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Old 05-08-22, 07:51 PM   #5257
Bubblehead1980
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Default USS BARB SS-220 WAR PATROL TWO 23 December 1942- 3 February 1943.

TMO Update BH V2.0
100 difficulty, cams and contacts off.


*This report will different in format as for some reason my notes and data for patrol were not properly saved and are incomplete, so will provide a summary of activities*



PROLOGUE


Returned from First War Patrol, arrived BASE II Rosneath, Scotland and moored with tender USS BEAVER on 24 November 1942. Commenced standard refit. Twin 20 MM AA gun replaced single 20 MM. Three replacement torpedoes loaded along with provisions. Ready for sea 23 December 1942.



NARRATIVE


Departed BASE II, Rosneath Scotland for assigned patrol area in approaches West of the Bay of Biscay.

Proceeded down the West Coast of Ireland to assigned area at 15.5 knots by day and 10 knots during night time hours. Submerged to avoid aircraft on SD multiple times. While likely friendly, this was done to avoid friendly fire incidents. Arrived in area on 28 December 1942.

Conduct submerged patrol initially but heavy seas necessitated surfaced patrolling after 31 December. Over next 20 days no contacts were made, aside from one large flying boat believed to be German Luftwaffe. BARB was not detected.


Finally, at 1053 on 21 January, a SJ contact bearing 049 17600 yards was made. BARB headed for contact at flank speed to intercept.Vessel was soon tentatively identified as a surfaced U Boat, judging by course believed to be inbound to French coastal ports. GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO was called and BARB submerged for attack at 1141. Upon submerging, BARB approached rigged for silent running at 100 feet, just below a thermal layer at 95 feet.


At 1213, BARB came to periscope depth and could make out the outline of a surfaced submarine on the horizon. Plot soon showed submarine on course 030 at 16 knots. BARB went back to 100 feet and continued approach. BARB rose to periscope depth for attack at 1235 with tubes ready to fire, torpedoes set to depth of 6 feet.

Upon raising of scope, boat was clearly identified as a Gato Class Fleet Submarine, believed to the SHAD en route home. To avoid confusion, BARB went to 150 feet and turned away , secured from GQ and remained submerged rest of the day, surfacing at 1900. No message regarding a submarine transiting our area was received.


BARB continued patrol in area, as approached thirty days and thus expiration of our time on station. Storms settled in during this time, making for a rough few days.


At 2118 on 24 January, BARB received a ULTRA ordering a search within 100 nautical miles of 44-50N 24-30W for damaged U-Boat and another en route to provided assistance. Set course for area West of current position. Course 258 at 18 knts.


En route to the search area, weather calmed but a strong chop remained in the seas. Upon arriving began search of area. Arrived in search area just after midnight on 27 January and began search. Submerged during daylight hours and searched, considering U Boat most likely would do this and did not want to expose BARB to submerged attack with her on surface. Surfaced at dark and continued search.

At 1805 SJ Contact was made, bearing 030 13250 yards. BARB submerged to close contact and went to GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO.


After a long slow approach with no sound contact, came to periscope depth to find two large submarines, tentatively identified as U Boats Type 9, surfaced and alongside one another., with the one to starboard and farther away from BARB just slightly ahead of the closest one.

All bow tubes were made ready to fire and set to 6 feet depth. BARB closed to 1000 yards and at 2131 fired six MK 14 torpedoes.


Three torpedoes hit the closest U Boat, which quickly disappeared beneath the waves. Torpedo number four prematurely detonated just a few yards from second U Boat. This U-Boat was now underway, but given its proximity to three torpedo explosions appeared damaged. However, it was able to speed up enough to avoid the second and third torpedoes, which passed astern. Second torpedo reaching end of its run sometime later and the third detonating itself about 10 seconds after missing the target.


BARB was already swinging around and plotting to fire a stern shot at the now underway U Boat. Four torpedoes were soon fired, but just after firing U Boat disappeared, apparently submerged, all torpedoes missed.

BARB went to 150 feet, rigged for silent running, and collision. Sound never made contact with the U Boat again. BARB secured from GQ and remained submerged in area throughout the day, surfacing at 1900 hours.
Attempting to locate U boat again and wreckage but unable. Per orders, turned for home after midnight.

Passage home from 29 January- 3 February was uneventful. At 1001 on 3 February moored alongside USS BEAVER at BASE II, Rosneath, Scotland and terminated war patrol.



Patrol Data

Duration of patrol: 40 days

Torpedo Attacks 1

Torpedoes Fired 10

Torpedo Hits 3.

Ships Sunk 1 Type 9 U-Boat 1051 tons


Ships Damaged 1Type 9 U-Boat 1051 tons


* Surfaced AI U boats/submarines can not actually submerge in SH 4. However, many are set to randomly reach a last waypoint and "delete" , which view through periscope can appear to be a dive as they gradually fade away from visual/sonar/radar. Also possible this sub sunk due to damage sustained with its close proximity to 3 torpedo hits on other sub.
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