TO: Submarine Commanders, SubRon 4A

FROM: ComSubPac / ComSubRon 4A

DATE: March 1944

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 10 December 2002)

RMKS: 1 AN U.S. let amphibious invasion of the Marshal Islands – code named ‘Operation Flintlock’- will begin shortly. All boats in the vicinity are to support the invasion. Selected boats will be assigned Photo Recon missions and Lifeguard Duty.

RMKS: 2 Admiral Koga. CinC IJN, is expected to withdraw west to the Palau and Mariana Islands. All boats assigned to the Caroline, Palau and Mariana Islands are to expect heavy IJN activity.

RMSK: 3 Enemy oil tankers are still departing Tarakan and Balikapapan. Our goal is to inflict the maximum damage to the Japanese fuel supply. Oil tankers are now considered a ‘TOP PRIORITY’ target. Stay with them until they’re on the bottom.

RMKS: 4 The Imperial Japanese Army is expected to try and reinforce Saipan and Guam with the crack 29^th Division that was based in Manchuria. These Troop Transports must not reach their destinations. All boats assigned to the Yellow Sea area are to consider these transports as ‘TOP PRIORITY’ targets.

RMKS: 5 The new mission of ‘LIFEGUARD’ patrols for our downed aviators is reaping great benefits. Skippers on lifeguard patrol are reminded that 1) the Japs can listen in to our flyboys’ transmissions and might try to decoy you with fake ones; 2) our flyboys’ are getting better at not dropping their bombs on the sub that’s supposed to be rescuing them, but accidents can still happen if proper recognition protocols are not observed; 3) if the Japs are pestering you with their planes, contact our flyboy’s to swoosh them away; 4) MOST IMPORTANT—if ordered to clear out of an area, do so promptly as our surface fleet may be moving into the area. They will shoot first and ask questions later.

RMKS: 6 SubRons are assigned to the following areas of operation:

SubRon 1M PacFlt ~ Caroline Islands

                  SoWesPac ~ South China Sea (March 1 to April 30)

SubRon 2M PacFlt ~ Formosa

                   SoWesPac ~ Philippine Islands

SubRon 3A PacFlt ~ Empire (Northern Japan)

                   SoWesPac ~ Philippine Islands

____________________________________________________________________________________

SubRon 4A~

 

                    PacFlt – Southern Japan

                  

        CMDR. Gundersen, USS Pampanito - (SJ-6 – March 1, 44-April 30, 44)

 

        CMDR. Doyle, USS Parche - (Southern Japan – SJ-4 - March 1, 44-April 30, 44)

 

        CMDR. Cox II, USS SeaDragon - (Southern Japan – SJ-8 – March 1, 44-April 30, 44)

 

        LCDR. McBeach, USS Gato - (Southern Japan – SJ-7 – March 1, 44-April 30, 44)

                   

                    SoWesPac – Java Sea

                    CAPT. Turner III, USS Jack - (Java Sea – JS-5+6– March 44-May 44) 

 

        CMDR. Edwards, USS Angler - (Java Sea – JS-2– March 44-May 44)

                    CMDR. Schow II, USS Bashaw - (Java Sea – JS-4– March 44-May 44)

____________________________________________________________________________________

SubRon 5A PacFlt ~ Empire (Southern Japan (April 1 to May 31)

                  SoWesPac ~ Malaysia

SubRon 6A PacFlt ~ Mariana Islands (Special Mission SM6CY10)

                  SoWesPac ~ Sulu Sea

SubRon 7A PacFlt ~ Yellow Sea (Special Mission SM7CY10)

                  SoWesPac ~ Indo China

SubRon 8A PacFlt ~ Palau Islands

                  SoWesPac ~ South China Sea (April 1 to May 31)

All commanders are to Acknowledge receipt of these orders.

 

Good Luck and Good Hunting

CAPT. GregTurner III
CO SubRon 4A

Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Commanding SubPacFlt

 

// SENDS //