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To: ComSubRon 4A
CC: ComSubPac
From: CMDR Ethan Edwards
Date: 15 January 1944
Subject: Patrol Report,
Cycle 9 (November 2002)
Remarks: Arrived in our
patrol area on 6 January, on a (Special Mission by ComSubPac). We are to search out and destroy as many Oil
Tankers as possible.
Sub: U.S.S. Angler SS-240 Class: Gato
Hull Damage: None (0%) System
Damage: None (0%)
Crew: Elite Status:
Operational
Total Patrol Time: 14 Days Repair Time: 0
Fuel Used: N / A Realism Rating:
95%
Ships Sunk: 15 Tonnage:
179,106 / 59,642
Warships: 4 Merchants:
11
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo
Recons: 2
(Singapore & Malacca)
Weather: Partly cloudy Sea: Calm
Patrol Mileage: 432 Nautical Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 0 – Torpedo’s, 6 – Deck
Gun Rounds.
(Silent Hunter Awards – SPECIAL MISSION
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5) 6 JAN
44 18:20 6-48N, 104-41E Oil
Tanker 7,780 SUNK
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7) 6 JAN 44 18:20 6-48N, 104-41E Oil Tanker 7,780 SUNK
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10) 6
JAN 44 21:52 0-10S, 106-02E Oil Tanker 13,650 SUNK
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11) 7 JAN 44 13:17 0-10S,
103-49E Photo
Recon Singapore Harbor COMP
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12) 6
JAN 44 01:22 0-10S, 106-02E (SUB) B-type 2,564 SUNK
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13) 8 JAN 44 11:01 2-05S,
102-21E Photo
Recon Malacca Harbor COMP
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14) 9
JAN 44 06:48 0-10S, 106-02E (CV) Unryu 20,100 SUNK
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15) 9
JAN 44 08:13 0-10S, 106-02E (BB) Ise 35,800 SUNK
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16) 9
JAN 44 08:26 0-10S, 106-02E (CL) Kuma 5,832 SUNK
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17) 9
JAN 44 08:35 0-10S, 106-02E Oil Tanker 15,980 SUNK
Total: 179,226 Raw / 59,682 Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
None
Aircraft Encountered:
5
Commanders Comments: After receiving
our mission orders we proceeded South toward the last known position of the
convoy given us by ComSubPac.
6 January, 15:23 hours. We spotted a medium convoy of six ships with 5
escorts in two columns. We headed for a position between the two lead ships and
dove under the escort. After the escort passed over head we went to periscope
depth and targeted four Oil Tankers. Fired and sunk all four. We dove deep to
avoid the escort’s search and found a thermal at 210 feet. Moved off and after loosing
the escorts we surfaced and resumed the patrol looking for the second convoy in
our mission orders.
6 January, 17:40 hours, radar contact almost dead ahead. 17:50 hours we
spotted a small convoy in single file consisting of five ships and three escorts.
Moved in on the side with only the single escort and after it passed we
targeted and fired at three Oil Tankers sinking all three. We dove deep to
avoid the escorts, mild depth charging with no damage and after loosing contact
with the escorts we surfaced and resumed our patrol.
6 January, 19:02 hours, received orders for a Photo Recon of Singapore
Harbour on or before 10 January at 17:02 hours. Plenty of time to get there so
we continued south looking for any other targets.
6 January, 20:49 hours, received orders for a second Photo Recon of
Malacca Harbour on or before 11 January 01:01 hours. Decided to keep patrolling
South until Midnight before we turn Northward to Singapore.
6 January, 21:04 hours, Radar contact about 13,000 yards ahead. This
could be another convoy of tankers so we rung up flank speed and headed toward
the radar contact. 21:24 yards we spotted a small convoy of three Oil Tankers
with out escorts. These are moving fast at about 13 knots. We decided since there
were no escorts we would approach on the surface from the port quarter and
attack them with the deckgun to conserve torpedoes. At 2.100 yards we opened up
on the first target and sunk it. We turned to the second and did the same. The
third turned and tried to escape but we came up his stern and sunk him also
with the deckgun. We never got closer than 1,800 yards and the enemy never
fired a return shot at us. Maybe because they had the moon behind them making
them stand out for us and making it very hard to see us. If they had of fired
at us I would have dived the boat to avoid any damage and tried an end-around
later, but it was unnecessary. We headed North toward Singapore for the ordered
Recon.
7 January, 03:48 hour’s radar contact ahead, we are entering the strait
between Malaysia and the island of
Ralau Batam. 04:09 hours spotted a small patrol consisting of two DD’s.
dove the boat to 210 feet and passed the patrol with incident. We lost contact
with the patrol at 07:59 hours and went to radar depth. Nothing on radar so we
surface to replenish air and charge batteries as we may be down for a long
while when we approach Singapore.
7 January, 11:15 hours we received a radar contact of an approaching
aircraft. Went to periscope depth and proceeded with caution. Picked up the
sound of patrolling ships outside the harbour. 13:03 hours we spotted ships in
the harbour including a CV, BB/CV and a CL with several merchants. 13:17 hours
Photo Recon completed. Moving off to head for Malacca for the second Photo
Recon. Hope to return and get a crack at the shipping in the harbour.
7 January, 15:30 hours, went to radar depth, no contacts, so we surfaced
to recharge batteries. 16:10 hours we spotted a patrol between Malaysia and
Palau Rangsang, range about 18,000 yards. It’s getting dark so we will approach
to about 10,000 yards before diving. 11,000 yards, air radar contact so we dove
before being spotted by any approaching aircraft. Went as deep as possible and
proceeded with caution. 21:30 hours we lost contact with the patrol and
surfaced to recharge batteries.
8 January, 00:16 hours, single radar contact ahead, could be a
patrolling DD. Headed for the contact at reduced speed. 00:39 hours we spotted
a IJN submarine patrolling between Pulan and Batu Pahat. We dove to radar depth
and approached the target. 01:22 hours, we sunk a B Type IJN Submarine, Heading
for Malacca.
8 January 05:21 hours we spotted several DD’s patrolling outside the
harbour. Went to periscope depth and started our approach. Looks like sever
merchants in the harbour and three patrolling escorts. 11:01 hours Photo
Mission completed. We headed for deeper water and will lie on the bottom until
dark before heading back to Singapore for some target practice.
8 January, 18:02 hours went to radar depth, no contacts surfaced and
headed for Singapore. After avoid the patrol again on the way out we arrived
outside Singapore harbour at about 06:00 hours. Decided to try and target the
ships from a longer distance to avoid detection. Targeted the CV first, range
5,610 yards. Set the torpedoes to run at 16 feet to avoid hitting the DD’s
patrolling and set them for slow speed. Fired and hoped for the best. 06:48
hours we hit and sunk a Unryu Class CV. The DD’s are looking around but not in
our direction. Set-up on the BB/CV and fired all tubes forward set at slow
speed and 18 feet running depth. Target at 5,730 yards range. All six hit and
sunk the target. The DD’s are really starting to look around now so we moved
off to find another firing position. Targeted the CL and fired, sunk a Kuma
class CL. One torpedo lest so we targeted a Oil Tanker range 6,130 yards away.
Fired and started to move off. Sound reports a hit and sounds of a ship
breaking up.
We headed for deeper water and set a course for home. With all tubes
empty and a good feeling through out the boat on a fine patrol completed.
CO: USS Angler SS-240
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