USS
Archer-Fish War Patrol #5
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(UNCLASSIFIED)
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Patrol Report
Endorsements
Sailing List - Patrol #5
| SS311/A16-3 U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (SS-311) Care of Fleet Post Office Serial ( 0l3-44 ) San Francisco, Calif.
15 December, 1941.
From : The Commanding Officer. To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet. Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Division 102. (2) The Commander Submarine Squadron 10. (3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. (4) The Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. Subject : U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH - Report of Fifth War Patrol. Enclosure : (A) Subject report. (B) Track chart to Comsubpac only.
1.
Enclosure (A),
covering the fifth war patrol of this vessel conducted in
waters of the
J.F.
ENRIGHT. |
(enclosure)
| SS311/A16 Serial (013-44)
CONFIDENTIAL Subject: U.S.S. Archer-Fish (SS-311) - Report of Fifth War Patrol ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 29, 1944 Arrived Pearl Harbor completing 4th War Patrol. Assigned to Squadron Four for administration and Division Forty-Two for refit. Commander J.F. Enright relieved Commander H.W. Wright as C.O
•Installation
of Gould Trim Pump.
Narrative: October 30, 1944 1330 (VW) Departed Submarine Base for patrol in accordance with Comsubpac secret operation order 364-44 as modified by Comsubpac mailgram 302125 1700 (VW) Trim dive. 1710 Surfaced. 1900 Released escort, PC 580, and increased speed to 18½ knots. 2217 (VW) SJ radar interference bearing 240 T. Probably Snapper.
October 31, 1944 0525 (X) Trim dive. 0540 (X) Surfaced. 0735 (X) SJ radar interference. 0740 (X) Sighted friendly sub bearing 327 T. Probably Sea Horse. 1635 (X) Sighted and exchanged calls with Skate.
November 1, 1944 0605 (X) Trim diva. 0617 (X) Surfaced. 1630 (X) Sighted small sled target fired one magazine of 20 mm.
November 2, 1944 0718 (Y) Received despatch from Comsubpac stating that special mission had been delayed and maximum speed longer required. Slowed to 3 engine speed. 1012 (Y) Training dive. 1034 (Y) Surfaced. 1230 (Y) Crossed dateline. Changed date to November 3, 1944.
November 3, 1944 1455 (M) Training dive. 1513 (M) Surfaced.
November 4, 1944 1035 (M) Training dive. 1304 (M) Surfaced.
November 5, 1944 0630 (M) Training dive. 0648 (M) Surfaced.. 1442 (L) Training dive. 1454 (L) Surfaced. 1615 (L) Sighted and exchanged calls with Drum.
November 6, 1944 0550 (L) Training dive. 0612 (L) Surfaced. 1006 (L) Training dive. 1123 (L) Surfaced.
November 7, 1944 0300 (L) SJ radar interference. 0630 (L) Sighted and exchanged calls with Pampanito, Fell in with “Fennomints”. 0930 (L) Training dive. 0935 (L) Surfaced. 0937 (L) Training dive. 0955 (L) Surfaced.
November 8, 1944 0850 (K) Pampanito submerged. 0851 (K) Sighted plane coming in. Dived. 0921(K) Surfaced. 1355 (K) Sighted plane. 1356 (K) Plane on SD and SJ - IFF response a PBM that did not approach closer than 8 miles.
November 9, 1944 0320 (K) SJ contact and interference - 7500 yards. Later found to be Cod. 0625 (K) Sighted escort. 1241 (K) Pilot boarded. 1305 (K) Entered channel at Saipan. 1334 (K) Moored in nest alongside Fulton. Change time to -9 all following times are Item.
Started voyage repairs. These included: •Flooded cable to after TBT. •Replacing valve disc on stem of ice machine circulating water discharge valve. •Patching corroded muffler. •Cycling #2 periscope.
November 10, 1944 Voyage repairs continuing. The officers were given a ride around the island which was most interesting and appreciated. The men went ashore in walking parties under officer supervision to lessen the danger of booby traps which were still around. Four men who inadvertently became separated from the rest started through a cane field. When one of the men heard rustling where his friends were not, he called “Halt” in his best Marine voice. With that 3 Jap soldiers jumped and ran leaving a loaded rifle, bayonet, medical kit, K rations, etc. as souvenirs. It is very fortunate that we don't have four casualties.
November 11, 1944 1339 Underway in company with the “Fennomints” plus Scabbardfish. Escort departed at dark.
November 12, 1944 2000 Departed company with “Fennomints”. 2130 SJ contact 8700 yards. Probably Cero.
November 13, 1944 0505 Trim dive. 0545 Surfaced. 1054 SD contact. 8 miles. Closing. Submerged. Aircraft Contact #1. 1122 Surfaced.
November 14, 1944 0543 Trim dive. 0555 Surfaced. 2200 Received message to take life guard station in Hit Parade area.
November 15, 1944 0540 Trim dive. 0608 Surfaced. 1001 Sighted submarine on surface. 1015 Made quick dive, closing. 1044 Identified sub as friendly. Fired 2 smoke bombs, turned away and surfaced. With one of us using a Aldis lamp instead of a searchlight, and the other using a 24 hour old challenge, managed to exchange call with Trigger, part of Burt’s Brooms. 1519 Training dive. 1543 Surfaced. 1720 Sighted sub on surface bearing 270 T. - Probably another Broom.
November 16, 1944 0546 Made dive in area 5. 1708 Surfaced - SJ out of commission. No stars.
November 17, 1944 0013 SJ back in commission. Raid for today delayed. 0601 Quick dive. 1710 Surfaced. 2117 SJ contact 10,000 yards. This contact was soon lost and from size of pip, course and speed, was probably a small escort going to Hachijo Shima. Ship Contact #1. 2303 SJ contact 7500 yards. Another single pip and probably a patrol boat. Avoided. Ship Contact #2.
November 18, 1944 No plane guard duties today. 0547 Quick dive. 1714 Surfaced.
November 19, 1944 0540 Quick dive. 1138 Surfaced on lifeguard station. Excellent visibility and no clouds.
1200 Sighted plane on easterly course along coast probably transport. Not sighted. Aircraft Contact #2. 1235 Sighted another plane on same run as first. Probably Nagoya-Tokyo. Aircraft Contact #3. 1313 Received message that raid was delayed. 1314 Dived. 1723 Surfaced.
November 20, 1944 0546 Quick dive. 1148 Surfaced on lifeguard station. 1154 Sighted 4 large bombers on southerly course - Not sighted. Aircraft Contact #4. 1503 Nothing on Aircraft frequencies. Decided raid again postponed. Submerged. 1721 Surfaced.
November 21, 1944 0550 Quick dive. 1145 Surfaced on lifeguard station. 1200 Sighted single engine land plane closing from 6 miles. Aircraft Contact #5 1220 Sighted 3 large bombers heading south again. Aircraft Contact #6. 1254 Surfaced. 1310 Notified no raid today. 1313 Submerged. 1715 Surfaced.
November 22, 1944 0540 Quick dive. 1110 Surfaced on lifeguard station for recco plane. 1217 Submarged. 1723 Surfaced.
November 23, 1944 0545 Quick dive. 1112 Surfaced on life guard station for recco plane. 1245 Submerged. 1723 Surfaced. 1900 Received message to work area until notified raid is on.
November 24, 1944 0545 Made quick dive on sea route between Ire Saki and Shioni Misaki. 1722 Surfaced. 1945 Patrolling during night along line between Ir0 Saki and Shino Misaki.
November 25, 1944 0553 Quick dive. 1708 Surfaced.
November 26, 1944 0554 Quick dive. 1125 Sighted mast on harizon. Headed toward. 1145 Three sets of masts. Ship Contact #3. 1153 Ships made out to be 2 trawlers and 1 subchaser. Too small for torpedoes and did not consider gun action warranted. 1200 Fishing group passed 2000 yards abeam. Secured from battle station. 1326 Surfaced for recoo plane. 1401 Quick dive. 1720 Surfaced. 1830-2000 Sent weather report.
November 27, 1944 0548 Made quick dive. Weather has changed radically since weather report last night. Sea is now force 5, completely overcast with low clouds. 1140 Surfaced on life guard station. 1245 Raid probably delayed because of weather. Due to low hanging clouds and possibility of plane approaching within 1000 yards without detection, submerged. 1330 Distant explosion - Maybe raid is on. 1335 Surfaced - Aircraft frequencies clear. 1355 Submerged. 1717 Surfaced. 1800 Heard on broadcast receiver that Tokyo was again bombed. Later notified by 17.7 that all planes returned safely.
November 28, 1944 0556 Submerged. No raid today. 1718 Surfaced. 2034 Sighted Inamba Shima. Distance about 12 miles but no radar contact. 2048 Radar contact 24,700 yards, 028° T. Started tracking from ahead. Ship Contact #4. 2140 Identified target as aircraft carrier, base course 210, speed 20. It appeared he only had one escort. With sky overcast, and dark horizon to north, started surface approach on starboard flank. 2230 Escort on starboard beam sighted. Not possible to make surface approach on this side. Changed course back to his base course. 2250 Target group closing and we are off the track too far to submerge. Carrier turned on red truck light for about 10 seconds, then off for 20, and on again for 10. Range to closest escort 6100 yards and to carrier 15,000. Sent lookouts below and watched for gun flashes or splashes. Escort continued to ignore us - Called lookouts back. 2300 Enemy group now determined to consist of large carrier and 4 escorts. One on either beam, one ahead and one astern. 2330 Sent contact message. 2340 Looks like big zig in our direction. 2400 Probably a base course change to the west. We are now on his port flank further off the track than before. Changed our course to 270 and coaxed a few more turns from the already overloaded motors.
November 29, 1944 From here on it was a mad race for a possible firing position. His speed was about one knot in excess of our best, but his zig plan allowed us to pull ahead very slowly. 0241 Sent second contact message when it appeared he planned to stay on 275 and not much chance of us reaching a firing position. 0300 Looks like another change of base course or big zig to southward. Range closing rapidly and we are ahead. 0305 Changed course to 100 and submerged. Range to carrier 11,700 yards. Sighted carrier in periscope at 7000 yards. Changed course 10° to left to keep from closing track too much. A small starboard angle on the bow and range 3500. Escort closed carrier to receive blinker message. This caused him to pass nicely ahead of us at 400 yards. O316 Carrier zigged away about 30°. Picture improves. Good positIon, 70 starboard track, 1400 yards. Gyro shots necessary due to late favorable zig. 0317 Started firing all bow tubes, MK 14 torpedoes, set depth 10 feet - First gyro 28° right, track 100, spread from cards, aft to forward. 0317-47 Heard and observed first hit just inside stern near props and rudder. Large ball of fire climbed his side. 0317-57 Second hit observed and heard. This was about 50 yards forward of the first. With hits seen, a destroyer about 500 yards on our quarter, and wakes visible, started deep. Four more properly timed hits on our way down. The time corresponded to the firing interval and sounded the same as the two that were observed. The six hits with a spread can be explained by considering the data as correct, the overall spread from the card for 600 foot target is 10° and our target, 750 feet long is 10½° at 1400 yards. The six hits are certain. Breaking up noises started immediately. With the bright moonlight the identification is quite accurate. The carrier appeared to be similar to the Hayntaka class except it is believed to had a raked stern. Perhaps our recco plane over Yokohama has a picture to further identify this one. 0325 Started receiving a total of 14 depth charges. Closest one was perhaps 300 yards away. 0345 Last depth charge. The hissing, sputtering, and breaking noises continued. At one time they covered 90° of scale on the sound receiver. 0405 Last breaking up noise. Our starboard sound head training gear damaged by a broken roller and a holding down lug. Either from depth charge or pressure. Both training motors grounded out by bilge water as it was necessary to use a 10° up angle. Credit is claimed for a sinking because of these items: (a) Six certain hits. (2 observed) (b) Heavy screws stopped and did not restart. (c) Loud breaking up noises for 47 minutes. (d) Escorts give us slight attention and closed carrier, probably picking up survivors. 0610 Daylight and first periscope observation. Nothing in sight. 1000 Large and distant single explosion. Origin indefinite - Our target by all rights should have been down long ago. 1722 Surfaced. 1830 Started sending weather report and info on attack. 2000 Notified strike is on for tonight.
November 30, 1944 0551 Quick dive. 1718 Surfaced.
December 1, 1944 0554 Made quick dive in vicinity of attack. 0650 Sighted one trawler and one sub chaser. Probably looking for survivors which is our intent. Ship Contact #5. 0810 Broached in rough seas to 30 feet while getting periscope observation. Sighted Otori class TB, range 8000 yards, on opposite course. Ship Contact #6. Pinging detected. We were fortunately not sighted as it would not be possible to touch his 6 foot draft in these seas. 1725 Surfaced.
December 2, 1944 0550 Quick dive. 1720 Surfaced. Started for new lifeguard station. While passing between Hachijo and Aoga there was considerable radar interference on 82,150,155, and 192 mcs. The radar was strong and according to the APR it steadied on us a number of times. Occasional keying of the SD located no planes.
December 3, 1944 0545 Quick dive. 1009 Surfaced on lifeguard station. 1337 Considerable high pitched “yapping” on Tokyo broadcast station, sirens, and bells. Planes are over the target. 1547 Received message from plane requesting aid. Started for position at full speed. 1607 Plane reported emergency over. Slowed. 1615 APR interference on 192 mcs. Possible IFF response - Cut in our BK and searched with SD. No contact. 1630 Received another plane call for assistance. Changed course and speed to head for him. Full speed in these seas gave us 10 knots. Took considerable water in the main induction, in fact, more than we intended and the auxiliary generator was grounded out. 1656 Another message from plane requesting assistance. Notified him we received his message and got a “Roger”. As we were closer to the first reported position, continued on. 2000 Started search at first reported position. 2135 Sent message on downed plane and our plans.
December 4, 1944 0025 This search to be taken over by Scabboardfish. Started for position of second plane. 0550 Trim dive. 0617 Surfaced. Continued search - used expanded square search, 6000 yards between tracks. Size of seas determined assured sighting range. 1730 Sent weather report.
December 5, 1944 Continued search.
December 6, 1944 Continued search. 0745 Sighted plane 10 miles. Probably NELL. Submerged. Aircraft Contact #7. 155 mc radar interference. 0819 Surfaced. 1350 Sighted plane, 8 miles. TESS. Course north. Submerged. Aircraft Contact #8. 1423 Surfaced.
December 7, 1944 On lifeguard station. 0728 Submerged. Day raid canceled but night raid on. 1715 Surfaced. 1810 Sent weather report.
December 8, 1944 0747 Submerged for 155 mcs. radar interference - Clouds prevented sight contact. Aircraft Contact #9. 0846 Surfaced. 1243 Submerged. Planes should be well clear. 1703 Surfaced. B-29's due again tonight. 2327 Radar contact on two targets, 12,000 yards, commenced tracking. Ship Contact #7.
December 9, 1944 From size of pips believed those to be two fair sized escorts returning to Tokyo, speed 13 knots . and zigging. The fact that they were zigging indicates they believed themselves to be torpedo bait 0050 Targets sighted from bridge at 7000 yards. At 4000 yards and broadside the silhouettes were similar to destroyers but identification not certain. The moon which rose at 0010 was obscured by clouds most of the time so a periscope approach was not possible, and yet it was not possible to approach too closely on the surface. 0210-10 Fired 4 mark 14's at closest target from bow tubes with 100 track, small gyros, 3200 yard torpedo run. A 6 foot depth setting was used as it is doubtful if less than that could be used in the present sea. 0214-50 End of run explosions only. He was probably smaller than a destroyer and the torpedoes ran under. 0220 No sign that he knew of our presence. Tracked him at original speed. Did not make another attack as could see no way to improve the first attack. 0601 Submerged. No raid scheduled today and heavy low clouds. 1707 Surfaced.
December 10, 1944 0603 Submerged. 1008 Surfaced for recco plane. 1246 Single engine land plane sighted at 5 miles coming in. Aircraft Contact #10. Submerged. Recco plane should be well clear. 1705 Surfaced.
December 11, 1944 0603 Submerged. 1700 Surfaced. 1830 Sent weather report. 2024 Received message to head for Guam refit. Left Station.
December 12, 1944 0530 Passed between Sumisu Shima and Tori. Shima. 1058 Sighted masts on horizon 142°T. 1110 Identified as patrol boat on various courses. 6 miIes. 1116 Patrol boat disappeared to south. 1800-2200 Conducted test full power run. Average r.p.m. 285.
December 13, 1944 0605 Trim dive. 0616 Surfaced.
December 14, 1944 0220 SJ radar interference. Received challenge and sent reply by radar. Expect the Razorback. 0415 Lost interference - 7,900 yards closest contact. 0523 OOD sighted what appeared to be green smoke bomb, elevation 7°. Changed course in flare direction and ran for 8 miles. No contact - Proper recognition color but no boat surfaced and little chance of Razorback reaching position of bomb. 0600 Quick dive. 0615 Surfaced. 1243 SD contact 22 miles. Obtained IFF response at 18 miles. 1255 Plane not sighted until he closed to 2 miles. His elevation was about 4000 feet, and with scattered clouds it was very difficult to pick up the unpainted planes even though we knew he was near. 1256 Exchanged recognition signals by searchlight. 2323 SJ radar interference - 240°T. Possibly Sea Lion.
December 15, 1944. 0525 Sighted and exchanged calls with escort, AM-102.
Weather: • No unusual weather conditions were observed. Overcast heavy weather with intermittent rain was the usual condition.
Tidal Information: • No unusual tidal information can be added to found on the charts and coast pilot of the area.
Navigational Aids: • No navigational aids were seen with the exception of Fujiama which on one exceptionally clear day was sighted at a distance of 110 miles.
Ship Contacts: No. Date Lat. Type Initial Estimated How Remarks Time (I) Long. Range Course Contacted Speed 1. 17 Nov. 33-29'N Probably 10,000 SJ 2117 139-15'E small escort 2. 17 Nov. 33-30'N Probably 10,000 SJ 2303 138-58'E small escort 3. 26 Nov. 32-27'N 2 Trawlers 8,000 Periscope 1145 137-08'E 1 Subchaser 4. 28 Nov. 33-33'N 1 CV 24,700 210°T SJ Sank 1 CV 2048 138-45'E 4 DD 20 Kts 5. 1 Dec. 33-13'N 1 Trawler 8,000 Periscope 0650 137-28'E 1 Subchaser 6. 1 Dec. 33-15'N Torpedo Boat 8,000 Periscope 0810 137-25'E (Otori Class) 7. 8 Dec. 32-47'N 2 DD or 11,000 310°T SJ Fired 4 torpedoes 2327 141-56'E smaller 13 Kts believed passed under. 8. 12 Dec. 30-11'N Patrol vessel 15,000 High 1058 138-36'E Periscope
Aircraft Contacts: No. Time Lat. Type(s) Initial Est. C. How Remarks Date Long. Range Speed Contacted 1. 1054 27-30'N 8 mi. East R Dove 13 Nov. 137-50'E 2. 1200 34-15'N Transport 15 mi. East SD Remained 19 Nov. 138-25'E Surfaced 3. 1235 34-15'N Transport 15 mi. East SD Probably 19 Nov. 138-20'E Nagoya-Tokyo 4. 1154 34-08'N 4 Bombers 10 mi. Southerly SD Remained 20 Nov. 138-10'E Surfaced 5. 1200 33-50'N Single engine 6 mi. SD Dove 21 Nov. 138-08'E land plane Closing 6. 1220 33-50'N 3 Bombers Southerly P 21 Nov. 138-08'E 7. 0745 32-15'N Nell 10 mi. SD Dove 6 Dec. 142-10'E 155mcs (APR) 8. 1350 32-20'N Tess 8 mi. 6 Dec. 142-25'E 9. 0747 32-20'N APR Heavy O'cast 8 Dec. 141-15'E 155(mcs) 10. 1246 32-40'N Single engine 5 mi. Dove 21 Nov. 138-08'E land plane Closing R - Radar SD - Sighted Day P - Periscope
Attack Data: U.S.S. Archer-Fish Torpedo Attack No. 1 Patrol No. 5 • Time: 0317 • Date: 11-29-44 • Lat: 32° N. • Long: 137° E. Target Data - Damage Inflicted • Description: A
task group of one large aircraft carrier and four
destroyers was detected by radar at 24,700 yards. • Ship sunk: One large aircraft carrier similar to the Hayataka class tonnage approximately 28,000. • Damage determined
by: Six torpedoes were fired from the bow nest. The first
hit was heard and observed just inside (a) Six certain hits (2 observed) (b) Heavy screws topped and did not restart. (c) Loud breaking up noises for 47 minutes. (d) Escorts gave us slight attention and closed carrier, probably picking up survivors. • Target draft: 30 feet • Course: 198 • Speed: 18 • Range: 1400 Own Ship Data • Speed: 3.5 • Course: 092 • Depth: 65' • Angle:- 1° up Fire Control and Torpedo Data • Type Attack: This
attack was a combined surface and submerged attack in
that the approach phase was made on Fire Control and Torpedo Data (Continued) Tubes Fired #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 Track Angle 108s l09s 109s 111s 111s 124s Gyro Angle 28R 31R 33R 38R 40R 55R Depth Set 10' 10' 10' 10' 10' 10' Power Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hi Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit Hit Hit Hit Erratic No No No No No No Mk. Torpedo 14-3A 14-3A 14-3A 14-3A 14-3A 14-3A Serial No. 40009 40267 26405 40553 24373 24363 Mk Exploder 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 Serial No. 12134 19601 19299 2503 19259 19237 Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact Contact Contact Actuation Actual Contact Contact Contact Contact Contact Contact Mark Warhead 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 Serial No. 12939 17854 14952 16481 14916 20939 Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Firing interval 8 Sec 8 Sec 8 Sec 8 Sec 8 Sec 8 Sec Type Spread Divergent Divergent Divergent Divergent Divergent Divergent. Sea Conditions Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Overhaul Activity S/M Base S/M Base S/M Base S/M Base S/M Base S/M Base P.H. P.H. P.H. . PH. P.H. P.H.
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