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From: LCDR. James D. Cox

 

To: CMDR. Greg Turner II

 

Cc: ComSubPac

 

Date: 29 September 1942

 

Subject: Patrol Report, USS Swordfish (June 02 - Patrol # 4)

 

Remarks: 1st War Patrol, USS Swordfish, SS-193

 

Date: 28 September, 1942                                    Patrol Area: Java Sea - JS1

Sub: SS-193, USS Swordfish                             Class: P

Crew: Veteran                                                         Status: Operational

Hull Damage: (10 %)                                             System Damage: (08 %)

Total Patrol Time: 21 Days                                  Repair Time: 4 Days

Fuel Used:  (04 %)                                                 Realism Rating: 95%

Ships Sunk: 3                                                         Tonnage: 60,620 / (20,186)

Pilots Saved: 0                                                        Photo Recons: 0

Weather: Partly Cloudy                                        Seas: Calm - Moderate

Patrol Mileage: 578 NM 

 

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

 

(Medals Awarded - Navy Cross, Silver Star, Unit Citation)

 

               Date              Time               Location                Ship Type(Class               Tonnage         Status

1).  04 Sept. 1942      21:50         0-24N x 118-37E        (CA) Myoko Class             14,980            SUNK

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2).  08 Sept. 1942      22:46         0-23N x 118-38E        (CA) Mogami Class          13,440            SUNK

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3).  19 Sept. 1942      22:12         0-23N x 118-38E        (BB) Kongo Class            32,200            SUNK

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4).  21 Sept. 1942      19:50         0-23N x 118-38E        (CL) Kuma                          5,832               DAM


 

Total: 60,620 Raw / 20,186 Adjusted

 

Damage Sustained:

1.  Aft Torpedo's 5 & 6 - 10%,

2.  Radio Room Pressure Hull - 8%.

 

Aircraft Shot Down:

                 0

 

Commander's Comments:

Arrived on station at 11:20 hrs., On the 4th of September, 1942.

           

Started patrolling JS-1 for Japanese shipping. Lookouts are looking sharp. At 14:00 hrs., headed to the galley for mess, Cookie is doing his job today, as we all had Meat and Potato's for dinner with good-ole' Veggie's, and pitcher's of Milk & Coffee.

 

21:00 hrs. The alarm from the lookout's came down, and I started to conning tower for a look-see! Here comes a Heavy Cruiser, and two DD's heading 200* @ 24 kts. To my amazement, NOT Zigzagging. Went to periscope depth, 1/3 speed, heading 000*. At a range of 4,000 yds turned to port heading 270*, and cut loose with 5 torpedo's running to the target. Headed to 180* @ 2/3 speed, and taking her down to 250 ft. Heard five good hit's, then the DD's started up looking for us. Luck was with us as the Swordfish made her leave from the area in safety. 15-Torpedo's left

 

Patrolled from the 5th till the 8th of Sept.1942.

 

When at 22:00 hrs. on the 8th of Sept. 1942, the lookouts came alive again. Same set-up as before Fired 4 torpedo's at the Mogami CA, 1 torpedo prematured at about 300 yds. from the target, setup on the target again, and fired 2 more at her. This time 2 torpedo's hit her. Went to 250 ft., heading 180* from her as the DD's were coming in at us, dropping depth charge's all around, but never came close to us. The hit and run that the Swordfish is doing is working great. 9-Torpedo's left

 

Patrolled from the 8th till the 19th of Sept. 1942.

           

Again the lookouts came alive at 21:30 hrs. When 2 Kongo Class Battleship's, 2 Heavy Cruiser's, and 1 DD. Target's heading 200*, speed 24kts. Set-up on the closest battleship, and fired a spread of 6 torpedo's at her. Turn the Swordfish to a heading of 135*, 2/3 speed, going to 250 ft. On the way down we heard 6 good hit on the target. Slowed to 1/3 speed and headed to periscope depth for a look-see. There she was sinking by the bow, as the other's speeded off  at 215* with the DD screening the target's. 3-Torpedo's left.

 

Patrolled from the 19th till the 21st of  Sept. 1942.

 

Again the lookout's came alive at 18:30 hrs., When coming down the slot at us was 2 Kuma Light Cruiser’s, and 5 DD's. Set up on the closest target (Kuma Class) and fired 2 torpedo's at her. Heard two good hit's on her, Came to periscope depth for a look-see, and DAMN was that a mistake! As the 5 DD's found the Swordfish, and was coming in for the kill, dropping about 40 depth charge's. Where the Swordfish got damaged in the Aft Torpedo Room, and the Radio Room. Set up on the Kuma and fired the last one in a hope and pray "HIT". Heard an explosion, But to my surprise it was a premature explosion. The DD's turned to it (The explosion), and the Swordfish made it to safety. Thank "GOD" for the premature torpedo. Crew made the repairs to the Swordfish.

 

Patrolled from the 21st till the 25th Sept. 1942.

 

25th Sept. 1942. Without seeing anymore shipping to sink with the Deck Gun's, the Swordfish headed home for repairs. The crew of the Swordfish has got my thanks! As I, Thank, I have got their trust in my seamen ship.

 

 

LCDR. James D. Cox

CO; USS Swordfish, SS-193

U.S. Navy

                                               

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