//  IMMEDIATE  //

To:  ComSubRon 4
From:  LCDR Greg Turner (USS Tarpon II)
Cc:  ComSubPac
Date:  June 1943
Re:  Patrol Report (June 00 Cycle 2)

RMKS/ 1.  Arrived on station at the Palau Islands on May 14 1943 and began patrolling. SJ radar made contact at 16:10 hours bearing 207° at 13,350 yds. Periscope watch made visual at 16:15. After tracking for 30 minutes I identified 6 escorts and 3 merchant ships. There were 5 - Fubuki class DD and 1 - Mutsuki class DD and 3 - Supply ships. I had the OOD take the boat to radar depth at 16:42 and set an intercept course. At 177:09 the lead DD (Mutsuki) spotted the periscope as I made a check on the convoy at 650 yds and fired on me as he turned to ram. I ordered tube 4 fired at the DD as the scope was going under. I ordered the depth to 275 feet (below test depth) and turned northwest. At 17:14 depth charge run damaged my steering gear and destroyed the periscope. I made several difficult course and speed changes over the next hour and finally evaded the escorts.

RMKS/ 2.  After surfacing and making temporary repairs to the steering gear I set a course for the base at Midway. With the periscope out I could do little more on this patrol but endanger the life of my crew if I continued on.

Patrol Summary

TDC:  Auto

Conditions:

Seas: Moderate
Weather: Mostly Cloudy

Enemy Sunk 

1.  1 x Mutsuki class DD     1,772 tons     7-54 N x 136-06 E

Enemy Escaped

  1. 5 x Fubuki class DD
  2. 3 x Supply Ships

Damage Sustained

  1. Periscope destroyed
  2. Steering Gear

Ordinance Remaining

Torpedo: 23
Deck gun: 95

Comments

The japs have learned we can dive deeper than they earlier believed. The one run that damaged my boat was set perfectly. If I had not evaded rather quickly I believe they would have gotten me again. This was not how I had planned to avenge my former boat and crew but I feel lucky to have escaped with the lives of my new crew. Returning to Midway for repairs and training.

LCDR Greg Turner
(USS Tarpon II)

//  SENDS  //

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