//IMMEDIATE//
From: LCDR Greg Turner (USS Plunger, SS-179)
To: ComSubRon 10A
Cc: ComSubPac
Date: March 15,1942
Re: Patrol Format (Feb01-Cycle2)
RMKS/ 1. Arrived on station off northern Japan mid afternoon of the 15th of February 1942 with 16 Steam torpedoes aboard. Started patrol southeast of Tokyo bay just south of Boso Hanto. Due to rough seas and overcast skies I remained surfaced to search for traffic. At 11:09 dove to periscope depth to close on a small convoy consisting of 1 - Fubuki DD, 1 - Mutsuki DD, 2 - Troop ships, 1 - Standard Merchant, and 1 - Small Freighter all bearing 043` at 11,600 yds By 11:25 I was 1,400 yds ahead of the convoy and at 11:32 fired 1 torpedo at the Merchant at 1,100 yds only to see it detonate prematurely seconds later. Immediately fired a 2nd torpedo at the Merchant at 1,130 yds (Miss) then dove as the DD's began heading my direction. At 11:41 a DD passed overhead and dropped depth charges that shook things up. At 11:55 a depth charge destroyed the deck gun and caused minor damage to the Officers Quarters Pressure hull. At 12:19 another depth charge pattern damaged the Aft Torpedo Room Hull, Motor Room Hull, Forward Torpedo Room Hull, Forward Battery, Radio, and the Stern Dive Planes. The damaged hull compartments began taking on water rather fast. After receiving 30 depth charges and due to flooding I elected to head to periscope depth to fight it out with the DD's. At 12:35 fired 2 torpedoes at the Fubuki class DD at 875 yards bearing 020`. The 1st torpedo prematured but the 2nd torpedo hit and destroyed the DD (SUNK). At 12:37 fired 1 torpedo at the Mutsuki DD at 843 yards bearing 341` (Miss). Fired a 2nd torpedo at 602 (Miss). I turned northeast as the DD passed down my port side and dropped 3 depth charges. At 12:42 turned northwest as sonar reported slow speed screws in that direction. Mutsuki DD passed down my port side headed north toward the slow moving contact. At 12:45 turned southeast to clear the area. At 12:48 lookouts spotted 1 Troop Ship at 4,800 yds bearing 205` making 6.4 kts. Set intercept course. At 12:52 Troop Ship turned south and I reversed course to intercept as the DD picked up survivors from the Fubuki DD I sank. At 13:16 fired 1 torpedo at the Troop Ship bearing 052` at 830 yds set for 5 feet deep (SUNK). I went to 200 feet and turned south to clear the area. At 14:21 lost sonar contact on the DD and went to periscope depth. Sonar reported low speed screws bearing 214` but no visual was made so I elected to wait for dark to surface and charge the batteries.
RMKS/ 2. 18:13 surfaced to complete repairs to the dive planes and charge the batteries. Completed charging by 23:00 and continued patrolling. 06:21 periscope lookout sighted 2 - Merchants making 9.5 kts at 3,500 bearing 030`. I ordered flank speed to intercept and also spotted 1 - Kagero class DD bearing 345` at 2,800 yds. 06:40 surfaced as the DD crossed over to the far side of the Merchants and spotted an additional Small Freighter. 06:51 dove to periscope depth as the DD crossed back over to my side. Lost convoy minutes later and continued patrolling. At 14:30 lookouts spotted a mast bearing 130` at 11,000 yds making 8.9 kts. Identified 1 - Merchant and 2 - Small Freighters. At 15:02 fired 2 torpedoes at the Merchant at 580 yds set fro a depth of 18 feet. Both torpedoes hit but failed to detonate. Immediately fired 2 more torpedoes at 530 yds and these to hit but failed to detonate. Surfaced at 15:08 to get ahead of one of the Small Freighters to fire a stern shot because the merchant pulled away at 14.8 kts. At 15:29 fired 1 torpedo (My last Forward one) at Freighter at 730 yds set for a depth of 10 feet (Passed Under). Turned and fired a 2nd torpedo # 5 tube at Freighter at 800 feet set at a depth of 7 feet (Passed Under). At 15:45 fired 3rd torpedo # 6 tube at 500 yds (Miss Astern). While reloading the last 2 stern torpedoes I headed after the Small Freighter 7,000 yds to starboard. At 16:22 fired 1 torpedo at 2nd Freighter at 870 yds (DAM) and set it afire. 16:23 fired my last torpedo at Freighter at 1,050 yds and (Missed) as the Freighter turned to port. Being out of torpedoes and having no operational deck gun I set course for Pearl Harbor.
Patrol Summary:
TDC: Auto
Conditions:
Seas: Moderate Enemy Sunk:
Enemy Damaged:
1. 1 x Small Freighter
Enemy Escaped:
1. 4 x Standard Merchants Damage Sustained:
1. Aft Torpedoes Room Hull - Moderate Ordnance Remaining: Comments: A disappointing patrol in terms of torpedo performance. 4 - Duds, 4 - Deep runners, 3 - Misses, 2 - Premature and only 3 - on target detonations. Request refit.
LCDR Greg Turner /SENDS/
Visibility: Mostly Cloudy
1. Feb 19, Troop Ship, (5,270 tons), 34-41N x 140-06E
2. Feb 19, Fubuki DD, (2,090 tons), 34-42N x 140-08E
Total: 7,360 tons
2. 3 x Small Freighters
3. 1 x Troop Ship
4. 1 x Mutsuki DD
5. 1 x Kagero DD
2. Forward Torpedo Room Hull - Moderate
3. Motor Room Hull - Moderate
4. Forward Battery - Moderate
5. Radio - Moderate
6. Stern Dive Planes - Moderate
Torpedoes: 0
Deck Gun: 95
(USS Plunger, SS-179)