USS BATFISH (SS 310) WAR PATROL #3

The Champion Submarine-Killing Submarine of World War Two

Third War Patrol

Honshu Southwestward to Kyushu
May 26 - July 7, 1944

(A) Prologue

BATFISH arrived Pearl from second war patrol on 15 April 1944. Eighteen day refit period by U.S.S. PROTEUS and Submarine Base during which time converted Nos. 4A and 4B MBT to FBT. Three days training. Depermed and sound tested on 9 May. Ready for sea 10 May. Underway for Midway 1330(VW) 10 May arriving 14 May. ON 15 May, Lieut. Comdr. J. K. Fyfe, U.S.N. relieved Lieut. Comdr. W.R. Merrill as Commanding Officer. Conducted training exercises with U.S.S. GREENLET, U.S.S. CHALCEDONY and U.S.S. PC 587 on 16-24 May, firing 9 exercise torpedoes, night gun firing and day battle surface. Ready for sea 26 May 1944

(B) Narrative

26 May

1530(Y)

Underway from Submarine Base pier, Midway, for patrol area. Air coverage by two planes of Marine Air Group 23 until 1800(Y).

27 May - 3 June

Proceeding patrol station conducting daily training dives, ship drills, fire control drills and battle surfaces enroute.

1 June

2100(X)

515 miles from edge of area. Went ahead full speed on 3 main engines (16 knots) so as to arrive prior daylight 3 June.

3 June

Hereafter all times are (-9) unless otherwise noted.

0618

Entered area. Set course to pass 20 miles south of Tori Shima and since we are due to be out of this particular locality at midnight tonight continued patrol at full speed.

1102

Sighted Tori Shima bearin 297° True, distant 47 miles.

1135

SD contact (Aircraft contact #1) 26 miles, closing.

1136

Dove.

1222

On coming up to 53 feet for an SD sweep prior to surfacing picked up submarine on surface bearing 148° T, distant about 12,000 yards. (Ship contact #1.) Commenced approach. The closer this boat got the more I was convinced she was the WHALE, and after the range had closed to about 3000 yards I definitely established her identity as friendly. At

1305

Fired the recognition smoke bomb and surfaced. Exchanged calls with KINGFISH.

1420

Sighted Sofu Gan bearing 207° T.

1446

SD contact (Aircraft contact #2) at 20 miles - Dove.

1600

Surfaced.

4 June

0200

Lots of Jap activity on 450 Kcs.

0341

Dove with Tori Shima bearing 145° True, range 20 miles. Went to 350 feet for BT card.

0512

Sighted four columns of smoke bearing 047° T. Went to normal approach course and speeded up to 6 knots. Although we ran at this speed for 2 3/4 hours no further evidence of smoke or ships could be seen.

0800

Planed up to 45 feet for a good look around and to take SD sweep prior to surfacing. Sighted a small patrol vessel or fishing trawler (Ship contact #2) about 12,000 yards on course 340. At

0815

ship disappeared behind SE end of island so after taking SD sweep, surfaced. However a plane contact 6 miles, closing, (Aircraft contact #3) drove us down again immediately. My intention was to run to southward on the surface to see if anything had developed south of the island and to try for an attack position in case we made contact.

0824

Getting ready to surface again, when the trawler previously sighted came around the SW end of the island. He stayed on a north westerly course for about 15 minutes and then headed south. He was a two-masted, single-stack trawler similar in appearance to the MINATO MARU shown in ONI 208-J, revised.

0912

Sighed one SALLY, flying low on a southerly course, crossing about 6 miles ahead. (Aircraft contact #4.)

1112

Sighed three SALLY's flying low also on a southerly course. It is beginning to look like the AAL flying schedule, flying by 12 minutes after each hour. (Aircraft contact #5.)

1212

No plane contact.

1230

Surfaced with Tori Shima bearing 142° T, distant 15 miles. Plane contacts at 18 and 22 miles both opening, (Aircraft contact #6) so apparently they were there on time after all. Set course 270 and cleared area at full speed.

1312

I found it hard to believe but SD contact (Aircraft contact #7) at 18 miles, moved in to 17 and then opened, disappearing at 22. Land contact at this time 25 miles. It's 150 miles from here to Hachijo and it looks like the planes leave every hour on the hour and cruise at 150 knots.

2016

Dove to wash out #4A & B. Now using those tanks as ballast tanks.

2028

Surfaced.

2200

Slowed to 10 knots.

5 June

0420

Dove for trim and BT card.

0516

Surfaced - continued patrol to westward across convoy routes.

6 June

Patrolling western half of area.

0425

Early morning trim dive.

0550

Surfaced.

1300

Went ahead at 15 knots in order to arrive off Tanega Shima before daylight tomorrow.

7 June

0359

Dove 17 miles east of Tanowaki Bana on Tanega Shima. Submerged patrol north and south along 100 fathom curve.

2000

Surfaced in bright moonlight and stood off to eastward at slow speed patrolling across the Van Diemem - Tokyo route.

2400

Reversed course.

8 June

0436

Dove with Toi Misaki bearing 305° T distant 16 miles. Submerged patrol north and south along 100 fathom curve.

0645

Sampan fishing fleet started coming out. From this time until about 1600 there were anywhere from two to eight sampans in the vicinity. They were about half in half sail and power boats and varied between old dilapidated looking hulks to fairly new and large boats. Although their nuisance value was considerable we had no trouble remaining undetected.

0940

1 MAVIS (Aircraft contact #8) flying N.E.

1030

1 SALLY (Aircraft contact #9) flying N.E.

1122

1 SALLY (Aircraft contact #10) flying north disappeared over Toi Misaki and apparently landed.

1305

Sighed a ship (MFM) bearing 290° T, distant about 8000 yards on a southerly course, speed 10 knots. (Ship contact #3.)

1315

Range is now 4500 yards. Ship identified as MURO MARU (Page 19, ONI 208-J, rev.), a properly marked hospital ship. In addition to the hull, stack, and bridge markings, she had a big cross painted on what appeared to be a tarpaulin that was hung between the bridge and the main mast. She was just inside the 100 fathom curve, course 190° T, speed 10 knots. Broke off approach.

1936

4 BETTY's (Aircraft contact #11) flying south.

2019

Surfaced. Navigation lights at O Shima, Toi Misaki and Hi Saki were burning, with reduced intensity. In view of this fact and because of the rather active air patrols seen all day thought perhaps something might be coming through so decided to patrol this vicinity in a N-S direction during the night. Moon nearly full, cloudless sky, calm sea, land clearly visible - No luck.

9 June

0417

Dove. Patrolling off Toi Misaki again today.

1030

Sighted two planes (NELL) distant 3 miles bearing 049° T flying north. (Aircraft contact #12.) Again, from 1-8 sampans of nondescript appearance were in sight most of the day.

2013

Surfaced. Decided to patrol to northward along coast during the night so as to be in a position to dive off Fuka Shima in the morning.

2136

Reversed course and started an approach on a radar pip bearing 212° T, distant 20,000 yards. Pip disappeared at 12,000 yards. Stood on down the bearing but it never appeared again and since nothing was in sight came back to course 030 and broke off the approach. This was the first of three phantoms on which we made approaches during the night. (See radar section for complete information and possible explanation.)

2344

Tracked another phantom.

10 June

0036

Made approach on another phantom bearing 335° T distant 18,000 yards. Disappeared at 13,000 yards only to show another pip at 19,500 yards. Think we have figured out this disconcerting phenomenon. The night is unusually clear, calm and with a very bright moon and it is believed that with the existing atmospheric conditions we are getting pips on land that is 60-70 miles away and this echo is showing up on the sweep succeeding that of the pulse that cause them.

0305

SD radar contact 12 miles, closed to 9, faded out at 9 1/2 miles. (Aircraft contact #13.)

0430

Dove.

0652

Sailing sampan bearing 225° T, range 6000 yards. This was first of two sampans seen during the day.

0930

Sighted black and white horizontal striped buoy with red base, lighted - position: Lat. 32°-38'N, Long. 132°-02'E.

1058

Sighted mast of ship bearing 287° T, on a southeasterly course, range 11,000 yards. Commenced approach. (Ship contact #4.)

1215

After a long approach against the current, the range closed sufficiently to recognize the target. She was a MFM type and had a silhouette that was different in detail from anything in the book. She had a high poop forward mounting two guns of fairly large caliber. A deep well forward and a high foremast with two yardarms just forward of the bridge which was high and long. The amidships superstructure was also high and the single funnel just barely cleared the top of the bridge. A high poop deck aft on which was mounted one or more guns of about the same caliber as those forward. The mainmast was the same height as the foremast. From all appearances, I would judge she was a training ship of some kind because of the large number of men who were topside and around the guns apparently engaging in drills; and also because she was just steaming around, and seemed to be headed in no particular direction. Two signal searchlights were in use and since they were trained on the beam, and since there was no one out there to talk to, I surmise they were holding signal drill.

1220

Went to battle stations submerged.

1243

Fired tubes 1, 2 & 3 using a 1° spread, 70 port track, 1800 yards.

1244

One hit amidships. Target literally blew up in my face. This was the most terrific explosion I have ever seen and target sank in less than two minutes, slightly by the stern.

1247

One very loud explosion which jarred the BATFISH considerably. Went to 250 feet and rigged for depth charge. At the time I thought this was a bomb, but since I had seen no planes during the approach, post mortem held later makes me think it was either a magazine or a boiler on the sunken ship blowing up. At the time I was making a periscope sweep and nothing was in sight as far as I could see. However since the sea was glassy calm and I only had 1 foot of periscope out, my horizon was less than 2500 yards.

1300

Commenced reload forward. Since this attack was made 4 miles off Shimanoura Shima and in plain sight of the lookout station, I expected the Chidoris to be out of Bungo Suido in full force, so cleared the immediate vicinity to get back across the 100 fathom curve and then headed on course 145 to patrol the 150° line from Fuka Shima.

1445-1650

Depth charging in distance. Nothing in sight in periscope.

2009

Surfaced.

2032

SD contact 10 miles, moved in to 7 and back out to 12. Picked up on SJ bearing 109° T, 20,000 yards so he must have been flying low. (Aircraft contact #14.)

2145

Flare sighted bearing 175° T, about 4000 yards away. Turned away at high speed.

2200

Picked up radar signal on APR, 145 Mcs., very strong. He seemed to have us as he would sweep back and forth and then stay on us for about 15 seconds. This was deduced from the fact that the signal would increase from weak, to very strong to weak and then back to very strong, and remain there for 15 seconds or so. At this time we were 30 miles from Ashizuri Saki radar station.

2346

SD contact 12 miles. (Aircraft contact #15.) Closed to 9 and then to 7 so at

2351

Dove because it looked like he had us cold.

11 June

0050

Fast screws moving down the starboard side - fairly close. Sounded like a small, high-speed A/S vessel.

0145

Started to surface. Plane contact (SD) 6 miles, closing. (Aircraft contact #16.) S.J. picked it up bearing 075° T, 4 miles. Dropped down to periscope depth.

0210

S.J. contact bearing 090° T, 4600 yards. No sound contact. Sighted what appeared to be a torpedo boat (Ship contact #5) search on a westerly course. The Nips seem to be looking for somebody tonight.

0416

Surfaced.

0427

Dove 18 miles off Okino Shima. Decided to patrol south and east along 100 fathom curve during the day.

0458

Sighted a PC type A/S vessel bearing 023° T, heading directly at the spot where we dove. (Ship contact #6.) It passed about 1200 yards astern. Looks like the Japs cut us in again and I would like to know for sure if they actually have us in their radar or if they are D/F ing our S.D. which we are keying intermittently and at odd intervals. I don't like to secure the SD since the moon is so bright but, at the same time, it's rather disconcerting to be tracked so obviously. Since moonrise is not until 2316 tonight and since we will be about 12 miles south of Ashizuri when we surface, I'll have a good chance to find out just what the score is.

0725

Sighed 2 PC's bearing 294° T, distant 8000 yards patrolling on a westerly course. (Ship contact #7.)

0957

Depth charging in vicinity of yesterday's attack.

2016

Surfaced. Headed southwest to patorl the 160° and 150° convoy routes. Night dark and overcast. Strong intermittent radar signals on 97 and 147 Mcs.

2215

S.J. radar contact, bearing 235, 10,000 yards. It's a plane and is coming in fast. Lost contact at 8000 yards. (Aircraft contact #17.)

2217

Dove, SJ radar contact 4000 yards. O.O.D. saw exhaust trails of a 4-motored plane. 10 minutes before this contact, a strong signal on 147 Mcs. was picked up on the APR and it seemed to be sweeping back and forth across our bearing. It kept getting louder and at the time contact was made on the SJ it was extremely strong and sharp. The Japs have apparently borrowed a page from our A/S book as regards radar equipped search plane tactics. I have now decided that the plane contacts of last night were not due to our S.D. being D/F'd and its value in an area like this far exceeds its disadvantages. If this plane had not been coming in low the S.J. undoubtedly would have had no indication of a contact and we might have had our ears pinned back as a consequence.

2316

Surfaced. Plane contact at 8 miles, moving in. It looks like the Jap gambit tactics are similar to ours too. (Aircraft contact #18.)

2318

Sought solace in the deep.

2350

Surfaced. Turned south at 15 knots to try and evade long enough to get our battery charged. Could still hear signals on 147 but they swept on by us.

12 June

0100

Changed course to 325° T to patrol 160-340 line and to arrive at 100 fathom curve off Bungo Suido before daylight. Battery just about up.

0130

SD contact 12 miles (Aircraft contact #19.)

0132

The APR showed he was on us again and coing in. Dove when range was 6 1/2 miles.

0235

Surfaced. Radar signals on 97 and 147 Mcs.

0240

He got us again. SD contact 18 miles. (Aircraft contact #20.)

0244

Plane closed to 9 miles, also picked up on SJ bearing 035° relative. Dove.

0330

Surfaced. All clear.

0335

Radar signals on 147 Mcs.

0349

SD contact 11 miles coming in very fast. Dove. (Aircraft contact #21.) since it was nearly daybreak decided to stay down for rest of day.

0512

Got a cut which showed us to be 32 miles south of Kanei Saki. The combination of a two knot northeasterly set, and a very efficient plane patrol has prevented us from reaching our intended patrol line. Successive cuts showed that trying to beat up against the current was futile when running at our normal slow submerged speed. (40 turns). We ran at 50 turns on course 270 and made good 0.9 knots along course 300° T.

0954

Sighed 3 patrol bombers, (NELL) bearing 321° T. (Aircraft contact #22.)

1215

Ran around and then under a long fish net. Estimated this net was at least 2 miles long, supported by the usual glass balls, and with marker poles flying a read and white flag every 500 feet. The two ends were anchored well inside the 100 fathom curve, but the catenary extended nearly 2000 yards out.

1710

Heard 11 depth charges or explosions in the distance. Nothing in sight thru periscope.

1732

Heard 4 more distant explosions.

1743

Ran the periscope up again to see what was going on and nearly pushed the end of it through a single engine, float type biplane. Went deep but I don't think he saw us because he didn't drop anything. (Aircraft contact #23.)

1801

4 more depth charges, still far away.

1828

6 more depth charges. I have kept nearly a constant periscope search for the past half hour in hopes that this depth charging was indiscriminate and presaged a convoy coming through but was unable to sight anything larger than a sampan.

1935

Sighted the upperworks of a ship showing a large red light and two white lights. Since it was dusk I was unable to distinguish any particular features except that she was large and had two stacks. She was on an easterly course and was coming from the direction of Bungo Suido. (Ship contact #8.)

1956

Ship is now close enough to distinguish the red light as a large, lighted red cross, reflector lights mounted on sides to show white hull and green striping burning regular running lights and in all respects looking and acting like a bona fide hospital ship. This is our second hospital ship in four days and a beautiful target like that certainly makes one's trigger finger itch. I almost prayed for him to make one false move. He passed about 4000 yards abeam heading for Ashizuri Saki. Identified as the TAKASAGO MARU.

2028

Surfaced. AH 8000 yards on starboard quarter. Radar signals on 97 and 145 Mcs. on APR, both intermittent and at odd intervals. Stood off to southward at standard speed.

2130

c/c to 110° T.

2330

Sent BATFISH serial One to Comsubpac.

13 June

Patrolling to eastward in new area.

0430

Dove.

1244

Surfaced.

14 June

0417

Dove.

0445

Sighed large armed trawler bearing 184° T on a northerly course, speed 6 knots. He passed about 8000 yards astern and was similar in appearance to MINATO MARU, shown in ONI 208-J, revised. He was armed with a 3-inch gun forward and had several machine guns mounted at various locations around the bridge. (Ship contact #9.)

0906

Surfaced. Patrolling across convoy route.

15 June

0418

Dove.

0857

Surfaced.

0942

SD contact at 26 miles. (Aircraft contact #24.) Disappeared on screen at 28 miles.

1108

SD contact at 18 miles. (Aircraft contact #25.)

1206

SD contact at 28 miles, moved in to 24 and disappeared at 29. (Aircraft contact #26.)

16 June

0408

Dove to patrol off Muroto Zaki and southeast coast of Shikoku during day.

1603

Sighted tug bearing 323° T on southerly course. Passed about 3500 yards abeam. (Ship contact #10.)

2014

Surfaced. Strong radar signals on 97 Mcs. Heard the latest good war news and decided to patrol slowly across Kii Suido in hopes that some naval units would come out to try and make a dash for Saipan.

17 June

0404

Dove off Ichie Saki. Patrolling between Ichie and Shiono Misaki.

0615

Ran through a Japanese fishing net in low visibility.

1213

Sighed Chidori type torpedo boat bearing 353° T, at 8000 yards patrolling inside the 100 fathom curve between Ichie Saki and Shiono Misaki. (Ship contact #11.)

1300

Sighed PC type patrol boat on an easterly course bearing 028° T. (Ship contact #12.)

1306

Sighed small coastal type AO coming out of rain squall bearing 356° T on a northwesterly course at a range of about 3500 yards. Unable to close. (Ship contact #13.) He was about a 500 tonner and similar to our YO type.

1320

Sighted PC boat, patrolling on a northerly course bearing 332, range 5500 yards.

2025

Surfaced. Found part of the Jap fish net wrapped around the conning tower and discovered that we had been dragging a sizable section of it astern of us all day.

2030

Spent a half an hour dodging Jap picket boats. They conveniently showed lights at odd intervals however and presented no difficulties.

18 June

Patrolling west and east across Kii Suido.

0344

Dove to patrol off Shiono Misaki during the day.

0620

Sighted sampan fishing fleet coming out. 5 of them altogether.

0735

Sighted patrol boat bearing 338° T, range 11,000 yards. (Ship contact #14.) He took departure at Shiono Misaki and headed on a course of about 135° T. We will look into that route tomorrow.

0900

Sighted a 2-engine patrol plane bearing 025 at about 7 miles. (Plane contact #27.)

1029

One "PETE" bearing 317 at about 8 miles. (Plane contact #28.)

1132

Another "PETE" bearing 019 on a northeasterly course. (Aircraft contact #29.)

1248

Sighted coastal AK and a small coastal AO bearing 069° T, distant about 12,000 yards. Commenced approach. (Ship contact #15.)

1300

Identified the A.K. as a MFM ship similar to the MAYATI MARU, page 147 ONI 208-J, revised. She had a crow's nest on the foremast with two lookouts and had four or five lookouts forward and aft on the port (seaward) side. I figured at first that she was acting as escort for the tanker but on sober second thought decided she was not because whereas she had been on the seaward quarter of the oiler when we first made contact, she was just forward of the beam when we fired. The oiler had an appearance similar to a U.S. YO, except perhaps, she was a little larger. The AK was painted grey, the oiler a dirty red. Thought I could get them both with a three fish spread so at

1328

Fired three torpedoes on a 120 port track, 2100 yard range with a 6 foot depth setting.

1329-30

One hit in the AK which broke her in half. She sank with a 50° rise angle in less than a minute. The oiler poured on the coal and turned toward the beach. By tracking the other two torpedoes by sound, determined they passed astern.

1331-25

Two end of run explosions at the foot of a well terraced garden which ran right down to the water's edge. I hope we ruined their potato crop. Perhaps I was guilty of an error in judgment in only firing three torpedoes at these two targets but at the time I didn't think so. Anyway, this attack which sunk a ship in plain sight of the city of Andakino must have had some effect on the morale of the Jap home front.

1535-1539

Four depth charges far away. Could see nothing through the periscope.

1625

One depth charge.

1650

One depth charge.

1656

A string of 8 depth charges. I guess he thinks he's got us. All clear in the periscope.

1703

A pattern of 9 depth charges. Still nothing in sight.

2037

Surfaced, patrolled to south and east.

19 June

0400

Dove - patrolling to eastward.

1008

Sighted patrol bomber (BETTY) bearing 129 on a southeasterly course. (Plane contact #30.)

1912

Surfaced.

20 June

0358

Dove.

0833

Surfaced.

21 June

0405

Dove.

1103

Sighted ship bearing 280° T. (Ship contact #16.) Commence approach. Ship was identified as an OTORI class torpedo boat patrolling on course 020 at various speeds. He was echo ranging on 15.7 Kcs., one ping every 10 seconds and although he passed about 1100 yards ahead, he never suspected our presence.

2001

Surfaced. Decided to patrol convoy routes that converge on Shiono Misaki during night and dive off Daio Saki in the morning.

22 June

0020

Sighted patrol boat, dead ahead, angle on bow zero. (Ship contact #17.) Radar range 1800 yards. Evaded on surface at flank speed. I'm reasonably sure he saw us or at least our wake because the water is extremely phosphorescent. I also believe he had radar both because of the way he came in and then followed us and because of the extremely loud radar signal we had on the APR right at that time. The operator said it sounded as if it were coming from a radar mounted on our bow. Changed course to patrol across Enshu Nada during the night and dive off Omai Saki in the morning.

0330

Dove south of Shiono Misaki.

0855

Sighted large armed sampan-type patrol boat bearing 065° True. He was echo ranging at odd intervals and had a drag out astern. (Ship contact #18.)

1120

Sighted ship bearing 302° T, range 12,000 yards. (Ship contact #19.) Commenced approach. From all appearances she is very new. Estimated tonnage about 3100. In silhouette she has an appearance similar to the ANASTASIA, page 271 ONI 208-J, revised but in detail she differs in that she has two heavy cranes or derricks just forward of the bridge, her bow is higher and has two masts with heavy cargo booms, one forward and one aft. I would judge that she is one of a class that the Japs have built since the war started and have standardized for mass production.

1212

Fired 3 torpedoes on a 90 S track using a 1° spread. Estimated range 1900 yards. All missed. The target apparently never saw the wakes because she continued on very unconcerned so at

1216

came around and started new attack. We were a little embarrassed by a sampan that was lying to about 800 yards on our starboard beam but I guess he never suspected our presence either.

1238

Getting ready to fire, target zigged away 40 degrees. At the same time I saw two puffs of steam and thought he was giving the whistle signal signifying sighting a submarine. Took a sweep with the periscope and saw an other AK, an exact sister ship, answer with two blasts. He kept on coming so I guess they were just being friendly. The new target which was 5000 yards on our starboard quarter on an opposite course to the first target appeared to be heavily loaded. Commenced approach. (Ship contact #20.)

1255

Fired 4 torpedoes from stern tubes, on a 95 S track, 1700 yard range. Two hits, one aft and one forward. Target sank stern first with a large starboard list.

1310

Heard several mild explosions. Went deep and rigged for depth charge. The chart shows 400 feet of water here (DR position, not cut since 1115) but we grounded at 240 feet, damaging the starboard sound head. It will not train, nor can we raise it. Came up to 200 feet.

1329-1542

Depth charge attack. 17 charges all together, some fairly close. All these charges sounded heavier than usual.

1857-1930

34 depth charges. Nothing in sight in the periscope.

2025

At 50 feet, prior surfacing, SD contact 8 miles. (Plane contact #31.)

2045

Surfaced.

2118

Patrol boat sighted astern about 4000 yards. Had to coach the SJ on before it could be found on screen. Evaded at flank speed. Closest range 3540 yards. Although this boat was fairly small he had a top speed of nearly 16 knots. He disappeared from the radar at 4250 yards. (Ship contact #21.)

2142

SD contact 12 miles. Strong radar signals on 147 Mcs. Closed to 8 1/2. (Plane contact #32.)

2144

Plane sighted from bridge coming in low on port quarter. Dove.

2305

Surfaced.

2325

SD contact at 8 miles and 16 miles going away. (Plane contact #33.)

23 June

0332

Dove. Patrolling convoy routes south of Daio Saki.

1052-1131

10 distant depth charges or explosions.

1321

Sighted first of 6 sampans that remained in vicinity for rest of the afternoon.

2035

Surfaced.

2041

SD contact 10 miles. (Plane contact #34.) moved in to 7. (The same radar signals on 147 Mcs. again) so at

2043

Dove.

2102

Surfaced.

2108

SD contact at 11 miles. (Plane contact #35.) Move in to 6 1/2 mils so at

2118

Dove.

2208

Surfaced.

2230

SJ contact (2 pips) bearing 214° T, ranges 9500 and 8500 yards respectively. Commenced tracking. (Ship contact 21.)

2233

SD contact at 12 miles, closing. (Plane contact #36.) At this time we had 3 pips on the SJ radar, one of which was a steady bearing and coming in fast.

2235

Dove. Plane at 6 miles, escort at 4500. c/c 65° to right.

2240

Light screws making 235 rpm passed directly overhead at which time we were at 120 feet and trying to get through a 6° temperature layer.

2243

One set of heavy screws and another set of light screws passed down the port side.

2307

Surfaced and turned to chase at 15 knots, while charging batteries with everything else including the meggar. In the very short time during the development of this contact, our best tracking data showed his course as 070. A combination of radar equipped search planes and radar equipped escorts plus a very flat Batfish battery was successful in thwarting an attack on this convoy. However, I figured that with any luck our chances of catching up before daylight were fairly good. Judging from the size of the pips the heavy ship was about 5-6 thousand tons, and while we had had no accurate speed check, she was making 135 turns so I figured her speed was somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-14 knots. That the escort had radar indicated by the fact that she knew where we were while she was still outside the range of visibility.

2320

Sighted patrol boat on the port beam, about 3000 yards. (Ship contact #23.) Changed course to the right and spent a precious 20 minutes running around him. I doubt if he ever actually saw the Batfish but as the water was extremely phosphorescent he would have no trouble seeing our wake.

24 June

0015

Put another engine on propulsion and speeded up to 18 knots.

0340

Dove in broad daylight. Nothing in sight from the bridge except land. Ceiling unlimited, but horizon very hazy. Sea flat calm.

0426

Nothing in sight. Came up to 40 feet and took a radar sweep for 5 minutes but had no contacts. It looks like it's just not in the cards for us to get to this convoy. Since we had chased them out of our area decided that instead of beating back to Omai Saki against the current we would patrol to south of Iro Saki during the day, and then run back to our area via the #1 route from Sogami Wan on the surface.

2013

Surfaced.

2015

SD contact 13 miles. (Plane contact #37.) Closed to 9 miles and then disappeared from radar screen.

2019

SD contact at 3 miles - dove.

2038

Surfaced.

2127

SD contact 12 miles. (Plane contact #38.)

2129

Plane close to 9 miles - dove.

2208

Surfaced.

25 June

0310

Made a beautiful approach on Inamba Shima. We had been set to the north 20 miles during the night and this rock which is 246 feet high gives an excellent pip at 22,000 yards. I thought for a while we had a battleship.

0330

Dove, patrolling convoy route #2 from Tokio to Yokahama. Sighted several sampans during the day.

0905

One plane (MAVIS) on a southeasterly course. (Plane contact #39.)

2043

Surfaced. Stood to southward to patrol across Inamba Shima - Zuni Su line.

26 June

0348

Dove to patrol off Hachijo. Fathometer out of commission. Low visibility. Tricky current.

1136

One patrol bomber (MAVIS) on a northerly course. (Plane contact #40.)

1442

One plane (MAVIS) on a westerly course. (Plane contact #41.)

2014

Surfaced. Patrolling to north.

2316

Changed course to patrol between Zuni Su and Inamba Shima.

27 June

0341

Dove. Patrolling west of Miyoko Shima.

1411

Gave up fight with the current and changed course to run with it. In the last four hours, by running at 2/3 speed (4 knots) we had made good exactly 800 yards. By patrolling to the NE will be 20 miles out of our area when we surface.

2018

Surfaced. Patrolled to northward across eastern entrance to Tokio Bay.

28 June

0031

Headed southwest so as to be off east coast of Miyoko Shima at daylight.

0345

Dove. Patrolling to eastward of Miyoko Shima.

0652

Two distant depth charges.

0655

One distant depth charge.

0703

Two more depth charges.

0706

One depth charge.

0707

Patrol boat bearing 135° T patrolling on a southwesterly course (Ship contact #24.) With all this activity it looks like there might be something coming through.

0956

Sighted convoy (Ship contact #25) bearing 307° True, zig-zagging on base course 150, range 9500 yards. This convoy consisted of two ASASHIO class destroyers, one KAMIKAZE class destroyer, two large AK's and two or possibly 3 LST's or LCT's. The two ASASHIO class destroyers were well ahead and the other DD was patrolling station to seaward of convoy. The AK's were in column with the LST's about 1000 yards abeam to starboard and on a line of bearing with the first AK.

0958

Ships zigging to the left and are coming in for a beautiful set up.

1000

Up periscope for a set up on the new course. Down bomb. This was a light bomb but it landed very close, knocking cork loose, breaking a few gauge glasses, electric light bulbs and doing the usual misalignment job on fans and the like. It was so close to the periscope that the two feet of so that was inside the boat whipped around like a willow rod. It also smashed the bridge repeater and knocked the master gyro follow-up system out of line. Dropped down to 100 feet. Sound bearings indicated the heavy screws had changed course to the right and speeded up. Two sets of light screws coming in on the starboard beam.

1005

Back up at periscope depth. A quick sweep showed that the convoy had zigged away and was heading so as to go around to the other side of Miyoko Shima. Saw one float type (PETE) plane circling at about 500 feet, about two miles on our starboards bow. One ASASHIO class destroyer on starboard quarter, range 3500 yards; the KAMIKAZE class destroyer dead ahead, angle on bow 90° port, range 6000 yards. Got a quick set up on the destroyer on the quarter and make ready the stern tubes. He was echo ranging on 17 Kcs. The KAMIKAZE class DD was apparently just listening.

1007

Gyro follow up system reported back in commission, cut in own course circuit to T.D.C. A quick sweep showed that there were two planes, both on the starboard beam and both circling at about 500 feet altitude.

1009

Getting set to fire stern tubes. Gyro follow-up went out again and own course dial on TDC started spinning like a top. At the same time the destroyer apparently had a contact because he put on a burst of speed and swung around to his left. Did not fire because the chances of hitting at 2500 yards torpedo run on a sharp track and with the set up we had was very remote.

1011

Started approach on the destroyer that was ahead and at the time dead in the water. Something has been knocked loose on the bridge because any speed over 3 1/2 knots and we sound like a freight train.

1022

Running at 90 feet and at standard speed between periscope exposures and bucking the KUROSHIO and we have only closed the range to 4000 yards. However, I saw that the destroyer was circling around an LST which was making about 5 knots good on course 150. The two "PETE" type scout planes have been joined by a heavy, two-engine bomber (NELL) and all three are using up a lot of gas searching the water. (Plane contacts #42, 43 and 44.) The whole set up is beginning to look fishy. The LST is making lots of smoke and heading on a course at right angles to that which the convoy was on when last seen. It may be a decoy but if it is, the Japs don't give us credit for much sense if they expect we will fire torpedoes at an LST. However, the destroyer is fair game so started jockeying for a good shot at him.

1058

Still trying to get in position against this infernal current.

1100

Two planes coming right down the periscope. Started deep but they didn't drop anything so I decided they hadn't seen us. Caught the boat at 110 feet and came back up to periscope depth.

1105

DD is still circling the LST. No echo ranging. Figured the next time around that we would be close enough to shoot so came around to a firing course.

1115

DD stopped to listen and then went to investigate the area on the side of the LST away from us.

1140

He's coming back again and we will be in excellent position when he comes around on his next circle as he should pass between 500 & 1000 yards away. I can only see one of the planes now.

1145

One plane over LST, one off our port beam, the DD is ahead of the LST and changing course to his left. Range 3200 yards. Made ready the bow tubes.

1148

A set up on the destroyer showed he had not come all the way around as expected. Started swing for stern tube shot.

1150

Soundman heard 2 torpedoes running on port quarter. Went deep, changed course and speeded up. Torpedoes crossed astern. Whether these torpedoes were fired from the DD, the LST or whether they were dropped by a plane (I hadn't see the bomber for 20 minutes) I don't rightly know. From our relative positions they could have come from either. However I was watching the destroyer and since I didn't see any launched from her, and since I hadn't seen the big plane for some time, I surmise they came from the LST. We had been running at fairly high speed, 4-6 knots, in order to close against the current and at this speed, the broken plating or stanchion topside is prohibitively noisy. I don't believe my periscope was sighted because of the very small amount of it exposed and because the exposures were so brief. If it was the LST however, this is a new wrinkle to A/S warfare to the best of my knowledge. He was a large, standard design, landing craft, had one gun forward and two aft and two mounts that could have been depth charge throwers aft. His forward deck space seemed to be loaded with crates so I can definitely say he was being used as a cargo carrier. I did not see any torpedo tubes. This is a tough one to lose and I sincerely hope some one else gets a shot into them before they reach their destination.

1258

Sighted plane (PETE) circling on our starboard beam at a distance of about 6 miles. (Plane contact #45.)

1640

7 distant explosions.

2012

Surfaced and sent contact report. Patrolling to south and west.

2252

SD contact 10 miles. (Plane contact #46.) Moved in to 6 miles so at

2253

Dove.

2329

Surfaced.

29 June

0100

Changed course to 320.

0333

Dove, patrolling off Mikura Shima.

0431

Sighted 2 UN-1 class destroyers, bearing 068° T, range 10,500 yards on a north westerly course. Unable to close. We chased them at full speed until they disappeared over the horizon at 0508 in hopes that they would zig our way. (Ship contact #26.)

2013

Surfaced. Patrolling to south and west.

2102

SJ contact bearing 276° T, range 12,100 yards. Commenced tracking and end around. (Ship contact #27.)

2109

SD contact, 10 miles. (Plane contact #47.)

2111

Plane at 6 1/2 miles so dove to radar depth to keep from being sighted in bright moonlight.

2115

Surfaced. Continued tracking. Target could not be seen on radar screen at 40 feet.

2254

In position ahead. We have the target's speed as 13 knots. He is zigging between 335 and 015 on 4, 5, and 7 minute legs. Two escorts one on the starboard quarter, and one on the port beam when on the base course. Planned to fire on an 80 starboard track when the target was on the extreme right leg of her zig.

2255

Dove to radar depth.

2313

Target failed to zig as anticipated but instead zigged 10° to his left.

2316

Fired 3 bow tubes on a 116° starboard track, 3350 yard range using a 1° divergent spread. Torpedoes set to run at 6 feet. No hits. At the time the torpedoes should have reached the target's track, he started signaling to the escort with a red blinker gun. This set up was perfect, the TDC tracked the target from the time he zigged until we were forced down, a period of six minutes, and the generated bearings didn't vary a quarter of a degree from the periscope bearings. The torpedoes ran directly down a moon slick so I doubt if the target saw the wakes in time to avoid. The only explanation I can give for not hitting is that I was firing at another LST and the torpedoes ran underneath. The target through the periscope appeared only as a blob with no distinguishable features except the fact that she was low and rather long, and I originally had her labeled as a tanker.

2320

Started swinging for a new attack.

2321

Escorts started coming in so went deep and rigged for depth charge.

2322

3 depth charges. At this time we were at 70 feet and although the charges were fairly close, they jarred us very little so they must have been light.

2323-2326

13 depth charges, escorts echo ranging, both of them on the port bow. Evaded at 350 feet at 2/3 speed.

30 June

0137

No screws, weak echo ranging on port quarter. Surfaced and cleared immediate vicinity at full speed. Contemplated a chase but since they will be in Yokahama by 0400 and since that's earlier than we could hope to overtake them, I had to swallow another bitter pill. Turned to southward, to patrol towards Hachijo Shima.

0329

Dove, patrolling east of Hachijo Shima.

2006

Surfaced.

1 July

0341

Dove - patrolling to south and east to eastward of Nanpo Shoto.

0833

Surfaced.

0927

SD contact (Plane contact #48) at 20 miles. Move in to 19 miles and disappeared at 21 miles.

1020

Sighted masts of two ships on horizon bearing 135° True. (Ship contact #28.)

1021

Dove, commenced submerged approach.

1045

Targets identified as a large trawler escorted by a yacht type patrol vessel mounting 3 machine guns and carrying 3 depth charges in racks aft. In view of the fact that this trawler was escorted, I decided he must be carrying some important cargo so decided to battle surface and sink him with gunfire and at the same time see if we couldn't blow up the escort with his own depth charges.

1125

Battle surfaced. The 4-inch hit the trawler on the fifth salvo starting a large fire forward and sunk him with the 18th. The gun crew deserves extra credit for this shooting as they made at least 10 clean hits out of the 18 fired. In the meantime, the escort had been tying to edge around to our unengaged side, and although he was strafed by fire of 1 20 MM and 1 50 Caliber he kept boring on in and I have to give him credit for his intestinal fortitude. After we opened up on him with the 4-inch he did a very excellent job of keeping his bow pointed at us and it took considerable maneuvering to get decent target angles on him. Finally, at 1215 he was stopped, on fire, and starting to sink. Eased in for a close inspection and counted 16 holes above the water line. His bridge was demolished and the whole topside riddled with small caliber holes. A very much shot up ship but he didn't sink until 1259 when the fire got to his depth charges. Cruised around through the wreckage of both vessels but found no survivors. By this time, the trawler although still afloat was settling more rapidly than it had been so went alongside for closer inspection. Part of her cargo was lumber and wooden barrels and this accounts for her remaining afloat so long; the rest judging from the debris, was small stores. ALLEN, Thomas F., Jr., 600-77-49, EM2c., U.S.N.R. V-6, a loader of the 4-inch gun crew was wounded in the knee, posterior region, by a thirty caliber bullet during this action and was promptly treated by the Chief Pharmacist's Mate. No complications.

1349

SD contact at 19 miles, closed to 17. (Plane contact #49.) Disappeared from screen at 22 miles.

2 July

Patrolling on surface in vicinity of Tori Shima.

0343

Dove.

0805

Surfaced.

0906

SD contact 9 miles. (Plane contact #50.) Plane closing so at

0907

Dove.

0938

Surfaced.

1835

Departed area.

2100

Sent BATFISH Serial Three to Comsubpac.

3 July

Enroute Midway

0732

SD contact 20 miles. (Plane contact #51.)

0733

Dove.

0817

Surfaced.

3-7 July

Enroute Midway

7 July

0530(Y)

Rendezvous with escort.

0915(Y)

Moored Submarine Base, Midway.

(C) Weather

Enroute to the Empire we were blessed with excellent weather and smooth seas ideal for high speed surface cruising. On station we experienced the usual summer haze and calm sea. However, we ran into the paths of two tropical storms, average for the month of June, with their low barometer readings of 29.43 and 29.48 and heavy seas. It was generally overcast and haze all along the southern coast of Shikoku and Honshu and particularly so around the islands of Nanpo Shoto. From area to Midway the sea was reminiscent of a mill pond.

(D) Tidal Information

The currents in the areas south of Honshu and Shikoku and between Kyushu and the Nanpo Shoto generally follow those described in the coast pilot. The Kurishiru was very steady ranging from NE to E in open waters, average drift 1.5 kts, but close ashore off Toi Misaki a counter current was experienced. Off Shiono Misaki the current was 4.5 knots -090° during the morning and slacked to 2.0 kts. for the afternoon. Just west of Miyake Saki, in the am, current reached 3.5 kts. 050° T but by noon, a counter current developed with a drift of 1.2 Kts. 315° T. Similar currents were noticed close aboard the other islands of Nanpo Shoto and were very tricky for a submerged patrol particularly on their west side.

(E) Navigational Aids

The SJ and SD radars proved invaluable for night navigation and in the summer haze. Very few of the normal lights were burning at all and those that were with reduced intensity. The following lights were observed to be burning for a short while and then at infrequent intervals.

1. Toi Misaki	-FWL 27 Sec. - 1 Sec. Flash.
2. Shimanooura Shima	-Fixed white light.
3. Okino Shima	-Fixed white light.
4. Muroto Saki	-Fixed white light, first part of night only.
5. Ataki Saki	-Fixed White.
6. Susami	-Fixed red.
7. Shiono Misaki	-Fixed white (very dim).
8. Daio Saki	-Fixed white.
9. Andri Saki	-Flash white every 25 Sec.
10. Kami Shima	-Flash red every 30 Sec.
11. Miyake Shima	-Fixed white.

Most all of the other coastal light houses cold be seen by day when the haze lifted and the one on Misaki was painted in camouflage green.

A large gas buoy was observed about 4 mi. bearing 112° (T) from Fuka Shima marking the 100 fathom curve on the western entrance to Bungo Suido and was painted red with a horizontal black stripe topped by a black diamond shape pinnacle which according to the Japanese buoy-marking system marks a shoal. We had to pass within 1000 yds. to the south of it to make a torpedo attack inside the 100 fathom curve. The peaks of various islands and on the mainland could be identified by the coast pilot description and were useful during submerged running when they were visible. They gave good cuts in early a.m. and late p.m. when the sun made their outline stand out.

(F) Ship Contacts

No.	Time Date	Lat Long	Type(s)	Initial Range	Est. Course	How Contacted	Remarks

1	3 Jun 1229	30-04N 140-35E	U.S Submarine U.S.S. Kingfish Br. 148ºT	12,000 yds	310º (ZZ), 12 kts.	Periscope 50' depth	At 6400 Yds. identified it as US Sub. At 4900 Yds. was able to recognized camouflage. Broke off approach with a 90º port track 0º Gyro. Stern shot at range 1200 Yds. Fired smoke bomb and surfaced.
2	4 Jun 0800	30-40N 140-20E	Japanese Trawler (800-1000 tons) MBSM Lookout Crow's nest Fw'd Mast. Br. 165ºT.	12,500 Yds	340ºT. 10 kts. c/c to 240º to pass south of Tori Shima. c/c to 135º and disappeared behind island. Patrolling.	Periscope 50' depth	Searching for earlier smoke contact and taking pictures of Tori Shima. While trawler was behind Island, attempted to surface. Plane on SD 6 mi. Took her down. c/c to 290º. Surfaced later but trawler was gone.
3	8 Jun 1305	31-33N 131-37E	Hospital Ship "MURO MARU" 1607 tons. Br. 290ºT	8,000 Yds	145ºT, 7.5 kts.	Periscope 60' depth	Properly marked with white hull, green horizontal stripes, 2 crosses on hull, 1 on bridge, and 2 on funnel.
4	10 Jun 1058	32-38N 132-01E	AK, Coastal Freighter used as auxiliary trainer MBFM. Two guns forward and aft. 3400 tons. Br. 287ºT.	11000 Yds	145ºT, 7.5 Kts	Periscope 60' depth	Made approach course by going well inside 100 fathom curve. Fired three fish 1d spread, 1900 yd. track. 1st hit blew him out of existence.
5	11 Jun 0210	32-05N 132-23E	Torpedo Boat Br. 080ºT	4600 Yds.	270ºT, slow	Periscope & SJ	Attempted radar approach but lost contact. Surfaced but no target. Planes!
6	11 Jun 0458	32-11N 132-24E	Patrol vessel Similar to our PC. Br. 023ºT.	3500 Yds	185ºT, 6 kts.	Periscope	Too Small for torpedoes
7	11 Jun 0725	31-14N 132-25E	Two patrol boats (PCs) One Large trawler Br. 294º	8,000 yds.	270ºT,6 kts	Periscope	Vessels in column. Several lookouts aloft
8	12 Jun 1935	32-35N 132-50E	Hospital Ship "TAKASAGO MARU" Br. 330ºT	14,000 yds	090ºT, 12 kts	Periscope	Properly marked with neon red cross between stacks, horizontal green from bow to stern.
9	14 Jun 0512	31-42N 135-30E	Armed trawler similar "MINATO MARU" Br. 184ºT	8,000 yds	000ºT, 6 kts	Periscope	Fairly large gun fw'd. Machine guns on bridge. Patrolling.
10	16 Jun 1603	33-25N 134-23E	Armed tug Br. 323ºT	7,000 yds	208ºT, 5 kts	Periscope	Flying baker and towing a spar with flag on it.
11	17 Jun 1213	33-33N 135-18E	CHIDORI torpedo boat Br. 354ºT	8,000 yds	150ºT, 8 kts	Periscope	Attempted approach but he reversed course and continued patrolling and pinging.
12	17 Jun 1300	33-33N 135-18E	Patrol vessel (PC) Br. 028ºT	6,000 yds	090-270, 5 kts	Periscope	Patrolling at various speeds. Stopping frequently to listen.
13	17 Jun 1306	33-33N 138-18E	Small AO (500-600 tons) Br. 356ºT	6,000 yds	340ºT, 7 kts	Periscope	Steaming close in shore.
14	18 Jun 0735	33-21N 135-50E	Patrol craft Br. 338ºT	11,000 yds	135ºT	Periscope	Patrolling.
15	18 Jun 1248	33-25N 135-39E	Small AO (600-800 tons) Coastal AK - 2900 tons. Br. 069ºT	10,000 yds	275ºT, 8 kts	Periscope	Made approach attempting to crack both targets with 3-fish spread. AK disintegrated aft. Bow went down 50º L.
16	21 Jun 1102	33-14N 136-35E	One OTORI torpedo boat. Br. 280ºT	4500 Yds.	020ºT 15kts	Periscope	Zig-zagging and pinging with 21.5 kc., and 15.7 kc.
17	22 Jun 0020	34-10N 137-04E	Small patrol craft converted yacht	1600 Yds.	Lying to	Lookout & SJ	Patrolling and listening - evaded on surface
18	22 Jun 0855	34-28N 137-58E	Patrol motor sampan towing a sweep. Br. 055ºT	6000 Yds.	125-150º 4 kts.	Persiscope	Echo ranging and milling about, systematically sweeping.
19	22 Jun 1130	34-35N 137-54E	New coastal freighter, 3100 Tons. Br. 312ºT	12,000 Yds	110ºT 7 kts.	Periscope	Made approach. Fired three fish - missed and started another.
20	22 Jun 1238	34-36N 137-58E	Coastal freighter. Sister ship to above. 3100 tons. ANASTASIA class. Br. 049ºT	4000 Yds.	135ºT 6 kts	Periscope	While renewing attack on 1st target saw two blasts on whistle. Turned and saw sister ship. Fired four fish - two hits. Amputated his stern. Grounded 240 feet.
21	22 Jun 2118	34-10N 137-30E	Patrol picket Br. 010ºT	4000 Yds.	200ºT 15 kts.	Lookout	A/A flank - left smoke in his eyes evading on surface.
22	23 Jun 2230	33-42N 137-01E	Three pips on radar Br. 214ºT	9500 Yds 8500 Yds	070ºT 14 kts	SJ Radar	Had radar interference on same bearing. Escort appeared to start an approach on us (we had a low can) Dove; fast screws passed overhead. 160 rpm. Surfaced - started chase.
23	23 Jun 2320	33-46N 137-08E	Patrol craft Bearing 070ºT.	3000 Yds.	? ?	Lookout	Evaded on surface losing good time in convoy chase.
24	28 Jun 0707	34-12N 139-44E	Patrol craft Br. 130ºT	5000 Yds	220ºT 10 kts	Periscope	Heard distant depth charges.
25	28 Jun 0956	34-13N 139-48E	Three DD's Br. 307ºT Two AK's Three LST's	9500 Yds.	150ºT 10 kts.	Periscope	On first observation, plane bomb. WHACKO! LST as "Q" ship. Somebody fired two torpedoes at us and stalked our approach.
26	29 Jun 0430	33-43N 139-54E	Two DD's UNI's Br. 068ºT	10,500 Yds.	320ºT 16 kts	Periscope	Started approach but couldn't catch
27	29 Jun 2103	33-42N 140-03E	Radar pips - One LST with two or three small escorts. Br. 276ºT	12,100 Yds.	315-035(ZZ) 14 kts	Radar	Made radar approach. Dove. Fired three fish. Missed. Had good setup.
28	1 Jul 1020	140-38E 32-45N	One large trawler and small armed escorts. Br. 135ºT	14,000 Yds.	350ºT 7.5 kts	O.O.D.	Closed range, dove and commenced approach. Battle surface and bumped them off - 24 rounds.
29	1 Jul 1635	31-07N 141-05E	One patrol vessel Br. 188ºT	10,000 Yds.	340ºT 3 kts.	Periscope (surface)	Changed course, evaded on surface. No ammunition.

(G) Aircraft Contacts

Contact No.			1	2	3	4	5	6
S U B M A R I N E	Date		3 June	3 June	4 June	4 June	4 June	4 June
	Time		1135 (I)	1446 (I)	0812 (I)	0912 (I)	1112 (I)	1230 (I)
	Position	Lat.	30°08'N	30°10'N	30°36'N	30°39'N	30°40'N	30°38"N
		Long.	141°05'E	140°30'E	140°20'E	140°16'E	140°11'E	139°45'E
	Speed		16 Kts.	12 Kts.	3 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	15 Kts.
	Course		272° ZZ	272° ZZ	090°T	290°T	290°T	270°T
	Trim		Surf	Surf	On surfacing completely Broached	Periscope	Periscope	Surf
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		30 Sec.	30 Sec.	0	40 M	150 M	30 Sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	3	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Unk	Unk	Sally	Sallies	Unk
	Probable Mission		Unk	Unk	Possible Patrol	Scout	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		SD	SD	SD	Periscope	Periscope	SD
	Initial Range		26 mi	18 mi	6 mi	8 mi	11 mi	12 mi
	Elevation Angle		Unk	Unk	Unk	2°	1°	Unk
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			1	1	1	1	1	1
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		255°	045°	045°	045°	045°	045°
	Visibility (miles)		Lt. Haze, Unlimited	Lt. Haze, Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	15
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		6000	5000	6000	6000	6000	6000
	% Overcast		0.5	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.5	0.5
	Moon: Bearing		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: Rel. Angle		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: % Illum.		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			7	8	9	10	11	12
S U B M A R I N E	Date		4 June	8 June	8 June	8 June	8 June	9 June
	Time		1312 (I)	0940 (I)	1030 (I)	1122 (I)	1936 (I)	1030 (I)
	Position	Lat.	30°38'N	31°20'N	31°23'N	31°33'N	31°20'N	31°22'N
		Long.	139°42'E	131°30'E	131°32'E	131°38'E	131°33'E	131°34'E
	Speed		15 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.
	Course		270°T	025°T	025°T	025°T	190°T	025°T
	Trim		Surf	Sub	Sub	Sub	Sub	Sub
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		30 Sec.	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	4	2
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Mavis	Sally	Sally	Betty	Nell
	Probable Mission		Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		SD	Periscope	Periscope	Periscope	Periscope	Periscope
	Initial Range		18 mi	5 mi	2 mi	11 mi	4 mi	3 mi
	Elevation Angle		Unk	2°	5°	2°	4°	5°
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			1	3	3	3	2	2
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		045°	225°	225°	225°	225°	225°
	Visibility (miles)		15	10	10	10	6	12
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		6000	4000	4000	5000	6000	6000
	% Overcast		0.5	0.8	0.8	0.6	0.7	0.4
	Moon: Bearing		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: Rel. Angle		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: % Illum.		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			13	14	15	16	17
S U B M A R I N E	Date		10 June	10 June	10 June	11 June	11 June
	Time		0305 (I)	2030 (I)	2346 (I)	0145 (I)	2215 (I)
	Position	Lat.	32°02'N	32°20'N	32°02'N	32°08'N	32°02'N
		Long.	131°47'E	132°18'E	132°21'E	132°30'E	132°48'E
	Speed		15 Kts.	5 Kts.	10 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	15 Kts.
	Course		005°T	180°T	090°T	040°T	225°T
	Trim		Surf	Surf	Surf	Sub	Surf
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	0	30 Sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	2 Eng. 4 Exh. Unk
	Probable Mission		Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		SD	SD & SJ	SD	SD & SJ	SD & SJ
	Initial Range		9 mi	9 mi	12 mi	6 mi	6 mi
	Elevation Angle		Unk	Unk (Low)	Unk	Unk	1°
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	12,000 010°
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			2	2	2	2	2
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		225°	225°	210°	200°	225°
	Visibility (miles)		8	2	8	8	2
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		8000	6000	6000	4000	5000
	% Overcast		0.3	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.8
	Moon: Bearing		225°	Not up yet	035°	180°	Not up yet
	Moon: Rel. Angle		24°	Not up yet	20°	40°	Not up yet
	Moon: % Illum.		100%	Dark	90%	90%	Not up yet
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			18	19	20	21	22	23
S U B M A R I N E	Date		11 June	12 June	12 June	12 June	12 June	12 June
	Time		2316 (I)	0130 (I)	0240 (I)	0349 (I)	0954 (I)	1734 (I)
	Position	Lat.	32°02'N	31°53'N	31°58'N	32°06'N	32°24'N	32°34'N
		Long.	132°46'E	132°38'E	132°33'E	132°28'E	132°44'E	132°44'E
	Speed		8 Kts.	15 Kts.	15 Kts.	15 Kts.	2.0 Kts.	2.0 Kts.
	Course		270°T	325°T	325°T	325°T	330°T	270°T
	Trim		Surf L.T.	Surf	Surf	Surf	Sub	Sub
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		61 m	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	- - -	- - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	3	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Sallies	Mit "95"
	Probable Mission		Searching for Batfish	Search	Search	Search	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		SD	SD	SD	SD	Periscope	Periscope
	Initial Range		8 mi	12 mi	18 mi	8 mi	2½ mi	2 mi
	Elevation Angle		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	5°	4°
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		16,000	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			2	2	2	2	2	2
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		225°	225°	225°	225°	260°	260°
	Visibility (miles)		4	4	4	4	15	12
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		5000	5000	5000	5000	4000	6000
	% Overcast		0.8	0.8	0.8	0.8	0.9	0.96
	Moon: Bearing		180°	235°	255°	270°	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: Rel. Angle		20°	20°	30°	40°	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: % Illum.		80%	80%	80%	80%	Daytime	Daytime
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			24	25	26	27	28
S U B M A R I N E	Date		15 June	15 June	15 June	18 June	18 June
	Time		0942 (I)	1108 (I)	1206 (I)	0900 (I)	1029 (I)
	Position	Lat.	32°08'N	32°10'N	32°28'N	33°21'N	33°21'N
		Long.	133°48'E	134°10'E	134°32'E	135°48'E	135°39'E
	Speed		8 Kts.	8 Kts.	8 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.
	Course		000°T	090°T	090°T	300°T	285°T
	Trim		Surf	Surf	Surf	Sub	Sub
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	- - -	- - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	PETE
	Probable Mission		Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		SD	SD	SD	Periscope	Periscope
	Initial Range		26 mi	24 mi	28 mi	9 mi	9 mi
	Elevation Angle		Unk	Unk	Unk	2°	2°
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			3	3	3	3	3
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		225°	225°	225°	225°	225°
	Visibility (miles)		30	30	30	30	30
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		10,000	10,000	10,000	8000	8000
	% Overcast		0.2	0.2	0.2	0.2	0.1
	Moon: Bearing		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: Rel. Angle		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Moon: % Illum.		Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime	Daytime
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			29	30	31	32	33
S U B M A R I N E	Date		18 June	19 June	22 June	22 June	22 June
	Time		1008 (I)	1008 (I)	2025 (I)	2142 (I)	2325 (I)
	Position	Lat.	33°24'N	32°43'N	34°20'N	34°03'N	33°50'N
		Long.	135°38'E	136°56'E	137°39.5'E	137°32'E	137°30'E
	Speed		2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	3.5 Kts.	18.5 Kts.	15 Kts.
	Course		285°T	305°T	215°T	215°T	180°T
	Trim		Sub	Sub	Sub	Surf	Surf
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		- - -	- - -	- - -	10 min	30 Sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	2	2
A I R C R A F T	Type		PETE	BETTY	Unk	SALLIES	Unk
	Probable Mission		Patrol	Patrol	Search	Search	Search
	How Contacted		Periscope	Periscope	SD	SD	SD
	Initial Range		6 mi	4 mi	8 mi	14 mi	8 mi & 16 mi
	Elevation Angle		3°	3°	Unk	2°	Unk
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			2	3	1	1	1
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		225°	150°	- - -	- - -	- - -
	Visibility (miles)		30	10	0	0	0
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		6000	4000	- - -	- - -	- - -
	% Overcast		0.1	0.7	0.1	0.1	0.1
	Moon: Bearing		Daytime	Daytime	None	None	None
	Moon: Rel. Angle		Daytime	Daytime	None	None	None
	Moon: % Illum.		Daytime	Daytime	None	None	None
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			34	35	35	37	38
S U B M A R I N E	Date		23 June	23 June	23 June	24 June	24 June
	Time		2041 (I)	2108 (I)	2233 (I)	2016 (I)	2127 (I)
	Position	Lat.	33°46'N	33°44'N	33°31'N	34°13'N	34°05'N
		Long.	137°51'E	136°54'E	137°01'E	128°36'E	138°14'E
	Speed		10 Kts.	10 Kts.	15 Kts.	15 Kts.	15 Kts.
	Course		135°T	115°T	180°T	235°T	235°T
	Trim		Surf	Surf	Surf	Surf	Surf
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
	Probable Mission		Search	Search	Search	Search	Search
	How Contacted		SD	SD	SD	SD	SD
	Initial Range		10 mi	11 mi	16 mi	13 mi	12 mi
	Elevation Angle		3°	3°	Unk	2°	Unk
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			1	1	1	1	1
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -
	Visibility (miles)		0	0	0	0	0
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -
	% Overcast		0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
	Moon: Bearing		None	None	None	None	None
	Moon: Rel. Angle		None	None	None	None	None
	Moon: % Illum.		None	None	None	None	None
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			39	40	41	42	43
S U B M A R I N E	Date		25 June	26 June	26 June	28 June	28 June
	Time		0905 (I)	1136 (I)	1442 (I)	1000 (I)	1045 (I)
	Position	Lat.	33°54'N	32°57'N	32°58'N	34°11'N	34°11'N
		Long.	139°28'E	139°19'E	139°30'E	139°45'E	139°45'E
	Speed		2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.
	Course		300°T	090°T	010°T	220°T	160°T
	Trim		Sub	Sub	Sub	Sub	Sub
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -	- - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		SALLY	MAVIS	MAVIS	PETE	PETE
	Probable Mission		Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Patrol	Search
	How Contacted		Periscope	Periscope	Periscope	Periscope	Periscope
	Initial Range		4 mi	12 mi	10 mi	0	4 mi
	Elevation Angle		2°	2°	2°	90°	3°
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	CLOSE	2 mi
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			2	2	2	2	2
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		225°	200°	200°	225°	225°
	Visibility (miles)		20	15	15	20	20
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		5000	4000	4000	6000	6000
	% Overcast		0.4	0.8	0.6	0.2	0.3
	Moon: Bearing		None	None	None	None	None
	Moon: Rel. Angle		None	None	None	None	None
	Moon: % Illum.		None	None	None	None	None
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			44	45	46	47	48
S U B M A R I N E	Date		28 June	28 June	28 June	29 June	1 July
	Time		1112 (I)	1258 (I)	2252 (I)	2110 (I)	0927 (I)
	Position	Lat.	34°11'N	34°13'N	33°29'N	33°43'N	31°57.5'N
		Long.	139°45'E	139°52'E	140°23'E	140°03'E	140°34.2'E
	Speed		2.5 Kts.	2.5 Kts.	15 Kts.	15 Kts.	15 Kts.
	Course		160°T	090°T	180°T	150°T	150°T
	Trim		Sub	Sub	Surf	Surf	Surf
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		- - -	- - -	30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1	1	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		NELL	PETE	Unk	Unk	Unk
	Probable Mission		Search	Search	Search	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		Periscope	Periscope	SD	SD	SD
	Initial Range		2 mi	3 mi	9.5 mi	10 mi	20 mi
	Elevation Angle		2°	2°	Unk	Unk	Unk
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			3	3	3	3	2
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		225°	225°	225°	220°	215°
	Visibility (miles)		20	20	10	10	30
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		6000	6000	8000	4000	4000
	% Overcast		0.3	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.2
	Moon: Bearing		None	None	090°	260°	None
	Moon: Rel. Angle		None	None	20°	38°	None
	Moon: % Illum.		None	None	18%	35%	None
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
Contact No.			49	50	51
S U B M A R I N E	Date		1 July	2 July	3 July
	Time		1342 (I)	0906 (I)	0730 (I)
	Position	Lat.	31°37.5'N	30°08'N	30°08'N
		Long.	140°45'E	140°10'E	146°27'E
	Speed		15 Kts.	15 Kts.	18 Kts.
	Course		150°T	055°T	090°T
	Trim		Surf	Surf	Surf
	Minutes Since Last SD Radar search		30 Sec.	30 Sec.	30 Sec.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number			1	1	1
A I R C R A F T	Type		Unk	Unk	Unk
	Probable Mission		Search	Patrol	Patrol
	How Contacted		SD	SD	SD
	Initial Range		19 mi	9 mi	19 mi
	Elevation Angle		Unk	Unk	Unk
	Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it detected submarine		Unk	Unk	Unk
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sea State (Beaufort)			2	2	1
C O N D I T I O N S	Direction (Relative)		215°	- - -	- - -
	Visibility (miles)		30	30	30
	Clouds (Height-Ft)		4000	5000	5000
	% Overcast		0.2	0.4	0.1
	Moon: Bearing		None	None	None
	Moon: Rel. Angle		None	None	None
	Moon: % Illum.		None	None	None
	Type of S/M Camouflage used on this patrol: Dark Grey
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(H) Attack Data

U.S.S. BATFISH

Torpedo Attack No. 1

Patrol No. 3

Time: 1243(I). Date: 10 June

Lat: 32°38', Long: 131°58'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description: Target picked up by periscope close inshore. It was a MFM ship of about 3000-3500 tons, and appeared to be fairly new. She had 2 guns forward and at least one aft and from the number of men who were drilling topside, I believe she was a training ship. She was cruising on various courses but seemed to be following no zig-zag plan nor did she seem to be headed for any place in particular.

Ship(s) Sunk: One MFM ship - 3000-3500 tons. Believed to be a training ship

Ship(s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: None

Damage determined by: Saw one torpedo hit amidships. Ship sank very quickly and literally fell apart. The explosion from the torpedo was exceptionally loud and was followed 3 minutes later by another which was either a magazine or a boiler blowing up.

Target Draft: 10', Course: 110° T, Speed: 7.5 knots, Range: 1970 yds (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed: 2 knots, Course: 220° T, Depth: 63 ft,. Angle: 1° D. (at firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type attack: Periscope attack. Fired tubes 1, 2, and 3 on a 70 port track, range 1900 yards using a 1° divergent spread. Sea glassy, visibility only fair. Believe target was torpedo wakes because he started to turn toward about 15 seconds before the first torpedo hit. Torpedoes were set for six feet. First torpedo hit after a minute and 33 seconds run. No end of run explosions were heard from the other two.

Tubes Fired	1	2	3
Track Angle	70° P	70° P	70° P
Gyro Angle	001°30'	359°20'	000°30'
Depth Set	6'	6'	6'
Power	High	High	High
Hit or Miss	Hit	Miss	Miss
Erratic	Normal	Normal	Normal
Mark Torpedo	Mk. 23	Mk. 23	Mk. 23
Serial No.	53024	33782	26831
Mark Exploder	Mk. 6-5	Mk. 6-5	Mk. 6-5
Serial No.	13598	13407	17307
Actuation Set	Contact	Contact	Contact
Actuation Actual	Contact	-------	-------
Mark Warhead	Mk. 16-1	Mk. 16-1	Mk. 16-1
Serial No.	12585	5224	9365
Explosive	Torpex	Torpex	Torpex
Firing Interval	8 Sec.	8 Sec.	8 Sec.
Type Spread	0°	Div. 1°	Div. 1°
Sea Conditions	Calm	Calm	Calm
Overhaul Activity	Pearl	Pearl	Pearl

U.S.S. BATFISH

Torpedo Attack No. 2

Patrol No. 3

Time: 1328(I). Date: 18 June

Lat: 33°26', Long: 135°34-30'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description: Fired 3 torpedoes on a 120° P track at 1 small AK and 1 small coastal tanker. Targets were on a westerly course close to shore off Shiono Misaki and at the time of firing the AK was to seaward and abeam of the tanker. She was a MFM ship similar in Silhouette to the MAYATI MARU. Her topside was swarming with lookouts who were all on the port (seaward) side. She mounted two, three-inch guns. The oiler was similar to a U.S. YO.

Ship(s) Sunk: One small AK similar to the MAYATI MARU

Ship(s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: None

Damage determined by: Saw one torpedo hit target just aft of the bridge. Target broke in half and sank stern first less than a minute later.

Target Draft: 9', Course: 275° T, Speed: 8 knots, Range: 2130 yds (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed: 2.5 knots, Course: 325° T, Depth: 63 ft., Angle: 1/2° D. (at firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type attack: Periscope attack. Fired tubes 1-2-3 on a 120° port track, 2100 yard range using a 2° divergent spread. Point of aim was overlap between the target which was 1/3 target length inside the stern of the AK and the bow of the tanker. Torpedoes were set for 6 feet. Second torpedo hit after 1 min. 30 sec. run - other two missed astern.

Tubes Fired	1	2	3
Track Angle	120° P	122° P	123° P
Gyro Angle	008°	005°30'	005°40'
Depth Set	6'	6'	6'
Power	High	High	High
Hit or Miss	Miss	Hit	Miss
Erratic	----	----	----
Mark Torpedo	14-3A	23	14-3A
Serial No.	40585	33869	40597
Mark Exploder	6-5	6-5	6-5
Serial No.	13578	13724	13402
Actuation Set	Contact	Contact	Contact
Actuation Actual	-------	Contact	-------
Mark Warhead	16-1	16-1	16-1
Serial No.	12107	11820	12300
Explosive	Torpex	Torpex	Torpex
Firing Interval	0 Sec.	10 Sec.	12 Sec.
Type Spread	0°	2° L	2° R
Sea Conditions	Mod.	Mod.	Mod.
Overhaul Activity	Pearl	Pearl	Pearl

U.S.S. BATFISH

Torpedo Attack No. 3

Patrol No. 3

Time: 1212(I). Date: 22 June

Lat: 34°35', Long: 137°56'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description: An engines-aft coastal AK proceeding on an easterly course close inshore. She was somewhat similar to the ANASTASIA except that she had two heavy large masts, two cranes, a high bow and a design and simplicity that was conducive to mass production.

Ship(s) Sunk: None

Ship(s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: None

Damage determined by: Torpedoes missed.

Target Draft: 15', Course: 095° T, Speed: 4 knots, Range: 1900 yds (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed: 2.5 knots, Course: 025° T, Depth: 63 ft., Angle: 0° (at firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type attack: Periscope attack after a long approach at high speed. Fired 3 torpedoes from bow tubes using a 1° divergent spread, 90° starboard track, 1900 yards range. Torpedoes missed astern. The range was 3800 yards instead of 1900 so came around and started new approach. Just before firing a second time target zigged away 40 degrees. Did not fire but swung for an attack on second ship which was on opposite course and to seaward of us.

Tubes Fired	4	5	6
Track Angle	90° S	90° S	90° S
Gyro Angle	005° L	004°40' L	006° L
Depth Set	6'	6'	6'
Power	High	High	High
Hit or Miss	Miss	Miss	Miss
Erratic	----	----	----
Mark Torpedo	23	23	23
Serial No.	41078	53034	33866
Mark Exploder	6-5	6-5	6-5
Serial No.	13262	24952	13184
Actuation Set	Contact	Contact	Contact
Actuation Actual	-------	-------	-------
Mark Warhead	16-1	16-1	16
Serial No.	10329	12319	10315
Explosive	Torpex	Torpex	Torpex
Firing Interval	8 Sec.	8 Sec.	8 Sec.
Type Spread	1° D	1° D	1° D
Sea Conditions	Calm	Calm	Calm
Overhaul Activity	Pearl	Pearl	Pearl

U.S.S. BATFISH

Torpedo Attack No. 4

Patrol No. 3

Time: 1255(I). Date: 22 June

Lat: 34°35', Long: 137°51'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description: Target was a sister ship of that described under attack #3.

Ship(s) Sunk: One coastal AK of modern standardized design.

Ship(s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: None

Damage determined by: Saw two torpedoes hit. Ship sank stern first with a large starboard list.

Target Draft: 15', Course: 273° T, Speed: 4.5 knots, Range: 1700 yds (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed: 2.5 knots, Course: 005° T, Depth: 63 ft., Angle: 1/2° D. (at firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type attack: Periscope attack. Target sighted on starboard quarter at 5000 yards range following an attack on another similar ship. Fired 4 torpedoes from stern tubes on a 95 starboard track at 1700 yard range using a 2° divergent spread. Two hits, timed as first and third torpedoes. The first hit was just forward of the engine room and the second just inside the bow.

Tubes Fired	7	8	9	10
Track Angle	92° S	95° S	98° S	100° S
Gyro Angle	1° 00' R	3°30' R	8°00' R	5°40' R
Depth Set	6'	6'	6'	6'
Power	High	High	High	High
Hit or Miss	Hit	Miss	Hit	Miss
Erratic	----	----	----	----
Mark Torpedo	23	23	23	14-3A
Serial No.	41521	41353	41351	40492
Mark Exploder	6-5	6-5	6-5	6-5
Serial No.	13367	14245	25040	13704
Actuation Set	Contact	Contact	Contact	Contact
Actuation Actual	Contact	-------	Contact	-------
Mark Warhead	16-1	16-1	16-1	16
Serial No.	13310	12310	12407	9614
Explosive	Torpex	Torpex	Torpex	Torpex
Firing Interval	8 Sec.	8 Sec.	8 Sec.	8 Sec.
Type Spread	Div.	Div.	Div.	Div.
Sea Conditions	Calm	Calm	Calm	Calm
Overhaul Activity	Pearl	Pearl	Pearl	Pearl

U.S.S. BATFISH

Torpedo Attack No. 5

Patrol No. 3

Time: 2316(I). Date: 29 June

Lat: 34°08', Long: 139°49'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description: One heavy ship, originally thought to be a tanker but probably an LST escorted by two high speed A/S vessels of unknown type but probably CHIDORI class torpedo boats. Convoy was zigging between 335 and 015 on 4, 5 and 7 minute legs. Speed 13 knots.

Ship(s) Sunk: None.

Ship(s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: None

Damage determined by: No hits.

Target Draft: 4', Course: 355° T, Speed: 13 knots, Range: 3350 yds (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed: 2.5 knots, Course: 396° T, Depth: 43 ft., Angle: 0° (at firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Night radar attack. Dove to radar depth when in position after long end-around chase. Fired 3 bow tubes, using periscope bearings and radar ranges, on a 116 starboard track, 3350 yard range with a one degree divergent spread. No hits. Torpedoes set to run at 6'. From an analysis of the problem and from the information received from sound it is believed that these torpedoes passed underneath. The soundman tracked the torpedoes to the target but lost them in the target's wake shortly thereafter. The TDC set up generated ranges and bearings that required no correcting over a period of nearly six minutes, just prior to and after firing.

Tubes Fired	1	2	3
Track Angle	116° S	116° S	118° S
Gyro Angle	6°50'L	4°20'L	5°30'L
Depth Set	6'	6'	6'
Power	High	High	High
Hit or Miss	Miss	Miss	Miss
Erratic	Normal	Normal	Normal
Mark Torpedo	23	14-3A	23
Serial No.	40735	33880	41454
Mark Exploder	6-5	6-5	6-5
Serial No.	13731	14445	13397
Actuation Set	Contact	Contact	Contact
Actuation Actual	-------	-------	-------
Mark Warhead	16-1	16	16-1
Serial No.	1118	1595	12590
Explosive	Torpex	Torpex	Torpex
Firing Interval	------	8 Sec.	8 Sec.
Type Spread	0°	1° R	1° L
Sea Conditions	Calm	Calm	Calm
Overhaul Activity	Pearl	Pearl	Pearl

U.S.S. BATFISH

Gun Attack No. 1

Patrol No. 3

Time: 1125-1300(I). Date: 1 July

Lat: 31°45', Long: 140°39'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Sunk:

(1) One large trawler of about 500 tons. Japanese name and seal were painted on the side but not interpreted. He had a high bow, very high foremast, bridge amidships, diesel stack, raised living quarters aft and a high mainmast. Crates and drums stowed on deck - no apparent armament.

(2) One yacht type escort, mounting 3 machine guns and carrying 3 depth charges.

Ship(s) Sunk: Both targets were seen to sink.

Details of Action

Four-inch gun. - Fired 59 rounds of high capacity and 24 rounds of common at an average range of about 1100 yards using radar ranges and radar spotting on the splashes. Local control at the gun. Estimate at least 40% hits. The HC was much more effective than the common as the latter passed right on through the target and unless it hit a vital spot did no immediate damage. Estimate 5 HC duds.

20 MM. - Fired 940 rounds of HEI and 469 rounds of HET. Expended two gun barrels, one trigger mechanism. The forward 20 MM jammed after the first burst and was out of action during most of the engagement. Ranges varied between 1500 and 100 yards. Incendiary ammunition is not very effective as such 50 caliber. Fired 505 rounds of TRA; 505 rounds AP; and 155 rounds of INC. Had considerable trouble with jams, due mostly to the poor construction of the metal links used for belting.

45 Caliber. - Fired 300 rounds of 45 caliber ball.

(I) Mines

No mine laying or sweeping was noted.

(J) Anti-Submarine Measures and Evasion Tactics

Anti-submarine air patrols are considerably more active than they have been in the past, and, in certain areas where these planes are equipped with radar, they are decidedly more effective. 147 megacycles seems to be the standard plane radar frequency and it was found necessary to use the SD, even on dark nights in areas where these planes are patrolling. The APR was invaluable, both for giving advanced warning that planes were in the vicinity and also for indicating when these planes were on us and coming in. We were forced down 3 times one night and 5 times the following night while off Bungo Suido; 3 times one night off Shiono Misaki, 3 times the next night south of Kii Suido, 3 times one night south of Suruga Wan and once or twice a night nearly every night we were patrolling the other close-in areas south of Kikoku and Honshu. In all cases except one, plane contacts on the surface at night in the Tokyo, Nagoya, Kii Suido, and Bungo Suido areas were accompanied by strong radar signals on 147 Mcs. These planes were particularly active on nights following an attack and, in the case on the night of 23 June, while covering the area ahead of a convoy. The unusually high number of contacts, fifty-one altogether, is a good indication in itself that the Japs are stepping up their A/S plane activity. In general, it may be said that search planes concentrate their patrol mostly on the inshore convoy routes and local points and rarely search more than 75 miles off shore.

Radar-equipped patrol boats were encountered on at least three occasions. Once off Bungo Suido and two in the Enshu Nada. The convoy contacted south of Daio Saki on 23 June had radar-equipped escorts. The remainder of the patrol and picket boats that were contacted were mostly ineffective, employed listening rather than echo ranging, and generally were as expected and as reported by boats that have worked these areas before.

The LST encountered on the morning of 28 June, although he was carrying cargo, was definitely also being used as a decoy and was very possibly fitted for firing torpedoes and probably had sound equipment. The fact that he had depth charge throwers is not indicative in itself because most Jap merchantmen carry them too, but his actions, after we were spotted by the plane, were too obvious to label him as anything but bait in a trap that was being set.

Only two patrol boats were encountered which could be called offshore patrol. One was the trawler sighted in the early morning about 60 miles southeast of Ashizuir Saki and the other was the torpedo boat south of Kantori Saki. At least 20 patrol boats of all kinds, not including the fishing sampans which are undoubtedly also used as spotters, were sighted. All offshore shipping was escorted both by plane and surface escorts. The inshore shipping follows the coast line well inside the line of inshore patrol boats.

Evasion tactics consisted of going deep and running at slow speed under a temperature gradient with the stern toward the A/S vessel in so far as the locality and current would allow. Although we were depth charged five times the attacking vessel only had contact on one occasion. After the attack on the AK off Omai Saki, some charges landed fairly close but I do not think he knew exactly where we were. The practice of thoroughly peppering the area with random depth charges an hour or so in advance of a convoy is still being used and that with increased air and surface activity in the patrol line are good signs of an approaching target.

The plane bomb of 28 June was close but could not have been more than a 50 pounder from the amount of damage it did. As a matter of fact it did more damage to my temper than anything else. Torpedoes, however, even though they are fired through one's wake are definitely not funny.

(K) Major Defects and Damage

There are no major defects except inadequate ventilation forward of the control room. A work request is being submitted as a refit item for an arrangement similar to that installed in the BANG during her first refit and which greatly relieved this condition.

This boat has never been issued a meggar. After 3 runs the need for this important piece of equipment has become acute and the inability to properly take and record insulation readings has caused considerable delay and confusion on more than once occasion. Any action that can be taken to remedy this deficiency would be greatly appreciated.

After the attack on 22 June, the ship grounded in 240 feet of water damaging the starboard sound head. Believe the shaft is bent because it cannot be raised nor can it be trained. Extent of other underwater damage, if any, is unknown, however I suspect one of the propellers is bent because we have picked up a new propeller click that is very noticeable at any speed over 70 rpm.

The aircraft bomb on 28 June smashed the bridge repeater and knocked several sections of deck plate loose but did no damage inside the boat.

(L) Radio

A total of 73 messages including 3 serials (letter) were missed. This deficiency was caused by the time of schedules. During the 1100 Zebra schedule we were submerged due to daylight conditions on the surface, and for the later schedules we were often forced down by aircraft.

In regard to frequencies, 9090 Kcs. seems to be the best all around, i.e., for the time of day, weather conditions, sea conditions, etc. However, reception on 9090 was strength two between 2200 and 0100 Zebra. 14390 kcs. had approximately the same reception characteristics as 9090. 17370 kcs. was received very poorly until out put was increased to 15 KW at which time it increased to an average of strength four. 6380 kcs. at all times was strength five, however, the modulation was too poor to use this frequency at any time. 4525 Kcs. was strength five at all times.

Three messages were transmitted by the U.S.S. BATFISH during this patrol All were sent on 8470 kcs. with unusual expediency.

(M) Radar

The performance of the SJ Radar was very satisfactory throughout the patrol. No serious casualties to the equipment were experienced. In fact, the only time the SJ Radar was in non-operating condition during the patrol was for a five hour period in the daytime when a short circuit developed in the high voltage circuit of the transmitter and for a few moments one night as a result of the same trouble. The fault was repaired before darkness required the uninterrupted use of the equipment.

SJ Radar ranges on land were exceptional. Consistent ranges fo from 60,000 to 100,000 yards were obtained upon peaks of from 1000 to 3500 feet in height. A series of so-called "phantom echoes" mystified us for a while, but a careful check of our charts and bearings of the elusive pips led to the conclusion that they were echoes from 5000 and 6000 ft. peaks over 100,000 yards away. Invariably, such peaks would show on the charts at the bearing of the "phantom" and at such a range that adding about 100,000 yards to the range of the pips on the screen would coincide with the actual range of the mountain peaks. Such a phenomena can be explained by assuming that the "phantom" pips were actually appearing on succeeding sweeps from the transmitted pulses that caused them. Such has been frequently encountered on other type radars, but seldom on the SJ Radar.

It was found that on some of the Jap sampans or motor torpedo boats ranges could not be obtained greater than 3000 yards.

The P.P.I. scope proved itself to be of considerable value as a navigational aid, as well as an effective means of picking up low-flying aircraft.

The SD Radar gave uninterrupted service throughout the patrol and the myriad of plane contacts, resulting in quick dives, lend emphasis to its value and dependability. The average range was about 12 miles on low-flying planes, with a maximum of 29 miles on a plane of probable greater altitude. There seems to be some indication of a "blind-spot" between 7 and 3 miles insomuch as contact was lost on two occasions on planes within those ranges. Being at night, there was nothing to indicate their altitude, however, and it is possible that their dipping low to the water caused us to lose contact on the SD. Contact was always regained at three miles, regardless.

Radar interference was noted on the SJ Radar on at least two occasions, but in both cases it was of such a nature and bearing as to have likely been from friendly submarines in adjacent areas. On 12 June, interference was noted on bearing 220 covering about 10 degrees arc. The interference faded in and out at a frequency suggesting its origin from an SJ antenna rotating at about 8 R.P.M. Friendly forces were probably the source. Our position was approximately Lat. 33°33'N Long. 135°13'E.

Interference was again noted on the SJ on 20 June at bearing 005° T (our position approximately 33°25'N 136°50'E). Again the arc covered about 10 degrees, fading in and out at about 8 or 9 times per minute. The interference was noted periodically throughout the night and at times covered 150 arc on the P.P.I. scope when our antenna was rotating at 10 R.P.M. Considerable speculation was made as to its source, since no friendly submarines were thought to be in the immediate vicinity at the time. Later, however, it was ascertained that a friendly submarine was still in the adjacent area, and was no doubt the source of the interference.

The magnetron is use in the SJ Radar was a 706-AY Serial No. C51046.

(N) Sound Gear and Sound Conditions

Sound conditions were generally poor in all shore areas south of Honshu and Shikoku but in seaward areas between Nanpo Shoto and Kyushu they improved considerably.

Only two original contacts were made by sound equipment, all others were picked up by lookouts, periscope or radar.

Because of grounding after an attack, the QB sound head was rendered inoperative, and all leads to the head were disconnected.

The power transformer in the receiver-amplifier of the fathometer became shorted and as no spare was aboard this equipment was also out of commission.

During attacks and also during evasive tactics the QB and JK were particularly helpful. Enemy ships were picked up at distances up to 4500 yds.

(O) Density Layers

Twenty-four bathythermograph cards of note were taken enroute to and in the area. In general, sound conditions were poor, especially close to the coast of Japan.

The following are characteristic readings:

Date	Time (GCT)	Lat.	Long.	Depth.	Amt. of Change
6-1-44	1807	31°03'N	155°45'E	100 ft.	4°
6-3-44	1930	30°45'N	140°03'E	98 ft.	2°
6-5-44	1930	30°30'N	135°20'E	130 ft.	2°
6-7-44	1100	30°37'N	131°32'E	125 ft.	2°
6-8-44	1100	31°21'N	131°15'E	60 ft.	2°
6-10-44	0830	32°30'N	132°00'E	70 ft.	4°
6-16-44	1930	32°55'N	133°39'E	60 ft.	2°
6-19-44	1900	32°24'N	137°08'E	170 ft.	2°
6-22-44	1130	34°19'N	137°40'E	70 ft.	7°
6-29-44	1400	34°08'N	139°50'E	130 ft.	1 1/2°

All cards have been forwarded to the Chief of Naval Operations.

(P) Health, Food, and Habitability

The health of the crew was excellent and the only man hours lost due to sickness were the result of a gunshot wound. Except for the usual colds, and bruises, and one or two slight touches of indigestion, the business given the medical department was confined to treating a member of the 4-inch loading crew who was wounded in action by a 30-caliber bullet fired from a Japanese patrol boat. This man, Thomas F. ALLEN, Jr., 600-77-49, EM2c., U.S.N.R. V-6, is being recommended for the Purple Heart.

Diagnosis: Wound, gunshot, left knee, posterior region.

Treatment: Sulfanilamide powder and sterile dressing applied to wound. Tetanus toxicd 40M sulfadiozine given stat. 1 GM g 4L thereafter for a period of 3 days. One morphine syrette administered immediately after receiving wound.

The habitability was good in spite of several long dives of nearly seventeen hours. However the ventilation forward of the control room is decidedly inadequate and the forward battery becomes quite uncomfortable during prolonged dives after a period of high-speed running on the engines. Additional air conditioning with a booster blower to be installed in the control room is being requested as a refit item.

(Q) Personnel

The best in the fleet!

(a) Number of men on boat during patrol:	72
(b) Number of men qualified at start of patrol:	55
(c) Number of men qualified at end of patrol:	61
(d) Number of unqualified men making their first patrol:	14
(e) Number of men advanced in rating:	18

(R) Miles Steamed - Fuel Used

Midway to Area 4	2100 mi.	24580 gals.
In Area	4206 mi.	35380 gals.
Area 4 to Midway	2100 mi.	36400 gals.
Total	8406 mi.	96360 gals.

(S) Duration

Days enroute to area (from Midway)

6 5/8

Days in area

Days enroute to base (to Midway)

5 1/2

Days submerged

(T) Factors of Endurance Remaining

Torpedoes

Fuel

Provisions

Personnel Factor

18,800 gals.

25 days

7 days

(U) Remarks

Shipping and convoy routes are well covered in JIC POA #38-44 and this summary is a very valuable text book especially for a commanding officer making his first patrol as such in this area and about the only comments I can add is that the area 20 miles to the eastward of Miyake Shima is a good hunting ground, and that the Japs shore-based radar, for the most part, operates on 97 megacycles, air-borne radar on 147 megacycles, and ship-borne on 260 Mcs. No planes were observed burning running lights as they once did, nor are their searches confined to moonlit nights only. The significance of the black and white, horizontal striped, lighted buoy in Lat. 32°38'N Long. 132°02'E is not known, but if it marks a minefield, the field is to the north of the buoy because on attack #1, we went inside and south of it before we could reach a favorable attack position.

The battle surface was the first for all the officers and all but 3 of the men and all hands were like a kid with a new toy. We were all a little disappointed that there were no survivors for we had already made plans for some potential mess cooks, but then, the only good Jap - - -.

PATROL SUMMARY

Torpedoes fired: 16		Number of hits: 4
Ships sunk: 5		Ships sunk (Official): 3
Tonnage: 9,206		Tonnage (Official): 1,354
This patrol was designated as successful for the Combat Insignia Award

Sunk: MFM Training Ship of 3500 tons (No official credit given)

Details: Torpedo Attack #1 on 6/10/44

No picture available

Sunk: Mayati Maru - 2,232 tons (No official credit given)

Details: Torpedo Attack #2 on 6/18/44

Mayati Maru - 2,232 tons

Sunk: Anastasia - 3,110 tons (Officially credited as Nagaragwa Maru - 990 tons)

Details: Torpedo Attack #4 on 6/22/44

Anastasia - 3,110 tons

Sunk: Isuzugawa Maru #5 - 226 tons (Officially credited)

Details: Gun Attack #1 on 7/1/44

Here is a side view of a "typical" 274 gross ton steam trawler
(she is actually the Himeshima Maru, but she appears to be a good example of trawlers of that size).

Sunk: Kamoi (or Kamo) Maru - 138 tons (Officially credited)

Details: Gun Attack #1 on 7/1/44

No picture available

Pictures courtesy of Shelley Shelstad and History-on-cdrom.com