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IMMEDIATE /
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From: LCDR Ethan Edwards
To:
CMDR. Greg Turner
Cc:
ComSubPac
Date:
March 24, 1942
Subject: Patrol
Report, USS Plunger SS-179 (April 02
– Patrol # 2)
Remarks:
2nd War Patrol, USS Plunger
Date: 23 March, 1942 Patrol Area: Caroline
Islands
CI
– 2 (Orange sector)
Sub: U.S.S. Plunger SS-179 Class: P
class
Crew: Veteran Status: Operational
Hull Damage:
(0%) System Damage: (0%)
Total Patrol Time: 21.7
days Repair Time: Operational
Fuel Used: 58,886 Gallons (61%) Realism Rating: 100%
Ships Sunk: 6 Tonnage: 38,920 / 12,960
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 0
Weather: Overcast / Mostly
cloudy Seas: Heavy
/ Moderate
Patrol Mileage:
489 Nautical Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 0 -
Mk-14, 3 -Deck Gun Rounds
(Medals
Awarded – Silver Star)
Date Time
Location Ship
Type(Class) Tonnage Status
1) 3/15/42 13:15 6-27N,
150-46E Oil Tanker 11,100 Sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) 3/15/42 13:29 6-28N,
150-46E Oil Tanker 11,100 Sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) 3/15/42 13:47 6-28N,
150-45E Troop Transport
5,530 Sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4) 3/15/42 14:11 6-27N,
150-45E Small Freighter
1,720 Sunk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5) 3/16/42 14:26 6-29N,
154-35E Standard
Merchant 4,080
Sunk
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6) 3/17/42 12:13 6-30N,
154-37E Large Freighter
5,390 Sunk
Total: 38,420
Raw / 12,960
Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
Aircraft Shot Down:
Depth Charges:
None
Commander's
Comments:
We departed Pearl on March 2 and arrived in the Caroline Islands chain
on March 10, where upon we headed for our assigned patrol area of CI 2 (Orange
sector).
On March
15 we spotted a CL Group and tried to intercept but could not get into a firing
position, lost contact with Group after a short period of time. Resumed patrol.
March 15,
12:31 hours we spotted a medium unescorted convoy and turned to intercept. Lead
ship is an Oil Tanker with a keel depth of 27` so we set out torpedoes for 32`,
keel depth plus 5` as per orders. Fired tubes 1 & 2 and watched both run
under the target. We reset depth to 20` and fired tubes 4 & 3 resulting
in 1 hit and 1 dud-sinking target. We decided to surface and engage with the
deckgun. Attacked and sunk second Oil Tanker, a Troop Transport and a Small
Freighter. Lost contact with remaining ships and returned to patrol.
Ordered
torpedo officer to inspect remaining torpedoes but feel I may have
miscalculated keel depth of ships, will keep trying.
March 16,
13:31 hours spotted a small-unescorted convoy. Setup on lead ship, a Standard
Merchantman with keel depth of 19`, set torpedoes to run at 24` depth. Fired
two torpedoes resulting in 1 premature & 1 miss that run under the target
again. Reset depth to 14` and fired tubes 3 & 4 resulting in 1 hit and 1
dud, fired stern tubes which resulted in 1 hit and 1 dud. Target is now on fire
and slowing but moving off so we turned to follow while reloading. Fired tube 1
and watched torpedo run under target again!!! So we adjusted torpedo to run at
8` fired tubes 5 & 6 with results of 1 premature and 1 dud. Turned and
fired tube 2 finally sinking target. Not bad it only took 10 torpedoes to
sink this on target. Someone at BuOrd should be held accountable for this poor
torpedo performance. Returned to patrol.
March 17,
14:12 hours, spotted small-unescorted convoy and attacked lead ship, a Large
Freighter, with our remaining two torpedoes. Set torpedoes for 8` and got 1 hit
and 1 dud. Sinking the target.
Returning to port with all torpedoes expended
Torpedo
performance was dismal this patrol with the following results:
Missed
torpedoes: 3
Dud
torpedoes: 6
Premature
torpedoes: 2
LCDR. Ethan
Edwards
CO: USS Plunger
SS-179
U.S. Navy
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