USS
Archer-Fish War Patrol #3
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(UNCLASSIFIED)
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Patrol Report
Endorsements
Sailing List - Patrol #3
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(Enclosure)
• The U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH arrived Pearl Harbor from her Second War Patrol April 27, 1944. Normal refit was accomplished by the Submarine Base. Commander G.W. Kehl USN was relieved as commanding officer by Lieut. Com’dr. W.H. Wright, USN May 18, 1944 in accordance with ComSubPac Serial 0-1305. Conducted six day training period. Not deparmed or sound tested as the last three days were spent in making the forward battery soft patch tight and testing same. Readiness for sea on May 28, 1944.
1330 (VW) - Departed Pearl Harbor for Third War Patrol in company with PC-569. 1630 (VW) - Conducted training exercises with aircraft in connection with lifeguard duties. 1745 (VW) - Escort departed.
En route Midway conducting daily section training dives, ship and fire control drills.
0800 (Y) - Pilot came aboard; entered Midway lagoon, received 13,000 gallons fuel, the coils on #1 evaporator were renewed by Proteus repair force necessitating an overnight stay, fresh provisions were topped off.
0630 (Y) - Departed Midway. 1237 (Y) - Sighted Tambor bearing 197 degrees true, range five miles on opposite course. Dived.
En route area holding daily section dives, ship and fire control drill. Emphasis was placed on obtaining a quick solution with the newly installed DRT.
1940 (K) - SD radar contact 30 miles opening. Not sighted Aircraft contact #1
1257 (K) - SD radar contact at 22 miles, closed to 18 miles. Not sighted. Dived. Aircraft contact #2. As visibility was good am skeptical of this contact. 1431 (K) - SD radar contact at 2 miles. Not sighted. Dived. Aircraft contact #3. As visibility was good am skeptical of this contact. 1445 (K) - Surfaced. 1858 (K) - SD radar contact 12 miles closing. Not sighted. Dived. Aircraft contact #4. 1920 (K) - Surfaced.
0530 (K) - Dived to patrol Empire - Mirianas route as we will have only one day in our western area. Will spend the day submerged out of areas closing Sofu Gan to tune SJ radar tonight. 1158 (K) - Sighted submarine on the surface; believed to be Kingfish at estimated range of 6000 yards. He dived at this range so surfaced immediately and cleared area to northward at flank speed. 1458 (K) - OOD sighted float plane. Dived. Aircraft contact #4. SD was not in use as have decided in general not to use it within 100 miles of an enemy base or when patrolling a convoy route.
1900 (K) - Closing Sofu Gan to tune SJ radar.
0212 (K) - SJ radar contact, two targets, range 6000 yards. The initial range indicated small ships so tracked ahead and at - 0445 (K) - dived to look them over. One was a fishing vessel of from 80-100 tons with no visible armament. The other a two masted diesel trawler of from 300-500 tons, had a 3" aft., a 50 cal. on the pilot house and a small caliber gun under canvas forward. This vessel emitted single pings at long intervals so decided to trail. Ship contact #1. 1215 (K) - Surfaced on base course of targets. 1330 (K) - A group of four or more planes detected on SJ passing to northward at minimum range of 10,000 yards. Aircraft contact #6. 2127 (K) - SJ radar contact on Muko Jima at 70,000 yards.
0958 (K) - Dived at 10 miles to close Muko Jima Retto to inspect for inshore traffic. 1400 (K) - Float plane circled island and disappeared to south. Aircraft contact #7.
1122 (K) - Sighted plane, distance 5 miles. Dived. Aircraft contact #8. 1631 (K) - Sighted Swordfish and altered course to pass him at good distance while proceeding to lifeguard station.
0800 (K) - On station for lifeguard duties in compliance with Op-Ord.
1600 (K) - No strike was scheduled for today but had listening watch on aircraft frequencies. Heard our name for tomorrow used several times and the position of two downed pilots were given. Closed to investigate. Heavy seas and winds up to 30 knot force handicap us in search.
0200 (K) - In position, aircraft frequencies manned. 0935 (K) - Received information from ComSubPac that raid today will be the only raid. 1230 (K) - Sighted plane 5 miles closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #9. 1255 (K) - Surfaced. 1400 (K) - Made contact with friendly planes. Positions we had heard yesterday were repeated and we spent the remainder of the day searching those areas. Many friendly planes passed overhead during the next hour, all with IFF response. 1530 (K) - Two planes closing from high altitude. No IFF response at two miles. Dived. Aircraft contact #10. 1537 (K) - Two bombs. 1634 (K) - Surfaced. Manned aircraft frequencies, SD and IFF. All quiet. Continued search for aviators. 2144 (K) - Ordered to new station to intercept cripples from a major fleet action.
0447 (K) - SJ contact at 8500 yards. Ship contact #2. Closing target while tracking. 0455 (K) - Sighted target from the bridge. Shortly thereafter both sight and radar contact were lost. The target had been tracking on a south easterly course. Assumed target to be submarine from contour and fact he was lost sight of suddenly. Target stood out very clearly for a full minute before disappearing. Range 6000 yards. 0505 (K) - Dived. Contact never regained. 0835 (K) - Surfaced and cleared to NW. 1132 (K) - Sighted plane. Dived. Aircraft contact #11. 1220 (K) - Surfaced.
1347 (K) - Sighted plane. Dived. Aircraft contact #12. 1349 (K) - One bomb. 1429 (K) - Surfaced.
1037 (K) - Sank mine in Lat. 24°-27'N, Long. 139°-57.5'E. 1445 (K) - Sighted plane. Dived. Aircraft contact #13. 1455 (K - One bomb. 1616 (K) - Surfaced. 2221 (K) - Ordered to resume assigned schedule in rotating patrol.
0426 (K) - Dived 5 miles south of Tobishi Bana to check reenforcement of Iwo Jima. Seventy six planes were counted on the ground. A fighter umbrella is constantly in the air and bombers taking off or landing at frequent intervals. Eight small (300-500 ton) wooden ships were counted anchored off west shore. Aircraft contact #14.. Ship contact #3. 2015 (K) - Surfaced. 2055 (K) - Directed to take station for an air strike on Iwo Jima tomorrow.
0400 (K) - On station, listening watch on aircraft frequencies. 0746 (K) - Sighted enemy bomber closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #15. 0805 (K) - Heard distant explosion. All clear at periscope depth. Surfaced. A dog fight is to west of the island. During the next fifteen minutes observed four planes burst into flames and fall west of the island. Proceeding this position. Thirty planes with IFF response approached passing high overhead. These are Grummans but there are still eighteen enemy fighters flailing about over the island and bombers are taking off at short intervals. Looks like our planes never reached the target today. 0931 (K) - Four fighters closing us from high altitude. No IFF response. At two miles dived. Aircraft contact #16. 0940 (K) - Back at periscope depth. One bomb. The three other plans intend us no good. Back to 150 feet, will continue search coming up at fifteen minute intervals. From this time to sunset twenty three enemy fighters and thirty eight bombers were observed taking off or landing. Aircraft contact #17. 1503 (K) - The small ships west of the island were observed milling around to the NW, returning to their anchorage at sundown.
June 25, 1944 Between midnight and 0400 observed 41 planes land on Iwo Jima, all burning running lights. Aircraft contact #18. 0424 (K) - Dived west of the island and continued search for downed aviators. Counted 23 planes taking off or landing during the day. Aircraft contact #19. 2030 (K) - Surfaced.
1008 (K) - JOOD sighted periscope during high periscope sweep. Opened range for an hour. Ship contact #4. 1130 (K) - OOD sighted what he believed at the time to be the shears of a submarine beyond horizon and dived. Planed up to 50 feet and observed instead the masts of two ships. Ship contact #5. 1251 (K) - Surfaced Started tracking at flank speed to gain firing position ahead of the convoy which was now determined to be three ships. Visibility is getting poor but the convoy tracks on course 135 degrees at 15.5 knots. 1821 (K) - Dived. We are in position ahead but we have to close Iwo Jima to 5 miles and may be sighted at any time. 1830 (K) - A ship resembling a LST, high freeboard and boxlike, is standing in toward the east shore of Iwo Jima. A destroyer is leaving this ship and passing up around the west shore anchorage. The masts of eight to ten small ships can be seen at anchor to westward of island. Unable to close the range to the destroyer to less than 8000 yards. 2030 (K) - Secured from Battle Stations, pinging indicates the destroyer is still in the vicinity of the small craft but darkness and a land background have called a truce. 2228 (K) - Surfaced. 2245 (K) - SJ contact 12000 yards. Ship contact #6. Made surface radar approach, night black. With good solution giving an 80 track came in for bow shot. At range 2000 yards target clearly visible decided he was one of the 300-500 tonners seen so often around here. Not a torpedo target and gun action is out as this would flush targets at Iwo. Withdrew.
0438 (K) - Dived 4 miles west of Iwo Jima. 0518 (K) - Five small ships stood out from the beach pausing either side of us and steadying on a north westerly course. There are still eight small ships at anchor. A fighter plane is circling overhead. Aircraft contact #20. Spent the next hour and a half investigating these craft but none is big. 0610 (K) - Sighted destroyer and one small ship standing up from the South. The small ship is 500 tons more or less and passed us close aboard en route the anchorage we have been investigating. The destroyer broke off and proceeded to the east shore of the island passing from view around Tobiishi Bana. It is superfluous to say that he is elusive. Spent the remainder of the morning rounding the point and gaining position on this ship. Characteristics check most closely with Hatsuhara type dog dog. During the approach aircraft circled the island continuously and two ships of the LST type (2000 tons estimated) were observed unloading near the beach. 1005 (K) - The destroyer gave us a zero angle on the bow at range 4000 yards and placed us in good position for stern shot with MK 18s. On the next observation the destroyer had swung away presenting a 50 port angle on the bow and now had hoisted a CAST pennant 7. Swung right, the spread has been checking very slow and since he will not come to us we must go to him. Speed checks at 2½ knots, - incredible. 1106 (K) - Fired four torpedoes from the bow tubes at range 1100 yards using a half knot speed spread depths set 6 feet. First hit in 42 seconds slightly forward of the mainmast and enveloped the after part of the ship in steam and black smoke. The second hit under the bridge. Flame, smoke, debris, and people shot out of the field of the scope. The bow was observed to break upward at about a thirty degree angle. The fighters can still be seen in the air, many bombers are on the ground, an LST has swung out from the beach and there is only smoke settling at the target. We are inside the 100 fathom curve, cleared area, rigged for depth charge, took sounding and got 600 fathoms so went to 400 feet to withdraw. 1115 (K) - Counter measures commence, charges were dropped in groups of two and the torpedo room reported that the sound heads were damaged immediately after the first two charges. The First Lieutenant reported that the condition was serious enough to warrant housing the heads. The port head was finally hoisted in and secured but the starboard head would not house. JP only in commission now. 1146 (K) - Screws were reported closing to join the fracas but his charges were dropped in singles well aft. Circumstances lead to the belief that the first charges were large aerial depth bombs or charges dropped along our tell-tale V. 2307 (K) - Surfaced.
0520 (K) - Dived. 0703 (K) - Sighted single bomber. Aircraft contact #21. 1115 (K) - Surfaced.
0459 (K) - Dived off Okimura Ko, Haha Jima. 0547 (K) - Sighted CM or PG standing down from the North to enter the harbor. Ship contact #7. The craft acts like a ping line patrol craft heading in and out and in no way following a sensible course. 1850 (K) - Surfaced trailing the CM on a southerly course. 2058 (K) - Patrol craft determined to have reversed course and headed in the direction of Chichi Jima.
0215 (K) - SJ contact at 11000 yards. Ship contact #8. Target tracks at 15 knots and is also going toward Chichi Jima. Wanted to look at this target in the daylight so tracked ahead and at 0457 (K) - Dived. As the target continued in, he was identified as one of the LST type of about 2000 tons and of 4-5 foot draft. There is a crying need for a torpedo that will run at a depth of from surface to four feet in smooth seas and will arm at about 100 foot to be used against craft of this type and small escorts. We are seven miles from the harbor entrance and prefer torpedoes to gun action with an air field so close. 0545 (K) - Sighted float plane. Aircraft contact #23. 0620 (K) - Sighted sail boat. Ship contact #9. 0645 (K) - Two float planes closed and circled the sail boat. Aircraft contact #24. 0825 (K) - Sighted float plane. Aircraft contact #25. 0935 (K) - Sighted bomber. Aircraft contact #26. 1040 (K) - Heavy black smoke sighted bearing 030 degrees true. Two float planes are circling over the smoke. Ship contact #10. Aircraft contact #27. 1048 (K) - The true bearing of the smoke increased so came to the normal approach course, increased speed to two thirds, and dropped to 90' between looks. A fix placed us five and one half miles from the nearest land. The tops now in sight indicated a scattered convoy of four or five ships. Range 16000 yards, convoy zigging on a southerly course. 1124 (K) - Ships began to fall into column astern of one large smoker. With range to convoy 11000 yards a two stack destroyer stood out of Futani Ko and proceeded to augment the escort group. The convoy consisted of five ships; one large AP, four medium or small AKs. Two of the ships classed as AKs may have been AOs as they had long low well deck construction characteristic of this type. For escorts, the convoy had two destroyers, one CH or PG, and two PC or SC. The AP cannot be identified but her tonnage is believed to be a minimum 10000 as she dwarfs the AKs astern. She has single, squat stack, double deck stateroom space amidships, and full awnings rigged. over the well deck spaces forward and aft. Troops and equipment all over the topside. Decided to try for this one and fire a full nest forvwrd as we wanted to leave no cripples. 1157 (K) - At range 3000 yards, track 120, target speed 8 knots fired six torpedoes with a one knot speed spread, depths set six and ten feet, small gyro angles. The torpedoes ran normally. The PC between us and target spotted the smoke tracks and started turning with the tracks and away from us. 1159 (K) - Swung and fired two MK 18 torpedoes from the after tubes at a destroyer range 3000 yards with an 80 degree starboard angle on the bow. Shifted right a couple of degrees to an AK that almost overlapped the destroyer and with a fifty degree angle on the bow range 2800 started firing the last two MK 18s. At this time a periscope sweep revealed the PC had spun on his heal was giving our scope a zero angle and was coming in with some speed, range 1200 yards. The Commanding Officer believed that all torpedoes had been fired and had the word passed to Rig for Depth Charge Attack. By the time the error was discovered the outer doors were closed, gyro spindles out. This casualty resulted in firing only nine torpodoes and CO assumes full responsibility. 1201 (K) - Four timed hits were heard from the forward group time of torpedo run two minutes. One hit from the after group was heard in the Conning Tower although the After Torpedo Room reported two timed hits aft. 1203 (K) - Counter measures commence as we are passing 400 feet, the evasive tactics consisted of drawing off to westward at 500 feet and attempting to swing enough to prevent their getting a reading on fathometer as they came down the middle, this was not always sucessful and when by screw noises they had passed overhead, a minimun of six charges were unloaded. A total of 107 charges were dropped, and although the effect was sobering, the lads that day learned to love a boat that could take such punishment. R.M. Cousins, RT2c did an outstanding job on JP, both sound heads were out of commission from previous attack. 2052 (K) - Surfaced.
0200 (K) - Manned aircraft voice frequencies. 0530 (K) - Many planes diving on Iwo Jima, bomb bursts on the ground and AA bursts in the air. Manned SD and IFF and got response. 0555 (K) - Twenty five more friendly planes approach the island from the southward and go into bombing routine. 0557-0600 (K) - Two planes close from three to two miles. No IFF response. Dived. Aircraft contact #28. 0624 (K) - Surfaced. 0747 (K) - Plane closed to three miles. No IFF response. Dived. Aircraft contact #29. 0811 (K) - Two Grummans in sight. Surfaced. Established communications. 0817 (K) - Twenty two planes moving in on Iwo. 0826 (K) - Fifty friendly planes form an umbrella over us. 0857 (K) - Picked up our first aviator. 0914 (K) - Shore battery opened up. 0917 (K) - Splash ahead of bow indicates we are the target. Executed well known maneuver commonly known as “Getting the Hell out of there”. 0930 (K) - Two planes coming in from high altitude. No IFF response at 4 miles. Strafed at decks awash. All compartments report that boat is tight. Aircraft contact #30. 1048 (K) - Surfaced. Twenty five friendly planes in sight. One antenna shot away, 20 mm fragmentation in the shears but no real damage. 1054 (K) - Seventy planes pass overhand, IFF response. 1100 (K) - Thirty-four planes pass overhead, IFF response. 1307 (K) - Two float planes are coming at us fast from ahead, our planes are shooting at them but at two miles, dived. Aircraft contact #31. 1309 (K) - One bomb. Not close. 1400 (K) - Surfaced. Between 1400 and 1600 our surface craft covered Iwo Jima with systematic bombardment. 1600 (K) - SD contact closing to 4 miles. No IFF response. Dived. Aircraft contact #32. 1700 (K) - Surfaced. Task force of 12 or more ships clearing to the southward. From this time until 1829 our air escort continued the search for downed pilots. The weather has been good. The air search complete within a circle of sixty mile radius. The only blind spot in the search is East and South of the island and this is being covered by our own surface forces. 1950 (K) - Plane closed to 4 miles. No IFF response. Dived. Aircraft contact #33. 2033 (K) - Surfaced.
1329 (K) - Sighted bomber closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #34. 1420 (K) - Surfaced.
0910 (K) - Sighted bomber. Dived. Aircraft contact #35. 1028 (K) - Surfaced. 1100 (K) - Three bombers sighted closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #36. 1310 (K) - Surfaced. 1615 (K) - Picked up Japanese subject. 1716 (K) - Aircraft contact on SJ closing rapidly. Dived. Aircraft contact #37. 1939 (K) - Surfaced. Passing through oil and other flotsam during remainder of the night. Three more people were sighted at intervals, we maneuvered to pass them close aboard and called out to them but none talked, they could not have been aviators.
0526 (K) - Dived off Chichi Jima. 0845 (K) - Sighted flying boat. Aircraft contact #38. 1947 (K) - Surfaced.
1034 (K) - Sighted bomber closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #39. 1937 (K) - Surfaced.
0947-1000 (K) - Passing through wreckage. Five cadavers counted. 1404 (K) - Sighted bomber closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #40. 1457 (K) - Surfaced. 1928 (K) - Departed area en route Midway
• The weather during the period of this patrol was generally fair with occasional heavy rain squalls. The only unexpected feature was two days of low but heavy fog encountered northwest of Huko Shima Rotto June 12-13, 1944.
• The only added information to that which has been previously reported is the counter current south east of Iwo Jima which sets to the south west at about 1.5-2.0 knots along the 100 fathom curve and joins a rip tide south of Tobiishi Bana (Iwo Jima).
• None
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray * Symbol 0.0. is used in this report to indicate SD was not being used.
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray
• None
• Evasion tactics employed were deep submergence and slow speeds. No anti submarine measures other than those reported before were encountered. A total of about 130 bombs and depth charges were dropped during deliberate attacks.
• Sound heads - While passing 340 feet, speed 4 knots and 7 degree down angle, two charges went off followed closely by two more close charges. While this was happening the sound gear shook violently and training gears made a grating noise. Oil and water were observed squirting from cables on port sound head and chattering of the training motor gearing was heard. Port sound head was rigged in and it was noted that the head twisted while rigging. In as much as starboard sound head could be trained only a few degrees, and attempt was made to rig it in. Head raised about 18" and jammed, ship being at about 400 feet at the time. This head has remained in semi-rigged condition since that time. It is not known whether the depth charges were responsible for the damage or the ship hit bottom. We have no other reason to believe the boat grounded than the damage to the sound heads. • Soft Patch - The forward battery soft patch continues to leak at all depths. • Conning Tower hatch - The conning tower hatch seats improperly and leaks on every dive at from 30 to 35 feet. • Excessive electrolytic action - Inspection of a small leak in the air conditioning circulating water lines revealed that a joint had corroded away due to electrolytic action. A close examination should be made of all trim and drain lines, and all circulating water lines in the pump room, engine rooms and maneuvering room. Particular attention should be placed on the fittings of the above items, where they are silver soldered and dis-similar metals may have been used to determine the extent of this action. • Steering Gear - The steering gear continues to be our noisiest piece of equipment when running silently. While this unit was within the contracted sound level limits by the last sound test (Dec 1943) it is suspected that it is now above the limit.
• Reception: Used 14390 kcs. during daylight hours, but reception was generally poor from 0800 to 1600 (K). Used 9090 kcs. and either 6380 kcs. or 4525 kcs. for copying HAIKU schedules during the night, and on the whole reception was good. Found it expedient to guard two frequencies during the schedules in case of fading or jamming on one of the frequencies. Suspected jamming on 9090 kcs. several times. 17370 kcs. was never used because the signal was either very weak or altogether inaudible. • Transmissions: All necessary transmissions were made satisfactorily using 8470 kcs. With the exception of repeating a few groups, NPH was able to receive us on the first transmission. A Japanese station transmits on 3470 kcs from 2000 to 2400 (K time) which resulted in NPH’s signal on this frequency being weak and distorted. • Lifeguard Communications: After contact with the planes was once obtained, communications were quite good. 6740 kcs. on the TBL Modulator (Voy-Call) was used almost exclusively during the life-guard operations. A guard was maintained on Channel 3 of VHF, but very little transmission was heard. We had occasion to use that channel only once, and that with fair success, so we knew our equipment was working. It is believed that the tuning of the VHF is so sharp that unless the ship’s unit can be checked with that of the search and cover planes communications by this means is not practical. Difficulty from moisture collecting in tha antenna trunk was corrected by keeping a 100 Watt light bulb burning in the base of the trunk while the antennas were in use. The only ComSubPac serial missed was 87 (believed to have been sent about June 7 or 8). There were numerous NPH serials missed because of all day dives and the messages not being repeated at night.
• SJ radar ranges were good, maximum being 100,000 yards on a 3180 ft. island. Two difficulties were encountered: 1. Defective 836 high voltage rectifier tubes. 866's from 1-MC were substituted after all available 836's had been used. 2. A bad voltage surge following the shift of I.C. motor generators blew a number of fuse and shorted condenser C-16 in T.P.I. unit. • SD radar gave good results including its use in connection with I.F.F. equipment while on plane guard duty. Contacts and I.F.F. response were obtained at ranges up to 40 miles. The only difficulty in identification occurred when there were large groups of planes at equal ranges. SD high frequency tune up proved unstable and was returned to lower frequency by Proteus during voyage repairs prior to patrol. The pre amplifier unit, having proved unreliable, was disconnected at this time.
• Prior to sound head casualty of 28 June by severe depth charge, JK-QC and QB was satisfactory and sound conditions normal. • JP-1 was vary dependable being our only source of information during the attack mentioned above. Minor difficulties were experienced with broken leads in the cable below the lower packing unit. Installation does not provide adequately for the constant flexing which occurs at this point.
• No unusual density layers were encountered. Bathothermograph cards were taken throughout the patrol and are being forwarded to The Vice Chief of Naval Operations (Hydro Office) in accordance with existing instructions.
• No serious defects were observed in any of the above items. One case of acute appendicitis was successfully treated according to the instructions issued by the Pearl Harbor Sub Base. The patient will be transferred for further treatment during the refit.
• The state of training of officers and men left nothing to be desired. No adverse reactions were noted under prolonged depth charge attack.
• Limiting factor this patrol: Opord. |
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO HUNDRED ONE jrw FB5-201/A16-3 Fleet
Post Office C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L FIRST ENDORSEMENT to From: Commander
Submarine Division TWO HUNDRED ONE Subject: U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH Report of Third War Patrol - Comments on. 1. The third war patrol of U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH was the first for the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander W.H. Wright as such. This patrol was conducted in the Bonin Area and consisted of thirty-one days in the Area. The ARCHER-FISH was assigned life guard duties during the strikes on Iwo Jima on July 4th and rescued one aviator. No opportunity to inflict damage on the enemy was missed. It is vary gratifying to see how conscientiously this fine patrol was conducted. 2. ATTACK NUMBER ONE. Four torpedoes were fired from periscope depth at a destroyer similar to the Hatsuharu class. Two hits were observed and the destroyer seen to sink. The torpedoes were fired at a range of 1160 yards on an 82° port track using a speed spread of 1/2 knot. This attack took place on June 28th close to the beach and in spite of air coverage. The aggressive spirit displayed in pressing home this attack is noteworthy. ATTACK NUMBER TWO This attack was made on July 2nd 1944 against a heavily escorted convoy of five ships. Nine torpedoes were fired in this attack, which resulted in the sinking of a 10,000 ton AP and the damaging of either a destroyer or a medium AK. Six torpedoes were fired from the bow tubes on a 120° starboard track from a range of 3,000 yards at a large AP. Depth settings of six and ten feet were used with a one knot speed spread. Four timed hits were heard and although the target was not seen to sink because of counter attack, it is felt by this command that the target. sank. After firing the bow tubes the ARCHER-FISH swung for a stern tube attack on a destroyer and medium sized AK. Only three Mark 18's were fired due to a misunderstanding and one timed hit was heard.
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FC5-20/Al6-3 SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY Serial 087
Care of Fleet Post Office, CONFIDENTIAL SECOND ENDORSEMENT to From : The
Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY. Subject: U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH, Report of Third War Patrol, comments on. 1. The remarks of Commander Submarine Division 201 are concurred in. 2. The
Squadron Commander congratulates the Captain, officers,
and crew of LEO L. PACE. Copy to: |
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET mr Serial 01517
Care of Fleet Post Office, THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 475 From: The
Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. Subject: U.S.S.
ARCHER-FISH (SS-3I1) - Report of Third War Patrol 1. The third war patrol of the ARCHER-FISH was the first for the new Commanding Officer, as such. The patrol was conducted in the Bonin Islands Area. 2. The ARCHER-FISH performed lifeguard duty in the Bonin Islands Area during the carrier force air strikes on these islands. Prior to the first strike, the ARCHER-FISH sent an excellent reconnaissance report giving the composition of air forces sighted on the air fields at Iwo Shima. 3. The ARCHER-FISH conducted aggressive attacks; first, against a destroyer; and second, against a convoy of five ships heavelly escorted. The first attack resulted in the sinking of a destroyer. The results of the second attack were unobserved due to intensive anti-submarine activity. 4. The ARCHER-FISH rescued one U.S. Naval Aviator in the performance of its lifeguard duty. A Japanese prisoner was also picked up. 5. This patrol is designated as “Successful” for Combat Insignia Award. 6. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratulates the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew for this successful patrol and for the efficient performance of lifeguard duty. The ARCHER-FISH is credited with having inflicted the following damage upon the enemy: S U N K 1 - Destroyer (HATSUHARA class) (EU) - 1,400 tons (Attack No.1)
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET mr Serial 01517
Care of Fleet Post Office, THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 475 Subject: U.S.S.
ARCHER-FISH (SS-3I1) - Report of Third War Patrol - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - D A M A G E D 1 - Large Transport (class unknown) (EU) 10,000
tons (Attack No. 2). TOTAL 12,000 tons GRAND TOTAL 13,400 tons DISTRIBUTION: |
THIRD WAR PATROL
| William
Harry WRIGHT, Lieut-Comdr., USN Sigmund Albert BOBCZYNSKI, Lieut-Comdr, USN William Henry CRAWFORD, Jr., Lieutenant, USN Davis Eli BUNTING, Lieutenant, USN Clark Kelly SPRINKLE, Lieutenant, USNR Romolo COUSINS, Lieutenant (jg), USN John Kneeland ANDREWS, Lieutenant (jg), USNR Frederick Adelbert OYHUS, Lieutenant (jg), USNR Gordon Eugene CROSBY, Jr., Ensign, USNR |
| ACUNA,
William Leon, TM2c, USNR ADAMS, John Calvin, RT1c, USNR ANDERSON, Thomas Little, MoMM2c, USNR BAIRD, Willie Benjamin, EM2c, USNR BAROODY, Joseph James, SC2c, USNR BAUMGARTNER, William Francis, S2c, USNR BECKER, Robert Clayton, TM3c, USNR BENNETT, John Paul, EM1c, USN BOUCHIE, Maurice Edward, MoMM2c, USN BORDOVSKY, Rudolph (n), GM1c, USN BRISTOW, Henry (n), StM1c, USNR BROWN, John Melvin, CMoMM, USN BURKE, James Anthony, MoMM2c, USNR BURNHAM, George Joseph, RM3c, USNR BUNTAIN, Finley Cline Monroe, TM1c, USN CADWELL, Rolla Lee, S2c, USNR CAMP, Warren Henry, MoMM2c, USNR CARMACK, Leo Roy, S1c, USNR CARNAHAN, Eugene Earl, CY, USN CARNIFAX, Thomas Henry, Jr., EM3c, USNR CHONKO, John Joseph, CEM, USN CICHON, John Joseph, MoMM1c, USN CLOTHAKIS, Nicholas Vasilios, RM2c, USNR COUSINS, Richard Merton, RT3c, USN CONK, Gerard James, EM3c, USNR DeSOLA, Ben Hoeb, EM3c, USNR DONNELLY, Joseph Allen, RM3c, USNR ELLIOTT, Amos Demoin, MoMM1c, USN ELLZEY, Daniel Webster, CQM, USN ENSIGN, Everett Raymond, EM1c, USN FARRAR, Fred Parrish, S1c, USNR FOX, Taylor Lincoln, TM2c, USN HEALEY, John Patrick, Bkr3c, USN HOFFMAN, Lambert Dall, CMoMM1c, USN HUGHES, William Douglas, CPhM, USN KEAST, Edwin Paul, SC2c, USNR KENNEY, Richard Albert, FCS2c, USN |
LEFEBVRE,
Gerald Alfred, RM3c, USNR LIGHTER, Hershel Arthur, MoMM1c, USN MAIORANA, Benny Frank, EM3c, USNR MANTZEY, Edward Minnis, QM1c, USN MAYHEW, Wilbur Wesley, TM2c, USNR MCMAHON, Edward Charles, EM3c, USNR MCGRATH, John Owen, S1c, USNR MYERS, Earl Edgar, RT3c, USNR NOROOS, Olaf, EM3c, USNR NELSON, Billy George, S1c, USNR OLESEWSKI, Francis Xavier, EM2c, USN OLIVER, Paul Linza, EM2c, USNR PATE, Billy, F1c, USNR PETERSON, Orville Orby, TM3c, USNR PIERCE, Evan John, S1c, USNR POTANOVIC, John Francis, MoMM3c, USNR SCANLAN, Richard Cullen, RM2c, USN SCHONBORG, Walter Otto, EM3c, USNR SCOTT, Levi Frank, StMlc, USNR STROHL, Victor Harold, S1c, USNR SYKES, William Lewis, QM3c, USNR TELLIER, Norman Leo, S1c, USN VERZWYVELT, Anthony Everist, MoMM3c, USNR WELLS, Lowell Earnest, TM3c, USNR WELLS, Charles Neal, MoMM2c, USNR WHALEN, Thomas William, MoMM1c, USNR WHARTON, Wade Lemuel, BM2c, USNR WHEELER, George Dewey, Jr., TM3c, USNR WHITE, Robert (n), EM2c, USNR WILL, Alfred Irving, M0MM2c, USNR WILLS, James Richard, TM3c, USNR WILKEN, Carl Anthony, MoMM2c, USNR WINKLE, Norman William, GM3c, USNR WOOD, Paul Richard, TM3c, USN WOODRUFF, George Elmer, SM2c, USNR ZIELINSKI, Edward Felix, TM2c, USNR ZYCH, Henry Joseph, MoMM2c, USN |
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