/ / IMMEDIATE / /
To:
ComSubPac
CC:
ComSubPac
From:
LCDR Ethan Edwards
Date:
19 December 1942
Subject:
Patrol Report, USS Growler SS-215 (Cycle 5, July 2002)
Remarks: Departed
Fremantle on 4 December 1942 and arrived in our patrol area on December 9 1942
and started a standard war patrol.
Sub: U.S.S. Growler
SS-215 Class:
Gato
Hull Damage: Light (3%) System
Damage: 0
Crew: Veteran Status:
Operational
Fuel Used: 48,884
Gallons (41%) Realism Rating: 95%
Ships Sunk: 9 Tonnage:
108,560 / 50,430
Warships: 3 Merchants:
6
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo
Recons: 0
Weather: Partly
Cloudy-Foggy Sea:
Calm-Moderate
Patrol Mileage: 1,115
Nautical
Ordnance
Remaining: 0 -
Torpedoes and 18 - Deck Gun Rounds
Date Time Location Ship Type Tonnage
Status
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Total: 108,560 Raw / 50,430
Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
1. Light Hull Damage
Aircraft Encountered:
None
Commander’s Comments:
After arriving in the designated patrol
area we started patrolling north of island of Java. On 09 December we spotted a
large patrol and changed course to avoid detection.
10 December 20:48 hours, radar contact at
9,000 yards off the port bow, a large contact according to the RTO. At 3,500
yards we dove to radar depth to avoid being sighted by any escorts, as the
speed of this contact seems to indicate that this is a Battle Group of some
kind. At 20:57 hours we spotted a CV coming out of the darkness and set-up and
fired six torpedoes resulting in 5 hits and 1 dud with the subsequent sinking
of a Shokaku Class CV. We also spotted a CA of an unknown class but could not
get the stern tubes to bear before the escorts drove us deep. 22:43 hour’s
soundman reports that there is "Low Speed screw sounds" overhead. The
escorts’ pinging is very faint so we decided to go to periscope depth for a
look-see. At 67 feet we spotted a CA circling our position and at 600 yards we
fired 4 torpedoes at the CA resulting in 3 hits and 1 dud. Observed that the CA
is now on fire and listing badly. Fired another torpedo resulting in the
sinking of a Takao Class CA. Went deep to avoid the payback from the escorts
again. Minor depth charging on the way to a save depth with only minor damage
to the hull. After two hours we were able to evade and loose the ASW and
resumed our patrol.
11 December, 19:42 hours, radar contact
astern coming almost straight for us. We dove to avoid detection by any
escorts. 19:53 hours we spotted a CVL Sea Plane carrier of the Chitose class.
19:58 hours we fired all stern tubes at the CVL resulting in 3 hits and 1 dud
and sinking the target. We had to dive deep to avoid the ASW from the escorts.
After about three hour’s time we were able to evade the ASW and finally resumed
our patrol.
12 December, 05:20 hours, Radar contact
and it’s very foggy out so we will try to move in under the cover of the fog
seeing with the radar only. We were able to maneuver into the front of the
contact using radar and went to radar depth with the target at 3,000 yards
distance. 05:39 hours we spotted a medium convoy, and finally at 05:46 hours we
fired at a and sunk a Troop Transport. Dove to avoid the ASW attack. Lost contact
with the escorts and resumed patrol.
12 December, 20:02 hours, Radar contact,
turned to intercept. 20:10 hours spotted a small convoy and after moving into
firing position we fired two torpedoes resulting in 1 hit and 1 dud and sinking
a Oil Tanker. Moved off with out ever being detected by the escort.
13 December, 00:09 hours, single radar
contact. Moved into a firing position and after observing that the contact is a
Standard Merchantman we decided to attack with the Deck gun. After chasing down
the target we sank it with gunfire. Resuming patrol.
14 December, 11:23 hours, large radar
contact. Executed an end-round to get into a firing position. 13:01 hours we
are submerged in front of the on coming convoy. 13:16 hours fired and sank a
Standard Merchantman, a Troop Transport and a Oil Tanker. We went deep to avoid
the counter attack by the escorts and after 4 hours we were able to evade with
no damage. Heading home with all tubes empty.
Captains note; The new Radar unit
recently installed provided us with targets that we would normally would have
missed.
CO: USS Growler SS-215
US Navy
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