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From: LCDR. James D. Cox

To: CMDR. Greg Turner II

Cc: ComSubPac

Date: 31 January 1943

Subject: Patrol Report, USS Swordfish (July 02 - Patrol # 5)

Remarks: 3rd War Patrol, USS Swordfish, SS-193

Date: 30 January, 1943 Patrol Area: Formosa - F4

Sub: SS-193, USS Swordfish Class: P

Crew: Veteran Status: Operational

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

Total Patrol Time: 26.5 Days Repair Time: 0 Days

Fuel Used: 88,129 (88 %) Realism Rating: 95%

Ships Sunk: 9 Tonnage: 63,100 / 21,012

Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 0

Weather: Partly Cloudy - Clear Seas: Calm - Moderate

Patrol Mileage: 251 NM

Ordnance Remaining: 0 - Mk 14's, 95 - Deck Gun Rounds

(Medals Awarded - Navy Cross)

Date Time Location Ship Type Tonnage Status

1).16 Jan. 43 21:52 26-30N,128-05E Small Freighter 1,910 SUNK

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2).16 Jan. 43 21:52 26-30N,128-05E Small Freighter 1,910 SUNK

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3).16 Jan. 43 21:52 26-30N,128-05E (DD) Mutsuki 1,772 SUNK

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4).16 Jan. 43 21:54 26-29N,128-05E Troop Transport 8,420 SUNK

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5).17 Jan. 43 08:49 25-56N,127-55E Oil Tanker 10,570 SUNK

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6).17 Jan. 43 20:37 25-23N,127-46E Oil Tanker 11,370 SUNK

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7).17 Jan. 43 20:37 25-23N,127-46E Oil Tanker 11,370 SUNK

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8).17 Jan. 43 20:39 25-23N,127-46E Standard Merchant 10,530 SUNK

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9).17 Jan. 43 20:42 25-23N,127-46E Troop Transport 7,020 SUNK

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Total: 63,100 Raw / 21,012 Adjusted

Damage Sustained:

None

Aircraft Shot Down:

None

Commander's Comments:

Arrived on station at 11:20 hrs., On the 16th January, 1943. Patrolling @ 1/3 speed as it took at lot of fuel just to get here. But, HQ's knows what it's doing, and were here to do the job assigned to us. The lookouts are doing a great job again as in the last patrol. "Look sharp guys!" 20 - torpedo's.

At 21:00 hour's, the lookout's came up with something again, In the way of 2 Small Freighter's, 1 Troop Transport, and 1 Mutsuki Class Destroyer. Heading 022`, @ 9 kts. Moved in for the kill, at about 1,200 yds. from the lead ship that was a Small Freighter. Set torpedo's depth for the Small Freighter's at 4 ft. , firing 2 torpedo's at each small freighter from 1,200 yds. from the last freighter, as it was the second one in line. As one torpedo prematured over halfway to the target, and one striking the Mutsuki Class Destroyer. One torpedo each found their mark on each of the small freighter's. Putting them to the bottom fast, along with the DD. The Troop Transport made a hard to "port", but it was to little to late, as we had set up on the transport long before his turn to port. Torpedo depth setting's for him was set at 10 ft. when the 2 fish were swimming for him as fast as the torpedo's can go. 14 - Topedo's left.

Morning came fast for the Swordfish, on the 17th of January. With everyone having breakfast, and coffee for everyone on board. The XO has just handed me a cup of coffee at about 08:00 hour's, When the lookout's came alive with "Aircraft Spotted", as the radar operator came alive too. Going to 256 ft. as fast as the Swordfish would take us! "Damn, I hate aircraft with meatball's on them." Came back up to periscope depth for a look see, When, to my surprise the aircraft was heading 290` from the area. When sonar came up with a lone contact (1 Oil Tanker), heading 022` @ 14 kts.. "Damn, This guy's going fast for a meeting with a convoy somewhere in the area." Set-up 2 torpedo's, at a depth of 21 ft. just for him, and fired them at a range of 1,100 yds., One of the torpedo's prematured about 200 yds. from the target, knocking him down to a speed of 9 kts. Set-up one more torpedo, and fired this at him putting him on the bottom with all hand's going down with her. 11 - torpedo's left.

At 20:00 hour's, Radar came up with a large convoy heading 022`, @ 11 kts. "I'm going to have to mark this spot on the map." As it is a Major Japanese convoy route to the Empire of Japan.

Well, to my surprise here came the whole Jap merchant fleet at me. 7 Destroyer's, 4 Oil Tanker's, 2 Standard Merchant's, 2 Troop Transport's, 4 Small Freighter's, and 1 Large Freighter. "It's X-Mas in July." Set-up on 2 Oil Tanker's @ a depth setting of 21 ft. 4 torpedo's in all, Set-up 3 torpedo's on the Standard Merchant with a depth setting of 23 ft., and 1 torpedo on the Troop Transport with a depth setting of 10 ft., Fired all 8 torpedo's at the target's in question, Putting all four ship's to the bottom of the ocean in a blaze of glory. Headed for 250 ft. for re-load. Came back to periscope depth after re-load, just to find a large freighter in the area with the DD's there too. Set-up the other 3 torpedo's on the 1 large freighter with a depth setting of 9 ft., fired all three torpedo's when halfway there we heard three premature explosions. We didn't stick around to see what would become of this as the 7 DD's were looking for us. When the torpedo's premature, the DD's went looking around the large freighter as the Swordfish was making her get-a-way from the area. 0-torpedo's left

At Midnight on the 17th of January the Swordfish was heading home.

LCDR. James D. Cox

CO; USS Swordfish, SS-193

U.S. Navy

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