Rank & Name: LCDR. Bill Ketzeback
Cycle: Cycle 9
(March 2004)
SubRon 2/ Division 4A
U.S.S. FINBACK
(SS-230)
Patrol Zone & Sector(s): Formosa F-1+F-5
TDC: Auto
Realism (%):
109%
Crew experience:
Elite
Number of Warships sunk: 0
Number of Merchants sunk: 13
Warship tonnage: 0
Merchant tonnage: 66,420
Types of Warship sunk:
|
Date |
Time |
Lat &
Long |
Class of
Vessel |
Tonnage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Types of Merchant sunk: 13
|
Date |
Time |
Lat &
Long |
Class of
Vessel |
Tonnage |
|
24 Dec 1943 |
07:11 |
22-33N x
119-49E |
Sampans X
2 |
N/A |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
08:14 |
22-28N x
119-40E |
Troop
Transport |
5,710 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
08:14 |
22-28N x
119-40E |
Troop
Transport |
5,710 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
08:14 |
22-28N x
119-40E |
Large
Freighter |
5,950 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
08:15 |
22-28N x
119-40E |
Large
Freighter |
5,950 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
08:15 |
22-28N x
119-40E |
Oil Tanker |
4,950 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
12:38 |
22-25N x
120-02E |
Oil Tanker |
4,560 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
17:36 |
22-35N x
120-31E |
Oil Tanker |
4,230 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
17:37 |
22-35N x
120-31E |
Standard
Merchant |
6,480 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
17:37 |
22-35N x
120-31E |
Supply
Ship |
1,870 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
17:38 |
22-35N x
120-31E |
Supply
Ship |
1,870 |
|
24 Dec
1943 |
22:37 |
22-40N x
120-13E |
Large
Freighter |
6,600 |
|
25 Dec
1943 |
01:05 |
22-40N x
120-13E |
Factory
Ship |
6,140 |
|
25 Dec
1943 |
17:38 |
22-35N x
120-31E |
Troop
Transport |
6,400 |
Conducted Lifeguard duty: (If yes how many aviators
rescued):
|
Date |
Time |
Lat &
Long |
|
|
|
|
Conducted Photo Recon: (If Yes than where was it
performed )
|
Date |
Time |
Location |
Lat &
Long |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrol Narrative:
Hull Damage: None
(5%)
System Damage: None (0%)
Repair Time: 5 days
Patrol Narrative:
Underway from Pearl Harbor, Dec 2, 1943. Arrived in PZ Formosa Dec
22,1943 04:43 26-27N,128-47E. Fuel
99,134 gallons (84%) With a full compliment of 24 Mk-14 Torpedos.
Charted course for PZ F5. Crossed into assigned area
Dec 22,1943 20:00
Dec 23 15:00 Radar Contact at 30,000 yds. Changed course to intercept.
Dec 23 15:59 Visual sighting of small convoy (2 merchants and 4 escorts). Could
not close to striking distance.
Dec 24 02:00 Sonar Contact
Dec 24 02:16 CA Group on Sonar, zig zagging. Unable to intercept.
Dec 24 06:46 Small radar return at 8000 yds.
Dec 24 06:59 2 Sampans spotted.
Dec 24 07:12 Destroyed with Deck Gun.
Dec 24 07:20 Radar detects large convoy of a minimum of 14 ships and numerous
escorts.
Dec 24 08:10 In perfect position to fire all tubes. Sank 5 ships and damaged 2
others. Dove deep to avoid
ASW. However followed a merchants sonar signature away from the escorts.
Dec 24 10:43 Both Radar and Sonar report contact at 18,000 yds. Spotted a lone
unescorted tanker - damaged
with deck burning and trailing smoke. Approached on surface and sank it with
the deck gun.
Dec 24 16:00 Radar contact, changed course to intercept.
Dec 24 16:37 Air contact! Dove to 200 feet but continued to close on convoy.
Dec 24 17:13 Medium Convoy spotted (7 ships). Allowed to close and was able to
sink 4 ships and scatter others. Evaded approaching escorts.
Dec 24 21:00 Surfaced to charge batteries and discovered scattered merchants
had not regrouped and were still in the area. Made for closest contacts and
discovered they were the escorts still in search pattern. Changed course for 2
fainter and scattered radar contacts.
Dec 25 00:00 Merry Christmas! Six fish loaded and ready in the forward tubes,
aft torpedos expended. 11 ships so far this patrol have made for a wonderful
gift. Still on intercept course of 2 radar contacts.
Dec 25 01:00 Converted Factory Ship spotted. dove to Periscope depth. Fired 4
forward tubes at it as it changed course and zig zagged. All 4 were misses.
Surfaced and fired Deck Gun. Took 22 hits to sink it. Proceeded to next radar
contact. Received some damage from the CFS. Repairing while pursuit is on
going.
Dec 25 17:30 Finally made visual contact with A troop transport we have been
chasing for a full day. Used radar to make a run around ahead of it and
submerge. Sank it with last 2 torpedos.
Dec 25 17:45 Confirmed last sinking. Surfaced and laid in course to return home
for New Years at the Royal
Hawaiian.
LCDR. Bill Ketzeback
CO: USS FINBACK