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From: CAPT.
Greg Turner III
To: ComSubPac
Date: 16
January 1944
Subject: Patrol Report, USS Redfish SS-395 (Cycle
11, January 2003)
Remarks: 1st War Patrol, USS
Redfish,
Date: 16 January 1944 Patrol Area: Formosa (F-2)
Sub: USS Redfish SS-395 Class:
Balao
Crew: Veteran Status:
Damaged
Total Patrol Time: 3 Days Repair Time: 21 Days
Fuel Used: 49,228 Gallons (42%) Realism
Rating: 109%
Ships Sunk: 3 Tonnage: 17,020 / 5,668
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 0
Weather: Partly Cloudy Seas: Moderate
Patrol Mileage: 275 Nautical Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 18 - MK 18-1 Torpedo’s, 95 – Deck Gun Rounds.
(Medals Awarded –)
Date Time Location Ship Type Tonnage
Status
1) 15 June 44 15:40 26-11N
x 121-57E Tanker 8,250 SUNK
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2) 15 June 44 15:40 26-11N
x 121-57E Large Freighter 6,710 SUNK
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3) 15 June 44 15:40 26-11N
x 121-57E Supply 2,060 SUNK
Total: 17,020 Raw / 5,668 Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
1. Periscope – Destroyed
2. Deck Gun – Destroyed
3. SD Radar – Disabled
4. Tubes 5+6 Outer Doors – Disabled
5. After Engine Room Hull – Moderate
6. Radio Room Hull – Moderate
7. Engine 2 – Moderate
8. Fuel Tanks – Moderate
9. Crew Mess Hull – Heavy
10. Officers Quarters Hull – Heavy
11. SJ Radar – Heavy
12. DC Motors 1+4 – Heavy
13. Tubes 5+6 Outer Doors – Heavy
Aircraft Encountered:
2
Aircraft Shot Down:
Depth Charges / Bombs:
24
Commander's Comments:
RMKS/ 1. Departed Pearl Harbor mid morning of 3 June 1944 in the new
Fleet submarine USS Redfish SS-395.
RMKS/ 2. Conducted round the clock drills while en route to
prepare the men and the boat for an aggressive patrol.
Arrived in my assigned patrol area just before midnight of the 15
of June.
RMKS/ 3. 16 June 1944 patrolled to the north of Formosa without any contacts.
RMKS/ 4. 17 June 1944 14:07 SJ Radar picked up a surface contact
bearing 039` at 32,750 yds.
It was around 45 miles due north of Keelung Harbor. At 15:02
lookouts spotted a 3-ship convoy consisting of 1-Tanker, 1-Large Freighter and
1-Supply ship bearing 025` at 14,160 yds. Three escorts were spotted but only
two were identified (1-Akizuki + 1-Mutsuki). I only made minor course
corrections to gain a favorable firing position. Dove to Periscope depth and
commenced attack with 145 feet under the keel. I decided against waiting until
dark due to the fact that the convoy was heading for water shallower than this.
At 15:10 I started firing torpedo’s. Fired 3 Mk-18’s at the Tanker from 1,050
yds. Fired 2 torpedo’s at the Freighter from 1,125 yds. Fired 1 torpedo at the
Supply from 1,200 yds. All torpedo’s were set shallow at 8 feet. Immediately
after firing I headed for the bottom and turned my stern toward the convoy in
case a follow up shot was needed.
Immediately after the first torpedo’s began to hit there intended
targets (all targets SUNK) the escorts began pinging and picked up my location
with amazing ease. I began to maneuver wildly while heading in a southerly
direction. The escorts headed right to my position and began to drop depth
charges. As soon as the first depth charge pattern hit the water I went to
flank and tried to create a high speed knuckle for there active radar to pick
up. The depth charges straddled me almost perfectly and caused severe damage. I
continued to evade even though several compartments were flooding. Finally at
15:18 the flooding became severe enough that I grounded on the ocean floor. I
secured the engines and everything making noise but the pumps. The escorts
roared over my position a couple of times but didn’t drop right on my position
again. Several near charges shook the boat but failed to inflict more damage.
My damage crews were working feverishly to plug the leaks and began to get a
handle on things. The Aft Engine Room hull had only minor leaks and was sealed
fast. Unable to maneuver I sat on the bottom listening to the escort’s
overhead. I decided if any more damage was inflicted I would have no choice but
to Battle surface or scuttle the boat.
I mustered all available members of the gun crews to their
stations for a Battle Surface when the escorts began to withdraw to the
southwest. As it became clear that the escorts were indeed pulling away I
ordered everyone to damage control. By 16:58 the flooding had been greatly
reduced when Chlorine Gas was detected in the Forward Battery Room. I continued
to pump out the boat until the last possible minute then surfaced to vent the
boat. With the flooded areas being pumped dry maneuvering became better with
every minute but severe damage had been done to my boat. With the Periscopes
disabled along with several other systems I set a course for base at my best
possible speed.
CAPT. Greg Turner III
USS Redfish, SS-395
ComSubRon 4A
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