Rank & Name: Lt. Bill
Ketzeback
Cycle: 2 (August 2003)
USS & SS: USS
CACHALOT (SS-170)
Patrol Zone & Sector(s): NJ 1 & 2
TDC: Auto
Realism (%): 109%
Crew experience: Green
Number of Warships sunk: 0
Number of Merchants sunk: 7
Warship tonnage: 0
Merchant tonnage: 29,110
Total JANAC tonnage: 14,555
Types of Warship sunk: N/A
|
Date |
Time |
Lat & Long |
Class of Vessel |
Tonnage |
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|
|
|
|
|
Types of Merchant sunk: 1
|
Date |
Time |
Lat & Long |
Class of Vessel |
Tonnage |
|
16 March 1942 |
10:47 |
34-48N 140-15E |
SMALL FREIGHTER |
2,050 |
|
17 March 1942 |
06:37 |
34-30N 139-50E |
CONVERTED FACTORY |
7,430 |
|
20 March 1942 |
13:23 |
34-54N 139-31E |
LARGE FREIGHTER |
6,480 |
|
20 March 1942 |
13:25 |
34-54N 139-32E |
SUPPLY SHIP |
2,400 |
|
20 March 1942 |
13:47 |
34-54N 139-32E |
STANDARD MERCHANT |
5,950 |
|
20 March 1942 |
14:36 |
34-58N 139-34E |
SUPPLY SHIP |
2,400 |
|
20 March 1942 |
14:38 |
34-58N 139-35E |
SUPPLY SHIP |
2,400 |
Conducted Lifeguard duty: (If yes how many aviators rescued):
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Date |
Time |
Lat & Long |
|
|
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Conducted Photo Recon: No
|
Date |
Time |
Location |
Lat & Long |
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Patrol Narrative:
Underway from Pearl Harbor March 2. Arrived on station
(PZ NJ 32-27N, 143-49E) March 15, 0312. Set course to proceed to sector 1. At
0610, per orders submerged for daytime operations.
On March 16, 1020, could hear distant explosions. Sonar reported contacts at
1023. Came to periscope depth to investigate. 1040 spotted a small freighter
and one destroyer as escort at 2000 yds bearing 350. 1047, the merchant closed
to within 750 yds and destroyed target with single fish. Escort abandoned
pursuit by 1140.
On March 16, 1600. Sonar reported high speed screws bearing 211. Came to
periscope depth to investigate.
1610. spotted CL group at 6000 yds, adjusted course to intercept. At 1614
aircraft was spotted. Made depth for 230 feet to avoid contact. Sonar lost
contact with CL group several minutes later. Remained submerged until 1942 when
surfaced to charge batteries.
On March 17, 0610, making preparations to submerge for the day when the lookouts
spotted a small convoy consisting of 4 merchants and 3 escorts. Cachalot in
perfect attack position. Becoming too light to attack on the surface, submerged
to periscope depth and waited for convoy to approach our position. Waited for 3
escorts and lead merchant to pass by our position. Fired 2 forward fish at the
largest merchant, second in line, at 450 yds. This resulted in one hit and one
dud both fired with same depth settings and angle on bow. Fired a third at the
same vessel resulting in a hit but not sinking it. It took the last forward
tube to sink the converted factory ship. Fired 2 aft tubes at a standard
merchant leading the group from 600 yds. This resulted in 1 miss due to target
zig and 1 premature explosion. The 3 escorts searched the area for 3 hours but
failed to detect Cachalot. They dropped no ordance, just made a lot of noise
with active sonar pings.
Continued for 2 days without contact operating per patrol orders of staying
submerged during the day and looking for contacts at night to attack on the
surface. Unfortunately the moon was not favorable to detect any surface
contacts at night from any reasonable distance, or Cachalot was not in a good
position to locate vessles traveling at night.
On March 19, 0603, lookouts spotted a CA group at 34-37N 139-48E with heading
355 through heavy fog. Cachalot was in poor position to attack or pursue in fog
and we quickly lost contact. Due to heavy fog remained submerged during the
remainder of daylight since aircraft could not spot us. We made way at best
possible speed on one engine to new area to patrol.
March 20, 0600, Heavy fog continues, remaining on surface to patrol. 1316,
lookouts spot through fog small convoy of 3 unescorted merchants. Sunk all
using deck gun and torperdos. No duds. At 1431, another small convoy of 4
unescorted merchants (2 with deck guns however) spotted. Down to 3 remaining
fish. Two lead merchants sunk with one fish each. Last torpedo was a dud.
Cachalot forced to leave the area at best possible speed (2 engines) on surface
through heavy
fog to keep damage to a minimum from one merchants deck gun which had damaged
the stern planes an hydrophones during surface battle. Deck gun ammo expended
earlier that day.
March 20, 1400 course laid to leave patrol zone and return to base.
71045 Gallons of Fuel used, 10% Hull Damage, 11%
System Damage, estimated repair time 4 days.
LT Bill Ketzeback
CO USS CACHALOT
// SENDS //