Tell us what you're up to in current campaign (lets get this one going lol)

[Bubblehead1980]

SH 3 has a very active thread where Captains share what are doing currently. Tried to get it going before but going to try again lol.

Brief write ups and of course screenshots/videos are welcome.


Current:


TMO Update V2.0
100 difficulty Cams off, Contacts on( for this patrol)


USS Nautilus SS-168
Eleventh War Patrol

Ended previous patrol in Brisbane on 13 March 1944 after departing Pearl Harbor on TENTH war patrol 24 January 1944.


20 May 1944


1400 Departed Brisbane for Darwin to embark passengers and supplies for
special mission to Philippines.

1420 Rendezvoused with Australian MS to escort through minefield. (new feature of V2.0, always a escort for player sub at friendly minefields)

1530 Exited Moreton Bay minefield

1700 Conducted trim dive.

1730 Surfaced. Set course for Darwin via Torres Strait.

[EddieLyons]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

(new feature of V2.0, always a escort for player sub at friendly minefields)

Yeah, I could have done with that! I started two campaigns in S-class boats out of Manila that never got beyond Corregidor because of unknown "friendly" minefields! I ran into them while using time compression (x8 to x64).

Only on the third attempt did I realise what had happened when I just happened to notice some blips in the water that I then used the external camera to identify -- I was in the middle of the minefield and had to navigate my way out!

I also had a campaign from Pearl terminated by the "friendly" anti-submarine net at Wake, where I was pulling in to refuel on my way to reconnoitre the Marshalls. (At least now I know which entrance to use at Wake!)

So now I use the mission builder to print out maps of the various "friendly" minefields and anti-sub nets before beginning a new campaign. This is the sort of intelligence that would be available to a commander beforehand, even while enemy minefields and anti-sub nets might be unknown or at best only assumed. So an escort would be doubly useful!

When I exited Pearl on my latest campaign start (USS Nautilus), I used the external camera to take a look at the anti-sub net at the entrance. It lies along the seabed, which raises a question -- does this anti-sub net get raised and lowered periodically? In real life, of course, it was opened to allow vessels in and out. Is this even possible in the game? Or are the anti-sub nets fixed in place?

[KaleunMarco]

Originally Posted by EddieLyons

I used the external camera to take a look at the anti-sub net at the entrance. It lies along the seabed, which raises a question -- does this anti-sub net get raised and lowered periodically?

No

Originally Posted by EddieLyons

In real life, of course, it was opened to allow vessels in and out. Is this even possible in the game? Or are the anti-sub nets fixed in place?

No and yes.
one additional piece of joyous information is that you (we) cannot penetrate the subnet with torpedoes or deck gun shells. it.is.permanent.

another piece of intel is that you can modify your sub's collision factor in the sub.zon file such that if you do meet up with a subnet, it will not be catastrophic and you will be able to back your way out of it.

[Red Devil]

Originally Posted by KaleunMarco

No



No and yes.
one additional piece of joyous information is that you (we) cannot penetrate the subnet with torpedoes or deck gun shells. it.is.permanent.

another piece of intel is that you can modify your sub's collision factor in the sub.zon file such that if you do meet up with a subnet, it will not be catastrophic and you will be able to back your way out of it.

many moons ago. might have been in SH2, I actually went under the nets at Truk. But since then, in SH4, never seen any vessels in truk.

[Red Devil]

Kieldk: I went back one save to meeting up with the Invasion fleet off Balikpapan, after I had sunk the 8 troop carriers.

Added bonus got an extra cruiser. Then arrived in Java and they offered me Drum, took it and carefully loaded it out included a change of gun to forward and the required crew member were there. I quickly saved it and carried on and sailed with forward gun and crew!!

Note to myself: Obviously a random glitch, so must save more often.

[Kapitän]

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++++

Saturday, 01 August 1942 - Paris, Avenue Maréchal Maunoury

Boats are equipped with the new FuMB System R-600 (new generation of Metox Receivers, also called "Biscay Cross").

Tuesday, 18 August - Wednesday, 19 August 1942

Operation 'Jubilee' - Attack on Dieppe

Lord Louis Mountbatten, Chief of Combined Operations, wanted to finally strike continental Europe and perhaps even cause Germany to reinforce the French coast with troops destined for the Eastern Front, therefore alleviating pressure off of the Soviet troops.

The Operation Jubilee, called for a landing at Dieppe on the French coast, hold beach head for 12 hours while commando units attacked a nearby German HQ and bring back German officers for interrogation, and then the entire force would retreat back to England.

On 18 Aug 1942, 237 ships left various ports in Britain for the Dieppe area, including eight destroyers but no battleships (the Admiralty did not wish to risk losing any heavy ships). The convoy carried 5,000 Canadian, 1,000 British, and 50 American troops; it was escorted by 74 squadrons of aircraft. A stroke of bad luck brought the Allied fleet in the path of a German convoy; the convoy was quickly driven off, but German defenses were alerted.

80% of the Allied fleet were destroyed by the alerted German coastal defenses. Only a few commandos reached their landing spots on 19 Aug, but they were able to improvise their plans; instead of destroying the coastal artillery, they managed to kill many of the gun crews by sniper fire and disabled the artillery nevertheless.

The Canadian landing at Puys failed completely, the well-placed German forces drove off the Canadian landing, killing roughly half the landing force (225) and captured the other half (264), allowing only 33 to escape back to England.

At Pourville, Canadian and British troops made their landing, but were quickly driven back to the sea by fierce German defenses after losing 141 men.

As for the main assault, some of the landing forces were held at the beach by heavy fire, while some of the tanks either did not make it to the shore or were disabled by anti-tank traps. The reserve forces were also committed too early due to communications problems.

In all, the operation met with failure due to a number of reasons. However, if the 1,027 men lost (900 of whom were Canadian) and 2,340 captured (again, with a bulk being Canadian) had achieved one objective, it was giving Allied command a valuable, if costly, lesson on amphibious operations.

Mountbatten himself will later say that "for every soldier who died at Dieppe, ten were saved on D-Day". While this statement may be out of Mountbatten's attempt to save his credibility, it indeed will give the United States valuable lesson of the difficulty of assaulting a defended port, as it might even directly influence General Eisenhower's decision to strike at other beaches, e.g., at Normandy, instead of the nearby port city of Cherbourg (or other targets).

RST

KvtKpt.& A I op
(convoy staff officer)

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by EddieLyons

Yeah, I could have done with that! I started two campaigns in S-class boats out of Manila that never got beyond Corregidor because of unknown "friendly" minefields! I ran into them while using time compression (x8 to x64).

Only on the third attempt did I realise what had happened when I just happened to notice some blips in the water that I then used the external camera to identify -- I was in the middle of the minefield and had to navigate my way out!

I also had a campaign from Pearl terminated by the "friendly" anti-submarine net at Wake, where I was pulling in to refuel on my way to reconnoitre the Marshalls. (At least now I know which entrance to use at Wake!)

So now I use the mission builder to print out maps of the various "friendly" minefields and anti-sub nets before beginning a new campaign. This is the sort of intelligence that would be available to a commander beforehand, even while enemy minefields and anti-sub nets might be unknown or at best only assumed. So an escort would be doubly useful!

When I exited Pearl on my latest campaign start (USS Nautilus), I used the external camera to take a look at the anti-sub net at the entrance. It lies along the seabed, which raises a question -- does this anti-sub net get raised and lowered periodically? In real life, of course, it was opened to allow vessels in and out. Is this even possible in the game? Or are the anti-sub nets fixed in place?

Haha ohhhh man lol hate had all the issues . Well, I did mention in the readme about the friendly minefields. From the README:

"Manila Bay has a US minefield in 1941 so use caution when exiting/entering. When US retreats the gaps are closed to prevent entry with exception of a small one for boats to get to Corregidor."

Now, I really thought I mentioned stay to the middle lol but apparently I did not, my apologies, will remedy that.


Sub net at Wake is not so much meant to represent a net as a the reef being closed off. UBI got the geography of some places pretty wrong. During the war the way boats/ships accessed Midway was through a channel blown in the reef and a small harbor. In SH 4 there is a small channel that the North. The gap at the west was closed off primarily to represent this, but also to prevent entry by submarine as well once Japanese have the island. If you want to enter the lagoon when US has possession , can go in via the north channel, its a pain to navigate though, as it is quite narrow. AI ships usually get stuck, so have them spawn outside or delete on last waypoint just as enter channel.


There is also a subnet at Midway surrounding enter island to represent the coral reef, which devs failed to include. The access is in the south, marked by boats (no buoys available for SH 4, but working on it) . The channel was quite narrow (actually shocked how narrow it was, may still be) and a challenge in real life to enter, some ships were grounded. Submarine USS Flier ran aground on the reef in Spring 1944 and was stuck for some time. A rescue tug was lost during rescue, along with crew.


Far as Pearl Harbor subnet, that is a glitch or issue i've noticed as well and have not been able to remedy as of yet. Problem with subnets is if you set the depth too shallow, obviously can impede surface traffic when not the intended desire. I found the same problem with a subnet at Sydney, Australia s well and few other places, working to see if can fix this. No, the subnets do not raise//lower/ open/close...would be amazing if they did.


Good move on printing the intelligence, ill look into including it in next release but the escorts will be a thing. Basically impossible to have them spawn and rendezvous for specific times given cant predict when player will start end a patrol but what they will have is a escort going back and forth through the safe zone player will be instructed to look out for and follow. Goes without saying, should always enter/leave in daylight (which was standard for subs anyways in most cases to avoid mine hazards and that of friendly fire incidents. Fyi friendly fire incidents while rare, are now possible in the mod)

[EddieLyons]

In the spirit of this thread (having hijacked it to ask questions about minefields and anti-sub nets!), here's my current campaign:

USS Nautilus - departed Pearl Harbor on 9 Dec 1941, bound for Hiroshima, Japan, to reconnoitre its harbour. (Nice and easy one to start the war with, then!)

Used ahead full to expedite the passage to Midway to refuel. Currently en-route to Japanese home waters at ahead standard, making good progress in fair weather. No ship or air contacts for days; currently north of Marcus Island, about halfway to our destination. Current date is 16 Dec 1941.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by EddieLyons

In the spirit of this thread (having hijacked it to ask questions about minefields and anti-sub nets!), here's my current campaign:

USS Nautilus - departed Pearl Harbor on 9 Dec 1941, bound for Hiroshima, Japan, to reconnoitre its harbour. (Nice and easy one to start the war with, then!)

Used ahead full to expedite the passage to Midway to refuel. Currently en-route to Japanese home waters at ahead standard, making good progress in fair weather. No ship or air contacts for days; currently north of Marcus Island, about halfway to our destination. Current date is 16 Dec 1941.

Yikes lol I would just ignore that mission as impossible (no sub would have been ordered to do that lol) and conduct patrol in area 7 off bungo suido, sink ships, earn some renown. Unfortunately last release, I did not make it around to changing up patrol objectives. Upcoming release, this has been done. I have eliminated these hollywoodesque photo missions, photo missions in v2.0 are of a more historical and realistic nature as are all special missions. Now more generic, exceedingly boring special assignments. I am currently in the Nautilus myself (Donation Narwhal model, love it) started in Dec 1941, now in June 1944 , based in Australia running supply missions to Philippines, actually been quite enjoyable and challenging. These are part of forthcoming V2.0 of mod.


In fact, I've completely overhauled the orders for variety of patrol assignments/areas for all boats, the language to be more historically accurate (based on actual orders in patrol reports etc have read in research).


Thank you for joining in on the thread though, keep it coming lol. Really hope we can get this going like SH III

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update BH V.20
USS Nautilus SS-168



4 June 1944

0600 Entered Moro Gulf South of Mindanao, Philippines for approach to Illano Bay and special mission at Turukan, Mindanao.

0700 Submerged in Moro Gulf.

0745 Sound reported warship contact closing fast. Went to periscope depth, spotted a Auxiliary Subchaser, smoking heavily heading in our direction. Rigged for Silent Running, Depth charge and went to 300 feet.

Subchaser located NAUTILUS and dropped several close depth charges, real took shakers and continued hunting. Curiously, no pings were heard, assuming this aux vessel did not have active sonar, but proved to have one fine set of hydrophones, as at 0913, he laid a pattern of charges above , with one coming quite close and causing serious damage to the boat. Most serious of which being nearly disabling the trim pump, flooding in forward torpedo room, and as would discover later, damage to No.1 (control room) and No.2 (conning tower) periscopes, not functional. (Hull damage was pushed to 27 percent also. I hate the hull damage indicator btw lol)


Went to 350 ft and endured numerous depth charges until 1400 when the subchaser continue hunting nearby, staying with NAUTILUS but ceased dropping charges, either because did not have definite contact or depleted his supply.


5 June 1944

Finally lost contact with enemy in Moro Gulf at 0226. Came to periscope depth at 0330 to find neither scope functional. Eased to SJ radar depth, to find contact just 6000 yards astern, "creeping". Went back to 350 feet, heard SC crank up speed ran above NAUTILUS and splashes about one minute later, she dropped two depth charges well ahead of NAUTILUS. Obviously, she heard us, but did not have a fix.

At 0530 came back to radar depth and the contact was 12000 yards ahead to port, apparently stationary. Seas had grown heavy, which no doubt aided NAUTILUS. Secured silent running and surfaced after 22 1/2 hours submerged, under attack*, began repairs and battery recharge.


Submerged at noon to avoid single engine floatplane (PETE) patrolling area and made way towards mouth of Illano Bay in preparation to conduct special mission. Also, avoided the same subchaser twice as swept through the area.

Surfaced at 2103 in Illano Bay, ten miles off Turukan, Mindanao and made way to landing area. Sighted security signal (red smoke ) and approached the beach, coming within 1500 yards, coming along several rafts carrying Col. Bowler and his troops. Sent cargo ashore in rafts beginning precisely at 2200 hundred hours, with operation completed by 0015 6 June.


6 June

0031 as was leaving area, APR-1 detected radar signals astern and SJ soon had a pip at 13000 yards. A apparent patrol was heading to area. At 0037 SJ detected another pip ahead bearing 346 18000 yards, both were closing. They appear to be moving to block our escape. Increased to flank speed and went to GQ with gun crews standing by. Waters were just 42 feet, not deep enough to dive.

Came within 800 yards of coast and skimmed along coastline using it as cover and slipped out of the ever tightening noose of the two contacts, both of which were radar equipped but apparently lost contact as proceeded to a area where NAUTILUS had been previously.


0300 Received orders to return to Darwin at best speed.

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update BH V.20
USS Nautilus SS-168


23 June

Transiting Sibutu Passage West of Tawi Tawi en route to Darwin (new home port) after two back to back patrols (special missions, arrived 11 June, departed 12 June for next)

0421 About half through pass, SJ made contact , two pips. APR-1 detected radar emissions. Attempted to open range but seems were detected. Possible escorts were alerted to presence shore based radar/observation posts (they are now a feature in TMO Update). Unable to outrun them, submerged and attempted "down the throat" shot on closet DD with three MK 23 torpedoes i bow tubes but all missed as skilled DD outmaneuvered them, barely.


Currently at 390 ft, rigged for silent running, and depth charge, being pinging.


40 minutes into attack...count is 54 depth charges, real took shakers.

[Mad Mardigan]

This report is from a career start done up for testing for BH1980...

U.S.S Albacore (SS-218)
Skipper: J. T. Mardigan, commanding
Base: Fremantle/Perth, Australia
Date: June, of '43


07/06/43

On getting orders from command, crew made all preparations for getting under way, & shoved off to begin our 1st patrol.

Uneventful for the 1st day or so, until radar watch, picked up an air signal, gave the order to crash dive then ran submerged for the rest of the day. On it getting dark, called for all stop & ran a sonar sweep of the area & getting a report back of nothing on sound, proceeded to do a sweep on the periscope.

On confirm of nothing in the area, ordered surface, so as to recharge the batteries. proceeded ahead 1/3 to continue to make for Sunda Straights, to break through there and proceed to our patrol objective area.



10/06/43

Succeeded on making it through 2/3 of the passage through Sunda... until mid-day, when we ran across a DD & a torp boat. Managed to get in close enough to get a rough ID on them, then had sparks call it in. Waited & kept close tabs on their movement while awaiting word back from HQ.

After a bit, got message from them, of congrats on sighting, but... to break off & make way for patrol objective. Other assets would be vectored in to hit them. After reading that, gave the order to break off, head west for a bit then make turns for getting back on plotted course through the straights.

After having got back on course, ran across another contact, & deciding discretion was the better part of valor, gave the order to submerge... ran submerged the rest of the day, encountering a couple of other contacts patrolling the straights.

At dark, and finally clearing the straights, ran a check as before and determining no contacts about, gave the order to surface.



11/06/43
Early morning, exiting the straights:



Early morning light made contact on a surface vessel. sonar reported it to be a merchant... gave the order to plot its base course, then having that in hand, ordered an intercept course.

After a couple of hours run at all ahead flank, got within sight of the target.

ID'ed her, as a Kigan Maru merchie, GRT 7390, ordered bow tubes 1 & 2 prepped in all aspects. Depth 6, slow runners & impact only. Having learned from the preceding months, on being 1st officer on another sub, the trials & troubles with the Mk 14's... how to best approach attacking with them, until Bureau of Ordnance can get it sorted out on fixing them properly.

As was still early morning, decided to make the attack while surfaced.

Closed within 3000 of her, still unseen, and not having any reports of aircraft or other surface ships about, gave the order to fire both fish, set apart by .75 degrees off either side of dead center.

While both fish were sent on their way, had crew manned & ready on the deck & flak guns... & turned to follow along at distance on the same base course of 052.

After their allotted run time plus or minus a few seconds... got the sweet reward of seeing both fish hit. With the 1st fish striking, watched the target go up in a massive fireball, and can only speculate that she must have been carrying ammo supplies or some other volatile cargo. The 2nd fish was just... icing on the cake, ensuring she went down faster. As she went under within just a few minutes of getting hit by both fish.

On impact of the 1st fish, & seeing no reasons to hang around, gave the order to return to base course... with adjustments as needed then went below to rack out for some much needed & deserved rest. Before doing so, gave the 1st officer Tom, orders to proceed best speed to our objective and if anything, major cropped up before I got in some good rest, to wake Me. Otherwise wanted to get in a good 8 if at all possible.



14/06/43

After several uneventful days, managed to make it to our, insertion point... on route to recon the Singapore port and to snap photos as required of anything of import.



03:37 hrs
Picked up signals of a small group of ships, making turns on a course of 067 had nav plot out a reciprocal course, so as to pass by, ID, radio it in & plot an attack approach. After conferring with the 1st, to give him experience in skippering and in agreement with his recommendation, decided on a surfaced attack, staying on a 180 heading off the targets base course.

ID'ed the targets as 1 Wakatake escort 4 merchies in a 2 x 2 following on the escort, like it's a mother duck. After a bit, managed to ID 3 of the merchies...

1 Kanaga Maru, 1 Shajima Maru & 1 Koto Maru, the 1 directly following behind the escort... couldn't get a clear definitive ID on... but from what is seen of it, is a small fry, anyway. Got the report from Sparks, that HQ had messaged back & the orders were clear... Hit 'em... & hit 'em hard...

Ordered tubes 1 through 4 fore, and tube 7 made ready in all aspects. As before with the Kigan Maru, ordered fish to be prepped to 6 depth, slow and impact only.

On getting a good confirm of aft tube being on track for a clear shot at the escort, ordered 7 fired 1st, then proceeded to unload tubes 1 through 4, 1 fish each at the at the smaller merchie's of the 3 & 2 at the larger one of the bunch... the Shajima. Both fish to be set apart off center by the same as with the Kigan Maru

After sending the last fish off, gave orders to head on a course of 225, ahead flank.

Heard 1 fish premature, despite precautions taken to avoid any possibilities of such occurring. (Still have the odd ones that do that) a few moments later, 1st impact came... on the Kanaga... which like as with the Kigan Maru, went up in a tremendous explosion & settles under fast. fish aimed at the escort missed... likely due to the escorts reaction to the Kanaga going up... which threw off the intercept of it. Will have to see of having fish sent off on other targets and give time for the ones aimed at escorts in My 1st officers firing pinpoint drills. Other than that, not bad on their firing points otherwise... so far.

Not long after the Kanaga went up like a roman candle... heard & saw impacts on the Koto & the Shajima... with the Koto slowing down a tad.

By this time, could make out the escort in the general area where we had been, nosing about looking for us on the impression that the attack had come from a submerged sub. Little did the crew know that we were indeed making the attack on the surface.

After the impact on the Shakima, gave orders to proceed on course 275 for a bit then proceed to run on a heading of 300... working our way back around so as to parallel them on a base of 067 so that we could then give it another run to attack.

Had fore torp crew, begin loading up some new fish that HQ wanted in action testing of, as a replacement to the Mk 18's or maybe even a replacement to the 14's... not sure as to which but... orders are orders. Figured shoot off 2, 1 each at the Koto & the Shajima... & could always send off a pair of 14's if needed to.



04:10

After doing the final approach on the end run and in good posit, tubes 3 & 4, were ready in all respects... sighted on the Koto, which by now... was trailing a bit further behind owing to the damages inflicted by the 1st fish. Gave the order to fire 4... waited about 20, 25 seconds and after having a good bead on the Shajima, ordered 3 fired. after firing 3, gave orders to go to 045, with the deck & flak guns manned & ready.



04:11/04:13

1st of the 2 Mk 23's impacted & sent the Shajima on a 1-way trip to join their fellow crew men to Davey Jones retirement home for wayward sailors... but not before they got sight of us & began to fire. Seconds after they began, came the impact & huge explosion of the fish hitting. She went under pretty fast after the fireball rocketed skyward. A half minute maybe less... the 2nd Mk 23, tore into the Koto & sent it on its way to join the others. Have to say, if with the rest of those fish on hand... preform as well as those, will have to give a hearty recommendation to HQ, to get them out to the rest of the sub fleet in the flash message to be sent off after getting clear of this engagement.



04:25

Have swung around to a heading of 265, to get clear of the area and making turns for all ahead full. Within a half hour, will give the order to head on a course of 225, to get us back on track for the course plot worked out by the nav crew... so as to proceed at best speed, before having to dive to make way to our prospective recon posit.

Left the last merchie & escort go... so that they can spread the terror & fear message... Is a Wolf loose & it's a very hungry Demon Wolf...

04:26
Had Sparks, send to HQ... an after actions report, to date... along with My, recommendations on the new fish, included in it.

Of the crew, they've performed well... with considerations for some in the forward torp room, of being recognized for going above & beyond, even after being injured.

Still, have to make that insertion point to do the recon & then... completing that, finding out just what HQ wants done after that.


End report... To, be continued...

After action tally, up to now... :





M. M.

[EddieLyons]

Captain's Log

USS Nautilus (SS 168)
(Note: All times in Base Time)

9 Dec 1941 13:00
Departed Pearl Harbour on our first war patrol, following the Japanese attack two days ago. Mission is to penetrate Japanese homeland defences to recon and photograph vessels in Hiroshima docks. No easy task, especially in such shallow waters, and in a vessel of this size. We have zero intel on what defences might be present in the approaches to the target, so we'll be going in blind and having to feel our way.
For the first leg, we shall use full ahead to expedite our arrival at Midway for refuelling. A few hours there, then it's on towards the Japanese archipelago.

9 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Japanese forces have landed on the Malay Peninsula and in the Philippines. Guam, Manila, Singapore and Hong Kong, among other places, have all been bombed. And after many years of conflict, China has finally declared war on Japan and its invading army. The scale of Japan’s offensive defies belief!

10 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Japanese aircraft have sunk the British battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse off the Malay Peninsula! It appears the Japanese really mean business.

11 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Germany and Italy have declared war on the US! The US Congress has replied in kind. Finally! This formalises what has already been the case in the North Atlantic for months, where the US Navy has been in combat with Hitler’s U-boat menace, protecting Atlantic convoys and President Roosevelt’s neutrality zone!

13 Dec 1941 07:31
Hooked up to the submarine tender at Midway to refuel. As soon as the tanks are full we'll depart.

13 Dec 1941 12:00
Fuel tanks are full, so we have cast off to resume our westward course. We shall proceed at ahead standard to balance our need for speed with the need to retain fuel for the return trip. So far weather has been set fair, and the barometer shows no sign of change.

13 Dec 1941 17:31
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: TF14 under Adm Fletcher are en-route to relieve Wake Island. Good luck to them!

16 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Japanese forces have invaded Borneo.

20 Dec 1941 18:01
Message received from COMASIATICFLT: Manila is under constant enemy air attack, so AF boats are to operate from Surabaya, Java, with immediate effect.

21 Dec 1941 13:15
144°58’E, 31°20’N, 435 NM SE of Tokyo. First contact with the enemy!
At 12:55 lookouts spotted an aircraft bearing 032, long range. In binoculars it appeared to be a multi-engine flying boat. I initially ordered a dive to periscope depth, but with the aircraft on a direct intercept course I changed the order to a crash dive and all hands to battle stations. As the aircraft initiated an attack run, I ordered a hard turn to starboard, into the attack. No bombs or depth charges were dropped, but the aircraft attempted to strafe us before we made it under. I ordered depth to be held at 120 ft, course 330°, flank speed, then initiated a course change to port to 224°, and reduced speed to ahead two thirds. At 13:00, three depth charges or bombs were heard to detonate, apparently at some distance from us.

21 Dec 1941 20:30
We held course, speed and depth for seven hours with no further contact. Following a clear hydrophone sweep, I ordered periscope depth at 20:09. A visual sweep showed no surface or air contacts, so I ordered the boat to surface at 20:13. Batteries are down to 50%. We have resumed course at ahead standard, as the sun sets.

23 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Wake Island has fallen to the Japanese! Poor bastards!

24 Dec 1941 04:30
133°41’E, 32°06’N, 165 NM SSE of Hiroshima.
At 04:06 lookouts reported a ship ahead, bearing 001, long range. Ordered speed reduced to one third ahead, and binoculars showed it to be a small sailing vessel. Within minutes, two others were spotted, at 345 and 016. A binocular sweep showed no other vessels within visual range, so I ordered a course change to 180° to avoid contact, diving to periscope depth, ahead two thirds. They are probably just fishing vessels, but best to avoid them in case they are part of a picket, or equipped with radios.

24 Dec 1941
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps show no contacts within range, so I ordered the boat to surface and resume course, ahead standard. Weather remains set fair, with little to no change since we departed Pearl and Midway.
I feel we have been very fortunate to make it this far into Japanese home waters with so little contact with the enemy. Surely this can’t last?

24 Dec 1941 10:45
We have crossed the 133°E meridian, so, with sunrise approaching, at 10:35 I ordered the boat to periscope depth, ahead one third to conserve battery power. While this limits our speed to 2 kts, it should put us in a favourable position by sunset. I intend to remain out of sight and undetected while we approach the Bungo Suido, aiming to squeeze through under cover of darkness. A hydrophone sweep has revealed no contacts within range.

24 Dec 1941 21:00
132°36’E, 32°17’N.
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps have revealed no contacts. The sun has set. I have ordered the boat to surface, ahead standard. We shall continue on the surface under cover of darkness to approach the entrance to the Bungo Suido. The First Quarter moon should help, if the weather remains clear.

24 Dec 1941 22:18
132°23’E, 32°22’N.
Have turned to 336°, ahead standard, on approach to Bungo Suido.

24 Dec 1941 22:30
My Nav Officer and I have plotted a route into Hiroshima harbour. Looking at the map, and our complete lack of intel on minefields and anti-sub nets, or other defences, it’s clear from his face that he thinks this is a suicide mission. I won’t say so, obviously -- I have to maintain the morale of my crew, after all -- but I don’t disagree. What were COMSUBPAC thinking?!

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by EddieLyons

Captain's Log

USS Nautilus (SS 168)
(Note: All times in Base Time)

9 Dec 1941 13:00
Departed Pearl Harbour on our first war patrol, following the Japanese attack two days ago. Mission is to penetrate Japanese homeland defences to recon and photograph vessels in Hiroshima docks. No easy task, especially in such shallow waters, and in a vessel of this size. We have zero intel on what defences might be present in the approaches to the target, so we'll be going in blind and having to feel our way.
For the first leg, we shall use full ahead to expedite our arrival at Midway for refuelling. A few hours there, then it's on towards the Japanese archipelago.

9 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Japanese forces have landed on the Malay Peninsula and in the Philippines. Guam, Manila, Singapore and Hong Kong, among other places, have all been bombed. And after many years of conflict, China has finally declared war on Japan and its invading army. The scale of Japan’s offensive defies belief!

10 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Japanese aircraft have sunk the British battleship Prince of Wales and battlecruiser Repulse off the Malay Peninsula! It appears the Japanese really mean business.

11 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Germany and Italy have declared war on the US! The US Congress has replied in kind. Finally! This formalises what has already been the case in the North Atlantic for months, where the US Navy has been in combat with Hitler’s U-boat menace, protecting Atlantic convoys and President Roosevelt’s neutrality zone!

13 Dec 1941 07:31
Hooked up to the submarine tender at Midway to refuel. As soon as the tanks are full we'll depart.

13 Dec 1941 12:00
Fuel tanks are full, so we have cast off to resume our westward course. We shall proceed at ahead standard to balance our need for speed with the need to retain fuel for the return trip. So far weather has been set fair, and the barometer shows no sign of change.

13 Dec 1941 17:31
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: TF14 under Adm Fletcher are en-route to relieve Wake Island. Good luck to them!

16 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Japanese forces have invaded Borneo.

20 Dec 1941 18:01
Message received from COMASIATICFLT: Manila is under constant enemy air attack, so AF boats are to operate from Surabaya, Java, with immediate effect.

21 Dec 1941 13:15
144°58’E, 31°20’N, 435 NM SE of Tokyo. First contact with the enemy!
At 12:55 lookouts spotted an aircraft bearing 032, long range. In binoculars it appeared to be a multi-engine flying boat. I initially ordered a dive to periscope depth, but with the aircraft on a direct intercept course I changed the order to a crash dive and all hands to battle stations. As the aircraft initiated an attack run, I ordered a hard turn to starboard, into the attack. No bombs or depth charges were dropped, but the aircraft attempted to strafe us before we made it under. I ordered depth to be held at 120 ft, course 330°, flank speed, then initiated a course change to port to 224°, and reduced speed to ahead two thirds. At 13:00, three depth charges or bombs were heard to detonate, apparently at some distance from us.

21 Dec 1941 20:30
We held course, speed and depth for seven hours with no further contact. Following a clear hydrophone sweep, I ordered periscope depth at 20:09. A visual sweep showed no surface or air contacts, so I ordered the boat to surface at 20:13. Batteries are down to 50%. We have resumed course at ahead standard, as the sun sets.

23 Dec 1941 18:01
Fox Traffic from COMSUBPAC: Wake Island has fallen to the Japanese! Poor bastards!

24 Dec 1941 04:30
133°41’E, 32°06’N, 165 NM SSE of Hiroshima.
At 04:06 lookouts reported a ship ahead, bearing 001, long range. Ordered speed reduced to one third ahead, and binoculars showed it to be a small sailing vessel. Within minutes, two others were spotted, at 345 and 016. A binocular sweep showed no other vessels within visual range, so I ordered a course change to 180° to avoid contact, diving to periscope depth, ahead two thirds. They are probably just fishing vessels, but best to avoid them in case they are part of a picket, or equipped with radios.

24 Dec 1941
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps show no contacts within range, so I ordered the boat to surface and resume course, ahead standard. Weather remains set fair, with little to no change since we departed Pearl and Midway.
I feel we have been very fortunate to make it this far into Japanese home waters with so little contact with the enemy. Surely this can’t last?

24 Dec 1941 10:45
We have crossed the 133°E meridian, so, with sunrise approaching, at 10:35 I ordered the boat to periscope depth, ahead one third to conserve battery power. While this limits our speed to 2 kts, it should put us in a favourable position by sunset. I intend to remain out of sight and undetected while we approach the Bungo Suido, aiming to squeeze through under cover of darkness. A hydrophone sweep has revealed no contacts within range.

24 Dec 1941 21:00
132°36’E, 32°17’N.
Hydrophone and periscope sweeps have revealed no contacts. The sun has set. I have ordered the boat to surface, ahead standard. We shall continue on the surface under cover of darkness to approach the entrance to the Bungo Suido. The First Quarter moon should help, if the weather remains clear.

24 Dec 1941 22:18
132°23’E, 32°22’N.
Have turned to 336°, ahead standard, on approach to Bungo Suido.

24 Dec 1941 22:30
My Nav Officer and I have plotted a route into Hiroshima harbour. Looking at the map, and our complete lack of intel on minefields and anti-sub nets, or other defences, it’s clear from his face that he thinks this is a suicide mission. I won’t say so, obviously -- I have to maintain the morale of my crew, after all -- but I don’t disagree. What were COMSUBPAC thinking?!

Nice report. Orders are meh. I would use Captain's discretion and patrol area for shipping, too much risk to photo Hiroshima.

[Bubblehead1980]

TMO Update V2.0
Donat Narhwal Mod
100 difficulty, cams off, map contacts on.



18 September 1944

0000

Position 3-16 N 122-33 E in Celebes Sea, cruising on course 295 at 8.5 knots
en route to Cebu and Mindanap for special assignment. Passengers and cargo aboard.

0040 Lookouts spotted vessel bearing 073 range 5000 yards closing fast! SJ was off at time as "sweep" is made every fifteen minutes. OOD turned away at flank speed, vessel, now identified as a DD or DE, continued closing.

0041 GENERAL QUARTERS. I rushed from my cabin to the bridge.

0044 Spotted vessel closing. Large DD, possibly Shimakaze class.
Planned stern shot, but vessel began to zig and fire guns. Ordered
boat to dive, splashes close!

0046 Ordered 300 ft. Rigged for Silent Running and Depth Charge.

0050 DD roared above as NAUTILUS passed 220 feet.

0053 DC explosions. Real tooth shakers.

0055 Serious damage reported forward torpedo room. Damage Control Party
dispatched.


Damage Control Report


1. Leaks in Forward Torpedo Room, flooded bilges and resulted in about one
foot of water in compartment. DC party stopped leaks at 0100.

2. Hull damage reported forward.


3. Forward Batteries


4. JP Listening Gear


5. Forward Dive planes Transmission


6. High Pressure Air line leaks


7. Light bulbs and glass fixtures


8. No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 torpedo tubes damaged, likely non operational.



0134

NAUTILUS at a depth 350 feet, pinging and depth charge attacks continue. Due to possible hull damage, not advisable to increase depth.


0143

After last DC run, which shook boat. DD went quiet, likely above listening for NAUTILUS.
Currently at 350 feet, just waiting this skilled DD commander out....