Originally Posted by Revus
So, I have one night convoy attack and one lone AK attack the same day (from my patrol report)
Occurred at 0748 29 January 1943, 21-32N, 121-43E (convoy),
and 0442 8 February 1943, 25-32N, 121-34E (lone AK)
"29 January-
Picked up “SJ” pips at 041t, 9 miles out. Tracking party figured their mean course at 250 at 9 knots, with one vessel, possibly an escort, zigging in the lead. As we closed, “SJ” revealed the escort was on the near (port) side of the convoy, and the AK’s were assembled in two rows of three. Sped to flank to attack on the convoys starboard side, getting in an attack position at 0824. At 0835, made a surfaced attack, firing two spreads of three torpedoes at the two visible AK’s, the first a possible KIGAN MARU of 7,000 tons, and the other an unidentified MARU of about 5,000 tons. Upon firing, turned to port at flank speed to evade. Two from the first salvo exploded at points of aim. And a third hit with no explosion. On impact, all MARU’s turned on their searchlights and opened fire with everything they had, causing no damage. Second salvo missed, most likely due to drastic evasive maneuvers of the target. Quickly went deep and was kept under by the escort, which dogged us for three hours, dropping around 40 depth charges. Only one was close enough to count, causing minor damage to our trim pump and jarred our after battery. Remained under until 2154 due to planes in response to the attacks. Once surfaced, changed course 068 to investigate sounds and since the convoy had assuredly outrun us.
8 February-
Acquired lone “SJ” pip at 019r at 0442. Tracking party determined she was on a turn at that time, and soon established a base course of 245 at 7 knots. Ran on four engines to perform an end-around, keeping her on our sensor, eventually gaining visual of her smoke plume at 0537. At 2,500 yards off her track, flooded our tanks to decks-awash to lower our profile and turned for a stern shot. At 0605, caught visual of her superstructure and decided it looked similar to the AKITA MARU (possibly a class of ship, not a singular build) again at 4,000 tons. Fired four stern torpedoes at slow speed, two set with contact exploders, two with influence, and quickly fled the area at full speed. Three hit at point of aim, but #3 only hit as a dud, however, the three hits were sufficient to bring her down, sinking her at 0637."
For the convoy, I originally set up facing north, the convoy heading WSW with a DE in the lead, the MARUs in two rows of 3. DE was favoring the south side, so I crossed their T and took up a position looking south. Turned SSE so I was presenting a low profile and at firing time, I was basically in front of the northern column. Fired first spread at 2400 yd, second at 2200 yd. By the time I'd turned tail, I saw the northern column leader off my stb beam only about 500 yds away. Only after the impacts hit was anyone aware of my presence, but they werent very enthused about it.
DC's were close, but only caused 1% hull damage. Trim pump was damaged, same with aft batteries, but were repaired relatively quickly. Lots of pinging, keeping me under and changing depth.
For the lone AK, pretty normal experience, got 'em on SJ, set up for attack, but this time I set myself low in the water, as one time (not this patrol, just practice) was spotted on an end-around pitch black night by a ZINBU MARU (just west of Taipei 8 feb 43, 0200) that fired on me without notice, searchlights, or sound! (actually, having problems with all gun/impact sounds - different issue im sure). Fired at the AKITA MARU from stern at 3400 yd.
Thusfar, very few issues. Night attacks are a game changer.
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