[Aktungbby]

What write in "SS-310" patrol log is usually optical illusion. This illusion was many many times in all submarine fleets.

Saw one torpedo hit from a range of 900 yards. Target exploded with a brilliant red flame and sank almost immediately leaving a large oil slick that extended over a radius of two miles. Target could be seen blowing apart on radar screen....Secondary explosions, believed to be internal explosions in the target were heard three minutes later after the ship was hit."

and could determine/confirm a sinking by sight, sound, radar or debris without itchy-neck syndrome;

I share your skepticism comrade! (itchy neck syndrome) given the nature of this type of warfare and the propensity of enhancing the tonnage/kill count. But this was a night attack, close enough to ID the vessel type, at 900 YARDS ON THE SURFACE with a smelly 2 mile oil slick and audible secondary explosions ie three points of confirmation. The log is a first-person account-not disproven-and optical illusion does not factor in here; the more so as a failure from the night before is honestly admitted; so impetus to inflate the count appears minimal. A first-hand account is always best-the ship's log is considered a primary source account. I go with eye-witness accounts: Somethin' got sunk! PS: my source for movement for I-372 shows no damage or involvement at time of 2/10/1945. I-372 appears to have been elsewhere and no damage is indicated of a catastrophic nature. "8 February 1945:
Departs Yokosuka for Takao, Taiwan. I-372 is slated to participate in the rescue of the stranded Army pilots from Batulinao, northern Luzon, Philippines. After the loss of RO-112 and RO-113, the mission is canceled and I-372 is recalled to Kure.
14 February 1945:
Arrives at Kure. The IJN intends to send I-372 to Iwo Jima with a cargo of artillery shells, but the situation there turns hopeless.
16 February 1945:
Kure Navy Yard. I-372 commences a conversion to carry aviation gasoline. Probably during the same conversion a snorkel tube is fitted." Clearly a healthy I-372.