TO: Submarine Division Commanders, SubPacFlt / SubSoWesPac

FROM: ComSubPac / SubDivision 4A

DATE: December 1943

SUBJECT: Mission Orders (Cycle 9 March 2004)

Please read your orders carefully and take note of the start dates and what ships are now on the War Ship Restriction list.

RMKS: 1 Operation ‘Galvanic’ was a complete success and the Gilbert Islands are now secure. ONI believes that with the upcoming U.S. led amphibious invasion of the Marshal Islands, code-named ‘Operation Flintlock", Admiral Koga, CinC IJN, will withdraw to the Palau and Mariana Islands. All boats in the Caroline and Mariana island areas are to expect heavy IJN activity.

RMKS: 2 The enemy oil fields at Tarakan and Balikapapan produce oil pure enough to be utilized with out-processing. Intelligence reports that the Japanese are loading it directly from the fields into tankers, while this fuel is not a flammable as gasoline, it does contain elements that are highly volatile. A torpedo hit can start a raging, uncontrollable fire, forcing the crew to abandon ship and leave it to its fate. Tankers are now considered a ‘TOP PRIORITY’ target.

RMKS: 3 To reiterate the orders released 24 June 1943, All MK VI magnetic influence exploders are to be deactivated. Some of the commanders in the SoWesPac area have been given orders to continue using this exploder mechanism, as of this date ALL commanders are ordered to use the new firing pins being supplied by BuOrd and to set there torpedoes for contact hits MOT.

RMKS: 4 SubRons / SubDivisions are assigned to the following areas of operation:

Submarine Squadron 1

SubDiv 1M PacFlt ~ Empire ( Northern Japan )

                 SoWesPac ~ IndoChina

SubDiv 7A PacFlt ~ Empire ( Southern Japan )

                 SoWesPac ~ South China Sea

Submarine Squadron 2

SubDiv 3A PacFlt ~ Palau Islands

                 SoWesPac ~ Java Sea

SubDiv 4A PacFlt ~ East China Sea ( Formosa )

Commander Edwards – U.S.S. Pogy F-3 & F-4 Jan 44 & Feb 44

LCDR. Ketzeback – U.S.S. Finback F-5 & F-1 Dec 43 & Jan 44

LCDR. Whitmore – U.S.S. Flying Fish F-2 & F-3 Dec 43 & Jan 44

Lt. Kucinic – U.S.S Haddock F-1 & F-2 Jan 44 & Feb 44

Lt. Van Wormer – U.S.S. Barb F-3 & F-4 Dec 43 & Jan 44

 

                        SoWesPac ~ Philippine Islands

LCDR. Turner III – U.S.S. Cod P-1, P-2, P-8 & P-9 Jan 44 & Feb 44

LCDR. Hipply – U.S.S. Lapon P-3, P-4, P-5, & P-6 Jan 44 & Feb 44

LCDR. Bearden – U.S.S. Redfin P-1, thru P-4 Dec 43 & Jan 44

LCDR. Farley III – U.S.S. Haddo P-5, Thru P-9 Dec 43 & Jan 44

 

 Submarine Squadron 3

SubRon 5A PacFlt ~ Mariana Islands ( Special Mission SM5CYIX )

                  SoWesPac ~ Sulu Sea

SubRon 6A PacFlt ~ Caroline Islands ( Special Mission SM6CYIX )

                  SoWesPac ~ Malaysia

 

RMKS: 4 All Division Commanders are reminded to inform their individual commanders as to what ships are on the War Ship Restriction list. Any sinkings claimed that are on the WRL will not be credited.

RMKS: 5 All Submarine Division Commanders are to acknowledge receipt of these orders.

RMKS: 6 The following ships are now restricted and no further sinkings will be credited by ComSubPac

Taiyo Class CVE

Ryuho Class CVL

Kuma Class CL

Yubari class CL

Please acknowledge receipt of these orders.

Good Hunting

CMDR Ethan Edwards

CO Division 4A

Good Luck and Good Hunting

Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood

Commanding SubPacFlt

 

// SENDS //