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From: CMDR Greg Turner II
To:
ComSubPac
Date: 28 December 1942
Subject: Patrol
Report, USS Gato SS-212 (Cycle 5, July 2002)
Remarks: SPECIAL MISSION - 2nd War Patrol, USS Gato
Date:
28 December, 1942 Patrol
Area: Java Sea
Sub: USS Gato SS-212 Class:
Gato
Crew: Elite Status: Operational
Total Patrol Time: 3 Days Repair
Time: Operational
Fuel Used: 12,150 Gallons (10%) Realism Rating: 95%
Ships Sunk:
3 Tonnage: 50,375 / 16,775
Pilots Saved:
1 Photo Recons: 1
Weather: Clear Seas: Moderate
Patrol Mileage: 457 Nautical
Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 0 -
MK 14 Torpedo’s, 37 – Deck Gun Rounds.
(Medals
Awarded –None)
Date Time Location Ship Type Tonnage
Status
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2)
25 Dec 42 17:55 08-04N x 115-36E (CL) Naka 5,595 SUNK
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3)
26 Dec 42 05:58 05-11N x 119-14E Photo Recon
COMPLETE
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2)
25 Dec 42 17:55 05-10N x 119-18E (BB) Yamato N/A DAM
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4)
27 Dec 42 00:35 08-04N x 115-37E (CA) Myoko 14,980 SUNK
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5)
27 Dec 42 05:43 07-05N x 112-46E Rescue Pilot SAFE
Total: 50,375 Raw /
16,775 Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
Aircraft Encountered:
7
Aircraft Shot Down:
Depth Charges:
None
Commander's
Comments:
RMKS/ 1. An ONI intercept revealed that the IJN
Carrier Shokaku was enroute to Surabaya from the Solomon Islands. ComSubPac picked the crew of the USS Gato
for the intercept mission.
RMKS/
2. After hasty repair from the
battle damage received on our last patrol we set sail for the Java Sea from
Pearl Harbor on 17 December 1942. Had aboard a mix of 6 Mk-10 and 16 Mk-14
torpedo’s
RMKS/
3. Entered the Java Sea from the Celebes Sea via the Makassar Strait and
arrived in the south above the Lesser Sunda Islands to watch for the Carrier
Task Force.
RMKS/
4. At 09:52 radio received a message from ComSubPac requesting a Photo
Recon of the port of Kendari by 13:01 29 December 1942. With four days to accomplish this request I
went back to searching for the CV Task force.
RMKS/
5. 10:00 the periscope watch spotted smoke on the horizon bearing 044`.
At 10:13 I spotted a Destroyer heading my way bearing 041` at 29,000 yds.
Numerous smoke trails were visible just behind the Destroyer over the horizon.
With moderate seas and clear skies I was able to see very well at that
distance. 10:26 spotted 5 ships one of which was the IJN Carrier Shokaku. Over
the next few minutes I spotted 6-Destroyers, 1-Heavy Cruiser and 1-Light
Cruiser all closing my position. I was in perfect position and waited as the
Task Force closed. With the range down to about 4,000 yds the Task Force made a
slight turn to their starboard and forced me to bring my stern tubes to bear.
With the lead escorts so close I didn’t dare ruin a setup by trying to turn for
a bowshot. At 10:53 as the whole Japanese Navy passed over me I raised the
scope to find the Shokaku broadside at 600 yds and I immediately fired all 4
aft tubes set for 23 feet. Upon firing I headed deep at flank speed while
awaiting impact. As the first torpedo found its mark the surface noise picked
up as the Destroyers began searching for us. Sound reported hearing all 4
torpedo’s strike the ship but only 2 detonated. With so many escorts above I
had little choice but to continue to depth until things settled down. As I
arrived at 392 feet my sound operator reported that the Carrier had slowed but
was still under way to the west.
Surprisingly none of the destroyers stayed behind to search for us but
continued on with the task Force. At 11:00 I headed for periscope depth to have
a look and found the Task Force at 11,000 yds bearing 081` making roughly 29
kts. The Cruiser’s were identified as a Myoko and a Kuma. I trailed submerged
at flank speed hoping the CV would slow or stop.
RMKS/
6. Surfaced at 11:29 with the Task Force at a range of 19,000 yds and
opening out. At 11:53 SD radar reported an air contact at a range of 15,700 yds
but lookouts failed to spot it. I elected to stay surfaced and pursue until the
aircraft closed within 10,000 yds. Lost visual on the Task Force at 12:16 but I
continued to trail. The air contact circled around and closed to 15,040 before
turning away at 13:51. I suspect it was searching for us at the scene of the
attack. I continued at flank speed toward Surabaya hoping to overtake the
Carrier group or if all else failed to strike at it in port.
RMKS/
7. Lookouts cried out a contact at 14:55 bearing 303` at 27,000 yds. I
altered my course to check the contact.
Moments later I made out the Island Structure of a Carrier. The Carrier
seemed undamaged but was of the Shokaku class. I was positive it was the CV we
had hit earlier. I reduced speed to standard and began charging the batteries
in preparation of the coming attack. No escorts were spotted anywhere but the
two Cruiser’s were anchored astern of the Carrier with the Light Cruiser
stationed outboard of the Heavy Cruiser. Dove to radar depth at 15:09 at a
range of 20,600 yds. At 16:23 my XO reported the seabed was gradually rising.
Unwilling to get in to shallow of water with so many aircraft in the area I
decided to fire from long range since the targets were stationary. At 17:19 I
fired 3 torpedo’s at the Carrier from 4,100 yds set at 18 feet to avoid any
reefs. I shifted to the CA and fired my last forward Mk-14 then began turning
to bring my stern tubes to bear. When almost half turned for the aft shot the
torpedo’s began hitting the Carrier. All three could be heard to detonate on
the target and sound reported breaking up noise’s immediately thereafter. The
torpedo fired at the CA hit and threw a large column of water skyward just aft
of the bow. I could see the Cruiser’s beginning to get under way to try and get
clear of us. At 17:25 after completing my turn I fired a 2nd Mk-14
at the CA from 4,000 yds set for 15 feet. This torpedo passed under the CL and
detonated just forward of the Island structure on the CA. At 17:29 I fired 2
Mk-14’s at the CL set for 12 feet from a range of 3,600 yds. I didn’t add enough offset to allow for the
increase in the target’s speed and one torpedo hit in the extreme stern of the
CL in what appeared to be the rudder or screw area which stopped the vessel in
it’s tracks. The second torpedo missed astern and detonated on the beach aft of
the Heavy Cruiser, which either by design or accident had apparently beached
itself. With darkness approaching I eased in to fire an Mk-10. 17:39 fired 1
Mk-10 from 2,600 yds at the CL set for 10 feet. It detonated amidships and
started a large fire. The CL again got under way and at 07:42 I fired a 2nd
Mk-10 from 2,400 yds with a 2-degree starboard offset to compensate for the
speed. Nothing was seen or heard of this torpedo after it was fired. After a
quick check on the firing solution and allowing the CL to close my position I fired
a 3rd torpedo (Mk-14) from 1,200 yds as the CL passed across my bow
heading to the northeast. This torpedo impacted under the number one turrent
and must have hit a magazine because the whole front of the ship came apart in
a massive explosion. The number one turrent was thrown at least 200 feet into
the sky and the bridge was demolished by the blast. After making sure that the
CL was indeed sinking I shifted my focus back to the CA. Unwilling to leave the
Cruiser in this situation I fired 1 Mk-14 from 3,040 yds. It hit aft of the
bridge area creating a large fire. Seeing how the Cruiser was beached and
severely damaged I elected not to fire any more torpedo’s on it. With a long
passage to the port of Kendari I headed north to complete the Photo Recon early.
I made plans to swing by and check on the beached Heavy Cruiser before
returning to port. Surfaced at 18:01 and headed north.
RMKS/
8. Friday 25 December 1942 radio received a message from ComSubPac
requesting that the USS Gato be on Life Guard duty for an Air strike designated
for the port of Surabaya on 27 December 1942 at or about 20:00. I continued
north at flank speed to complete the Recon.
RMKS/
9. Saturday 26 December 1942 arrived about 10 nautical miles to the west
of the port of Kendari. 02:39 SJ Radar picked up contacts bearing 012` at
14,450 yds. Lookouts sighted a very large mast at 02:43 and upon my arrival to
the bridge my XO reported it as being the Super Battleship Yamato bearing 013`
at 14,200 yds. I passed the word on the 1-MC that I intended to ease into the
port, complete the Photo Recon then on my exit to fire at and hopefully sink
the Yamato. The crew was ecstatic about coming across such an important warship
and seemed at ease with the idea of entering into the port for a Recon. A check
at 03:12 revealed that the port was full of ships. I identified a Zuiho class
CV, Naka class CL, Tone class CA, Ise class BB, Aoba class CA and at least
1-Large Freighter, 1-Standard Merchant, 1-Armed Merchant and the stern of a
Submarine. There were to many ships to identify. By 04:15 I had closed to range
sufficient to get a good Recon Photo and awaited daylight.
RMKS/
10. 05:59 I took the Recon Photo and then made ready to attack the IJN
Battleship Yamato. Unwilling to risk waiting until dark in case the BB leaves
port I elected to attack during the early morning hours. At Radar depth SD
Radar detected 4 separate aircraft flying patrol over the harbor. We could all
hear the occasional explosion of a depth charge or bomb dropped from an
aircraft. At 06:10 I fired all 6
forward tubes (5 Mk-14’s and 1 Mk-10) from a range of 2,600 yds then went deep
to reload my last 2 forward torpedo’s. My sound operator reported hearing 1 dud
and 5 high order detonations but sadly no breaking up noise. I suspected as
much being this was such a well-constructed warship. Arrived back at Radar
depth at 06:19 after a fast reload and fired torpedo’s 7 + 8 from the same
range. I dove to 100 feet and began exiting the port. Sound reported hearing
another dud hit then the other torpedo impact and explode. I came back to Radar
depth and at a range of 2,200 yds fired my last aft torpedo and last torpedo on
board at the BB. I did see that the vessel was burning furiously from the
bridge aft to the stern. I went deep again and continued out of the port. Sound
reported the last torpedo hit and detonated but the ship still refused to sink.
I prayed that the BB would capsize from flooding or have a magazine explode
form the fires but another quick sighting at 06:48 failed to show any signs of
its imminent demise. At 08:46 I dove to 300 feet outside the port to await
darkness to surface and head for my Life Guard area. My crew was very
disappointed that we didn’t sink the BB and somewhat angry over the still
nagging problem of dud torpedo’s but very jubilant in the knowledge of knowing
that even though we failed to sink the Yamato she was severely crippled for the
coming months. Further more I pointed out to them that being so far from Japan
and the proper repair facilities might even lead to her immobility for the
duration of the war.
RMKS/
11. Surfaced at 15:34 almost 20 nautical miles west of Kendari and headed
for my Lifeguard Station. SD Radar picked up a contact at 15:58 at a range of
15,450 yds. I Crash dove at 16:00 as
the air contact closed within 8,000 yds. Spotted 1 aircraft bearing 357` as the
scope went under. 16:24 I surfaced after checking the area was clear first. SD
Radar picked up a 2nd air contact at 16:40. I dove to periscope
depth until Radar contact was lost then surfaced at 16:57. While cruising
surfaced at 17:14 my port lookout spotted an aircraft approaching from the west
at about 4,000 yds and I crash-dived with great urgency. SD Radar did NOT pick
up this contact and after a through inspection it was found a wire was loose
and the set was not functioning properly. No ordnance was dropped so I wonder
if we were even spotted. I came to radar depth at 17:44 then surfaced at 18:11.
I set course for the Island of Bali where I had damaged the beached Cruiser.
RMKS/
12. Sunday 27 December 1942 00:13 I spotted the Heavy Cruiser still
beached and burning. After a careful and thorough search no life of any kind
could be found on or near the CA. It looks like the ship was abandoned and the
crew either went ashore or was maybe picked up by an enemy Submarine. I closed into 3,800 yds and had the Deck Gun
crew open fire to try and break the ship up even more. Fired 58 rounds of 4”
ammunition for 45 hits and 13 misses. One round apparently detonated a magazine
of some sort because small explosions could be heard and the fire increased
then suddenly the Cruiser suffered a massive internal explosion that rolled it
over to starboard and the mast stuck into the sandy beach. With no doubt in my
mind or the crews mind we added another ship to our tally. I set course for our Lifeguard Station once
again.
RMKS/
13. Arrived about 30 Nautical Miles (07-05s x 114-55E) east of Surabaya by
03:20 of the 29th. I took up this position to be able to either head
north or south for a rescue. As the sun began to rise at 05:21 SD Radar picked
up an air contact at a range of 14,770.I remained at Radar depth and watched as
the contact passed to our north on a westerly course. Surfaced at 18:00 and got
ready in case any rescues were needed.
RMKS/
14. 20:18 our first radio report came in giving the location of a downed
pilot. I set course for the coordinates given (07-18S x 112-59E) at flank
speed. Five minutes later a report comes in of a second downed aviator. His
reported position was 07-05N x 112-46E which was just southwest of the mined
northern entrance. I headed in through the southern entrance to try and pick up
the first pilot. 21:47 SJ Radar picked up a surface contact bearing 331` at
14,550 yds. Eight minutes later the
lookouts spotted 1-Yagumo Destroyer on that bearing at 7,700 yds. I dove to
Radar depth and came right to close the shore and open out on the Destroyer.
22:20 a periscope sweep revealed a second warship (Unidentified) closing from
the northwest so I went to 154 feet to evade detection. At this depth I had 33 feet under the keel.
Sonar reported 3 sets of High Speed Screws at 23:04 but they were gradually
falling astern. Came to radar depth at 00:47 and confirmed that I had slipped
by the harbor patrol and was now in the clear. Surfaced at 01:40 and continued
inbound at 2/3 speed. I kept the bridge watch to a minimum with 2 lookouts and
myself topside. At 21:11 I spotted 1-Mutsuki Destroyer guarding several
merchant ships. Identified 1-Large Freighter, 1-Troop Ship, 1-Standard merchant
and at least 3 other ships I didn’t identify.
After a short search of the area the pilot could not be seen so I
elected to head north by the anchored ships to search for the second pilot
before daybreak. Crossed north of the picket without any trouble. 05:30 the
lookouts spotted the pilot in a life raft bearing 013` at 2,400 yds. I hurried
over to his position and hauled him aboard at 05:43. He was wet but uninjured
and in good spirits. I inquired from this pilot (Lt Jed Burrows) if he had seen
the other pilot bail out or crash. He stated seeing a parachute descending into
the port area almost among the ships from what he could make out. With daylight
so close I dove to 102 feet just a few feet above the bottom to await darkness
to continue our search. At 18:47 I was back at Radar depth then surfaced to
make the short run back south for the other pilot. Lt Burrows was very eager to
help us find his fellow aviator. 19:40 dove to Radar depth to close for a
precise look-see. I closed within 1,500 yds of the shore and no pilot was
found. The picket ship came perilous close every time it made its southern
search leg. I turned south and searched down the coast until it was apparent
that I wasn’t going to find this Pilot. With a heavy heart I ordered the USS Gato
to head for the Northern entrance to clear the area. It is unknown if the
missing pilot was captured or landed ashore and was evading capture. In either
case I deemed it to dangerous to hang around another day. The chances of
detection were too great. I surfaced just south of the mined area and headed
through at flank speed. No contacts of any kind were made. I believe the Japs
left this entrance uncovered due to the belief that the mines would prevent any
submarine form entering here. Once well clear of the mined area I took stock of
our ordnance (0-Torpedo’s, 39 Deck Gun rounds) and decided to return to port.
The crew and I said a prayer for the aviator we couldn’t find and hoped for the
best.
List
of torpedo performance:
Hits: 19
Duds:
4
Misses:
1
Premature:
0
CMDR Greg Turner II
CO USS Gato, SS-212
ComSubRon 4A
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