To: ComSubPac

/ /   IMMEDIATE   / /

 

To: ComSubRon 4A

 

Cc: ComSubPac

 

From: LCDR Ethan Edwards

 

Date: 27 September 1942

 

Subject: Patrol Report, (Cycle 4)

 

Remarks: 1st war Patrol, USS Growler - Set sail on September 2 and headed of Empire waters, destination Southern Japan. Arrived on station on 11 September.

 

Date: 26 September 1942                                     Patrol Area: Southern Japan (SJ-7)

Sub: U.S.S. Growler SS-215                                Class: Gato

Hull Damage: 0                                                       System Damage: 0

Crew: Veteran                                                         Status: Operational

Total Patrol Time: 19.6 Days                               Repair Time: 0

Fuel Used: 74,021 Gallons (61%)                       Realism Rating: 95%                               

Ships Sunk: 16                                                       Tonnage: 158,500 / 52,614

Warships: 0                                                             Merchants: 0

Pilots Saved: 0                                                        Photo Recons: 0

Weather: Clear                                                        Sea: Calm

Patrol Mileage: 1,561 Nautical

 

Ordnance Remaining: 0 - Torpedoes and 13 Deck Gun Rounds                                                 

 

    Date:             Time:                Location:                     Ship type (Class)             Tonnage    Status

 

1) 9/13/42      11:02              33-17N, 134-35E               Supply Ship                        2,674         SUNK

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2) 9/13/42      20:55              32-53N, 134-17E               Oil Tanker                            8,144         SUNK

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3)                                             32-53N, 134-17E              Troop Transport              10,614          SUNK

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4) 9/14/42      01:06              33-04N, 134-26E               Troop Transport              10,280         SUNK

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5)                                             33-05N, 134-26E               Troop Transport              10,894         SUNK

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6)                     01:18              33-04N, 134-30E               Oil Tanker                          11,630         SUNK

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7) 9/15/42      06:55              32-53N, 134-47E               Oil Tanker                          11,670         SUNK

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8)                                             32-51N, 134-47E               Troop Transport             10,074          SUNK

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9) 9/16/42      07:39              33-23N, 134-45E               Oil Tanker                          11,670         SUNK

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10)                  07:40              33-23N, 134-45E               Oil Tanker                          12,284         SUNK

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11)                  08:01              33-24N, 134-47E               Standard Merchant        13,770          SUNK

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12) 9/16/42    11:29              33-09N, 134-46E               Armed Merchant                9,684         SUNK

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13) 9/17/42    11:12              34-46N, 134-49E               Armed Merchant                9,070         SUNK

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14)                  11:12              34-46N, 134-48E               Troop Transport              10,754         SUNK

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15) 9/18/42    22:43              32-42N, 134-09E               Troop Transport              7,884           SUNK

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16)                                          32-42N, 134-09E                Large Freighter                7,404           SUNK                                                                                                                                          

 

Totals: 158,500 Raw / 52,614 Adjusted

 

Damage Sustained:

             None

 

Aircraft Encountered:

                  6

 

Commander’s Comments:

After arriving in our patrol area we started patrolling off the mouth of the Kii Suido.

 

13 September, 10:45 hours, spotted a small-unescorted convoy. Single ship so we decided to surface and sink with gunfire. Sank target with deck gun and resumed patrol.

 

13 September, 20:42 hours, spotted a small convoy. We got into a firing position in front of the convoy and submerged. Fired six torpedoes, 3 duds and 3 hits sinking an Oil Tanker and a Troop Transport. Took the boat deep to avoid the ASW by the escorts. Lost contact at 23:13 hours and resumed patrol.

 

14 September, 12:28 hours, we spotted a medium unescorted convoy, completed and end-around to get into a firing position. Fired sinking two Troop Transports, 2 hits and 1 dud. Surfaced and perused Oil Tanker, at 2,200 yards opened fire with deck gun and sank target, lost remainder of convoy, resuming patrol.

 

15 September, 06:22 hours, spotted a medium convoy and got into a firing position. At 600 yards fired at an Oil Tanker and sank it with 1 torpedo. Could not surface and pursue convoy due to Aircraft escorting convoy. At 07:20 hours sound reports low speed screw sounds. Went to periscope depth and spotted a Troop Transport at about 700 yards. Set up and fired, sinking it. Resuming patrol.

 

16 September, 06:00 hours, spotted a small-unescorted convoy, got into a firing position and fired and sunk two Oil Tankers. No escorts or aircraft present so we decided to surface and pursue Standard Merchant. Fired two tubes forward, both hits causing heavy damage, finished off target with deck gun. Resuming patrol.

 

16 September, 10:50 hours, spotted small convoy dead ahead. 11:29 hours fired three torpedoes sinking an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Went deep to avoid the ASW attack. Lost contact at 13:14 hours, resuming patrol.

 

17 September, 10:40 hours, Spotted a small convoy, got into a firing position and at 11:12 hours fired, sinking an Armed Merchant Cruiser and a Troop Transport, 1 dud and 4 hits. Dove to avoid ASW and lost contact at 13:24 hours, resuming patrol.

 

18 September, 22:30 hours, spotted a large convoy, at 22:42 hours fired last two torpedoes at a Troop Transport and a Large Freighter sinking both. Went deep to avoid ASW and at 23:47 hours lost contact with escorts. Decided to head for home due to all torpedoes expended.

 

 

 

 

LCDR Ethan Edwards

CO USS Growler SS-215

 

 

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