TO: Submarine Division Commanders, SubPacFlt / SubSoWesPac

FROM: ComSubPac / SubDivision 4A CO

DATE: September 1943

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 8 February 2004)

Please read your orders carefully and take note of your start dates !

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RMKS: 6 Oil is the lifeblood of Japan and the Japanese War Machine. Oil Tankers are now to be considered a top priority target, if we can cut of the oil supply to the home islands of Japan we can hasten the end of the war.

RMKS: 7 SubRons / SubDivisions are assigned to the following areas of operation:

Submarine Squadron 1

SubDiv 1M PacFlt - Palau Islands

                  SoWesPac – Philippine Islands

SubDiv 7A PacFlt – Mariana Islands / Yellow Sea ( Split half of your

Boats to each area)

                  SoWesPac – South China Sea

Submarine Squadron 2

SubDiv 3A PacFlt - Empire (Southern Japan)

                 SoWesPac - Malaysia ( Special Mission SM3CVIII )

SubDiv 4A PacFlt – Empire ( Northern Japan )

Commander Edwards U.S.S. Pogy - NJ – 2 & 3 Oct / Nov 43

LCDR. Hipply U.S.S. Lapon NJ – 6 & 7 Sept / Nov 43

LCDR. Bearden U.S.S. Sawfish NJ – 1 & 2 Oct / Nov 43

LCDR. Whitmore U.S.S. Flying fish NJ 4 & NJ 5 Sept / Oct

Lt. Farley U.S.S. Permit NJ – 3 & 4 Oct / Nov 43

Lt. Kucinic U.S.S. Haddock NJ – 2 & 3 Sept / Oct 43

                 SoWesPac – Sulu Sea ( Special Mission SM4CVIII )

LCDR. Ketzeback U.S.S. Finback Special Mission SM4CYVIII

LCDR. Turner III U.S.S. Cod Oct / Nov 43 All Areas

LT. Wormer U.S.S. Drum Sept / Nov 43 All Areas

Submarine Squadron 3

SubDiv 5A PacFlt – Caroline Islands

                  SoWesPac - Indochina

SubDiv 6A PacFlt – Formosa

                 SoWesPac - Java Sea

RMKS: 8 All Submarine Division Commanders are to acknowledge receipt of these orders.

 

Good Luck and Good Hunting

Commander Ethan Edwards

CO SubDivision 4A

Rear Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Commanding SubPacFlt

 

// SENDS //