[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update V2.0
100 difficulty
cams off, map contacts on (for this patrol)


With the loss of NAUTILUS due to friendly fire after 14 patrols. Decided
wanted to get back into the thick of things and test out some stuff in a 1944 career. So got a GATO and randomly assigned USS BARB SS-220 which I was happy with. BARB is the subject of many "historic contacts" , traffic I added to campaign, based on real ships, which can be located and sunk at or near
the actual dates and times of sinking by a particular sub.

Since started in Jan 1944, which is before the skipper would who make her famous (Fluckey) took over, I started the career under her previous skippers name and took the objectives assigned. I plan to change the name etc when appropriate time period comes about. BARB was assigned to Area 8 for this patrol, a prime area especially in 1944. This was one of the new patrol objectives I added to campaign.


________________________________________________
WAR PATROL REPORT
USS BARB SS-220
WAR PATROL SIX
8 JANUARY-14 February 1944
AREA 8
LCDR J.R. WATERMAN, USN.

PROLOGUE
Overhaul completed at San Francisco Navy Yard, departed 23 December 1943, arrived Pearl Harbor 1 January 1944.
Commenced pre patrol training, including doctrinal depth charges and firing
of practice torpedoes. Loaded eighteen MK 14-1A torpedoes and six MK 23-1A torpedoes 6-7 January along with provisions and other ammunition. Ready for sea 8 January 1944.



NARRATIVE

*All times are local*


8 January
______________


0900 Underway from Pearl Harbor in accordance with COMSUBPAC Operation Order 09-44 with PC-461 as escort.

1245 Escort detached. Signaled X GOD SPEED BARB X

1530 Dive.

1545 Surfaced

1550 En route Midway Island course 284 15.5 knots.



9 January
______________

En route Midway Island
Course 284 degrees Speed 15.5 knots.


0700 Dive

0800 Surface

0900- Conducted Dive, Gunnery, Emergency, and Torpedo Fire Control drills.
1230

1700 Conduct crash dive drills, simulated aircraft spotting.

1730 Surfaced


10 January
_____________
En route Midway
Course 284 degrees Speed 15.5 knots.


0700 Dive

0730 Surface

1300- Conducted Gunnery, Dive, Emergency drills.
1500


11 January
____________

0825 Rendezvoused with Escort. PC-191 outside Midway reef.

0900 Docked at Submarine Tender, Midway Island.
Topped off fuel and provisions.

1315 Departed Midway for patrol area in company with PC-191

1430 Dive

1445 Surfaced

1700 PC-191 detached. Signaled "BON VOYAGE BARB X GOOD HUNTING X


12 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0800 Dive

0815 Surfaced



13 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0800 Dive

0815 Surfaced



14 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots


0800 Dive

0815 Surfaced


15 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0800 Dive

0815 Surfaced



16 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0800 Dive

0815 Surfaced



17 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0900 Dive

0915 Surfaced



18 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0940 Dive

1000 Surfaced




19 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots
Curiously, no aircraft contacts as transited North of Wake
and Marcus Islands last few days. Can only surmise
recent carrier air strikes have neutralized the increasingly isolated
islands as air bases. However, we remain alert for contacts.

0940 Dive

1001 Surfaced



20 January
____________

En route to patrol area.
Course 271 degrees Speed 14 knots

0945 Dive

1005 Surfaced

1233 Spotted vessel bearing 333 16202 yards (SJ range)
off Sofu Gan. Possible picket or weather vessel.
Spotted Sofu Gan. (Ship Contact No.1)

1234 Dive

1236 Depth 150 ft. Speed 6 kts
closed target on course 245.

1239 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO

1348 Periscope depth.
Course 198 Speed 2.5 kts
Observed a weather tug/picket anchored 5200 yards SE Sofu Gan.
Continued approach for torpedo attack.

1357 Periscope depth 64 ft. As scope was raising, three large explosions to
port rocked BARB.
Spotted BETTY speeding along at 300 ft, climbing. Apparently
BARB spotted during approach. Ordered 200 feet. No damage reported.
Vessel fired at our periscope as went down. (Aircraft Contact No.1)

1402 While at 200 ft, aircraft depth charged BARB again. Charges exploded
above. Ordered 300 ft. Tug heard underway on sound.

1450- Attempted to rise to periscope depth several times for attack on tug.
1700 However, aircraft remained in area preventing this. Tug was underway
and maneuvered out of range.

1705 Secured GQ.

2234 Surfaced



21 January
____________

Course 265 degrees Speed 10.5 knots
until dawn, increased to 14.5 knots
until night fall.


0936 SD contact 18228 yds. Night flyer closing, fast!
(Aircraft Contact No.2)

0939 Series of large explosions heard, astern.
Given still dark and not likely BARB was sighted,
likely that aircraft equipped with radar.


1113 Just after dawn, came to periscope depth.

1130 Surfaced

1539 SD contact 19950 yds closing, fast!
Dive (Aircraft Contact No.3)

1542 Depth 150 ft.


1544 Explosions of depth charges/bombs audible through hull,
not close. BARB really stirred the hornets nest as
believed radar equipped aircraft dispatched to search by day
and night for submarine contact off Sofu Gan. This
is slowly our transit and it is regrettable we were contacted
before entering patrol area.

1600 Turned to course 180, 4 kts submerged
until dark. Course change meant
to confuse enemy searches.

2146 Periscope Depth. SD mast extended.

2230 Surfaced



22 January
_____________

En route assigned area.
Course 220 Speed 10 kts


0000 Entered Area CORRIDOR I adjacent to our
assigned area.

0300 Increased speed to 15.5 kts.


0500 Turned to Course 260 10 kts


0901 Spotted surfaced submarine bearing 096
at 6500 yds. Appeared to be GATO Class,
Likely TRIGGER as transiting her assigned
area. Unable to exchange recognition signals,
turned to course 180 at flank speed
to put her astern. (Ship Contact No.2)

1103 Dive

1133 Surfaced

1135 Course 261 Speed 14 kts.


23 January
_____________

TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1


0000 Entered Area 8, began North-South
patrol line along suspected shipping route.


0010 Seas picked up. Strong chop but not heavy. Clear skies, low moonlight,
Winds at 17.50 kts direction 114 degrees.


0100 SJ contacts bearing 355 28500 yds.
Multiple pips, appeared to be convoy.
Course 310 at speed 17 kts to intercept.
Tracking party called to stations.

0109 Increased to Flank speed to close.

0114 Slowed to 15.5 kts.

0115 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE

0124 Spotted convoy bearing 235 10000 yds
Course 133 degrees Speed 10 knots

0125 Sent Contact Report to COMSUBPAC
Convoy Sighted
28-49N 132-39E in Area 8
Estimated Course 133 degrees
Estimated Course 10 kts.

0132 3000 yards off to port of
convoy track. Convoy appeared to be
six merchants in loose formation with one
escort forward, one astern.


0136 Forward escort identified as MIKURA Type B Escort Vessel
Rear escort appears to be DE type.

0149 Near firing point, convoy made what appeared to be
routine zig to SW.

0151 Flank speed, turned to course 105 to pull away from convoy.
Rear escort, began high speed sweep along port side of convoy
BARB was not spotted, this was believed to be routine escort maneuver
as convoy showed no sign of alert.

0153 Rear escort bearing 175 4000 yards.
Identified as Otori Class Torpedo Boat/Escort.


0155 Paralleled convoy on course 188 to pull ahead for
attack.


0345 Convoy zigged to port course 160.
BARB maneuvered to regain position quickly
to fire from starboard side of convoy.

0400 Fired Tubes 1,2,3 at Target No.1
:20

0400: Fired tubes 4,5,6 at Target No.2
45

0402 Torpedoes impacted Target No.1
Large fires observed on target.

0403 Torpedoes impacted Target No.2
Large fires observed on target.

After torpedo impacts, BARB came under heavy machine gun,
deck gun fire, illuminated by strong searchlights aboard
Target No.2 (MIIKE MARU) during turn away.
Lead MIKURA escort came aboard, fired two star shells
above BARB and began closing at high speed.

Several rounds of machine gun/auto cannon fire hit BARB's superstructure
but caused no serious damage. Several deck gun splashes observed
, closed about twenty yards off starboard beam during turn away.


0405 Otori Class Torpedo Boat rear escort observed pouring on the coals
speeding BARB's way. The choppy seas made it initially difficult to reach
above 19 kts during initial get away but 20 knts was reached.

0412 Otori bearing 180 fired several rounds forward guns
Splashes landed well ahead of BARB. One
flew low and heard it roar over the
periscope shears, splashed into sea about thirty yards
off port bow of BAR. However, range continued to open
so remained on surface.

0415 Began end around for follow up attack.
Observed AK AKAMA MARU 5425 tons sink at
28-32 N 132-38 E.


0416 Depth charge explosions observed/heard 6000 yards astern.
Enemy believes BARB submerged. Poor whale/fish taking our punishment.


0421 Observed AK MIIKE MARU 11800 tons sink
at 28-32 N 132-38 E.


0426 Tracking large pip believed to be AK making a solo run from area.
Bold strategy. BARB closed contact at high speed.

0450 Spotted AK bearing 292 10,170 yards.

0503 Turned about, began to back towards target
for stern shot.

0525 Target identified as AK HIYAMA MARU 7145 tons.
Course 160 Speed variations of 7-10 knots
zigging along course.

0526 Report of enemy pip closing range fast on
SJ radar, appears to be escort coming to join the
party.

0538 AK HIYAMA MARU changed course 280, possibly to rejoin
convoy. Escort closing high speed bearing 130 7000 yards
Closing range fast.


0541 HIYAMA MARU suddenly turned hard starboard to course 345, instead of zigging back towards BARB as anticipated HIYAMA MARU increased speed to twenty knots ruining stern shot. Vessel also fired several rounds from her aft deck gun in BARB's direction. BARB turned to pursue, moving to her starboard to avoid oncoming escort now just 5000 yards bearing 335, identified as Otori Class Torpedo Boat. escort (interesting tactics AI pulled here)


0618 Unable to catch HIYAMA MARU, as rejoined other merchant vessels,
another AK was on course to cross our stern for perfect setup.
Switched targets to AK similar to JOKUJA MARU 7390 tons.

0630 JOKUJA MARU turned North, away from BARB.

0634 As pursuit of JOKUJA MARU was going on. HIYAMA MARU again
towards BARB.


0636 Otori spotted bearing 170 5000 yards, closing.

0637 HIYAMA MARU turned away high speed, firing deck guns
and machine guns/auto cannons at BARB.
Star shell illuminated area.
Otori observed heading BARB direction.
Ordered flank speed on course 035

0640 Otori was now chasing BARB range 6000 yards bearing 180, closing.

0650 Otori slowed suddenly, then turned back
for convoy. BARB secured GQ and ordered
forward tubes reloaded. Would end around for follow up
attack, before dawn if possible. This would give the
convoy a chance to calm down.

0937 Regained SJ contact after end around.
Bearing 009 28,350 yards.

0956 Ahead of convoy, waiting for anticipated dawn zig for
dawn attack. Visibility now too great for surface attack.

1022 Convoy made dawn zig to SE.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2

1043 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SUBMERGED

1101 Submerged for attack.


1106 Depth 300 ft for high speed run to close range.

1128 Periscope depth.
Observed convoy on course 160 degrees
to being stern tubes to bear on
convoy.

1148 Tubes, 7,8,9,10 made ready for firing.

1152 Fired tubes 7,8,9

1153 All three torpedoes impacted as aimed.

1154 Small fire observed, vessel lost way.
Engine noises ceased on sound.

1155 List to starboard developed on target.

1156 Lifeboats (two) observed from AK KANAGA MARU. Vessel low in water,
sinking on even keel.
Pings. Otori observed closing, Mikura escort observed closing as well
high speed. Ordered 300 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

1157 Passed thermal layer 195 ft.

1159 Pinging

1202 DC explosions astern, not close.

1203 Enemy above to port. Splashes.

1204 DC explosions. Close. Real tooth shakers.
BARB at 350 ft depth. Most charges seem above.

1206 Second escort above. Many splashes.
DC explosions. All were above, not too close.

1207 BARB leveled off at 370 ft.

1209 Pinging

1211 Depth Charge explosions, distant.

1212 Sounds of ship breaking up audible on sound gear
from last bearing of target attacked.

1213 Multiple DC explosions astern.
Pinging from closing escort.

1215 Pinging on short scale. Enemy closing high speed.

1216 Enemy above. Many splashes.

1217 DC explosions.


1221 Pinging. Distant DC explosions.
BARB at 375 ft

1223 Enemy crossing bow above.
One DC explosion, above aft.

1224 One DC explosion to port.

1226 Pinging.

1227 Enemy crossing bow, above.
Splashes. Ordered AHEAD FLANK!
BARB at 382 ft.
Boat shaken by DC explosions.

1230 Pinging

1238 Distant DC explosions

1248 Pinging.
More distant DC explosions.

1251 Enemy above.
Splashes.
BARB at depth of 390 ft

1252 DC explosions.

1310 Sound reported enemy heading away at high speed.

1332 Believe one escort departed to rejoin convoy.
Other remained in area estimated 5000 yards, hunting.
Occasional ping heard but did not appear to
have contact with BARB.

1416 Secured GQ
Escort remains in area hunting.
Maintained Silent Running.
Course 256 Speed 2.5 kts
Depth 390 ft.

1500 Damage assessment show BARB faired well
in depth charge attack. Only some light bulbs
and glass fixture busted. Minor piping
and air line leaks in conning tower and control room.


1510 Enemy remains in area about 7000-10000 yards astern.
Occasional sporadic explosions heard.

1630 Turned to course 332 degrees

1945 Lost Sound contact.
Secured Silent Running.

1948 Tubes 7,8,9 ordered reloaded.
BARB to depth of 300 ft.


2306 Periscope depth.
Night settled in.
All clear.
Seas remain choppy.

2308 Radar depth for SJ/SD sweep.

2315 Surfaced.


24 January
_____________

0000 Position: 28-22N 132-23E
Course 320
Speed 10 kts
Proceeded to Northern section
of Area 8.

1150 Dive. Submerging for day to allow
maintenance and rest of crew.

1151 SD contact 30380 yards (Aircraft Contact No.4)
Contact made just after dive alarm sounded
before SD was secured.

1157 Course 010
Speed 3 kts
Depth 300 ft

2214 Surfaced.



25 January
_____________

1100 Dive

1130 Surfaced



26 January
_____________

TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3

0103 SJ contacts bearing 009 12153 yards
PPI showed eight pips, one lead, one astern.
Definitely six ship convoy with two escorts.
(Ship Contact No.4)

0110 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SURFACE

0130 Convoy zigged to starboard on course 186 degrees.

0211 Approaching from port of convoy for attack.

0212 Contact Report sent to COMSUBPAC
Convoy Sighted 29-17N 132-42E
Estimated Course/Speed
187 degrees 7 knots

0250 Fired tubes 1,2, Target No.1
Fired Tubes 3,4, Target No.2
Tubes 5,6, failed to fire, unknown damage

0252 All torpedoes hit their targets. Both vessels
caught fire. BARB came under no fire,
as was not spotted, in spite of star shells
and search lights.

0300 AK 5000 tons sunk.

0315 AK 5000 tons sunk.

0322 Tubes 5,6, now functional.

0337 Approaching from starboard for attack.

0343 Inside scattered convoy large AK bearing 335 3000 yards closing.
Escort vessel bearing 030 4000 yards.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.4

0348 Fired tubes 5,6,

0349 torpedo impacts!
Both hit

0350 During away large AK 2100 yards bearing 340 accelerated towards BARB to ram.
Illuminated BARB with searchlight, opened fire with machine guns, auto cannon, and forward deck gun.
Forward deck gun fire was not accurate, but multiple machine gun rounds hit BARB's bridge and deck. On the bridge, QM2c John C. Clark was seriously wounded by gunfire. BARB raced away at high speed, avoided ramming and gunfire, with nearby escort vessel in pursuit.

0351 Several large shell splashes off port and starboard bow, one was about 20 ft away. Escort opened fire. Star shells. SJ reports bearing and range of second escort rapidly decreasing, likely heading for the BARB.

0418 Escort turned back to rejoin remainder of convoy. BARB slowed and began working for attack position with stern tubes.

0546 3000 yards off convoy track. Convoy on course 140 at 6 knots constant zig along track. Three AK, one escort vessel. Second escort 8000 yards astern hunting.

0552 Tubes 7,8,9,10 made ready for firing.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.5

0606 AK zigged towards BARB. Fired tubes 8,9,10

0608 Torpedo impact!
All three torpedoes hit stern area of target.
Stern appears blown off.

Volley of machine gun fire was lobbed BARB's way as she went
to flank speed to open range. Some rounds hit the BARB
but no damage or injuries occurred.

0609 Escort appeared to have spotted BARB, racing in, guns blazing.
Star shells illuminated BARB.

0615 Large AK sunk by stern.


0620 Escort suddenly ended pursuit, turned back to guard convoy.
Barb slowed for torpedo reload. Four torpedoes remain forward compartment,
two in aft. Shadowed convoy for one more surface attack before dawn.
Just two merchant vessels out of original six remain.

0740 SD contact 8900 yards closing, fast! Night flyer.
Dive! (Aircraft Contact No.5)

0742 BARB leveled off 150 ft.
Series of explosions astern above.
Likely night flyer had radar.
Secured GQ to rest crew while wait
enemy out.


0845 Sound reported warship closing fast, bearing 200.
Appears aircraft vectored in one of the escorts.


0900 Escort arrived in general vicinity of BARB.

0914 Escort passed above, several pings heard
BARB at 300 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

0920 Depth charge explosions about 4000 yards to port.


0940 Sound reported escort departing high speed.


1000 Periscope depth. Extended SD mast.

1002 SD contact 11000 yards, steady.
Contact appears to be circling area.

1005 Surfaced for end around.


1300 Unable to regain contact within area. Turned for Northern part of area.

1505 Spotted debris field one of earlier sinking bearing 353.
29-18N 142-40E Debris from AK AKAMA MARU.

1900 Seas calmed. Wind speed 0 knots.


27 January
____________


1100 Dive

1120 Surface

2149 SD Contact 13500 yds closing.
(Aircraft Contact No.6)

2152 BARB at 150 ft.
Series of explosions heard.
Bomb/depth charges from aircraft.

2300 Surfaced.


28 January
_____________


0927 SJ Contact bearing 038 27500 yds
Eight pips. Lead and rear are likely escorts of convoy.
(Ship Contact No.4)


0937 Convoy will be out of area shortly after noon.
Not enough daylight, too much moonlight for
surface attack, opted for night time periscope attack.

0938 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SUBMERGED

0951 Convoy zigged to port.
Convoy course 015
Increased speed, now in position
to attack port column instead of starboard.

0958 Contact Report Sent to COMSUBPAC
Convoy Sighted 31-08N 132-35E
Estimated Course/Speed
014 degrees 8 kts

1001 Submerged for attack.

1004 Depth 90 ft for approach.

1007 Pinging. BARB detected. Enemy escort closing fast.
Ordered 300 ft, rigged for depth charge and silent running.

1011 Enemy above. Splashes heard.
DC explosions as BARB passed 292 ft.

1012 Damage Reported (See DAMAGE DEFECTS section).


1015 Pinging

1016 Enemy above. Ordered 350 ft. Flank speed

1017 DC explosions.

1018 Second escort above.
Many splashes and DC explosions.

1020 BARB at 370 ft

1023 DC explosions

1024 DC explosions, boat shaken. Depth 380 ft.

1025 Damage reported. Flooding in aft torpedo room
Flooding in forward torpedo room.
Damage Control Parties assigned


1030 Flooding stopped in forward torpedo room.

1036 Flooding in aft torpedo under control.
Increased speed to compensate.

1044 Very close pattern of DC explosions.

1056 Water pumped from Aft torpedo room.
Boat returned to trim.

1058 Enemy above. Splashes

1059 DC explosions. BARB at 394 ft.

1059: Depth charge heard bouncing off aft deck. Distinctive "CLANG" heard.
35

1100 DC explosion below, real tooth shaker.

1102 Close DC. Boat shaken.

1130 One enemy escort heard leaving area high speed.

1546 Lost contact with enemy.

1600 Secured GQ.

1900 Secured silent running. Remained at 300 ft.

2240 Periscope depth. Neither periscope functional, apparently
damaged in attack.

2242 Radar depth. All clear.

2244 Surfaced.

2250 Damage Control Party assigned to repair periscopes.



29 January
____________


0939 SJ contact bearing 355 28000 yds.
Two pips. Set course to close contact.
(Ship Contact No. 7)

1000 Visual contact bearing 330.
Contact is two DD's, a patrol.
Due to material condition of boat, avoided contact.

1443 SD contact 16000 yards closing.
(Aircraft Contact No. 7)

1444 Submerge

1625 Surfaced


31 January
_____________

1100 Dive

1125 Surface



1 February
____________
1105 Dive

1125 Surface


2 February
____________

0000 Both periscopes unable to be repaired at sea.
Sent report to COMSUBPAC. Received permission to return
to Pearl Harbor.



3 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

1045 Dive

1100 Surfaced



4 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

1045 Dive

1100 Surfaced




5 February
___________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

1045 Dive

1100 Surfaced



6 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor

1045 Dive

1100 Surfaced



7 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

0930 Dive

1000 Surfaced



8 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

0930 Dive

1000 Surfaced


8 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

0915 Dive

0930 Surfaced


9 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor via Midway

0915 Dive

0930 Surfaced



10 February
____________

1200 Docked Midway.
Topped off fuel.

1800 Departed Midway for Pearl Harbor.


11 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor

0830 Dive

0845 Surfaced



12 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor

0830 Dive

0845 Surfaced



13 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor

0830 Dive

0845 Surfaced



14 February
____________

En route Pearl Harbor

0730 Dive

0745 Surfaced

1130 Arrived Pearl Harbor. Terminated War Patrol.


CONTACTS

Aircraft Contacts
(at initial contact)

*All times are local*

NO.1
DATE 1944/01/20
TIME 1357
LAT 29-47N
LOG 140-23E
BRG 264
RNG 2000 yds
CRS 110
SPD 200 kts
ALT 300 ft
HOW Visual
TYPE G4M BETTY
REMARK
Bombed/depth charged BARB at periscope depth.



NO.2
DATE 1944/01/21
TIME 0936
LAT 29-40N
LOG 138-15E
BRG --
RNG 18228 yds
CRS --
SPD --
ALT 1000 ft
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK
Night flyer. Dropped bombs/depth charges near
location after BARB submerged. Likely
equipped with radar as could not have visually sighted
the boat.


NO.3
DATE 1944/01/21
TIME 1539
LAT 29-38N
LOG 137-27E
BRG --
RNG 19950 yds
CRS --
SPD --
ALT 1500 ft
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK
Dropped bombs/depth charges, explosions heard.
Possible radar equipped.


NO.4
DATE 1944/01/24
TIME 1151
LAT 29-59N
LOG 131-43E
BRG --
RNG 30380 yds
CRS --
SPD --
ALT 1100 ft
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK
While submerging just after dawn (local)



NO.5
DATE 1944/01/26
TIME 0740
LAT 28-49N
LOG 132-40E
BRG --
RNG 8900 yds
CRS --
SPD --
ALT 1000 ft
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK

Aircraft likely called in
due to reports of being attack.
Believe aircraft had radar
as it located BARB in rthe dark and bombed at site of dive
Enemy escort a was vectored in.


NO.6
DATE 1944/01/27
TIME 2149
LAT 30-14N
LOG 131-16E
BRG --
RNG 13500 yds
CRS --
SPD --
ALT 1000 ft
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK
Dropped bombs/depth charges
Likley radar equipped aircraft.


NO.7
DATE 1944/01/29
TIME 1443
LAT 29-46N
LOG 133-51E
BRG --
RNG 16000 yds
CRS --
SPD --
ALT 1000 ft
HOW SD only
TYPE --
REMARK


Ship Contacts
(at initial contact)


NO.1
DATE 1944/01/20
TIME 1233
LAT 29-47N
LOG 140-23E
BRG 333
RNG 16202 yds
CRS 108
SPD 0 kts
HOW Visual
TYPE
Weather tug/picket. Anchored.
Armed with 3 inch gun forward, machine guns mounted amidships.
Various antennae spotted.


NO.2
DATE 1944/01/22
TIME 0901
LAT 28-27N
LOG 135-46E
BRG 096
RNG 6500 yds
CRS 178
SPD 14 kts
HOW Visual
TYPE SS
Appear to be US submarine of GATO Class.
Likely TRIGGER as were transiting her
area CORRIDOR I.


NO.3
DATE 1944/01/23
TIME 0100
LAT 28-47N
LOG 132-51E
BRG 355
RNG 28500 yds
CRS 133
SPD 10 kts
HOW SJ
TYPE
AK, AK, AK, AK, AK, AK SC, TB
TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1
TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2


NO.4
DATE 1944/01/26
TIME 0103
LAT 29-33N
LOG 132-43E
BRG 009
RNG 12153 yds
CRS 155
SPD 8 kts
HOW SJ
TYPE AK,AK,AK,AK,AK, EV,EV
TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3
TORPEDO ATTACK NO.4
TORPEDO ATTACK NO.5




NO.5
DATE 1944/01/28
TIME 0927
LAT 31-11N
LOG 132-31E
BRG 038
RNG 27500 yds
CRS 321
SPD 8 kts
HOW SJ
TYPE Convoy, two escorts, unsure of composition.



NO.7
DATE 1944/01/28
TIME 0939
LAT 30-5N
LOG 133-52E
BRG 355
RNG 28000 yds
CRS 200
SPD 16 kts
HOW SJ
TYPE DD, DD
REMARK
Patrol



WEATHER

Weather en route to patrol area and while in area was calm, warm, and comfortable for most of the patrol.
While in area for a few days seas did increase with 4-6 foot waves, winds 17-18 knots. Moonlight was
on most night almost nonexistent providing ideal conditions for night surface attacks.

Some squalls and rough seas were encountered en route to Pearl Harbor from assigned area but
nothing unusual.


ATTACK DATA


Five torpedo attacks were conducted on this patrol, with a total of eighteen torpedoes fired
for seven ships sunk.All torpedoes functioned properly to our knowledge. Four of five attacks conducted
were on the surface, at night against convoys. Submerged day attack was made on convoy previously attacked
during the night. A attempted submerged night time attack was made, but a alert escort detected BARB
and prevented attack.



TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1
1944/01/23 0400
28-3N 132-38E

Ships Sunk-

AK AKAMA MARU 5425 tons
28-3N 132-38E
1944/01/23 0415

AK MIIKE MARU 11800 tons
28-32N 132-38E

Verified by-
Observed torpedoes hit and vessels sink.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2
1944/01/23 1152
29-18N 142-40E

Ships Sunk-

AK KANAGA MARU 4923 tons
29-18N 142-40E
1944/01/23 1212

Verified by-
Observed solid torpedo hits in vessel, vessel sinking.
Clearly audible sounds of vessel breaking up/sinking.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3
1944/01/26 0250
29-26N 133-0E

Ships Sunk-

AK Unidentified MARU 5000 tons
1944/01/26 0300
29-17N 132-42E

AK Unidentified MARU 5000 tons
1944/01/26 0315
29-17N 132-42E

Verified by-
Observed torpedoes hit and targets sink.



TORPEDO ATTACK NO.4
1944/01/26 0348
27-17N 132-42E

Ships Sunk-

AK Unidentified MARU 7000 tons
1944/01/26
27-17N 132-42E


Verified by-
Observe target sink after torpedo hits.


TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5
1944/01/26 0606
27-18N 132-35E

Ships Sunk-

* Identity not confirmed, vessel similar to class named.

AK HIYAMA MARU* 7145 tons
1944/01/26 0615
27-18N 132-35E

Verified by-
Observed three torpedoes hit target in stern.
Stern blown off of target. Observed target sink
visually and disappear from PPI scope.




MINES

No enemy mines were encountered


NAVIGATIONAL AIDES

Sofu Gan served as a navigational aid. Otherwise the open sea area provided
no aides.


THERMAL LAYERS

Thermal layers were encountered at 195 feet
and 270 ft.



SOUND CONDITIONS AND SOUND GEAR

Sound conditions were generally favorable in patrol area.

Sound gear functioned well, with a marked decline due to damage taken
in depth charge attacks.



RADAR

SJ

Newly installed SJ-1 Radar and PPI scope worked well in detecting and tracking convoys.
As a policy, SJ sweeps are conducted every quarter hour when on surfaced.
Typical detection range was about 25000 yards.

SD

SD Radar function was adequate, although appears to have difficulty tracking
aicraft beyond 10000 yards when at altitudes at altitude of 1000 feet or less.


RADIO

Radio function was normal throughout patrol.


ANTI-SUBMARINE COUNTERMEASURES AND EVASION

Countermeasures

Overall, enemy ASW measures were standard. Each convoy encountered had two escorts. Lead escort made sweeps to each side of
the convoys path forward roughly every fifteen minutes, aft escort did the same, but often
conducted sweeps 5000-10000 yards to the rear quarters of the convoys. Rear escort is typically a DE
or in our case Otori class torpedo boats, capable of high speeds to conduct this manner of escort and patrol.

Enemy aircraft were encountered almost daily in patrol area, with one called in following a series of attacks
on 26 January that left four enemy ships sunk, out of six in the convoy (not including two escorts). This aircraft
was a night flyer and most likely had radar as it closed in on BARB , forcing a dive. Explosions of bombs were heard above,
indicating BARB was detected beyond visual range , at night.

Night flyer, possibly equipped with radar were encountered en route to area as well. Following a attempted attack
on a weather tug off Sofu Gan, in which a BETTY that was in area spotted BARB at periscope depth during approach
and bombed us. For two days and nights aircraft flew in the area along our base course, forcing several dives, and were
bombed nearly every time, even at night. Again, the pinpointing of our location beyond visual range,
in particular at night, indicates aircraft armed with radar.

Open ocean patrols by teams of first line Destroyers were
contacted, indicating a strengthened ASW presence, along with aircraft in the vital sea
lanes in which BARB was assigned.


Enemy depth charge attacks were effective on this patrol. Japanese escorts appear to be equipped with
new, more powerful depth charges along with improved sound gear. Team tactics including
attacks in rapid succession were used by enemy in both attacks. After some time, one would rejoin convoy while
other kept submarine pinned down permitting their charges to open the range for escape.

While the ASW vessels were effective, a major flaw is neigh kept their attacks beyond a few hours,
departing to rejoin. This is particularly true for the second attack on 28 January, as BARB had serious damage, the early termination of the attack provided much needed relief.


Evasion

Evasion of enemy aircraft consisted of a dive to 150 feet for 30-90 minutes, followed
by a sweep at periscope depth with SD via extended mast.

Forces hunting for BARB following encounter off Sofu Gan were evaded by a course change and high speed run further South-East into southern part of
area in lieu of maintaining base course. This tactic proved successful as there were no more contacts until reached assigned area.

Evasion of depth charges consisted of diving to 300 feet, rigged for silent running,
with five to degrees rudder applied to port or starboard at nearly all times, this served
to confused enemy as to our exact heading. After first run, BARB descended to 350 ft, then 375 ft.
These left typically charges or most exploding above the BARB.However, BARB was forced to 390 feet to get
below the enemy's sonar and depth charge patterns.
Once at 390 ft, the enemy appeared to have difficulty, overall, tracking BARB.

When a enemy would be directly above, a "burst" of speed would by used by ordering
'Ahead Flank' for thirty seconds, reducing to ahead standard and then back
to 1/3 after thirty seconds.


MAJOR DAMAGE AND DEFECTS

Defects

No major material defects occurred on this patrol.


Damage

All damage repaired at sea unless otherwise indicated.

Depth Charge Attack No.1
1944/01/23

1.Hydraulic Pump

2.Leaks-Piping

3.High Pressure Air Lines

4. Light Bulbs

5. Glass Fixtures


Depth Charge Attack No.2
1944/01/28


1. No.1 Observation Periscope Head- Unable to repair at sea.
2. No.2 Attack Periscope Head- Unable to repair at sea.
3. Forward Torpedo room flooding- One and a half foot of water pumped
from compartment.
4. Forward Batteries
5. JP Listening Gear
6. Dive Planes-Forward Transmission
7. SJ Radar Antenna
8. SD Radar Antenna
9. Torpedo Tube No.4
10. Compressor
11. Trim Pump
12. Hydraulic Pump
11. Stern Batteries
12. No.2 Diesel
13. No.4 Diesel
14. No.1 Electric Motor
15. No.3 Electric Motor
16. Port Propeller Shaft- Unable to fully repair at sea, knocked out of alignment.
17. Dive Planes-Aft Transmission
18. No.10 Torpedo Tube
19. No.7 Torpedo Tube
20. 4" 50 Caliber Forward Mounted Deck Gun- Training and Elevation function limited.Unable to fully repair at sea.

21. Numerous water lines, piping, in all compartments developed leaks.
A persistent leak in conning tower was not resolved for nearly twenty four
hours.
22. High Pressure Air Lines in all compartments leaked.
23. Light Bulbs and Glass fixtures in all compartments busted.
24. Six inches of water in Aft Torpedo Room-Pump from compartment
and bilges.


PERSONNEL

Crew of the BARB performed well throughout a busy and challenging patrol.
Eight men advanced in rating during this patrol
Eleven men qualified during this patrol.

QM2c John C. Clark was wounded by machine gun fire during night surface attack.
Clark was on the bridge as a forward lookout beside the Commanding Officer and Battle Stations OOD when just after torpedo impact, during BARB's turn away, a barrage of machine gun fire hit the forward deck with a few rounds hitting the lower shears and bridge area.
Although wounded, Clark remained at his post until relieved and overall had recovered by the time BARB returned from patrol.


HEALTHY AND HABITABILITY

Crew morale and health on the patrol were excellent. No doubt this was assisted
by well prepared meals, generally pleasant weather, and the sinking of seven enemy vessels.



MILES STEAMED FUEL-CONSUMED


Pearl to Midway
1350 Miles 16550 Gallons

Midway to Area
3400 Miles 44865 Gallons

In Area
5000 Miles 66,288 gallons

Area to Midway
3500 Miles 64944 gallons

Midway to Pearl
1350 Miles 16745 gallons




DURATION
Days
Total 44.5

Pearl to Midway 3.5

Midway to Area 14

In Area 9

Area to Midway 14

Midway to Pearl 4



FACTORS IN ENDURANCE

Torpedoes 6

Fuel 30,144 Gallons

Provisions 34 days

Crew Indefinite

Factor in Termination of patrol-Damage
Both periscopes damaged beyond repair.


REMARKS

A highly successful patrol, BARB's best to date with seven ships sunk. Area 8 proved to contain vital
North/South sea lanes. Three convoys, two Southbound and one Northbound were encountered in the within five days of one another in patrol area. Enemy air and surface patrols, along with escorts
protected these convoys well. Enemy frequently uses zigs and course changes to thwart attacks.

Finally, the it is regrettable BARB had to depart early for home with six torpedoes left (four forward, two aft) due to irreparable damage to both periscopes, but BARB and her crew remain proud of what were able to accomplish in just nine days on station.

J.R. Waterman