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Old 02-27-22, 07:04 AM   #31
Bubblehead1980
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TMO Update V2.0
100 difficulty
Cameras off, map contacts on.


January 1944 in Area 8...




23 January
_____________

TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1


0000 Entered Area 8, began North-South
patrol line along suspected shipping route.


0010 Seas picked up. Strong chop but not heavy. Clear skies, low moonlight,
Winds at 17.50 kts direction 114 degrees.


0100 SJ contacts bearing 355 28500 yds.
Multiple pips, appeared to be convoy.
Course 310 at speed 17 kts to intercept.
Tracking party called to stations.

0109 Increased to Flank speed to close.

0114 Slowed to 15.5 kts.

0115 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE

0124 Spotted convoy bearing 235 10000 yds
Course 133 degrees Speed 10 knots

0125 Sent Contact Report to COMSUBPAC
Convoy Sighted
28-49N 132-39E in Area 8
Estimated Course 133 degrees
Estimated Course 10 kts.

0132 3000 yards off to port of
convoy track. Convoy appeared to be
six merchants in loose formation with one
escort forward, one astern.


0136 Forward escort identified as MIKURA Type B Escort Vessel
Rear escort appears to be DE type.

0149 Near firing point, convoy made what appeared to be
routine zig to SW.

0151 Flank speed, turned to course 105 to pull away from convoy.
Rear escort, began high speed sweep along port side of convoy
BARB was not spotted, this was believed to be routine escort maneuver
as convoy showed no sign of alert.

0153 Rear escort bearing 175 4000 yards.
Identified as Otori Class Torpedo Boat/Escort.


0155 Paralleled convoy on course 188 to pull ahead for
attack.


0345 Convoy zigged to port course 160.
BARB maneuvered to regain position quickly
to fire from starboard side of convoy.

0400 Fired Tubes 1,2,3 at Target No.1
:20

0400: Fired tubes 4,5,6 at Target No.2
45

0402 Torpedoes impacted Target No.1
Large fires observed on target.

0403 Torpedoes impacted Target No.2
Large fires observed on target.

After torpedo impacts, BARB came under heavy machine gun,
deck gun fire, illuminated by strong searchlights aboard
Target No.2 (MIIKE MARU) during turn away.
Lead MIKURA escort came aboard, fired two star shells
above BARB and began closing at high speed.

Several rounds of machine gun/auto cannon fire hit BARB's superstructure
but caused no serious damage. Several deck gun splashes observed
, closed about twenty yards off starboard beam during turn away.


0405 Otori Class Torpedo Boat rear escort observed pouring on the coals
speeding BARB's way. The choppy seas made it initially difficult to reach above 19 kts
during initial get away but 20 knts was reached.

0412 Otori bearing 180 fired several rounds forward guns
Splashes landed well ahead of BARB. One
flew low and heard it roar over the
periscope shears, splashed into sea about thirty yards
off port bow of BAR. However, range continued to open
so remained on surface.

0415 Began end around for follow up attack.
Observed AK AKAMA MARU 5425 tons sink at
28-32 N 132-38 E.


0416 Depth charge explosions observed/heard 6000 yards astern.
Enemy believes BARB submerged. Poor whale/fish taking our punishment.


0421 Observed AK MIIKE MAR 11800 tons sink
at 28-32 N 132-38 E.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2


0426 Tracking large pip believed to be AK making a solo run from area.
Bold strategy. BARB closed contact at high speed.

0450 Spotted AK bearing 292 10,170 yards.

0503 Turned about, began to back towards target
for stern shot.

0525 Target identified as AK HIYAMA MARU 7145 tons.
Course 160 Speed variations of 7-10 knots
zigging along course.

0526 Report of enemy pip closing range fast on
SJ radar, appears to be escort coming to join the
party.

0538 AK HIYAMA MARU changed course 280, possibly to rejoin
convoy. Escort closing high speed bearing 130 7000 yards
Closing range fast.


0541 HIYAMA MARU suddenly turned hard starboard to course 345, instead of zigging back towards BARB as anticipated HIYAMA MARU increased speed to twenty knots ruining stern shot. Vessel also fired several rounds from her aft deck gun in BARB's direction. BARB turned to pursue, moving to her starboard to avoid oncoming escort now just 5000 yards bearing 335, identified as Otori Class Torpedo Boat. escort (interesting tactics AI pulled here)


0618 Unable to catch HIYAMA MARU, as rejoined other merchant vessels,
another AK was on course to cross our stern for perfect setup.
Switched targets to AK similar to JOKUJA MARU 7390 tons.

0630 JOKUJA MARU turned North, away from BARB.

0634 As pursuit of JOKUJA MARU was going on. HIYAMA MARU again
towards BARB.


0636 Otori spotted bearing 170 5000 yards, closing.

0637 HIYAMA MARU turned away high speed, firing deck guns
and machine guns/auto cannons at BARB.
Star shell illuminated area.
Otori observed heading BARB direction.
Ordered flank speed on course 035

0640 Otori was now chasing BARB range 6000 yards bearing 180, closing.

0650 Otori slowed suddenly, then turned back
for convoy. BARB secured GQ and ordered
forward tubes reloaded. Would end around for follow up
attack, before dawn if possible. This would give the
convoy a chance to calm down.

0937 Regained SJ contact after end around.
Bearing 009 28,350 yards.

0956 Ahead of convoy, waiting for anticipated dawn zig for
dawn attack. Visibility now too great for surface attack.

1022 Convoy made dawn zig to SE.

1043 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SUBMERGED

1101 Submerged for attack.


1106 Depth 300 ft for high speed run to close range.

1128 Periscope depth.
Observed convoy on course 160 degrees
to being stern tubes to bear on
convoy.

1148 Tubes, 7,8,9,10 made ready for firing.

1152 Fired tubes 7,8,9

1153 All three torpedoes impacted as aimed.

1154 Small fire observed, vessel lost way.
Engine noises ceased on sound.

1155 List to starboard developed on target.

1156 Lifeboats (two) observed from AK KANAGA MARU. Vessel low in water,
sinking on even keel.
Pings. Otori observed closing, Mikura escort observed closing as well
high speed. Ordered 300 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

1157 Passed thermal layer 195 ft.

1159 Pinging

1202 DC explosions astern, not close.

1203 Enemy above to port. Splashes.

1204 DC explosions. Close. Real tooth shakers.
BARB at 350 ft depth. Most charges seem above.

1206 Second escort above. Many splashes.
DC explosions. All were above, not too close.

1207 BARB leveled off at 370 ft.

1209 Pinging

1211 Depth Charge explosions, distant.

1212 Sounds of ship breaking up audible on sound gear
from last bearing of target attacked.

1213 Multiple DC explosions astern.
Pinging from closing escort.

1215 Pinging on short scale. Enemy closing high speed.

1216 Enemy above. Many splashes.

1217 DC explosions.


1221 Pinging. Distant DC explosions.
BARB at 375 ft

1223 Enemy crossing bow above.
One DC explosion, above aft.

1224 One DC explosion to port.

1226 Pinging.

1227 Enemy crossing bow, above.
Splashes. Ordered AHEAD FLANK!
BARB at 382 ft.
Boat shaken by DC explosions.

1230 Pinging

1238 Distant DC explosions

1248 Pinging.
More distant DC explosions.

1251 Enemy above.
Splashes.
BARB at depth of 390 ft

1252 DC explosions.

1310 Sound reported enemy heading away at high speed.

1332 Believe one escort departed to rejoin convoy.
Other remained in area estimated 5000 yards, hunting.
Occasional ping heard but did not appear to
have contact with BARB.

1416 Secured GQ
Escort remains in area hunting.
Maintained Silent Running.
Course 256 Speed 2.5 kts
Depth 390 ft.

1500 Damage assessment show BARB faired well
in depth charge attack. Only some light bulbs
and glass fixture busted. Minor piping
and air line leaks in conning tower and control room.


1510 Enemy remains in area about 7000-10000 yards astern.
Occasional sporadic explosions heard.

1630 Turned to course 332 degrees

1945 Lost Sound contact.
Secured Silent Running.

1948 Tubes 7,8,9 ordered reloaded.
BARB to depth of 300 ft.


2306 Periscope depth.
Night settled in.
All clear.
Seas remain choppy.

2308 Radar depth for SJ/SD sweep.

2315 Surfaced.


24 January
_____________

0000 Position: 28-22N 132-23E
Course 320
Speed 10 kts
Proceeded to Northern section
of Area 8.

Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 02-27-22 at 11:27 AM.
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Old 02-27-22, 12:24 PM   #32
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Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980 View Post
What is next? New career? Same class or boat/time period or moving on ?
Well, I'm a sucker for punishment! And, the period I'm most fascinated by is the early war period. So, it'll be back to the Asiatic Fleet in an S-class boat.

What is also fascinating is the immediate pre-Pearl Harbor period, 1940-41, in the Pacific. The Roosevelt administration was sure that a showdown with Japan was coming, just not sure of exactly when and how it would start. But they got the basics right -- the Japanese offensive southwards. (The one bit they missed, of course was Pearl Harbor.) But they were already committing resources to beefing up defences across the Pacific, in the minor outlying American island territories like Wake, Midway, Palmyra, etc, and securing the maritime lines of communication to Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand.

But what I've never heard about is what sort of operations the USN's submarine force was doing during that time, apart from sending extra subs to the Asiatic Fleet. The AF, especially, had a mission to protect American interests in China, especially in those areas affected by the Sino Japanese conflict. So AF subs were deployed to Chinese waters and ports on many occasions from 1937 to 1941. Presumably some of these included intelligence gathering to identify and record IJN forces engaged against the Chinese. (For instance, in October 1938 the British Royal Navy very cheekily sent the light cruiser HMS Birmingham unannounced into Amoy harbour, where a Japanese fleet of seven battleships, eight cruisers, plus destroyers and minelayers were deployed, most of which had never been seen by western observers because of Japanese naval secrecy since the 1920s. Every sailor on board who had a camera, or who could make decent sketches or drawings, lined the gunnels to record every possible detail of the Japanese ships, who's crews had most definitely been caught with their pants down!)

There were also the Japanese occupations of the Paracel Islands in April 1939, and their involvement in the Spratlys from July 1937 leading to their occupation in March 1939, both in the South China Sea, the latter immediately adjacent to the Philippines. Surely the AF must have been interested in reconnoitring what the IJN was doing there.

Similarly, the USN knew about Japanese naval deployments to, and naval facilities, in the Marshalls and Carolines and other island groups of the Japanese Mandate. Apart from the submarine "war patrols" from Pearl Harbor to Midway and Wake in 1941 in the weeks before the Japanese offensive, I do wonder if there were any intelligence gathering missions sent to reconnoitre such locations in 1941 especially.

These could be interesting scenarios to play out in any pre-Pearl Harbor campaign starts in the next update to TMO. I've always felt it is very artificial that the game starts only on 7 Dec 1941. At the very least there should have been an option for a pre-war training campaign.
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Old 02-27-22, 12:26 PM   #33
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Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980 View Post
I think the Inland Sea areas may be too lightly defended in early war. I mean, I wanted it to reflect when Japan beefed up against submarine incursion as war went on, so in later periods its much more difficult but may be too lightly defended, esp in terms of mines controlling traffic. Something I will work out. I left it a lone because I assumed like me, most people just disregarded those orders. Again, you kept it interesting.
By the way, have you come across this post-war report on Japanese underwater harbour defences?

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt13...o_tab_contents
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Old 02-27-22, 03:02 PM   #34
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Withers had 2 S-Boats, both badly in need of overhaul, out patrolling off western Luzon, near Manila Bay... the rest of the boats were anchored in Manila Harbor, Cavite, Sangley Point, Mariveles, or at Olangapo, undergoing a battery rebuild that was over six months late in scheduling... The AF had not done like a few of the Pearl boats, and therefore most did not have a clue as to what to expect on a real patrol, much less a wartime patrol. Both commands had quit any attempts to "spy" or recon on the Japanese, for fear of antagonizing them... They already did know where a lot of the Japanese resources were though, and with the War Warning message, the AF should have had boats off the coast of Indo-China and China proper at the least, so that they could see and accurately report movements. Same way with to the east of the Philippines. It was well established in military circles that the Japanese would shortly be the enemy, and that they would mount invasion from Palau, Japan, Okinawa, Formosa, Hainan and CamranhBay, at a minimum... see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and you'll get your butt handed to you every time...
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Old 02-27-22, 03:34 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieLyons View Post
Well, I'm a sucker for punishment! And, the period I'm most fascinated by is the early war period. So, it'll be back to the Asiatic Fleet in an S-class boat.

What is also fascinating is the immediate pre-Pearl Harbor period, 1940-41, in the Pacific. The Roosevelt administration was sure that a showdown with Japan was coming, just not sure of exactly when and how it would start. But they got the basics right -- the Japanese offensive southwards. (The one bit they missed, of course was Pearl Harbor.) But they were already committing resources to beefing up defences across the Pacific, in the minor outlying American island territories like Wake, Midway, Palmyra, etc, and securing the maritime lines of communication to Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand.

But what I've never heard about is what sort of operations the USN's submarine force was doing during that time, apart from sending extra subs to the Asiatic Fleet. The AF, especially, had a mission to protect American interests in China, especially in those areas affected by the Sino Japanese conflict. So AF subs were deployed to Chinese waters and ports on many occasions from 1937 to 1941. Presumably some of these included intelligence gathering to identify and record IJN forces engaged against the Chinese. (For instance, in October 1938 the British Royal Navy very cheekily sent the light cruiser HMS Birmingham unannounced into Amoy harbour, where a Japanese fleet of seven battleships, eight cruisers, plus destroyers and minelayers were deployed, most of which had never been seen by western observers because of Japanese naval secrecy since the 1920s. Every sailor on board who had a camera, or who could make decent sketches or drawings, lined the gunnels to record every possible detail of the Japanese ships, who's crews had most definitely been caught with their pants down!)

There were also the Japanese occupations of the Paracel Islands in April 1939, and their involvement in the Spratlys from July 1937 leading to their occupation in March 1939, both in the South China Sea, the latter immediately adjacent to the Philippines. Surely the AF must have been interested in reconnoitring what the IJN was doing there.

Similarly, the USN knew about Japanese naval deployments to, and naval facilities, in the Marshalls and Carolines and other island groups of the Japanese Mandate. Apart from the submarine "war patrols" from Pearl Harbor to Midway and Wake in 1941 in the weeks before the Japanese offensive, I do wonder if there were any intelligence gathering missions sent to reconnoitre such locations in 1941 especially.

These could be interesting scenarios to play out in any pre-Pearl Harbor campaign starts in the next update to TMO. I've always felt it is very artificial that the game starts only on 7 Dec 1941. At the very least there should have been an option for a pre-war training campaign.
On that... it had already been well doc'ed... that Pearl, was inately well vulnerable, to what had gone down with the BB's in Taranto(sp? at best) when th Brit's I think it was... had sunk 3 Italian BB's... in a shallw water harbor, very similar in aspects to Pearl.

That point had been attempted to be driven home, several time... the last iirc, was by Mitchell... the same guy that the B-25 bomber, was named for... like... 5 or so years, well before Pearl happened...

Yeah, Pearl happened... *snorts*

Pearl, was a definitive Bent over wearing a "come kick Me" written sheet of paper, scotch taped to the back of the Pac fleet anchored there... & am a firm believer, in that it was sent there, to exact such a reaction from IJN... in short, it was a deliberate poke the bear move. On the tail end of all the sanctioning that was leveled against Japan, already by that point.

May have not been Roosevelt, himself... but someone in the higher ups... was the orchestrator of it... & Roosevelt, didn't quash it from happening.

Is no way, He couldn't have known, otherwise...



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Old 02-27-22, 04:46 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieLyons View Post
Well, I'm a sucker for punishment! And, the period I'm most fascinated by is the early war period. So, it'll be back to the Asiatic Fleet in an S-class boat.

What is also fascinating is the immediate pre-Pearl Harbor period, 1940-41, in the Pacific. The Roosevelt administration was sure that a showdown with Japan was coming, just not sure of exactly when and how it would start. But they got the basics right -- the Japanese offensive southwards. (The one bit they missed, of course was Pearl Harbor.) But they were already committing resources to beefing up defences across the Pacific, in the minor outlying American island territories like Wake, Midway, Palmyra, etc, and securing the maritime lines of communication to Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand.

But what I've never heard about is what sort of operations the USN's submarine force was doing during that time, apart from sending extra subs to the Asiatic Fleet. The AF, especially, had a mission to protect American interests in China, especially in those areas affected by the Sino Japanese conflict. So AF subs were deployed to Chinese waters and ports on many occasions from 1937 to 1941. Presumably some of these included intelligence gathering to identify and record IJN forces engaged against the Chinese. (For instance, in October 1938 the British Royal Navy very cheekily sent the light cruiser HMS Birmingham unannounced into Amoy harbour, where a Japanese fleet of seven battleships, eight cruisers, plus destroyers and minelayers were deployed, most of which had never been seen by western observers because of Japanese naval secrecy since the 1920s. Every sailor on board who had a camera, or who could make decent sketches or drawings, lined the gunnels to record every possible detail of the Japanese ships, who's crews had most definitely been caught with their pants down!)

There were also the Japanese occupations of the Paracel Islands in April 1939, and their involvement in the Spratlys from July 1937 leading to their occupation in March 1939, both in the South China Sea, the latter immediately adjacent to the Philippines. Surely the AF must have been interested in reconnoitring what the IJN was doing there.

Similarly, the USN knew about Japanese naval deployments to, and naval facilities, in the Marshalls and Carolines and other island groups of the Japanese Mandate. Apart from the submarine "war patrols" from Pearl Harbor to Midway and Wake in 1941 in the weeks before the Japanese offensive, I do wonder if there were any intelligence gathering missions sent to reconnoitre such locations in 1941 especially.

These could be interesting scenarios to play out in any pre-Pearl Harbor campaign starts in the next update to TMO. I've always felt it is very artificial that the game starts only on 7 Dec 1941. At the very least there should have been an option for a pre-war training campaign.

You are a sucker for punishment for sure, esp in the S boats in this updated mod lol.

Early war fascinates me as well, it was a interesting yet, depressing time frame for submariners though. I found it boring in original version (stock and all other mods) because AI was so easy, but changed that up in the update, AI is tougher, but not on the level of say later war ijn escorts. While I love early phase myself, I would encourage you to not miss out on other parts of the war in this update though, really is a lot of excitement and challenge. The ability to pull off historically accurate night surface attacks really brings 1944/45 alive. The revision to traffic in campaign, the ULTRA's on different ships etc. Just a lot to see and experience. Not sure if you read my post from earlier, but that was two attacks on a convoy in Jan 1944, sample of it.

Real run starts in mid 1944 when japanese started running the major North/South convoys in a Alliedesque fashion...10-15 ships, 4-5 escorts, sometimes escort carriers, often time land and sea based air cover. With the night surface attacks, can get inside the convoy now undetected(in most cases), attack from within, as many boats did.


Well, it was pretty apparent we would have to fighting Japanese in early 20th century after they defeated Russians are Battle of Tsushima.(glorious victory it was) and even more so by the 1930's so they reinforced overseas territories within realm of 1930's i.e. depression era budgets. Pearl was considered safe, out of reach of attack. Those who tried to raise the alarm were shut down. If I recall the Admiral who protested to Roosevelt about moving fleet from San Diego to Pearl Harbor was fired or "retired".


I agree though, always though SH 4 should had option to start at least one month before Pearl Harbor. A pre pearl harbor start mod came out sometime ago but it was just a few days before the war started and has not been updated in quite a while. So building on that concept, there will be a pre war campaign start in next mod.

Campaign will begin in June 1941 and new construction/seal trials for Tambor/Gar class will begin January 1941, west coast, maybe even east coast if have time to work the east coast in. Career starts will be for boats out of Pearl and Manila.
Attacks on Pearl Harbor and Cavite are scripted in, worked fine. A lot of work getting that part in lol


Prior to war, player has a variety of objectives from simulated defensive war patrols in area of Hawaii, Midway, Guam, Philippines, to participating in fleet problems with carrier and battleship task forces, homage to the original "fleet boat" concept. Also, some orders to observe japanese shipping in home islands, and in their overseas territories with orders to remain undetected.

Propensity for hostility from Japanese units will be unpredictable as one may spot you and ignore you, other may attack you (accomplished same method as the US Friendly Fire in the mod). After oil embargo takes places in August 1941, tensions rise and higher propensity for hostile actions, which increase even more so as time goes on. Remember, this is 1941, before SD radar is available, so staying on the surface in daytime and remaining undetected, is almost impossible. Adds a lot to the challenge having to operate in the pre war-early war doctrine of submerge by day, surface by night when in enemy areas.


Some fictional license (I've never read about this happening but figured could bring some variety) will be taken with limited special missions, inserting intel agents in places like Truk etc other parts of Japanese mandate, and then recovering them after X amount of time (pick them up in raft, can be rescued like a downed pilot) or being sent to recover them, as were previously inserted by another boat. Some photo missions (not hollywood, photo Tokyo Bay though lol) may pop up. I do have a one for S Boats to visit Shanghai area for a port visit, as they used to do prior to start of war in 1941 when Japanese took over completely. "


I've played through June -December 1941 start of war once out of pearl and once out of manila to test, worked well overall, few things need to tweak, couple patrol objectives want to add, but it worked well. Obviously the pace is slower since not at war but is challenging from trying to always remain undetected in area, esp if trying to send contact reports on enemy task forces. Possibility of sighting their newest fleet carrier when out on sea trials in 1941 or the new battleship (Yamato) not aware of it (based on historical records of ship movements as are most of the major warship movements in the TMO Update) , is possible as well. Yet, can only document and send report, shadow, no attacking, unless you are attacked and even then only if in self defense.
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Old 03-01-22, 09:08 PM   #37
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TMO Update BH V2.0
100 difficulty, cams off, map contacts off.

USS BARB SS-220
Area CLOSET March 26, 1944

After several days of patrol in area with nothing but daily aircraft contacts and
chasing a contact report which did not show up at expected rendezvous, either due to own navigation error or course change by convoy, possibly both, crew was going restless. Then on 26 March just after midnight, SJ made contact.


26 March
___________

TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1

0014 SJ contact bearing 007 28,355 yards
Numerous pips, likely convoy, appears Northbound.
(Ship Contact No.2)

0015 Increased speed 18 kts to intercept.


0025 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE


0026 Eight pips in two columns with one pip forward and one in rear, likely
escorts.

0050 Spotted convoy bearing 040 9000 yards.

0052 Contact Report sent to COMSUBPAC
Convoy Sighted 23-53N 131-47E
Estimated Course 066 degrees
Estimated Speed 9 kts.

0102 Lead escort is minesweeper.


0103 Spotted large Tanker similar to AKATSUKI MARU (11800 tons) Class.

0105 Directly astern of AKATSUKI MARU was a mid sized tanker
similar to ICHIYU MARU (5115 tons) Class.

0112 APR-1 detecting radar emissions from astern of convoy.
Rear escort appeared to have radar.

0117 Tubes 1,2,3,4,5,6 made ready to fire. Depth set for 8 ft.

0125 Fired Tubes 1,2,3 at ICHIYU MARU. Range 2893 yards.
Fired Tubes 4,5,6 at AKATSUKI MARU. Range 2500 yards

Torpedoes 1,2,3 impacted ICHIYU MARU. Massive fireball and
explosions after second torpedo hit loaded tanker.

Torpedoes 4,5,6 hit AKATSUKI MARU. First torpedo set off massive,
skyward reaching fireball
engulfing the entire vessel. Second and third torpedo hits were
somewhat redundant, but further wrecked the vessel.

0138 During turned away, lead escort spotted BARB. BARB received some machine gun/Auto Cannon fire, few rounds heard stringed aft , starboard. No damage. Escort continued pursuit as second escort, with its radar
signal sweeping BARB's area coming in fast. BARB making 21 kts plowing through seas to get away.

0145 Oddly, both escorts disengaged, returned to convoy.
BARB moved for end around and follow up attack.

0146 AO AKATSUKI MARU 11800 tons sunk
23-52N 131-47E

0150 AO ICHIYU MARU 5115 tons sunk
23-51N 131-47E


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2

0247 Stern tubes brought to bear on convoy, approached
large AK which suddenly turned hard away at high speed.
BARB not detected, routine evasive maneuver. Switched setup on
small AK believed to be CHOKO MARU 1800 tons. Unable to set up
on others due to proximity to the radar equipped escort. APR-1
was buzzing at this time.

0250 Fired Torpedo Tube No. 10 at AK CHOKO MARU. 1950 yards.

0252 Torpedo impact! Large fire visible just forward of bridge structure.
Large hole visible forward. Vessel appeared to be sinking.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3

0307 CHOKO MARU out of range. Spotted mid sized AK similar to MOMOYAMA MARU 4037 tons crossing stern of BARB.

0309 Fired tubes 7,8,9 at MOMOYAMA MARU. Range 2000 yards.

0313 Torpedoes missed!
Based on sound, missed just astern. Speed setting in TDC
was slightly too slow, perhaps should have been 5 kts instead of 4.5 kts.

0314 Pulled away from convoy to conduct torpedo reload as
all tubes empty after three attacks with seven out of ten torpedoes hitting
targets. Two tankers sunk, one AK damaged.


0315 APR-1 detected enemy radar emissions focusing on BARB's bearing. Escort, a unidentified DE type began closing at high speed. BARB increased to flank speed.


0323 DE turned back to convoy.


0330 Secured General Quarters. Torpedo reload ordered, all tubes.


0400 Convoy changed course to 040 degrees.

0530 Lost SJ contact with convoy, backtracking along course.


0600 Torpedo reload completed.


0610 Searching for convoy.
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Old 03-02-22, 05:48 PM   #38
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Default War Patrol Day 1

United States Navy
Commander Submarines, Pacific

Lieutenant Commander Straw Kalling,

You have been approved for the command of USS S-31 (SS-136), a S-18 class submarine assigned to the Asiatic Fleet.

Report for duty at Cavite Naval Base, Manila, Philippines, no later than December 8, 1941.

#####

United States Navy
Commander Submarines, Asiatic Fleet

Operational Order, December 8 1941

TO: Straw Kalling, USS S-31 (SS-136)
DEPART ON: December 9, 1941

Proceed to area Vineyard and conduct anti shipping operations within the designated area near the Celebes Sea for 5 days.

OBJECTIVE: Patrol area Vineyard within the designated area near the Celebes Sea for 5 days.

#####


Aboard USS S-31 (SS-136)

9 Dec 1941 13:02 - Cavite Naval Base
War patrol Day 1.
Ordered cast off from the tender, and ahead one third, set course to 270°. Departing on a war patrol in response to the Japanese attack. I have a crew of 54: five officers and 49 men, comprising four CPO, two PO1, eight PO2, six PO3, six S1c, and 23 S3c.
There’s a band on the nearby quay, but I don’t know who they’re playing for. It can’t be us -- they’re facing the wrong way!

13:10
My nav officer will guide us out of Manila Bay. I haven’t sailed with him before, but he’s familiar with these waters. Especially the placement of the minefields at the entrance to the bay, off Corregidor. I’ve been briefed that they were deployed back in July, after Japan occupied southern French Indochina. Along with Hainan, the Paracels and the Spratleys, that gives them the potential to dominate the South China Sea. Much too close to our base for comfort. And now they’ve launched a major offensive!

13:12
Ahead two thirds.

14:20
Ahead standard. Our course is 235°.

14:44
We have sighted four PTBs ahead of us, crossing our bows. These guys are small and fast! I wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of a salvo of their torpedoes -- they’re so hard to see until the last minute they could launch a devastating attack before you could bring guns to bear on them!

14:50
The PTBs have changed course, and are bearing away towards Corregidor.

16:03
We are in the channel between the minefields off Corregidor. I can see mines in the water to starboard, but not to port. My NO assures me they are there! I have also seen smoke rising in the channel between Corregidor and the Bataan Peninsula. That’s the heading the PTBs were on when we saw them over an hour ago. I hope none of them hit a mine! I know the PTBs were deployed here a couple of months ago. Surely they would have been briefed about the minefields? We have only six of them, so we need every single one intact!

16:08
We’ve made our final turn, on course at 242°, to pass between the minefields. Second watch is now on duty.
Corregidor is an impressive bastion -- surely the IJN wouldn’t be foolish enough to try a naval assault here?

17:00
We are through the channel between the minefields and exiting Manila Bay. Still on course 242°, ahead standard.

17:42
We have come to new course 237°, ahead standard. I aim to skirt to NW of Lubang before turning SSE to pass through Mindoro Strait. We should make our turn in about four hours.

18:10
We have received Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: LARGE CONVOYS OF TRANSPORTS HAVE DEPARTS (sic) SOUTHERN FORMOSA LAST SEEN ON SOUTHERLY COURSE X UNITS IN AREA SHOULD INTERDICT X
This is contrary to the orders from COMSUBAF that I sailed with just a few hours ago, to patrol south of Mindanao. Because of the enemy presence in the vicinity, I am observing strict radio silence. So, because it will take over three days to reach our patrol zone, I am making an executive decision to attempt to interdict, as COMSUBPAC says. I have informed my XO, and I am ordering an immediate change of course. We can always head down the east side of the Philippines afterwards to reach our patrol zone, admittedly some days later than intended!

18:15
We have changed course to 270°. We will turn northwards in a little over three hours. My NO has plotted a course to 120°E, 20° N. It will take us less than two days to get there, if we remain on the surface -- which I intend to do to expedite our passage, as long as we don’t encounter the enemy, especially air patrols. I just wish we could have been fitted with one of the SD radars that became available in recent months!

21:40
We have come about to 345°, ahead standard. Weather is clear with a 10 kt wind out of the north.
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Old 03-03-22, 04:29 PM   #39
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Originally Posted by EddieLyons View Post
United States Navy
Commander Submarines, Pacific

Lieutenant Commander Straw Kalling,

You have been approved for the command of USS S-31 (SS-136), a S-18 class submarine assigned to the Asiatic Fleet.

Report for duty at Cavite Naval Base, Manila, Philippines, no later than December 8, 1941.

#####

United States Navy
Commander Submarines, Asiatic Fleet

Operational Order, December 8 1941

TO: Straw Kalling, USS S-31 (SS-136)
DEPART ON: December 9, 1941

Proceed to area Vineyard and conduct anti shipping operations within the designated area near the Celebes Sea for 5 days.

OBJECTIVE: Patrol area Vineyard within the designated area near the Celebes Sea for 5 days.

#####


Aboard USS S-31 (SS-136)

9 Dec 1941 13:02 - Cavite Naval Base
War patrol Day 1.
Ordered cast off from the tender, and ahead one third, set course to 270°. Departing on a war patrol in response to the Japanese attack. I have a crew of 54: five officers and 49 men, comprising four CPO, two PO1, eight PO2, six PO3, six S1c, and 23 S3c.
There’s a band on the nearby quay, but I don’t know who they’re playing for. It can’t be us -- they’re facing the wrong way!

13:10
My nav officer will guide us out of Manila Bay. I haven’t sailed with him before, but he’s familiar with these waters. Especially the placement of the minefields at the entrance to the bay, off Corregidor. I’ve been briefed that they were deployed back in July, after Japan occupied southern French Indochina. Along with Hainan, the Paracels and the Spratleys, that gives them the potential to dominate the South China Sea. Much too close to our base for comfort. And now they’ve launched a major offensive!

13:12
Ahead two thirds.

14:20
Ahead standard. Our course is 235°.

14:44
We have sighted four PTBs ahead of us, crossing our bows. These guys are small and fast! I wouldn’t like to be on the receiving end of a salvo of their torpedoes -- they’re so hard to see until the last minute they could launch a devastating attack before you could bring guns to bear on them!

14:50
The PTBs have changed course, and are bearing away towards Corregidor.

16:03
We are in the channel between the minefields off Corregidor. I can see mines in the water to starboard, but not to port. My NO assures me they are there! I have also seen smoke rising in the channel between Corregidor and the Bataan Peninsula. That’s the heading the PTBs were on when we saw them over an hour ago. I hope none of them hit a mine! I know the PTBs were deployed here a couple of months ago. Surely they would have been briefed about the minefields? We have only six of them, so we need every single one intact!

16:08
We’ve made our final turn, on course at 242°, to pass between the minefields. Second watch is now on duty.
Corregidor is an impressive bastion -- surely the IJN wouldn’t be foolish enough to try a naval assault here?

17:00
We are through the channel between the minefields and exiting Manila Bay. Still on course 242°, ahead standard.

17:42
We have come to new course 237°, ahead standard. I aim to skirt to NW of Lubang before turning SSE to pass through Mindoro Strait. We should make our turn in about four hours.

18:10
We have received Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: LARGE CONVOYS OF TRANSPORTS HAVE DEPARTS (sic) SOUTHERN FORMOSA LAST SEEN ON SOUTHERLY COURSE X UNITS IN AREA SHOULD INTERDICT X
This is contrary to the orders from COMSUBAF that I sailed with just a few hours ago, to patrol south of Mindanao. Because of the enemy presence in the vicinity, I am observing strict radio silence. So, because it will take over three days to reach our patrol zone, I am making an executive decision to attempt to interdict, as COMSUBPAC says. I have informed my XO, and I am ordering an immediate change of course. We can always head down the east side of the Philippines afterwards to reach our patrol zone, admittedly some days later than intended!

18:15
We have changed course to 270°. We will turn northwards in a little over three hours. My NO has plotted a course to 120°E, 20° N. It will take us less than two days to get there, if we remain on the surface -- which I intend to do to expedite our passage, as long as we don’t encounter the enemy, especially air patrols. I just wish we could have been fitted with one of the SD radars that became available in recent months!

21:40
We have come about to 345°, ahead standard. Weather is clear with a 10 kt wind out of the north.
You really are a glutton for punishment with those S boats eh? lol
Good luck. If you can, let me know how any depth charge attacks go.

max depth you went to, damage etc. I plan to revisit S boats a bit before releasing next update.
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Old 03-03-22, 06:19 PM   #40
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TMO Update V2.0
100 difficulty with
External cam on and Map contacts on for this patrol to change it up.

Continuing testing of 1944 campaign in V2.0.

USS BARB SS-220 on my third patrol (this time period would be her eight actual patrol, first under her famous CO E.B. Fluckey) , changed Captain over to LCDR E.B. Fluckey. Patrol objective is one of the new ones, reflects orders and opportunities to experience things as Barb did in the Sea of Okhotsk in May-June 1944.

Ended last patrol at Midway as Barb did in April 1944, so starting out at Midway
(to keep things fresh and for variety of experiences, in V2.0 boat will often start patrol at say Pearl end at Midway, later at other bases and then will end next patrol at Pearl. This reflects nature of submarine operations during certain time periods. Will also apply to Australia subs once they have other bases aside from Brisbane and Fremantle. SO you'll bounce around a bit as new bases open but eventually rotate back to main base )




USS Barb SS-220
Eighth War Patrol
May 1944



May 21
_______

1530 Departed Midway in accordance with Operation Order No. 164-44.

1601 Observed large formation of PBY's (Aircraft Contact No.1) bearing 010
Kaneohe Based bombers transiting through Midway, returning from
strike on Wake Island.

1830 Trim Dive

1845 Surfaced.


May 22
_______

0152 Course change to 303 degrees at 14 kts en route patrol area
in the Sea of Okhotsk.

0400 SD contact (Aircraft Contact No.2) 12550 yds closing.

0405 PBY spotted 172 degrees. Attempted to exchange recognition
signals. PBY observed circling then making a dive for
BARB. Dive!

0406 As BARB passed 101 ft, a series of explosions shook the boat
violently. Light bulbs, glass fixtures, air lines, valves, pipes leaking.
Damage reported. Leveled boat off at 150 ft. (friendly fire mod, not so
friendly)

0407 Series of more loud explosions, but above and not close.

0410 Inspection revealed damage was Forward Batteries,
Trim Pump, Hydraulic Pump, and some water in forward torpedo
compartment. However, all could be repaired at sea.
Damage Control Party assigned.


0500 Surfaced. Continued to patrol area after that close call.
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Old 03-04-22, 02:32 AM   #41
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Default USS BARB SS-220 31 May 1944-Wolfpack action, Entire convoy sunk.

TMO Update V2.0
100 difficulty
Camera and Contacts on for this patrol.

Note: This is V2.0 of the update mod, which is final stages of testing. Certain patrol objectives do involve wolfpack operations, within the bounds of the sim of course. Some orders will require rendezvous with other subs, dispatch to certain area for coordinated attacks. Due to navigation errors I did not arrive in time to attack with the AI sub standing in for Herring after meeting up with them earlier in day on May 31, but found a couple hours after. One merchant was damaged and convoy had passed through the designated ambush area. Later after my own attacks, the convoys lone escort was dead in water with props and rudder blown off, about 7000 yards astern of the last ship. No other allied forces in area, thinking AI sub got some torpedo hits in.
Also testing out my new longer sinking times in V2.0, working great thus far.


This mission was created and added to campaign for testing in order to replicate Barb's real life Eighth War Patrol (first under Eugene B. Fluckey, her famous skipper) in the Sea of Okhotsk . Used several resources including Admiral Fluckey's excellent memoir "Thunder Below!" , BARB's actual patrol reports, and other resources. These patrols will be in V2.0 as single patrols in addition to the career but modified for career to work with any boat, not just the BARB.(Would be weird to be in the Silversides in a career and get referred to on radio as Barb lol, immersion killer).




1944 -


May 31
________


0037 Received reply from HERRING regarding rendezvous at 1000 hours.
GOLET had yet to reply.

0714 Iceberg sighted bearing 330 six miles.
47-48N 152-11E


0850 SJ contact 349 14470 yards. Contact believed to be HERRING OR GOLET as near rendezvous point.
Began cautious approach. (Ship Contact No.2)

0929 Dive. Decided to conduct submerged approach due to low visibility.

0940 Received ULTRA and ACTION for BARB, HERRING< GOLET for coordinated attack. Convoy departed
MATSUWA this morning at 0630. G

0955 Confirmed contact is HERRING. Surfaced.

1000- Conducted meeting regarding coordinated attack. GOLET failed to acknowledge message or
1030 make rendezvous.

1400 Did not locate convoy at expected location. Set search course along
Matsuwa-La Perouse line at 18 kts.

1438 HERRING reported contact and attacking convoy.
Set course 220 to intercept.


1557 SJ contact bearing 318 27955 yards. (Ship Contact No.3)
Four pips. Set pursuit course.


1630 Smoke sighted bearing 280. GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SUBMERGED


1640 Submerged for attack. Went to depth 350 ft for high speed range to close for firing.

1705 Periscope depth. During ascent to periscope depth, convoy zigged to 205 away from BARB.
Convoy is three AK with one frigate or MS type escort. One AK in rear appears damaged, likely from
HERRING's earlier attack. AK has large hole aft and stack and slight list.

1725 Convoy zigged back towards BARB. Closed at high speed at 250 ft.

1740 At periscope depth, convoy zigged further away.

1750 Secured GQ. Due to radical zig making obtaining a suitable submerged attack position unlikely. Decided to trail convoy until dark for night surface attack.

1805 Surfaced. Shadowed convoy at range of eleven miles off port side.
Contact Report sent to COMSUBPAC and for action to HERRING, GOLET.

1900 Convoy zigs roughly every 10-15 minutes, radically.

2355 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE


June 1
_______

TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1

0100 Astern of convoy at 6000 yards, awaited next zig to close in for attack.

0104 Convoy zigged, moved for attack.

0119 Readied all bow tubes. No.1-6

0123 Fired tubes 1,2,3. at lead AK KOTO MARU. Range 2550 yards.

0124 Torpedoes 1,2,3 all hit target. Large explosions. Vessel began to settle in water.

During turn away from convoy came under heavy fire from merchants. BARB illuminated by star shells.
Escort attempted to chase but did not have speed to catch BARB.

0130 AK KOTO MARU 4466 tons sunk at 47-54N 151-29E.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2

0212 Closing on AK MADRAS MARU

0216 Fired tubes 4,5,6 at AK MADRAS MARU. Range 2000 yards.
Torpedo (Tube 6) went on erratic track to port. Likely gyro failure.
Other two torpedoes ran hot, straight, and normal.

0217 Two torpedoes hit MADRAS MARU. Large fire visible, vessel lost water,
settled in water.

During turn away came under intense machine gun fire from MADRAS MARU.Escort about 4000 yards away hunting, closed in at high speed. Area illuminated with star shells. BARB turned away to evade closing escort. Several shells splashed ahead abut 100 yards from escort.

0232 MADRAS MARU dead in water.

0233 Forward tubes ordered reloaded.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2-A

0302 Fired Tube No.1 at MADRAS MARU. Range 5200 yards.

0306 Enemy escort bearing 304 dropping depth charges. Explosions heard, water columns from explosions observed at 5000 yards.


0307 Torpedo impact!


0308 MADRAS MARU sinking. Opened range to 10000 yards. Stopped.
Fog lifted, with moonlight and phosphorescence, further surface action
not possible. Early arctic dawn approaching in less than two hours.
Secured GQ, finished torpedo reload, allow crew to stand easy.
Waited for pip of MADRAS MARU to disappear, if does not, will approach to finish off Once vessel sinks, will end around to finish off the remaining AK, previously damaged by HERRING. No word from HERRING nor GOLET in response to contact report.

0318 Pip disappeared. Visually observed MADRAS MARU 3790 tons sink at 47-54N 151-27E


0430 Dawn breaking, moving for end around.


0711 Regained SJ contact after end around.
SJ contacts bearing 339 28544 yards.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3

0715 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SUBMERGED


0725 Smoke sighted ahead bearing 000. Convoy closing BARB. Submerged for attack.


0742 AK zigged away to SSE course. AK is RYUSEI MARU, previously damaged by HERRING.

0815 AK zigged back towards BARB. Heard distant explosions. Escort not in sight, possibly attacking (or being attack!) by HERRING/GOLET

0834 "Crossed the T" of the AK for stern shot.

0842 Fired Tubes 7,8,9 at RYUSEI MARU. Range 928 yards.

0843 Torpedoes

0844 Torpedo 1(Tube 7) hit the bow, Torpedo 2(Tube 8) missed just ahead, Torpedo 3(Tube 9) hit
bow of target. Adjusted TDC speed to 5 knots and fired Tube 10.

0845 Torpedo hit target amidships.

0846 Target one fire, sinking by her bow.

0854 RYUSEI MARU 6538 tons sunk at 47-56 N 151-01 E

0855 Surfaced. Lone SJ pip bearing 240, presumed to be escort. Set course 150 to close.

0904 Spotted escort stationary/dead in water at 1252 yards.
Submerged for approach and attack.

1054 Periscope depth. Target at 9000 yards appears dead in water, difficult to ascertain in fog.
Returned 100 ft for approach, rigged for silent running.

1135 Thermal layer at 100 ft. Set depth for 105 ft.

1140 Sound has noises of escort ahead. Escort is stationary.

1230 Escort dead in water at 6000 yards, bearing 000.
Returned to 105 ft for approach.


1332 Tubes 3,4,5,6 made ready to fire.

1333 Vessel identified as a Shimushu Class Escort Vessel.

1344 Periscope depth.

1350 Fired Tube 3 at Shimushu Class Escort (Type A) . Range 1600 yards.

1352 Torpedo ran below vessel. Secured GQ, went to 100 ft.
Vessel's propulsion obviously disabled (external cam shows props and rudder blown off, surely by AI sub aka HERRING's torpedoes) decided would surface after dark and use deck gun to sink vessel, in lieu of possibly wasting more torpedoes on shallow draft vessel.


GUN ACTION NO.1

2247 GENERAL QUARTERS-BATTLE SURFACE-GUN ACTION

2344 Surfaced.

2346 Opened fire range 6500 yards.

2347 Hit

2348 Direct hit amidships. Large explosion and cloud of flames short into air, engulfing entire vessel.

2349- Scored multiple hits on target. Target burning bow to stern.
2356


2356 Ceased fire. Target on fire bow to stern, sinking.
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Old 03-04-22, 05:07 PM   #42
EddieLyons
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Default War Patrol Day 2

10 Dec 1941 01:08
War patrol Day 2.
We have received another signal from COMSUBPAC: JAPANESE FORCES APPROACHING APPARI (sic) LUZON X INVASION IMMINENT X
We can’t get there to oppose the invasion, but perhaps we can interfere with their logistics.

04:14
We have received yet another signal from COMSUBPAC: ENEMY INVASION FORCES HAVE BEEN REPORTED OFF THE COAST OF VIGAN WESTERN LUZON X INVASION IMMINENT X
The Japs are certainly busy! Vigan is a lot closer to us, only some 160 NM from our current location. We could be there in under 15 hours, so I’ve ordered ahead full and changed course to 358°. My NO has plotted a new course to place us off the invasion beaches. Our current position is 15°11’N, 119°37’E.

12:00
We are making good progress, currently at 16°34’ N, 119°42’ E, course now 024°, less than 20 NM NW of Santiago Island at the mouth of Lingayan Gulf. I have ordered a dive to 100 ft, ahead two thirds. Lingayan Gulf is an ideal place for an invasion - the lowlands from there lead right towards Manila. I want my sonarman to spend some time searching for possible contacts, before we proceed towards Vigan.

13:00
We have heard no sound contacts of note. I have ordered us to periscope depth.

13:05
A periscope sweep and another hydrophone sweep reveal no contacts in our vicinity. I have ordered us to surface, ahead full.

13:25
It’s said that best laid plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy. At 16°41’ N, 119°44’ E lookouts spotted multiple aircraft coming from aft. I quickly counted 20(!) twin-engined bombers in echelon formation on a direct intercept course. As I ordered a crash dive at flank speed, with a hard turn to starboard, they started to strafe and bomb us from medium to high altitude. Bomb detonations were so frequent and close together, we could not count them. As I write this, additional detonations are audible, so at least some aircraft must be circling and dropping ordnance in a vainglorious hope of a lucky hit on us. Fortunately, reports from all compartments indicate no damage, and no injuries apart from bumps and bruises suffered by those caught unawares by the crash dive.

13:32
More detonations in the distance; why are they continuing a futile expenditure of ordnance on a target they cannot see?
We are currently on a heading of 098°, ahead two thirds, at a depth of 150 ft. Battery is already down to 87%, so I’ll reduce speed before long to conserve power.
The enemy knows we’re here now, so we’ll remain submerged until nightfall.

13:52
I have ordered a reduction in speed to ahead one third, with battery reserves reduced to 85%. I have also ordered a return to our plotted course. We haven’t heard any more bomb detonations since before 13:40, so it looks like they’ve finally given up.

[NOTE: I went back to check this encounter on replay. There were, indeed, 20 twin-engined bombers that all either bombed or strafed us. It was an impressive number of bombs that were dropped! The bombers were followed by a number of waves of fighters, which attacked the same location we had vacated over the next 10 to 15 minutes. I counted 50 fighters in total! The bomber "formation" was especially ridiculous - maybe not the number of aircraft, but certainly the formation. They should have been in tactical groups of three, not a 20-aircraft echelon! And 50 fighters turning up in such a short space of time? Are these known bugs?]

16:00
A hydrophone sweep shows no contacts. But they’re bound to be looking for us. And expecting us!

17:00
Still negative on another hydrophone sweep.

17:11
The Nautical Almanac says the sun should be setting, so I’ve ordered ahead two thirds and periscope depth. Time for a look see!

17:26
Periscope shows all clear. But it’s still too bright for comfort -- I don’t want to get caught out by a lucky sighting by an enemy aircraft. So I’ll check again at 18:00.

17:53
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps show all clear. We surface at 18:00. Battery reserves are now 75%.

18:10
We surfaced at 18:00 at 16°50’N, 119°50’E, ahead full.
We received a signal from COMSUBPAC. Grim news, indeed: BRITISH BB PRINCE OF WALES BC HMS REPULSE SUNK BY JAPANESE BOMBERS OFF MALAY PENINSULA X GUAM CAPTURED X JAP FORCES HAVE LANDED AT APARRI AND VIGAN PHILIPPINES X
The British have one of the best navies in the world. The IJN was modelled on it at one point! But air power is showing the day of the battleship may be over. And we very nearly joined those two grand vessels on the bottom of the sea today, too!
At our current speed and course we should arrive off Vigan in less than five hours. Perhaps under cover of darkness we can demonstrate that our submarines pose just as great a threat to Japanese shipping!

21:05
We are at 17°19’ N, 120°02’ E, inside 20 NM from our plotted arrival point off Vigan. At 21:00 I ordered a dive to periscope depth to make a hydrophone sweep, to see if we can pick up any contacts. We’ll proceed from here with more caution.
Third watch is on duty; first watch sleeping -- I want them well rested for the night ahead!
I must commend my crew. Morale is good; all remained calm through their first combat experience today; and even though we didn’t have time to go to battle stations, all operated magnificently to get us under in good time to avoid the worst of the onslaught of multiple bombs dropped all around us. That experience I’m sure will stand us in good stead in the future.

20:20
The hydrophone and periscope show all clear, so we are surfacing, ahead standard.

22:05
I conducted a binocular sweep ahead at 22:00. No visual contacts. We are now about 10 NM from our plotted point of arrival, so I ordered periscope depth for another hydrophone sweep.

22:06
And there there are! Multiple sound contacts ahead at long range, both warships and merchants. Right where I expected them to be!

22:15
The warships seem to be concentrated ahead, near the plotted point of our arrival. The merchants seem to be further inshore. I’m altering course towards shore, course 070°, and what I hope will be a target rich environment!

22:18
With a clear periscope sweep, I’ve ordered us back to the surface, ahead standard, for our run in towards the coast. The lookouts will have to be extra wary of the warship threat to our north,

22:50
The Moon has risen, and the weather remains clear and calm. This should aid us greatly in setting up any opportunities to attack the enemy. Equally, it gives the enemy a better chance to spot us in our approach on the surface. So, I shall dive again at 23:00 to conduct a hydrophone sweep.

23:10
I ordered a dive to periscope depth at 23:00, and commenced a hydrophone sweep shortly thereafter. This shows a group of warships and merchants between bearings 263 and 281, with the warships further offshore than the merchants. On those bearings they would be 10 to 15 NM offshore -- there appears to be nothing closer in, where I was aiming for. Are they withdrawing? Have they completed their landing operations? We shall monitor the situation for the next while before deciding what to do.

[NOTE: I took a toilet break here, leaving the sim running in real time, and guess what happened?!]

23:47
We have lost all hydrophone contact. I am surfacing to pursue northwards in hope of reestablishing contact.

23:52
Periscope showed all clear. I ordered us to the surface at 23:50, ahead full, on new course 359°.
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Old 03-04-22, 06:45 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EddieLyons View Post
10 Dec 1941 01:08
War patrol Day 2.
We have received another signal from COMSUBPAC: JAPANESE FORCES APPROACHING APPARI (sic) LUZON X INVASION IMMINENT X
We can’t get there to oppose the invasion, but perhaps we can interfere with their logistics.

04:14
We have received yet another signal from COMSUBPAC: ENEMY INVASION FORCES HAVE BEEN REPORTED OFF THE COAST OF VIGAN WESTERN LUZON X INVASION IMMINENT X
The Japs are certainly busy! Vigan is a lot closer to us, only some 160 NM from our current location. We could be there in under 15 hours, so I’ve ordered ahead full and changed course to 358°. My NO has plotted a new course to place us off the invasion beaches. Our current position is 15°11’N, 119°37’E.

12:00
We are making good progress, currently at 16°34’ N, 119°42’ E, course now 024°, less than 20 NM NW of Santiago Island at the mouth of Lingayan Gulf. I have ordered a dive to 100 ft, ahead two thirds. Lingayan Gulf is an ideal place for an invasion - the lowlands from there lead right towards Manila. I want my sonarman to spend some time searching for possible contacts, before we proceed towards Vigan.

13:00
We have heard no sound contacts of note. I have ordered us to periscope depth.

13:05
A periscope sweep and another hydrophone sweep reveal no contacts in our vicinity. I have ordered us to surface, ahead full.

13:25
It’s said that best laid plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy. At 16°41’ N, 119°44’ E lookouts spotted multiple aircraft coming from aft. I quickly counted 20(!) twin-engined bombers in echelon formation on a direct intercept course. As I ordered a crash dive at flank speed, with a hard turn to starboard, they started to strafe and bomb us from medium to high altitude. Bomb detonations were so frequent and close together, we could not count them. As I write this, additional detonations are audible, so at least some aircraft must be circling and dropping ordnance in a vainglorious hope of a lucky hit on us. Fortunately, reports from all compartments indicate no damage, and no injuries apart from bumps and bruises suffered by those caught unawares by the crash dive.

13:32
More detonations in the distance; why are they continuing a futile expenditure of ordnance on a target they cannot see?
We are currently on a heading of 098°, ahead two thirds, at a depth of 150 ft. Battery is already down to 87%, so I’ll reduce speed before long to conserve power.
The enemy knows we’re here now, so we’ll remain submerged until nightfall.

13:52
I have ordered a reduction in speed to ahead one third, with battery reserves reduced to 85%. I have also ordered a return to our plotted course. We haven’t heard any more bomb detonations since before 13:40, so it looks like they’ve finally given up.

[NOTE: I went back to check this encounter on replay. There were, indeed, 20 twin-engined bombers that all either bombed or strafed us. It was an impressive number of bombs that were dropped! The bombers were followed by a number of waves of fighters, which attacked the same location we had vacated over the next 10 to 15 minutes. I counted 50 fighters in total! The bomber "formation" was especially ridiculous - maybe not the number of aircraft, but certainly the formation. They should have been in tactical groups of three, not a 20-aircraft echelon! And 50 fighters turning up in such a short space of time? Are these known bugs?]

16:00
A hydrophone sweep shows no contacts. But they’re bound to be looking for us. And expecting us!

17:00
Still negative on another hydrophone sweep.

17:11
The Nautical Almanac says the sun should be setting, so I’ve ordered ahead two thirds and periscope depth. Time for a look see!

17:26
Periscope shows all clear. But it’s still too bright for comfort -- I don’t want to get caught out by a lucky sighting by an enemy aircraft. So I’ll check again at 18:00.

17:53
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps show all clear. We surface at 18:00. Battery reserves are now 75%.

18:10
We surfaced at 18:00 at 16°50’N, 119°50’E, ahead full.
We received a signal from COMSUBPAC. Grim news, indeed: BRITISH BB PRINCE OF WALES BC HMS REPULSE SUNK BY JAPANESE BOMBERS OFF MALAY PENINSULA X GUAM CAPTURED X JAP FORCES HAVE LANDED AT APARRI AND VIGAN PHILIPPINES X
The British have one of the best navies in the world. The IJN was modelled on it at one point! But air power is showing the day of the battleship may be over. And we very nearly joined those two grand vessels on the bottom of the sea today, too!
At our current speed and course we should arrive off Vigan in less than five hours. Perhaps under cover of darkness we can demonstrate that our submarines pose just as great a threat to Japanese shipping!

21:05
We are at 17°19’ N, 120°02’ E, inside 20 NM from our plotted arrival point off Vigan. At 21:00 I ordered a dive to periscope depth to make a hydrophone sweep, to see if we can pick up any contacts. We’ll proceed from here with more caution.
Third watch is on duty; first watch sleeping -- I want them well rested for the night ahead!
I must commend my crew. Morale is good; all remained calm through their first combat experience today; and even though we didn’t have time to go to battle stations, all operated magnificently to get us under in good time to avoid the worst of the onslaught of multiple bombs dropped all around us. That experience I’m sure will stand us in good stead in the future.

20:20
The hydrophone and periscope show all clear, so we are surfacing, ahead standard.

22:05
I conducted a binocular sweep ahead at 22:00. No visual contacts. We are now about 10 NM from our plotted point of arrival, so I ordered periscope depth for another hydrophone sweep.

22:06
And there there are! Multiple sound contacts ahead at long range, both warships and merchants. Right where I expected them to be!

22:15
The warships seem to be concentrated ahead, near the plotted point of our arrival. The merchants seem to be further inshore. I’m altering course towards shore, course 070°, and what I hope will be a target rich environment!

22:18
With a clear periscope sweep, I’ve ordered us back to the surface, ahead standard, for our run in towards the coast. The lookouts will have to be extra wary of the warship threat to our north,

22:50
The Moon has risen, and the weather remains clear and calm. This should aid us greatly in setting up any opportunities to attack the enemy. Equally, it gives the enemy a better chance to spot us in our approach on the surface. So, I shall dive again at 23:00 to conduct a hydrophone sweep.

23:10
I ordered a dive to periscope depth at 23:00, and commenced a hydrophone sweep shortly thereafter. This shows a group of warships and merchants between bearings 263 and 281, with the warships further offshore than the merchants. On those bearings they would be 10 to 15 NM offshore -- there appears to be nothing closer in, where I was aiming for. Are they withdrawing? Have they completed their landing operations? We shall monitor the situation for the next while before deciding what to do.

[NOTE: I took a toilet break here, leaving the sim running in real time, and guess what happened?!]

23:47
We have lost all hydrophone contact. I am surfacing to pursue northwards in hope of reestablishing contact.

23:52
Periscope showed all clear. I ordered us to the surface at 23:50, ahead full, on new course 359°.

Really enjoy your reports "as it happens."


Far as the bombers. December 10 with those numbers, sounds like you ran into the bombers heading for Cavite, for the big air strike on December 10 or other air strikes at locations on Luzon etc. Fighters would be their escorts. Unfortunately, not way to really put them in realistic formation. I tried to make them spawn in somewhat accurate formation but does not always work out. Depending on the direction they were traveling, they could have been returning from a strike and had some bombs on board(planes do not always drop all ordnance for some reason) so may have been returning. They do not level bomb , so after attacking, they reform in odd formations as well.

Unfortunately, since planes in the game were added from development to be ASW, if they see you, the player's sub, they will forgo any other mission and focus on you. That is something that can not be changed without altering the coding. So the air strike spotted you and see lets get the sub! lol

Also, when you are detected a "warning" is broadcast to other forces in area, so if they are within range they will come looking for you. Aircraft(obviously) can get there in most timely manner. In stock and default TMO the time was 15 minutes which I find absurdly low, because is a patrol was 16 minutes away, would not come looking for you.. I set it to 24 hours. Now, that does not mean everything within 24 hours travel will come your way, there are other factors at play, but it does mean will attract attention. .

They continued bombing the site because was last place they saw you. If they got lucky and spotted your elsewhere submerged, would focus on you. False contacts happened/happens in ASW. Same reason after surface attack once lose sight of player sub, often assume you submerged and will circle than start depth charging a random spot where have false contact. Poor whales/fish lol

Yes the amount of ordnance they dumped was impressive I am sure lol.


Finally, interesting you mentioned all the messages. I added a lot of them. Very tedious work lol. V2.0 will have refined messages and they will be theater appropriate so if operating out of Manila, will not be taking orders from COMSUBPAC and vice versa.

Regarding Repulse and Prince of Wales. They are operating in their historical time and place in current version and are attacked by bombers. In V2.0 with pre war career start, player may be assigned to a pre war patrol to the area and orders to operate with them in opposing invasion in area. If around them at appropriate time and place, can witness the air strikes that sink them. Pretty impressive to watch. The numbers overwhelm them and usually sink them, but sometimes they survive, listing, on fire. A Betty torpedo bomber (unfortunately we dont have G3M NELL bombers in SH 4) dropped a fish and caught fire from AA, then crashed into Repulse at the waterline.



Last test, Repulse went down quickly. Prince of Wales lingered for 14 hours, then exploded (fire mod which causes damage at work) in massive fireball, rolled over and sunk.
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Old 03-05-22, 06:01 PM   #44
EddieLyons
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Default War Patrol Day 3

11 Dec 1941 00:10
War Patrol Day 3.
I ordered a dive to periscope depth at 01:00 to conduct a hydrophone sweep, at 17°42’ N, 120°13’ E. This proved negative. Upon surfacing, I will change course to NW.

02:10
I again ordered a dive to periscope depth at 02:00 for a hydrophone sweep. Negative again. Upon surfacing, I’ll continue to NW until the next check.

03:10
17°56’ N, 119°59’E. Ordered periscope depth at 03:05 for another hydrophone sweep. Still negative. If they are retiring, are they heading north towards Formosa, or west towards Hainan? Either way, they should still have been within hydrophone range. Just how fast are their transports?

03:20
I ordered the boat to surface at 03:16, ahead full, returning to course. If our next hydrophone check is negative, I shall continue into the Luzon Strait, making best speed on the surface. We shall dive at dawn, conserving batteries to the maximum. My aim will be to loiter to the north of the Babuyan Islands in the hope of interdicting any shipping crossing from Formosa to the invasion beaches and back.

04:15
I ordered periscope depth at 04:10. Hydrophone again shows no contacts. It certainly looks like we’ve lost an entire convoy! When we surface, I shall pursue the Luzon Strait option.

05:10
18°15’ N, 119°59’ E. Dawn is approaching, and we have changed course to 037°. I anticipate a significant enemy aerial presence by day, so I will be ordering us under before the sky gets much brighter.

05:45
I ordered a dive to 150 ft at 05:35, a little after sunrise, at 18°19’ N, 120°01’ E, ahead one third once we reached our depth. An immediate hydrophone sweep revealed no contacts.

16:24
It is just after sunset on the surface, so I have ordered periscope depth. No sound contacts all day long.

16:49
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps show all clear. We surface at 17:00. Battery reserves are good at 71%.

17:05
We surfaced at 17:00, ahead standard, course 037°.

18:05
We have received a signal from COMSUBPAC: We are now at war with Germany and Italy, as well as Japan. So now we are in a two-ocean war! Good news is that the marines on Wake Island have defeated a Japanese invasion attempt! That raised a hearty cheer from my crew when I read it to them over the intercom.

20:00
I have ordered a dive to periscope depth to conduct a hydrophone sweep, at ahead one third. I have a standing order for this every three hours. I’ll be able to grab some much needed shut eye in between dives.

20:15
The hydrophone search proved negative, so we are back on the surface, ahead standard, still on course 037°. Our next dive will be at 23:00.

23:00
19°21’ N, 120°47’ E. The Moon has just risen, and I have ordered our next dive for a hydrophone sweep. Ahead one third once we are at depth.

23:15
Hydrophone sweep was again clear. We have surfaced, ahead standard, maintaining the same course. In about three hours we will change course onto the first leg of our patrol in Luzon Strait.
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Old 03-06-22, 05:56 PM   #45
EddieLyons
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Default War Patrol Day 4

12 Dec 1941 00:10
War Patrol Day 4.
Weather remains clear and calm. Conditions are very pleasant up on the bridge, with a gentle breeze out of the north. We are sailing almost directly towards the end of the handle of the Big Dipper - long before I learned stellar navigation at the Naval Academy, my father taught me to recognise the constellations. But there’s no time for stargazing for those on watch.

01:35
19°38’ N, 121°00’ E.
We have turned to our new course, 076°. We dive again in less than half-an-hour.

02:20
We dived to periscope depth at 02:00. Again a clean sweep - no hydrophone contacts. I ordered us back to the surface at 02:15.

03:00
I ordered a reduction in speed to ahead two-thirds, to conserve fuel. We’re close to base, so fuel supply shouldn’t be a problem, if all goes well. But who knows what will happen in the coming days and weeks if the Japanese forces ashore are not stopped. We must remember that their army and navy have over four years of combat experience in China -- no matter what politicians back home might say about them!

04:40
With the sky brightening, lookouts spotted a Japanese destroyer at long range, bearing 315, at 04:34. I ordered a crash dive to 150 ft and crew to battle stations. Hydrophone quickly picked up a second warship contact. It appears they did not spot us - they are continuing on their course of about 135° at high speed.

04:52
I have ordered us to periscope depth and new course 180°. The warships began to manoeuvre soon after crossing our bow.

04:59
Active sonar!

05:01
I have ordered us to 200 ft. We are on silent running. Passing through a thermal layer. Active sonar has stopped, and started again.

05:04
Several depth charges. Manoeuvred into the attack to attempt to evade. Aft dive planes transmission is damaged. Damage control team is on it.

05:08
Active sonar from two vessels. Close! Evading!

05:12
Multiple depth charges; multiple systems damaged! But no flooding.

05:15
Sonar is off line, so we’re deaf to what the enemy is doing! But the aft dive transmission is repaired.

05:16
Active sonar!

05:18
Multiple systems damaged from close depth charging. Some flooding in engine room and forward torpedo room.

05:23
I have ordered a new depth of 240 ft. Hopefully this will reduce the severity of the battering we are taking from depth charges …

#####

Okay, this was a brutally short war patrol! When I ordered the final dive to 240 ft, the boat just kept on going -- both dive plane transmissions were damaged! Blowing ballast helped for only so long. Not much I could do.

This is the second time I've been detected (passively?) by enemy destroyers that seemed to be far enough away not to have picked us up, or where we were far enough aft to be out of their hydrophone arc. But, no, they zeroed in on us like a laser. They must have exceptional hearing! lol
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