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From: LCDR Duke Cummings, CO USS Tautog, SS-199
To: Captain Woodrow T. Morgan, Subron4M
Cc: ComSubPac
Date: 26 May 1942
Re: Patrol Report ( March 00 - Cycle II )

Rmks/1: 2 May 1942 : 07:00 : Upon receipt of orders from SubRon4M, proceeding to assigned patrol area of South China Sea.

Rmks/2: 11 May 1942 : 05:37 : Reached designated area. Setting course for the Naval base of Hong Kong.

Rmks/3: 12 May 1942 : 08:56 : Course 349 Speed 3.6 kts Seas Calm. Contact : Target : Large Patrol Course 197 Speed unknown Ships 5 Destroyers. Dove to 118 ft. and took evasive actions.

Rmks/4: 11:08 : Patrol craft have acquired and beginning attack. Planes have also joined in attack. Amount unknown. However I believe there to be 2 planes. Only three of the 5 DD's attack at once. Could be significant later on.

Rmks/5: 11:14 : Now have picked up 2 more patrol crafts in Hong Kong harbor. Believe that there may be as many as 4 planes attacking.

Rmks/6: 11:16 : Patrol craft in harbor now have joined in on attack. Still on course for port of Hong Kong.

Rmks/7: 11:27 : Surfaced to periscope depth. Observed 7 Destroyers in a circular position around me. Patrol craft to close for a shot and was forced to dive to 115 ft. Course now 312, speed 4.1 kts.

Rmks/8: 11:48 : Surfaced to periscope depth again. Fired 6 Bow Torpedoes at 3 targets. 2 misses, 1 dud. Two are sunk at 11:57 Kagero Class Destroyer 21-58N 115-15E and at 11:58 Kagero Class Destroyer 21-58N 115-15E. Fired a Aft Torpedo at fourth DD and missed down port side of DD. Have detected 4 ships in harbor. I believe that one is a Carrier and 1 is a Battleship. Resuming course towards Carrier. At 13:12 DD's have broken off attack. Chased the rogue torpedo fired at fourth target.

Rmks/9: 14:32 : Laid on bottom until 19:00 hrs.

Rmks/10: 19:00 : Will begin my attack then Surfaced to periscope depth and detected two patrol craft and 8 anchored ships. 1 Soryu CV, 1 Seaplane Carrier, 2 light cruisers, 4 Destroyers. 9:30 hrs. One of the patrol craft has beached itself and the other has acquired and is altering course for attack. Fired 2 Aft torpedoes at DD who has acquired at 1150 yds and 5 second intervals. First missed but second hit and destroyed target. Asashio Class Destroyer 19:42 21-59N 115-09E. 19:32 hrs. Fired 4 Bow Torpedoes at Carrier. Three of the four exploded on contact, while the fourth prematurely detonated. 1934 hrs Fired 2 more Bow Torpedoes at Carrier. 1 premature detonation and one hit. Carrier is now on fire. 1942 hrs. Fired Aft Torpedo at Destroyer who has freed itself from the beach. Fired at 752 yds. and torpedo did not arm. Dove to 88 ft. and took evasive action.

Rmks/11: 12 May : 20:14 : Surfaced to periscope depth and fired one Bow Torpedo at carrier and sank it. CV Soryu 22-00N 115-06E. 2 Destroyers have acquired and beginning attack.

Rmks/12: 12 May : 20:34 : Have taken a direct hit by 2 depth charges. Damage report as follows : DC2 Motor -Moderate repairs are needed, Radio Room Moderate repairs are needed, Pressure Hull Moderate Leaking repairs are needed, Officers Quarters Moderate Leaking repairs are needed. 21:39 hrs. All repairs have been completed except Radio Room.

Rmks/13: 12 May : 22:02 : Detected Large Patrol detected at previous position. Taken evasive action.

Rmks/14: 12 May : 22:42 : Targets have acquired and are beginning attack.

Rmks/15: 13 May : 00:19 : Radio repaired and still under attack by 5 Destroyers.

Rmks/16: 13 May: 00:35 : Have taken 3 direct hits. Damage report as follows: Aft Torpedo Room Heavy damage, Heavy Leaking repairs are needed, Engine one damaged beyond repair, Radio damaged beyond repair, Steering Gear damaged beyond repair, Conning Tower Sever Leaking repairs are needed, Forward Batteries Heavy damage repairs are needed, Forward Torpedo Room, Heavy damage and in need of surface repair. Dive planes need surface repair. Now have increased to 6.8 kts on course 161 to escape.

Rmks/17: 13 May : 01:23 : One Destroyer has reacquired. Must surface and have running gun battle. DD is about 3098 yds. directly astern. Beginning Deck Gun action. At 01:38 sank Fubuki Class Destroyer 21-N 115-26E. Destroyer closed to within 1208 yds. and never fired once.

Patrol Summary:

TDC: Manual, Deck Gun: Manual

Enemy Sunk: 3 Destroyers, 1 CV (27,326 tons)

Enemy escaped : 11 Destroyers, 1 Seaplane Carrier, 2 Light cruisers, 1 unidentified Merchant Vessel.

Damaged sustained : Radio Room, Forward and Aft Torpedo Room, Officers Quarters, Steering Gear, Forward Batteries, Engine One, Conning Tower, Dive Planes, Storage Room. Hull Damage 35 %, System Damage 17%.

Ordinance Remaining : 46 Deck Gun Shells, Torpedoes - 0

Comments: With all ordinance exhausted, request permission to return to base for refueling and repairs.

LCDR Duke Cummings

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