AOB was nearly zero, so I couldn't get a great fix on what kind of ships they were. I mistook them for Akizuki's when they were actually Fubuki's. Fired a spread (4 fish).

No hits, I had the wrong range. They spotted my scope and forced me under. I dove to about 300 feet, rigged for silent running already, I increased to Flank, dropped ONE decoy, made a 45 degree turn to port, decreased speed to 2 knots, and got away unscathed. Waited an hour for them to give up sinking me, returned to surface, and here I am.

Bout to have to go back under though, more airplanes.

[clayp]

No matter what I do I cant find any of those big battels.. You have heard of the expression dumber than a rock..Well I prove it..

[Armistead]

I was just in the biggest all around battle ever..Attacked large IJ TF, had two Kongos. I missed them, but got one CA..They went on pass Savo and took on about 16 US vessels, largest Northhamptoms. I was behind trying to get in the fray, but the IJN won it hands down, Kongos just outranked the field..but what a battle.

The IJN limped off, I was able to sink one listing Kongo from the battle and stopped the other dead in the water. DD's worked me hard, about 40% damage. Finally hid under the Kongo.

Morning came, IJN had ships all over spread out. US planes finally show up in mass and attack the BB non stop. Scared, I pulled away from it and finally torped it...It sunk. The DD's then came at me, no doubt they would've got me, but US planes attacked non stop until all DD's were deep six...

Can't beat that. I had just fought Santa Cruz and came to Tulagi to refit and caught this battle...After it was over, dang if another CA TF came in.
I didn't have nothing left in me for it and let it go...

One refit, about 238K tons sunk...woo hoo....with a lil help from the navy...

[corsair15]

USS Tambor
Tambor Class Sub
May 8, 1942
1,000nm West of Midway Atoll
Course 265*


On my way to patrol zone near Honshu. Was forced to return to Pearl after my task force incident yesterday. I couldn't get in range of the Task Force because of the Carrier Group. They sent like 20 Airplanes at me. I shot down 4 of them before I realized it was hopeless; they just won't be leaving me alone. The sad part is that the Task Force was less than 20mi away from me. I tried running on the surface, keeping the AA Gun manned constantly, it was way too risky though. They sent air patrol after air patrol. I managed to sink a Medium European Composite and Huge European Liner that were part of a smaller TF that was trailing behind the larger one. Headed back to pearl because I ran out of torpedoes and (really I wanted an assignment somewhere else, like the Marianas) but that didnt help. So here I am, back on my way to Japan.

Quick question. What is the maximum rank you can attain as a Submarine Captain in this game? I made Captain for the first time last night on the Los Angeles mod (yes it was easy, this submarine rocks hard) but can you make Rear Admiral Lower Half or is Captain the limit for this game?

[Bubblehead1980]

Just loaded up a patrol and finished....

TMO 2.0 RSRD

10 March-16 April 1944

Gato, USS Gurnard

Celebes Sea "Chokepoint" South of Davao Gulf

Returned home with 49,000+ tons sunk.The victims include two Taiyo escort carriers.Also took out one small and two large merchants.I had just two Mark 18's left in stern tubes.

My last four Mark 23's failed to hit a group of cruisers encountered on 28 March 1944 due to range limitations(fired from 4,000 yards, the TF conducted a normal zig during the run(unalerted to my presence) which pulled them just out of range, bad luck, otherwise a Takao CA wouldve been mine.Possibly the Agano CL I fired one of the four at.Ah well.

Made it home to Fremantle on April 16, 1944.

Screenies of the carrier attack:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=175896

[I'm goin' down]

My crew was getting very, very bored, so I sailed them over to Truk lagoon for some action. We headed in via the southwest channel and sunk three stationary merchants, and left a fourth on fire. While the 4th merchant was burning, a subchaser spotted us. Before long two more subchasers plus a destroyer had joined it, and all were laying down charges. Explosions were going off all around. What do to? Under fire, no time, uh, make a decision. Okay, let's head over to the terminal a mile away and moor the boat into one of the slots for Jap shipping. Which is just what we did. We made it, being Depth Charged along the way. Once moored in the slot, the boat remained a periscope depth while the destroyers and subchasers went wild droping their payloads all around our position. Impacts from the explosions were absorbed and blocked by the port's concrete quay wall. The destroyer parked alongside the wall, adjacent to our mooring, for a few hours, trying to flush out out. We stayed silent and submerged. Ultimately, it the went off searching for us. With the coast clear, I backed the boat out of its mooring, turned to the channel we sailed in from, and escaped to open water. Damage repaired, one injured, and four merchants sunk. I think the destroyer sunk the last merchant by accident when he was gunning for my boat.

[MaddogK]

After action report
First deployment USS Thresher (Tambor Class)
GFO -w- RSRDC (first time installed)

Sailing out of Pearl 8 Dec 41 and a refuel at Midway assigned 'disrupt shipping' off the east coast of Japan. Sank 1 modern cargo ship. Reassigned to Luzon straight to raid shipping lanes. Waited a week- no action so headed to Balikpapan for refuel. after refuel sailed north Tarakan Island area to intercept expected warships 11 Jan 42, but nothing appears, so around 16 Jan head back to Balikpapan (Borneo) for expected Battle 23-24 Jan 42 and heading into the straight I find a small task force (the one I expected a week earlier at Tarakan) only to find 4 DD's creeping along at 4 kts. I decide to leave them alone and continue south for the battle of Balikpapan. I arrive early and wait, and wait, and wait for another week and nothing appears- not even a fishing boat. So I decide to head back toward Luzan by way of Singapore (which hasn't fallen yet). I make it all the way back to the Luzon straights without sighting a single ship (2 aircraft tho) and wait some more. I FINALLY discover another medium modern cargo ship that I make quick work of with a single torpedo and a few rounds from my deck gun.

I finally get a mission success message and am reassigned to a patrol 150 miles west of Singapore so I start back, then I receive orders to intercept a task force leaving Camrahn Bay around Feb 10 and start running flank speed to make up the 600 miles to intercept. By the time I get to Camrahn Bay I'm 2 days late and left with 1/4 tank fuel so I decide it's time to port again and head to Surabaja. 1/3 speed on the surface from Camrahn bay to the Karimata straights was again totally uneventful. I'm beginning to think the RSRD campaign is broken when I start to pick up some shipping noise. I'm beginning to sweat as my fuel is on vapors, and the depth in the straight is about 70 feet. It's Valentines day.

14 Feb 42
I pick up some strong noise from the south coming out of Botovia and raise the scope. I mutter a few obscenities to myself as I gaze at the carrier, 2 or 3 cruisers, troop transport, and a couple of DD's. I attempt to save the game but SH4 give me an 'unable to save game' message, I keep trying but it doesn't happen. I drop the scope and try to make a run for the deeper water about 5 miles to the north but the fleet is heading straight for me at 10 knots, and I can't outrun them on batteries so I turn east and ring battlestations. I wait till the they're literally on top of me then raise the scope again- The first 3 forward tubes unleash on the lead cruiser and I swing the scope around to pick up the carrier which is directly astern but about 400 yards. I empty the rear tubes on her, and swing the scope back to work the second cruiser. The sonar pinging in the background was suddenly drowned out by a loud screeching as the boat rolls over on it's side. One of the DD's hit the sail and destroyed the scope. I decide it's time to leave this party and kick the rudder full right as the engines turn up to flank. Both DD's are on me now dropping depth charges like mad and I'm taking damage. They're too fast to target with my observation scope, but I try to take one out with my 3 remaining fish in the forward tubes as one crosses my path- ALL miss. Am getting desperate now so I blow the tanks and head for the deck gun as I turn off battery charging and straighten the rudder. I get 12 rounds of AP into one of the DD's and she begins to sink, the other has backed off and his shells start raining down on me. I turn and start to unload on him but it's too late, I'm going down.

SS Thresher sinks to the bottom- sail still above water, 1 cruiser dead, carrier and 1 DD in flames, and the crew of the other DD is laughing and drinking saki. Oh, I get a handfull of medals at my funeral.

[kiwi_2005]

TMO 1.4 RSRDC v370 Stock game

Commander of the USS Sturgeon SS-187 Salmon
Stationed at Surabaru Java,

Primary objective
Reach Molucca Passage and patrol there for 72hrs

Jan 4 1942 leaving base for patrol.

Jan 9 1942.
9.44 Reached Patrol zone. Patroling zone for next 3days.

Jan 14 1942.
05.32 16hrs ago I received orders to make way to Tarakan island and patrol within 100 miles for next 3 days. Now positioned within 300 miles off Tarakan. Celebes Sea.

Jan 15 1942
19.35 Taskforce. DD's spotted long range 9000+ yrds dead ahead of us. Yes my lookout crew are excellent lookouts at night!

Took Sturgeon down to 200feet for sonar detection. Picked up 9 DD's figured they must be escorting something big so moved in slowly
Managed to easily get pass leading destroyers once they were well behind ordered periscope depth to take a look with the nightscope. Spotted a Naka light cruiser dead in the water just sitting there like a duck waiting to be shot at. Moved within 2000yrds and fired 3 forward torpedoes, missing with first two damaging boat with the last one - how did I miss a sitting duck! It happens.. Fired 4th torpedo resulting in a hit and sinking her. Sonar picked up DD's moving fast to our position. Ordered boat back down to 200feet silent running to evade attack run


23.18.
Last few hrs all hell broke loose, depth charges exploded above and behind us but never close enough to do any serious damage manage to fool them with decoys and slip away. Going to stay down for a few more hours before surfacing and continuing the hunt.


Sunk Naka Light Cruiser. 5195 tons