RSRD can be frusrating....but this is why don't give up.

Bubblehead1980 · 10-20-13, 09:28 PM

TMO RSRD USS Guardfish-Gato December 43/January 1944 100 realism. cams off, contacts on.

Transferred from Brisbane to Pearl after a successful first patrol in November-December 1943. Departed Pearl Harbor for patrol area south of Guam on December 21, 1943. Arrived in Area on January 1, 1944.Days went by as nothing but a patrol plane or two came into contact, then on January 11 at 1922, radar contact.We closed in on the contact, which was heading NNW roughly, it was also apparently moving fast, plot had them based on radar at 18 knots, soon they kept closing, they had increased speed to 20.5 knots, fortunately we were off their track and ahead.Decided to to track and then attack at dawn when could see what were shooting at, it was obviously something large and fast, and well escorted.Dawn began to break ,could make out, we have two large ships, possibly battleships about 8,000 yards astern.Ordered a dive 2,000 yards off their track just after their dawn zig to the NW. Attacked the second target (both now identified as Kongo Battleships escorted by Asashio Destroyers) Fired 6 torpedoes at the second Kongo for five hits, third hit set off a masssive explosion , must have hit the magazine. Ship soon took a heavy list as it burned from bow to stern.DD's closed in and hunted me for 5 hours, few close charges.A massive explosion occured about an hour after the attack and the Kongo was heard breaking up.Surfaced later to find a large debris field, we had sunk her.

We were now about 150 miles out of our area, so headed back at full speed.Around 0700, radar had more fast moving contact, we closed and found ourselves chasing.Soon far off in distance, could see the high mast of another battleship, much larger than Kongo(it was the Yamato) and best yet, we were slowly closing in an end around, as they were making 16 knots.Soon though one of the DD's made a run in our direction late in the evening and managed to spot us, soon the DD and Yamato were firing their guns, after they came extremely close, ordered a crash dive and set up for a down the throat shot but the DD turned around and sped away.Attempted to pursue but they increased speed and outran us

Rest of the patrol was dry, returned home with one 32,000 ton BB sunk.

Had a crack at the Yamato and if had not ran into the Kongos would have been in perfect position, no end around needed but ah well, luck of the draw.

This was an example of why in RSRD some patrol orders seem pointless, send to dry areas but they send you there to have a chance at big targets.This area is dead of merchant traffic but since its not a seemingly "natural" point a lot of the big warships use it.Japanese did route capital ships outside of the usual lanes at times to avoid submarines.

10-20-13, 09:28 PM	#1
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,100 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	RSRD can be frusrating....but this is why don't give up. TMO RSRD USS Guardfish-Gato December 43/January 1944 100 realism. cams off, contacts on. Transferred from Brisbane to Pearl after a successful first patrol in November-December 1943. Departed Pearl Harbor for patrol area south of Guam on December 21, 1943. Arrived in Area on January 1, 1944.Days went by as nothing but a patrol plane or two came into contact, then on January 11 at 1922, radar contact.We closed in on the contact, which was heading NNW roughly, it was also apparently moving fast, plot had them based on radar at 18 knots, soon they kept closing, they had increased speed to 20.5 knots, fortunately we were off their track and ahead.Decided to to track and then attack at dawn when could see what were shooting at, it was obviously something large and fast, and well escorted.Dawn began to break ,could make out, we have two large ships, possibly battleships about 8,000 yards astern.Ordered a dive 2,000 yards off their track just after their dawn zig to the NW. Attacked the second target (both now identified as Kongo Battleships escorted by Asashio Destroyers) Fired 6 torpedoes at the second Kongo for five hits, third hit set off a masssive explosion , must have hit the magazine. Ship soon took a heavy list as it burned from bow to stern.DD's closed in and hunted me for 5 hours, few close charges.A massive explosion occured about an hour after the attack and the Kongo was heard breaking up.Surfaced later to find a large debris field, we had sunk her. We were now about 150 miles out of our area, so headed back at full speed.Around 0700, radar had more fast moving contact, we closed and found ourselves chasing.Soon far off in distance, could see the high mast of another battleship, much larger than Kongo(it was the Yamato) and best yet, we were slowly closing in an end around, as they were making 16 knots.Soon though one of the DD's made a run in our direction late in the evening and managed to spot us, soon the DD and Yamato were firing their guns, after they came extremely close, ordered a crash dive and set up for a down the throat shot but the DD turned around and sped away.Attempted to pursue but they increased speed and outran us Rest of the patrol was dry, returned home with one 32,000 ton BB sunk. Had a crack at the Yamato and if had not ran into the Kongos would have been in perfect position, no end around needed but ah well, luck of the draw. This was an example of why in RSRD some patrol orders seem pointless, send to dry areas but they send you there to have a chance at big targets.This area is dead of merchant traffic but since its not a seemingly "natural" point a lot of the big warships use it.Japanese did route capital ships outside of the usual lanes at times to avoid submarines.