USS Archer-Fish War Patrol #4
7 August to 29 September 1944
Report and Endorsements

SS311/A16-3                                                                           U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (SS-311)

                                                                                                    Care of Fleet Post Office

Serial ( 011-44 )                                                                           San Francisco, Calif.

C O N F I D E N T I A L

                                                                                                     29 September 1944

From:              The Commanding Officer.

To:                  The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.

Via:                 (1) The Commander Submarine Division 201.

                        (2) The Commander Submarine Squadron 20.

                        (3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

                        (4) The Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet.

Subject:           U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH - Repot of Fourth War Patrol.

Enclosure:       (A) Subject report.

                        (B) Track chart to ComSubPac only.

            1.         Enclosure (A), covering the fourth war patrol of this vessel conducted in waters of

the Japanese Empire east of KYUSHU and south of SHIKOKU during the period from 7 August, 1944 to 29 September, l944, is forwarded herewith.

                                                                                                            W. H. WRIGHT

CONFIDENTIAL

Subject:           U.S.S. Archer-Fish (SS-3ll) - Report of Fourth War Patrol.

Prologue:

• The U.S.S. Archer-Fish arrived Midway from her Third War Patrol on July 15, 1944. Normal refit was accomplished by U.S.S. Proteus followed by a three day training period. Ready for sea on August 7, 1944. An excellent refit, genuine interest in the boat’s problems and a well coordinated training period make Midway a standout base.

Narrative:

August 7 

1534 (Y)         Departed Midway for Fourth War Patrol in compliance with ComSubPAC Operation Order 266-44. Air escort remained with us until dark.

August 8-13    Proceeding at two engine speed, steering zig zag course during good visibility, holding daily ship and fire control drills, and section dives.

August 13

0920 (K)         Sighted masts and started tracking for position ahead. Ship contact #1. Gun Attack.

0949 (K)         Dived. As target closed saw he was a diesel trawler of about 300 tons displacement. The masts were high with conspicuous antenna. Two 20-40 mm. were visible on the deck house and forecastle and a rack with two depth charges aft. Although it is early in the patrol and I have no desire to carry a casualty through thirty days on station this target is 500 miles from the nearest land and too good to pass up. As his maximum effective range is probably less than 3000 yards will keep outside this and try to sink him with four inch.

1122(K)          Surfaced. Range had now opened to 5500 yards so we started closing and held fire until range was reduced to 4000 yards. The target is firing at a slow rate, his fall of shot is a good 1000 yards short of us, and the large splashes indicate 40 mm. After we had fired five rounds the target lighted a smoke cannister which gave him the appearance of being on fire and maneuvered back into the smoke for cover. Soon after this he jettisoned his depth charges and headed directly for us. We used SJ spotting at first but both periscopes and bridge agreed the spots were not too accurate. Six hits that splintered his upper works and dismasted him were observed. These were all high capacity and it is felt that common is of little value when used against a wooden ship. The allow of four inch, 1200 rounds of 20 mm., and 300 rounds of 50 cal. were fired at or into this craft and although his engineering plant or his underwater body suffered no damage it is felt that casualties among his personnel and to his topside would cause him to leave station. His fire slackened but never ceased so did not feel justified in closing for th kill and thereby exposing our own gun crews. The smoke was a new wrinkle and was used twice very effectively during the two hours that the engagement lasted.

ALL TIMES ARE FOR ZONE -9 IN THIS REPORT UNLESS OTHERWISE DESIGNATED

August 14-15  En route area.

August 16        Entered area, conducting submerged patrol during daylight.

August 17

0457                Dived.

1115                Sighted submarine, later determined to be friendly.

1130                Surfaced and exchanged calls with Albacore.

1342                Dived.

1906                Surfaced.

August 18-19  Uneventful.

1018                A/C contact #1. Four engine bomber, distance 8 miles.

August 20-21  Patrolling submerged off Tanega Shima diving 5 miles east of Otake Zaki and running parallel to 100 FM curve in a NE direction.

1719                A/C contact #2. NELL, distance 2 miles.

August 22 

0506                Dived. Conducting submerged patrol south of Tanega Shima.

1938                Surfaced.

August 23

0640                Dived south of Toi Misaki across approaches to Ariake Wan and Van Diemon straits.

0930                A/C contact #3. Sighted BETTY at 6 miles and heard distant explosion.

1928                Surfaced.

August 24

0506                Dived off O Shima Light. A dense surface haze reduced range of visibility to about three miles and handicapped periscope observations.

1901                Surfaced.

August 25

0502                Dived. Haze conditions are bad again today and the sea is an oily smooth. Patrolling inside 100 FM curve north of Tosaki Hana.

1317                Surfaced to check position.

1413                Dived.

1546                A/C contact #4. Eight ZEKES at 6 miles.

1910                Surfaced.

1910-30          A/C contact #5. TOPSY came out of cloud bank directly overhead, dived.

2024                Surfaced.

August 26

0511                Dived south of Mi Saki for patrol inside 100 FM curve. Visibility improved but seas are still glassy.

0915                A/C contact #6. DAVE at 4 miles

1145                A/C contact #7. Two ZEKES at 8 miles.

1437                A/C contact #8. Unidentified.

1518                A/C contact #9. Six ZEKES at 10 miles.

1602                A/C contact #10. Six ZEKES at 10 miles.

1815                A/C contact #11. One Trainer.

1830                A/C contact #12. One Trainer.

1900                A/C contact #13. TOPSY at 15 miles.

1955                Surfaced.

1957                A/C contact #14. The running lights of three planes flying on parallel and opposite course.

2028                A/C contact #15. Exhausts of a two engine bomber closing, dived.

2014                Surfaced.

August 27

0453                Dived south of Okino Shima to patrol approaches to Bungo Suido.

0930                A/C contact #16. DAVE at 8 miles.

2006                Surfaced.

August 28

0502                Dived east of Mi Saki, patrolling south of Bungo Suido.

2043                Surfaced.

August 29

1954                Dived inside 100 FM curve off Tosaki Hana. Patrolling parallel to the coast.

1954                Surfaced.

2058                A/C contact #17. Sighted exhaust of two engine bomber. Dive.

2353                Surfaced.

August 30

0501                Dived 20 miles off shore south of Mi Saki visibility poor.

2147                Surfaced.

August 31

0014                A/C contact #18. Plane picked up on SJ closing rapidly, dived. Spent most of the night tracking phantom contact at initial range 23,000 yards. Those pips were just as strong at 45,000 yards and disappeared soon after sunrise. Reasonably sure these were secondary land “Pips” as they jumped in and out as we proceded along coast giving improbable ship course and speed solution at times.

0056                Surfaced.

0138                A/C contact #19. Plane picked up in SJ passing astern at 3000 yds. Dived.

0228                Surfaced. Keying SD for the remainder of the night.

0545                Dived.

0900                A/C contact #20. BETTY at 7 miles.

1253                A/C contact #21. BETTY at 5 miles.

1637                A/C contact #22. TEIS at 4 miles.

2019                A/C contact #23. Upon keying SD in preparation for surfacing got contact at 10 miles, planed down.

2203                Surfaced.

September 1

0515                Dived in outer area.

1116                A/C contact #24. BETTY at 1½ miles.

1714                Surfaced. Although the plane activity in the Bungo Suido area follows no definite pattern, contacts are more frequent between sunset and 2200, so decided to surface, air out the boat, got in a few hours of charge and dive during this period.

1847                Dived.

2201                Surfaced.

September 2

0018                A/C contact #25. Detected in SJ at 5000 yards closed rapidly to3000 yards. Dived.

0152                Surfaced.

0347                Picked up interference in SJ which has the characteristics of our ten centimeter gear, turned to investigate. Interference soon reached saturation on all bearings and stayed steady on us. Shifted to receiver only and went ahead flank speed. No keying of his transmitted pulse was noted.

0426                Picked up a target in SJ at 9000 yards and tracked on a southwesterly course. He is making 18 knots so an end around before daylight is out, altered course to diverge target 20 degrees.

0512                At 12000 yards sighted submarine from the bridge identity uncertain. Soon after sighting, submarine dived so we did likewise. Ship contact #2. Contact never regained by sight or sound.

1707                Surfaced.

1903                . Dived.

2209                Surfaced.

September 3

0515                Dived.

1714                Surfaced.

September 4

O514               Dived.

1832                Surfaced.

1918                A/C contact #26. Plane sighted by its exhausts closing, dived.

2002                Surfaced.

September 5

0500                Dived.

1652                Surfaced.

1905                A/C contact #27. Sighted exhausts, closing, dived.

2159                Surfaced.

September 6

0445                Dived 7 miles east of Ashisuri Saki for patrol off the point. Sighted numerous sampans apparently engaged in fishing close inshore during the day.

1322                A/C contact #28. MAVIS distance 5 miles.

1403                A/C contact #29. NELL distance 7 miles.

1500                A/C contact #30. BETTY distance 7 miles.

1952                Surfaced.

September 7

0047                A/C contact #31. Sighted plane’s exhausts close aboard, dived.

0205                Surfaced.

0458                Dived west of Muroto Zaki for patrol off the point.

1942                Surfaced.

September 8

0450                Dived. Seven miles off shore between Ichie Saki and Shiono Lisaki.

0610                Ship contact #3 No attack. This contact includes a PC type patrol craft, four armed trawlers or “sweeper” type patrol craft (wooden ships of about 300 tons mounting two or three small guns, depth charge racks, and conspicuous by their high masts and antenna), one Wakatake dog dog, and one Chidori TBD sighted in that order.

Previous information indicates traffic in Kii Suido hugs the coast of HONSHU. During the last hour of running in toward land 82 and 3000 megacycle radar was strong in the direction of Shiono Misaki and this gear seemed to settle on us despite a driving rain.

Shortly after daylight the rain stepped and echo ranging was picked up in the direction of Shiono Misaki and Ichie Sak. Four trawlers were in sight, two to the northward and two south at ranges of 4000 - 6000 yards. It was believed at first that these craft were echo ranging but as they stood toward each other the pingers were identified as a PC to the southward and masts of what was later identified as a Wakatake destroyer coming down.

0620                The PC that had been lying off Fukura Ko at range 9000 yards changed course 180 degrees and went around the point.

0645                Started tracking the Wakatake. Speed checked at 33 knots as he came down but the minimum range obtained was 8400 yards. Upon reaching the approximate locality of our morning dive the destroyer started making zigs of about 100 degrees, range remaining about 12000 yards until 0835 when he started to close in our direction still making the radical zigs.

0903                During the entire approach we had kept the bow pointed at the Wakatake and all machinery rigged for silent running except steering and planes. At range 6000 yards angle on the bow 35 starboard picked up the masts and upper works of a Chidori TBD, trailing the Wakatake about 1000 yards astern.

0908                Range 5000 yards angle on the bow 60 port picked up and counted target’s screws at 160 rpm.

0912                Range 3000 yards target swung to a zero angle on the bow and turn count picked up. Plot and TDC have been checking at 12 knots but we now count him at 250 rpm. Decided to break off the approach and plane down until the situation cleared. This decision made on the spur of the moment resulted from evaluation of several factors. We have MK 23s forward, neither the small DD or his Chidori escort draws much water and by their activities and the movements of the trawlers astern either traffic is due through here or we are being given the bums rush. At 350 feet with excellent sound conditions we were able to study the maneuvers of the two sets of screws more carefully. A continuous speed variation of from 250 rpm down to 60 rpm or 18 to 5 knots with radical course changes kept them in close for about an hour. They seemed to ping directly on us at times but as we were the man in the middle they may have been handicapping each other.

1007                Back at periscope depth. One pinger has drawn off to the south and one to north.

1950                Surfaced.

2251                A/C contact #32. Picked up at 12000 yards on SJ closing rapidly. Dived.

2355                Surfaced.

September 9

0158                A/C contact #33. Passed astern distance 3000 yards. Dived.

0310                Surfaced.

0452                Dived 15 miles west of Shiono Misaki, attempting to ride in to the coast with the current without being detected. Picked up echo ranging shortly after diving.

0531                Ship contact #4. No attack. A Chidori and high masted trawler approached to within 10000 yards, remained for two hours steering various courses then heading off toward 0 Shima Ko. Again our diving point was the focus of search.

1903                Surface

September 10

0439                Dived 10 miles west of Muroto Zaki for another try at this side of Kii Suido

0830                A/C contact #34. DAVE at 8 miles.

Many sampans apparently engaged in fishing were sighted close inshore during the day.

1922                Surfaced.

September 11

0430                Dived 6 miles off shore between Ichie Saki and Shiono Misaki.

0745                Three fishing vessels close inshore.

0818                A/C contact #35. DAVE at 8 miles.

0847                Sighted armed trawler.

0850                A/C contact #36. DAVE at 8 miles.

1050                Ship contact #5. Wakatako dog dog came up from the South exchanged signals with station on Shiono Lisaki and proceeded up the coast out of sight. Minimum range obtained 6500 yards.

1300                Ship contact #6. Consisted of one LST type landing craft, one smoker of about 800 tons with high masts and a high stack, similar to our YOs and two wooden trawlers. None is believed worth a torpedo attack. Passed abeam at 6000 yards.

1320                A/C contact #37. Rufo at five miles circling.

1349                A/C contact #38. A zero type fighter diving us.

1913                Surfaced.

September 12-16 Conducting submerged patrol in assigned area. Heavy seas are running and it looks like we are due for a change of weather.

September 18   Departed area en route Midway.

The patrol was disappointing from the standpoint of contacts. SD was use only after repeated close passes by night flying aircraft, then keyed.

                       Our APR was seldom clear and usually showed two to four strong enemy radars.

Some nights when there was no interference in supposed aircraft frequency ranges we were driven down, on other nights when aircraft radar interference was strong we were not molested. Unless and until the APR can be made directional and cover a wider range of frequencies its chief value is “stress and strain”.

None of the aircraft no matter how close they came, even in bright moonlight dropped. Either we were not seen or their aircraft are not permitted to bomb blind in this area. We never stayed up to find out which was the case.

September 19

1521                A/C contact #39. Sighted bomber at 8 miles. Dived.

September 19-21        En route Midway.

September 21

0856                Ship contact #7. Tracked for position ahead. Target speed 3 knots.

1015                Dived. Closed range to 8000 yards and identified contact as 300 ton patrol craft similar to the one fired on in this area when we were outbound. No 4 inch ammunition remaining.

1308                Surfaced. Proceeding Midway.

September 24 Arrived Midway.

                        Commander J.F. Enright reported aboard as relief for C.O. in accordance with                         ComSubPacSubOrdCom orders Serial 796 of 23 September, 1944.

September 25-29   En route Pearl Harbor, T.H.

Weather:

• The weather during the period of this patrol was generally fair with many days of flat calm in the area wit attending surface haze and reduced visibility.

Tidal Information:

• No unusual conditions were encountered that have not been reported or listed on charts and in Coast Pilot.

Navigational Aids:

1. Otako Zaki             -          Normal characteristics but lighted at irregular intervals.

2. Toi Misaki             -          Same.

3. Tosaki Hana          -          Reduced visibility, uncertain characteristics.

4. Mi Saki (Todoro)   -          Same.

5. Muroto Zaki          -          Same.

Aircraft Contacts:

   Contact Number                  1                 2                 3                 4                  5                 6

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray

 Contact Number                     7                 8                 9                10                11             12

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol Medium Gray

 Contact Number                      13               14               15                16                17             18