TO: Submarine Division Commanders, SubPacFlt

FROM: ComSubPac

DATE: December 1942

SUBJECT: Mission Orders ( November 2003 cycle 5 )

Please read these orders carefully!

RMKS: 1 Heavy losses at the "Battle of Santa Cruz" has left PacFlt with only two carriers, the U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Saratoga ( both damaged), in the Pacific. With the loss of the carriers Hornet and Wasp, control of the Guadalcanal area is in doubt. Our marines continue to hole Guadalcanal and several Japanese attacks by major surface combatants have been beaten off, with known enemy losses including two BB’s, and a CV. The enemy surface fleet activity has been reduced to high-speed night runs by DD’s off loading supplies ashore.

RMKS: 2 ONI believes that Admiral Yamamoto is determined to retake Guadalcanal at ‘ALL COSTS’. All Troop Transports headed south from Empire waters are to be considered as "TOP PRIORTY" targets. Expect these convoys to be heavily escorted.

RMKS: 3 Air support by the Japanese has been increased, all boats are to be on the highest alert when running on the surface, even at night when the moon is up the IJN airforce are flying patrols. " KEEP ALERT"

RMKS: 4 Orders received from Admiral Nimitz, CinCPAC, call for the submarine force to continue pressure in Alaskan waters in anticipation of a move Westward toward the Gilberts, The Marianas, Truk and the Marshals.

RMKS: 5 Torpedo replacement has increased only slightly. With stores of ordnance on only a slight rise, the amount of replacement torpedoes compared to the number expended remains at an uncomfortable level. It has been calculated that we are expending torpedoes at a 3 to 1 ratio, meaning that for every three torpedoes expended we are receiving one replacement from BuOrd. Torpedo conservation measures are to be continued with the MK VI exploder depth settings remaining in force.

RMKS: 6 Submarine Divisions are assigned to the following areas of operation:

Submarine Squadron 1

SubDiv 1M - PacFlt Empire ( Northern Japan )

                  - SoWesPac South China Sea & Indo China ( split up half the boats to each area )

SubDiv 7A - PacFlt Palau Islands ( Start date January 1943 )

                 - SoWesPac Phillippine Islands

Submarine Squadron 2

SubDiv 3A - PacFlt Aleutian Islands ( 1 special mission SM3CYV )

                 - SoWesPac Malaaysia

SubDiv 4A - PacFlt Caroline Islands

Lt. Ketzeback - U.S.S. Guardfish CI –1 December 1, 1942 to January 31, 1943

Lt. Bearden – U.S.S. Sawfish CI – 2 January 1 to Febuary 28, 1943

Lt. Whitmore – U.S.S. Pompano CI –1 January 1 to Feburary 28, 1943

Lt. Farley – U.S.S. Sargo CI – 2 December 1, 1942 to January 31, 1943

                 - SoWesPac TF 42 (Solomon Islands) ( 1 special mission SM4CYV )

LCDR Edwards – U.S.S. Gato Special Mission per ComSubPac

Lt. Turner – U.S.S. Thresher SI – 1 & SI – 2

Lt. Hipply – U.S.S. Tuna SI – 3 & SI – 4

Lt. Vormann – U.S.S. Searaven SI – 5

 

Submarine Squadron 3

SubDiv 5A - PacFlt Mariana Islands ( Start date January 1943 )

                 - SoWesPac Suluu Sea

SubDiv 6A - PacFlt East China Sea ( Formosa )

                 - SoWesPac Javaa Sea

Please Acknowledge this transmission and take special note of the start dates for some Divisions above.

Note: if any boat is on patrol for 10 or more days without sighting the enemy the commander is to contact ComSubDiv 4A for instructions on relocation to another AO.

Good Hunting and God’s Speed

Lt. Commander Ethan Edwards

ComSubDiv 4A

Rear Admiral Robert English

Commanding SubPacFlt

 

 

// SENDS //