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Post by keyboy on Dec 5, 2016 1:12:15 GMT
Patrol Results Due no later than December 11th 2016.October 1stGentlemen, I won't take up much of your time, as I know that you are preparing to get underway. As for those returning from patrol, I have sent you the MK 18 Torpedo Operation Manual to read and learn off by heart.(MK14 and MK 18 dud rate is now 1-2 on D6).
As of this month, your Torpedo load out has changed to reflect the new changes. You will automaticaaly receive: 16 x MK 14 and 8 x MK 18 Torpedoes. You can of course replace upto and including four of your lesser favoured for upto and including four more of your favoured fish.
On PatrolUSS Bristlemouth - crushedhat USS Humunuku - tyo USS Seahorse - tamari USS Green Bay - keyboy Currently at Sea
None RefitUSS Weatherfish - nfiltr8tor - November 1943 USS Skipjack - Silentshark - December 1943 USS Poseidon - Gridz - December 1943 USS Tiger Shark - jcook119- January 1944 USS Mako - privepilot - February 1944 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 USS Bristlemouth - crushedhat Marianas - (W)None EmpireUSS Humunuku - tyo Empire - (W)None Philippines - (T)USS Seahorse - tamari
Marshalls
USS Green Bay - keyboy Marshalls - (L)None Marshalls (R)None
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tamari
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 38
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Post by tamari on Dec 5, 2016 3:48:54 GMT
Boat ID: USS Seahorse Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sunk: 2 (Nichinan Maru, 2,800 tons / Hachirogata Maru, 2,000 tons) Number of Warships Sunk: 1 (Escort, 1200 tons) Capital Ships Sunk: Total Tonnage Destroyed: 6,000 Special Assignment Completed: Yes, Transport Refit Time: 1 month (1 damaged system) (back in service January 1944) Awards Requested: Battle Star, Sub Combat Patrol Insignia, Bronze Star
Seahorse patrol record and notes:
First Patrol - October/November 1943
October 3rd, 1943: As the crew embarks and supplies are loaded onto their new boat, I examine the new Mark 18 Electric Torpedoes. A full complement of them fills the Aft Torpedo tubes and room, and Subron9 assures us that they are fitted with the new warhead changes. I hope they prove as useful as advertised - the lack of a steam trail should help with daytime attacks.
I have some regrets as we are about to leave port - Guardfish is a good boat, and should be well-liked by her new commander after finishing refurbishment. But I didn't want to wait an extra two months to get out to sea, and this submarine was available. I hope she's got good luck in her hull.
Our assignment is the Philippines area, with a special task: Deliver a coast-watcher to the island of Samar. Nothing we can't handle, but new waters mean new dangers. We leave Pearl Harbor late in the evening of the 3rd.
October 24th: We sail across the Pacific without any encounters. During the evening, we get in close and insert our passenger without any sign of the Japanese. So far, so good.
October 28th, 1100 hours: Our radar picks up a group of ships - a small freighter and some warships. She doesn't seem worth trying the new electric torpedoes on, so we'll try to track them into the evening.
2300 hours: We manage to keep them on radar. I'm going to fire 2 torpedoes at the freighter and 2 at the nearest escort on a surface run.
As we get in closer - there are only 2 ships. I change on the fly and decide to use the starboard tubes on the warship - if we get her, the deck gun can finish off the freighter. So medium range on the surface with our torpedoes. I hope those warheads are fixed.
We get a hit and the escort quickly lists over. A quick run gets us within gun range of the freighter, and the 3rd Officer gets his job done efficiently as the target catches fire.
Nichinan Maru, 2800 tons sunk Escort, 1200 tons sunk
November 1, 1400 hours: Radar picks up another small group of ships - a small freighter and a definite pack of warships. It's as good of a time to try our new torpedoes as any, so we'll do a submerged attack with 2 torpedoes out the rear on the freighter at medium range.
Both run true on target (my XO is really really good) but there's only 1 explosion. Luckily, it's a rather big one and the ship is in two pieces as it sinks. The escorts do not head in our direction and we leave quietly.
Hachirogata Maru, 2000 tons sunk
November 5th, 1130 hours: The XO excitedly summons me to the deck. On the horizon, heading toward us, is a Japanese Battleship! Now we'll see if these new electric torpedoes are worth the trouble. We submerge and track the target, identified as the Ise. I quickly inform the crew that I intend to get in as close as possible, and fire all four fish out the back at our prey. It's risky, going in and going out, but this is why we are here.
We slip in - and one of our electric motors starts banging like a drum. Damn new boat gremlins! The Japanese hear it and now it's get out of Dodge time. Damn, I wanted that BB!
We take a big hit from the escorts - the Chief is slammed hard into the engine he was trying to fix, along with a crew member. Flooding knocks out the #3 Diesel. The 3O is also roughed up, but can still walk. I can't say the same for the Chief - I think he and the crewman will live, but they aren't getting off their backs.
Luckily, we manage to lay quiet and not get hit again. When evening arrives, we surface and pump out the water. Our Diesel is KO but otherwise the boat is is good shape.
November 28th, 1943: Unluckily, we do not see any more Japanese shipping and are forced to head home with 19 torpedoes still on board.
As we clear Wake Island heading for home, some confusing orders are received - we are to head for Midway Island for refueling and removal of our wounded, and head for Brisbane! Well, that's an interesting twist - we'll see what happens when we reach port.
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Post by keyboy on Dec 5, 2016 22:51:53 GMT
Boat Name and ID: USS Green Bay Commander's Name: Mitch Crump Patrol Assignment: Marshalls Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 2 - Meikai Maru (3200t) and Kachidoki Maru (10,500t) Number of War Ships Sank: 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 13,700t Special Assignment Completed: N/A Refit Time: Standard +1 month
Award Requests:
Battle Star for Sub Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia for crew
Crew Names: Crew Skill: Veteran CDR Mitch Crump Chief Engineer Wayne Willis - EXPERT Pharmacist's Mate Felton Masterson Executive Officer Wallace Brooks 3rd Officer Jonas Salmon
October 2nd 1943 Having left Pearl and out to sea, we headed for the Marshalls, where we had been only once and that was eighteen months ago.
October 11th 1943 Just after dawn we reached our patrol area after having made no contact with the enemy in transit.
October 13th 1943 We just heard on the radio, that the Italian Government had just declared war with Nazi Germany and whilst all the crew cheered, we kind of knew that in our theatre of operations it would not have the same impact. It might mean that our SUBRON may gain a few more subs as the Med SUBRON’s may scale down. 3rd Officer Salmon alerted me to a possible contact on the radar and within minutes I had a distant visual. With the frequent checks using the periscope and calculating the speed that the convoy was moving, it became apparent that at least one capital ship was present and so XO Brooks scoured the identification charts and books to determine which of the IJN Carriers it was. Then came the answer “The Akagi, just shy of thirty thousand tons sir.”
We would not be able to wait till night as we would not be able to keep pace with them, so it was either a daylight attack or forget it. As we had the new MK 18 torpedoes aboard, it made sense to use them to slow the Carrier down and then have an opportunity to finish her off during the evening, all the while hoping to avoid detection. I plotted the solutions myself and as we got into position, I fired all four aft tubes from medium range. It was not a textbook attack, due to the speed of ship we were firing at and as a result, two of our fish missed the target. Only one MK18 detonated and this only slowed the Akagi a little. There were no bubble trails and so I hoped we would be undetected. Needless to say, we were detected, but to my surprise the depth charges missed and evasive manoeuvres were not needed. I took her down to beyond test depth and this time all of the escorts had lost our trail. Even though they circled the surrounding area for some time, our silence prevented further detection and we stayed put until the escorts were out of range. We attempted to follow the Cruiser from distance and hoped to engage it once again or wait till evening. Unfortunately, we had done such little damage to the aircraft carrier, that we had not blunted its speed enough and as a result we lost contact and a big whale had slipped through our fingers.
I had nearly a month to ponder on the attack and played the combat in my head over and over again and whilst I played out different scenarios, the result was double edged. On the one hand, the carrier escaped due to lack of damage, accuracy of the MK18 and once again failure of our torpedoes, but on the other hand they left no bubble trail and as a result we took no damage.
I could have fired the bow tubes and possibly inflicted more damage to the IJN carrier, which may have slowed and then be finished off during the evening, but then we probably would have been detected and damaged, maybe even destroyed by the escorts and even if we escaped that attack would we have been functional enough to sink the Akagi and avoid detection and survive another attack ourselves.
November 15th 1943 During the afternoon, an unescorted cargo ship was spotted. The ship was identified as the Meikai Maru (3200t) and it was not long before it slipped beneath the waves, after the gunnery team tore it apart with the 5” Deck Gun.
November 22nd 1943 We stumbled upon the Kachidoki Maru during the evening, which we attacked and sunk. Unfortunately the IJN had been using this steamship to carry POW’s aboard. As soon as our watch crew identified American uniforms in the water, we switched from attack to rescue and managed to retrieve 73 survivors. At that point we headed straight for home and hoped that the food would go round and with thanksgiving just three days away. I was happy in the thought, that 73 prisoners would be spending Christmas with their families this year and not rotting in some Japanese hell hole and the thoughts of the lost opportunity with the Akagi just faded into insignificance.
November 28th 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 December and January of next year.
I will need to report the data for the torpedo results of this patrol, as things are still not improving:
Torpedoes Fired: 4 Torpedoes on target: 2 Torpedoes on target and failed to detonate: 1 Failure Rate of Mk 18 Torpedo: 50% (it don’t seem to get better)
USS Green Bay will be ready for the February patrol
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Post by crushedhat on Dec 8, 2016 15:47:16 GMT
23 November 1943, USS Bristlemouth ties up alongside submarine tender USS Turtle. Five new victory marks adorn Bristlemouth's battle flag while many of her crew wear their own battle trophies - bandages. Standard Report Format
Boat ID: USS Bristlemouth Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 4 Number of Non-Capital Warships Sank: 1 Capital Ships Sank: 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 25,600 Special Assignment Completed: NA Refit Time: 2 Months, ready Feb 44, due to Hull damage Awards Requested: 8th Battle Star for Sub 8th Star (3G/1S) to Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia for crew Purple Heart for Wounded Crew Navy Cross for Cdr Kyle Robinson for sinking five ships on patrol Narrative: Bristlemouth left Pearl Harbor for her 8th War Patrol the evening of 3 October so that the men could attend church services earlier in the day. Transit to our assigned area, the Marianas Islands, was uneventful other than the news about the battle off Vella Lavella and the fact that the Italians were now our allies, for all the good that did us out here. It wasn’t until we were off Saipan on the night of 26 October that we had our first encounter with the Japanese. A large freighter (6,800 tons) and troop ship (10,400 tons), under escort by an Akikaze class DD were apparently bringing supplies and reinforcements to the garrison there. I chose to make a surface attack from medium range so that I could bring all tubes into play. I fired the bow tubes at the troop ship and the stern tubes at the freighter. The freighter must have been an ammo ship as the one fish that hit ripped her in half with a large explosion. All six fish hit the troop ship, though two were duds. Still, the other four put enough holes in her that she turned turtle before any of the troops onboard could get to the lifeboats. The escort was too busy trying to pull men out of the sea to bother with us and we slipped away into the night. Rounding Guam on 2 November we encountered another troop ship (5,900 tons) under escort. It being afternoon, I opted for a submerged attack from medium range, firing the remainder of the stern torpedoes. Two missed and the other two were duds. I wish I could say the Japs had equally bad luck but the escort, a 1-GO MS caught us, subjecting us to two hours of depth charging (2 rounds). The crew took a beating, mostly from bouncing around and equipment knocked off its mounts. As we were on the verge of completely flooding the boat (1 box away from being forced to the surface) I took the risk of exceeding test depth. The gamble paid off as the escort lost contact. After that thrashing, I decided not to pursue. Moving on to the Carolines we heard about the landings on Bougainville and the naval battle that resulted. On the morning of the 5th we encountered a lone tanker and promptly sank her with gunfire with our new 5”. The night of the 12th, while passing through the Gilberts, we engaged a small freighter (2,800 tons) and her escort, a 28-GO. I decided on a surface attack from medium range. After our earlier torment and figuring the crew couldn’t take much more damage I split my remaining six forward torpedoes between the freighter and the escort, sinking both. With supplies running low, I headed for home, crash diving to avoid an Emily on the 14th. We heard about the landings on Tarawa and Makin where we had been just days earlier. Bristlemouth tied up alongside the tender Turtle on the 23rd, the crew being home in time to enjoy Thanksgiving ashore, though many will need time to heal, as will Bristlemouth herself. In the meantime, I’ve got a decision to make regarding the upcoming promotion board. Respectfully submitted, Kyle Robinson, Cdr, USN, commanding USS Bristlemouth
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tyo
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 24
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Post by tyo on Dec 11, 2016 0:44:14 GMT
Boat ID: USS Humunuku Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters or Tankers Sank: 4 Fukkaki Maru (3800t) Jusan Maru (2100t) Nittatsu Maru (2900t) Koho Maru (900t) Passenger ship Warships/Capital Ships Sank: 4 Sub (2100t) Escort (1200t) Escort (1200t) CA Atago (12,000t) Total Tonnage Destroyed: 26,200t Special Assignment Completed: N/A Refit Time: Standard Awards Requested: Presidential Unit Citation for ship Navy Cross for CDR Tom Shoals SCPI for crew Battle Star for sub
Patrol: Empire
Took it took 'em this time! The torpedoes work much better now.
Oct 20, 1943 No sooner had we reached our station when we detected an enemy sub. The crew was hungry for action so we engaged. Fired 4, hit 2, and one explosion. That was enough.
Oct 26, 1943 Tracked two ships under escort into the night. Surface at medium ranged, fired 4 at Fukkaki M (3800t), 2 at Jusan M (2100t) and 4 stern at escort for good measure. At least one explosion on each and they all went under. We slipped away undetected. Fired 10, hit 6, and 5 explosions. Only 1 dud. Big improvement in torpedo efficiency.
Nov 3, 1944 Tracked two ships and escort into the evening. Feeling better about the torpedoes so I fired only 2 at Nittatsu Maru (2900t), 2 at escort and 2 aft at passenger ship Koho Maru (900t). Ht all three but Koho hits were duds. Others exploded and those ships sunk. Followed Koho Maru which was left unescorted. Plinked away with guns and sunk her. Fired 6, hit 6, exploded 2. Four duds! I thought these fish were better. Again slipped away unharmed.
Nov 15, 1944 Detected a warship, the CA Atago (12,000t). This is a big, fast target. We were hungry for this one even though it was daytime! Took a chance and set up for close engagement. Not detected. Hit with one torpedo, and did it blow! Must have hit the ammo store cause Atago jumped out of the water, cracked and slipped under in minutes. Crew prepared for a beating but the miraculously the escorts were busy scurrying about and did not find us.
Torpedoes fired: 24 Torpedoes on target: 16 Torpedoes failed to detonate: 6 (37.5%)
Requesting Presidential Unit Citation for USS Humunuku USS Humunuku will be ready for patrol in January
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Post by keyboy on Dec 11, 2016 12:20:42 GMT
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