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Post by blaird on Jul 15, 2016 14:22:01 GMT
Patrol Results Due no later than July 22nd 2016.February 1stGentlemen, I know there has been rumors of American nurses on Manila, I must admit that they are correct, the Japanese captured 11 nurses in Manila. Philippians. On January 24th, the battle of Makassar Strait, destroyer attack on Japanese convoy was the first surface action in the PacificShips on Patrol:USS Bristlemouth USS Stingray On Patrol from DecemberUSS Angelfish - March 1942 USS Green Bay - March 1942 USS Humunuku - April 1942 USS Nutshell - March 1942 USS Skipjack - May 1942 USS Tiger Shark - March 1942 USS Triton - March 1942 USS Trumpet Fish - April 1942 USS Weatherfish - April 1942 Special InstructionsLCDR Piccard and LCDR Marshall, as the only Narwhal class submarines in the SUBRON 9 you will be on search and rescue every time you go out, and looking for passengers to transport. PatrolsEmpireUSS Bristlemouth MarshallsUSS Stingray MidwayNone
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 18, 2016 2:51:26 GMT
I know this thread is labeled 'January 1942,' but with the first line of the post reading 'February 1st,' I assume this is actually for the February-March Patrols.
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Post by blaird on Jul 19, 2016 1:08:50 GMT
yeah it should be February's.
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 19, 2016 2:58:02 GMT
25 March 1942, afternoon, Pearl Harbor USS Brisltemouth returns form her second war patrol, her Battle Flag displaying a Rising Sun flag to denote the IJN warship sank on this patrol.
Boat ID: USS Bristlemouth Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 0 Number of Non-Capital Warships Sank: 1, IJN Asashi Capital Ships Sank: 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 11,400 Special Assignment Completed: NA Refit Time: 1 Month, ready May 42 Awards Requested: 2nd Battle Star for Sub 1st Gold Star to Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia for crew
Narrative: Bristlemouth started this patrol with high hopes, the waters around the Empire of Japan as well as those enorute between Japan and her new conquests expected to be rife with shipping. Such did not prove to be the case, Bristlemouth encountering only two targets the entire patrol.
Near Wake Island on the 15th of February, the same day Singapore fell, the lookouts spotted a mast on the horizon just before nightfall. Approaching under cover of darkness, the mast belonged to a Fubuki Class DD that may have been part of the recent invasion convoy escort. Bristlemouth approached on the surface, firing four torpedoes from medium range. Two missed. Sonar clearly heard the other two hit, though neither exploded. For some inexplicable reason the DD’s skipper turned toward the end of run explosions of our missed shots. While this saved us a depth charging, it also took her beyond range of a possible second attack.
By 23 February we arrived at our assigned area off the Japanese homelands. Initially Bristlemouth patrolled the Bungo Suido in hopes of catching ships going in and out of Horoshima and Osaka. The morning of the 26th a large ship, an 11,400 ton repair/supply ship. Based upon the recognition manual she was the former battlecruiser IJN Asashi. Asashi was accompanied by a small subchaser. Bristlemouth submerged and moved into medium range. Given the dismal performance demonstrated by the torpedoes fired earlier at the DD, I chose to fire all six forward tubes at this larger vessel. The first fish missed. The second hit the target in the bow and she started to slow down. This was followed by a large explosion near the forward hold that resulted in a series of secondary explosions. Shortly thereafter, another fish hit the afterhold with similar results. By the time the sixth torpedo hit, the ship was going down, still experiencing secondary detonations. The subchaser seemed focused on rescuing whoever may have survived the cataclysm and Bristlemouth slipped away.
The next day we heard about the disaster at Java Sea as Bristlemouth shifted to the waters outside Yokohama. A storm brewed up on the 2 March. Remaining on the surface to provide a better search area proved to be a mistake. We didn’t find any targets, but Bristlemouth was pooped by a large wave that nearly swept the watch off the bridge, SM2c Clark Mars breaking his leg as he got caught in the Periscope shears. The sudden waterfall cascading down the hatch tore Cox2c Walter Hodges from the helm and down into the control room where he fell on passing TM3c John Riley. While Hodges got off with scratches and bruises, Riley suffered a broken collar bone. Both Mars and Riley will require several months recovery be unavailable for patrol in May. To add insult to injury, literally, the injuries were an accident rather than the result of enemy action so the three men involved don’t even get a Purple Heart.
By 5 March Bristlemouth was in the North Sea on the way home. I choose to return via the northern route to avoid any outgoing subs and prevent a possible fratricide. Over the next days we heard about the air raid on Australia, the fall of Rangoon and the Dutch East Indies, and the worsening situation in the Philippines. Bristlemouth arrived back at Pearl Harbor on the afternoon of 25 March.
Respectfully submitted, Kyle Robinson, LCdr, USN, commanding USS Bristlemouth
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Post by crushedhat on Jul 19, 2016 3:00:42 GMT
Vignettes from Bristlemouth's 2nd War Patrol, Feb-Mar 1942
14 February 1942, morning, one day out from Midway LCdr Kyle Robinson picks up the microphone to Bristlemouth’s PA. “For those of you that may be wondering, we’re taking the war to the Emperor’s front door. Brisltemouth’s patrol area is the Japanese Home Islands.” Cheering fills the boat. When it settles down, Kyle continues. “We’ll only have about two weeks on station. However, with the Emporer’s new real estate purchases I expect there to be plenty of activity between here and there so don’t let your guard down. Good hunting,” Kyle signs off to another round of cheering.
15 February 1942, night, southwest of Wake Island “Torpedoes running hot, straight, and normal,” comes the word from SOM1c John Glancy.
“Time to first impact?” LCdr Kyle Robinson calls to the Attack Team in the conning tower below Bristlemouth’s bridge.
“Twenty seconds,” Ens Paul Wouke, Bristlemouth’s torpedo officer answers, not taking his eyes off the stopwatch in his hand.
Kyle peers into the darkness ahead at the outline of a Fubuki Class DD, willing the one and a half ton ‘fish’ to hit. It appears that Kyle is to be disappointed as Lt Bryce Worthington II, standing beside him quietly says, “Time.” Kyle is further disappointed as the other three torpedoes also fail to deliver the expected detonations, each one ten seconds after its predecessor.
“Clear the bridge?” Bristlemouth’s XO asks his skipper. Kyle considers. If the DD turns on them every second counts. On the other hand, if they dive there is no way they’ll have a second chance. Making his decision, Kyle answers in the negative. Almost immediately the stillness is disturbed by the sound of a torpedo detonating at the end of its run, followed twenty seconds later by another. Everyone on Bristlemouth’s bridge tenses.
Rather than turning toward Bristlemouth, the DD head sin the direction of the torpedo explosions. While it means they won’t be suffering any Japanese ashcans, it also means Bristlemouth won’t be able to get into position for another shot.
“Sound says they heard two of the fish hit, sir,” Paul Wouke informs Kyle as, accepting reality, he orders Bristlemouth to turn away.
26 February 1942, afternoon, Bungo Suido, Japan “Looks like it’s the old battlecruiser, Asashi, converted to a supply and maintenance ship,” Beristlemouth’s XO, Lt Bryce Worthington II tells his captain.
At the periscope, Kyle takes in the scene, the large repair ship, escorted by a small subchaser is making its way out of the Bungo Suido. “Right,” Kyle states. “Make ready tubes one through six. After that last debacle I don’t want to take any chances with the IJN and a ship of this size. Mark!” Kyle calls out as he centers the scope on the target.
A moment later Lt(jg) Thomas Bolling at the TDC announces, “Solution!”
“FIRE ONE! FIRE TWO!” Kyle repeats the litany at five second intervals until all six fish are gone.
Ens Paul Wouke, the torpedo officer calls, “Time,’ as the first torpedo fails to explode. Kyle, and the rest of the Bristlemouth crew feel a sinking feeling as they anticipate a repeat of their earlier attack upon the DD. Spirits jump dramatically as five seconds later there is an explosion.
Still hunched over the Periscope, Robinson’s emphatic, “Yes!” is drowned out by cheering as the sound of an explosion is heard throughout the boat. It is quickly followed by another accompanied by multiple smaller explosions. These in turn are followed by two more, again one triggering its own retinue of secondary detonations. Watching through the scope, Kyle sees the big ship torn asunder as Brsitlemouth’s torpedoes apparently hit ammunition and or fuel stores. “She’s going down fast,” he announces to those nearby.
Slapping the periscope handles into the stowed position Kyle orders, “Down Scope. Take her down to 200 feet. Rig for depth charge attack.”
As the crew of Bristlemouth carry out their orders they can plainly hear the sounds of a ship breaking up as it descends towards its watery grave. Despite the expectation of retribution, those are the only sounds they hear.
2 March 1942, afternoon, off Yokohama, Japan It’s is anything but pleasant as a storm rages off the coast of Japan. “We’d be a lot more comfortable submerged,” LCdr Kyle Robinson thinks as he tries to see through the mixture of driving rain and salt spray stinging his eyes. “But if I were a captain who wanted to slip safely out of harbor past patrolling enemy subs, this is when I’d try.”
“Watch out!” someone shouts.
Almost immediately afterward a great wave crashes down on Bristlemouth’s bridge. The men topside on watch grab for whatever handhold they can find as dark gray-green wonder engulfs them, the force of its impact knocking the air out of their lungs while its all surrounding presence prevents any oxygen replenishment.
Heeled over from the impact, Bristlemouth rights herself as Neptune’s fury runs down and over the deck, seeking its natural place in the sea. As those on deck realize they’re still alive a voice can be heard screaming in a mixture of pain and fear. Looking back, Kyle sees SM2c Clark Mars, one of the lookouts, hanging from the periscope shears. Mar’s leg is caught in the railing and twisted at an unnatural angle.
“Get that man down form there!” Kyle orders. Others on the bridge move to rescue their injured shipmate even as Kyle is informed that the great wall of water injured two men below when it washed down the conning tower hatch. “Doc’s going to earn his pay this voyage, “Kyle reflects. Then, assured that others are seeing to the injured, Kyle returns his attention to the adjoining sea.
4 March 1942, evening, off the coast of Japan With Bristlemouth’s officers and chiefs gathered around the plotting table in the control room, space is at a premium. Still, LCdr Kyle Robinson feels it’s important that they understand his decision making processes so that they will have faith in him when there is no time for explanations. Tracing a penciled line on the chart he explains, “We’re going home by the North Pacific. I don’t want to run the risk of encountering one of our subs on its way out and mistaking it for an I-Boat.”
Kyle’s words are met with nervous laughs, everyone aware of near sinkings of other subs by overzealous flyboys. One of the men quips, “We don’t wanna be sunk by one of our sisters either.”
His comment brings a rejoinder. “No one’s ever gonna sink Bristlemouth.” The assembled men heartily agree with the last sentiment.
25 March 1942, afternoon, Pearl Harbor With injured onboard, Bristlemouth pulls up to a pier rather than immediately tying up to USS Turtle. As the mooring lines are secured Kyle looks over the crowd gathered to welcome the sub home. He smiles upon catching a flash of orange-red hair among the throng.
As the wounded are helped of the sub, Cathy Wanabe gasps, recognizing the man with the cast on his leg as Clark Mars. “He’ll be alright,” her brother and Clark’s friend, Dave tells her. Beth Worthington breathes a sigh of relief when she sees Bristlemouth’s XO, Lt Bryce Worthington II step into view. Katy Watkins waves to her husband, Lt(jg) Mark Watkins while Mary Groton tells her two daughters, “There’s Daddy,” as she points toward CTM Ralph Groton, Bristlemouth’s Chief of the Boat. The little girls echo, “Daddy!”
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Post by haplo02 on Jul 20, 2016 3:20:26 GMT
1. Boat ID USS Stingray 2. Successful Patrol: Yes 3. Number of Freighters or Passenger Ships Sank: 2 Taijo Maru 6900t Tone Maru 4100t 4. Capital Ships Sank: 0 5. Total Tonnage Destroyed: 11,000 6. Special Assignment Completed: N/A 7. Refit Time: Standard 8. Awards Requested:
February 1 1942 The USS Stingray is all set for launch, and it is time to set sail, orders in hand, we depart for the Marshall Islands.
February 10 1942 We made the trip from Pearl to our patrol sector without any issues.
February 18 1942 We spotted the Japanese ship Haruna. We fired off a spread of 6 torpedoes, 4 of them hit. and every one of them was a dud. Luckily, we were able to escape detection, but the Haruna escaped us.
February 28 1942 We spotted two freighters under escort. We fired 4 torpedoes at the larger freighter, and 2 torpedoes at the small freighter. Of the first 4, three of them hit, but two were duds. The smaller freighter had both hit, one dud, but the other broke the back. We were able to dodge detection.
March 1 1942 We continued the pursuit of the Tone Maru, we were able to fire off our last four forward torpedoes, 3 hits, 2 duds, and 1 big bang as the freighter broke apart. The escort again failed to detect us and we were able to sneak away.
March 22 1942 We made our way back into port, safe and sound.
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Post by blaird on Jul 21, 2016 1:31:48 GMT
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