TO: Submarine Division Commanders, SubPacFlt / SubSoWesPac

FROM: ComSubPac

DATE: June 1943

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 7 January 2004)

Read these mission orders carefully!

RMKS: 1 The Japanese five-digit code has been broken, intercepted IJN transmissions have provided important information identifying a major traffic route and escort procedures. The main route is from Empire waters south to the Palau Islands, Southwest to the equator, to about longitude 150 degrees east, than South to Kavieng on New Ireland and than South to Rabaul. Convoys are known to be transiting due South from Truk to Kavieng. It has been determined that at some point along the equator line the escorts from Truk and the Palau’s turn back and hand over the convoys to escorts from Kevieng or Rabaul. Windows of opportunity present themselves as the convoys experience periods of unescorted travel while they await rendezvous with IJN warships detailed to provide protection on the second leg.

RMKS: 2 In April the code breakers provide information giving the precise itinerary of and inspection trip of Bougainville and Rabaul by Admiral Yamamoto. Forewarned. Admiral Halsey sent long ranged P-38’s from Guadalcanal and on April 18 the P-38’s intercepted Yamamoto’s plane in mid-flight and shot it down, killing Admiral Yamamoto. Admiral Mineichi Koga has succeeded Yamamoto as CinCIJN.

RMKS: 3 ONI has determined that the Japanese are shuttling carriers back and forth between Empire waters and Truk, FRUPAC has intercepted communications about enemy movements in an area Southwest of Lot’s wife which is being used as a rendezvous point for the major fleet units forming up for transit South to Truk or the Palau’s.

RMKS: 4 The Potshot (Exmouth Gulf) advance base experiment has been cancelled following the Japanese air raid on May 20. The tender Pelias has been ordered back to Fremantle, which will remain SubSoWesPac’s base. However a fueling barge will remain stationed in Exmouth Gulf for use by SobSoWesPac submarines.

RMKS: 5 A new experimental sonar device called the ‘Bathythermograph’ is scheduled to be installed in a few boats for testing to determine whether thermal layers in the deep ocean can help a submarine avoid detection by enemy ASW forces. As these units arrive you may expect to have this unit installed.

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

Submarine Squadron 1

SubDiv 1M PacFlt – Empire ( Southern Japan ) Special Mission SM1CYVII

                 SoWesPac – Java Sea

SubDiv 7A PacFlt – Empire ( Northern Japan ) Special Mission SM7CYVII

                 SoWesPac – Indo China

Submarine Squadron 2

SubDiv 3A PacFlt – Mariana Islands

                 SoWesPac – Philippine Islands

SubDiv 4A PacFlt – Aleutian Islands / Yellow Sea

CMDR. Edwards – U.S.S. Pogy - Aleutians ( all areas )

LCDR. Hipply – U.S.S. Lapon - Yellow Sea ( all areas )

LCDR. Bearden – U.S.S. Sawfish – Aleutians ( all areas )

LCDR. Ketzeback – U.S.S. Finback – Yellow Sea ( all areas )

LCDR. Whitmore – U.S.S. Flying fish – Aleutians ( all areas )

Lt. Farley II – U.S.S. Permit – Yellow Sea ( all areas )

SoWesPac – South China Sea

LCDR. Turner III – U.S.S. Thresher – anywhere you like

 

Submarine Squadron 3

SubDiv 5A PacFlt – East China Sea ( Formosa )

                 SoWesPac – Malaysia

SubDiv 6A PacFlt – Caroline Islands

                 SoWesPac – Sulu Sea

RMKS: 7 All Submarine Division Commanders are to acknowledge receipt of these orders.

Please Acknowledge receipt of these orders

Good Hunting

Commander Ethan Edwards

Commanding SubDivision 4A

Good Luck and Good Hunting

Rear Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Commanding SubPacFlt

 

// SENDS //