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Old 08-01-20, 03:07 PM   #5026
Bubblehead1980
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Transited Tsushima Minefields in June 1945, heading for patrol in Area 10 (Sea of Japan). Could not make surface run due to surface and local air patrols. Transited at onyl 32 time compression, intense stuff. Found the "sweet spot" as far as safe depth, a loophole in the minefields.










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Old 08-03-20, 05:35 PM   #5027
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Did several of these tutes on the range circles, the pics keep disappearing so;



Numbers at bottom right are the max range and average range, all circles are average, so you COULD possibly be detected outside the circle. Inside the circle you're asking for it. Radar applies to late war for the IJN, active and passive sonar applies only to escorts, the visual circle is any ship or boat including merchants, as long as they have lookouts.

So when do they not have lookouts? Knocked off two cruisers, damaged two carriers, and sank what I thought was all the escorts leaving two damaged carriers and two troop transports. Battle surface, finish all these off with the 4 inch 50. While firing at the slowly moving Hiryu, suddenly a destroyer appeared behind it - apparently I lost count. First lucky shot from the deck gun blew up his bridge.



Note the active and passive sonar circles are there, but no visual circle - no bridge, no lookouts, he can't see me. Sunk him after taking the pics, he never fired a single shot at me.
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Old 08-03-20, 08:03 PM   #5028
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Default Final patrol 1945

June 1945

10th War Patrol of USS Dace. Fourth out of Pearl Harbor after transferring from Fremantle in January 1945 after six highly successful patrols.Assigned area is Area 10- Sea of Japan.

After stopping at Guam for fuel, navigated and plotted the minefields of Tsushima Straits on 8 June 1945(see earlier thread for screenshots). Enter Sea of Japan that night. Morning of June 10th spotted a small fleet of fishing boats and went for battle surface. Several opened fire with light machine guns and auto cannons. 5 inch deck gun crew as well as 40mm and 20mm fire quickly silenced them. Sunk 12 fishing boats. Moved on to open ocean area to interdict traffic between Korea and Japan.

On 11 June made contact with a large troopship of Horai Maru Class escorted by a Matsu Class Destroyer and an Otori Torpedo boat making high speed. Tracked but a pesky patrol plane kept forcing us to dive, eventually spotting us and attacked. Soon an apparent patrol of two DD(Akizuki and Momi) arrived on scene and began screening for the troopship, eventually moving in to hunt us, forcing us to go deep and run silent. They dropped 30 depth charges but none were too close.Once clear, we headed in last known direction of transport as it was now dark, but unable to reestablish contact.

On 13 June off Akita sunk one medium and one small tanker. Small tanker was first hit by a Mark 27 "Cutie" homing torpedo, Mark 16's finished off the other tanker. After the brutal depth charging from six escorts, came to scope depth and found the small tanker dead in the water, prop apparently destroyed by the "Cutie" hit. Surfaced in an attempt to catch up with last tanker but heavy air patrols prevent this. Went out to sea for night time battery charge.

On 14 June was conducting submerged coastal patrol off Nigata. Sunk an Akizuki Destroyer making a high speed run south along the coast.


15 June destroyed 8 fishing boats and sampans.A low flying "Emily" patrol plane dropped a close depth charge, which caused heavy damage to conning tower after a crash dive. Moved out to sea to repair that night.

16 June attacked 2 large merchants with escorts off Tsugaru Strait, sunk both with Mark 18 torpedoes.Prolonged depth charging from the escorts left boat kept us under for 14 hours.


17 June- Destroyed fishing boats, all exploded easily, must have been carrying ammunition.

18 June-Attacked a large Merchant off Nanao Bay. Escorts were top notch and forced a shot from 3900 yards, almost the Mark 18's max range. 2 of four torpdoes hit, leaving vessel crippled. The six escorts were fooled by decoys dropped but kept us down. When cam back to scope depth, merchant was gone, apparently repaired enough to limp away.


19 June- Submerged at dawn and went deep in Toyama Bay. At 0800 made sound contact with multiple ****s. There was a freighter with five escorts, mostly Type C and D. Managed to get to 800 yards off track with perfect shot. Fired last Mark 16's. Both hits, destroying the ship. Escorts soon raced in and dropped many depth charges. Despite decoys and being at 580 feet(at the limit for a gato) they stayed with me. Seas were glassy and calm, ideal sonar conditions. Thought had lost them, but one persistent escort kept coming back every now and then and reestablishing contact. After several hours of this seemed to have escaped again when an escort came close and began pinging away. Dropping a large pattern. Many explosions, none close then suddenly. BAM BAM. Two extremely close explosions. Lights went out, damage reports piled in. The the forward torpedo room was wrecked, flooding, control room and conning tower wrecked with light flooding. Hull damage reported . As tried to climbing away so did not sink to crush depth, suddenly hull collapsed, all was lost.

Sucks losing a career I have been playing for about three months, especially on what was most likely last patrol with end of war so near.

Sad coincidence, during the war, USS Bonefish was lost on June 19, 1945 in Toyoma Bay as well after attacking and sinking a single merchant with five escorts. While I did add this group at this time and location when adding traffic to game a while back, was not aware of it.

Japanese ASW really does get better in SH 4 as war goes on.This, along with more escorts as in real life, made for a tougher experience for US submarines.
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Old 08-05-20, 08:04 PM   #5029
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Default Action in Saipan July '42

Orders were to patrol the Parlor area NW of Saipan. What little traffic was too far away to set-up an attack. I decided to sniff around Garapan harbor


The set-up:



First hit after 2 duds:


Second hit:





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Old 10-22-20, 10:35 PM   #5030
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Patrolling the Balayan & Batangas Bays, Dec 41.


So far have spotted a BUNCH of these...



AND...


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Old 02-16-21, 09:23 PM   #5031
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USS Salmon SS-182 (Salmon Class)
My first patrol in command.
June 6, 1943-July 12, 1943.

TMO 2.5 + my custom mods and traffic.

Area: Southern Hokkaido/Northern Honshu(to Tsugaru Strait)

Departed Pearl Harbor 1100 on 6 June and set course for Midway to refuel before heading to assigned area.

10 June- Fueled at Midway and headed for assigned area at standard speed. Heavy seas and multiple storms slowed transit.

20 June- Arrived in patrol area. Maintained surface patrols with SJ sweeps 50 NM off coast of Southern Hokkaido in the likely shipping routes. Closed coast at night, diving to avoid planes as needed.

21 June- 1130. SJ made lone contact 9 NM. Smoke plume of small freighter became visible. By 1230 was ahead, went to GQ and dove for submerged attack. Identified as 1850 ton TAIHOSAN MARU. Opened tubes one and two. Fired At 1246 fired a Mark 14 aimed amidships from 1000 yards. Possible gyro error as fish did make take proper course. Fired tube two which ran hot straight and normal. Torpedo one hit just ahead of the stern as the freighter spotted the wakes and attempted a turn, but firing distance was too close for them to avoid. Torpedo 2 hit amidships, blowing out the ships boilers, causing a large explosion. TAIHOSAN MARU went down in less than 5 minutes with no survivors. Surfaced and resume patrol, avoiding multiple patrol planes.


22 June- 0600. As the sun was rising, lookouts spotted a fishing boat at 080 6 NM. Went to GQ-Battle Surface and closed at flank speed. Due to a dark sky behind SALMON, we were shielded form view until just 3000 yards when opened fire with 4 inch deck gun and forward twin 20 MM. Two shots from the 4 inch gun hit the fishing vessel in a row starting a fire on the stern. Multiples hits with twin 20 MM set fire to the sails and the pilothouse. The fishing vessel was armed and returned automatic gunfire which did not hit SALMON. Twin 20 MM fire silenced the gunfire and several more hits from the 4 inch cannon finished off the fishing vessel. No survivors. Resumed patrol.

23-26 June shifted patrol closer to Northern Honshu in the Hokkaido-Tsugaru strait shipping lane. Avoided multiple planes. Encountered storms.

26 June -Received orders from COMBSUBPAC to deactivate magnetic influence features on torpedoes. 1300 Weather cleared. SJ contact at 10 NM. Closed in and smoke plume and silhouette of a large freighter in distance. Pulled ahead when freighter changed course, heading directly for Tsugaru Strait. Dove ahead and made classic submerged approach. Identified the 8,000 plus ton ATSUTASAN MARU and fired three Mark 14's from 1000 yards at 1542. First torpedo hit but failed to detonate, making an audible "clang" noise when hitting vessel amidships. Torpedoes two and three detonated on impact, starting a fire and causing a list. Vessel went dead in water but afloat.

Setup for stern tube shot, fired two torpedoes, one of which missed (likely gyro error) but one hit and detonated. ATSUTASAN MARU sunk at 1602 hours.

27 June- Heavy seas and storms. No contacts.

28 June-Submerged patrol near entrance of Tsugaru Strait. Sonar made contact with sounds of heavy props at 1045 hours. Closed to see smoke plume of freighter in distance but made it inside the straits before could close. Resumed submerged patrol, rising to scope depth every thirty minutes for observations and when able, radar sweeps.

At the 1230 observation spotted a large fishing boat estimated 50 yards away nearly on top of submarine. Scope was dropped and depth of 100 feet ordered immediately. After a few minutes, returned to scope depth to see the fishing vessels in the distance, but also spotted a single engine "PETE" type floatplane approaching from the west. It is believed the fishing vessel reported spotting of SALMON's scope. Ordered a depth of 200 feet and changed of course.

At 1334 sonar reported "warships, closing fast." The high speed screws were that of DD or DE type vessels. Plotted evasive course as was still some distance, came to scope depth. Observed two DD types at 030 bow wakes visible, indicating high speed. Set up to pull off their track and make a torpedo attack with stern tubes.

At 1402 after coming back to scope depth and sweeping with No 2 periscope for aircraft, spotted the "PETE" entering a dive. Ordered a depth of 150 feet. Several depth charge explosions went off by not too close. Back to scope depth, the destroyers had changed course, ruining our setup. Opted to try a "down the throat shot" on lead destroyer, tentatively identified as a Mutsuki Class. At 1411, 650 yards away, zero degree AOB. Fired two fish "down the throat" and went deep. Both impacted, both gave the audible clang of "dud" fish, failing to detonate.

Went to 250 feet, rigged for depth charge, silent running. Seems the lead DD, spooked by two fish "impacting" did not make a run on SALMON, but the second DD did, dropping four depth charges in the area.

After a few minutes both regrouped and closed in, seeming to have solid contact, took SALMON to 275, then 300 feet, then 325 and 350 feet (100 feet below test depth), maintaining ahead 1/3 and alternating with 20 degrees port rudder, making slow turn, which confused the pursuers. . Somewhere around twenty depth charges were dropped between two of them. Then suddenly one DD seemed to gain a solid contact momentarily and rushed in, unleashing 4-6 depth charges. Two charges landed very close in quick order causing damage to SALMON.

Damage reported as: After battery, minor flooding. Port prop shaft moderately damaged, electric engines minor damage, minor battery damage. Compressor damaged. High pressure air lines leaking and water leaking into conning tower and control room from damaging piping.

After flooding was controlled, changed depth to 380 feet, changed course. DD's continued their runs, while never seemed to regain solid contact, kept SALMON pinned down. Finally at 2346 seems lost contact. All went quiet, suspect DD's were listening, so continued to creep away. At 0300, came to scope depth, then radar depth. One SJ contact at 8000 yards, stationary. Seems DD was playing possum still. Surfaced in the darkness and sped away to open waters East of Tsugaru Strait.

Conducted repairs, all equipment repairs completed by dawn except for port prop shaft, which would take longer(stayed at 10 percent damaged for some time) which affected surface and submerged speeds, no doubt increasing noise factor submerged as well. Dove to avoid several planes but no contact. Prop shaft repaired.

29 June- Heavy storms, no contacts. Shifted to patrol off Southern Hokkaido. 50 NM off Cape Erimo.

30 June- 1230- SJ contact on multiple vessels. Close to spot two large freighters escorted by a DE type on eastbound course. Worked ahead and dove for submerged attack at 1500. Targets identified as a HAKUSIKA MARU (8850 ton) leading AKITA MARU(3350) with a Chidori Class Torpedo Boat providing escort.

Worked into position and fired four torpedoes at the HAKUSIKA MARU at 1521. One prematurely exploded en route to target (in spite of magnetic detonators turned off) other three impacted target, but failed to detonate. Made a turn for setup with remaining to torpedoes on the AKITA MARU. The Chidori was rushing towards SALMON. Fired both fish at the AKITA MARU from 800 yards. Both failed to detonate as appeared to run under target.

Chidori rushing in pinging, went deep and to silent running. Several depth charges fell, but none close. Seas were heavy and sonar conditions were sub par. After four hours, was able to surface and begin end around. four torpedoes left in bow tubes, would opt for a night surface attack.

0100- Reestablished radar contact. Convoy had moved closed to coast and was approaching Cape Shirepa, Hokkaido. At 0300 was in attack position 4,000 yards off convoys port side. The Chidori out ahead, moved by with SALMON unnoticed. After the escort passed, increased speed to 2/3 so could be in firing position less than 3000 yards. At 0316, with TBT bearing aimed amidships on the HAKUSIKA MARU, fired four torpedoes at 6 second intervals. All torpedoes expended.

All four torpedoes hit, with three detonating, causing large fires and explosions, the maru began to settle in the water. SALMON sped away into the night with star shells lighting the sky. The escort rushed in our direction but never seemed to spot us. The AKITA MARU lobbed a few shells our way, but none were close. The HAKUSIKA MARU sunk at 0330.

With all torpedoes expended, set course for Midway.

1 July-4 July- En route Midway.

5 July-0600- Check of fuel showed could maintain ahead standard and make the 3800 mile trip to Pearl Harbor without need to stop at Midway and adjusted course accordingly.

12 July 0600- Arrived Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. End of patrol.
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Old 03-05-21, 05:30 PM   #5032
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Default The Last Cruise of the Halibut

In the Downloads Forum there is a PDF of a story in the current issue of Naval Institute Proceedings of The Last Cruise of the Halibut.

I thought that you would find it interesting and instructive.

I hope you enjoy it.

The Last Cruise of the Halibut



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Old 03-06-21, 04:36 PM   #5033
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KaleunMarco View Post
In the Downloads Forum there is a PDF of a story in the current issue of Naval Institute Proceedings of The Last Cruise of the Halibut.

I thought that you would find it interesting and instructive.

I hope you enjoy it.

The Last Cruise of the Halibut



km
Thanks. The story of the Halibut is one of more harrowing ones to come out of the war. The CO for multiple patrols, Admiral I.J. "Pete" Galantin, wrote a book about his time as CO called "Take Her Deep". Excellent read.
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Old 03-14-21, 06:08 PM   #5034
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Default U.S.S. Skipjack - Feb 24 & 26 1942


When Java fell we were left short on fuel. Couldn't make to the sub base in Freemantle. Barely made it to an Aussie port at all (didn't count, though). That's the reasoning behind the X.O. getting a promo and his own boat (Seadragon).
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Old 03-15-21, 02:41 PM   #5035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arlo View Post

When Java fell we were left short on fuel. Couldn't make to the sub base in Freemantle. Barely made it to an Aussie port at all (didn't count, though). That's the reasoning behind the X.O. getting a promo and his own boat (Seadragon).
Nice video! I plan to do one myself at some point.
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Old 03-16-21, 12:00 AM   #5036
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TMO 2.5 w custom mods.
100 realism. cams off contacts off.
USS Ling (Balao) SS- 297
6th war patrol
Area 9 Tsushima Straits-Quelpart ISland-Northern East China Sea.

Departed Pearl Harbor on 28 November 1944. Stopped at Guam to refuel. Crossed through the Nansei Shoto between Okinoerabujima and Yoron Islands on 11 December. Around 0300 while transiting the strait between, spotted a fishing boat. Went to GQ and manned the deck guns. As closed in the boat opened fire with machine guns/ auto cannons, with several shots hitting a few yards away. Opened fire and quickly sunk the vessek. An hour later, encountered two more, which also opened fire as we closed, sunk both by gunfire without damage or injury. Arrived in Area 9 just after midnight on 12 December.


As the sun rose about 35 NM E of Quelpart island, dove to avoid an aircraft. After coming to scope depth, spotted another fishing boat. Inspection from 1000 yards revealed an armed boat machine gun/auto cannons. Allowed boat to move out to 6000 yards, went to GQ surfaced for battle surface gun action. Closed and using 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM, sunk the vessel without damage to Ling or injury to crew in spite of a hail of automatic gunfire splashing around.


Patrolled south of Quelapart in the lanes approaching Sasebo/Nagasaki and the straits with no luck, just a few planes. That night sifted to patrolling the south ends of Tshushima Straits, On 13 December, before dawn, SJ made contact. A 9 ship 4 escort convoy emerged from the strait between Quelpart Island and Korea. Convoy turned on a NNE course heading for the Tsushima Strait. Pulled ahead and dove just as the son was coming up with about 330 ft of water below the keel.

Approach was standard and luck was on Ling's side the starboard flank escort moved out of position for a sweep, leaving perfect opening for Ling to move into position at the mid sized MADRAS MARU and BIYO MARU. Fired three Mark 14's at each from 1500 yards away. All six hit mortally wounding both freighters.

Just after impact, dropped scope and ordered 350 ft, silent running, rig for depth charged while making a sharp turn to port to head away from convoy and toward deeper waters. Dropped two decoys roughly 1000 yards apart.

Soon I had three escorts in area. A barrage of depth charges exploded several hundred yards behind us, they were on the decoys. However, an escort located Ling and dropped several patterns, causing minor damage to stern tubes, trim pump, sonar gear, and bow tubes. Dropped more decoys and made a 2 minute run at full speed before cutting engines , while speed bled off, in conjunction with a continued turn to port, giving Ling a roughly SSE heading.

Several minutes later it appeared had lost escorts as were working over the decoys, a close and violent explosion went off near the conning tower, causing minor flooding. Suspect this was from an aircraft who spotted us in clear waters or detected via MAD(TMO has MAD, well simulates it). Soon two escorts were closing in but never picked up Ling's trail again as we limped away. Attempted to surface but air cover kept us submerged rest of the day as convoy entered the straits and into the Sea of Japan.

Surfaced after dark completed repairs and moved south as air contacts and surface patrols were near by.

Moved to a position 10 NM W of Quelpart Island in the East China Sea. After diving for a patrol plane at 1101, routine sound check detected props in the distance roughly SSE Ling. Headed in that direction at full speed after surfacing. Around noon made SJ contact on a convoy heading SW. PPI scope soon displayed an 11 ship convoy with 5 escorts. Decided to approach for submerged attack with Mark 18's in stern tubes, worked way inside the screen and was setup to attack when convoy zigged, which put an escort on a course to run right over us. Went "deep" to 250 ft (the bottom) but was detected. Dropped decoys and began standard evasion as in previous attack. Two escorts seemed to have a fix on Ling and several large patterns exploded near us. Forward and stern batteries were damaged, cutting capacity available from 77 percent to fifty 41 percent, damaging pumps, compression and other equipment. Endured several more close patterns before the disturbances, decoys and radical evasions seemed to allow us to lose these two. However, a sleeper (assumed) located us and stormed in with a close large pattern. After torpedo room took on some water, stern tubes and left prop shaft damaged. Dropped more decoys and turned into the escort (based on sound bearings" went ahead flank as charges dropped then made a hard turn , eventually losing the escorts, limping away. Surfaced that afternoon with most damage repaired and reestablished contact, would wait for dark to make a night surface attack. While conducting the end around, forced to dive twice for patrol planes escorting the convoy.


At 2300 went to GQ and closed from port side of the convoy heading for the China coast just south of Shanghai., for one more attempt before convoy was far out of our assigned area.

At 0032, fired six Mark 14's from bow tubes at two large freighters in middle of convoy from 3100 yards. Five of six torpedoes hit intended target, hit one lead freighter caused one apparently carrying volatile cargo (assume ammo?), other was one fire, wounded. Last torpedo that missed the target hit one in the far column, setting it afire.

While turning away after impact spotlight of flank escort, an old Wakatake Class DD shined on Ling and began firing, missing as we sped away. The sub chaser leading convoy turned toward as we sped away at high speed. Seemed to be losing the escorts in the dark when BAM...a shot hit the tip of the bow (later inspection revealed a hole that blew clean through the superstructure (see attached screenshot) . This caused heavy hull damage and damage to the forward torpedo compartment, minor flooding. Soon another problem presented itself, while Ling could outrun the old Wakatake DD and the SC, it could not outrun what appeared to be a DD or DE closing in fast astern, later identified as a Chidori Class Torpedo Boat (DE). Setting up for a "down the throat shot" with Mark 18's in stern tube via aft TBT. The Chidori closed to 3000 yards and fired two Mark 18's, one of which made a circle run. The first apparently run deep and did not impact. Soon SD had a contact coming in and RWR was detecting...we had a night patrol plane coming in. Soon a large flying boat (EMILY) was closing in AA guns set her on fire and her depth charges/bombs missed, but one landed close, causing large splash just of to port. The plane continued trying to strafe ling and apparently tried a suicide dive attempt as in a final dive, it was hit by the 40 MM and crashed off the port side, very close.

The Chidori was now at 2000 yards, turned its spotlight on and opened fire, as did the two other escorts nearby .Used the aft 20 and 40 MM to shoot at the Chidoris spotlight and bridge area. A fire was started and light turned off but Chidori kept chasing firing its deck gun and auto cannons, other two escorts from further away continued firing their deck guns. Soon a hit just aft of the conning tower at waterline hit Ling, causing damage and casualties in the engine room. Followed by a near miss on part side amidships via the Chidori. Just after the near miss both Mark 18's fired moments before hit the Chidori in the bow, she slowed and lost way while turning as Ling limped away dodging shell splashes from the other escorts, unable to close the distance as Ling disappeared into the night.

Assessing damage...hull damage was considerable (70%, Also, I wish we could remove this counter, just know if you take a gun hit, prob need to head for home such as when Bergall did in real life). Luckily had plenty of fuel aboard for high speed transit back to Guam to refuel before proceeding to Pearl Harbor. One CPO and one PO 2 in engine room were seriously injured as was diesels as mac speed was now just 18.5 knots, not the 20.5-21 in an emergency. Multiple other pieces of equipment were damaged,

With such hull damage did not submerged, made multiple SD contacts with planes, but manned AA guns ready to battle if needed, but luckily the light haze in sky kept us hidden . On 18 December exited Nansei Shoto, evading a radar equipped patrol. Arrived at Pearl Harbor via Guam on 30 December.

Result was three merchants....MADRAS MARU (5243 tons) BIYO MARU (5352 tons) and KOBAYASHI MARU (9452 tons) plus the 1500 ton Chidori and damaged a large freighter (8000 tons?) and a smaller freighter (3000) tons.I was awarded a purple heart as were 6 members of the crew. The CPO's health never recovered above 10 percent, so was transferred off the boat.

Ready for next patrol.


(So this patrol along with tests shows need to raise the light factor back to 3.0 instead of 2.9. Most escorts in TMO are set to veteran skill level and apparently when set to vet the 2.9 light factor allows them to easily spot and shoot up a player. Next patrol will test it with 3.0 to see. I had reduced it since 3.0 seemed to blind some escorts, trying to find the balance).


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Old 03-16-21, 04:51 PM   #5037
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Default USS Ling SS 297 Seventh War Patrol 1945

TMO 2.5 w custom mods
USS Ling SS-297
7th patrol
100 realism, contacts off, cams on for visuals (knew would be chance for great screen shots at Iwo and wanted to make sure could see things. While my main career, also use it to test things. )

22 January-4 March 1945
Luzon Straits, Babuyan Islands, and (later) off Iwo Jima to support Operation Detachment.


Departed Pearl Harbor at 1708 on 24 January 1945 for Luzon Straits via Guam.

Refueled at Guam on 1 February , arrived in patrol area after midnight on 6 February.

On Feruary 7th about 100 NM S of Formosa spotted an Akizuki Class Destroyer making 30 knots on course 010m likely toward Takao. Attempted to get close enough for a shot but the 7000 yards was far beyond the Mark 18 torpedo range of our bow or stern tubes. Encountered multiple day and night air patrol but no enemy shipping since lanes had firmly shifted to China coast.

On 8 February at 0100 received an ULTRA stating that the enemy was undertaking a major evacuation effort of certain personnel and materials from Luzon as well as resupply via submarines landing in the Aparri area. Orders were to set up a patrol line in the Babuyan Islands. Arrived there in the afternoon of 8 February and began submerged patrol among the islands, dodging aircraft day and night as well as a radar equipped PT boat that night.

At dawn on 9 February began submerged patrol at the " center" of the channel between Calayan, Dalupin, Fuga, Camiguin and Babuyan Islands with periscope patrols, sound and radar sweeps. , changing course south to head towards Apparri area after dusk. Surfaced after dusk recharged batteries and began patrolling. A light fog, overcast clouds and light rain made visual identification of anything difficult as patrolled between Fuga Island and Camiguin Island. At 0032 the APR-1 Radar Warning Receiver detected radar emissions (since no contacts enabled on the map was unsure what direction, wish this could be fixed to give a bearing in the dialog box or even audible as radar contacts are announced). Stopped for a sound sweep and in the distance, very faint props could be heard to the south. We headed South stopping intermittingly while the RWR was still detecting the emissions.

The prop noises grew stronger and could tell we were closing. Ordered GQ and at 0111 ordered a dive , tracking sound, and occasional radar sweeps. Finally spotted at 3000 yards the very faint silhouette of a surfaced I-Class submarine, difficult to keep track of visually due to the low light conditions. Submarine was on a NW course making 9 knots. Readied all six forward tubes with Mark 18 torpedoes set at minimum depth. Firing point came at 2100 yards. Fired four torpedoes at 6 second intervals to make a spread, dropped scope. Raised scope with 10 seconds until estimated impact and at 0124 all four Mark 18 torpedoes hit the submarine, causing large explosions and the submarine quickly sunk. Surfaced after sonar and radar sweep to clear area. Within 30 minutes a night time patrol plane with radar (APR-1 reported emissions) was in area, we submerged to avoid then surfaced, making an end around back to patrol submerged off Aparri the next day.

Aside from spotting a patrol plane or two, there was no activity during submerged patrol 10 Feb. Surfaced at dusk, recharged batteries and heading to patrol among the Babuyan Islands for the night. At 23:11 APR-1 detected radar signals. Sound sweep revealed faint screws in distance to the south. Closed again as low visibility conditions persisted with light rain.

Went to GQ and located a surfaced submarine off SW Camiguin Island heading SSE. Due to distance to cover for a shot and low visibility, decided to try a night surface attack, keeping bow steady on to avoid giving the radar beam a large target. This seemed to work. At 3700 yards fired four Mark 18's...number four ejected from the tube then took a hard starboard turn into a CIRCULAR RUN! Ordered AHEAD FLANK, full starboard rudder to clear the stern of the submarine of the torpedo. Amazingly, we were not detected as brought sub back to bearing, made quick update to solution fired tubes five and six for good measure. The torpedoes appeared spot on when suddenly, the submarine disappeared from sound, visual, and APR went silent...appears the target submerged (I did add subs in the game to do this every so often, to simulating a sub diving, so my bad luck hit that point.)

We turned away fast showing stern to last known position of sub, and began reloading tubes. Based on the course, estimated sub was heading for the harbor at Palaui Island. We raced to 10 NM off projected track for an end around off S end of Palaui Island. After sometime, APR-1 detected radar emissions and knew was correct. Problem now in order to get solid firing position, would have to make attack in shallows. Tried for another surface attack and planned ot use Mark 18's in stern tubes but enemy radar apparently detected as as she suddenly began zig zagging, constant helming along her course at 11-12 knots. Ling submerged to 56 feet, and closed for bow shot with Mark 14 torpedoes. Sub was zigging moving fast towards the harbor, it was now or never. Fired spread of four Mark 14's from 2700 yards with hull scraping the bottom. (During the turn away, she did touch bottom)

Raised scope at at 0220 and at 0221 two torpedoes impacted the enemy submarine, the first amidships, causing large explosion and ever larger secondary explosion when second hit the bow area (torpedo room?) . The submarine quickly sunk in the shallow waters as we turned to head for deeper waters at flank speed. Once clear of the shore to avoid shore batteries, we surfaced but a night time patrol aircraft kept us down for several hours.

Surfaced at 0500. Recharged batteries and heading away from area as a patrol boat and aircraft were now present. Submerged for the day(due to the proximity to shore among islands, patrolling submerged was necessary, shore batteries and all) at dawn and patrolled among the islands.

Patrolled the evening of the 11th with no contacts other than a night flying patrol plane.

Submerged at dawn on the 12th to patrol off Appari and Palaui Island Sonar could still hear the submarine sunk the previous morning on sonar as it sat on the bottom in the shallows.

Surfaced after dark for battery recharge and patrol among the islands again.

At 0300 radar emissions were detected. Sound revealed nothing so began a pattern search but nothing. (Assuming contact "submerged" as no more reports of radar emissions) Finally detected faint props at 0340 , estimating contact was off Calayan Island . Closed in a full speed. The night was now clear with a qurter moon , so submerged along projected path, hoping for a stern shot.

Finally, along came the submarine at 14 knots heading SE between Calayan and Dalupin Islands. Set up for stern shot and from 1600 yards fired four Mark 18's at 5 second intervals. First three torpedoes impacted target at 0400, decimating it. The final torpedo was on target but passed overhead of the sub as the explosions blew it out of the water, then it went back under as torpedo passed overhead, before the conning tower peaked out as fires burning, before finally sliding under the surface at 0402. Ling surfaced, reloaded tubes, charged batteries and headed south.

Days of continuous submerged patrol with night time patrol revealed no further contacts except patrol planes. Low on fuel and with four torpedoes after and two forward, heading for Guam to refuel and rearm. En route received message about lifeguard duty for air strikes on Iwo Jima and Bonin Islands supporting an invasion on the 19th. With enough fuel to carry out this task, did so instead of heading to Guam. En route observed US surfaces forces bombarding Iwo Jima on the 17th .Proceeded to area off Bonin Islands, rescued two rafts with down aircrew on Feb 18th and fired at a patrol craft with two torpedoes on the 19th. Was released from lifeguard duty on the 20th. Heading back to Guam encountered a TF of CVE's operating East of Iwo Jima. Refueled at Guam, then headed home to Pearl Harbor, arriving March 4th.


Interesting patrol, challenging and and exciting. The encounter had similarities to USS Batfish's real experience in Feb 1945 when she sunk three subs in 72 hours in same area. I did add these subs a while back as part of my forthcoming TMO upgrade. I did add radar to the subs (some) and how Batfish detected two of her prey was detecting their radar emissions, which as I described is my primary way of detecting them on this patrol. I added the ULTRA alerting the player as well . Before release I plan to have AI subs firing torpedoes so that will add a whole new aspect to encounters with enemy submarines in TMO. While wish we had subs that would "submerge" and fire, having them randomly disappear and reappear at a later location does a decent job of adding the uncertainty in these encounters. I have added every submarine sunk by US submarines recorded to the games at historical time and locations, plus some random ones at appropriate times and locations but encounters are still rare as they really were. There are ULTRA's alerting the player when appropriate. German U boats operating in pacific and java sea etc were added as well.






Some screenshots, will add others later .









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Old 04-16-21, 11:55 PM   #5038
Arlo
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Default U.S.S. Balao SS-285 Aug 2, 1943

Departing for our second patrol out of Midway we were tasked once again with delivering an agent deep into enemy territory.

C.O. Lcdr. Edward Steele
X.O. Lt. Irvin T. Ryan
C.O.B. CMM Theodore W. Hull

Delivery uneventful/successful.

We were directed to patrol sector 'abuse.' While still in the Yellow Sea radar reported a convoy headed directly for us. This made for a 'target of opportunity.' Time - 04:15/water depth - 150ft.



30 minutes of action:





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Old 04-17-21, 03:24 PM   #5039
Bubblehead1980
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Arlo View Post
Departing for our second patrol out of Midway we were tasked once again with delivering an agent deep into enemy territory.

C.O. Lcdr. Edward Steele
X.O. Lt. Irvin T. Ryan
C.O.B. CMM Theodore W. Hull

Delivery uneventful/successful.

We were directed to patrol sector 'abuse.' While still in the Yellow Sea radar reported a convoy headed directly for us. This made for a 'target of opportunity.' Time - 04:15/water depth - 150ft.



30 minutes of action:






Enjoyed the videos.
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Old 04-26-21, 04:22 PM   #5040
Bubblehead1980
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Default USS Tambor 5 June-22 July 1943

TMO 2.5 w custom mods.
USS Tambor SS-198
Eighth Patrol
5 June-22 July 1943
Area D3- Southern Gulf of Siam (Thailand) and portion of South China Sea.
100 realism with contacts on and for a change of pace, external cam on.

Departed Fremantle on 5 June, stopped for fuel at Exmouth Gulf on morning of 8 June and proceeded NNW at 15 knots to transit Lombok Strait.


On the evening of 10 June Tambor "Ran the gauntlet" of Lombok Strait on surface at night. There was little moonlight with flat, calm seas. SJ radar contacted what was likely a patrol vessel at southern entrance, steered course around and increased speed to 18 knots, evaded. In middle of strait a small PC type was sighted (SJ did not make contact), Tambor presented her stern and turned away, outrunning the PC.

At the north end of strait around 0130 made SJ contact with what was presumed to be another PC. While taking evasive action and increasing speed again to 18 knots, the PC was visually spotted heading in our direction. Increased to flank speed and presented stern, heading NE, careful to not close the coast of Lombok Island due to reported shore batteries and minefields. The PC turned south, not spotting Tambor. It is assumed that PC types do not have radar. Cleared Lombok Strait at 0200 and headed NW to transit Java Sea and Karimata Strait to patrol area.


Over next few days avoided patrol aircraft and vessels, arriving in patrol area late on 15 June.

At 0400 on 20 June SJ made a lone contact 100 NM SSW of Cau Mau Peninsula (Indochina) in the Gulf of Siam. Went to GQ. Closed at flank speed to gain position for dawn periscope attack. As attempted to pull ahead, noticed by lack of quick advancement target must be making higher speed. As sky lightened observed the target was a warship, a destroyer or destroyer escort type. Dawn was breaking and continued pursuit would take into very shallow waters, so decided to dive and should be able to fire from within 2500 yards. Ordered a dive.

At 0600 the DD was identified as the Royal Thai Navy's Phra Ruang Destroyer. Continued to close at high speed. Upon next observation, target had changed course slightly opened distance. Target was moving at 16 knots.

At 0614 fired two Mark 14's from 5100 yards. One minute into torpedo run, torpedo 1 prematurely exploded. Just 200 yards from target, torpedo 2 prematurely exploded. The DD was alerted by the explosions and began search. Tambor changed course at high speed and at 150 feet heading away. The DD never located Tambor. Attempted to surface at 1000 but a large flying boat remained in area throughout day attempted to locate Tambor. Surfaced after dark and set course to South.


Over next few days encountered nothing but patrol planes. At 1600 on 26 June, SD radar failed to detect a flying boat. Once observed by aft lookout, Tambor dove to 125 feet. Three depth charges/bombs exploded close, causing minor damage and shaking the boat.


At 0100 on 29 June, received an ULTRA indicating an enemy light cruiser would depart Bangkok for Hong Kong at 0600 on 30 June and would transit our area around 1300 on 1 July. After diving for day to avoid numerous planes, set course for desired intercept point.

At 1845 on 29 June, SJ contact. Visually identified numerous smoke plumes in distance, a convoy had been located. After looking over situation, Tambor had time for an attack on the convoy, possibly a follow up and could still reach the desired ambush point for the light cruiser. Pulled ahead of convoy until dark fell, wen to GQ and turned into to convoy for a night surface attack.

Convoy was a four ship one escort convoy on a base NNE course into South China Sea. Zigging roughly every 25-30 minutes. Speed was 9 knots. Closed in on port side to target the two larger merchants. Closed to 2200 yards and fired three torpedoes each at ADA MARU SANYO MARU merchants. Four torpedoes prematurely detonated, which alerted the escorts but one torpedo hit each target. As Tambor turned and sped away, escort was racing in , star shells in the sky., a couple of splashes landed 300-500 yards near Tambor, either from the escort (Shimushu Class Type A Escort) or the burning merchants. Tambor escaped into the night. The escort began dropping depth charges, then came to a stop, listening, convinced Tambor had dived.

Slowed and observed, the two targets were burning and dead in water but not sinking. From 7000 yards, fired two stern torpedoes at each. Two premature explosions occurred, but one each hit their mark. The ADA MARU quickly went down. SANYO MARU lingered but eventually went under.

Gauging the situation, decided to break off attack and head for ambush point due to time limitations and not further expending torpedoes.


At 1426 on 1 July SJ made contact 78 NM SSW of Cau Mau Peninsula in Gulf of Siam. Went to GQ and raced toward contact. Soon visually identified two warships in distance, moving at high speed. While hoped to shadow into deeper waters, the targets were moving at 19 knots, Tambor would not able to outpace the targets, now identified tentatively as a CL and DD. Ordered a dive along the path to 100 feet (bottom was 125 feet) turned to could attack from port side and not have to turn for deeper waters after attack, closed at high speed, surmising their high speed would prevent escort from detecting Tambor's approach. After a few minutes, came to scope depth and slowed for observation. Target was a Nagara Class CL with a Chidori Class Torpedo Boat escorting. Dropped scope and went back to 100 feet for high speed run, should be able to fire from 1500-2000 yards.

Came back to scope depth after a few minutes, target track had slightly changed which would make , would have to fire from 2300 yards, but a spread of six should cover it. One issue, had been forced into shallow waters max depth was 115 feet, but would take the risk, this was an important enemy warship.

Finally, final observation, fired six Mark 14 torpedoes, set at shallow depth in a nice spread at target which was making 18 knots. Target spotted the torpedoes and attempted to evade but three struck home and detonated, with another hitting but was a dud, two others missed. The target burned before a large, delayed explosion occurred after 45 seconds with numerous secondary explosions presumed to be magazines detonating. Set course for deeper waters, went silent, and to 90 feet. The Nagara was heard exploding and breaking up.

Meanwhile, the Chidori was searching but did not seem to know where we were but with Tambor at just 100 feet and no where to hide, Chidori's sweeps eventually located Tambor as pinging began.

The vessels made five quick initial runs, dropping charges.Tambor's evasive tactics of keeping 5-10 degrees rudder on with burst of speed when covered by the roar of engines and DC explosions seemed to work. No damage was caused but boat was shaken. After a ten minute pause, Chidori closed in running nearly along the "spine" of Tambor and dropped a large pattern.

Tambor was badly shaken, with damage throughout the boat, but nothing too serious. Maintained 6 knots for a nice burst of speed and direction change. Endured several more charge, close but no damage. A few minutes later, a suddenly explosion from what is presumed to be an aircraft spotted shallow submerged Tambor as the escort was 1200 yards away at time, caused damaged to conning tower and control room. Soon the Chidori closed in for another run dropping a pattern, this pattern seriously damaged forward torpedo room, with flooding, all six tubes damaged heavily. Sent the DC party into action. The flooding was quickly stopped with some water needing to be pump, Several large distant explosions were heard, presumed to be aircraft attacking what thought was Tambor.

The Chidori seemed to have lost Tambor as 15 minutes went by without an attack but soon it came roaring in pinging. Dropped a pattern, which was close. This pattern caused heavy damage to trim pump. Maintaining depth became difficult, Tambor hit bottom at one point. For a time we sat on bottom while repairs conducted (hull damage taken from sitting on bottom, we still really need to solve this issue somehow). Several patterns were dropped, with minor damage. Finally but water pumped out, and the trim pump repaired, was able to move along. The Chidori was relentless, making numerous runs over course of next few hours, stopping to listen, search, then returning to drop, then losing contact.

At 2050 the Chidori regained contact, pinging and closing in, dropping a close pattern, and repeating twice more. At this point, practically every system on sub had some degree of damage. Battery power was down to 30 percent, the high speed run followed by the evasion and some forward battery damage burned power. Night was falling (ship rigged for red) and possibility of fighting it out was being contemplated.

Tambor was now in "deeper" water with bottom at 130 feet and was creeping along. Boat was damaged, with low battery power. All forward tubes were not operational, and had just two forward torpedoes left anyways. There were three stern fish left and all were operational. If forced, after night fall would surface with stern towards Chidori and head away at flank speed. Aft mounted deck gun and 20 mm manned. If spotted and Chidori closing, would utilize stern tubes for a "down the throat shot" and the aft deck gun if needed.

However, we still had time and enough juice left to wait it out before dark set in. Chidori continued it's routine of search, attack a few times, then go quiet. We soon realized had made it into an area where map indicated waters were deeper, we did not dare use the fathometer to check, so eased down to 150 feet. On next run in Chidori's charges were not as close and seemed to not have such a fix on Tambor. Decided to creep along, Chidori was still on trail but extra depth seemed to help. Sound went quiet, escort was listening.


By 0100, Tambor had been under attack for nine hours and was damaged. Eased up for a scope observation. As passed 100 feet, sound reported warship closing fast. Stopped ascent and went back to 150 feet, turned bow to Chidori to present low sonar profile. Chidori ran overhead and dropped charges, only one was close, others were way off. The close one damaged hydraulic pump, sonar stack, trimp pump, and the diesel engines.

The Chidori ran around pinging dropping charges but never established solid contact again. Finally around 0345, eased up to scope depth, nothing in sight. At radar depth, no contacts. Secured from Silent Running and surfaced, limping away after just over 12 hours submerged and under attack.


Crew repaired damage but forward tubes 1 and 2 were damaged beyond repair, others repaired. Also had hull damage from sitting on bottom (!). Evaluating things, boat was damaged but operation...had five torpedoes and 41 percent fuel left. Decided to continue patrol. At dawn dove for the day to rest, surfaced at night.


On 8 July SJ made a lone contact before dawn. Had located a lone freighter. Closed for dawn submerged attack. Fired three after torpedoes on the 9800 ton KOBAYASHI MARU, two hit, one appeared to suffer a gyro error and went way off firing bearing. The two hits cause massive secondary explosions, the masts and superstructures of the large ship collapsed, and was on fire from bow to stern. The hulk quickly went under. With three merchants and light cruiser sunk, two torpedoes left, damaged to boat, and fuel down to 30 percent, decided to terminate patrol and head for Fremantle.


The transit home was challenging as numerous air and surface patrols in Karimata Strait and Java Sea slowed advance. Also, nearly ran aground on night of 16 July on a small island unseen on map (unless zoomed in very close).

Finally on night of 19 July, "ran the gauntlet" of Lombok Strait, avoiding the patrols. Exited south end of strait around 0300 on 20 July. Checking fuel, had enough to reach Fremantle at Standard Speed, set course for home, forgoing the stop at Exmouth Gulf. Docked at Fremantle on 22 July 1943.

After over a year "down under" Tambor will be transferred to Pearl Harbor after next patrol.

Screenshots:












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Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 05-03-21 at 04:25 PM.
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