TO: Submarine Commanders, SubRon 4A

FROM: ComSubPac / ComSubRon 4A

DATE: September 1944

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 12 February 2003)

RMKS: 1 SubPacFlt is extending its area of operation to the Philippine Sea. All boats assigned to this area are to make a full recognition before firing on a submarine as SoWesPac has submarines operating in the Philippine Sea also.

RMKS: 2 With the invasion of the Mariana’s almost complete, the allied forces are moping-up the islands of Guam and Tinian after a fanatical and often suicidal fight on Saipan which was secured on July 18. Our next push in the Pacific will amphibious invasion of the Palau Islands, code named – Operation Stalemate II – is due to begin.

RMKS: 3 Admiral Halsey’s task force 38 will proceed to the Palau’s for a pre-invasion softening up. All boats in the Palau area will give any support, including Photo Recon and Lifeguard duty, as required.

RMKS: 4 All boats will continue to consider Oil Tankers and Troop Transports as priority targets as these units will try to reinforce the Palau’s. If a total sea can be imposed, the flow of oil and other strategic materials can be shut off and force Japan to use up its remaining oil reserves thus immobilizing it’s war effort. OIL DETERMINS JAPANS STRATEGY AND GOVERNS THE TATICAL OPERATIONS OF IT’S NAVY AND AIRFORCE.

RMKS: 5 ONI anticipates that the Japanese will move their Cruisers and Battleships from Japan to Singapore to be in closer proximity to fuel sources. All boats spotting Capitol Ships are to break radio silence and inform ComSubPac of any movement of these units.

RMKS: 6 It has been reported that enemy shipping loses are so high that the convoys are traveling by day and hiding in anchorage’s by night. This can only be directly contributed to the fine work by our submarine forces, WELL-DONE MEN. Intelligence also reports that selected enemy escorts are being outfitted with surface radar, remain aggressive on the attack, but attack wisely. In the SoWesPac area invasion of Leyte, code named – King Two – is due to begin. Admiral Halsey will also employ a series of air strikes on the Philippines, Formosa, and Okinawa aimed at softening-up and reducing the Japanese air power in these areas. All boats in these areas will render any support needed especially Lifeguard Duty for the duration of this operation.

RMKS: 7 The Japanese are now employing a new tactic, the Kamikaze pilot who dive and crash their aircraft into a target and the Kaiten ( Human Torpedo ) that is launched from a IJN submarine. With this in mind all submarines are to be attacked and sunk on sight.

RMKS: 8 SubRons are assigned to the following areas of operation:

SubRon 1M PacFlt ~ Formosa ( Sept 1 thru October 31 )

                   SoWesPac ~ Sulu Sea

SubRon 2M PacFlt ~ Empire ( Northern Japan ) (October 1 to November 30)

                   SoWesPac ~ Java Sea ( October 1 to November 30 )

SubRon 3A PacFlt ~ Empire ( Southern Japan )

                  SoWesPac ~ Malaysia

____________________________________________________________________________________

SubRon 4A~

                    PacFlt – Formosa

                    CAPT. Turner III, USS Redfish - (Northern Japan – NJ-1 – Sept 1, 44-Oct 31, 44)

        CMDR. Cox II, USS Ray - (Northern Japan – NJ-2 – Sept 1, 44-Oct 31, 44)

        CMDR. Gundersen II, USS Bowfin - (Northern Japan – NJ-3 – Sept 1, 44-Oct 31, 44)

                    CMDR. Doyle, USS Parche - (Northern Japan – NJ-4 – Sept 1, 44-Oct 31, 44)

        LCDR. McBeach, USS Gato - (Northern Japan – NJ-5 – Sept 1, 44-Oct 31, 44) 

        SoWesPac – Malaysia

                    CMDR. Edwards, USS Barbero - (Phillippines – PH-9 – Sept 1, 44-Nov 31, 44)

                    CMDR. Schow II, USS Bashaw - (Phillippines – PH-1 – Sept 1, 44-Nov 31, 44)

____________________________________________________________________________________

SubRon 5A PacFlt ~ Formosa ( October 1 to November 30 )

                   SoWesPac ~ Indochina (September 1 to October 31)

SubRon 6A PacFlt ~ Yellow Sea

                  SoWesPac ~ Indochina (October 31 to November )

SubRon 7A PacFlt ~ Palau

                  SoWesPac ~ South China Sea

SubRon 8A PacFlt ~ Philippines

                   SoWesPac ~ Java Sea ( September 1 to October 31 )

RMKS: 9 Submarine commanders are to acknowledge these orders.

 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 //