// IMMEDIATE //
To: ComSubRon 4
Cc: ComSubPac
From: LCDR Greg Turner - USS Muskellunge (SS-262)
Date: May 22, 1944
Re: 10th War Patrol (Sept 00 Cycle 2)
RMKS/ 1. Arrived in patrol area early on the morning of the 12 May 1944 after an uneventful trip across the pacific. Spent the transit time running drills to prepare for combat.
RMKS/ 2. Just before dusk radar made contact on a convoy bearing 001` degrees at 33,400 yards. I ordered an intercept course and lookouts spotted the convoy at 17:41. After changing the intercept course I dove the boat to radar depth at 17:45. Initial contact showed only 8 ships. Before diving lookouts identified 1- SM, 2 AMC, 2 OT, 2 Supply, and 1 CFS. At 18:06 convoy-changed course. At 18:15 I arrived at periscope depth 3,600 yards ahead of the convoy. No escorts were spotted.
RMKS/ 3. At 18:21 I fired 2 torpedoes at an Oil Tanker at 1,700 yards at five-second intervals. One minute later I fired 2 torpedoes at five-second intervals at the Standard Merchant at 1,000 yards. After the fish hit the OT the convoy reversed its course. Sound reported both fish hit the SM and a periscope check showed it to be on fire. At 18:24 I fired a third torpedo at the crippled SM at 670 yards to finish it off. Also fired my last forward tube at a second OT at 1,100 yards. Turned hard to port for a stern setup. Periscope watch reported the second OT on fire. At 18:26 I fired a second fish at the OT at 1,500 yards. This hit stopped the OT dead in the water. At 18:28 I fired a third fish at 1,994 yards and sank it.
RMKS/ 4. Surfaced at 18:32 and headed south to end around. At 18:42 dove to periscope depth 2,200 yards ahead of remaining ships. At 19:39 fired 1 torpedo at Troop Transport at 550 yards. Hit set ship on fire. Fired a second fish at 470 yards and finished off the TT. After the explosions all ships reversed course and I surfaced at 19:43 for another end around. Completed run by 20:15 and dove 2,000 yards ahead of the ships. At 20:22 fired 2 torpedoes at AMC at 670 yards. Hits slowed the AMC so I fired a third fish at 640 yards. This hit set the ship afire but it continued on. Fired a fourth fish at 650 yards and sank ship. Second AMC passed ahead at 350 yards so I waited for the gap to open and at 20:26 fired 3 torpedoes at 500 yards. Hits set ship afire so I fired a fourth fish at 670 yards and sank AMC.
RMKS/ 5. Surfaced at 20:29 and went to flank speed to get a Troop Transport on the far side of the convoy. At 20:58 dove to periscope depth 1,500 yards ahead of TT. At 21:03 fired 2 torpedoes at a CFS at 514 yards. Hit set ship afire. Fired a third fish at 540 yards to sink CFS. Went to 90 feet as TT passed close ahead. Back to periscope depth by 21:07 and fired 2 torpedoes at TT at 500 yards. Ship sank stern first. All that remained were 5 supply ships so I targeted the closest and fired my last torpedo at 501 yards. The ship disappeared in a fireball. I suspect it was loaded with munitions. At 21:11 I turned south to open out for surfacing. At 21:16 surfaced and set a course for Pearl Harbor.
Patrol Summary
TDC: Auto
Conditions: Weather - Clear, Seas - Moderate
Enemy Sunk:
1 x Oil Tanker 12,080 tons 18-56N x 121-26E 1 x Oil Tanker 12,080 tons 18-56N x 121-26E 1 x Standard Merchant 12,370 tons 18-56N x 121-26E 1 x Troop Transport 9,940 tons 18-44N x 121-31E 1 x Troop Transport 9,940 tons 19-00N x 121-33E 1 x Armed Merchant Cruiser 9,500 tons 18-52N x 121-30E 1 x Armed Merchant Cruiser 9,500 tons 18-52N x 121-30E 1 x Converted Factory Ship 3,850 tons 19-00N x 121-33E 1 x Supply 2,290 tons 19-00N x 121-33E TOTALS 81,550 tons
Enemy Escaped: 4 x Supply Ships
Damage Sustained: NONE
Ordnance Remaining: Torpedoes - 0, Deck gun - 95
Comments: My crew and I were very fortunate indeed to make contact on an unescorted convoy. To do so at dusk aided us tremendously. Convoy speed remained around 9 kts. This allowed me to make fast end arounds to get off shots. The crew performed spectacularly especially the torpedo room crews. Their fast reloads allowed me to remain in constant contact until we hounded the convoy to pieces. I couldnt have done it alone. My crew is top rate. Requests reload and refit.
LCDR Greg Turner
USS Muskellunge SS 262
// SENDS //