311 War Patrol #6

SS311/A16-3

Serial (03-45)

CONFIDENTIAL

Subject: U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (SS-311) - Report of War Patrol Number Six.

Prologue:

Dec. 15, 1944. Arrived in Guam at end of 5th war patrol. Assigned to division 102 for refit.

Dec. 16, 1944. Crew moved to Camp Dealey for recuperation.

Dec. 30, 1945. Returned to ship.

Jan. 1-9, 1945. Post repair trials, training, and loading. The refit was accomplished very

efficiently and all troubles were corrected.

Narrative:

Jan. 10, 1945.

1710 (K) Departed Guam for patrol in accordance with Comsubspac op. ord. 436-44 (revised). The Task Group (17.16) composed of the Archer-Fish, Blackfish, and Batfish with Commander J. F. ENRIGHT as the group commander.

1735 (K) Formed column astern of the escort, DD Boggs, and changed time to -9 (Item).

2220 (I) Released escort. Formed line of bearing with Blackfish and 5 miles on port beam and Batfish 5 miles on starboard beam.

Jan. 11, 1945.

0530 (I) Training dive.

0601 (I) Surfaced.

0900-1000 (I) Tracking drill.

1300-1400 (I) Tracking drill.

Jan.12, 1945.

0550 (I) Training dive.

0610 (I) Surfaced.

0900-1000 (I) Tracking drill.

1059 (I) Sighted unidentified aircraft 5 miles. Dived. Aircraft contact #1.

1130 (I) Surfaced.

1300-1400 (I) Tracking drill.

1459 (I) Training dive.

1515 (I) Surfaced.

1610 (I) Radar pip at 3,500 yards, bearing 310° relative, followed by OOD sighting through high periscope about 3 feet of periscope. Avoided. Other two boats were on surface and well clear.

1830 (I) Sent message 120915 concerning periscope and weather.

Jan. 13, 1945,

0620 (I) Training dive.

0635 (I) Surfaced.

0900-1000 (I) Tracking drill.

1108 (I) Training dive.

1122 (I) Surfaced.

1300-1400 (I) Tracking drill.

1601 (I) Sighted unidentified plane. Dived. Aircraft contact #2.

1631 (I) Surfaced.

Jan. 14, 1945.

0636 (I) Training Dive.

0658 (I) Surfaced.

0833 (I) Sight and SJ contact on unidentified plane at 13,000 yards. Dived. Aircraft contact #3.

0901 (I) Surfaced.

0902-1000 (I) Tracking drill.

1300-1400 (I) Tracking drill.

1530 (I) Sighted and closed to investigate an empty life raft. About 10 man size usually lashed to sides of ships. No identification marks.

1700 (I) Sighted second raft about the same as previous one. Closed and found it also empty.

2226 (I) Changed course to 047 to cover area for 2 rafts of downed aviators.

Jan. 15, 1945.

0655 (I) Trim dive.

0705 (I) Surfaced. In area for downed aviators, searching while en route.

0914 (I) SD contact 12 miles. No IFF. Dived. Aircraft contact #4.

0935 (I) At 50 foot. SD contact 9 miles.

1003 (I) Surfaced.

1300-1500 Barometer dropped .8 point. Heavy clouds, seas built up from force 2 to 5.

2145 (I) Land contact on SJ, 85,000 yards. Babuyan Islands.

Jan. 16, 1945.

0225 (I) Watched plane on MI scope show up at 25,000 yards and fade out about 28,000. No APR interference. Aircraft contact #5.

0300 (I) Passed Babuyan Island abeam to port, 6 miles. No indication of radar on island.

0850 (I) Made quick dive. .Decided to stay down because of reported planes along island chain and we can reach area on tine.

1410 (I) Sighted surfaced sub on northerly course. Identified as friendly and probably Blackfish. Range 1,000 yards when abeam. First picked up by screws on JK.

1902 (I) Surfaced.

2020 (I) APR interference on 155 mcs.

2054 (I) Picked up plane on SJ at 38,000 yards. Soon disappeared. Started sweeping with SJ at 5 minute intervals with MR interference weak. Aircraft contact #6.

2130 (I) Lost interference and resumed normal SJ operation.

2400 (I) Entered area. Legjoint.

Jan. 17, 1945.

Heading west in Legjoint toward lifeguard station.

0723 (I) Dived.

0900 (I) Changed time to -8 zone (How)

All times now -8 (How) unless otherwise noted.

1818 Surfaced.

1945 Radar interference on SJ at 245°T.

2040 Exchanged calls with Guardfish who is leaving area. We had interference from the Guardfish for about 3 hours, and as we were on opposite courses, the initial range must have been about 45 miles.

Jan. 18, 1945.

0647 Dived.

0955 Surfaced. Got first position since passing straits. A sun line.

1141 Dived.

1831 Surfaced.

Jan. 19, 1945.

0650 Dived.

0809 Surfaced to look for aviator survivors down since Jan. 16. Condition of sea 5. Heavy overcast. Visibility 4,000 yards.

0825 SD contact 13 miles, closing. Dived. Aircraft contact #7.

0936 Surfaced.

1121 SJ contact 14,500 yards closing rapidly to 12,000. Dived. Aircraft contact #8. Necessary to use SD and they are probably homing on it.

1938 Surfaced.

Jan. 20, 1945.

0645 Dived. First stars in 5 days. Have been using soundings taken approximately every 4 hours. Found we were about twenty miles to the north.

1004 Surfaced.

1045 Dived.

1845 Surfaced..

Jan. 21, 1945.

0033 SJ contact and radar interference at 022°T, 17,000 yards. Tracked on westerly course. This is probably the Charr but had no success in exchanging identification by SJ.

0140 Lost SJ contact.

0435 SJ radar interference at 083°T. Probably Blackfish.

0510 SJ contact 249⁰T at 6,900 yards. 2 pips. Tracked on course 035 at 4 knots. Obviously small boats, probably fishing. Did not close.

0630 Dived.

1841 Surfaced.

1900 Sent routine weather message 211100.

2255 SJ contact 352⁰T at 13,900 yards. Tracked on course 140, speed 4. Closed.

Jan.22, 1945.

0040 Identified SJ contacts in moonlight at 1,500 yards as 2 sailing junks. Probably 100 feet long. One large mainsail, and a smaller foresail and kicker.

053 SJ contact 140⁰T, 15,000 yards. 2 pips. Closed and identified by sight as two more sailing junks. Quite certain that those are fishing boats and probably Chinese. Did not desire to close to less than 1,500 yards in darkness.

0640 Dived.

1843 Surfaced.

2017 SJ radar contact 165°T, 16,750 yards.

2050 Identified by sight 5 sailing junks.

Jan. 23, 1945.

0002 SJ contact 020°T, 16,000 yards.

0032 Identified as 2 sailing junks.

0642 Dived.

1835 Surfaced.

2137 SJ contact, 340⁰T, 13,200 yards.

2153 Identified as 5 sailing junks.

Jan. 24, 1945.

0249 SJ contact, 145⁰T, 14,600 yards. Identified as sail boats.

0339 SJ contact, 200°T, 9,550 yards. Identified as sail boats.

0640 Dived.

1837 Surfaced.

Jan.25, 1945.

0240 SJ and sight contact 2 sailing boats.

0645 Quick dive.

0955 Sighted aircraft. Probably Topsy, 8 miles. Aircraft contact #9.

1838 Surfaced.

1930 Sent routine weather message. 251120

2240 Received message from ComSubsPac about plane sighting of raft and unidentified plane wreckage. Changed course to head for spot.

Jan. 26, 1945.

0235 SJ and sight contact 2 sailing boats.

0545 SJ contact and interference. 214⁰T, 13,000 yards. Exchanged calls with Batfish who is also looking for raft.

0645 Daylight. Looking for raft.

0854 Quick dive.

1000 Surfaced.

1132 Quick dive.

1748 Surfaced.

1845 Dark. During the day numerous new wooden planks about 8 feet long were sighted. If these had been secured together they probably would have looked like a raft. The China based plane reported sighting the raft an hour and a half before sunrise.

Jan. 27, 1945.

0659 Quick dive. Visibility 3-5000 yards during day.

1837 Surfaced.

Jan. 28, 1945.

0643 Quick dive.

1842 Surfaced.

1850 SJ radar interference to north. Drew west. Probably Croaker or possibly Blueback.

2030 Lost radar interference.

Jan. 29, 1945.

0652 Quick dive.

0800 Sighted 2 sail boats. Range about 8,000 yards. Probably fishing as they lowered their sails at 0845.

1842 Surfaced.

Jan. 30, 1945.

0648 Quick dive.

1839 Surfaced.

Jan 31, 1945.

0644 Quick dive.

0850 Surfaced for sun line.

0900 Quick dive.

1205 Surfaced for sun line.

1223 Quick dive.

1845 Surfaced.

1930 SJ contact 304⁰T, 29,000 yards. Manned tracking stations.

1950 Secured from tracking stations when it became apparent that pip was a plane. Aircraft contact #10.

Feb. 1, 1945.

0005 SJ contact 14,500 yards. 2 pips. Closed and identified by sight as 2 sail boats.

0639 Quick dive.

1840 Surfaced.

1945 Received Comsubspac 010749 and changed course to 070 and speed to standard.

Feb. 2, 1945.

0001 SJ out of commission.

0245 SJ repaired.

0701 SJ contact 13 miles. Dived. Aircraft contact #11.

1829 Surfaced.

2000 Received Comsubspac serial 17 directing us to join Plaice and Scabbardfish.

2300 Master gyro out.

Feb. 3, 1945.

0130 Master gyro back in commission.

0630 Made quick dive on station on Tokao-Aparri route.

1348 Surfaced for sun line.

1406 Quick dive.

1818 Surfaced.

2015 SJ radar interference 060°.

2315 Exchanged calls by SJ with Blackfish. Later determined to be at a distance cf 35 miles.

Feb. 4, 1945.

Closed Blackfish to check SJ. Picked them up at 11,250 yards. Obtained PE from them as they earlier had SJ fix on Formosa.

0619 Made quick dive.

1811 Surfaced. Weather during day was poor. Force 6 sea. 4,000 yards visibility.

2305 Exchanged calls by SJ with Blackfish.

Feb. 5, 1945.

0017-0035 2 SJ contacts on planes. 8-12,000 yards. No APR interference and probably friendly. Nothing on SD. Aircraft contact #12.

0145-0202 APR interference on 180 mcs. Probably aircraft warning on Formosa looking for our Philippines based planes.

0558 APR interference at 155 mcs. Nothing on SJ or SD and as he seemed to be closing and it was almost light, made quick dive. Aircraft contact #13.

1814 Surfaced. Weather about the same as yesterday.

Feb. 6, 1945.

0610 Made quick dive. Weather improving.

0916 Surfaced for sun line.

0931 Quick dive.

1204 Surfaced for sun line.

1210 SJ land contacts. On Itbayat and Batan Islands at 55,000 and 75,000 yards.

1214 Made quick dive.

1815 Surfaced.

2134 Rapidly closing SJ contact at 5,000 yards. Keyed SD and had 1/2 mile contact. Quick dive. Aircraft contact #14.

2157 At 40 feet had SD contact at 4 miles with IFF response.

2217 All clear. Surfaced.

2225 SD contact at 8 miles. No IFF but he didn’t close. Aircraft contact #15.

Am certain these are friendly bombers working over Formosa, but if they are using radar it doesn’t show on our APR. Rather doubtful but a possibility that they would bomb an unidentified radar contact so plan to dive if they get within 4 miles. VHF was on the aircraft frequencies but no information was being sent.

Feb. 7, 1945.

0108 Short APR contact on 180 mcs.

0214 SJ contact 9,000 yards on another plane. Aircraft contact #16.

0604 Quick dive.

1209 Sighted 9 B24's flying in close formation at about 3,000 feet on their way to Formosa. Aircraft contact #17.

1523 Sighted single B-24 distance 6 miles on his way home. Aircraft contact #18.

1623 Sighted single engine, float plane, Rufe. Aircraft contact #19.

1817 Surfaced.

Feb. 8, 1945.

0603 Quick dive.

0925 Sighted formation of 20 B-25's heading north. The second big reason in two days for the scarcity of targets. Aircraft contact #20.

1815 Surfaced.

1853 Exchanged calls and message with Blackfish by SJ radar.

2157 Plane contact on SJ at 14,000 yards. Aircraft contact #21.

2211 APR interference on 180 mcs.

Feb. 9, 1945.

0640 Quick dive.

1820 Surfaced.

2125 Plane on SJ at 4,200 yards. Aircraft contact #22.

2126 Quick dive. There was no APR indication.

2158 All clear on SD and SJ. Surfaced.

Feb. 10, 1945.

0225 SJ plane contact 4,400 yards. Made quick dive. Aircraft contact #23.

0253 All clear on SJ and SD. Surfaced.

0601 Quick dive.

1822 Surfaced.

2125 SJ contact on plane. Checked by SD at 4 miles. Made quick dive. Aircraft

contact #24.

2152 At radar depth. Plane contact on SD at 10 miles.

2210 Radar depth. Plane contact on SD at 12 miles.

2240 All clear on SD and SJ. Surfaced.

These plane contacts cannot be satisfactorily explained. The APR is apparently working properly but there are no indications of interference. The night is dark with no moon and is usually overcast. At first it was assumed that they were friendly planes either with radar off, or not in the band of the APR. The contacts are so persistent though, and with the plane remaining in the area, it appears they are searching and therefore probably enemy. There is time on about half the contacts to check for IFF and there has been no response except on one occasion. So far they have dropped no flares or bombs.

Feb. 11, l945.

0405 SJ interference and contact 7,700 yards. Exchanged challenge and calls with Scabbardfish.

0600 Quick dive.

1202 Sighted B-24 at 3 miles on southerly course. Aircraft contact #25.

1819 Surfaced.

2040 Received message giving location of fighter pilot in raft. Changed course to head for eastern side Batan Island.

Feb. 12, 1945.

0620 Made quick dive.

0822 Surfaced. The bow planes would not rig in. Seas caused heavy pounding. All appeared normal below and it was too rough to inspect topside.

0855 Quick dive.

1818 Surfaced. Ensign G. E. CROSBY and CMoMM H. A. LIGHTER went forward in the superstructure to inspect the planes. Found the forward universal on the rigging shaft completely carried away and one end of the shaft resting on the pressure hull. No repairs possible.

2030 Received message 120128 giving position of pilot late afternoon of the 10th. With the currents in this area (12 - 2 knots) and varying set it is rather difficult to plot his course. Later notified he was picked up by plane.

Feb. 13, 1945.

0030 Sent message to Comsubspac telling of bow plane trouble and requesting permission to leave area. It is regretted that this was necessary but was considered so as the planes were pounding so heavily that it was felt something else would give way and the planes would be totally disabled. Routine dives are alright without bow planes, but not approaches or evading depth charges. Three days of the assigned time remain.

0634 Made quick dive.

1812 Surfaced.

2030 Received message 130205. Set course for Saipan.

2300 Sent weather and acknowledgment dispatch to Comsubspac 131423.

Feb. 14, 1945.

0546 Trim dive.

0604 Surfaced.

0647 Lookout reported periscope. Evaded. Not sighted by others.

0705 SD contact 10 miles. No IFF. Quick dive. Aircraft contact #26.

0737 Surfaced.

1057 SJ radar interference bearing 178⁰T.

1105 Exchanged challenge and reply and ships calls with USS Brill.

1238 SD contact 16 miles. Aircraft contact #27.

1240 Contact closed to 13 miles. Quick dive.

1315 Surfaced.

1435 Sighted aircraft followed by SD contact 8 miles. Quick dive. Aircraft contact #28.

1518 Surfaced.

2008 SJ contact 030°T, 6,000 yards.

2010 A couple of erratic rapidly closing range gave appearance of another plane contact. Made quick dive.

2012 Sound picked up high speed screws. Tracked aft.

2031 Surfaced. Changed course to head for contact.

2053 Picked up contact on SJ at 7,200 yards. Continued to close at full speed. His speed 102 knots.

2115 Range closed to 2,650 yards. Could see target as being low and probably a submarine. If not, a PC boat.

2117 All stop. Got a turn count of 256 rpm. Checked IFF and no response. No SJ interference. His course 235 with 25° zigs. .Zigs are irregular in time.

2148 Sent message to Bennets Blazers reporting we had a contact with no radar interference and asked for their position.

2145-2308 Kept range between 5,000 - 6,000 yards while we worked up his starboard side. Waited for position reports from the Blazers, decoded all messages into present time, rechecked all serial messages and zone notices as complete.

2309 Changed course to head in for attack. Before deciding to attack the following facts were carefully considered.

1. All friendly submarines were well clear. The Brill about 200 miles west of us and all the Blazers reported positions about 140 miles east of us.

2. A screw count of 256 rpm for 10-11 knots indicates enemy. That turn count would give one of our boats a speed of about 18 knots.

3. No radar interference of any kind and no indications that we were detected as close as 2,650 yards.

4. No signals on sound.

5. No IFF response.

6. On a course heading to the northern tip of Luzon.

7. If the target was a PC, he was in a submarine patrol zone.

2315 By sight from the bridge the target was seen to be a submarine. The conning tower was more square than ours, no periscope shears, no gun platforms forward and aft of the bridge. Conning tower about half way between bow and stern. Deck flat.

2317-10 Fired #3 tube.

2317-20 Fired #4 tube.

2317-30 Fired #5 tube.

2317-40 Fired #6 tube.

No hits. A possible reason is that he zigged toward us and it was undetected. It was not possible to give angle on the bow. The track was less than was desired, but the range was closing quite rapidly and it was necessary to fire early to avoid detection. The torpedoes were set at 3 feet earlier due to the possibility of a PC boat and were not changed. The sea was calm and no reason to expect an erratic run.

We swung left with full rudder and flank speed. Minimum range broadside 920 yards and details of silhouette checked with previous inspection.

2320-15 Due to wakeless torpedoes and apparently poor lookouts, he continued on.

Fired #7 tube.

2320-25 Fired #8 tube.

2320-35 Fired #9 tube.

2320-45 Fired #10 tube.

2321-45 Hit. Probably first stern tube. The enemy sub was momentarily completely illuminated with the large white flash and again the features checked. Range about 2,000 yards.

The radar pip started to disappear immediately and the target was no longer visible from the bridge. The pip disappeared completely about 12 minutes after the hit and at 3,200 yards.

2329 Explosion. Probably end of run of one of the bow shots.

2330-30 2nd end of run explosion.

2331-10 3rd end of run explosion.

2332 Water noise in direction of target making her last dive.

2341 On the scene of the sinking looking for survivors or debris. Explosion heavier than any of the others apparently under us. Nothing found.

Feb.15, 1945.

0145 Sent 141645 concerning sinking.

0701 Sighted Puffer and Sea Owl.

0712 Stopped to receive Ensign James Warren GOIN by rubber boat from the Puffer. Indications of appendicitis.

The Sea Owl circled the two boats lying-to as an anti-submarine and anti-Chidori screen but said we would have to take care of planes ourselves.

0810 Transfer completed and course resumed.

0850 Trim dive.

0900 Changed time to -9.

1007 (I) Surfaced. The SJ did not appear to be working as well as usual but considered it of some value.

Feb. 16, 1945.

0225 Sent message in Wopaco code to Mobsters giving our position and that our SJ was not up to par.

0605 (I) SJ radar interference.

0625 (I) Sighted submarine. Tried unsuccessfully to exchange calls by SJ and searchlight. Either the Tilefish or one of the Mobsters.

0714 (I) Sighted and exchanged calls with Thresher and Peto

0850 (I) Trim dive.

0903 (I) Surfaced.

1434 (I) Sighted plane. 4 engines. Unidentified. Quick dive.

1531 (I) Surfaced.

(EDITORS NOTE: Page 17 of copy of Patrol Report is damaged. Best interpretation of infomation follows:)

1645 (I) Tried a radar ?? Our SJ operation is still ??

Feb. 17, 1945.

1100 (I) Patrol ??

Feb. 18, 1945.

0123 (I) Sighted two ships on ?? Range 22,000 yards. ?? 30° to stay clear.

0??? (I) Sighted ??

0842 (I) Sighted ??

0905 (I) Exchanged calls with Place ??

1157 (I) SD contact 17 miles. ?? Closed to 13 miles. ??opened out. Not sighted.

Feb.19, 1945.

0603 (I) Sighted escort, LCI-1054

0915 (I) Sighted Saipan. ??

1017 (I) Sighted ??

Feb 20-21, 1945.

Voyage repairs. ??

Feb. 22, 1945.

Repair to bow planes completed. ??

(EDITORS NOTE: End page 17, begin page 18:)

1635 (K) Underway en route Saipan - Pearl.

1702 (K) Passed entrance buoy and took station astern of escort, SC-1362.

2210 (K) Released escort.

Feb. 23 - Mar. 2, 1945.

En route Saipan - Pearl.

Trim and training dives en route. Sighted westbound Chubb at 1321 (K) the 23^rd.

Mar. 3, 1945.

0017 (W) Radar contact on westbound convoy. Closest range 10,000 yards.

0630 (W) Made rendezvous with Batfish and escort, PC-1078.

1251 (W) Entered Pearl Harbor, completing sixth war patrol.

Narrative Continued:

• Officers attached to U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (showing previous patrols)

J. F. ENRIGHT, Commander, U.S.N. (2 patrols)

D.E. BUNTING, Lieutenant, U.S.N. (3 patrols)

R.L. HAMILTON, Lieutenant, U.S.N. (0 patrols)

J.K. ANDREWS, Lieutenant (jg), U.S.N.R. (5 patrols)

J.J. BOSZA, Lieutenant (jg), U.S.N.R. (2 patrols)

G.E. CROSBY, Jr., Ensign, U.S.N.R. (3 patrols)

J.C. DYGERT, Ensign, U.S.N..R. (1 patrol)

W.H. CASSIDY, Ensign, U.S.N.R. (0 patrols)

D.W. ELLZEY, Boatswain, U.S.N. (5 patrols)

• Chief Petty Officers attached. to U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (showing previous patrols)

F.C.M. BUNTAIN, CTM(AA)(T), U.S.N. (10 patrols)

G.T. FORD, CGM(AA)(T), U.S.N. (8 patrols)

J.J. CICHON, CMoMM(AA)(T), U.S.N. (9 patrols)

H.A. LIGHTER, CMoMM(AA)(T), U.S.N. (8 patrols)

T.E. COUSINS, CEM(AA), U.S.N. (5 patrols)

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 that found on the charts and coast pilot of the area.

Navigational Aids:

• The island chain in Luzon Strait was used to advantage for obtaining radar fixes. No other navigational aids were sighted. The heavy overcast weather at times made navigation rather difficult, in this area. On two occasions periods of four days passed with no stars and only an occasional sun line. The use of Loran equipment would have proven invaluable to us. It is hoped that submarines will soon be able to avail themselves of this equipment.

Ship Contacts:

No. Date Lat Type Initial Estimated How Remarks

Time Long Range Course Contacted

Speed

1- 1/21- Within 10 Sail Boats 8,000 - Various SJ (27) Probably

29 2/1 mi. radius 16,000 4 kts Periscope (2) Chinese

of 20-37N fishing

127-33E boats

30 2005 20-47N Submarine 6,000 240⁰T SJ Sunk

14 Feb 127-54E 11 kts.

Aircraft Contacts:

No. Date Lat Type Initial Estimated How Remarks

Time Long Range Course Contacted

Speed

1 1059(I) 15-27N B-24 5 mi. N Sight Dived

Jan 12 136-20E

2 1601(I) 15-25N B-24 5 mi. N Sight Dived

Jan 13 129-42E

3 0833(I) 14-58N Bomber 6 mi W SJ Dived

Jan 14 126-04E Sight

4 0914(I) 16-45N 12 mi SD Dived

Jan 15 126-48E No IFF

5 0225(I) 20-25N 12 mi. SJ Surface

Jan 16 121-03E

6 2054(I) 20-56N 19 mi. SJ Surface

Jan 16 120-36E

7 0825(H) 20-13N 13 mi. SD Dived

Jan 19 113-49E

8 1121(H) 20-34N 72 mi. SJ Dived

Jan 19 113-49E

9 0955(H) 19-46N Topsy 8 mi. E Sight Submerged

Jan 25 112-19E

10 1950(H) 19-52N 15 mi. SJ Surface

Jan 31 112-13E

11 0701(H) 23-17N 13 mi. SD Dived

Feb 2 116-11E

12 0017- 21-21N 4 - 6 SJ No APR

0035(H) 120-09E No SD

Feb 5 Surface

R - Radar

P - Periscope

Aircraft Contacts (Con't):

No. Date Lat Type Initial Estimated How Remarks

Time Long Range Course Contacted

Speed

13 0558(H) APR No SD

Feb 5 21-21N No SJ

120-09E Surface

14 2134(H) 21-15N 22 mi. SJ Closed to 2 mi

Feb 6 121-25E IFF

Dived

15 2225(H) 21-15N 8 mi. SD Surface

Feb 6 121-25E No IFF

16 0214(H) 21-02N 42 mi. SJ Dived

Feb 7 121-21E No IFF

17 1209(H) 21-03N 9-B24's 6 mi. En route P Submerged

Feb 7 120-54E Formosa

18 1523(H) 21-15N B-24 6 mi. En route P Submerged

Feb 7 120-54E Formosa

19 1623(H) 21-15N Rufe 5 mi. N P Submergod

Feb 7 120-54E

20 0925(H) 21-19N 20-B25's 8 mi. N P Submerged

Feb 8 120-53E

21 2157(H) 21-09N 7 mi. SJ Surface

Feb 8 121-07E

22 2125(H) 20-38N 2 mi. SJ Dived

Feb 9 121-19E

23 0225(H) 21-03N 22 mi. SJ Dived

Feb 10 121-07E

24 2125(H) 20-57N 4 mi. SJ-SD Dived

Feb 10 120-55E

25 1202(H) 20-30N B-24 3 mi. S P Submerged

Feb 11 121-05E

26 0705(H) 20-44N 10 mi. SD Dived

Feb 14 125-04E No IFF

Aircraft Contacts (Con't):

No. Date Lat Type Initial Estimated How Remarks

Time Long Range Course Contacted

Speed

27 1238(H) 20-45N 16-13 mi. SD Dived

Feb 14 126-10E

28 1435(H) 20-46N B-24 8 mi. S SD Dived

Feb 14 126-15E Sight

29 1454(H) 1934N B-24 8 mi. S Sight Dived

Feb 16 134-39E

Attack Data:

U.S.S. Archer-Fish Torpedo Attack No. 1 Patrol No. 6

• Time: 0017 • Date: 15 Feb. 19145 • Lat. 20°-37'N • Long. 127°-33'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

• Description: Single submarine (EC), Item 121 class. Contact made by SJ radar at 6,000 yards. Visibility - Night clear but very dark.

• Ship Sunk: One submarine (EC), Item 121 class, 1142 tons surface, 14 foot draft.

• Damage Determined By:

Saw torpedo hit, lost radar contact following explosion, heard no screw noises after disappearance of target, heard heavy explosion eighteen minutes after target disappeared.

• Target draft: 14 feet • Course: 240 • Speed: 11 kts. • Range: 1,300 yds

Own Ship Data

(Stern Tubes)

• Speed: 11.5 • Course: 000°T • Depth: Surface • Angle: 0

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

• Type Attack: This was a night surface attack and with the exception of the final. few moments, was conducted entirely with the use of SJ radar ranges and bearings. The night was dark and clear with no moon. Early in the approach, by stopping our own screws, we were able to get an accurate screw count of target which proved very important in identification. Our ability to close the target to such a small range without being detected further proved the capabilities of submarines for a night surface attack. TBT bearings were given to the TDC just previous to firing and the Mark 8 TBT's proved effective. The wakeless characteristic of the electric torpedo was responsible for the success of the attack, because after missing the target with four bow tubes we were able to swing and fire the stern tubes being still undetected.

Attack Data Continued:

Tubes Fired #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Track Angle 54S 57S 56S 56S 126S 134S 137S 334S

Gyro angle 359 000 001.5 006 182 193 199 199

Depth Set 3' 3' 3' 3' 3' 3' 3' 3'

Power - - - - - - - -

Hit or Miss Miss Miss Miss Miss Hit Miss Miss Miss

Erratic No No No No No No No No

Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1

Serial No. 57235 57157 56459 56083 55697 55312 56521 56298

Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5 8-5 4-7 8-5 8-5 4-7

Serial No. 10595 8581 9663 10486 16723 8778 9741 17225

Actuation Set -------------------------------------- Contact ----------------------------------

Actuation Actual -------------------------------------- Contact ----------------------------------

Mark Warhead 18-2 18-2 18-2 18-2 18 18-1 18-2 18

Serial No. 4266 4422 4309 4488 1067 2194 4366 1189

Explosive TPX TPX TPX TPX TPX TPX TPX TPX

Firing Interval 0 0 Sec 10 Sec 10 Sec 0 10 Sec 10 Sec 10 Sec

Type Spread 42L 12L 12R 42R 42L 12L 12R 42R

Sea Conditions Calm Calm Calm Calm Calm Calm Calm Calm

Overhaul Activity Apollo Apollo Apollo Apollo Sperry Sperry Sperry Sperry

• Remarks: The misses of the bow tubes is inexplicable since the TDC set up checked accurately throughout the attack. It is possible that he zigged toward decreasing the track even more.

Mines:

• None

Anti-Submarine Measurements and Evasion Tactics:

• None

Major Defects:

• Gyro Compass. Mark 7 Mod 3

(a) The follow-up motor of the master compass was binding resulting in seizure of the follow-up head. This further resulted in overloading of #2 rectifier tube causing a failure of the tube. The follow-up motor was replaced and two shims were added to the base plate, #2 tube was replaced, leads #4 and #6 between the filament transformer and filament of #2 tube were replaced. The follow-up system has operated satisfactorily since this failure.

(b) #1 Gyro motor generator failed to operate properly following a direct current power failure. The odor of burning insulation coupled with excessive heating of field coils was noted. To date it has not been possible to replace this equipment in commission. The necessary replacement will be made during the forthcoming Navy Yard Overhaul.

Major Defects Continued:

• Bow Plane Rigging Gear

Upon surfacing after a routine morning trim dive February twelfth, it was found the bow planes could not be rigged in. Investigation disclosed the forward universal coupling on the horizontal rigging shaft had been fractured permitting the forward end of the shaft to fall down against the pressure hull. The coupling is listed as part A3-PL-732-201, or BuC&R No. 312219 on Portsmouth drawing No. 713-201 or Basic Bu. 312-200. In addition to the fracture, inspection revealed an excessive amount of play in the herring bone gears of the tilting tiller and this has undoubtedly since been aggravated by the pounding received by the planes while operating the rigged out position on the surface.

In that this same casualty occurred while this vessel was en route from Portsmouth Navy Yard to Panama, again from Panama to Pearl Harbor and a third time while training in Pearl Harbor, it is believed there must be a structural defect in the bow plane rigging gear. The shear pin devices PL 738-201 and 738-228 have failed to shear during any of the four fractures. It is anticipated that temporary repairs will be accomplished at Saipan and that a complete check and overhaul of bow plane rigging and tilting gear will be made during the coming Navy Yard Overhaul of this vessel.

Radio:

• Frequency Remarks

4515 kcs Reception was usually weak for schedules.

6045 kcs. Reception was best at night, but then not always satisfactory.

9090 Best frequency for reception at all times during this patrol.

4155 kcs Used for reception of China skeds with satisfactory results. Occasional interference and enemy jamming.

2006 Reception and transmission was satisfactory.

2102 Wopaco

2160 Frequencies

2204

• Seven messages were transmitted this patrol addressed to Comsubspac and CTG 17.7. These transmission were made on 847O kcs and 4235 kcs. Station NAN accepted and relayed these messages as we were unable to raise NAK, NFN 17 or NSP 4. Two attempts to transmit on 4155 kcs proved unsuccessful. Station NAN was easily contacted and and no difficulty was experienced in transmitting to him.

• Enemy jamming was absent during our transmissions and believed. to be below normal during all reception.

• No material failures were experienced. It was necessary to secure the Wolf Pack frequencies from 1800 to 1830 Z daily to receive the China broadcast on 4155 kcs as this ship only has two high frequency receivers.

• Comsubspac serials 79, 95 and 99T were not received.

Radar:

• Negligible ills were experienced with the radar gear during this run. The SJ and SD performed excellently as a result of the good jobs turned in by the radar technicians aboard this boat and by the technicians of the USS Sperry relief crew while refitting in Guam. Plane contacts at comfortable ranges were numerous on the SJ, and those on the SD, when used, were also reassuring. Out of a total operating time of five hundred (500) hours on the SJ only thirty minutes were lost during the replacement of a T-R tube and two 6.07's in the IF strip of the receiver. The maximum range obtained by the SJ on high flying planes was 33,000 yards, while that on land was 100,000 yards.

• The results obtained by radar communications with the Batfishand Blackfish were highly satisfactory after the idea of varying the pulse rate to indicate a desire to communicate was adopted. The gear was not adversely effected by the intermittent keying of the SJ transmitter.

• The APR and SPA were used continuously while the SD was keyed only when an APR contact warrants so doing. The SJ performance in conjunction with the APR, SPA, and SD gave ample warning of enemy aircraft. Two contacts on the APR at 155 mcs. were followed by plane contacts on the SJ. While patrolling south of Formosa a frequency of 180 mcs. was detected on the APR.

Sound Gear and Sound Conditions:

• No trouble was experienced with the sound gear. Sound conditions were good. All bathythermograph cards indicated iso-thermal conditions.

Density Layers:

• No density layers encountered.

Health, Food, and Habitability:

• The health of the crew in general was excellent. There were a few minor infections which responded satisfactorily to treatment. There was one case diagnosed as Appendicitis, Acute, which recovered satisfactorily in 3 days with bed rest, Sulfadiazine and low enema.

• The food was of excellent quality, well prepared and well served.

Personnel:

• The state of training of officers and men is satisfactory. The transfer to new construction of experienced and deserving men and replacement by inexperienced men is noticeable. The performance of duty of the officers and men under combat conditions was excellent.

(a) Number of men onboard during patrol 74

(b) Number of men qualified at start of patrol 56

(d) Number of men unqualified making first patrol 12

(e)Number of men advanced in rating during patrol 12

Miles Steamed - Fuel Used:

Guam to Area 1,750 miles 21,750 gallons

In Area 3,625 miles 24,030 gallons

Area to Saipan 1,466 miles 24,010 gallons

Saipan to Pearl 3,332 miles 64,020 gallons

Duration:

Days en route to Area 5

Days in Area 27

Days en route to base (Saipan) 6

Days Submerged 27

Days en route Saipan to Pearl 10

Factors of Endurance Remaining:

Torpedoes 16

Fuel 40,000

Provisions 15 days

Personnel Factor 15 days

• Limiting factor this patrol: Patrol terminated three days early due to bow planes trouble.

Radio and Radar Countermeasures:

• None

Remarks:

• It is regretted that more damage could not be inflicted on the enemy. The lack of contacts can be attributed to the fact that our Philippine based bombers have the shipping situation in this area well under control.

USS Archer-Fish War Patrol #6
10 January to 3 March 1945
Report and Endorsements

Patrol Report of U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (SS-311)

FIRST ENDORSEMENT

SECOND ENDORSEMENT

THIRD ENDORSEMENT

SAILING LIST

USS Archer-Fish War Patrol #6 10 January to 3 March 1945 Report and Endorsements

Patrol Report of U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH (SS-311)

FIRST ENDORSEMENT

SECOND ENDORSEMENT

THIRD ENDORSEMENT

SAILING LIST

USS Archer-Fish War Patrol #6
10 January to 3 March 1945
Report and Endorsements