//IMMEDIATE//
From: CDR Greg Turner (USS Grouper SS-214)
XO SubRon 4A
To: ComSubRon 4A
Cc: ComSubPac
Date: January 5,1943
Re: Patrol Format (May 01 - Cycle 1)
RMKS/ 1. Departed Midway Island on the morning of December 3rd, 1942. Arrived on station (F_ECS-4) late afternoon of the 15th of December 1942 with 24 Mk-14 torpedoes aboard. Patrolled south and east of Okinawa until the late hours of the 16th with no contacts the moved west to Miyako Retto and patrolled until dark on the 17th with no contacts. With the new SJ Radar we were sure of making contacts but have struck out thus far. After dark on the 17th we headed about 60 miles to the northeast of Keelung Harbor.
RMKS/ 2. December 18, 1942 22:49 the port lookout spotted a lone Sampan bearing 332` at 5,700 yds. I elected no to engage the vessel so as not to reveal my presence in case it was a picket boat. Changed course to the northeast to avoid. At 01:52 the OOD reported that SJ Radar had a contact bearing 060` at 13,310 yds. The radar man reported 4-5 possible contacts. At 02:23 the starboard lookout spotted 1-Mutsuki class DD bearing 085` at 5,650 yds and the XO took us to radar depth. After the dive sonar reported low speed screws trailing aft of the DD. At 02:31 as I made a spot check with the scope I spotted 2-Oil tankers, 1-Armed Merchant and 1-Supply ship bearing 084` at 5,200 yds making an estimated 8.8 kts. The ships were in 2 columns with a Tanker in each column. I prepared to fire a spread at the near Tanker and Armed Merchant as they passed ahead. At 02:49 I fired 2 torpedoes at the near Tanker at 1,620 yds (SUNK) and fired 2 torpedoes at the AMC at 530 yds (1-Premature, 1-Dud). Fired 2 more torpedoes (3rd and 4th) at the AMC at 500 yds (Both Prematured) then dove deep to evade. The DD made a straight approach to my vicinity and unleashed several depth charges which damaged Engines 2, 3, and 4 moderately, plus also damaged the Pressure Hull in Store Room 2, the Conning Tower, and the Officers Quarters. After this initial pass the DD must have been confused by the noise created by its depth charges because it never did reacquire us after that and we began to slip away. By 03:29 the Officers Quarters Hull and the Conning Tower Hull had been repaired. Sonar reported at 03:35 that low speed screws were fixing to pass close ahead and that the DD was searching astern. I ordered periscope depth to take a look and spotted the 2nd Tanker and the Supply ship off my bow. After a quick setup, at 03:37 fired 2 torpedoes at the 2nd tanker at 620 yds. The first torpedo was a dud but the second torpedo caused a massive explosion that sent the ship down (SUNK). I dove to 200 feet heading northwest to avoid the mad DD. I lost sonar contact by 04:36 and arrived radar depth at 04:44 then surfaced minutes later to continue repairs. Damage Control had Engine 3+4 back online by 05:00. SJ picked up a contact bearing 052` at 8,200 yds and after watching it on radar awhile I suspected it was the DD from the maneuvers it made and I cleared the area.
RMKS/ 3. Dove to radar depth at 07:04 as the sun came up and patrolled at minimum speed all day then surfaced at 18:30. At 22:11 SJ Radar made a contact bearing 314` at 7,650 yds. After altering course the port lookout made visual at 22:16 on a Standard Merchant at 7,800 yds making 14 kts but lost visual in a rainsquall. At 00:01 reacquired the SM bearing 292` at 7,000 yds plus an Oil Tanker at 7,000 yds. At 00:18 fired 2 torpedoes at the Tanker at 2,100 yds set for 16 feet (SUNK) and fired 2 torpedoes at the SM set for 16 feet (Hits set it afire). The SM turned south and slowed to 3.3 kts then turned northeast which brought it across my bow. I turned to fire a stern shot and at 00:29 fired 1 torpedo at 890 yds (SUNK). I surfaced at 00:32 and headed northwest.
RMKS/ 4. 08:11 dove to Radar depth at sunrise. At 12:35 sonar reported low speed screws bearing 354`. Made visual at 12:49 on 1-Armed Merchant and 1-Small Freighter making 17.7 kts bearing 310` at 12,000 yds. By 13:01 the range had began to open with the closest range being at 8,900 yds. I secured tracking and watched the ships sail over the horizon. Surfaced after dark at 18:00 and charged the batteries.
RMKS/ 5. Tuesday, December 22,1942, 08:20 SJ contact bearing 315` at 11,210 yds. At 08:22 the lookouts spotted 2 destroyers (1-Kagero, 1-Fubuki) at 11,000 yds and I dove to radar depth to close.08: 36 spotted 2-Small Freighters bearing 350` at 5,800 yds close in to the coast making 8.7 kts. I closed to 7,700 yds and secured after spotting 3 more DD's making the total number of escorts 5. With this shallow water and it getting shallower as I close it was not deemed prudent to attack. I thought about firing a spread set for slow speed but the odds of a hit were to small to warrant expenditure of the torpedoes. I reversed course to the east and stayed submerged awaiting dark then surfaced at 19:11. At 22:46 the OOD reported that the SJ radar had a contact bearing056` at 13,170. At 23:01 lookouts spotted a Fubuki class DD bearing 085` at 6,600 yds and I took the boat to radar depth. At 23:09 I spotted 1-Converted Factory Ship bearing 087` at 5,800 yds making 10 kts. I went to periscope depth and at 23:16 spotted a 2nd CFS and 1-Troop Ship. The port DD passed 700 yds to me starboard on a sweep but failed to pick me up due in part to the heavy seas. I set up a stern shot for the 2nd CFS and the Troop Ship. At 23:28 fired 2 torpedoes at the 2nd CFS at 1,200 yds (MISS) and fired 2 torpedoes at the Troop Ship at 1,220 yds (SUNK) all set for 12 feet. The DD's immediately headed my way and I went deep. The remaining ships reversed to the south and I easily evaded the escorts in the rough weather. Arrived at radar depth at 23:58 and radar picked up ships bearing 147` at 6,200 yds. I turned to intercept and SJ radar reported the range opening. I turned to 075` and surfaced to give chase. At 00:13 lookouts spotted the Kagero DD at 4,700 yds and I went back to radar depth. Lost visual at 00:21 and surfaced to try end around. At 01:27 spotted a CFS bearing 340` at 7,280 yds with the Fubuki DD at 5,700 both heading away into shallow water. I dove to radar depth and turned to clear the area. At 01:50 I surfaced and headed southeast.
RMKS/ 6. Wednesday 23 December 1942, 07:52 SJ radar made contact bearing 033` at 12,000 yds. 07:56 lookouts spotted 1-Standard Merchant bearing 054` at 11,800 yds heading south making 5.8 kts. Seconds later also spotted 1-Tanker and 1-Fubuki DD. 08:38 dove to periscope depth 12,000 yds ahead of the convoy. Identified 1-Standard Merchant, 1-Large Freighter, 1-Tanker, and 1-Fubuki DD's. I let the DD pass 900 yds to starboard then at 09:46 fired 2 torpedoes at the Tanker at 1,850 yds (SUNK) and fired 2 torpedoes at 1,980 yds (MISS) set for 15 feet. After firing I turned east to open out and to bring my stern tubes to bear. One torpedo of the second spread prematured and the convoy turned to starboard. The Tanker was to close to avoid the torpedoes but the Merchant evaded and the torpedo missed astern. I surfaced at 17:57 after seeing the DD\s picking up survivors to my west and I cleared to the east.
RMKS/ 7. Thursday 24 December 1942, 08:02 SJ radar picked up a contact bearing 085` at 11,960 yds. Seven minutes later lookouts spotted 1-Troop Ship, 1-Tanker, 1-Armed Merchant, and 1-Coastal Tanker steaming at 6.8 kts. Dove to periscope depth at 08:20 9,500 yds ahead of the convoy. 09:07 fired 2 torpedoes at the Large Tanker at 1,066 yds set for 15 feet (SUNK). At 09:08 fired 1 torpedo (My last torpedo) at the Coastal Tanker at 922 yds (MISS). The miss was due to a Fire Control Error. They forgot in their rush to reset the depth setting for the shallow draft ship and it passed under the target. 09:22 I battle surfaced to bring my deck gun to bear on the Coastal Tanker. Fired 17 rounds for 15 hits and sent this ship down (SUNK). SJ radar reported the Troop ship 5,200 yds dead ahead so I rang up flank speed to get in range for another deck gun action. Fired a total of 30 rounds for 28 hits (SUNK). After securing the deck gun I set course for Midway Island.
Patrol Summary:
TDC: Auto
Conditions: Enemy Sunk:
Total: 70,720 tons
Enemy Damaged: Enemy Escaped:
1. 3 x Armed Merchants Damage Sustained:
1. Engine's 2 + 3 + 4 - Moderate Torpedo Performance:
Duds - Premature - Misses - Hits Aircraft Encountered: Ordnance Remaining: Comments: A spectacular patrol to say the least. The Jap's don't seem to be making a very strong effort at countering our submarine presence. Attacks or brief and more of a hold down tactic instead of an attempt to destroy. The deck gun crew showed they could effectively be used when the conditions are right. Their marksmanship was wonderful. Request reload and refit.
CDR Greg Turner /SENDS/
Seas: Moderate
Weather: Mostly Cloudy
1. Dec 19,1942, 02:50, Tanker, (13,510 tons), 25-50N x 122-22E
2. Dec 19,1942, 03:37, Tanker, (15,420 tons), 25-50N x 122-20E
3. Dec 21,1942, 00:20, Tanker, (6,560 tons), 25-13N x 125-54E
4. Dec 21,1942, 00:29, Standard Merchant, (6,830 tons), 25-12N x 125-55E
5. Dec 22,1942, 23:29, Troop Ship, (6,160 tons), 26-04N x 127-56E
6. Dec 23,1942, 09:47, Tanker, (10,640 tons), 26-09N x 127-25E
7. Dec 24,1942, 09:08, Tanker, (6,130 tons), 25-47N x 126-55E
8. Dec 24,1942, 09:25, Coastal Tanker, (2,450 tons), 25-48N x 126-56E
9. Dec 24,1942, 09:44, Troop Ship, (3,020 tons), 25-44N x 126-52
None
2. 3 x Fubuki class DD's
3. 3 x Unidentified DD's
4. 2 x Kagero class DD's
5. 2 x Converted Factory Ships
6. 2 x Small Freighters
7. 1 x Supply Ship
8. 1 x Standard Merchant
9. 1 x Mutsuki class DD
10. 1 x Large Freighter
2. Conning Tower Pressure Hull - Moderate
3. Officers Quarters Pressure Hull - Moderate
4. Store Room 2 Pressure Hull - Moderate
- 3 -------- 4 --------- 4 ------ 13
0
Torpedoes: 0
Deck Gun: 48
CO USS Grouper
XO SubRon 4A