[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update BH V2.0
100 difficulty. Cams and Contacts off.




War Patrol Report
USS Cisco SS-290
War Patrol TWO
10 November-



PROLOGUE
__________

Returned to Brisbane, Australia from First War Patrol on 18 October 1943.
Normal refit conducted by tender U.S.S FULTON (AS-11). Liberty for crew followed
by training period 4-8 November. sixteen MK 14-2A torpedoes loaded along with
provisions 7-9 November. Per CTF 42 Secret Operation Order No.21-43, loaded cargo 8-9 November. Ready for sea 10 November.



NARRATIVE
_________


November 10
------------


0800 Underway for special mission in company with GRAYFISH per CTF 42 Secret Operation Order
No.21-43.

0900 Rendezvoused with Escort (HMAS Katoonmba) in Moreton Bay.

1230 Departed company with escort.

1800 Departed company with GRAYFISH at dusk. Set course for Darwin via Torres Strait.


November 11-15
--------------

En route Darwin.


November 16
------------

1830 Docked at Darwin, Australia.


November 17
-----------
0700 Departed Darwin, Australia.


November 18-20
-------------------

En route to complete special mission.


November 21
----------------

2030 Began transit Sibutu Passage Northbound.

2055 SJ contact bearing 017 19000 yards. (Ship Contact No.1)

2100 SJ contacts began rapidly closing on CISCO.
Turned to avoid at flank speed.

2104 One DD spotted astern bearing 170. GENERAL QUARTERS

2110 Unable to outrun pursuing DD. Dive!

2111 Passed 100 ft. Rigged for Silent Running. Rigged for Depth Charge.

2112 Passed Thermal layer at 150 ft.

2118 Leveled off at 500 ft. Enemy nearby, searching.

2119 Pinging.

2121 Splashes. (Depth Charge Attack No.1)

2122 DC explosions.

2124 More explosions.

November 22
------------

0100 Enemy lost contact. CISCO at 600 ft.

0300 Lost contact with enemy. Secured GQ, Maintained silent running.

2000 Surfaced, began second attempt to transit Sibutu Pass.

2152 SJ Contacts bearing 093 18500 yards. Maneuvered to avoid. (Ship Contact No.2)


November 23
---------------

0130 Cleared Sibutu Pass. Set course for Negros Island.


0644 SJ Contacts bearing 311 18500 yds.(Ship Contact No.3)

0700 Identified as two DE type vessels on patrol, avoided.


November 24
-----------

En route Negros Island.

0345 Off Negros Island, reconnoitered area.

0401 Spotted two fishing boats bearing 012 8000 yard (Ship Contact No.4)
Avoided.

0404 Submerged.


0700 Began periscope reconnoiter of Basay, Negros area.


2050 Spotted security signal ashore.

2100 Surfaced.

2156 Deployed rubber boat with cargo.

2321 Deployed rubber boat with cargo.

2350 Special Mission completed. Departed area to conduct patrol in Area F4.


November 25
-----------

Patrol in area. Uneventful.


November 26
-----------

Patrol in area. Uneventful.


November 27
-----------

1958 SJ contact bearing 014 16200 yards(Ship Contact No.5)

2015 Spotted gunboat, identified as Karatsu ex USS Luzon PG-47.
Due to heavy seas preventing torpedo attack on shallow draft target,
avoided.


November 28
---------------

Patrol in area. Uneventful.


November 29
---------------

Per COMTF42, rotated to Area F5 in the Sulu Sea.


November 30
---------------

Patrolled approaches North of Sibutu Pass.


December 1
-----------

1410 SJ contacts bearing 285 18100 yards. (Ship Contact No.6)

1425 Two PC. Avoided.


December 2
-------------

Patrol in area.

2100 Received orders from CTF 42 to proceed to area VINEYARD.

2300 Began transit of Sibutu Pass Southbound



December 3
-------------

0133 SJ Contacts bearing 354 18050 yards (Ship Contact No.7)
DD patrol in Sibutu Pass. Avoided.


0145 Gained position astern of DD patrol at 11000 yards as moved
south.

0420 Exited Sibutu Pass-South.

0435 Lost SJ contact.

0938 SD contact 11000 yards. Simultaneously spotted by lookouts. Dive!
(Aircraft Contact No.1)

0943 Thermal layer at 148 ft.



December 4
-------------

En route to new area.


December 5
-------------

0000 Entered area VINEYARD.

0841 Aircraft Spotted! Bearing 015 9000 yards. Dive! (Aircraft Contact No.2)

0842 As CISCO passed 130 feet, three large explosions rocked the boat.
Serious Damage Reported (See MAJOR DAMAGE AND DEFECTS for full report)

0843 Aft torpedo and Aft engine rooms report flooding. GENERAL QUARTERS
called, Damage Control party formed and assigned to combat flooding.

0850 Began to experience trouble maintaining desired depth as boat drifted from
150 ft to 160 ft.

0855 Flooding reported under control. Several feet of water in aft torpedo
and engine room compartments. Depth 164 ft.

1200 Secured GQ. DC party disbanded. Watch sections continued required repairs in in compartments.
Engineering Officer began inspection of boat.

1230 Periscope depth. H6K MAVIS spotted bearing 072 7000 yards, still hunting in the area.Went to 200 feet.

2005 Surfaced.



December 6
-----------

0425 Heavy rains. Winds 21 knots direction 178.


0500 Inspection completed. Starboard propeller shaft
repaired much as possible, but was found out of alignment which
reduced maximum speed. Possible noise hazard as well.



December 7
--------------

Storms in area.


December 8
-------------

Storms in area.

1700 Storms ceased. Seas remained heavy. Winds 30 kts directions 257.


December 9
-------------


1843 SD contact 24100 yards.(Aircraft Contact No.3) Dive.


2010 Surfaced.


December 10
--------------

1252 SD contact 20500 yards closing. Dive. (Aircraft Contact No.4)

1519 Surfaced.


December 11
--------------

1141 Aircraft spotted bearing 093 8000 yards! Dive! (Aircraft Contact No.5)
Aircraft (BETTY) flying in low fast, strafing with guns. Several rounds hit
CISCO.

1142 Passed 75 feet, several large explosions, not close.

1530 Surfaced.

1745 SD contact 16,200 yards.(Aircraft Contact No.6)

1747 150 ft.

1748 Explosions above, not close.

1957 Surfaced.


December 12
---------------

Patrol in area. Uneventful.


December 13
---------------

0710 Received Contact Report om Large Convoy
that should pass through assigned area.
Set course to intercept.

1209 SD contact 18000 yards. Closing. (Aircraft Contact No.7)
Dive!

1303 Surfaced.


1645 SD contact 16600 yards closing. Dive! (Aircraft Contact No.8)


1648 Explosions, not close.


1900 Surfaced.


December 14
---------------

Searched for convoy. Unable to locate. Possibly avoided area
due to aircraft spotting reports.


December 15
---------------

0000 Set course per CTF 42 order to terminate patrol at Milne Bay, New Guinea due
to fuel status.


December 16
---------------

En route Milne Bay.

TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1


0830 During morning trim dive, sound detected distant props bearing 343.

0840 Surfaced. Set course to investigate sound contact.

0917 Smoke spotted bearing 355 8 miles.
(Ship Contact No.8)

0918 Contact Report sent to CTF42. Serial 20041B
Convoy Sighted 4-02N 132-08E
One AK, One AO, one SC
Course 275 Speed 9 kts.


0919 Submerged for attack. Went to 400 ft to conduct high
speed run to close for attack.


0922 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO.


0946 Periscope depth. One SC leading one mid sized AK and one large AO astern.
Course 275 speed 9 kts.

1000 Tubes 1,2,3,4,5,6 made ready to fire.


1014 Fired tubes 1,2,3,4,5,6 at AO. Range 1469 yards.


1016 Four of six torpedoes hit target, setting it ablaze.
Tanker was empty of fuel as did not "blow up" in character of
loaded tankers. However, tanker keel was split amidships.

1017 Pinging began immediately. Ordered 450 ft, rigged for depth
charge adn silent running.

1019 Thermal layer at 158 ft.

1021 Enemy above, splashes. (Depth Charge Attack No.2)

1022 Explosions, astern, no close. CISCO at 450 ft.

1027 Enemy above. Splashes.

1028 Explosions. Not close.

1053 Depth: 575 ft.

1125 Enemy appeared to lose contact. CISCO at
depth of 585 ft.

1230 Secured GQ and rig for depth charge. Maintained Silent Running.

1800 Secured Silent Running

2000 Surfaced.


December 17
---------------

1750 SD contact 19100 yards (Aircraft Contact No.9)

1751 Dive.



December 18-21
-------------------

En route Milne Bay.


December 22
---------------

0730 Docked at Milne Bay, New Guinea. Terminated war patrol.



WEATHER
________


Weather throughout the patrol was overall pleasant, almost yachting like.
A few days of high winds with heavy seas and seasonal storms plagued us
in area.



CONTACTS
_________




Ships
-------


No.1
DATE 1943/11/21
TIME 2055
LAT 4-40N
LOG 119-41E
BRG 017
RNG 19000 yds
CRS 170
SPD 20+
HOW SJ-Visual
TYPE DD,DD
REMARK
Depth Charge Attack No.1
Believe DD radar equipped.


No.2
DATE 1943/11/22
TIME 2152
LAT 5-30N
LOG 119-30E
BRG 093
RNG 18500 yds
CRS 130
SPD 16 kts
HOW SJ-Visual
TYPE DD,DD
REMARK
Patrol in Sibutu Pass.



No.3
DATE 1943/11/23
TIME 0644
LAT 7-40N
LOG 120-30E
BRG 311
RNG 18500 yds
CRS 220
SPD 16 kts
HOW SJ-Visual
TYPE DE,DE
REMARK
Patrol in Sulu Sea.



No.4
DATE 1943/11/24
TIME 0401
LAT 9-23N
LOG 122-28E
BRG 093
RNG 8000 yds
CRS 310
SPD 7 kts
HOW Visual
TYPE Fishing Boat, Fishing Boat
REMARK



No.5
DATE 1943/11/27
TIME 1958
LAT 9-0N
LOG 122-0E
BRG 014
RNG 16200 yds
CRS 200
SPD 13 kts
HOW SJ-Visual
TYPE Gunboat
REMARK



No.6
DATE 1943/12/01
TIME 1410
LAT 9-58N
LOG 121-35E
BRG 285
RNG 18100 yds
CRS 144
SPD 15 kts
HOW SJ-Visual
TYPE PC,PC
REMARK


No.7
DATE 1943/12/03
TIME 0133
LAT 4-55N
LOG 119-37E
BRG 354
RNG 18050 yds
CRS 170
SPD 17 kts
HOW SJ-Visual
TYPE DD,DD
REMARK
DD patrol Sibutu Pass.


No.8
DATE 1943/12/17
TIME 0917
LAT 4-05N
LOG 132-08E
BRG 355
RNG 16200 yds
CRS 270
SPD 9 kts
HOW Visual
TYPE AK,AO,SC
REMARK
Torpedo Attack No.1




AIRCRAFT
--------

NO.1
DATE 1943/12/03
TIME 0938
LAT 4-42N
LOG 121-1E
BRG 092
RNG 11000 yds
ALT 800
SPD 200
CRS 345
HOW SD-Visual
TYPE G4M BETTY
REMARK

NO.2
DATE 1943/12/05
TIME 0841
LAT 6-20N
LOG 128-0E
BRG 015
RNG 9000 yds
ALT 600 ft
SPD 160-180 kts
CRS 225
HOW Visual only
TYPE H6K MAVIS
REMARK
Bombed by AC. Heavy damage.




NO.3
DATE 1943/12/09
TIME 1843
LAT 7-0N
LOG 128-44E
BRG --
RNG 24100 yds
ALT --
SPD --
CRS --
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK


NO.4
DATE 1943/12/10
TIME 1252
LAT 6-24N
LOG 127-55E
BRG --
RNG 20500 yds
ALT --
SPD --
CRS --
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK


NO.5
DATE 1943/12/11
TIME 1141
LAT 5-44N
LOG 129-51E
BRG 093
RNG 8000 yds
ALT 500
SPD 180 kts
CRS 270
HOW Visual only
TYPE G4M Betty
REMARK
Bombed/Strafed by aircraft. No damage.


No.6
DATE 1943/12/11
TIME 1745
LAT 5-44N
LOG 129-51E
BRG --
RNG 16200 yds
ALT --
SPD --
CRS --
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK
Bombed by aircraft, no damage.


No.7
DATE 1943/12/13
TIME 1209
LAT 5-50N
LOG 128-0E
BRG --
RNG 18000 yds
ALT --
SPD --
CRS --
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK


No.8
DATE 1943/12/13
TIME 1645
LAT 5-30N
LOG 128-50E
BRG --
RNG 16600 yds
ALT --
SPD --
CRS --
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK
Bombed by aircraft.



No.9
DATE 1943/12/17
TIME 1750
LAT 2-11N
LOG 136-18E
BRG --
RNG 19100 yds
ALT --
SPD --
CRS --
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK


ATTACK DATA
____________


USS CISCO SS-290 TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1
WAR PATROL NO.2 DATE: 1943/12/16 TIME: 1014
LAT:4-05N LOG:132-08E

------------------------------------------------

TYPE OF ATTACK Submerged-Periscope-Day

SHIPS SUNK
AO AKATSUKI MARU
10000 tons

Verification:
Observed four torpedo impacts. Vessel keel split in two, sunk.

SHIPS PROBABLY SUNK
None

SHIPS DAMAGED
None

SHIPS PROBABLY DAMAGED
None




TARGET DATA (at firing)
--------------------------------

CLASS AO
NAME AKATSUKI MARU
TONS 10000
DRAFT 28.2 ft
MAST 98.4 ft
CRS 275
SPD 9 kts
AOB 84 P
RNG 1469 yds
BRG 000
TRUE BRG 006
REMARK
Tanker not believed loaded with fuel/oil as did
not "blow up" in manner characteristic of
a loaded tanker.

4 inch guns forward, aft.



TORPEDO FIRE CONTROL DATA (at firing)
----------------------------------------------

TUBE NO.1
TYPE MK 14-2A
SERIAL NO.39450
EXPLODER MK 6-2
SERIAL NO.6300
GYRO 347 P
COURSE 353
TRACK 97 P
METHOD Constant Bearing
SPREAD Divergent
INTERVAL 4 seconds
POWER High
DEPTH 11 ft
POA MOT
ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
ACTUAL ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
HIT Yes
POI MOT
ERRATIC No
MALFUNCTION No
REMARK


TUBE NO.2
TYPE MK 14-2A
SERIAL NO.39451
EXPLODER MK 6-2
SERIAL NO.6301
GYRO 347 P
COURSE 353
TRACK 97 P
METHOD Constant Bearing
SPREAD Divergent
INTERVAL 4 seconds
POWER High
DEPTH 11 ft
POA MOT
ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
ACTUAL ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
HIT Yes
POI MOT
ERRATIC No
MALFUNCTION No
REMARK


TUBE NO.3
TYPE MK 14-2A
SERIAL NO.39452
EXPLODER MK 6-2
SERIAL NO.6302
GYRO 347 P
COURSE 353
TRACK 97 P
METHOD Constant Bearing
SPREAD Divergent
INTERVAL 4 seconds
POWER High
DEPTH 11 ft
POA Aft Stack
ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
ACTUAL ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
HIT Yes
POI Aft Stack
ERRATIC No
MALFUNCTION No
REMARK


TUBE NO.4
TYPE MK 14-2A
SERIAL NO.39453
EXPLODER MK 6-2
SERIAL NO.6303
GYRO 347 P
COURSE 353
TRACK 97 P
METHOD Constant Bearing
SPREAD Divergent
INTERVAL 4 seconds
POWER High
DEPTH 11 ft
POA Fore Mast
ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
ACTUAL ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
HIT Yes
POI Bow
ERRATIC No
MALFUNCTION No
REMARK

TUBE NO.5
TYPE MK 14-2A
SERIAL NO.39454
EXPLODER MK 6-2
SERIAL NO.6304
GYRO 347 P
COURSE 353
TRACK 97 P
METHOD Constant Bearing
SPREAD Divergent
INTERVAL 4 seconds
POWER High
DEPTH 11 ft
POA +1 starboard
ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
ACTUAL ACTUATION --
HIT No
POI --
ERRATIC No
MALFUNCTION No
REMARK
Torpedo missed when target slowed after
four previous hits.



TUBE NO.6
TYPE MK 14-2A
SERIAL NO.39455
EXPLODER MK 6-2
SERIAL NO.6305
GYRO 347 P
COURSE 353
TRACK 97 P
METHOD Constant Bearing
SPREAD Divergent
INTERVAL 4 seconds
POWER High
DEPTH 11 ft
POA MOT+1 port
ACTUATION Magnetic-Contact
ACTUAL ACTUATION --
HIT No
POI --
ERRATIC No
MALFUNCTION No
REMARK
Torpedo missed when target slowed after
four previous hits.



OWN SHIP DATA (at firing)
--------------------------

DEPTH 61 ft
COURSE 010
SPEED 2.5 kts
ANGLE 2-down
SEA STATE Choppy
REMARK



NAVIGATIONAL AIDES
___________________

Lights in the Sibutu Pass were spotted in Tawi Tawi area and aided
in navigation.



ANTI-SUBMARINE COUNTERMEASURES AND EVASION
___________________________________________

DEPTH CHARGE ATTACK NO.1
-------------------------

Enemy DD's in Sibutu Pass detected CISCO on the surface
in excess of 10000 yards at night. Given there is no likely
way CISCO was visually spotted, it is concluded they were radar equipped.


Unable to outrun fleet type destroyers, CISCO submerged.
Enemy Destroyer's were first team and located CISCO
via active sonar at depth of 400 ft. The attack was fairly standard
for Japanese ASW. However, enemy sonar capabilities seemed
improved as they did not seem to lose solid contact with CISCO
until reached a depth of 550 ft.


Evasion consisted of depth and course changes along with "bursts" of speed
when enemy was above, preparing to drop depth charges.



Depth Charge Attack No.2
-------------------------

This depth charge attack conducted by the lone escort,
a Auxiliary Subchaser of about 1000 tons was ineffective.
After CISCO reached 500 ft, the enemy seemed to have difficulty
maintaining solid contact with CISCO. The choppy sea state
and thermal layers no doubt contributed to this as well.

Evasion consisted of depth and course changes along with "bursts" of speed
when enemy was above, preparing to drop depth charges.


DAMAGE AND DEFECTS
_________________________

Damage
------

Serious damage occurred courtesy of aircraft dropped
depth charges/bombs on 5 December. All damage repaired
at sea unless otherwise indicated.


1. Starboard prop shaft-Unable to completely repair
at sea. Speed reduced by 1-1.5 kts.

2. Forward Batteries-Recharge capacity limited to 96 percent.


3. Flooding Aft Torpedo Room. Leaks repaired, two feet of
water pumped out.

4. Flooding Aft Engine Room. Leaks repaired, three feet of water
pumped out.

5. Trim Pump

6. Hydraulic Pump

7. No.1 Electric Motor

8. No.2 Electric Motor

9. Aft Batteries

10. Stern Dive Plane Transmission

11. Rudder Transmission

12. No.2 Diesel Engine

13. No.4 Diesel Engine

14. No.1 Periscope

15. No.2 Periscope

16. No.7 Torpedo Tube

17. No.9 Torpedo Tube

18. No.10 Torpedo Tube

19. Compressor

20. Light Bulbs- All compartments

21. Glass Fixtures-All compartments.

22. Aft Deck 20mm Gun.


Defects
-------

No major material defects occurred on this patrol.



SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS
_______________________________

Sound gear functioned well on this patrol.

Sound conditions in area were overall optimal.
Typical sound detection range was in excess of 15000 yards
with precise tracking possible around 15000 yards.



THERMAL LAYERS
______________

Thermal layers were encountered at 148ft, 150 ft, 158 ft.



MINES
_____

No mines were encountered on this patrol.




RADAR
______


SJ

SJ Radar performed well overall with typical
detection range of 18000 yards.


SD

SD radar performance was normal. Several aircraft
were not detected due to flying at or below 1000 ft.
This includes the aircraft which was able to damage
CISCO on 5 December.




RADIO
______

Radio function was normal throughout
the patrol.


TORPEDO PERFORMANCE
____________________

Torpedo performance was much improved
over previous patrols. No premature detonations
occurred nor did any dud torpedoes occur.


SPECIAL MISSION
________________

Approximately six tons of supplies were stored aboard and
transported to Basay, Negros, Philippine Islands.

To make room for these supplies eight torpedoes (four forward, four aft)
were omitted on this patrol.


Mission was conducted according to plan upon sighting of security signals ashore.
Supplies were covertly sent ashore to friendly forces via rubber boat.

Special Mission successfully completed.



PERSONNEL
_________

Crew performance was overall excellent on this patrol.

Crew Stats
-----------

Officers: 7
Chief Petty Officers: 7
Men: 65
Total: 79

One Officer and ten men Qualified in Submarines
on this patrol.

Eight men advanced in Rating on this patrol.


One TM3c and one MoMM3c were detached
at Milne Bay due to combat fatigue.



HEALTH AND HABITABILITY
_______________________

Heath and Habitability on this patrol were overall excellent.
Meals were well prepared and generally favorable weather
for most of patrol.

Damage inflicted by aircraft bombs/depth charges did
cause a period of stress but this was handled well by majority of crew.
Two individuals were "broken" by the situation, sedated, and removed from duty
for several days. These men were detached at Milne Bay.




MILES STEAMED-FUEL CONSUMED
____________________________

MILES GALLONS
Brisbane to Darwin 2320 16250
Darwin to Area 1750 22400
In Area 5000 40100
Area to Vineyard 850 12250
In Vineyard 4500 31600
Vineyard to Milne Bay 1950 28900




DURATION OF PATROL
___________________

DAYS
Brisbane to Darwin 7
Darwin to Area 9
In Areas 16
Area to Milne Bay 10



FACTORS IN DURATION
___________________


TORPEDOES:10
FUEL: 30100 gallons
PROVISIONS: 39 days
CREW: Indefinite

Factor in termination of patrol : Fuel Status/Battle Damage.



REMARKS
________


A successful and somewhat eventful patrol. Areas patrolled upon
completion of special mission were surprisingly void of shipping.

Third assigned area did have a convoy pass through but it managed
to evade with course changes. However, if had more fuel and thus time
on station, it is likely would have located further shipping.

Torpedo performance in the lone torpedo attack of this patrol was excellent.
All four torpedoes which found their target detonated properly, sinking
a valuable 10,000 ton enemy tanker. The two misses were assured hits but as last two torpedoes fired,
the tanker was slowed by the four hits, causing a miss. Six torpedoes were fired as a precaution to ensure sinking the tanker as fuel status prevented any further pursuit in event of miss or malfunction.

SD radar's inability to detect contacts at lower altitudes continues
to be a liability on patrol. Damage sustained on 5 December by aircraft
bombs/depth charges were a direct result of SD failing to detect low flying
aircraft at distance to provide enough time to dive safely.


J.W Coe