PROLOGUE
Arrived submarine base, MIDWAY ISLANDS
April 6, 1943 after FOURTH War
Patrol. On April 7, 1943 commenced
refit by Submarine base, relief crew,
and ship's force.
During April 21 to 22 conducted training exercises underway.
Ship ready for sea April 25, 1943.
1. NARRATIVE
April 25: 1500Y; Departed MIDWAY under air escort for patrol area
via Kuril
Islands.
Crossed the International Date Line.
April 27: Tested new flashless powder during complete darkness.
Still our
powder is
not flashless, but it gives off a diminished flash. This
powder cannot
be compared with that employed by the Japs against us,
on numerous
occasions. It is also understood that the British and
German's
flashless powder is as effective as the Japanese.
Furthermore,
this powder produces a great amount of smoke and is
considered
a handicap to the gun crew when firing with an unfavorable
wind.
April 29: 1555N: Slowed to one engine speed (80-90) due to heavy head seas.
April 30: 1000N: Seas having diminished, speeded up to two main engines.
1622L: Upon
surfacing from daily submerged drills sheared the shear
pins in
bow plane rigging mechanism. Stopped; lying to while
replacing
these shear pins. At 1720L, all repairs completed continued
course and
speed.
May 2: Encountered hail and snow on the morning watch.
1423L: Sighted
snow capped mountain peaks on ONEKOTAN ISLANDS of the
KURIL ISLANDS.
1639L: Slowed
and commenced surface patrol along the KURIL ISLANDS.
Will investigate
NATSUWA tomorrow in close and submerged.
May 3: 0400N; Dived six miles east of NATSUWA
and proceeded to reconnoiter
the island.
Found a four to five thousand ton freighter broken on
beach of
NATSUWA opposite BANJO TO, apparently a victim of a storm.
Fresh appearing
paint on the protruding parts indicated that this was
a recent
wreck. Observed will developed air field consisting of four
large hangers
with dispersal stowages in back, a large landing field
apparently
equipped with flood lights, administration buildings, radio
station
barracks etc. This installation is considered comparable to
the air
station on Eastern Island, MIDWAY. Took several photographs,
and plotted
positions of outstanding features on chart included as
enclosure
"A" then cleared island submerged.
1105K; Due
to absence of any plane activity surfaced and continued
patrol of
the KURIL CHAIN to the southward.
The islands
observed this far south are barren and completely covered
with snow
and ice, the installation on NATSUWA being the only
indication
of any activity.
May 4: 0420K; Dived and proceeded to reconnoiter
NOYORO MAN on the northeast
tip of ETOROFU
ISLAND where there are sulphur works. The harbor was
jammed with
float ice and no activity could be observed. As the
currents
were apparently causing the ice floes to surround us, changed
course to
southeast to get clear.
ATTACK No. 1
0525K; The
O.O.D. sighted, through the morning mist, what appeared to
be a small
ship or patrol, range about six thousand yards, angle on
the bow
30d port. This put him on course parallel to the Island
Chain.
This observation was confirmed by the Commanding and Executive
Officers.
Five minutes later the ship changed course presenting a
zero angle
on the bow. The end on view through the mist prevented
identification
of the ship as other than a small freighter or patrol
until the
range was 3,200 yards. At this time he was coming out of
the mist
and
the angle on the bow was sufficient to identify him as a
larger target
and worthy of torpedo fire. On the next observation
identified
target as an auxiliary seaplane tender and maneuvered for
stern torpedo
shots.
May 4: 0558L; Fired a divergent spread of three
torpedoes using stack,
forward
goalpost and after goalpost as points of aim, range 1,350
yards, 123d
starboard track, speed 11 knots. The first torpedo with
torpex head
hit between stack and bridge after sixty second run. The
torpedo
fired at his forward goalpost evidently passed ahead and the
one fired
aft must have been erratic or a dud. It is inconceivable
that any
normal dispersion could allow this last torpedo to miss a 510
foot target
at this range. The target tooted her whistle, commenced
firing to
port, away from the WAHOO. and then turned away dropping
four depth
charges. She was observed to have a slight port list, but
was evidently
quite under control. As this ship, a KAMIKAWA MARU
Class XAV-1
is capable of 21 knots and did not increase speed, it is
considered
probable that the one hit limited her speed to the 11 knots
determined.
0636K; Continued on easterly course to clear ice-pack.
1355K; Surfaced
and continued patrol of KURIL CHAIN to southward. Ice
floes prevented
investigating HITUKAPPU WAN on the south coast of
ETOROFU.
2047K; Sent contact report to ComSubPac concerning the XAV-1.
May 5-6: Patrolling KURIL CHAIN.
May 78: Entered area and closed coast at full speed.
0420K; dived
12 miles from coast off BENTEN ZAKI. Observed two
freighters
with a destroyer or patrol, and a third lonely freighter
pass ahead
of us well inshore out of range.
ATTACK No. 2 A and B
1039K; Sighted
two ships on northerly course, hugging the shoreline.
Commenced
approach. Leading ship identified as similar to YUKI MARU
(5,704 tons)
and the second like the YOMSEI MARU (2,861 tons). The
second ship
however, was dark grey, fitted with gun mounts and was
apparently
escorting.
1115K; Fired
spread to two torpedoes at leading ship, range 900 yards,
107d starboard
track, speed 9 knots, followed immediately by a spread
of four
torpedoes at the escort. The first torpedo hit the YUKI MARU
under the
stack and broke her back. The second torpedo missed ahead.
The patrol
turned towards and successfully avoided the four torpedoes
fired at
her, though how she got between those four torpedo tracks
will always
remain a mystery. As the YUKI MARU had sunk, went deep
and avoided
the patrol at full speed then silent running. None of his
depth charges
were too close. Observed him from periscope depth and
cleared
vicinity. Heard considerable distant depth charging or
bombing
and observed planes searching remainder of the day.
May 8: Proceeded down coast, skirted fishing fleet,
and dived a mile and a
half off
KONE ZAKI.
0512K; Sighted
small ship and made approach. He was running within
fifteen
hundred yards of the beach, turning into every cove. Broke
off attack
when he was observed to be too small for torpedo fire.
ATTACK NO. 3
1413K; Sighted
three ships coming down the coast, commenced approach.
The convoy
was zig-zagging, and when the range had closed was
identified
as two escort vessels, similar to the one encountered
yesterday,
escorting a naval auxiliary similar to the KIHRYU MARU
(9,310 tons).
1503K; Fired
spread of three torpedoes, range 2,500, 90d port track,
speed 10
knots, depth setting fifteen feet. The first torpedo
(torpex)
aimed at MOT, prematured after 50 second run half way to the
target.
The second torpedo aimed at mainmast, and down practically
the same
track as the first, was evidently deflected by the premature
or failed
to explode. The third torpedo fired at the foremast hit the
point of
aim but failed to explode. Both sound operators reported the
thud of
the dud at the same time that a column of water about ten feet
was observed
at the targets side abreast of her foremast as the air-
flask exploded.
1510K; Received
first of the series of depth charges expected under
these circumstances.
May 9: Proceeded up coast with the intention of
closing KONE SAKI prior to
diving.
ATTACK No. 4 A and B
0245K; When
17,000 yards from KONE SAKI by SJ range, the radar
operator
observed two pips, 15,000 and 15,300 yards on the same
bearing
with the land. Changed course and tracked target group and in
the position
they would occupy at dawn, dived to 40 feet. Continued
tracking
by radar and periscope bearings until range was 7,000 yards,
then went
to sixty feet. The targets were seen identified as a large
tanker and
freighter in column, evidently making the night run between
ports without
escort.
0440K; Fired
a spread of three torpedoes at tanker identified as
similar
to HUZISAN MARU (9,527 tons), range 1,200 yards, 100d port
track, speed
10 knots, and immediately thereafter a spread of three
more torpedoes
at the freighter identified as similar to the HAWAII
MARU (9,467
tons), range 1,130 yards 90d port track, speed 10 knots.
All torpedoes
were set to run at eighteen feet. Just after the fifth
torpedo
was fired the first hit the tanker amidships breaking her
back.
She sank by the bow and caught fire aft. The fourth torpedo (a
torpex)
hit the freighter under the bridge breaking its back, and the
fifth torpedo
(TNT) hit her aft. She sank by the stern. Attempted
taking some
periscope pictures in the meager light; then when both
ships had
sunk cleared the area to the east.
Heard distant
depth charges or bombs throughout the day, and one echo
ranging
A/S vessel which passed close on one occasion. Our
bathythermograph,
which showed a two degree temperature inversion at
170 feet
gave us extra confidence in our 300 foot depth.
2020K;
Distant explosions and echo-ranging still heard so on
surfacing
cleared area to northeast to patrol TOKYO-PARAMUSHIRU route.
May 10: Commenced submerged patrol on above route.
1010K; Surfaced due to poor visibility and conducted radar search.
May 10- Patrolling TOKYO-PARAMUSHIRU route.
Nothing sighted except one
11 trawler or patrol
which we avoided.
May 12: Closed coast and dived two miles off KONE SAKI.
Numerous sampans and
a glassy
sea made periscope observation difficult.
0646K;
Sighted light bomber searching vicinity. Heard several fairly
loud explosions.
0730K;
Sighted another light bomber headed for periscope. Cleared
area to
the east. Heard numerous distant bombs or depth charges
throughout
the morning.
ATTACKS No. 5 A, B, C, D.
1725K;
Sighted distant smoke in the northeast which drew to the
south.
Commenced approach at standard speed to close the range prior
to sunset.
Identified target group as two freighters in column, the
leading
one similar to NYOKEN MARU (4,021 tons) and the second a huge
freighter
similar to the ANYO MARU (9,257 tons). They were tracked at
9 knots,
zig-zagging on base course south, will beyond possible
position
for submerged attack.
2005K;
Surfaced and went after convoy at full speed while charging
batteries.
2030K; Sighted smoke of freighters in clear night.
2051K; Picked
up freighters on SJ, range 9,400 yards, and commenced
working
around their stern so that attack could be made with them
silhouetted
in the setting quarter moon.
2245K;
Having determined enemy zig-zag plan, and speed as 8.5 knots,
dived in
position for a "two ship" shot where they would come by in
column.
As both freighters were loaded set torpedo depth at 18 feet.
2338K;
Fired spread of two torpedoes at ANYO MARU, range 1,200 yards,
95d port
track, speed 8.5 knots, and immediately thereafter a spread
of two torpedoes
at the leading ship, range 1,480 yards, 126d port
track, speed
8.5 knots. The first torpedo fired at the mainmast hit.
The second
torpedo, fired at his stack amidships, is believed to have
been erratic
or a dud. The target course and speed had been most
accurately
determined and it is inconceivable that a normal dispersion
could cause
it to miss. No hits were obtained on the leading ship.
The ANYO
MARU was now observed still going, so waited until the range
had opened
to 5,000 yards then surfaced and commenced another "end-
around".
The moon had nearly set, so gained position for surface
attack tracking
target by radar with TBT bearings as he came in.
May 13: 0107K; Fired last remaining bow torpedo
at ANYO MARU, range 1,800
yards, 90d
port track, speed 7.5 knots, and then turned with full
rudder and
speed for an almost identical stern tube shot. Nothing was
seen of
the bow torpedo or its wake and the enemy apparently did not
know he
had again been fired upon.
0111K;
Fired last remaining torpedo into the ANYO MARU, range 1,800
yards, 110d
port track, speed 7.5 knots. Some phosphorescence was
observed
as this torpedo headed to intercept the target. It hit under
the bridge
with a dull thud, much louder then the duds we have heard
only on
sound, but lacking the "whacking" which accompanies a whole-
hearted
explosion. It is considered that this torpedo had a low order
detonation.
Some sparks were observed on the target above the
impact,
but he turned away apparently under control, belching smoke.
At this
time the NYOKEN MARU which was on our starboard bow opened
fire and
forced us to dive for six minutes. When we surfaced and
closed the
ANYO MARU, she was lagging a mile behind the NYOKEN,
smoking
furiously, and making six knots. We manned the deck gun, but
withdrew,
quite helpless to stop the cripple, when the NYOKEN turned
and rejoined
the ANYO.
0225K; Cleared area to east on three main engines.
0336K; Sent message to ComSubPac concerning expenditure of torpedoes.
2200K; Set course for PEARL.
May 18: 2105Y; Sighted four ships on starboard
bow, two of them appearing to
be destroyers.
Believe it to be the convoy for MIDWAY which STINGRAY
had met
earlier. Tracked them on course 290, speed 7, and sent
contact
report.
May 19: 0130Y; Received information concerning possible meeting with convoy.
May 21: 1000VK; Arrived PEARL
2. WEATHER
Excellent weather was encountered throughout the patrol.
3. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
All lights
were burning, but dimmed.
5. ENEMY SHIPS SIGHTED
Date : Time :
Position :Course : Speed :
Type
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/4/43 : 0525K :Lat. 45-20 N
: 060d :11 knots: XAV-1 KAMIKAWA
: :Long.149-00 E
: :
: MARU CLASS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/4/43 : 0420K :Lat. 40-04 N
: 170d : 8 KNOTS: 2 FREIGHTERS
: :Long.141-54 E
: :
: 1 DESTROYER
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/7/43 : 0832K :Lat. 39-59 N
: 350d : 8 knots: 1 FREIGHTER
: :Long.142-04 E
: :
:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/7/43 : 1039K :Lat. 40-05 N
: 350d : 9 knots: YUKI MARU -(YONIE MARU
: :Long.141-53 E
: :
: GUN MOUNTS) - ESCORT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/8/43 : 0512K :Lat 39-02 N
:VARIOUS: 8 knots: SMALL SHIP
: :Long.141-58 E
: :
: (1,000 TON)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/8/43 : 1413K :Lat. 39-02 N
: 210d :10 knots:2 ESCORT VES(CONVT'D AK)
: :Long.142-02 E
: :
:1 AUX (KINRYU MARU)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/9/43 : 0245K :Lat. 38-57 N
: 210d :10 knots:TANKER HUZISAN MARU
: :Long.141-49 E
: :
:FREIGHTER HAWAII MARU
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/11/43 : 1520K :Lat. 39-27 N
:VARIOUS: SLOW :SMALL PATROL BOAT OR
: :Long.122-16 1/2 E:
: :TRAWLER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/12/43 : 1725K :Lat. 39-40 N
:ZIGGING:8.5KNOTS: 2 FREIGHTERS: MYOKEN &
: :Long.122-24 1/4 E: 180d :7.5KNOTS:
ANYO MARU
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. DESCRIPTION OF PLANES SIGHTED.
DATE & TIME : TYPE
: LATITUDE : LONGITUDE
: COURSE : ALTITUDE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/7/43 1400K: SMALL
: 40d - 00'N : 141d - 53'E :CIRCLING: MEDIUM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/12/43 0636K: LIGHT : 39d
- 22'N : 142d - 09'E : 000d : MEDIUM
: BOMBER :
:
: :
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/12/43 0730K: LIGHT : 39d
- 22'N : 142d - 15'E :VARIOUS : MEDIUM
: BOMBER :
:
: :
5/14/43 1218K: SD RADAR : 38d - 43'N
: 151d - 20'E : - - - : - - -
:4.5 MILES :
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. SUMMARY OF SUBMARINE ATTACKS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
: (1)
: (2)A :
(2)B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTACK
: XAV
: AX
: ESCORT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIME
: 1958
: 0115 : 0115
DATE - G.C.T.
: 3 MAY 1943 : 7 MAY 1943
: 7 MAY 1943
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LATITUDE
: 45 - 20 N : 40 - 05 N
: 40 - 05 N
LONGITUDE
: 149 - 08 E : 141 - 53 E
: 141 - 53 E
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF TORPEDOES: 3 - XIV3A
: 2 - X1V3A : 4 XIV3A
FIRED ON EACH ATTACK
: (1 TNT - 2 TPX) : (2 TPX) :3
TPX 1 TNT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HITS
: 1 TPX
: 1 TPX : 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER SUNK (TONNAGE)
: 0
: 5,704 : 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER DAMAGED OR
: 1 DAMAGED :
:
PROBABLY SUNK (TONNAGE) :
15,650 : 0
: 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF TARGET
: XAV - 1 : AK
: PATROL
: KAMIKAWA : YUKI MARU
:(2,500 CONV)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANGE
: 1,350
: 900 : 900
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF ATTACK: PERISCOPE(P):
:
:
SURFACE(S) NIGHT(N) RADAR(R): (P)
: (P) : (P)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DRAFT OF TARGET : 28'
: 26' : 22'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORPEDO DEPTH SETTING
: 12'
: 15' : 15'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOW OR STERN SHOT
: STERN
: BOW : BOW
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRACK ANGLE
: 123d S :
107d S : 089d S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
GYRO ANGLE
:
:
: 353:353
:201:203:205 : 009:016
: 355:353
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED TARGET SPEED
: 11 KNOTS : 9 KNOTS
: 9 KNOTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRING INTERVAL
: 11 SEC; 9 SEC : 10 SEC
:13S:18S:22S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPREAD - AMOUNT AND KIND : DIVERGENT
:
:
:(DIFF PTS OF AIM) : DIVERGENT : DIVERGENT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAS TORPEDO PERFORMANCE
SATISFACTORY?
: YES
: YES : YES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
: (3)
: (4)A :
(4)B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTACK
: AK
: AO
: AK
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIME
: 0503
: 1840 : 1840
DATE - G.C.T.
: 8 MAY 1943 : 8 MAY 1943
: 8 MAY 1943
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LATITUDE
: 39 - 02 N : 38 - 57 N
: 38 - 57 N
LONGITUDE
: 142 - 02 E : 141 - 49 E
: 141 - 49 E
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF TORPEDOES: 3 - XIV3A
: 3 - X1V3A : 3 XIV3A
FIRED ON EACH ATTACK
: (1 TNT - 2 TPX) : (2 TPX 1 TNT) :2 TPX 1 TNT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HITS
: 0
: 1
: 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER SUNK (TONNAGE)
: 0
: 9,527 : 9,467
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER DAMAGED OR
:
:
:
PROBABLY SUNK (TONNAGE) :
0
: 0
: 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF TARGET
: AK
: AO
: AK
: KINRYU MARU : HUZISAN MARU :HAWAII
MARU
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANGE
: 2,900
: 1,200 : 1,200
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF ATTACK: PERISCOPE(P):
:
:
SURFACE(S) NIGHT(N) RADAR(R): (P)
: (R) (P) : (R) (P)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DRAFT OF TARGET : 28'
: 28' : 28'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORPEDO DEPTH SETTING
: 15'
: 18' : 18'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOW OR STERN SHOT
: BOW
: BOW : BOW
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRACK ANGLE
: 090d P :
100d P : 090d P
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
GYRO ANGLE
:001:002:359 : 340:335:334
: 357:355:352
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED TARGET SPEED
: 10 KNOTS : 10 KNOTS
: 10 KNOTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRING INTERVAL
: 12 SEC; 23 SEC : 17 SEC 13 SEC :13SEC 14 SEC
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPREAD - AMOUNT AND KIND : DIVERGENT
: DIVERGENT : DIVERGENT
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAS TORPEDO PERFORMANCE
SATISFACTORY?
: NO*
: YES : YES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMARKS: * I DUD,
1 PREMATURE, 1 ERRATIC RUN.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
: (5)A
: (5)B :
(5)C
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTACK
:
:
:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TIME
: 1338
: 1338 : 1507
DATE - G.C.T.
: 12 MAY 1943 : 12 MAY 1943 :
12 MAY 1943
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
LATITUDE
: 38 - 40 N : 38 - 40 N
: 38 - 52 N
LONGITUDE
: 142 - 53 E : 142 - 53 E
: 143 - 00 E
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF TORPEDOES: 2 - XIV3A
: 2 - X1V3A : 1 XIV3A
FIRED ON EACH ATTACK
: (1 TNT - 1 TPX) : (1 TPX 1 TNT) : TPX
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HITS
: 1
: 0
: 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER SUNK (TONNAGE)
: 0
: 0
: 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER DAMAGED OR
:
:
:
PROBABLY SUNK (TONNAGE) :
9,257
: 0
: 0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF TARGET
: AK
: AK
: AK
: ANYO MARU : MYOKEN MARU
: ANYO MARU
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANGE
: 1,200
: 1,200 : 1,800
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF ATTACK: PERISCOPE(P):
:
:
SURFACE(S) NIGHT(N) RADAR(R): (R) (P) (N)
: (R) (P) (N) : (R) (P) (N)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DRAFT OF TARGET : 30'
: 24' : 30'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORPEDO DEPTH SETTING
: 18'
: 18' : 18'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOW OR STERN SHOT
: STERN
: STERN : BOW
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRACK ANGLE
: 095d P :
126d P : 090d S
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
GYRO ANGLE
: 190:183 : 149:150
: 008:1/2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED TARGET SPEED
: 8.5 KNOTS : 8.5 KNOTS
: 7.5 KNOTS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRING INTERVAL
: 14 SECS : 15 SECS
: -------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPREAD - AMOUNT AND KIND : DIVERGENT
: DIVERGENT : -------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
WAS TORPEDO PERFORMANCE
SATISFACTORY?
: YES
: YES : NO*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
REMARKS: * APPARENTLY
A DUD.
-----------------------------------------------
: (5)D
-----------------------------------------------
ATTACK
:
-----------------------------------------------
TIME
: 1911
DATE - G.C.T.
: 12 MAY 1943
-----------------------------------------------
LATITUDE
: 38 - 52 N
LONGITUDE
: 143 - 00 E
-----------------------------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF TORPEDOES: 1 - XIV3A
FIRED ON EACH ATTACK
: 1 TNT
-----------------------------------------------
HITS
: 0
-----------------------------------------------
NUMBER SUNK (TONNAGE)
: 0
-----------------------------------------------
NUMBER DAMAGED OR
:
PROBABLY SUNK (TONNAGE) :
9,257
-----------------------------------------------
TYPE OF TARGET
: AK
: ANYO MARU
-----------------------------------------------
RANGE
: 1,800
-----------------------------------------------
TYPE OF ATTACK: PERISCOPE(P):
SURFACE(S) NIGHT(N) RADAR(R): (R) (S) (N)
-----------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED DRAFT OF TARGET : 30'
-----------------------------------------------
TORPEDO DEPTH SETTING
: 18'
-----------------------------------------------
BOW OR STERN SHOT
: STERN
-----------------------------------------------
TRACK ANGLE
: 110d S
-----------------------------------------------
GYRO ANGLE
: 162
-----------------------------------------------
ESTIMATED TARGET SPEED
: 7.5 KNOTS
-----------------------------------------------
FIRING INTERVAL
: -------
-----------------------------------------------
SPREAD - AMOUNT AND KIND : -------
-----------------------------------------------
WAS TORPEDO PERFORMANCE
SATISFACTORY?
: YES
8. ENEMY A/S MEASURES
The A/S vessels
encountered definitely belonged to the second team.
They invariably
dropped single charges after attempting to locate us
by stopping
to listen. Aircraft were used to search in conjunction
with these
vessels, but arrived too late to be effective on all but
one occasion.
Only one echo ranging vessel was encountered. Their
doctrine
seems to require dropping lots of charges and bombs whether
they know
the submarine's location or not. The A/S vessels observed
were all
converted freighters with gun mounts fore and aft and
characterized
by black and white checkered painting forward and after
of the bridge
structure.
9. MINE SWEEPING OPERATIONS
No mine sweeping operations were observed.
10. MAJOR DEFECTS
No major defects were experienced.
11. COMMUNICATIONS
Radio reception
was good and was complete. No difficulty, other than
ineffective
enemy jamming and spurious transmissions, was encountered
in clearing
messages to NPM on 8,470 Kcs.
The loop
coupling adapter was tested regularly. In the KURILS, NPM
could usually
be copied at 60 feet, occasionally as deep as 65 feet.
In the area
results were not as good, reception being difficult at 60
feet.
Last Serial received - Comsubpac Serial 74
Last Serial sent - WAHOO 192230 May.
12. SOUND CONDITIONS AND DENSITY LAYERS
Sound conditions
in the KURILS were fair to poor. The one ship
sighted
was not heard until at a very short range. In the area sound
conditions
were good to excellent. Ships were picked up at 5,000 to
8,000 yards.
In the KURILS
water temperature varied from 28 to 34 degrees depending
upon proximity
to land, ice floes, etc.; however, no pronounced
gradients
were encountered. In the area water temperature was usually
36 to 40
degrees.
All types
of gradients were encountered. In the extreme case of May
9, ten miles
east of KONE SAKI, the temperature dropped from 37
degrees
to 32 degrees in going from periscope depth to 100 feet. It
is felt
that this alone prevented the echo ranging AS vessel from
gaining
sound contact. The bathythermograph was used constantly
during dives
and was very valuable for predicting the sound conditions
existing.
13. HEALTH AND HABITABILITY
Health and
habitability were excellent, except for one threatening
case of
appendicitis during return voyage.
14. MILES STEAMED
Enroute to
Area............................. 2,964
In Area.....................................
803
From Area...................................
3,061
15. FUEL OIL EXPENDED
Enroute to
Area............................. 8.68 gal. per mile.
In Area.....................................
8.53 gal. per mile.
From Area...................................15.80
gal. per mile.
16. ENDURANCE FACTORS
Torpedoes..................................
NONE
Others.....................................
Indefinite.
17. PATROL ENDED
Patrol ended
by orders of ComSubPac after expenditure of all
torpedoes.
FC5-10/A16-3(FB5-102) SUBMARINE SQUADRON TEN
Serial 086
In Care Of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
May 22, 1943.
CONFIDENTIAL
From: The Commander Submarine
Squadron Ten.
To : The Commander Submarine
Force, Pacific Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. WAHOO, Fifth War Patrol - Comments
on.
1. The fifth war patrol of
the U.S.S. WAHOO was again outstanding in
aggressiveness and efficiency. In ten action packed days
the WAHOO delivered
ten torpedo attacks on eight different targets.
2. Although the results were
gratifying, faulty torpedo performance cut
positive results probably as much as 50%. Such must have
been a source of keen
disappointment to the Commanding Officer and personnel of the WAHOO.
Seven hits
were observed of twenty-four torpedoes fired, for a score of 29.2%.
One of
these seven was believed to have been of low order detonation.
3. During this patrol, aggressiveness,
determination and fighting spirit
of the Commanding Officer, officers and crew again manifested in
the excellent
results obtained. The Commander Submarine Squadron Ten takes
pleasure in
congratulating the Commanding Officer and personnel on inflicting
the following
damage on the enemy:
SUNK
AK (YUKI MARU Class).................................5704
tons
AO (HUZISAN MARU Class)..............................9527
tons
AK (HAWAII MARU Class)...............................9467
tons
TOTAL 24698 tons
DAMAGED
XAV-1 (KAMIKAWA MARU Class)..........................15650
tons
AK (ANYO MARU Class)..............................
9257 tons
TOTAL
24907 tons
FF12-10/A16-3(5)/(16) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0484
In Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
May 29, 1943.
CONFIDENTIAL
COMSUBPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 164
U.S.S. WAHOO - FIFTH WAR PATROL
From: The Commander Submarine
Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : Submarine Force,
Pacific Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. WAHOO (SS238) - Report of Fifth War Patrol.
Enclosure: (A) Copy of Subject War Patrol Report.
(B) None.
(C) Copy of Comsubron 10 conf. ltr. FC5-10/A16-3
(FB5-102) Serial 086 of May 22, 1943.
1. The U.S.S. WAHOO's fifth war patrol
was the third for the present
commanding officer. Typical of the previous two patrols,
this on was carried
out in the same aggressive and successful manner. These three
patrols establish
a record not only in damage inflicted on the enemy for three successive
patrols,
but also for accomplishing this feat in the shortest time on patrol.
The WAHOO
has sunk a total of 93,281 tons and damaged 30,880 more in only
twenty-five
patrol days.
2. Once again the WAHOO utilized all the
weapons available in
conjunction with wound strategic and tactical judgement.
This combined with
team work of personnel made this fifth war patrol another outstanding
example of
how to conduct submarine warfare.
3. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific
Fleet, congratulates the
Commanding Officer, Officers, and Crew of the U.S.S. WAHOO for
this their third
successive aggressive and successful war patrol during which the
following
damage was inflicted on the enemy:
SUNK
1 Freighter (YUKI MARU
Class)
5,704 tons
1 Tanker (HUZISAN MARU
Class)
9,527 tons
1 Freighter (HAWAII
MARU Class)
9,467 tons
TOTAL 24,698 tons
DAMAGED
1 Ex-Seaplane Tender
(KAMIKAWA Class) 15,650 tons
1 Freighter (ANYO MARU
Class)
9,257 tons
TOTAL 24,907
tons
C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.