Props, after 8 patrols in the GATO and twice refusing a new boat after the third and sixth patrols, I was given an upgrade for the conning tower! The refit included space for 2 40mm Bofors, which I was able to add in port. I must say the refit came after a stupendously successful mission to the Carolines from Midway. I have to tell you about it, not that it is necessarily on topic.
On that patrol, I was laying on the surface about two miles off the western approach to Truk Lagoon when the radar operator detected a large group leaving Truk. Turned out to be a Yamato class BB, two Kongo class BB's, two Tone class CA's, and one fleet carrier, along with only four escort DD's (how's that for arrogance!). I had a full load of Mark XVI long range, high speed torpedos.
The range to the farthest Kongo was about 7,000 yards, well within range but just barely in visual range. I fired one at her aiming for the bow. After waiting about 30 seconds, I fired four at the Yamato's bow area, followed by one at the nearest Kongo. Before any hits, I went to flank and hard left rudder to bring the stern tubes to bear. All six bow torpedos hit, but the one at the farthest Kongo was a dud. The stern torpedos then stopped the Yamato and the closest Kongo dead in the water, and sank the nearest Tone. The fourth one hit the other Tone.
By the time the forward tubes were reloaded the remaining ships were either dead in the water or running at about 4 knots (!), including the second Kongo, which had turned and was coming back towards Truk. The escorts were roaming around looking where I wasn't. A single torpedo just under the forward turret of the returning Kongo detonated the magazine. It was a spectacular series of explosions before it went down like a $2 (oops!). The rest was a methodical slaughter. Two to the carrier, three to the Yamato, followed by three shots from the stern tubes and four more from the reloaded bow tubes finished every single capital ship. With one stern torpedo remaining, we took out a DD that crossed our stern at 1400 yards. That was the only DD that even came close to finding us. The total tonnage was approximately 181k. I know it is unrealistic to use auto-targeting, but it was still a thrill to wipe out almost an entire TF at 75% difficulty. I love those Mark 16's. Thanks for lowering the cost this time around.
This was the first Silver Star received, and the first conning tower refit, which by the way really looks cool! I made one more patrol in the Gato, and this time when I was offered a new boat I took the Balao. Humph. No Bofors, just twin 20mm's, and I had to repurchase the radars and 5" deck gun. Oh well. I'm off to do more mayhem. I'm still not certain how the math works on the conning tower upgrade vs new sub, but at least I proved to myself that you can turn down new boats and still eventually get a conning tower upgrade.
