[Bubblehead1980]

TMO 2.5 with custom mods
100 difficulty. Cams and map contacts off.

USS Drum SS 228
Fourth War Patrol
29 November 1942 - 22 January 1942


Prologue

Arrived Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. on November 8, 1942 from Third War Patrol. Commenced refit on November 9, 1942 by Submarine Base personnel. All damage from previous patrol repaired. On November 14, 1942, Lieut. Comdr. R.H. Rice, U.S. Navy was relieved as Commanding Officer by Lieut. Comdr. B.F. McMahon, U.S. Navy. Completed refit on November 23, 1942.Commenced training period on November 24, 1942. Completed on November 26, 1942. Readiness for sea date, November 29, 1942.


(1.) Narrative


29 November-

1000-Departed Pearl Harbor for patrol Area 8 via Midway.




3 December-

0925-Docked at Midway for fuel and provisions.

1230-Departed Midway.


4 December-14 December

En route to patrol area. No contacts except SD planes submerged for on 11 and 14 December.


15 December-

0300-Entered patrol Area 8.

16 December-

1929-SJ contact 272 degrees 8 NM. 30 22 N 132 14 E.


2035 - ATTACK NO. 1 : Fired three MK 14 torpedoes. Range: 800 yards AOB 88 Depth 3 ft. POA: MOT, Forward, Aft stack.

Two torpedoes prematurely exploded just yards from target, initially thought were hits were so close. Torpedo 3 hit target just forward of aft stack large explosions of engines/boilers but tanker apparently not loaded with fuel as did not ignite as expected. Engines may have been damaged but not disabled as sound confirmed prop turning.

2036 -Fired a fourth torpedo which hit the stern causing a large explosion. Tanker went dead in water down by stern.


2040-BUZYUN MARU (AO) 4804 tons sunk 30 20 N 132 17 E.

18 December

0334-Armed Fishing Boat Est. 200 tons sunk by gunfire. 31 02 N 132 32 E.


23 December-

0643- Sunk fishing boat es. 200 tons by gunfire. 29 07 N 131 58 E.



24 December-

0734- SJ contact. Bearing 300 8 NM. Pulled ahead for submerged attack at dawn.


0930-Barely able to maintain lead over fast moving ships astern. Waiting for sun rise for submerged attacked. General Quarters. Seas were now heavy, slowing Drum's surface speed.

1027-Observed what believed to be CVL with DD's and other vesells. Contact report sent to COMSUBPAC. Enemy task force consisting of one CV, one CVL, one CA, Four DD.Position 29 38 N 133 14 E Course 075 degrees Speed 18 knots. Submerged for attack.


1052 ATTACK NO. 2: Fired six MK 14 torpedoes at SHOKAKU Class Fleet Carrier. Range 1200 yards AOB 80 Torpedo depth: 10 feet. POA: MOT with 2.5 degree spread on TDC. One torpedo prematurely detonated soon as armed. Another torpedo suffered apparent gyro failure and took a strait line course before exploding. Four others hit the carrier. The first two were absorbed well, the third caused a large secondary explosion as did the third. The carrier, deck burning with internal fires billowing smoke, slowed with a list. With a DD just 900 yards away, Drum went to 300 feet, rigged for depth charge and silent running.

1054-DD overhead, charges dropped none close. Enemy DD seemed unable to track Drum due to heavy seas.


1055-Large explosions heard and sounds of ship breaking up.

1059-A series of massive explosions at last known bearing of the CV that was torpedoed. The engine sounds of the CV had ceased just after Drum descended to 350 ft.

1100-Shokaku Class Fleet Carrier 28000 tons sunk 29 38 N 133 14 E.

Two enemy destroyers searching for Drum with occasional pinging but were unable to gain a fix due to heavy seas and a thermal layer. Soon departed the area at high speed to rejoin the rest of the force.

1400-Secured from GQ. Remained submerged for rest of day due to intense air cover in area.

2300-Surface.


27 December

2132- SJ contact bearing 046 9 NM. 29 20 N 133 10 E

2140-General Quarters.

2155-Submerged for dusk periscope attack. Convoy sighted four ships one escort.


2236 -ATTACK NO. 3 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes Range: 1000 yard AOB 85 Torpedo depth: 10 ft. POA: MOT, Both torpedoes impacted target. Target slowed, then went dead in water due to damage. Fired third torpedo, which prematurely exploded.

28 December-

0300-Surfaced. BATTLE SURFACE-GUN ACTION. Target opened fire with MG/AC on Drum. Drum expended 14 3 inch 50 cal rounds for 13 hits.

0305-Fires on board enemy vessel. Cease fire. Crew abandoning ship.

0307-AKITA MARU class AK sunk 29 24 N 133 13 E.

0310-Begin end around on convoy for dawn submerged attack.

1049-Regained SJ contact. 350 9 NM.

1141-General Quarters.

1232-Submerged for attack.

1330-Attack No. 4- Fired three MK 14 torpedoes from tubes 1,2,3. Range 1000 AOB 90 depth 3 ft. First torpedo went into circular run forcing Drum to 100 feet. Second and third prematurely exploded 50-100 yards from target. First torpedo made a full circle before detonating itself .

1332-Enemy escort closed in pinging as Drum settled at 300 feet, rigged for depth charge and silent running. Several depth charge explosions, not close.

1345-1800- Several close depth charges caused various damage . See damage section.

1920-After several hours under attack, lost sonar contact with enemy escort.

2300-Secure GQ, surface for end around.

29 December


0148- Regained SJ contact with convoy bearing 300 9 NM. Closing for night surface torpedo attack. Final attack as convoy will be well out of Drum's assigned area.

0151-General Quarters.

0219-Contact report sent to COMSUBPAC. Convoy course 023 9 knots. Three AK one Aux SC escorting.



0243-ATTACK NO. 5- Fired four Mk 14 torpedo range(s) 2100/1900 AOB: 70/85. Fired two torpedoes each at BIYO MARU and WATANABE MARU. All torpedoes prematurely exploded.

The explosions appeared to alert the convoy as it slowed, searchlights illuminated area along with star shells. Drum sped away into the night escaping detection. Set course to SW to return to patrol area.

1 January 1943-

0000- Position: 29 53 131 44 E 100 NM SE Kyushu, Japan in Area 8.

1140-Trim Dive.

1145-During morning trim dive, sound detected a contact bearing 145 long range.

1150-Surface. Intercept course for contact.


1206-SJ contact 000 9 NM. Simultaneously visually sighted smoke plume same bearing. General Quarters.

1240-Submerged for attack.

1257- ATTACK NO. 6- Fired one MK 14 torpedo. Range 1000 AOB 85 Torpedo Depth: 3 ft. POA: Aft stack. Torpedo hit the tanker under the stack as aimed.Tanker lost its way going adrift and down by the stern, eventually with half the ship submerged but seemed to secured herself. Crew had not abandoned ship. Decided to finish off with deck gun.

1311-Surface. BATTLE SURFACE-GUN ACTION, commenced firing.

1320-Cease fire. HARUNA MARU 1549 tons sunk by torpedo hit and gunfire. 29 29 N 131 55 E . Stubborn little tanker took a torpedo hit and 21 3 inch 50 cal shell hits before finally sinking. Crew in life rafts.


7 January-


0014- SJ contact 325 28 59 N 131 54 E.

0026- Contact report sent to COMSUBPAC. Convoy two large troopships 29 00 N 131 E two DD course 233 19 knots.

0027-Submerge for attack.

0039 ATTACK NO. 7: Fired two MK 14 torpedoes at large troopship...possibly KOTOBURKI MARU 18765 tons. Range 1850 yards. AOB 72 Depth 3 ft POA: MOT Both torpedoes prematurely exploded 6 and 9 seconds after launch.

0040-Went to 350 feet, rigged for silent running and depth charge. Escorts did not pursue Drum, dropped one pattern each and left area at high speed with transports.


0300-Surface. Secure from GQ. All torpedoes expended, set course for Pearl Harbor via Midway.

8 January-

1400-1700- Refueled at Midway. Depart for Pearl Harbor.

22 January-

0900-Docked at Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. Terminated war patrol.

(2.) Weather
The weather during this patrol was not worthy for the number of days of rough seas and overcast skies experienced. We had approximately forty percent (40%) of days when the seas were so rough that operations were difficult. However, the rough seas did provide cover from ASW efforts after the attacks of 24 and 27 December. The large number of overcast days made position keeping difficult, particularly in view of the strong northeast currents encountered during January.

(3.) Tidal Information
The flood and ebb of the tides effect the currents off the east coast of Kyushu, being northerly during the flood, and southerly during the ebb tide; the southerly current being the stronger of the two.

Drifts as high as three (3) to three and five tenths (3.5) knots were experienced in the Kuroshio during January, in the vicinity of the southeast corner of the operating area.

(4.) Navigational Aids
No navigational aids spotted in patrol area. Sofu Gan was used as an aid when departing patrol area.


(5.) Particulars of Attack

Vessels sunk:

12/16/1942 2039 BUZYUN MARU AO 4804 tons 30 20 N 132 17 E

12/18/1942 0332 Fishing Boat 200 tons 31 02 N 131 32 E

12/20/1942 0643 Fishing Boat 200 tons 29 07 131 58 E

12/24/1942 1100 Shokaku Class CV 28000 tons 29 38 N 133 14 E

12/28/1942 0303 AKITA MARU AK 3936 tons 29 24 N 133 13 E

1/1/1943 1320 HARUNA MARU AO 1549 tons 29 29 N 131 55 E


Vessels damaged: 0


Number of Torpedo Attacks: 7

Number of Gun Actions: 4

Torpedoes Expended: 24

3 inch 50 Cal Deck rounds expended: 41

20 MM rounds expended: 0


(6.) Enemy A/S Measures

Enemy counter attacks were basically the same as Drum encountered on three previous patrols. However, the poor sonar conditions severely affected the ability to track and attack Drum.

Conversely, once the seas calmed the same Aux. Subchaser escort that was so ineffective after attack No. 2 was able to deliver an effect and damaging depth charging after Attack No. 3 on 28 December, causing damage. See Damage section.


Enemy aircraft cover the area effectively with daily air patrols and respond to reports of submarines after attack. No patrol craft were spotted this patrol likely due to the open ocean nature of Drum's patrol area, not near the coast.


(6a.) Countermeasures-ASW

When under depth charge attack, a narrow profile to the sonar beam is presented as possible. 300 ft if the initial depth, with increases as required to get under the enemy attack. Drum did reach 400 ft at one point during the depth charging on 28 December.


(9.) Major Defects Experienced

Torpedo failure continue to plague Drum.

Premature detonations:10-12

Duds:0

Depth Control Issues: Unknown. No misses attributed to this issue as torpedoes set to minimal depth to compensate, depending state of seas.

Circular Run: 1

Gyro Failure: 1


(10.) Radio Reception

Radio reception was excellent on this patrol.


Radar: The SJ radar performed very efficiently. The Commanding Officer cannot praise this equipment too highly. It proved itself invaluable on many occasions. It is regretted that more opportunities to use it for attack were not presented.

Our experience with the SJ radar equipment has shown that the following results may be expected: (a) Large ships will be picked up at 14,000 - 15,000 yards; also any ship picked up at this range is at once identified as a large ship. (b) Destroyers will be picked up at from 8,000 to 10,000 yards. (c) Large sized sampans and patrol boats will be picked up at 5,000 - 7,000 yards. (d) Wooden sampans will not be picked up, or may give a ragged pip at ranges under 4,000 yards.


The radar proved itself invaluable defensively also, as it prevented us from running up on a patrolling destroyer on several occasions.

The performance of the SD radar was excellent.


(11.) Sound Conditions and Density Layers
Sound conditions were poor to fair. Thermal density layers were located at 200, 245 and 190 feet.


(12.) Damage/Casualties

28 December

At 1345 two or three close depth charges exploded near Drum's port side either or just below the forward torpedo and control room level. Damage was reported to the forward batteries. The control room and conning tower had leaks in high pressure air lines and piping spraying water into the compartments. The control room had flooding which was quickly quelled and water pumped within the hour by the Damage Control party.

A close depth charged at 1357 caused damage to the forward engine rooms and after batteries. Additional leaks in air lines and piping reported in control room and conning tower as well as throughout the boat.

At 1404 a very close depth charge caused more mild flooding in control room, quickly resolved. Damage was also done to the trim pump, radios, hydraulic pump, and compressor. as well as damage throughout the boat.


Post patrol inspection showed hull was damaged by the depth charge attacks, compromising diving depth by estimated 21 percent.

All damage was repaired by 29 December, minus the hull damage.

(13.) Nautical Miles steamed enroute to and from station 10620.

(14.) Fuel expended 109,511 gallons.


(15.) Comments

A challenging, busy, but successful patrol. If not for the repeated failures of MK 14 torpedo, would have been even more successful. The attack and sinking of the Shokaku Class Carrier on 24 December was a moment of fortune. Encountering at night on surface, with Drum in position already ahead and able to track until dawn. The calm seas growing rough just 30 minutes before attack time, providing cover from enemy sonar as Drum penetrated the escort screen, as well as after the attack.

After four consecutive war patrols, Drum is scheduled for a much needed extended refit before next patrol. This included modification to conning tower to further reduce her silhouette , with addition an improved SD radar, a 4 inch 50 caliber gun, and additional 20 MM guns which will improve her lethality.