TO: SUBMARINE DIVISION COMMANDERS, SubPacFlt

FROM: ComSubPac

DATE: DECEMBER 1941

 

SUBJECT: MISSION ORDERS (July 2003 cycle 1)

Please read these orders carefully!

RMKS 1) The Japanese Military forces have attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Fleet has been severely damaged by this sneak attack. All Commanders are ordered to commence unrestricted submarine warfare against all Japanese Merchant and Military units.

RMKS 2) As directed by the CNO, the 'London Treaty Agreement' on submarine warfare restrictions has been renounced by the United States Government. You shall interpret this order to mean that when attacking Japanese vessels you are NOT required to surface, obtain the vessels surrender, and put the crew and passengers in lifeboats before sinking the vessel. Instead, upon ascertaining that it is a Japanese - Flag or Japanese controlled vessel, you may shoot on sight.

RMKS 3) There are NO U.S. or allied vessels besides yourselves currently, or soon to be, operating North of Manila in the Philippines or North of the Gulf of Thailand in Indo China.

RMKS 4) The MK VI Magnetic Exploder has been issued to all ' Fleet ' subs carrying MK XIV torpedoes. This Exploder is a secret technologically advanced device that is expected to produce High Sinking Ratios when used properly, that is, set to explode beneath the enemy vessels keel. Therefore ALL SUBMARINES SO EQUIPPED ARE DIRECTED TO SET THEIR TORPEDOS TO FOR A RUNNING DEPTH AT 10 TO 20 FEET BENEATH THE KEEL DEPTH OF THE VESSEL BEING ATTACKED! Thus, for a target with a draft of 20 feet, the torpedo running depth should be set to 30 to 40 feet.

RMKS 5) Because of the ' High Effectiveness ' of this exploder and a possible shortfall in torpedo inventory, if possible sink Merchant ships with ONE torpedo, use TWO only if necessary. For Capitol Ships, use the number of torpedoes as the situation demands without being profligate.

RMKS 6) Target priority is as follows:

1) Capitol Ships and Cruisers

2) Loaded Troop Transports

3) Light forces, Transports, Supply ships & Auxiliaries

4) Oil Tankers

RMKS 7) Submarine Divisions are assigned to the following areas:

Submarine Squadron 1

SubDiv 1M ~ PacFlt – Empire (Southern Japan)

SubAsiadic – South China Sea

SubDiv 7A ~ PacFlt – Formosa

SubAsiadic – Indochina

Submarine Squadron 2

SubDiv 3A ~ PacFlt – Empire (Northern Japan)

SubAsiadic – Philippine Islands

SubDiv 4A ~ PacFlt – Mariana Islands

Lt. SJ Turner – U.S.S. Gar Marianas NM-1 & NM-2

Lt. Ketzeback – U.S.S. Cachalot Marianas NM-1 & NM-2

Lt. Bearden – U.S.S. Tautog Marianas NM-1 & NM-2

SubAsiadic – Philippine Islands

LCDR Edwards – U.S.S. Perch Philippines P1& P2

Lt. Cox – U.S.S. Salmon Philippines P9 & P8

Lt. Schow – U.S.S. Sargo Philippines P7 & P6

Lt. Hipply – U.S.S. Seadragon Philippines P3, P4 & P5

Lt. Vormann – U.S.S. S-38 Philippines P3, P4 & P5

Submarine Squadron 3

SubDiv 5A ~ PacFlt – Palau Islands

SubAsiadic - Indochina

SubDiv 6A ~ PacFlt – Caroline Islands

SubAsiadic – South China Sea

 

COMMENTS: In the event of any Submarine being on station for 10 or more days without sighting the enemy, the submarines CO should contact his SubDiv CO for a request for redeployment to another area.

All Division Commanders are to acknowledge these orders!

All Submarine Commanders of SubDivision 4 are to acknowledge these orders to ComSubDiv LCDR Edwards

Good Luck and Good Hunting, Hit'em Hard

Rear Admiral Thomas Withers Jr.

ComSubPacFlt

 

// SENDS //