/ /
IMMEDIATE /
/
From: LCDR Ethan Edwards
To:
CMDR. Greg Turner II
Cc:
ComSubPac
Date:
July 1, 1942
Subject: Patrol
Report, USS Plunger SS-179 (Cycle 3
May 2002)
Remarks: 3rd War
Patrol, USS Plunger
Date:
30 June, 1942
Patrol Area: Empire (NJ-2)
Sub: U.S.S. Plunger SS-179 Class: P
class
Crew: Veteran
Status: Operational
Hull Damage: None (0%) System
Damage: None (0%)
Total Patrol Time: 27.2
Days Repair
Time: 0
Fuel Used: 77,856 Gallons (81%) Realism Rating: 100%
Ships Sunk: 6 Tonnage: 61,440 / 20,460
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 0
Weather: Partly Cloudy Seas: Moderate /
Calm
Patrol Mileage: 202 Nautical Miles
(Not including Transit Miles)
Ordnance Remaining: 0 -
MK 14 Torpedoes, 28 – Deck Gun Rounds.
(Medals
Awarded – Navy Cross, Bronze Star with combat V)
Date Time Location Ship type
(Class) Tonnage Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2). 16 June 1942
12:52 37-17N, 141-57E
Armed Merchant 8,270 SUNK
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3). 16 June 1942 15:43 37-26N, 141-57E Armed Merchant 8,380 SUNK
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4). 17 June 1942 21:17 37-51N, 141-59E Standard Merchant 8,830 SUNK
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5). 17 June 1942 21:21 37-51N, 141-48E Standard Merchant 8,830 SUNK
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6). 17 June 1942 22:06 37-56N,
142-07E Oil Tanker 12,800 SUNK
Total: 61,440 Raw /
20,460 Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
None
Aircraft Encountered:
2
Aircraft Shot Down:
None
Depth Charges:
25
to 30
Commander's
Comments:
We
departed Pearl on June 2 1942 and headed for our assigned patrol area of
Northern Japan section SJ-2. We arrived on June 14 and started a standard
patrol of the area.
On
June 16 04:20 hours we spotted a CA group and tried to get into a firing
position but the group turned away and we were unable to catch up to it. We
lost contact at 05:10 hours and resumed our patrol.
11:57
hours-same day we spotted a small-unescorted convoy and maneuvered into a
position to attack. Fired all tubes resulting in 2 duds and 4 hits sinking an
Oil Tanker and an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Lost contact with remaining targets
and resumed patrol.
June
17, 15:20 hours, Spotted a small heavily escorted convoy consisting of 3
Destroyers, 2 Aircraft and 1-Armed Merchant Cruiser. This ship must have a
valuable cargo aboard for such a heavy protection screen. Dove in front of the
merchant and let the two leading escorts pass, fired all forward tubes at 7,00
yards resulting in 1 dud and 3 hits. AMC went down stern first in a ball of
fire and smoke. Dove deep to avoid the ASW attack. Escorts and aircraft dropped
about 25 to 30 Depth Charges but never really got close to us. We maneuvered
away and finally lost contact at 17:14 hours. Resuming patrol.
18
June, 21:18 hours, spotted a medium convoy and did end-round to get into firing
position. As the convoy approached we dove and waited. No escorts so we
targeted the first and second ship in nearest column. Fired all tubes resulting
in 1 dud and 5 hits, sinking one Standard Merchant and heavily damaging a
second. Surfaced and finished off the second target with the deckgun. Decided
to pursue a large Oil Tanker on the surface and attack with the deckgun. After
getting into a favorable position we opened fire at 2,200 yards and sank the
target without his ever firing a shot in return. All torpedoes expended and
only 28 deckgun rounds left decided to head for home with a broom at the mast.
This
was a very good patrol and the Japanese are still sending convoys out
unescorted around the home waters. All effort should be made to take advantage
of this before they get wise and start sending heavier escorts with these
convoys.
List
of torpedo performance:
Hits: 12
Duds:
4
Missed:
0
Premature:
0
Under
runs: 0
LCDR. Ethan Edwards
CO: USS
Plunger, SS- 179
U.S. Navy
/ SEND /