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From: CAPT
Greg Turner III
To: ComSubPac
Date: 24
December 1943
Subject: Patrol Report, USS Jack SS-259 (Cycle
9, November 2002)
Remarks: 3rd War Patrol, USS
Jack,
Date: 24 December, 1943 Patrol Area: Malaysia
Sub: USS Jack SS-259 Class:
Gato
Crew: Elite Status: Operational
Total Patrol Time: 16.8 Days Repair Time: 1 Day
Fuel Used: 68,744 Gallons (58%) Realism
Rating: 95%
Ships Sunk: 8 Tonnage: 60,154 / 20,031
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 0
Weather: Partly Cloudy-Overcast Seas: Moderate
Patrol Mileage: 800 Nautical Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 0 - MK 14 Torpedo’s, 95 – Deck Gun Rounds.
(Medals Awarded –Silver Star, Bronze Star + V)
Date Time Location Ship Type Tonnage
Status
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2) 12 Dec 43 21:00 02-37N
x 108-04E Std Merchant 8,360 SUNK
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4) 15 Dec 43 00:55 00-12N
x 106-13E Oil Tanker 6,910 SUNK
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5) 15 Dec 43 15:07 00-10N
x 105-50E Troop Ship 9,270 SUNK
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6) 15 Dec 43 15:19 00-10N
x 105-49E Conv. Factory 6,080 SUNK
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7) 15 Dec 43 18:56 00-19N x 105-44E Troop Ship 9,270 SUNK
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8) 15 Dec 43 23:11 00-21N x 105-28E Oil Tanker 7,850 SUNK
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9) 15 Dec 43 10:14 00-10N x 105-49E Large Freight N/A DAM
Total: 60,154 Raw / 20,031 Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
1. Forward Engine Room Hull - Moderate
Aircraft Encountered:
6
Aircraft Shot Down:
Depth Charges:
163
Commander's Comments:
RMKS/ 1. Left
Pearl harbor 2 December 1943 enroute to Malaysia. Had on board the new PPI
radarscope.
RMKS/ 2. 10 December 1943 arrived
in my assigned patrol are at about 17:35. Burned an estimated 26,000 gallons of
fuel oil reaching my patrol area. Under overcast skies and with moderate seas I
began patrolling.
RMKS/ 3. 02:40 SJ Radar picked up a
contact bearing 000` at 31,410 yds. I began closing on the contact and at 03:01
dove to radar depth with a contact only 8,500 yds ahead. 03:07 I spotted
1-Yugumo class DD bearing 000` at 5,000 yds + 1-Agano class Light Cruiser at
5,800 yds with 1-Mutsuki class DD trailing astern. 03:16 I fired 3 torpedo’s at
the CL from 2,200 yds, torpedo depth was 10 feet. Right after firing I dove
deep so I was unable to observe the hits but all 3 torpedo’s were heard to
impact the CL. Active sonar found us
while passing through 145 feet. I finally leveled off at 400 feet but the DD’s
began working the area over with depth charges. At 03:36 when it appeared the
DD’s might be moving off I came to periscope depth. I could not find the
damaged CL but the DD’s found me with their active sonar and I went deep again,
this time to the southeast. The DD’s dropped several close charges that really
shook the boat and were very tenacious. 05:02 I ordered debris to be jettisoned
and turned north to try and evade. Finally at 06:40 I slipped free of the DD’s
and lost them heading north. Received a total of 77 depth charges. Arrived
radar depth at 06:58 and picked up an air contact on the SD radar at about
17,000 yds. SJ radar also reported a single surface contact bearing 080` at
14,300 yds. Surfaced at 07:00 and headed after the lone contact. 07:02 spotted
the damaged and burning CL bearing 015` at 15,700 yds making 2 kts. I went to
flank speed and began to pull ahead of the CL and at 08:5 was nearly 10,000 yds
ahead. Radar reported the group of DD’s almost 33,000 yds off so they were not
a factor. Dove to radar depth and prepared to fire at the CL when it came in
range. I kept track of it by use of the radar and thus got a perfect setup. At
10:05 fired 1 aft torpedo (4th at CL) from 950 yds and watched it
hit almost dead center. The CL rolled over in and sank within 6 minutes. I
secured from battle stations and started to clear the area before the DD’s came
looking for me.
RMKS/ 4. 11 December 1943 10:14 SD
radar picked up 2 air contacts bearing unknown range 15,000 yds. At the same
time SJ radar reported contact bearing 322` at 29,800 yds. I set a course to
investigate the surface contact and kept an eye on the air contacts as well. At
10:16 I ordered the boat deep as the aircraft closed within 6,000 yds. The
apparently spotted or thought they spotted where I went under because they
dropped 8 depth charges astern of us. No damage was inflicted. I stayed deep
until 10:50 then came to radar depth. No aircraft were picked up but the
surface contact was bearing 310` at 26,000 yds. I surfaced to charge on the
batteries while I closed on the contact. 10:53 the air contacts were reacquired
at 15,000 yds but lost almost as fast. Suddenly at 11:20 the SD radar picked up
an air contact at 5,000 yds and I went to radar depth. The surface contacts
were now only 16,000 yds off and looked to be circling in one spot. The
aircraft never spotted us and headed away. We could hear very faint active
sonar from the direction of the surface ships and we suspected maybe a convoy
had stopped for the night at this spot. I continued to close and at 12:22 I
spotted 2 DD’s bearing 012` at 12,000 yds. I eased down to periscope depth and
spotted 5 DD’s heading my way. I went to 400 feet and let them pass. There
active sonar did make intermittent contact on us but they never acted on it.
The DD’s turned at 13:54 and headed south and I went to radar depth. No visual
was made and at 14:41 sonar contact was lost on the DD’s. I remained submerged
until 16:52 then surfaced.
RMKS/ 5. At once the surface radar
had a contact bearing 197` at 29,000 yds. Reported it as a very large
contact. With the high number of
aircraft in this area I went to radar depth to await dark. At 17:34 I did spot
4 DD’s heading west and I let them pass. I made a trim dive to 400 feet and
noticed that no thermal layer was present. Surfaced at 19:09 to charge.
RMKS/ 6. Sunday 12 December 1943
Moderate seas and Mostly Cloudy skies, 110:06 SJ contact bearing 189` at 32,500
yds. I headed for at flank speed. 11:56 spotted 1 –Fubuki class DD bearing 000`
at 13,000 yds. I came to course 111` and went to periscope depth. Radar reported the contacts changed course
to 270` so I came to 180`. Came back to radar depth to get a better look at
what we had. The depth change revealed 1-Small Freighter, 1-Tanker, 1-Std
Merchant, 1-Troop ship and 1-Asashio DD. The convoy was 5,000 yds aft heading
south now. Suddenly the DD’s went active and I headed deep to avoid detection.
I changed course to 305` at 350 feet. 13:50 the active sonar ceased and I came
to radar depth. Had 3 separate contacts now, 5 ships bearing 159` at 16,200
yds, 1 ship bearing 240` at 26,400 yds and 1 ship bearing 325` at 19,200 yds. I
surfaced at 14:03 and headed for the contact bearing 325`. 14:27 spotted 1-Std
Merchant bearing 001` at 18,300yds making 16 kts. I closed at flank speed.
15:19 SD radar picked up an air contact closing from 17,000 yds, Three minutes
later I dove as it closed within 10,000 yds. Back to radar depth at 15:47with
no air contacts and the Merchant now bearing 009` at 13,000 yds. Surfaced to continue
pursuit. 16:45 the aircraft was back on our radar but never closed so we
remained surfaced. At 18:10 due to darkness we lost visual on the Merchant and
continued tracking by radar. Reacquired visual at 18:49 from 5,800 yds. Finally
got a good in a good firing position and at 20:58 fired 2 torpedo’s from 900
yds set at 18 feet. Both impacted and caused considerable damage but the ship
refused to sink so a third torpedo was fired and sank the ship.
RMKS/ 7. Monday 13 December 1943
04:47 SJ contact bearing 274` at 31,200 yds, I headed for at flank. 05:51
spotted 1-Kagero class DD bearing 359` at 8,100 yds. Dove to periscope depth.
At 06:03 I got a count of what I had, 2-Kagero, 1-Fubuki, 1-Unidentified DD,
1-Std Merchant, 1-Large Freighter, 1-Troop ship, and 1-Small Freighter. 06:30
fired 1 torpedo at the SF from 1,800 yds set at 9 feet. Fired 2 torpedo’s at
the SM from 1,700 yds. One torpedo prematured seconds out of the tube and I
headed deep. Moments later a second torpedo prematured. Active sonar found me
right away but I managed to evade by going to 390 feet where a thermal layer
aided us. Counted a total of 44 distant depth charges. Lost contact at 08:40
and came to radar depth. Surfaced at 09:07 with 3 separate contacts on the
surface radar, one contact bearing 275` at 30,500 yds, one contact bearing 020`
at 15,000 yds, and the DD’s bearing 152` at 21,400 yds. I went after the 020`
bearing.11:00 what I presumed was a Troop ship turned out to be a Converted
Factory ship and they fired on us. No hits were scored but it forced me to
dive. 11:04 fired 1 torpedo from 1,000 yds set for 2o foot depth. It impacted
but failed to sink the CFS, fired a second torpedo from 850 yds, which started
fires but also failed to sink the ship. Fired a third torpedo from 700 yds,
which finally broke the ships back and sank it. Secured general quarters and
continued patrolling.
RMKS/ 8. 10:37 spotted 3 Sampans at
03-04N x 106-34E, bypassed them.
RMKS/ 9. SJ contact at 10:57
bearing 017` at 34,000 yds. Closed until the range was 28,000 yds when SD radar
picked up 2 aircraft at 17,000 yds. I remained surfaced and at 14:40 spotted
1-Mogami class DD and 1-unidentified warship bearing 357` at 18,000 yds. By now
there were 3 air contacts and at 15:02 the convoy turned due north and an
aircraft was spotted bearing 305` at 4,000 yds closing. I crash dived to evade.
While passing through 100 feet a bomb or depth charge hit causing a moderate
leak in the Forward engine room hull. I only went to 300 feet to lessen the
leak until it could be repaired. The pumps were over whelmed and it looked as
though we might have to surface or loose the boat when my XO reported that the
leak had been contained. Slowly the pumps began to catch up and pump out the
water. I estimate we took on about 8,000 lbs of water in that short period. No
further ordnance was received from topside and at 16:04 we came to radar depth
to find the air contact at 5,000 yds and the surface contact at 11,000 yds. I
trailed submerged while awaiting darkness. 18:09 surfaced with the convoy now
at 29,000 yds. 20:38 spotted 2 DD’s stationary at about 12,000 yds. Went to
periscope depth to close and evaluate. 23:27 had closed to 3,000 yds and
identified 3-Shiratsuyu, 1-Hatsuharu, and 1-Fubuki class DD’s at 03-38N x
107-32E. Ships were stationary apparently waiting to escort an oncoming convoy.
I radioed ComSubPac for permission to engage and sink these DD’s but was denied
permission. ComSubPac stated it could most likely be a Hunter/Killer group and
I was to avoid so I went deep and cleared the area quietly.
RMKS/ 10. Tuesday 14 December 1943
07:41 SJ contact bearing 033` at 31,500 yds. 08:01 SD radar picked up yet
another aircraft and at 08:22 it closed within 8,000 yds and I went to
periscope depth. While the aircraft held me down the surface contact evaded and
I lost it. I surfaced at 09:31 after checking to clear the area and headed for
Kepulauan Lingga to give this area a break. At 19:55 SJ contact bearing 003` at
8,400 yds. A quick check confirmed my suspicion and 3 Sampans were spotted at
6,200 yds. I elected to bypass these boats. 23:12 SJ contact bearing 087` at
32,000 yds. I closed on this contact and at 00:30 I began to see several hips.
Spotted 2-Akizuki and 3-Fubuki, and 2 unidentified DD’s, 1-Tanker, and 1-Troop
ship. A mighty valuable target from the size of the escort. 00:53 after working
into firing position I fired 2 torpedo’s at the Tanker from 2,800 yds and fired
1 torpedo at the Troop ship from 3,000 yds. I dove deep after firing so had to
rely on our sonar to track the torpedo’s. At hitting time on the Tanker a
mighty roar was heard followed by breaking up noises. The Troop ship apparently
evaded the torpedo intended for it as no hit was heard. The DD’s pounced on me
at once and began unleashing the depth charges. Several close explosions rocked
us but no damage was received. I passed into a Thermal layer at 370 feet and
eased down to 400 feet to confuse the DD’s sonar. After entering the Thermal
the DD’s lost me and I slipped away to the north. My sonar man lost contact on
the DD’s at 03:57 and I came to radar depth where they were picked up on the
surface radar at 21,000 yds bearing 140`. With such a heavy escort and there
being alerted to my presence I had no further opportunity to get into a firing
position. I surfaced at 05:01 to patrol.
RMKS/ 11. 05:26 SJ contact bearing
241` at 30,600 yds. I headed for but at 05:54 SD radar picked up an aircraft
and I went to radar depth and continued to close. 06:34 I spotted a rather
large convoy bearing 252` at 19,000 yds. With the aircraft and approaching
daybreak a surface attack was out of the question. I did identify 4 columns of
2 ships each. Column one was a Supply ship and a Troop ship. Column two was a
Small Freighter and a Large Freighter, Column three was an Armed Merchant and a
Converted Factory ship, and column four was two Troop ships. At 15:07 I fired
my last forward torpedo at the Troop ship in Column # 1 from 740 yds and fired
1 aft torpedo at the LF in column # 2 from 500 yds, also fired 1 torpedo at the
Troop ship in column 3 from 1,400 yds. The Troop ship sank, the Freighter
limped away and the 2nd troop ship evaded my torpedo. As the convoy
began to break up I fired 1 torpedo at the CFS in Column # 4 from 1,600 yds. It
damaged the ship and I fired a 2nd torpedo from 980 yds but before
impact time a plane was sighted heading my way so I crash-dived. Sound reported
a large explosion on the bearing of my last torpedo and then a ship breaking
up. Scratch one Factory ship. The aircraft never found us and at 17:32 I was
back to radar depth where a lone contact was picked up bearing 144` at 28,000
yds. I surfaced and heading in that
direction. 18:21 lookouts spotted 1 Troop ship bearing 008` at 8,000 yds. I
went to flank and swung around it far enough to fire. At 18:57 I fired 1
torpedo from 500 yds and watched it sink the Troop ship. Hundreds of men were
seen going into the water but I made no attempt at a rescue. I secured and
cleared the area at top speed.
RMKS/ 12. 20:41 SJ contact bearing
308` at 26,000 yds. I went to radar depth at 22:07 as I spotted a five-ship
convoy heading my way. Identified 2-Tankers, and 3-Large Freighters. No escorts
were visible but sound reported high-speed screws in the area. I worked ahead
of the convoy and at 23:10 with no escorts still in sight I fired 1 torpedo at
the nearest Tanker from 1,300 yds. It impacted but failed to detonate. Fired a
2nd torpedo (My last) from 1,250 yds and was amazed to see such a
fireball when the torpedo hit. The whole bridge area was literally ripped off
the ship and the ship sank within 2 minutes leaving a flaming area several
hundred yards across. The DD’s now made there presence known and charged up to
drop at last count 34 depth charges, none of which were even close. I lost
contact on the DD’s at 01:20 and came to radar depth. No contacts were made and
being out of torpedo’s I surfaced and set course for home base.
Torpedo Performance:
Hits = 18
Duds = 1
Premature = 2
Miss = 3
CAPT Greg Turner III
USS Jack, SS-259
ComSubRon 4A
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