From: CAPT. Greg Turner (USS Whale)
ComSubRon 12A
To: ComSubSoWesPac/ComSubPac
Date: June 13,1944
Re: Patrol Format (Sept 01 - Cycle 2)
RMKS/ 1. Left Pearl Harbor on 4 June,1944 enroute to the Philippine Islands . Arrived on station about 21:00 7 June,1944. Had aboard 24 - MK-14 torpedo's.
RMKS/ 2. 15:43 SJ radar reported contact bearing 335` at 31,890 yds. I set an intercept course. Lookouts spotted a large patrol composed of 2 Destroyers and I crash dived to avoid. The patrol closed within 2,000 yds but failed to make contact on me possibly due to a thermal layer at 150 feet. I stay submerged and listened as the patrol faded out to our port beam. After dark at 18:27 I surfaced and continued to my specific assigned patrol zone.
RMKS/ 3. At 18:40 SJ radar reported contact bearing 330` at 28,520 yds. My very alert lookouts spotted the lead ships of a convoy at 19:21. I began maneuvering to pass ahead of the convoy so as to bring the stern tubes to bear first when on a periscope sweep I waited to long to submerge and the periscope was hit by a fast Standard Merchant that disabled my scope. No other damage was found. After the convoy passed I surfaced to try an end around while my XO seen if the scope could be repaired. XO Marshall reported that the lense in the scope had been destroyed and we would not be able to make submerged attacks.
RMKS/ 4. I ran at flank speed to the seaward side of the convoy then crossed ahead using the radar to track the convoy. After getting on the inland side of the convoy I prepared for a TBT attack on the surface. Lookouts reported when the single DD escort passed astern of the convoy and I moved in to fire. At 00:52 I fired 2 torpedo's at a Converted Factory at 2,002 yds (DAM) and fired 2 torpedo's at a Large Freighter from 2,450 yds. These torpedo's passed under the target due to a fire control problem. I dove deep to avoid the single DD.
RMKS/ 5. After coming to radar depth at 01:21 I watched the convoy disband and scatter. I picked out 2 ships heading north on the radar and surfaced and gave chase. After lengthy run lookouts spotted the 2 ships at anchor on a shallow coastal shelf and identified 1 - Standard Merchant and 1 - Supply ship. I eased in to firing position from the south and fired on the Merchant at 03:06 from 2,600 yds with torpedo depth set at 22 feet. (SUNK) The Merchant went up with a magnificent roar and settled on an even keel with the superstructure above the water. At 03:26 I fired 1 torpedo at the Supply from 3,000 yds and watched it premature around a thousand yds short of the target. While trying to figure what happened the Chief of Fire Control reported they had set the torpedo depth wrong and suspected the torpedo had hit a reef. I had the depth reset to 9 feet and fired a second torpedo which also detonated short of target. After resetting depth to 5 feet I fired a 3rd torpedo and watched it premature. Not wanting to set the torpedo to run on the surface I set depth at 2 feet and fired a 4th torpedo, which finally got over the reef and promptly sank the supply ship (SUNK). After securing from battle stations I headed out of the area at flank speed in case the DD came to investigate.
RMKS/ 6. 8 June,1944 08:14 SJ contact bearing 353` at 31,000 yds. Being daylight I was submerged and unable to see what was coming my way. Sound reported at least 7 sets of high-speed screws passing to port. I waited at 350 feet for the convoy or task force to clear the area then had a brief talk with my department heads upon which I decided to return to Fremantle at dark . I did not think the risk was worth taking without use of the periscope.
Patrol Summary:
TDC: Auto
Conditions: Enemy Sunk:
Total: 14,550 tons
Enemy Damaged: Enemy Escaped: Damage Sustained: Torpedo Performance:
Duds - Premature - Misses - Hits Aircraft Encountered: Depth Charges Received: Ordnance Remaining:
Torpedoes: 12 - MK 14 Steam Comments: This makes the second patrol in which my scope was disabled. I am reviewing my attack procedures in depth. I sternly admonished my Fire Control and Torpedo crews for not getting the depth setting s correct. I have ordered my XO to establish round the clock drills while returning to port to get the standards of the USS Whale back up to par. I take full responsibility for allowing the scope to be damaged this patrol. It was an inexcusable action that caused its destruction. Request refit and reload.
CAPT. Greg Turner
Seas: Moderate
Weather: Partly Cloudy
1. June 07,1944, 00:52, Standard Merchant, (7,210 tons), 14-21N x 146-38E
2. June 07,1944, 03:25, Supply, (3,190 tons), 14-21N x 146-38E
1. 1 x Large Freighter
1. 1 x Converted Factory
2. 1 x Large Freighter
3. 1 x Troop ship
4. 1 x DD unidentified
1. Periscope Destroyed
-0 -------- 3 ---------- 2 ------- 7
0
0
Deck Gun: 95
CO USS Whale
CO SubRon 12A