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Post by keyboy on Nov 16, 2016 4:17:35 GMT
Patrol Results Due no later than November 25th 2016.July 1stGentlemen, I won't take up much of your time, as I know that you are preparing to get underway. I can assure you that the depth Mechanism has been fully corrected (MK14 dud rate is now 1-3 on D6).
On PatrolUSS Humunuku - tyo USS Weatherfish - nfiltr8tor USS Guardfish - tamari USS Green Bay - keyboy Currently at Sea
USS Bristlemouth - crushedhat RefitUSS Angelfish - privepilot - August 1943 USS Poseidon - Gridz - August 1943 USS Tiger Shark - jcook119 - August 1943 USS Skipjack - Silentshark - August 1943 Late and Presumed Lost Shoot me a PM and I will get you onto the next patrolUSS Nutshell - kos83 USS Stingray - haplo02 USS Triton - Falto USS Trumpet Fish - blaird Special InstructionsLCDR Marshall, as the only Narwhal class submarine in the SUBRON 9 you will be on search and rescue every time you go out, and looking for passengers to transport. [P1p] Patrol Assignment 1943 Jul-DecPatrols
China SeaNone Marianas - (T)USS Weatherfish - nfiltr8tor Marianas - (W)USS Green Bay - keyboy EmpireUSS Humunuku - tyo Empire - (W)None Philippines - (T)None
Marshalls
None Marshalls - (L)None Marshalls (R)USS Guardfish - tamari
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Post by keyboy on Nov 16, 2016 21:36:35 GMT
Boat Name and ID: USS Green Bay Commander's Name: Mitch Crump Patrol Assignment: Marianas (W) Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 8 - Yuri Maru (6800t), Shinpen Maru (900t), Mito Maru (7100t), Atlas Maru (7300t) and escort (1200t), Tanluin Maru (800t), Manko Maru (4500t) and Daito Maru #3 (900t) Number of War Ships Sank: 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 29,500t Special Assignment Completed: N/A Refit Time: Standard
Award Requests: Navy Cross for CDR Mitch Crump
Battle Star for Sub Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia for crew Request for Presidential Unit Citation for Sub
Crew Names: CDR Mitch Crump Chief Engineer Wayne Willis - EXPERT Pharmacist's Mate Felton Masterson Executive Officer Wallace Brooks 3rd Officer Jonas Salmon
July 2nd 1943 Having left Pearl and out to sea, we headed for the Marianas, to join up with the rest of our wolf pack.
July 10th 1943 Just after dusk we reached our patrol area and immediately made contact with Bluegill; the other member of our wolf pack. As midnight approached the Bluegill contacted us and gave us a few minutes warning of a convoy. After the attack by my Wolf pack brother, the convoy had scattered and so I was presented with an unescorted freighter. The ship was identified as the Yuri Maru (6800t) and it slipped beneath the waves, after the gunnery team tore it apart with the 5” Deck Gun. We looked for further targets for an hour, but to no avail.
July 17th 1943 Just after lunch, contact was made and after identification; the Shinpen Maru (900t) was to be our next target. After surfacing at close range and readying the gun crew, a small salvo was fired and in less than 15 minutes, the freighter had sunk.
August 3rd 1943 We had been in frequent communication with the Bluegill during the past fortnight, but there had been no business during that time for either submarine. Early evening contact was made and we did not contact our wolf pack partner, as this was just two ships and an escort and we would not be leaving any pickings. After the solutions were plotted, I took the Green Bay within medium range and fired a full salvo from our tubes at the three targets before submerging back beneath the waves. Only three of the four eels fired at the Mito Maru (7100t) hit and two of them were duds. The torpedo that did hit, just about did enough to slowly send the ship down. Only half of the torpedoes hit the Atlas Maru (7300t) and whilst they both detonated, it wasn’t enough to sink her. The two Mk 14’s hit the escort and whilst just one hit and dropped below the ship, the other must have detonated near something vital as it exploded and sank quite quickly. It was a relief to see the other escorts struggling to get a bearing on us as we jinked away from them undetected, ensuring that the damaged ship stayed on radar. By the time we reached the Atlas Maru, all escorts had gone and it took but thirty minutes: to get close, surface, ready the 5” gun and hit with a small salvo, before the job was completed.
August 20th 1943 We received another message from the Bluegill, they had engaged with a convoy and it was now heading our way. I ensured we stayed at long range, as the three viable targets were small in size and the risk was not worth the reward, especially so close to the end of another great patrol. We waited till night and then surfaced and fired from the bow; two eels at each of the targets, before submerging once again. Only one hit the Tanluin Maru (800t) but that was enough to sink her. Both Mk 14’s missed the Wakanoura Maru (2400t). Only one of the torpedoes that hit the Manko Maru (4500t) detonated, but that was enough to take her to the bottom. Staying at long distance worked a treat and we avoided detection.
I then had a decision to make; follow the Wakanoura Maru or try for another crack at the convoy. With our last eight torpedoes divided equally between bow and aft I settled on risking it with the convoy. After a short while we tried to re-engage with the convoy and after spotting an escort, three viable targets presented themselves once again. We fired the aft torpedoes at the two smaller freighters at long range and crossed our fingers on the long shot. Amazingly, one eel hit the smaller freighter and with a detonation, that was the end of the Daito Maru #3 (900t). We had almost the same result with the Hokusho Maru (4200t), except that the Mk 14 turned out to be a dud. We avoided detection and once again I attempted a hail mary attack at the convoy once again. Unfortunately the final four Mk 14’s were fired from the bow tubes and whilst two hit their respective targets, they both failed to detonate. So much for the improved Mk 14. There was no detection at this range once again, but then again there was none sunk at this range; a stalemate in the end.
About four days later we reached the end of our patrol and started to make our long way back to base.
August 30th 1943 Arrived back at Pearl Harbor, after traversing the rest of the Tropic of Cancer without incident on our way back to the Hawaiian Islands. Refit will be completed during September. Still reflecting upon the ones that got away due to torpedo failure.
I will need to report the data for the torpedo results of this patrol, as things are not improving:
Torpedoes Fired: 24 Torpedoes on target: 13 Torpedoes on target and failed to detonate: 6 Failure Rate of Mk 14 Torpedo: 46% (still around 50%)
USS Green Bay will be ready for the October patrol
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tamari
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 38
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Post by tamari on Nov 17, 2016 3:34:48 GMT
Boat ID: USS Guardfish Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sunk: 3 (Kashino, 10,200 tons / Miyako Maru, 1,000 tons / Hakusan Maru, 2,200 tons) Number of Warships Sunk: 1 (Escort, 1200 tons) Capital Ships Sunk: Total Tonnage Destroyed: 14,800 Special Assignment Completed: Yes, Recon Refit Time: 1 month (1 damaged system) (back in service October 1943) Awards Requested: Battle Star, Sub Combat Patrol Insignia, Silver Star
Guardfish patrol record and notes:
Fifth Patrol - July/August 1943
June 29th, 1943: The Hawaii Scuttlebutt News is rife with rumors of offensive action, after the victory in Solomons and the arrival of new Aircraft Carriers. A wave of Gato submarines have also arrived at Pearl, and the submarine traffic is increasing around the base. The men are taking bets on when the first Balao boat arrives.
One of the first targets, according to the shop talk, are the Gilbert and Marshall Islands chain. I stopped by the Captain's Office to request the assignment of Guardfish to that patrol area. While I didn't get a clear yes, I at least planted the idea. Today I received the boat's orders: patrol the Gilbert islands, and do a photographic survey of an island called Tarawa.
July 4th, 1943: We set sail for Tarawa on Independence Day. The crew is eager, and they are ready. The Japanese did not give up the Solomons without a fight, and I plan on getting the same treatment if they find us near their forward bases. My boat is NOT expendable, but we will not shy away from opportunities either.
Our new 3rd Officer comes with glowing recommendations - I plan on giving him the chance to prove it with our deck gun.
July 24th, 1943: Our journey to the Gilberts is uneventful. We arrive at Tarawa and conduct our reconnaissance mission. A Japanese scout plane comes uncomfortably close, but does not see us. With our film secured, we move to our patrol area to hunt for shipping.
August 6th, 0100 hours: After nearly two weeks of empty ocean, we finally spot a pair of ships under escort inbound on radar. A decent-sized freighter, and what appears to be the Kashino, a large ammunition ship! I choose to fire 3 torpedoes at each of them, on the surface at medium range out of our forward tubes. I am counting on the crew to submerge quickly if we are noticed.
We get a couple of hits on the Teisen Maru, but she is still underway. Only one torpedo hits the Kashino, but does not detonate. I think my new XO is trying too hard on his first attack.
The escort vessels do not locate us, so I am faced with a decision: Follow the damaged Maru, or pursue the undamaged Munitions ship. My XO argues that a Japanese ship that is *not* a Maru must be worth sinking. I'm not sure that's really true - but she is a prize worth chasing. We leave the damaged freighter behind and begin the chase.
August 6th, 0430 hours: Luckily for us, the Kashino isn't very fast, and we catch up to her before dawn. I'm going to fire all 4 stern tubes at her on the surface from Medium range. I hope this batch of fish have good warheads.
Well, the XO had them all on target. But there's only one explosion - and the big freighter doesn't even seem to slow. Dammit! Worse, a nearby destroyer gets a searchlight on us in a hurry, and the boat is hammered by gunfire.
We take a hit in the conning tower and one aft - our SJ Radar is out and there's substantial flooding in the engine room, knocking out a diesel. One of the gun crew gets bloodied up before getting inside, but he'll be all right.
Thankfully, as skilled as this destroyer was in surface combat, it's not so good at underwater detection, and we get away without any depth charging. Our POS torpedoes nearly got us in serious trouble.
The Chief gets the water out of the boat and the Diesel engine fixed up - but our SJ radar is dead. Luckily, this freighter is not going anywhere in a hurry, so we can follow her with the occasional eyeball.
August 7th, Midnight: We reach a good firing angle on the Kashino, and her escorts are out of position! It's time to see what our new 3O can do - I order an all-out attack with the Deck Gun.
Well, Mr. Shaw is as good as his file says he is - we hammer the big ship until, finally, some of its ammo explodes and it breaks in half. Not waiting around for the escorts to get back, we withdraw.
Kashino, 10,400 tons sunk
August 13th, 1400 hours: We visually spot smoke - a pair of smaller freighters with escort. I'd like to do a night attack, but it will be harder to track them without our surface radar. I decide to fire 2 torpedoes at each ship and 2 at the nearest escort from the bow from medium range and risk the day attack.
As we move into position - I think we can close the range, and I'm going to try! We pull it off, and fire all 6 torpedoes. The escort goes up in a fireball. The freighters - all were hit, NO torpedoes exploded. Bah.
Escort, 1200 tons sunk
However - there are no other escorts nearby. I order Battle Stations Surface and tell Lt. Shaw to dispatch those freighters with the deck gun, smartly! We hit the smaller freighter hard, and she rolls over. The 2nd freighter takes some near-misses but is unharmed.
Miyako Maru, 1000 tons sunk
We expend the last of our 5-inch shells into the other freighter, the Hakusan Maru, but it is a tough little ship and refuses to sink. I'll have to use a torpedo to finish her off. I don't want to hang around too long and have a plane show up in response to her SOS call.
1 torpedo out the back - it runs true. It doesn't go off. SOB. Torpedo #2 - oh hell, it's gonna miss...BOOM. Whew. And finally.
Hakusan Maru, 2200 tons sunk
After that misadventure, we move to our final patrol area before a Japanese plane shows up.
August 30th, 1943: We find no more shipping on patrol, and return to Pearl with no troubles and seven torpedoes. Guardfish has had better patrols, but we completed our recon mission and returned with minor damage. The torpedo problems finally bit us in the ass - something HAS to be done. Maybe the rumored new electric torpedoes are more reliable.
I have business to discuss with the Captain - we'll see how it goes.
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tyo
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 24
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Post by tyo on Nov 20, 2016 16:36:12 GMT
Boat ID: USS Humunuku Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 3 Tsurushini Maru (4600t) Shanghai Maru (4100t) Kayo Maru (4400t) Capital Ships Sank: 2 escorts (2400t) Total Tonnage Destroyed: 15,500t Special Assignment Completed: N/A Refit Time: Standard Awards Requested: Navy Cross for CDR Tom Shoals SCPI for crew Battle Star for sub
Sixth Patrol: July-Aug 1943
July 2 1943 Left port, heading for the Empire
July 1943 Transit was uneventful. Concerned about my past poor performance, I drilled the crew relentlessly. The crew is ready. Will I be ready?
August 3 1943 After a frustrating month on patrol with no contacts, we spotted 2 ships under escort. We followed until dusk then set up for a medium surface run. Everyone in the crew new this was the moment to break our jinx. I set up all tubes, forward and aft. I targeted 4 torpedoes on the Tsururshino Maru (4600t), 2 on the Shangai Maru (4100t) and 4 aft on the escort. They ran hot and we anxiously waited. A single torpedo detonated upon each ship which was enough to take each ship down. The crew cheered! The relief was palpable. We slipped away undetected.
August 18 1943 Tracked two ships under escort into the night. I used the same procedure that worked so well before. This was a little tougher to crack. Our aim was very good, but several duds let us down. However we damaged the Kayo Maru (4400t) and sunk her escort. The other ship was hit but the torpedo did not explode. We escaped detection and followed the wounded Kayo M. No escort accompanied her so we practiced our gunnery skills and sunk the freighter.
August 30 1943 Returned to Pearl Harbor. The crew was in a happy mode the entire transit home. We had a successful patrol and broke the jinx that had plagued us.
Torpedoes fired: 20 Torpedoes on target: 13 Torpedoes failed to detonate: 7 (54%)
USS Humunuku will be ready for patrol in October
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Post by nfiltr8r on Nov 26, 2016 23:14:48 GMT
Boat ID: USS Weatherfish Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 0 Capital Ships Sank: 1 CL Agano (5500t) Total Tonnage Destroyed: 5,500t Special Assignment Completed: Yes Refit Time: Two extra months (please check.. 1 month due to hull damage, and 4 damaged systems. Don't have rulebook handy) Awards Requested: Battle Star
Notes: Executive Officer Brent Lindsey was killed in action. Joe Bridges is promoted to Exec Howard Wilson will join the sub as new 3rd officer.
--------------- LtCdr Marshall reports aboard the USS Turtle to report. His clothes dirty with diesel, oil, crusty with dried salt water, and dried blood.
"Sorry we were late, sir. Marshall states. We got hit pretty hard. Those Japs were pretty peeved that we sunk their Cruiser. Made us pay for it pretty hard. Took out the aft tubes, port side fore tubes, one of our brand new diesels, the SD radar. Also caused a leak the battery which our Chief fixed at sea, and dinged up the hull pretty bad."
"Any casualties?" The squadron commander said, with a bleak look on his face.
"Yes... sir." Marshall stated, choking back tears. "Br.. I... i mean.. Lt. Lindsey was... killed in action, sir. Most of the crew sustained some light wounds during the attack. Doc says they will all recover though. The lieutenant was our only loss sir, thank God."
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Post by keyboy on Nov 27, 2016 11:39:07 GMT
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