TO: Submarine Commanders / SubRon 4A

FROM: ComSubPac / ComSubRon 4A

DATE: September 1943

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 8 October 2002)

RMKS: 1 A serious breach of security has occurred. One of our congressmen, after a junket to a war zone, has given a press interview to the effect that quote "The Japanese are setting their depth charges to shallow". All commanders are hereby warned that going deep may not be enough to evade damage by Japanese ASW attacks.

RMKS: 2 ONI believes that the Japanese are using AMC’s to ferry Aircraft from Japan to Truk. All AMC’s are therefore to be attacked whenever possible. Also for the SoWesPac boats, there have been numerous instances of our submarines being attacked by friendly aircraft, especially upon return for patrol. We have complained to General MacArthur’s staff several times and have been promised satisfaction. But there is always someone who does not get the word, so skippers should continue to exercise the utmost caution upon approaching the Australian coast.

RMKS: 3 To repeat orders issued 24 June 1943, from Admiral Nimitz; the Mark VI Magnetic Influence Exploder is to be immediately DEACTIVATED, Adjust torpedo depth settings to maximize contact hits MOT.

RMKS: 4 Increasing reports of torpedo failures after visual verification of sound of hits on target has resulted in our conduction live fire testing against a vertical cliff on a nearby island in an effort to determine the cause of this troubling issue. It was discovered that the metal guides for the firing pin had been so contorted by the impact that instead of directing the pin to the fulminate detonator, they retarded the action.

A second set of tests were conducted ashore dropping dummy warheads fitted with the actual contact exploder from a crane on to a steel plate. The results confirmed that on impact at right angles the firing pin guides were bent out of shape before the pin reached the fulminate cap. A redesigned firing mechanism robust enough to survive the impact is now in production.

All boats will be equipped with a field-designed mechanism prior to departure. BuOrd is working on the problem and has issued a statement that torpedoes should be set for slower speeds thus reducing the force of impact or using the newer MK XVIII electric torpedo when available.

RMKS: 5 The Japanese convoys are becoming larger and better organized with stronger escorting forces, including in some cases small escort carriers, KEEP ALERT.

RMKS: 6 SubRons are assigned to the following areas of operation:

SubRon 1M PacFlt ~ Yellow Sea

                   SoWesPac ~ Malaysia

SubRon 2M PacFlt ~ Caroline Islands

                   SoWesPac ~ Sulu Sea

SubRon 3A PacFlt ~ Formosa

                   SoWesPac ~ Java Sea

  SubRon 4A~

 

                    PacFlt - Palau Islands

                    CMDR. Edwards, USS Angler - (Palau’s – PI-1 - Sept-Oct 43)

 

                    LCDR. Schow, USS Greenling - (Palau’s – PI-1 - Oct-Nov 43)

 

        CMDR. Cox, USS SeaDragon - (Palau’s - PI-2 - Sept-Oct 43)

 

        LCDR. Anrri, USS SeaRaven - (Palau’s - PI-2 - Oct-Nov 43)

 

                    SoWesPac - Indochina

                    CAPT. Turner III, USS Jack - (Indochina – IC-1 - Sept-Nov 43)

 

        CMDR. Gundersen, USS Pogy - (Indochina – IC-4 - Sept-Nov 43)

                   

        CMDR. Doyle, USS Steelhead - (Indochina – IC-2 - Sept-Nov 43)

                

SubRon 5A PacFlt ~ Yellow Sea

                   SoWesPac ~ Sulu Sea

SubRon 6A PacFlt ~ Empire ( Southern Japan )

                   SoWesPac ~ South China Sea

SubRon 7A PacFlt ~ Empire ( Northern Japan )

                   SoWesPac ~ Philippine Islands

SubRon 8A PacFlt ~ Mariana Islands

                   SoWesPac ~ Malaysia

All commanders are to Acknowledge receipt of these orders.

Good Luck and Good Hunting

CAPT. Greg Turner III
CO SubRon 4A                                                                                                                                                                   

Rear Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Commanding SubPacFlt

 

// SENDS //