Originally Posted by ConvoyHunting
PATROL 1 (06.08.1942 - 14.09.1942)
Skipper : Lt Cdr Arthur Wellman
Boat : SS-229 Flying Fish (Call Sign NFAP)
Area : East China Sea (F-2)
Days at sea : 40 (13 in operation area, 27 on transit)
Merchants sunk : 7
Merchant tonnage : 20803
Warships sunk :
Warship tonnage :
Torpedoes fired : 8 (5 hits, 2 miss, 1 dude)
Awards : Navy Commendation Medal, citation : "for gallantry and intrepidity and distinguished service"
PROLOGUE
Midway, august 1942. Lt Cdr Arthur Wellman is taking command of SS-229 Flying Fish for his first war patrol as skipper. Orders was to carry anti-shipping operation in East China Sea for at least 10 days (operation area codenamed : F-2). SS-229 fully armed and supplied. Ready to be put to sea by 06.08.1942.
NARRATION
06.08.1942
Midway
08:00 - Leaving Midway for first war patrol. Clear skies, good visibility, wind 15mps 189. Practiced dive test and drills.
06.08 - 19.08.1942
On transit to operation area. No contacts. Begin day submerged-night surfaced routine since 14.08.1943. Wind and waves changed several times from 12 mps (07.08.1942) to 15mps (16.08.1942) and 11mps (18.08.1942).Visibility excellent to good in general.
19.08.1942
129'40E-28'50N
09:43 - Visual contact with lone japanese large old split freighter, bearing 288 at 9knots.Probably sailling from Okinawa to Japan, apparently armed. Searching a good position for a submerged attack after going to periscope depth. Fired two torpedoes, one hit and other one dude. Sunk for 8198 tons. Returned to transit after visual confirmation of the sinking.
21.08.1942
126'8E-27'27N
04:48 - Operation area reached. Clear skies, excellent visibility, wind 9mps.
22.08.1942
123'47E-28'21N
10:44 - Visual contact during sunrise with lone japanese medium modern split freighter, bearing 009 at 07knots. Ennemy merchant was shadowed during 20 minutes to find adequate position for submerged attack. Fired two torpedoes, one hit and one miss. Surfaced to confirm sinking, 3266 tons. Partly cloudy skies, good visiblity, wind 2mps 157.
24.08.1942
122'16E-27'06N
21:38 - Visual contact with three unarmed japanese fishing boat, bearing 188 at 08knots. According to favourable situation and the small sizes, conducted surface attack with deckgun. Three ships sunk for a total of 800 tons. Since our position was certainly transmitted with ships S.O.S during the shooting party, we can maybe count on ASW group or airplaines patrols send into the area. Partly cloudy skies, good visibility, wind 8mps 207.
25.08.1942
121'59E-26'33N
23:52 - Visual contact with lone japanese Hogh Island type freighter, bearing 350 at 9knots. Shadowed her on surface to find a suitable attack position. Since it's unclear merchant is armed or not, opted to conduct a conservative submerged attack. Fired two torpedoes, two hits. Sunk confirmed for 4802 tons. Partly cloudy skies, good visibility, wind 11mps 161.
28.08.1942
122'42E-27'26N
14:12 - Sound contact with lone japanese medium old composite freighter, bearing 042 at 9knots. Shadowed her submerged and opted for a aft torpedoes tubes attack at 1750yards. Fired two torpedoes, one hit and one miss. Surface to confirm sinking for 3941 tons. Partly cloudy skies, excellent visibility, wind 2mps 299.
30.08.1942
122'25E-27'22N
00:49 - Bad weather in operation area. Cloudy skies, moderate rain, poor visibility, 7mps 52. Submerged during the night after battery recharged.
01:19 - Outgoing HF transmission : TO COMSUBPAC - ONE - IN OP F-2 SINCE 21.08 - SUNK SEVEN MERCHANTS FOR 20803 TONS - NFAP
08:42 - End of moderate rain.
22:00 - Received message through FOX SCHEDULE transmission : TO NFAP - ONE - TRANSMISSION ACKNOWLEDGED - EXCELLENT RESULTS - AUTHORIZED TO RETURN BASE AT DISCRETION - COMSUBPAC
22:47 - Deceided to pass betwenn Okinawa and Manya during return trip to see if we encounter traffic here.
02.09.1942
128'20E-17'20N
04:47 - Passing 45.5NM north of Okinawa. No traffic or contact. Plotted course to Midway, calculated best fuel conservation speed for the return trip. Partly cloudy skies, good visibility, wind 0mps 255.
02.09-12.09.1942
On transit to Midway. Crashdive after visual contact with unidentified aircraft (07.09.1942 - 146'59E-18'3N). Winds changed from 11mps (03.09) to 13mps (08.09) and 00mps (10.09). Visibility excellent.
14.09.1942
Midway
19:56 - Docked at Midway, ending first war patrol.
AIR CONTACTS
07.09.1942
146'59E-18'3N
09:35 - Unidentified aircraft.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Generaly good and calm sea most of the time during transit, excellent to good visiblity. Winds peaks to 15mps with high waves just for couple of hours or days. Some days of rains and bad weather in operation area.
RADIO RECEPTION
No difficulty experienced with reception during the entire patrol. All nightly FOX Schedule transmissions were copied.
HEALTH AND HABITABILITY
Excellent. Good morale and spirit among the crew. Two full meals were served daily, with soup and cold drink at noon. One officer was on the sick list three days, diagnosis undetermined.
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