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From: LCDR. James D. Cox

To: CMDR. Greg Turner

Cc: ComSubPac

Date: 10 May, 1942

Subject: Patrol Report, USS-Pompano (April 02 – Patrol # 2)

Remarks: 2nd War Patrol, USS-Pompano

Date: 10 May, 1942 Patrol Area: Caroline Islands CI-1 (Yellow Section)

Sub: SS-181, USS-Pompano Class: P

Crew: Veteran Status: Operational

Hull Damage: (0 %) System Damage: (0 %)

Total Patrol Time: 35.6 Days Repair Time: 0 Days

Fuel Used: 83,136 (87 %) Realism Rating: 95%

Ships Sunk: 2 Tonnage: 32,460 / (10,809)

Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 2

Weather: Foggy- Partly Cloudy Seas: Heavy-Moderate

Patrol Mileage: 1,805 Nautical Miles

Ordnance Remaining: 2 -Mk-14's, 0 -Deck Gun Rounds

(Medals Awarded - Silver Star, Unit Citation)

Date Time Location Ship Type(Class) Tonnage Status

1). 15 April, 1942 04:23 07-57N, 145-48E Standard Merchant 17,280 SUNK

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2). 23 April, 1942 04:59 07-58N, 145-48E Standard Merchant 15,180 SUNK

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Total: 32,460 Raw / 10,809 Adjusted

Damage Sustained:

None

Aircraft Shot Down:

None

Commander's Comments:

Left port; on Friday, 03rd April 1942.

Arrived; on station on Monday the 13th April 1942 in the Caroline Islands / (Yellow Section).

Tuesday, 14th April, 1942; Started patrolling yellow section at night, lookout's are looking sharp, Didn't see a thing in the Supply ship, Moved in for the KILL. Set torpedo's as ordered for depth settings and fired a spread of two torpedo's at the AMC. Nothing happened as the AMC & Supply Ship sailed away as if nothing happened on this overcast night. (14-torpedo's left.)

Wednesday, 15th April 1942; Lookout’s reported a very small convoy contact at 03:00, Moved in for a closer look! Again set torpedo's as ordered for depth settings, and fired a spread of two torpedo's at the Standard Merchant. Was very shocked to get two good hits in on her, as she came to a speed of less than 3 kts. As we are heading down, She wasn't going nowhere, So we dove to 300 ft., and got a very good depth charging of about 44 depth charge's drop on Pompano from 2 DD's. NO damage to the Pompano came from this. As the DD's moved away to the Southeast toward Truk Island, we came to periscope depth for a look-see! There she was, dead in the water about 5,500 yds away, surfaced to finish her off with deck guns. She sank after 20 DG rds.. (12-torpedo's left).

Thursday, 16th April 1942; Still have overcast and heavy sea's. Charged batteries at night, nothing on tonight in the way of movies.

Friday, 17th April 1942; Lookout's reported a lone Troop Transport moving toward Truk Island. Moved in on her, and fired a spread of two torpedo's, with the right depth settings from 1,500 yds. and "Damn" the torpedo's went under her just as pretty as you please. Something's a foot here? As something's not right. (10-torpedo's left). Way of shipping, until 02:31 when lookout's reported a contact of 1-Armed Merchant Cruiser and 1-

Saturday, 18th April 1942; Charged battery's, still have bad weather with us. Maybe the weather will clear up soon. Everyone is a little upset with the torpedo's, But we'll keep work on the problem.

Sunday, 19th April 1942; Same stuff, different day!

Monday, 20th April, 1942; Came across a Japanese Task Force of: 1-CV, 2-CA, 5-DD's heading North, Northwest from Truk Island, but couldn't catch the Task Force as she was moving at 23kts in Moderate sea's. Broke off the attack, as it was hopeless to try.

Tuesday, 21st April 1942; Still working on the problem of the torpedo's. Charged batteries on the surface with lookouts looking sharp! Nothing in the area.

Wednesday, 22nd April, 1942; Came across 2-Battleship's; (Kongo Class maybe), 2-Heavy Cruiser's;

(Mogami Class maybe), and 6-Destroyer's. Set the torpedo's to the right depth setting's as ordered and fired a spread of 6 - torpedo's at a range of 1,800 yds at one of the Kongo Class Battleships, Went to 300ft. as fast as the Pompano would go. But, Nothing happened, Came back up too have a look see. Until the DD's went to investigate something on there port quarter! Maybe the torpedo's we fired. But, There they go, into the night! What a sad night for the Pompano to have the target sail away like this!

"I'm so mad, something is just NOT RIGHT." I have four torpedo's left, what good are they.

(4-torpedo's left).

Thursday, 23rd April, 1942; Charging battery's on the surface, when the lookout's said they have a contact at 341 degree's heading south, southeast toward Truk Island. Came to periscope depth and just waited for him too come to us, and he did. Setup the torpedo's as ordered, and fired a spread of two at the Standard Merchant at about 1,200 yds away. One went under her and the other one "HIT." she came to a speed of about 9 kts or less. As we surfaced from her at about 5,000 yds we put 75 DG rds in her and she went too the bottom, Stern first. "Boy, Was the crew happy, and I too!"

(2-torpedo's left).

Patrolled From; Friday, 24th April 1942 till Wednesday, 29th April 1942 as ordered. Only to come up with about three groups's of about three Sampan's each fishing.

Thursday, 30th April 1942; Came back to base.

Saturday, 09 May 1942; Arrived at base.

LCDR. James D. Cox

CO: USS-Pompano, SS-181

U.S. Navy

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