U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS-411) — war patrol report SS-411_SPADEFISH.pdf

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OPERATOR [HANDWRITTEN: Brooke]

DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 8-27-75]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[EMBLEM: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET, START & END
NAVEXOS 3968

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NAVAL HISTORY

Division of Naval History
Ships' Histories Sec.
Navy Department

HISTORY OF USS SPADEFISH (SS 411)

"Execute unrestricted air and submarine warfare against Japan."

In response to this dispatch, Allied submarines sank 1,750 Japanese
steel merchant vessels from 7 December 1941 to 15 August 1945. This was over
56% of the total of such losses. Japan began the war with sufficient shipping
to support her national economy, to feed her war industries with the loot of the
Indies, and to support her military operations. She based her hopes of victory
on a speedy conquest and development of the sources of raw material she needed
to prosecute the war, and her ability to replace war losses in shipping by
construction and seizure of ships. In the first she was successful. In the
second she failed. Japanese shipping declined continuously from the first days
of the war. Statistics show that the major factor in this decline of her
ocean transports, was the operations of the "Silent Service".

On 27 May 1943 the keel for one such ship was laid at the Navy Yard,
Mare Island, California. During her thirteen months of war service, she was
destined to rank among the top twenty-five submarines for the total of Jap-
anese shipping sunk, 21 ships for a total of 88,091 tonnage. On 8 January 1944,
she was launched when Mrs. Francis W. Scandland, wife of Captain F. W.
Scandland, served as sponsor for the ceremonies. And christened her USS SPADE-
FISH (SS 411) for a paddle fish found on the coast from Cape Cod to Cuba. Two
months later, on 9 March, she was placed in commission, and turned over to her
skipper, Commander Gordon V. Underwood, USN.

The first trials were conducted in San Francisco Bay on 8 May. She was
escorted to waters deep enough to allow the crew to test dive her. Although
sound contact was lost with the escort during the dive, the ship's company
continued with the tests. Surfacing a few hours later, she discovered the
impatient escort had departed. The SPADEFISH proceeded to port to find rumor
rampant that she had sunk in 1200 feet of water. Blimps, planes, and small
craft had been ordered out to search for survivors, boat or wreckage. But
this was only one of the times the stalwart SPADEFISH was to repudiate such
rumors.

By 14 June 1944, all training and alterations were completed, and the ship
sailed for Pearl Harbor. On 23 July she joined a wolf pack consisting of the
PICUDA, REDFISH, and SPADEFISH and nosed out of Pearl Harbor for her first
war patrol. These wolf packs were organized similar to the Germans in the
Atlantic to increase the effectiveness of our patrols. After topping off at
Midway, this pack known as "Donk's Devils" proceeded to its assigned area.
Patrolling in "Convoy College", their area extended from northern Luzon, north
to the southern tip of Formosa, and west of the China Coast.

On 9 August the new ship gained her first contact with the enemy, when
a plane forced her to crash dive. Three days later, while off the southeastern
tip of Formosa, a typhoon set in which increased in intensity until, by the next
day, the ship frequently rolled as much as 25 degrees while at a depth of 150
feet. As a result the boat broached on each observation, while the visibility

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-2- USS SPADEFISH (SS 411)

decreased greatly due to the thick spray which gave the appearance of a heavy
blizzard. However, the rugged Mare Island boat successfully rode out the storm
without incurring material damage.

The patrol continued uneventfully until the night of 17 August, when
the REDFISH reported contact with a large convoy. Though the SPADEFISH bent on
all engines, she was unable to overtake. Then the following morning she sighted
planes, saw smoke from another convoy, and heard pinging while patrolling
submerged west of Burlington Channel. Since the convoy was apparently headed
for Luzon, the ship waited until night, then surfaced and also gave chase. She
continued out of her area in pursuit, but the RASHER had by this time made con-
tact and attacked, causing the convoy to disperse before the SPADEFISH arrived.
One of the ships of the convoy had started north at the beginning of the at-
tacks, and she was intercepted and attacked by the SPADEFISH. Four torpedoes
were fired, but the target spotted the phosphorescent wakes, turned, and the
torpedoes missed.

The crew's disappointment was short-lived, for on surfacing another
unescorted ship was contacted heading north. Although sufficiently dark for
a surface attack, the SPADEFISH submerged for fear the target had radar equip-
ment. Two of the six torpedoes fired hit the 9,589 ton freighter TAMATSU MARU
and sent her to the bottom. The SPADEFISH surfaced and headed south looking for
more strays. Nothing was contacted until morning, when the RASHER hove into
sight headed home, out of torpedoes. She reported that she was being chased
by a large destroyer, which the SPADEFISH soon contacted. Several attempts
to attack were made, but each time the destroyer zigged away. Finally she
steamed in the direction of Luzon minus the convoy she had protected almost to
its destination.

On 22 August 1944 three large tankers were contacted heading west
through Babuyan Channel along the northern Luzon Coast. The SPADEFISH found
herself between the columns, and there she lurked until the tankers came by.
Then three torpedoes were fired forward at one, and four aft at another. Two
hits were scored on each, blowing the bottom out of the first, and damaging
the second. The crippled tanker picked up a destroyer escort and headed for
Pasaleng Bay, a small cove on northern Luzon. Sunk was the 10,023 ton tanker
HAKKO MARU No.2. The next day the SPADEFISH submerged off the bay to investi-
gate the condition of her cripple. She found it anchored in very shallow water
with the same destroyer vigilantly patrolling across the mouth of the bay. For
four hours the SPADEFISH dodged the ship, attempting to get inside. Finally
she fired four stern tubes at the destroyer. The ship managed to avoid the
fish and began to liberally depth charge the entire bay, preventing a coup de
grace for the tanker.

With only three torpedoes remaining, the SPADEFISH set course for Saipan
to replenish her supply. She departed on 1 September to continue the patrol,
the remainder of which was spent in the area off the northeastern corner of
Formosa, including the adjacent waters of Nansei Shoto. Two days after enter-
ing the area, on the night of 8 September, a surface attack was made on a
eight ship convoy. Down went the freighters NICHIMAN MARU, NICHIAN MARU,
SHINTEN MARU, and SHOKEI MARU for a grand total of 12,930 tons sunk. A
fifth freighter was damaged. The SPADEFISH had expended twenty torpedoes, and

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-3- USS SPADEFISH (SS 411)

the next morning the last four were fired at an escort that had been called to
the assistance of the remaining ship. Two missed, while the other two ran under
the ship, succeeding only in bringing on a depth charge attack. In the meantime
the remaining ships had taken refuge in the harbor at Ishigaki Jima.

Now out of torpedoes, the nights were spent in sending messages, and the
days in avoiding five or six escorts sent out to find the "wolfpack". Four
days elapsed before the PICUDA and REDFISH arrived to take over the ambush
for the convoy. Thus relieved of her station, the SPADEFISH headed for Pearl
Harbor, arriving on 24 September.

After a refit and an intensive training period she departed for her
second war patrol on 23 October, as a member of another wolfpack. They were
called "Underwood's Archins" - the SPADEFISH, SUNFISH and PETO. Their assigned
area was the shallow Yellow Sea; and Japanese shipping in that body of water
was in for trouble. The PETO started the shooting on the 12th, by sinking a
6,000 ton freighter. The next day, while patrolling off Shanghai in 20 fathoms
of water, the SPADEFISH encountered a single naval auxiliary which had been
converted from an ore carrier and was escorted by a PC. A submerged approach
was begun, but just prior to reaching the firing point the freighter radically
changed course and the escort came charging over for a severe attack on the
SPADEFISH. In less than two minutes the escort dropped 19 depth charges with
very uncomfortable accuracy. The SPADEFISH went for the bottom - in this case
90 feet! Eventually the escort was shaken by ducking around a small island,
and she was able to surface and survey the damage suffered. It proved to be
minor, but apparently the escort considered it a kill. That night his search-
light could be seen roving the water in search of wreckage, and
undoubtedly the SPADEFISH was again reported as sunk.

Despite this deterrent, the hunt was relentlessly continued. Another
attack was launched the following night. The target, a towed freighter, burst
into flames from exploding gasoline drums carried on deck. The holocaust lit
the sea with daytime brilliance, revealing three escorts milling around the
tug and wreck. Fear of discovery prompted the SPADEFISH to clear the area with
flank speed. A later attempt was made at a surface approach on the escorts, but
their erratic courses and frequent random depth charging, precluded attack.

Nothing more was encountered until the 17th. The pack was patrolling
the southern end of the Yellow Sea. The sea was bright with midday sun when the
SPADEFISH heard the convoy coming. A volley of distant depth charges at 1543,
then at 1642 five columns of smoke were visible. A lone Japanese plane circled
over the convoy like an inquisitive fly, and the masts of four ships came over
the horizon at 1651. The slender black finger of the SPADEFISH's periscope
silently cut the ocean's surface, patiently fastened on the convoy sluggishly
heading straight toward her. As sunset was due in an hour and a half, Commander
Underwood decided to let the convoy pass and hit it later with a night-surface
attack. The SPADEFISH submerged to 150 feet, and the convoy rumbled directly
overhead, its escort busily "pinging". At 1754 she surfaced to periscope depth.
The silhouettes of five bulky merchant vessels and an escort carrier could be
made out. At 1834 the SPADEFISH surfaced and began tracking by radar. Then
she went after the escort carrier. At 2259 she was in position, and six
torpedoes were fired. Executing a rapid turn to the left for stern shots, she

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fired a four-torpedo salvo at a tanker in the same convoy. Four hits were
scored on the escort carrier. The ship vomited a mass of flames and started
to settle by the stern. Planes rolled off the flight deck as the carrier listed
to starboard. A last look at CVE JINYO showed her blazing bow angled skyward,
her stern settling to the bottom in 23 fathoms of water. One hit had been
scored on the tanker, but she was able to maintain her position in the convoy.

Shortly after midnight the SPADEFISH drove in for another attack. The
escorts located her, and began firing with everything they had. Shells whined
over the bridge. The SPADEFISH turned for a stern shot and fired four torpedoes
at the nearest target. The explosions were heard, and a large escort destroyer
disappeared in a huge cloud of smoke. The submarine increased her speed as
the stricken ship's cohorts bore down on her. The range slowly opened to
2,500 yards, and the escorts abandoned the chase to begin dropping depth charges.
Either they thought the SPADEFISH had submerged, or it was a way of "saving
face".

The SPADEFISH set course for the reported position of another convoy
hoping to overtake the slower ships. However, the PETO got there first, leaving
only destroyers and other escorts who were randomly dropping depth charges all
over the Yellow Sea. More days of patrolling followed with one day of life-
guard duty. On the 29th of November she completed her score for this patrol
while patrolling in the waters off Sekimo Suido in the northeastern corner of
the Yellow Sea. With her remaining torpedoes she sank the medium freighter
DAIBOSHI MARU No. 6. The wolf pack then headed home, leaving some 55,000
tons of Japanese shipping on the bottom of the Yellow Sea.

After undergoing a refit, the SPADEFISH departed Majuro on 6 January
1945 in company with the POMPON, ATULE, and JALLAO. The patrol area was again
the Yellow Sea. One day out of Majuro two "friendly" planes bombed the SPADE-
FISH, but without damage. After topping off at Saipan, the pack entered
their area on January 22nd. Targets were by now becoming scarce. The big
event of January 1945 was the American invasion of Luzon - an amphibious drive
by way of Lingayen Gulf to take Manila from the rear. Supporting the landings,
Navy Air swept the Indo-China coast with fire, and, blasting the harbors of
Takao and Hong Kong, sank about 280,000 tons of Japanese shipping. With the
exception of November 1942, this was the first month in which the tonnage of
Japanese shipping destroyed by aircraft exceeded the tonnage sunk by submarines.

On the 28th the POMPON succeeded in flushing a convoy. On report from
her, the SPADEFISH intercepted and placed herself submerged between the column
of ships. Three torpedoes were fired forward at a large seaplane tender then
four aft at another. All three of the first salvo hit, and one hit was scored
in the second. The 7,158 SANUKI MARU sank immediately. The second, the
frigate KUME, was burning furiously, and later it too sank. At this point three
escorts made contact on the SPADEFISH. The ship took a depth of 120 feet in
180 feet of water, ran silent, and dodged the depth charges as best she could.
One of the escorts dragged a chain the entire length of the boat. Apparently
he was attempting to hook a grapnel onto the boat, then lower the depth charges
down the chain. Fortunately the grapnel failed to catch, for the following
depth charge went off directly beneath the boat causing only minor damage.
The SPADEFISH finally escaped in time to surface and charge batteries before
dawn.

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On 30 January 1945, China-based search planes reported a convoy on the
same shipping lane. The SPADEFISH again intercepted to find two escorts and
three ships. Making a night submerged approach, six torpedoes were fired at
two of the three freighters. Unfortunately a small PC escort, which was be-
tween the sub and the targets, intercepted one of the torpedoes. She sank
immediately, but in so doing gave warning to the convoy.

The SPADEFISH then moved to a new station in the northeastern corner of
the Yellow Sea, off the port of Jinsen. The first ship contact came during
the daytime, dictating a submerged attack. Four torpedoes were fired in a
heavy sea, which caused all to run deep, going under the target for near misses.
The following day an unescorted freighter came along the land. A submerged
approach with two hits ended the career of the 4,723 ton Freighter TAIRAI MARU.

The submarine now headed for the northernmost part of the Yellow Sea to
patrol between Port Arthur and Dairen where the weather was even colder. Her
luck still held, for the first day on station, 6 February, brought forth a
medium-sized freighter. In a submerged attack a three torpedo salvo was fired
registering one hit. The SHOHEI MARU sank, but not before giving her position;
bringing out planes and escorts to search for the SPADEFISH. The rest of the
day was spent in dodging the searches. With no more torpedoes aboard, the trip
to Pearl Harbor remained as the only necessity towards completing another
successful patrol. However throughgts of Pearl Harbor were short-lived, for
orders were received cancelling that plan and sending her to Guam for refitting.

During the refit Commander Underwood was relieved of command by Commander
W. S. Germershausen, Jr. USN.

After completing the training period on 13 March 1945, the SPADEFISH
departed on her fourth war patrol in company with the TINOSA. Refueling at
Saipan, she then continued to her area in the East China Sea. Five days out
of Saipan, a dupposedly friendly plane was sighted coming out of a cloud some
three miles distant. She submerged - but none too soon, for before she was
completely under a bomb exploded over her leaving a large bomb fragment on
deck. The killer entered her area on the 23th, simultaneously with a convoy of
four large enemy freighter-transports and four or five escorts. Submerging,
she fired four bow tubes at the leading ship in the column. The DORYO MARU
dropped from sight. The SPADEFISH went deep anticipative heavy charge attack.
A total of 52 were dropped - some with shaking precision. One string went off
directly overhead, knocking the boat down another 100 feet, where a 15° up angle
and standard speed were required to prevent even further submergence. The
escort remained at her work long enough to allow the convoy to disappear over
the horizon, thus precluding further attacks. The SPADEFISH then surfaced and
headed for Kyushu where she patrolled for two days. She then continued north
to Tsushima Strait on a reconnaissance mission. Many anti-submarine patrol
boats and radar equipped planes were encountered during this period, causing
the sub to dive day and night. A fleet of 17 sailing schooners were sighted off
the coast of Korea on 1 April. A hit from a four fish salvo completely demolished
one, but the lack of worthy targets indicated that the East China Sea was no
place for submarines.

Orders were received to proceed to the Yellow Sea to continue the patrol.
On the first day in the new area the bowplanes were accidentally rigged out in a

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heavy sea. The rigging gear was instantly carried away, thus reducing the speed
to nearly zero in a rough sea and less than 15 knots in a calm sea. For three
consecutive nights her crew worked to repair the damage. Finally, repairs
completed, she resumed normal patrolling. A three-masted junk was intercepted,
and in a surface battle was dismantled, boarded, and set afire. After pulling
clear the SPADEFISH headed for her old hunting grounds - the northeastern corner
of the Yellow Sea.

Several targets were sighted, but due to erratic torpedo performance
in the cold water, ten shots produced but one hit. The crippled freighter headed
for shoal water, preventing further attack. Japanese reports after the war
revealed,however, that the crippled LEE TUNG later sank. A few days later,
three torpedoes were fired at two overlapping PC boats who were out on an anti-
submarine sweep. One explosion resulted, but it could not be determined if the
target sank. The SPADEFISH then returned to Guam to end her fourth patrol.

In company with the CREVALLE and SEA DOG, the SPADEFISH stood out from
Guam on 27 May for her fifth war patrol. These killers were to be the first
of a nine ship group that would enter the Sea of Japan. This area had been
inaccessible to American submarines since 1942 because of Japanese mines placed
across the narrow channels leading into their "backyard" sea. By now Admiral
Lockwood had decided that his submarines were capable of running through these
minefields, and, once through, of severing the last remaining lifeline to the
Japanese Empire.

This first group safely made a submerged passage through the Tsushima
Strait minefield on 4 June 1945. They were followed at intervals of one day
by two groups of three ships; all making the transit without mishap. Now, with
all nine subs through the field, the group dispersed and took up their individual
operating areas. By previous arrangement no torpedoes were fired before sunset
of the 9th, and the days were spent submerged to prevent detection. This
arrangement was made to allow all ships to cover their assigned areas before
the Japanese were made aware of the intrusion.

The SPADEFISH worked the waters from Shakotan Misaki off the port of
Otaru, north along the coast of Hokkaido and Sakhalin to the Russian border.
Enroute to her area many unescorted enemy ships were sighted, all running
straight courses, and burning running lights at night. They seemed to feel
perfectly secure and unaware that an enemy submarine was watching them. Then
at dark on 9 June, the SPADEFISH headed into Ishi Kari Wan to destroy any ship-
ping anchored outside the breakwater of Taru Kawa Basin. To the crew's dis-
gust, they found that all but two ships were inside the Basin and could not be
reached. One of these ships were departing and was temporarily passed up.
The other, a small freighter or trawler, was lying to with her running lights
burning. Two stern torpedoes were fired, but both ran under. Ninety minutes
later, the outbound ship, a medium freighter, was overtaken and sunk with
three hits from the bow tubes. In the next forty minutes another medium
freighter, the UNKAI MARU No. 8, was literally blown apart with two hits. The
process was repeated in the ensuing hour when in a submerged attack, two hits
broke the back of the freighter JINTSU MARU, sinking her immediately.

The following night radar contact was made on a target at 12,000 yards.
It appeared to be the same size as the targets sunk that morning, but acted in a

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suspicious manner. Radar interference was present, and as the SPADEFISH was
ready to fire, the target swung around and headed for her. At 2313 three bow
tubes were fired, down the throat, and the target immediately reversed her
course. The torpedoes missed, and the enemy closed to 1300 yards, showering
the SPADEFISH with 40 mm fire. The sub submerged and evaded 18 depth charges.

In the early morning of 12 June a motor sampan was sighted and sunk by
20 mm fire. Later that same morning three more small ships, two steam trawlers
and a wooden lugger, were sunk by 5-inch and 20 mm fire. A seaplane came by
that afternoon to investigate all the excitement but the SPADEFISH had submerged
by that time. Two days later, June 14th, radar contact was made on two ships
just west of La Perouse Strait. One was lying to, waiting for daylight before
transiting the Strait. Consequently Captain Germerhausen decided to attack
the second ship, then come back for the first. Upon closing to 1,100 yards,
surfaced, two torpedoes were fired. Eighteen minutes later the freighter SEIZAN
MARU disappeared from sight. An approach was now begun on the first ship con-
tact, but fortunately it was identified as Russian before the firing point was
reached.

The SPADEFISH then continued north, going to within less than two miles
of the Port of Maoka only to find an empty harbor. However, her efforts were
rewarded the following morning. As she made a submerged approach to the har-
bor she found a large freighter had anchored off shore during the night. Two
hits were sufficient to sent her to the bottom. Just after midnight on 17
June a northbound convoy consisting of a medium freighter and two escorts were
detected by radar near Motsuta Misaki. In a night surface attack the last two
bow torpedoes were fired for one hit, sinking the freighter EIJO MARU. The
next day a submerged periscope attack was made on a small freighter in the
vicinity of Henashi Saki. One torpedo was fired at 1450 yards range, which
underran the target. The target was not alerted and the last torpedo was fired.
The target zigged, and the torpedo missed.

Out of torpedoes now, the SPADEFISH spent the next five days searching
for gun targets and waiting for the rendezvous date. There were a few nervous
thoughts about getting out, but on 24 June 1945 eight ships made the exit pass-
age through La Perouse Strait. The ninth ship, the BONEFISH, had been sunk.
The submarines returned to Pearl Harbor via Midway, arriving on 4 July, for a
triumphal welcome.

When peace arrived the SPADEFISH was preparing to conduct another patrol
in the Sea of Japan. A few weeks later she steamed home to Mare Island. The
veteran warrior had a record of which she might be proud. Decorated with
the highest award, the Presidential Unit Citation, and four Battle Stars, the
SPADEFISH conducted five successful war patrols without a single casualty, firing
78 torpedoes for 53 hits.

Presidential Unit Citation was awarded for extraordinary heroism during
the first and second war patrols against the Japanese in the Pacific. The text
of the citation is as follows:

"For extraordinary heroism in action during the First and
Second War Patrols against enemy Japanese forces in the restricted

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-8- USS SPADEFISH (SS 411)

waters of the Pacific. In bold defiance of strong hostile air
and surface opposition, the USS SPADEFISH effected wide coverage
of her assigned sector and entered perilously shallow waters to
seek out her targets. With her presence disclosed to the enemy
by radar-equipped escorts, she daringly penetrated the powerful
screen of a large Japanese convoy and headed in for a surface
attack, striking fiercely against a fully laden large escort
carrier to sink the target together with the embarked planes
and personnel. Vigorously depth-charged following this action,
she promptly turned to bring stern tubes to bear and launched a
second attack to complete an illustrious record of combat
achievement in vital Japanese ships sunk or damaged. A gallant
and aggressive fighter, operating dangerously far from home base,
the SPADEFISH, by her own efficient performance of duty, imple-
mented the skill, the splendid seamanship and courage of her
valiant officers and men in blocking shipping lanes vital to the
enemy's prosecution of the war.

The USS SPADEFISH earned four Battle Stars on the Asiatic-Pacific Area
Service Medal for participating in the following operations:

1 Star/Western Caroline Islands Operation
Assaults on the Philippine Islands -- 9-24 September 1944

1 Star/Okinawa Gunto Operation
Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto -- 23 March - 21 June 1945

1 Star/Second submarine war patrol -- 23 October - 12 December 1944

1 Star/Third submarine war patrol -- 6 January - 13 February 1945

The SPADEFISH is now retired. By Directive dated January 1947 she was
placed out of commission, in the U. S. Pacific Reserve Fleet, based at Mare
Island, California.

STATISTICS

OVERALL LENGTH 312 feet
BEAM 27 feet
SPEED 20 knots
DISPLACEMENT 1438 tons
COMPLEMENT 8 officers and 72 men

Compiled: 23 December 1953

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SS411/A4-3
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411),
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
24 September 1944.
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
BY [HANDWRITTEN: R.G.B.K] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 8/16/72]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Division TWO EIGHT TWO.
(2) The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
(3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(4) The Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

Enclosure: (A) Patrol Report.
(B) Track Chart (ComSubSPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the FIRST WAR PATROL of this vessel
conducted in the area between FORMOSA and LUZON, and in the area North East
of FORMOSA, during the period 23 July 1944, to 24 September 1944, is for-
warded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: G. W. Underwood]
G. W. UNDERWOOD.

[HANDWRITTEN: FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 90622]

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C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
Period from 23 July, 1944 to 24 September 1944.

A. PROLOGUE
Commissioned 9 March, 1944, at Navy Yard, Mare Island, California. Com-
pleted 8 May, 1944. Conducted trials and preliminary training in San Diego area
13 May to 2 June. Post shakedown repair period at Mare Island, 5 June to 14
June. Arrived Pearl Harbor 23 June. Final training period 28 June to 22 July,
included participation in two convoy exercises and tests of special sound gear.

Voyage repairs - drydocked in ARD-1 to re-gasket torpedo tube outer doors.
Installed APR-1, RBH receiver, new type SJ reflector, and air conditioning unit
in forward battery compartment.

Ensign D. E. MARTIN, D-V(S), USNR, reported aboard as Radar Officer.

Readiness for sea 23 July, 1944.

B. NARRATIVE

23 July 1944
1330(VW) Underway from Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T. H., for Midway,
T. H., in company with PICUDA and REDFISH and PC-1077 as escort.
Commenced operations as Task Group 17.12 (Coordinated Attack
Group) in accordance with ComTaskForce 17 Operation Order No.
253-44, dated 22 July 1944. Commander G. R. DONAHO, C.O., U.S.S.
PICUDA, Commander Task Group 17.12.

1700(VW) Made trim dive.
2015(W) Escort departed.

24-27 July
Enroute Midway conducting ship and fire control drills, training
dives and communication tests with PICUDA and REDFISH.

27 July
0944(X) Entered Midway Channel. Moored portside to Berth S-2. Received
17,000 gallons of fuel oil. Held conference of Group Commanding
Officers, Navigators and Communication Officers.

28 July
0730(Y) Underway for area in company with PICUDA and REDFISH.

29 July
0000(Y) Changed time to zone -12, changed date to 30 July.

-1-

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C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

31 July
1800(L) Rendezvous with PICUDA and REDFISH to receive changes to communi-
        cation code from Group Commander.

1-5 August
        Enroute station conducting training dives, control drills and
        tracking drills.

6 August
0730(L) Passed SOFU GAN (LOT'S WIFE) abeam to starboard, distance 15
        miles.
        During night of 5-6 August, encountered some rough weather that
        confirmed the opinion that this design of ship is a one engine
        room ship in rough weather. A slug of water down the main in-
        duction grounded out both stills and #2 engine instrument panel
        in forward engine room.

7-8 August
        Enroute area.

9 August
0730(I) Entered waiting area, proceeding to patrolling area on the
        surface.
1449(I) Sighted Japanese plane bearing 020°T, distance 15 miles, eleva-
        tion 3 degrees. Not contacted on SD. (Plane contact #1). Too
        distant to identify other than as a monoplane. Submerged to a-
        void detection.
1521(I) Surfaced. Resumed course and speed.

10 August
0535(I) Submerged for trim dive and BT card.
0611(I) Surfaced. Resumed course and speed.
1234(I) Momentary contact on SD at 30 miles.
1259(I) Lookout sighted Japanese plane (SALLY) bearing 170°T, distance
        about 10 miles, elevation 3 degrees. (Aircraft Contact #2).
        Submerged to avoid detection.
1331(I) Surfaced. Resumed course and speed.

                                                                -2-

— page 14 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S.SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
13 August (Cont'd)

1842(H) Surfaced on course 335 but found wind has swung around to 180,
         so changed course to 170 and prepared to ride out the storm.
         Received ComSubsPac despatch telling us we were in the vicinity
         of a typhoon.
2135(H) Exchanged signals over the SJ with the PICUDA.

14 August
0504(H) Submerged. Seas have subsided to where we could almost stay
         at periscope depth.
0904(H) Surfaced to get a sun line. Still too rough to go the direction
         we want to go, so at 0916 submerged.
1147(H) Surfaced. Proceeded to patrol station off KOTO SHO.
1850(H) Radar contact on KOTO SHO bearing 295°T, distance 25 miles.

15 August
0430(H) Radar contact on KASHO TO bearing 308°T, distance 20 miles.
0500(H) Submerged. Commenced submerged patrol to eastward of and be-
         tween KOTO SHO and KASHO TO. Frequent rain squalls made visi-
         bility very poor.
1900(H) Surfaced.

16 August
0302(H) Radar contact on Y'AMI Island bearing 182.5, distance 19 miles.
0457(H) Submerged to conduct patrol in southern part of BASHI CHANNEL.
         Went deep to get a BT card.
1907(H) Surfaced.

17 August
0212(H) Radar contact on southern tip of FORMOSA, bearing 339, distance
         70,000 yards.
0512(H) Submerged to conduct submerged patrol off southern tip of FORMOSA.
0815(H) Sighted a squadron of 11 bombers (BETTY) headed south, distance
         about 8 miles (Aircraft Contact #4).

-4-

— page 15 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS/21) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
---
17 August (Cont'd)

1005(H) Sighted small sampan. He crossed ahead about 2 miles distance.

1204(H) Sighted Japanese transport plane (TOPSY) headed south, distance
        about 8 miles (Aircraft contact #5).

1902(H) Surfaced. Could not contact FORMOSA on the SJ so headed in
        general direction until contact was made at 1949, range 60,000
        yards, bearing 031. We had experienced a westerly current where-
        as we had expected an easterly one in this area. However, we
        now knew where we were. Overcast skies had prevented any celes-
        tial navigation for the last three days.

2010(H) Received message from PICUDA telling of REDFISH contact with a
        convoy of 13 ships and many escorts. Bent on all engines as
        they became available and commenced search, based on REDFISH
        contact report.

2112(H) SJ interference - identified as PICUDA by exchanging signals.
        His general direction is now known.

2219(H) SJ interference - identified as REDFISH by signals. Doesn't
        agree with his reported position.

18 August

0048(H) SJ interference bearing 306. This should have been REDFISH from
        his report but turned out to be PICUDA. At this time discovered
        the SJ was not operating properly. Commenced repairs to SJ. It
        transmits enough to give interference but not to range. Should
        have been in front of convoy at this time although had not con-
        tacted it yet so took convoy base course until radar was reported
        in working order, at 0318(H).

0330(H) Received word from REDFISH that she was making an attack from
        starboard flank.

0411(H) Still no contact.

0426(H) SJ interference - identified as PICUDA. Neither one of us has
        been able to contact convoy so headed out to SW.

0511(H) Thought we had at last found convoy bearing 133. Turned out to
        be some small islands south of BALINTANG CHANNEL. Continued
        search to SW.

0547(H) Sighted plane (SALLY) bearing 312, distance 10 miles (Aircraft
        Contact #6). Submerged to avoid detection. Don't think we were
        seen.

                                -5-

— page 16 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
18 August (Cont'd)

0618(H) Surfaced and continued search.

0636(H) Having sighted 4 more planes at 8 to 10 miles distance (Aircraft
Contact #7), and having the OOD report a periscope off the port
quarter, turned away and submerged. Periscope not definitely
identified. Nothing heard on sound.

In retrospect, it appears that failure to make contact was due
to the uncertainty of the REDFISH position, and hence convoy
position, with respect to our position. The REDFISH, being to
the westward, had not the opportunity to fix her position as we
did by radar contact on FORMOSA. If her DR position was out as
much as ours was, this is understandable. It would have been a
wise move to have headed down the bearing of the REDFISH SJ in-
terference at 2219 until contact with her had been made, thus
correlating our positions. Failure to make contact with such a
promising group of targets was, needless to say, disappointing.

1034(H) Sighted 6 planes to the eastward, circling in the vicinity of
BALINTANG CHANNEL. (Aircraft Contact #8).

1048(H) JP picked up sound of screws and pinging bearing 147.

1049(H) JK heard pinging from 3 or 4 ships in the direction of BALINTANG
CHANNEL. Apparently a convoy is coming west through the channel.
Hence all the plane activity.

1053(H) Sighted smoke of at least three ships under the circling planes
(Ship Contact #1). Range apparently about 18 to 20 thousand yards.
Periscope search at 50 feet failed to disclose anything but
smoke. Sound operators heard the escorts for this group. Very
commendable performance.

This convoy headed south for LUZON from the change in bearing
of the smoke, which soon disappeared. Planes were still in the
vicinity, so we came to course 200 and trailed submerged. The
CO received a thrill at this time by looking at the belly of one
of the planes at about 2000 yards distance when starting a peri-
scope sweep.

1630(H) Surfaced and headed for Cape BOJEADOR on LUZON.

2045(H) Off Cape BOJEADOR, headed down possible convoy route.

2153(H) Radar contact 191, range 16,550 yards (Ship Contact #2). Changed
course to put contact astern and went to battle stations. The
contact developed into a single ship, unescorted, though prob-
ably to be a DD or escort vessel.
-6-

— page 17 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

18 August (Cont'd)

          Tracked target, zig-zagging, on base course 350, at speed 13.5
          knots. Interference on the SJ "A" scope on the target's bearing
          indicated the target had radar equipment. The target was sweeping
          with his radar at all times except at an instance when the range
          decreased to 7500 yards, when the interference was steady. Range
          was opened to above 8,000 yards and he commenced to sweep again.
          Apparently at ranges exceeding 8,000 yards he couldn't detect
          us. Kept use of own radar at a minimum. There was no indication
          that he detected it.

2303(H)   Had obtained position ahead, range 12,000 yards, so turned in,
          intending to dive for submerged radar attack, when target zigged
          radically to the left. He had changed his base course to 270,
          leaving us out in the cold again, so commenced another end around.
          Visibility was about zero so hadn't seen target at all. Had
          thought he might be patrolling, but his speed was too high for
          listening and he wasn't pinging.

19 August

0039(H)   Had again obtained position ahead, range 7500 yards, so submerged
          and commenced attack. Target has been zigging 30 degrees either
          side of base course 270, staying 5 minutes on the diverging legs
          and 10 minutes on the base course leg. He had him plotted so
          well we could tell when his helmsman used too much rudder and
          made a bad turn. The target could just be seen as a dark shape
          from the bridge when we dove.

0045(H)   Sound reported target screws as heavy, and at a speed of about
          100 rpm. Decided it wasn't a DD or patrol craft after all.

0110(H)   Fired tubes 1,2,5, and 6, at a range of 3040 yards, 130 starboard
          track, with a 354 average gyro. No hits. Radar bearings after
          we had fired showed target had changed course to about 220. He
          may have seen the torpedo wakes as the water was highly phosphor-
          escent. There is a possibility that he noticed the wake of our
          radar antenna and turned away, although at that range this is
          considered doubtful. The radar interference had not steadied
          so don't think he had detected us.

0114(H)   Heard two explosions, taken for depth charges. Not knowing
          what counter measures might be expected, turned away and went
          to 400 feet. As no more explosions were heard, realized what
          we had heard were probably torpedo end of run explosions.

          This going deep was probably unnecessary. Should have stayed
          at periscope depth until out of radar range, then surfaced and
          given chase. Later developments, however, showed that it was
          fortunate that we did delay.
                                                              -7-

— page 18 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
19 August (Cont'd)

0128(H) Came back to periscope depth.

0158(H) Radar screen was clear so surfaced to give chase and try again.
        Radar picked up a target (Ship Contact #3) at 20,500 yards, bear-
        ing 157, range decreasing, so commenced tracking. This was a
        new and apparently larger target. Original target not contacted.

0214(H) Another contact (Ship Contact #4) on SJ, bearing 220, range 22,650,
        range increasing. Size of pip and range gave evidence that this
        was not the ship that had gotten away. Couldn't understand where
        all these single ships were coming from but wasn't complaining
        about it.

0218(H) Went to battle stations. Target was coming in at 16 knots, zig-
        ging from course 000 to 280. From the size of his pip on the radar
        decided he was a big one, also unescorted - a gift from the gods
        these days. The same type sweeping radar interference was noticed
        on the SJ, so planned for a submerged radar attack.

0317(H) Received ComSubsPac despatch telling of RAIDER attack on convoy
        off LUZON. This explained the mystery of unescorted ships run-
        ning all around the ocean. This convoy was the one whose smoke
        we had seen and which we were chasing yesterday.

0321(H) Reached position 7500 yards ahead of target. His radar sweeping
        hadn't settled on us so decided we hadn't been picked up. Sub-
        merged and commenced attack. Could see this target from bridge.
        Looked like a large transport.

0324(H) Sound picked up target screws, reported about 112 rpm.

0332(H) This target became a non-conformist in zig plans also, and
        zigged about 20 degrees further left than he had before, leaving
        us in a firing position at a range of 2500 yards, 135 starboard
        track, with a 335 gyro. Decided to take it.

0333(H) Fired six torpedoes forward.

0336(H) Timed hits for 1st and 2nd torpedoes. Sound reported screws
        stopped.

0339(H) Loud explosion from target. Radar pip died down and disappeared.
        No doubt about this fellow. No flash was seen through the peri-
        scope, only smoke. Breaking up noises were heard for a few min-
        utes.

        The dim outline of the target seen through the periscope at
        2500 yards showed a length of about 600 feet and a long high
        superstructure. Estimated as a 10,000 AP.

-8-

— page 19 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
19 August (Cont'd)

The entire submerged run was made at radar depth. The radar
was keyed only when a range was taken. The sweeping inter-
ference was consistent, not settling on our bearing as if they
had made contact.

0347(H) Surfaced and headed south for reported position of RASHER'S
        damaged ships. A strong odor of pyrotechnics and fuel oil
        was in the air. Passed through wreckage and oil slick of our
        target. Too dark to identify anything but believe one or two
        lifeboats were afloat. Heard a few cries as we headed past.
        We had about 35 miles to go and only an hour and a half hours of
        darkness left to get to the reported position of the RASHER
        contact so didn't slow to investigate further.

0535(H) Radar contact with LUZON, bearing 106T, distance 64,000 yards.

0548(H) Sighted a ship bearing 131T over the horizon (Ship Contact #5).
        Went to battle stations again.

0556(H) Identified ship as friendly submarine so secured from battle
        stations and closed. Exchanged calls by keying SJ. Submarine
        was RASHER. Closed to within signal distance. Received his
        report of convoy attack. He reported a DD or cruiser behind
        him on course 045 so we headed over to see if we could find it.

0701(H) Periscope watch sighted an unidentified Jap DD bearing 138°T,
        distance about 15,000 yards. (Ship Contact #6). Turned away
        and started tracking, keeping his tops in sight.

0721(H) More radar interference on SJ from bearing of target. The
        Japs seem to have progressed with the installation of a radar
        of a frequency close to our SJ on a lot of their ships. Our
        APR doesn't go high enough to pick up the SJ band so no defi-
        nite information could be obtained other than the appearance
        of interference on the SJ "A" scope.

0731(H) Lost target on periscope. He must have turned away. He had
        been on course 210 at speed 15 to 16.

        For the next two hours we chased this DD in and out of rain
        squalls, trying to get into position. He was patrolling an
        area NW to SE off the coast of LUZON. We tried to get ahead
        a couple of times only to have him turn to another course.
        We finally decided to get astern of him and wait for him to
        come back at us, when at

0940(H) A long expected plane contact (Aircraft Contact #11) on the SD,

-9-

— page 20 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
19 August (Cont'd)

                                    7 miles moving in, terminated this ring around the rosy perfor-
                                    mance. Submerged. We were only about 20 miles off the coast
                                    of LUZON so remained submerged and headed south to try to in-
                                    tercept the patrolling DD. He wasn't sighted again.

1550(H)                             Decided to take a chance surfacing during daylight as it was
                                    a long way back to where we belonged so surfaced and headed
                                    for FORMOSA.

1622(H)                             Lookout sighted a plane (SALLY) astern of us, distance about
                                    15 miles (Aircraft Contact #12). Remained on the surface as
                                    the plane apparently didn't see us.

1918(H)                             Interference on SJ at 090. Resembled SJ interference, but
                                    attempts to establish identification failed.

20 August

0510(H)                             Sighted small patrol boat (Ship Contact #7) to the west of us,
                                    distance about 7 miles. We had remained on the surface, closing
                                    FORMOSA. An unexpected southerly drift had put us behind posi-
                                    tion. The patrol boat blinked a light at us so drew out of
                                    sight to eastward, then headed south.

0540(H)                             Submerged.

0853(H)                             Sighted plane (NELL) through periscope, bearing 102, distance
                                    about 9 miles. (Aircraft Contact #14).

1125(H)                             Sighted another patrol plane (MAVIS) patrolling the area (Air-
                                    craft Contact #15).

1204(H)                             Sighted smoke on horizon bearing 240. Headed in that direction,
                                    but smoke got further away. Probably a patrol boat.

1400(H)                             Attempted to notify PICUDA of smoke sighted by sending with SD
                                    mast raised, but could not contact them. Probably they are too
                                    close in to risk raising the mast and listening for five
                                    minutes on even hours as had been scheduled.

1455(H)                             Sighted patrol bomber (MAVIS) through periscope bearing 209,
                                    distance 5 miles. This fellow was a little close and headed
                                    our way, so went to 90 feet for about 20 minutes.

1555(H)                             Sighted smoke in the same vicinity as that sighted at 1204.
                                    It soon disappeared—the patrol boat on his southern leg again.

                                                                -10-

— page 22 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
22 August (Cont'd)

into a line of bearing cruising formation. Pinging was heard
from two escorts, but they must have been farther to seaward
as they were not seen. Came to normal approach course. The
targets appeared to be zig-zagging by constant helm, on a base
course of 270. As the ships came closer they were identified
as large tankers, riding empty, similar to KUROSIO MARU, 10,519
ton class (1272-ONI 208-J rev.).

We found ourselves in an excellent position on the base course,
between the 2nd and 3rd ships, so waited for them to come by.

1314(H) Fired three torpedoes from forward tubes at a range of 1960
yards, with a 38P track. Two hits were heard that timed as
the first and 2nd torpedoes. A quick look showed that the first
hit was amidship, the second hit must have been near the stern
as it was spread to the right. Didn't wait to see this hit
as we were then getting the set-up for the after tubes. Sound
reported the target's screws stopped.

1316(H) Fired three torpedoes from the stern tubes, at number three
ship, at a range of 1120 yards, with a 125S track. Had four
tubes ready, but withheld the 4th torpedo as it was reasonable
that the target would maneuver radically when observing its
neighbor being torpedoed. He finally awoke and swung sharply
left presenting a 140P track. A new set up was put in and at

1318(H) The fourth torpedo was fired at a range of 1800 yards with a
zero gyro. Just as the word to fire was given an explosion
indicated that one of the first three had hit. The time was
correct for the torpedo fired first. No explosion was seen
as the periscope was being swung forward to see where the es-
corts were. A trailing DD (MUTSUKI class) was seen headed in.
This was the first sight of any escort. As the periscope was
swung past the first target, it was observed to have a heavy
port list. No further details were observed as the escort was
getting all attention right then. This was the probability
of arrival of planes prompted us to go deep without further
glance at the targets. Forty seconds after firing the last
torpedo the first depth charge went off. It was a block
buster for sure, fortunately, not close. Commenced evading at
two-thirds and standard speeds.

1321(H) Heard the last torpedo hit. Depth charges were still coming;
a total of 11 were dropped. Apparently the DD didn't know
where we were and assumed we were to seaward of the first
target. No attempt to search for us was made. This ended a
rather busy half hour.

-12-

— page 23 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

22 August (Cont'd)

1347(H)
Sound reported explosions in the direction of the targets.
There were several minor explosions heard by JP and both conning
tower sound operators.

1421(H)
Came to periscope depth. What was left of the convoy had passed
on. Smoke could be seen in the direction of the beach. Ping-
ing indicated one of the escorts was over by the smoke. Headed
for it.

1434(H)
Sighted 2 planes, one SALLY and one ZEKE (Aircraft Contact #20),
circling in the vicinity of the smoke.

1530(H)
Passed through considerable wreckage and oil. Wreckage consis-
ted mainly of boards and splinters.

Closed the beach enough to see that the smoke and pinging were
in the direction of PASALENG BAY. Apparently one of the tar-
gets managed to make the beach, and one of the two escorts
stayed behind to guard him.

1920(H)
Surfaced and cleared the coast. Informed the PICUDA of the
day's happenings, and received word to patrol same sector to-
morrow.

23 August

0425(H)
Submerged five miles off the entrance to PASALENG BAY, LUZON,
and headed for the Bay to investigate the smoke and pinging
heard last evening just prior to surfacing.

0429(H)
Sound reported pinging from the direction of the Bay.

0530(H)
Sighted a MUTSUKI class DD patrolling the entrance to the Bay
(Ship Contact No. 11). He was doing the pinging. He looked
like the escort that had been trailing the convoy of tankers
yesterday. Went to battle stations, and commenced tracking
the DD while we approached the bay. He was patrolling a roughly
triangular shaped area, varying his speed between zero and 13
knots, alternately pinging and listening.

0601(H)
Sighted a tanker beached at the head of the Bay, bearing 174,
(Ship Contact #12).

0640(H)
Went to 90 feet to avoid being sighted by four small sailing
craft that were headed our way. The surface of the water in
the bay is like glass. Kept track of movements of DD by the
bearing of his pinging.

-13-

— page 24 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
23 August (Cont'd)

0725(H) Came back to periscope depth. The DD was now at the end of
          his run to the south. His range was over 10,000 yards.

0730(H) DD has headed back on his NE leg on course 050. We were trying
          to get into position to use the stern tubes with Mk 18 torpedoes
          on him, and save the three remaining longer ranged Mk 23's for-
          ward for the tanker. This was a difficult job as he hadn't
          followed the same course twice. We couldn't afford to be
          caught broadside to him under 4,000 yards for fear of being
          contacted on sound and we were fishing for a firing range of
          2,000 yards or less.

0752(H) DD has started on his westerly leg. This time on course 270.
          His range was now 4,800 yards. Saw we couldn't swing the stern
          tubes to him without presenting a broadside. Also we would
          be too far off his track so swung to keep bow pointed at him
          and let him go by. Needless to say, we were at silent running
          by this time.

0759(H) DD passed ahead of us, range 2300 yards, pinging steadily.
          What we wouldn't have given for Mk 18 torpedoes forward at this
          moment. In the glassy sea he would have spotted the Mk 23's
          in time to avoid. He went by without detecting us. That
          little hair the CO has left certainly should have turned grey
          at this moment. Had he detected us we would have been in for
          a very uncomfortable time.

0806(H) DD turned for his southern leg.

0815(H) Tanker has been moved off the beach. It could be identified
          now as the second one fired at the day before by the paint job.
          It was new paint, whereas the first target was quite rusty.
          Her port quarter side was all black from the fire started by
          the first torpedo. She has about a 15 to 20 degree list to
          port. She apparently moved off the beach about 2 miles and
          anchored.

0840(H) DD started his NE leg. This time, we thought, we were far
          enough into the bay to get in our attack.

0858(H) DD turned but instead of coming west he went SW on course 225,
          leaving us out again.

0952(H) DD has started back on NE leg again. This time on course 060.
          We were just inside his triangle by now. If he came back on
          270 we had him.

-14-

— page 28 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WA PATROL.
30 August - 1 September

Alongside HOLLAND. Received full load of Mk 14 torpedoes,
51,279 gallons of fuel, and minor voyage repairs.

1 September
1000(I)         Departed SAIPAN for patrol area in accordance with ComSubsPac
                despatch 311019 Aug. Escorted by U.S.S. ELLET (DD 398).

[ 2 September
0257(I)         Had a contact on the SJ at 3300 yards. It was a bright moon-
                light night and nothing could be sighted. The contact moved
                in to 1600 yards and then moved out, being lost at 2600 yards.
                The birds around here must be full of buckshot.
0500(I)         Submerged for trim dive.
0519(I)         Surfaced.
0928(I)         Sighted LIBERATOR bomber, patrolling.
1750(I)         Sighted a ship (Ship Contact No. 15), bearing 275, range about
                15,000 yards, identified as a submarine. It looked to be
                friendly but submerged anyway at 1801(I) and closed for posi-
                tive identification. Unfortunately, it was after sunset and
                it got dark before we had closed and the sub was lost.
1847(I)         Surfaced. Nothing in sight or on radar.
2144(I)         Sighted USS BILLFISH (SS286), exchanged identification by
                radar interference. During the night had numerous SJ contacts
                on birds, ranges varying from 900 yards to 3000 yards. They
                could be seen in the moonslick, occasionally.

3 September
0859(I)         Made trim dive, surfacing at 0916(I).
1257(I)         Plane contact on SD, (Aircraft Contact #4), range 20 miles.
                Plane was using IFF but as it was not sighted, and the range
                decreased rapidly to 9 miles, at
1300(I)         Submerged to avoid detection.
1330(I)         Surfaced.

-18-

— page 30 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

8 September

0420(I)         Sighted SAMUCHO KAKU light on NE FORMOSA, bearing 290, dis-
                tance 15 miles.

0448(I)         Submerged to begin days patrol. Expected a northeast current
                but instead we encountered a SW current of 2 knots, so we
                found ourselves set in towards KUSOAN TO. Headed into the
                current and maintained position.

0958(I)         Sighted smoke bearing 005 (Ship Contact #17). Sound picked
                up pinging in direction of smoke. Smoke developed into a
                convoy of 8 ships and at least 3 escorts. All the ships were
                smoking heavily, intermittently. The convoy came down the
                NE coast of FORMOSA and took departure off SAMUCHO KAKU on
                course 105, at speed about 8 knots. All that could be seen
                were masts and stacks. We couldn't close any closer than
                about 18,000 yards. Set course to trail.

1652(I)         Surfaced and commenced overtaking convoy whose smoke could
                still be seen plainly, bearing 083.

1850(I)         SJ contact on ship bearing 086, distance 7,000 yards (Ship
                Contact #18), thought to be a trailing escort, but turned out
                to be a fisherman headed for FORMOSA.

1853(I)         SJ contact on convoy bearing 102, range 17,000 yards. Set a
                tracking party watch and commenced an end around to south of
                convoy. Convoy now determined to be zig-zagging 20 to 30 de-
                grees either side of base course 105, at speed 8 knots. There
                were eight good sized ships from the size of the radar pips.
                Three small pips were taken for escorts.

1922(I)         Went to battle stations. Convoy was in sight at range of
                9,000 yards. SJ encountered interference of a sweeping type,
                sweeping rate about 20 per minute, similar to that encountered
                with Jap ships off LUZON. Decided to disregard their radar
                and make attack on the surface.

2030(I)         Headed in for an attack on the starboard flank of the convoy.
                Convoy was arranged in 2 columns of four ships each. One es-
                cort was ahead, one on starboard bow and one astern.

2033(I)         Fired three torpedoes forward at last ship in far column,
                followed by three torpedoes at last ship in near column. This
                second target was one of the largest in the convoy. His range
                on firing was about 2100 yards. He was a long (about 500 feet)
                split superstructure AK, heavily loaded. It was too dark to
                see further details. One hit was observed in first target,

-20-

— page 32 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
8 September (Cont'd)
2224(I) Turned to bring stern tubes to bear, and fired four torpedoes
         at a range of 2450 yards, using TBT bearing and radar ranges.
         This time radar was on the right target and two hits were ob-
         served. Target was low in the water and then obscured by smoke
         as we withdrew from the vicinity.

2229(I) Indiscriminate depth charging was seen and heard in the vicinity
         of the attack for the next fifteen or so minutes. Some forty
         or fifty in all. Some gun fire was seen, but no shells came
         our way. There was much flashing of searchlights and flames
         and explosions continued from the vicinity for some time.
         Radar reported the number of pips had now reduced to seven.
         We kept within a range of about 10,000 yards as we circled to
         the south to make an end run down moon. Visibility was ex-
         cellent. We could see the dark shapes and smoke plainly.
         They couldn't see us with our light color. The paint job re-
         ceived in SAIPAN was lighter than normal, but at this time
         we were glad it was.

         The success of these two night attacks was in a large part
         due to the work of the Executive Officer, Lt-Comdr. T. M.
         USTICK, USN., in coordinating the fire control party in the
         inherent noisy and crowded conning tower of a night radar
         attack.

2241(I) Another ship (Ship Contact #19) was picked up at a range of
         9350 yards, coming from the west at 16 knots. It was another
         escort joining up. The convoy could be plainly seen to con-
         sist of only four big ships now. The last in column was
         having a hard time keeping up and was guarded by two of the
         escorts. The other two escorts were seen with the leading
         three ships. The convoy was headed on course 113 at a speed
         of 6 to 7 knots, headed for NAGURO WAN in ISHIGAKI JIMA.

9 September
0002(I) A southerly zig by the convoy made it necessary for us to speed
         up to pull away. Our wake must have been sighted as one of
         the escorts flashed a searchlight in our direction, so we sub-
         merged and started in for a submerged radar attack.

0023(I) One of the escorts with the trailing ship headed in our
         direction and started dropping depth charges. His range was
         4200 yards when the first four went off. Four more were dropped
         at a range of 3000, with the escort still closing. With the
         range at 2100 yards, decided to give up and go down, so went
         to 400 feet. He passed close astern as we turned away,
         pinging, but didn't pick us up. The last ship in the convoy
                                   -22-

— page 33 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
9 September (Cont'd)

0143(I) and the other escort also passed close astern.

         Surfaced and started chasing again. One of the escorts could
         still be seen at the place where we had dived. The remaining
         units of the convoy were headed into NAGURA WAN, too close to
         the beach for another attack.

0258(I) Secured from battle stations and commenced patrolling about
         10 miles off the beach of ISIGAKI JIMA.

0445(I) Submerged and headed in to investigate the harbor.

0548(I) Heard pinging bearing 350. From this time on throughout the
         the day, pinging was heard intermittently and one or two patrol
         vessels were in sight patrolling off the entrance to NAGURA WAN.

1112(I) Sighted numerous columns of smoke inside the harbor, believed
         to be coming from the ships of the convoy. One or two of the
         escorts were smokers so it was hard to distinguish them.

1243(I) Sighted an escort vessel (PC-13 class) (Ship Contact #20)
         headed in for the harbor. He passed about 3,000 yards ahead
         of us.

1705(I) Sighted heavy smoke and masts of a ship (Ship Contact #21)
         coming in from the East, headed for the harbor at a speed of
         14 knots. Went to battle stations and commenced approach.
         This ship turned out to be a small inter-island freighter
         similar to one of the escorts seen with the convoy. It was
         decided he was a worthwhile target, so set torpedoes at four
         feet and headed in.

1731(I) Fired three torpedoes forward, firing range 1470, track 83P,
         gyro 359. All missed. Target hadn't changed course so let
         go our last torpedo. It missed also.

         The target draft must have been less than four feet or the Mk
         14 torpedoes ran too deep. The set up was too good to miss
         at that range. Saw the Japs running to battle stations so we
         went deep.

1741(I) Depth charges started, falling astern, fairly close. A total
         of 12 were dropped. We withdrew from the vicinity at high
         speed.

1818(I) At periscope depth. Target was a good 4,000 yards astern,
         headed away. Six more depth charges were heard, all distant.

                                   -23-

— page 34 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
9 September (Cont'd)
1850(I) Surfaced and commenced night patrol, keepin within 10 miles
          of northwest coast of ISHIGAKI JIMA.

          During the night, patrol vessels were active outside the har-
          bor and along the coast. Radar picked them up at about 10,000
          yards, so no difficulty was encountered in avoiding them. We
          managed to evade them and still keep inside a 10 or 11 mile
          line from the coast so as to insure being withing radar range
          of the convoy if it came out.

          Notified ComSubSPac of convoy position and the fact that we
          were riding herd on it. Didn't like opening up on the radio
          so close to land but had no alternative if possible radar
          contact range was to be maintained. The Japs knew we were
          there anyway.
2349(I) Activity commenced in the vicinity of the harbor. Numerous
          depth charges were heard, flashes of light were seen and
          searchlights were blinking. A strong light, resembling a flick-
          ering carbide light was placed in the water about 3 or 4 miles
          off the beach. Patrol vessels could be seen moving back and
          forth, both inshore and seaward of the light. Apparently they
          thought we were in closer and were trying to silhouette us
          against the light.

10 September

          From all the activity on the beach we thought the convoy might
          be coming out as the moon was now up. We trailed a contact
          out to eastward of the island, but he turned and came back
          to the harbor, so we resumed our patrolling.
0426(I) Submerged and commenced closing the harbor mouth again.
0700(I) Sighted a plane (KATE) bearing 133, distance about 5 miles,
          headed in the direction of the harbor (Aircraft Contact #26).
0755(I) The first of the patrol vessels came out and started his rounds,
          pinging as usual.
1034(I) The first of about two dozen depth charges was heard in the
          distance.
1400(I) One patrol vessel, a PC-13 class, gave us a few anxious moments
          when he passed about 2000 yards astern of us. This patrolling
          in the midst of a lot of patrol vessels, with no torpedoes, was
          no fun. This PC would have been a good target with a shallow
          running torpedo.
                                                              -24-

— page 35 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

10 September (Cont'd)
1456(I) Sighted a plane (ZEKE) head in and land in the harbor (Aircraft
        Contact #27).
1833(I) Surfaced and commenced our night game of hide and seek. Re-
        ceived word that the REDFISH and PICUDA were heading our way.

11 September

        Radio contact was made with the REDFISH and PICUDA on the wolf
        pack frequency. Exchange of information required considerable
        transmission on our part. Again we could not afford to clear
        the coast for fear of getting outside of radar range. We fully
        expected to be DF'd.

0330(I) Results of being DF'd began to show themselves. Three patrol
        vessels were contacted heading our way. We had just finished
        a radio transmission, and had changed course towards the beach.

0410(I) One of the patrol vessels fired a yellow rocket.

0414(I) Submerged to 450 feet, rigged for depth charge and silent
        running and headed for the 100 fathom curve.
        Five or six ships passed over and astern, some pinging, some
        stopping and listening. As one sound operator expressed it:
        "Those was pinging and screwing all around." Two or three
        of the screws were heavy and slow. It was thought at the time
        that part of the convoy had come out. They didn't make con-
        tact but headed on up the coast to eastward.

        We made use of the SESE fathometer in locating the 100 fathom
        curve and following it.

0551(I) At periscope depth. The expect d smoke from the convoy, had
        it left port, was not seen. Only thing in sight was the mast
        of one PC boat in the direction the ships had passed. Headed
        in his direction, 048°, to determine his course. He was found
        to be circling.

0702(I) Sighted a plane (KATE) (Aircraft Contact #28) flying low over
        the water bearing 094, distance three miles.

0719(I) A total of four patrol vessels were seen heading back for
        the harbor, from the east, probably our friends of the early
        morning coming back. Apparently the convoy had not gone out.
        Three were PC boats and one the small converted freighter.

                                -25-

— page 36 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS/41) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

11 September (Cont'd)

                 During the rest of the morning the plane and the patrol vessels
                 were usually in sight.

1317(I)          Depth charges commenced going off in the distance, a total of
                 12 being dropped.

1745(I)          Eighteen more depth charges in the distance.

1846(I)          Surfaced and cleared the coast for expected rendezvous with
                 rest of wolf pack.

1957(I)          Exchanged identification over the SJ with the REDFISH.

12 September

0010(I)          SJ interference identified as PICUDA.

0138(I)          Rendezvous with PICUDA. Exchanged information and received
                 ECM and a very welcome bag of mail that had arrived in SAIPAN
                 after we had left.

0202(I)          Set course to clear the area.

0730(I)          Sighted plane (KATE) (Aircraft Contact #29), distance 7 miles.
                 Submerged to avoid detection, surfacing at 0810(I).

0900(I)          Sighted a group of 5 planes, distance 20 miles, crossing
                 astern from port to starboard. (Aircraft Contact #30). They
                 disappeared on starboard quarter.

1245(I)          SD contact, 8 miles, submerged. (Aircraft Contact #31).

1246(I)          One bomb went off astern of ship.

1249(I)          One bomb went off astern of ship.

1355(I)          Surfaced.

13 September

0902(K)          Sighted plane (BETTY) bearing 045, distance 8 miles. (Aircraft
                 Contact #32). Submerged to avoid detection.

0921(K)          Surfaced.

1254(K)          Sighted plane, unidentified, bearing 125, distance 13 miles
                 (Aircraft Contact #33). Submerged to avoid detection.

                                     -26-

— page 40 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

F. SHIP CONTACTS (CONT'D)

No. | Time   | Latitude  | Type(s)       | Yards Initial | Est. Course | How       | Remarks
    | Date   | Longitude |               | Range         | & Speed     | Contacted |
12  | 0601(H) | 18-35     | Tanker        | 16,000        | Beached     | Periscope | Tanker damaged
    | 23 Aug. | 120-58    |               |               |             |           | in attack #3
13  | 1107(H) | 19-53     | 2             | 7,000         | 170         | S.D.      | From FORMOSA to
    | 24 Aug. | 121-02    | Sampans       |               | 6           |           | banks off BALIN-
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | TANG CHANNEL
14  | 1207(H) | 20-51     | Sub.          | 3,000         |             | S.D.      | Identified as
    | 25 Aug. | 124-12    |               |               |             |           | SAILFISH.
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | Closed to ex-
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | change info.
15  | 1750(I) | 16-29     | Sub.          | 15,000        |             | Periscope | Thought to
    | 2 Sept. | 139-4     |               |               |             |           | be friendly
16  | 0640(I) | 24-26     | Sampans       | 15,000        |             | Periscope | Going to fish-
    | 6 Sept. | 123-17    |               |               |             |           | ing grounds.
17  | 0958(I) | 25-01     | Convoy        | 18,000        | 105         | Periscope | Proceeding east-
    | 8 Sept. | 122-05    | 8-AK          |               | 8           |           | ward from North-
    |        |           | 3 Escorts     |               |             |           | ern FORMOSA.
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | Attack #5 & #6.
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | Fisherman headed
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | for FORMOSA.
18  | 1850(I) | 24-49     | Sampan        | 7,000         |             | Radar     | Escort joining
    | 8 Sept. | 123-02    |               |               |             |           | with convoy.
19  | 2241(I) |           | Escort        | 9,000         | 16          | Radar     | Headed in to
    | 8 Sept. |           |               |               |             |           | NACURO WAN.
20  | 1243(I) | 24-28     | PC-13         | 9,000         | 14          | Periscope |
    | 9 Sept. | 123-55    | Escort        |               |             |           |
21  | 1705(I) | 24-38     | Escort        | 12,000        | 255         | Periscope | Small inter-
    | 9 Sept. | 124-14    | Vessel        |               | 14          |           | island freighter
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | well-deck. Simi-
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | lar to one seen
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | escorting con-
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | voy sighted 8
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | Sept. Heavy
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | smoker. Attack
    |        |           |               |               |             |           | #7.

Note - "S.D." - Sight-Daylight.
-30-

— page 41 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

CONTACT NUMBER | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
S Date | 8/9 | 8/10 | 8/11 | 8/17 | 8/17 | 8/18 | 8/18
U Time (Zone) | 1449 | 1259 | 1150 | 0805 | 1204 | 0547 | 0636
B Position: Lat. | 22-20 | 22-20 | 22-08.5 | 21-35 | 21-32 | 19-45 | 19-53
Long. | 128-54 | 125-34 | 127-42.5 | 120-45 | 120-42 | 120-26 | 120-54
A Speed | 12 | 12 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 3
R Course | 261 | 268 | 230 | 240 | 240 | 225 | 000
I Trim | Surf | Surf | Surf | Per | Per | Surf | Per
N Minutes since last | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
E SD Radar Search | 10s | 0 | 5s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 4
A Type | Unk | SALLY | SALLY | BETTY | TOPSY | BETTY | SALLY
I Probable Mission | Pat | Pat | Pat | Unk | Unk | Esc | Pat
R How Contacted | Sight | Sight | Per | Per | Per | Sight | Per
C Initial Range | 15 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 6
R Elevation Angle | 3 | 3 | ? | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2
A Range and Rela- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
F tive Bearing of | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
T Plane When it De- | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND
tected S/M
C Sea ( fort) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2
O (Direction (Rel) | 165 | 165 | 31 | 180 | 180 | 110 | 110
N Visibility (Miles) | 15 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 15
D (Height in | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
I Clouds:( Feet | 15000 | 10000 | 8000 | 7000 | 7000 | 6000 | 6000
T (Percent | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
I Overcast | 20 | 20 | 20 | 80 | 80 | 60 | 70
O (Bearing (Rel) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
N Moon:(Angle | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
S (Percent | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Illum. | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol- Light grey

-31-

— page 42 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS.

CONT CT NUMBER
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
S Date | 8/18 | 8/18 | 8/18 | 8/19 | 8/19 | 8/20 | 8/20
U Time (Zone) | 1034 | 1215 | 1248 | 0940 | 1622 | 0853 | 1002
B Position: Lat. | --- | 19-30 | 19-30 | 18-18 | 18-26 | 21-17 | 21-17
M Long. | --- | 121 | 121 | 119-55 | 120-26 | 120-45.5 | 120-42.3
A Speed | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 3
R Course | 000 | 200 | 200 | 160 | 000 | 220 | 200
I Trim | Per | Per | Per | Surf | Surf | Per | Per
N Minutes Since Last | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
E SD Radar Search | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---

Number | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
A Type | 2 MAVIS | 6 Pursuit | Unk | Unk | 1 BETTY | 1 SALLY | 1 NELL | 1 Unk
I Probable Mission | Esc | Pat | Pat | Pat | Pat | Pat | Pat
R How Contacted | Per | Per | Per | Sight | Sight | Per | Per
C Initial Range | 10-13 | 12 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 8 | 8-10
R Elevation Angle | --- | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2
A Range & Relative | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
F Bearing of Plane | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
T When It Detected | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND

S/M
C Sea (State (Beaufort) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2
O (Direction(Rel) Swells | 220 | 220 | 220 | --- | 220 | 196 | 196
N Visibility (Miles) | 15 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 15
D (Height in | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
I Clouds: (Feet | 6000 | 6000 | --- | 3000 | 6000 | 8000 | 9000
T (Percent | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
I Overcast | 60 | 80 | --- | 80 | 70 | 50 | 40
O (Bearing (Rel) | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
N Moon: (Angle | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
S (Percent | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Illum. | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol - Light grey

[HANDWRITTEN: -32]

— page 44 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS.

CONTACT NUMBER                                22      23      24      25      26      27      28
S Date                                        8/27    8/28    9/3     9/7     9/10    9/10    9/11
U Time (Zone)                                 1002    0758    1257    1453    0700    1455    0702
B Position: Lat.                              18-27   18-15   23-31½  24-30   24-22   24-35
M Long.                                       135-05  135-29  123-22  124-15  124-00  124-05
A Speed                                       17      17      15      10      2       3       3
R Course                                      155     127     300     280     060     060     060
I Trim                                        Surf    Surf    Surf    Surf    Per     Per     Per
N Minutes Since Last
E SD Radar Search                             1       3       0       0

Number                                        1       1       1       1       1       1       1
A Type                                        COR     COR     UNK     VIS     KATE    RUFE    KATE
I Probable Mission                            Pat     Pat     Pat(Fr) Pat     Pat     Pat     Pat
R How Contacted                               Sight   Sight   SD      Sight   Per     Per     Per
C Initial Range                               5       8       20      10      5       2       3
R Elevation Angle                             20      3       Unk     4       1       Ldg     2
A Range & Relative
F Bearing of Plane                            ND      ND      180°    ND      ND      ND      ND
T When It Detected                                            10
S/M

C Sea (State (Beau-                           3       1       1       2       3       3       1
O fort)                                       010     090     350     000     090     020     145
N Visibility (Miles)                          15      50      25      10      20      30
D (Height in
I Clouds (Feet                                5000    10000   7000    7000    6000    6000    4000
T (Percent
H Overcast                                    70      30      50      40      70      60      30
I O (Bearing(Rel)                                                             53
N Moon: (Angle
S (Percent
Illum.

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol - Light grey

-34-

— page 45 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS.

— page 46 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS.
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1
TIME 0110(H) DATE 19 Augu 5 1944 Lat. 18-41N Long. 119-52E
                                                              PATROL NO. 1

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description Target not identified. Judging from size of pip on SJ
            and the initial contact range, 16,550 yards, and from
            the size of the dark shape seen at 7,500 yards, classi-
            fied as medium sized (UN). He was equipped with sweep-
            ing type radar that give interference on SJ. He was
            not pinging. Single target with no escorts. Visibility
            very dark and overcast.

Ship's Sunk None

Ship's Damaged or
Probably Sunk None

Damage Determined by None

Target Draft Course 270 Speed 13.5 Range 3,040 (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 6 Course 230 Depth 45' Angle (at firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack Submerged radar attack, visibility zero. Target was
            never seen through periscope. Fired four Mark 23
            torpedoes from forward tubes, depth setting 6 feet,
            using radar ranges and bearings. A divergent spread
            was used. About a minute after torpedoes were fired
            target was tracked on course 220. He may have seen
            our wake, although it was so dark it was doubtful, or
            he may have seen torpedo wakes in the highly phosphor-
            escent water.

-36-

— page 47 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SP. DEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONTID) - ATTACK NO. 1

TUBES FIRED | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2
TRACK ANGLE |

— page 48 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D)
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 PATROL NO. 1
TIME 0333(H) DATE 19 August 1944 Lat. 18-48N Long. 119-47E

TARGET DATA—DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description Target classified as large transport (EU). He was
picked up on radar at 20,500 yards. Showed a very large
pip at 15,000 yards. Could be seen vaguely at 9,000
yards as having a high, long, superstructure. Estimated
length when seen through periscope at 2500 yards - 600
feet. He was making 16 knots, unescorted. This ship
had scattered from the convoy attacked by the RASHER
earlier in the evening. This convoy was the one we had
seen come through BALINTANG CHANNEL early on the 18th
and head for LUZON, and were chasing when contact was
made for Attack No. 1. Target was equipped with radar.

Ship Sunk Large transport (EU).

Damage Determined by--Two timed hits. Target screws stopped. Target tracked
to zero speed in 2 minutes. Very large explosion followed
by target pip on SJ dying down very rapidly, and dis-
appearing. Passed through wreckage after surfacing.

Target Draft 16 (Est) Course 270 Speed 16 Range 2,500 (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 6 Course 251 Depth 45' Angle 1°D (at firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack Submerged radar attack. Fired six Mark 23 torpedoes
from forward, using radar ranges and bearings. It was
too dark to keep periscope on target. The torpedo
run was 3,000 yards, so used the full divergent spread
from the spread cards, although the track angle was
130. Wasn't taking any chances on missing this one.

-38-

— page 51 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS. ATTACK NO. 3 (CONT'D)
FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack Submerged periscope. Fired three torpedoes from bow
tubes at second ship in line, then fired four torpedoes
from after tubes at third ship in line, as it passed
astern. Used divergent spread. Last torpedo aft was
delayed to let ship make a radical turn, which it did,
then fired with a new setup, obtaining the second hit.

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUBES FIRED | | | | | | | |
| TRACK ANGLE | 37P | 37P | 38P | 124S | 209S | 136S | 160P |
| GYRO ANGLE | 011 | 015 | 005 | 171-40 | 181-0 | 182-30 | 183 |
| DEPTH SET | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| POWER | | | | | | | |
| HIT OR MISS | HIT | HIT | MISS | HIT | MISS | MISS | HIT |
| ERRATIC | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO |
| MARK TORPEDO | 23 | 23 | 23 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 |
| SERIAL NO. | 41665 | 49761 | 61984 | 55463 | 55480 | 55418 | 55274 |
| MARK EXPLODER | 6-5 | 6-5 | 6-5 | 4-2 | 4-2 | 4-2 | 4-2 |
| SERIAL NO. | 25321 | 13219 | 25229 | 8067 | 8071 | 7994 | 8174 |
| ACTUATION SET | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont |
| ACTUATION ACTUAL | Cont | Cont | --- | Cont | --- | --- | Cont |
| MARK WARHEAD | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2 |
| SERIAL NO. | 12115 | 12519 | 2175 | 2807 | 2853 | 2842 | 2744 |
| EXPLOSIVE | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX |
| FIRING INTERVAL | --- | 9 | 8 | --- | 13 | 14 | 66 |
| TYPE SPREAD | 0 | 4½ R | 4½ L | 0 | 2 R | 5 R | 0 |
| SEA CONDITIONS | (2) | 170° | | | | | |
| OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T. H. |
| | -41- |

— page 52 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D)

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 4.
PATROL NO. 1

TIME 1015(H) DATE 23 August 1944 Lat. 18-38N Long. 120-56E

TARGET DATA--DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description Target was MUTSUKI class DD patrolling PASALENG BAY,
LUZON, protecting a damaged tanker beached at the
head of the bay. The target was covering, roughly,
a triangular area, at speeds varying from 0 to 14
knots, alternately pinging and listening. His courses
in covering the area were never twice the same.

Ship's Sunk None

Ship's Damaged or
Probably Sunk None

Target Draft 8' Course 260 Speed 14 Range 2600 (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 4 Course 160 Depth 66' Angle 00 (at firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack Submerged periscope attack. Sea was flat and glassy.
Fired four Mark 18 torpedoes from after tubes, depth
set four feet. A divergent spread was used. The
spread was wide, covering 450 feet of target, to cover
any changes in speed. The range was longer than desired.
It is possible target heard the torpedoes and turned in
time to avoid.

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— page 53 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D) ATTACK NO. 4

TUBES FIRED | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
TRACK ANGLE | 126P | 128P | 134P | 134P
GYRO ANGLE | 186-30 | 187-30 | 185-30 | 185-30
DEPTH SET | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4
POWER | | | |
HIT OR MISS | MISS | MISS | MISS | MISS
ERRATIC | NO | NO | NO | NO
MARK TORPEDO | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1
SERIAL NO. | 54900 | 55098 | 55042 | 54496
MARK EXPLODER | 4-2 | 4-2 | 8-5 | 4-2
SERIAL NO. | | | |
ACTUATION SET | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact
ACTUATION ACTUAL | | | |
MARK WARHEAD | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2
SERIAL NO. | 8801 | 8194 | 8348 | 8479
EXPLOSIVE | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX
FIRING INTERVAL | | 9 | 6 | 9
TYPE SPREAD | 3/4 L | 3/4 R | 2 L | 2 R
SEA CONDITIONS | | 0 | |
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T. H.

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— page 54 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D)

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5 PATROL NO. 1
TIME 2033(I) DATE 8 Sept. 1944 Lat. 24-46 Long. 123-15

TARGET DATA--DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description Convoy consisting of 8 AK's and three escorts sighted
off SAMUCHO POINT, FORMOSA, headed on base course 105,
speed 8 knots. When seen at fairly close range at
night, 6 of the AK's were good size well-deck, compos-
ite superstructure. Two were larger, more flush-decked
appearing, split superstructure type. All were smokers.
At least one of the escorts was a small inter-island
type well-deck freighter. Others resembled PC type.

Ships Sunk 1 Medium AK (EU) well-deck, composite superstructure.
1 Large AK (EU) flush deck, split superstructure.

Ship Damaged 1 AK (UN).

Damage Determined By--Saw and heard one torpedo hit the medium AK. Ship
seemed to blow to pieces. Smoke obscured details from
then on. Saw and heard two hits in large AK. Ship
last seen low in the water, decks almost awash. Two
timed hits in a target in the middle of the convoy
with the stern tube shots accounted for the damaged
AK. A few minutes later, ran to convoy 4,500 yards,
radar showed only 9 pips where there had been 11.

1st Target Draft Course 120 Speed 8 Range 2540 (at firing)
2nd Target Draft Course 120 Speed 8 Range 2000 (at firing)
3rd Target Draft Course 120 Speed 8 Range 2560 (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed (1) 11.5 Course (1) 049.5 Depth On Surface
(2) 11.5 Course (2) 049.5 On Surface
(3) 10 Course (3) 294 On Surface

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack Night surface attack, using radar ranges and bearings.
First target was last ship in far column. Second tar-
get was last ship in near column. Third target was
picked by radar as closest large pip of convoy, ahead
of previous targets and was probably the next to last
ship in near column. It was too dark to see for
certain.

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— page 55 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D) ATTACK NO. 5

TUBES FIRED | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

TRACK ANGLE | 103S | 104S | 105S | 131S | 132S | 131S
GYRO ANGLE | 354-20 | 357-30 | 352-30 | 022 | 025-30 | 021
DEPTH SET | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6
POWER | HP | HP | HP | HP | HP | HP
HIT OR MISS | HIT | MISS | MISS | HIT | MISS | HIT
ERRATIC | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO
MARK TORPEDO | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A
SERIAL NO. | 26302 | 24739 | 40669 | 40474 | 3684 | 39859
MARK EXPLODER | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4
SERIAL NO. | 2544 | 1026 | 11646 | 166 | 12252 | 17850
ACTUATION SET | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact
ACTUATION ACTUAL | Contact | --- | --- | Contact | --- | Contact
MARK WARHEAD | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16 | 16-1
SERIAL NO. | 12813 | 3781 | 3447 | 11926 | 9922 | 12280
EXPLOSIVE | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX
FIRING INTERVAL | --- | 8 | 10 | --- | 7 | 11
TYPE SPREAD | 0 | 3 R | 3 L | 0 | 3 R | 3 L

SEA CONDITIONS | --- (2)
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | U.S.S. HOLLAND (AS-3)

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— page 56 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D) ATTACK NO. 5

TUBES FIRED | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
TRACK ANGLE | 153S | 154S | 154S | 156S
GYRO ANGLE | 159 | 159-30 | 160 | 167
DEPTH SET | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6
POWER | HP | HP | HP | HP
HIT OR MISS | HIT | MISS | MISS | HIT
ERRATIC | NO | NO | NO | NO
MARK TORPEDO | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A
SERIAL NO. | 40825 | 39836 | 39628 | 40151
MARK EXPLODER | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4
SERIAL NO. | 11619 | 14836 | 10448 | 8663
ACTUATION SET | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact
ACTUATION ACTUAL | Contact | --- | --- | Contact
MARK WARHEAD | 16 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16
SERIAL NO. | 10024 | 12937 | 13054 | 11470
EXPLOSIVE | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX
FIRING INTERVAL | 0 | 11 | 9 | 10
TYPE SPREAD | 1 R | 1 L | 3 L | 3 R
SEA CONDITIONS | | | (2) |
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | U.S.S. HOLLAND (AS-3) |

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— page 58 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
II. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D) ATTACK NO. 6

TUBES FIRED | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
TRACK ANGLE | 12S | 122S | 123S | 101S | 101S | 101S
GYRO ANGLE | 007 | 010 | 004-30 | 346 | 348-15 | 346-30
DEPTH SET | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6
POWER | HP | HP | HP | HP | HP | HP
HIT OR MISS | HIT | MISS | HIT | MISS | MISS | MISS
ERRATIC | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO
MARK TORPEDO | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A
SERIAL NO. | 26638 | 40714 | 26762 | 40005 | 23400 | 26560
MARK EXPLODER | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4
SERIAL NO. | 5404 | 8563 | 11599 | 8763 | 8301 | 7703
ACTUATION SET | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact
ACTUATION ACTUAL | Contact | --- | Contact | --- | --- | ---
MARK WARHEAD | 16-1 | 16 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1
SERIAL NO. | 10363 | 1583 | 13008 | 13038 | 122 | 12016
EXPLOSIVE | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | T | TPX
FIRING INTERVAL | --- | 7 | 7 | --- | 8 | 7
TYPE SPREAD | O | 3 R | 3 L | O | 1 R | 1 L
SEA CONDITIONS | --- | --- | --- | --- | (2) | ---
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | U.S.S. HOLLAND (AS-3) | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---

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— page 59 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D) ATTACK NO. 6

TUBES FIRED
| | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TRACK ANGLE | 106S | 108S | 111S | 113S |
GYRO ANGLE | 159-30 | 160-30 | 162-30 | 170-30 |
DEPTH SET | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
POWER | HP | HP | HP | HP |
HIT OR MISS | HIT | HIT | MISS | MISS |
ERRATIC | NO | NO | NO | NO |
MARK TORPEDO | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A |
SERIAL NO. | 25712 | 39222 | 39223 | 26053 |
MARK EXPLODER | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 |
SERIAL NO. | 17751 | 8605 | 8794 | 17717 |
ACTUATION SET | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact |
ZCTUATION ACTUAL | Contact | Contact | | |
MARK WARHEAD | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 |
SERIAL NO. | 12243 | 13449 | 12783 | 11179 |
EXPLOSIVE | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX |
FIRING INTERVAL | | 11 | 13 | 11 |
TYPE SPREAD | 1 R | 1 L | 3 L | 3 R |

SEA CONDITIONS | (2)
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | U.S.S. HOLLAND (AS-3)

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— page 60 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D)

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 7 PATROL NO. 1
TIME 1731(I) DATE 9 Sept. 1944 Lat. 24-37 Long. 124-08

TARGET DATA--DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description Small inter-island type, well-deck freighter with two
masts, high stack, smoking heavily; bound for NAGURO
WAN from NE end of ISHIGAKI JIMA.

Ships Sunk or Damaged--None

Target Draft 6' Course 255 Speed 13 Range 1470 (at firing)

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 3 Course 359 Depth 66' Angle 10D (at firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack Submerged periscope attack. Three torpedoes were fired
at a range of 1470 yards, 83P track, with gyro 359.
Depth of torpedoes set at 4 feet. All Missed. Target
did not change course so fired fourth and last torpedo.
It missed. Set up was such that echo of misses must
have been torpedoes running under the target. Either
the torpedoes (Mk 14) ran deep or target draft was
less than 4 feet. All torpedoes ran hot, straight,
and normal.

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— page 61 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (CONT'D) ATTACK NO. 7

TUBES FIRED                 3         4         1         2
TRACK ANGLE                 82P       83P       85P       117P
GYRO ANGLE                  359       353-30    357-30    324
DEPTH SET                   4         4         4         4
POWER                       HP        HP        HP        HP
HIT OR MISS                 MISS      MISS      MISS      MISS
ERRATIC                     NO        NO        NO        NO
MARK TORPEDO                14-3A     14-3A     14-3A     14-3A
SERIAL NO.                  40033     40146     26187     39540
MARK EXPLODER               6-4       6-4       6-4       6-4
SERIAL NO.                  1052      6261      2535      760
ACTUATION SET               Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact
ACTUATION ACTUAL            -
MARK WARHEAD                16-1      16-1      16-1      16-1
SERIAL NO.                  3280      10914     3089      12304
EXPLOSIVE                   TPX       TPX       TPX       TPX
FIRING INTERVAL             ---       8         8         82
TYPE SPREAD                 0         L         3 R       0
SEA CONDITIONS              ---       ---       (3)       ---
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY           ---       ---       U.S.S. HOLLAND (AS-3). ---

                                      -91-

— page 62 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
I. MINES.
No remarks.
J. ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS.

The frequent encountering of radar interference on the SJ
from Japanese ships indicates a wider use of this equipment
than has previously been encountered. A description of in-
terference is given in Section M. All DD's and PC escorts
encountered were apparently equipped with radar. The two
ships contacted on the night of 18-19 August (attacks #1
and #2) were so equipped. The convoy attacked on 8 Septem-
ber had radar equipment on the PC escorts only.

On attacks 1 and 2, due respect was given the Japs' radar
and submerged radar attacks were made. It was noted that
the sweep of the interference steadied on our bearing, in
attack #1, when the range decreased to 7500 yards, then con-
tinued to sweep as the range was opened, indicating possible
contact. However, they apparently didn't pick up our peris-
cope and radar mast when we approached within 2500 yards
submerged.

On Attacks 5 and 6, it was decided to disregard the Japs'
radar and proceed on the surface. At one time we were within
2000 yards of a PC escort, and there was no indication that
he had contacted us. We changed our opinion of the effec-
tiveness of their radar in its present form. It is possible
that this interference is a form of radar jamming.

On the night of 9-10 September, off ISHIGAKI JIMA, the Japs
put a large floating light, resembling a carbide light, on
the water several miles off the beach. The patrol vessels
ran back and forth, inshore and to seaward, apparently
trying to silhouette us against the light. They had pre-
viously had a false contact in the vicinity as indicated
by a number of depth charges.

On the morning of 11 September, the SPADEFISH, of a necessity,
opened up with a rather lengthy message sent CW on 2006 kc,
while within 7 miles of the 100 fathom curve, off NAGURA WAN,
ISHIGAKI JIMA. Within a half-hour after this transmission,
one patrol vessel was seen circling at the spot SPADEFISH
had just vacated, and two more were seen heading to sea to-
ward that spot. A few minutes after diving, a total of five
patrol vessels passed over, all searching. These vessels
were later seen patrolling the general area of our transmission,
off and on throughout the day, with planes also sighted en-
gaging in the search. There is no doubt but that we were

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— page 64 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
L. RADIO (CONT'D).

     There was enemy jamming (keyed) on all HAIKU circuits except
the 14 and 17 mc bands. There was a considerable amount of
Jap traffic on 450 kc.

     The SD radar causes interference on all radio receivers.

     Wolf pack communications were usually satisfactory on the
2000 kc band and were definitely unsatisfactory on 450 kc
due to atmospheric conditions. When using voice communica-
tions, words like "Able" and"Oboe", and "King" and "Queen"
were usually mistaken for each other, resulting in confusion.

     Five messages were sent to ComSubSPac. All were cleared
through NPM. The first one was sent at 1737 GCT, 24 August,
on 8470 kc and was receipted for within 30 minutes after
starting to tune the transmitter. The second message was
sent at 1617 GCT, 25 August, on 4235 kc, after first attempting
to use 8470 kc for 45 minutes; actual time spent on 4235 kc,
10 minutes. The third message was transmitted blind on 8470
kc, on 9 September, getting a "K" and "P" from NPM on the
HAIKU FOX schedule. Time from starting the tuning to antenna's
until receipt by NPM was 24 minutes.

     Reception of entertainment and news programs on the RBO was
nil (with the exception of Tokio Rose).

     There were no casualties experienced on the RAK or RAL. On
the 23rd of August, a condenser was broken loose under the
chassis, and a grid cap on a 6K6 tube was grounded against
the metal envelope on the RBH receiver. The starboard for-
ward wing antenna carried away on 7 September due to faulty
construction. A 50 foot jury antenna was rigged aft from the
conning tower to a life line stanchion. Reception on the
jury rig was excellent.

M. RADAR.

     1. SJ-1 Radar gave a good performance with only about two hours
        of operating time lost during patrol.

        Minor troubles and causes were:
        (1) Transmitter inoperative - C22A filter condenser shorted.
        (2) Jumpy sweep - IF output cable shorted.
        (3) Low gain - Weak 726B and 6AC7's in AFC.
        (4) Low transmitter output - Weak 706A.
        (5) Jumpy sweep - Bad VR 150-30 in indicator.
        (6) It is suspected that the AFC unit is defective. It
            is recommended that the AFC unit be constructed so that
            the RT can have access to service it.

                                   - 4 -

— page 65 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
M. RADAR (CONT'D).

2. SD-4 Radar gave practically no trouble on patrol, but did not
pick up planes in most cases until after the lookouts had
seen them, and sometimes didn't get them then. Once or twice
SD picked up planes at 26 miles and land at about the same
distance.

The SD blower motor failed on the 8th of September causing
the 8014A tubes to fail. The failure was due to lack of
lubrication. A ship's fan was mounted on the door to the SD
transmitter with a canvas sack leading the air from it into
the blower louvers.

3. APR and SPA-1. The only trouble encountered was a shorted-
out delay line in SPA-1 which caused low vertical deflection
on screen. Replacement of delay line gave normal operation.

No results were obtained on APR and SPA-1 though it was opera-
ted every hour and continuously when any contact was made.

On the 13th of September a strong pip throughout the entire
band of the TN-2 and 3, with a pulse width of 5 micro-secs,
and a pulse rate of 100 cycles per second, appeared. It had
a sound like noise on the APR-1 headphones. There was rain,
lightning, and considerable St. Elmo's Fire present at that
time.

4. The ABK unit was used after leaving patrol area. One unit
and the motor generator failed prior to then, and could not
be repaired or replaced by either ship's force or the HOLLAND'S
repair force, as no spare parts were available.

5. BN. The only trouble encountered was a shorted 15E tube which
made the BN inoperative until replaced.

6. SJ Interference:

During the tracking of a destroyer, an AP, and an unknown ship,
on August 19, radar interference was picked up on our SJ. In
each case this interference was of the same type. The fre-
quency was very close to that of our SJ, with a pulse rate
of about 1200 c.p.s. and a pulse width of from 1 to 2 micro-
seconds. The rate of sweep was about 10 rpm.

The unknown ship continued his sweep at a constant rate until
the range had closed to about 7,500 yds. He then trained
on us and swept back and forth across our bearing. After
opening the range, he resumed sweeping. They were apparently

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— page 66 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS 411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
M. RADAR (CONT'D).

     unable to pick up the radar mast and SJ antenna when making
     a submerged radar approach, closest range, 2500 yards.

     Serial number of Magnetron in use - NXSS-22000.

     The same type of interference was seen when we contacted the
     convoy on the night of 8-9 September. This time, however,
     we approached one PC escort within 2,000 yards on the surface.
     The interference, coming from his bearing, did not steady on
     us. At no time was there any indication that they contacted
     us.

     Serial number of Magnetron in use - 47369.

N. SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS.

     The mechanical and electrical performance of the WCA-2 and
     JP-1 sound gear was satisfactory.

     The contacts on the QC remote control training unit in the
     conning tower have caused excessive sparking even after clean-
     ing the contacts. The QC rectifier tube (CG-872A), broke
     down after 15 hours operation.

     The crystal phones used with the JP sound gear gradually
     became weak and magnetic phones had to be used in place of
     them.

     The FM Sonar equipment was out of commission after the ty-
     phoon. The receiver head was grounded out. From the unusual
     clanging noise in the receiver it is suspected that some of
     the receiver head crystals are damaged.

     The SESE (fathometer) equipment was used to great advantage
     on 23 August when we were escaping from the DD along the edge
     of PALENG BAY at deep submergence. Again off ISHIGAKI JIMA
     it helped find the 100 fathom curve when we were at 450 feet,
     with 4 or 5 escort vessels overhead looking for us.

     Sound conditions off the north coast of LUZON were very good.
     This was to be expected from the deep isothermal layers en-
     countered here. On both 18 August and 22 August, the JP and
     JK listeners picked up pinging and screw noises well over
     25,000 yards.

     On the DD attack, 23 August, pinging was heard from the Jap
     destroyer at 17.4 kc, at eight second intervals, and occasionally
     at 26.6 kc. He stopped pinging for 30 seconds every five

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— page 67 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.
N. SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS. (CONT'D).

minutes, probably for listening purposes. During this attack,
the destroyer was pinging (sweeping) on us for more than three
hours at ranges as short as 2500 yards, and apparently did not
pick us up.

On 18 August, Jap ships were heard pinging between 15 and 17 kc.

O. DENSITY LAYERS.

— page 68 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of FIRST WAR PATROL.

P. HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY.

     The health of the crew was, in general, excellent. There was
one rather serious case of catarrhal fever that resulted in
twelve days on the sick list. There were the usual minor
injuries, but no serious one's. The two and a half days in
SAIPAN did much to relieve the tension of all hands. Vitamin
pills and salt tablets were used extensively.

     The Commissary Department did exceptionally well by us. The
baking, in particular, was unusually good, and was appreciated
by all hands. The ice cream mixer found lots of use.

     There were few complaints about the habitability of the ship.
It was not uncomfortably warm at any time; the addition of
the air conditioning unit in the forward batt made a great
improvement in the liveability of that usually hot spot.

Q. PERSONNEL.

     Nothing but praise can be expressed for the fine performance
of the entire crew, both officers and men. The high morale
and cool attention to duty even after long hours of battle
stations on repeated days were outstanding.

     The three weeks of intensive training received at Pearl
Harbor prior to the departure of this ship on patrol were
invaluable in molding the excellent material available into
an efficient submarine operating crew. It also put them in
such shape that the strenuous operating conditions of this
long patrol seemed light in comparison. No better training
could have been obtained than the two convoy exercises in
which this ship participated.

     The occasional movie was greatly enjoyed by all hands. This,
with the good food, good living conditions, and enough con-
tacts to keep the excitement up, kept everyone in good spirits.

     The dog, LUAU, contributed greatly to the morale with her
ready playfulness with all hands. She was a bit perturbed
by the depth charges, but soon recovered with only a slight
case of "depth charge nerves".

     (a) Number of men on board during this patrol | 74
     (b) Number of men qualified at start of patrol | 38
     (c) Number of men qualified O,R, and S boats
         requalified fleet boats | 10
     (d) Number of men qualified at end of patrol | 54
     (e) Number of unqualified men on their first patrol | 20
     (f) Number of men advanced in rating during patrol | 7

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— page 71 —
FB5-282/A16-3
Serial 02
CONFIDENTIAL
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
SPADEFISH Report of
First War Patrol.

SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO EIGHTY TWO
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

23 September 1944

From:         The Commander Submarine Division TWO EIGHTY TWO.
To :          The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet.
Via :         (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
              (2) The Commander Submarines Pacific.
              (3) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject:      U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of First War Patrol.

1. The First War Patrol of the U.S.S. SPADEFISH extended over a
period of sixty-three days. This time was broken into two periods: the first
of thirty-eight days duration (fourteen on station) was spent in the LUZON
STRAITS area and the second of twenty-five days (eight on station) northeast
of FORMOSA. Between these two periods the SPADEFISH returned to SAIPAN for
another load of torpedoes. The second period was also terminated by expendi-
ture of torpedoes. In all forty-five torpedoes were fired for fifteen hits
or 33.3% in seven attacks.

2. The patrol was characterized throughout by a spirit of
aggressiveness. The repeated attempts of the Commanding Officer to enter
PASALENG BAY, LUZON, in an attempt to finish off a damaged tanker in spite
of a destroyer patrol and glassy sea, and his remaining for three days off
NAGURA WAN in the presence of heavy enemy patrol action after all his torpedoes
had been expended in order to report the movements of the convoy he had
followed there are deserving of special mention.

3. The night attack of September 8, 1944, in which the ship was
maneuvered on the surface into firing position in the close proximity of radar
equipped escorts was excellently conducted and resulted in the sinking of four
ships and damage to one to the extent of two torpedo hits. The evident
unreliability of the radar installed in the escort vessels encountered is
gratifying particularly in view of the increasing numbers so equipped.

4. The Division Commander concurs with the Commanding Officer in his
opinion that the replacement of the Portsmouth type controllers on the
hydraulic plants with magnetic type is a must item. This should be done as
soon as the controllers are available.

5. The Commanding Officer, officers, and crew of the SPADEFISH
are to be congratulated on an extremely aggressive and well conducted patrol
which, it is believed, inflicted the following impressive damage to the enemy:

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— page 73 —
FC5-4/A16-3
Serial 0372

CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. SPADEFISH Report
of First War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of First War
Patrol.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the
Commander Submarine Division TWO-EIGHTY-TWO.

2. The tenacious aggressiveness, which characterized
this patrol from beginning to end, coupled with the Commanding
Officers most commendable action of remaining in the vicinity of a
convoy to report its movements in spite of his own lack of torpedoes
and in the face of heavy enemy patrol action are deserving of
particular note.

3. The Squadron Commander takes great pleasure in con-
gratulating the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew of this
fighting ship on their heavy toll of enemy shipping.

[SIGNATURE: C. F. Erck]
C. F. ERCK.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR

Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
27 September 1944.
05/jak

— page 74 —
hch

F12-10/A16-3(15)/
[STAMP: RECEIVED S-C FILES]
[HANDWRITTEN: √B Room 2055]
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
2 October 1944.

Serial 02149
ROUTE TO: 13 OCT 1944
File No. (S&I) [HANDWRITTEN: A16-3/2 3] [HANDWRITTEN: 138869]
CONFIDENTIAL
Copy No. [HANDWRITTEN: 2 of 5]
Pg. No. [HANDWRITTEN: 2 of 5]

THIRD ENDORSEMENT
SPADEFISH Report of
First War Patrol.

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 535.
U.S.S. SPADEFISH - FIRST WAR PATROL.

From: The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of First War Patrol.
(23 July to 24 September 1944).

1. The first war patrol of the SPADEFISH was conducted in
the area between Formosa and Luzon, and in the area northeast of
Formosa. The SPADEFISH along with the REDFISH (SS395), and PICUDA
(SS382), formed an attack group with Commander G. R. Donaho, U. S.
Navy, as Group Commander and Commanding Officer of the PICUDA.

2. Excellent judgement along with an aggressive fighting
spirit was displayed throughout this splendid first patrol. After
expending 20 of her original load of torpedoes, the SPADEFISH put into
Saipan for replacements and continued her series of well-planned at-
tacks, the effectiveness of which is best shown by the severe damage
inflicted upon the enemy.

3. This patrol is designated as "successful" for Combat
Insignia Award.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew for this aggressive,
outstanding first patrol. The SPADEFISH is credited with having in-
flicted the following damage upon the enemy:

S U N K

1 - Large AP (EU) - 10,000 tons (Attack No. 2)
1 - Large AO (KURISIO MARU Type) (EC) - 10,500 tons (Attack No. 3)
1 - Medium AK (EU) - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 5)
1 - Large AK (EU) - 7,500 tons (Attack No. 5)
1 - Medium AK (EU) - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 6)
1 - AK (UN) - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 6)
[STAMP: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations FLEET MAINTENANCE TOTAL SUNK OCT 14 1944 RECEIVED F-DEPARTMENT]
[HANDWRITTEN: 40,000 tons]

- 1 -
225

— page 76 —
F12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02149
CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
SPADEFISH Report of
First War Patrol,

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 535.
U.S.S. SPADEFISH - FIRST WAR PATROL.

From:
To :
Via :
Subject:

SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
hch
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
2 October 1944.

[STAMP: 5 OCT 1944]

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
The Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of First War Patrol.
(23 July to 24 September 1944).

1. The first war patrol of the SPADEFISH was conducted in
the area between Formosa and Luzon, and in the area northeast of
Formosa. The SPADEFISH along with the REDFISH (SS395), and PICUDA
(SS382), formed an attack group with Commander G. R. Donaho, U. S.
Navy, as Group Commander and Commanding Officer of the PICUDA.

2. Excellent judgement along with an aggressive fighting
spirit was displayed throughout this splendid first patrol. After
expending 20 of her original load of torpedoes, the SPADEFISH put into
Saipan for replacements and continued her series of well-planned at-
tacks, the effectiveness of which is best shown by the severe damage
inflicted upon the enemy.

3. This patrol is designated as "Successful" for Combat
Insignia Award.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew for this aggressive,
outstanding first patrol. The SPADEFISH is credited with having in-
flicted the following damage upon the enemy:

S U N K

1 - Large AP (EU)                               - 10,000 tons (Attack No. 2)
1 - Large AO (KURISIO MARU Type) (EC)           - 10,500 tons (Attack No. 3)
1 - Medium AK (EU)                              - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 5)
1 - Large AK (EU)                               - 7,500 tons (Attack No. 5)
1 - Medium AK (EU)                              - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 6)
1 - AK (UN)                                     - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 6)
TOTAL SUNK                                        40,000 tons

- 1 -

— page 78 —
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED - DOD DIR. 5200.9
of 27 Sep 58
BY [HANDWRITTEN: RLC] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 4/27/71]]

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411)

                                                  c/o Fleet Post Office,
                                                  San Francisco, Calif.

                                                  12 December 1944.

From:             The Commanding Officer.
To :             The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via :             (1) The Commander Submarine Division ONE FOUR ONE.
                  (2) The Commander Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN.
                  (3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject:          U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411), Report of War Patrol Number Two.
                  Report of Patrol Coordinated Attack Group 17.13.

Enclosure:        (A) Subject Report.
                  (B) Track Chart (for ComSubsPac only).

1.                Enclosure (A), covering the war patrol of Coordinated Attack
Group 17.13, and the SECOND WAR PATROL of this vessel, conducted in the Yellow
Sea area during the period 23 October to 12 December 1944, is forwarded here-
with.

                                                  [SIGNATURE: G. W. Underwood]
                                                  G. W. UNDERWOOD.

[HANDWRITTEN: FILMED
101480]

— page 84 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of SECOND WAR PATROL.

13 November (Cont'd)

Only minor damage resulted from the depth charges. The bridge
repeater gimbal rings were broken and the bridge speaker
cracked. Considerable amounts of mud were found on the top-
side, verifying the condition of the bottom in this locality,
and giving a pretty good indication of the depth and distance
at which some of the charges went off.

The depth charges made the electricians happy by reducing the
grounds by about 40 volts.

1338(I) Came to periscope depth for a look. The escorts were all
astern of us, milling around in the vicinity of the depth
charge attack. No sign of the target.

1849(I) Surfaced. Had numerous contacts on fishing boats, opening
range usually about 8,000 yards.

14 November

0001(I) Radar contact at 17,150 yards, bearing 070 (Ship Contact #4).
Went to battle stations and commenced tracking. Contact devel-
oped into one large ship, apparently towed by a small ship
about 500 yards ahead of it, with 3 escorts that were milling
around. Base course was 270, speed 6.5 knots. Towing ship
was zigging every 10 minutes, but the tow had a hard time
following the zigs.

0021(I) Interference on the SJ from one of the escorts had steadied
down when the range had closed to 8,500 yards, so opened out
and crossed to the other side. Only one of three escorts
had radar.

0102(I) Headed in for attack on the starboard flank. One escort was
now on the starboard bow, one astern, and one on the port beam.
Target could now be seen as a large AK, with long well decks,
and composite superstructure, fairly well loaded, and on an
even keel. The escort sighted appeared to be a PC-13 class.

0108(I) Fired 5 torpedoes from the bow tubes, with 120 starboard track,
range 3,000 yards. Saw and heard four torpedoes hit. Target
exploded and commenced burning fiercely; the vicinity was too
lighted for comfort, now, so cleared the target area to
watch the results. The escorts were running around dropping
depth charges for the next two hours.

0220(I) The fire on the target went out suddenly. SJ showed three
similar escorts and one smaller pip, probably the tug.

-6-

— page 86 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of SECOND WAR PATROL.

16 November (Cont'd)
1043(I) Sighted sail of Chinese junk, bearing 310, distance about
        15,000 yards (Ship Contact #5).
1259(I) Sighted plane (NELL) bearing 100T, distance 5 miles ("Aircraft
        Contact #6). Submerged to avoid detection.
1327(I) Surfaced.
1559(I) Sighted smoke, bearing 312T. Turned towards it, but upon
        closing soon identified smoke as a water spout. Turned away
        from it.
1759(I) Sighted sampan bearing 064, distance 15,000 yards.

17 November
0442(I) Radar contact with KOKUZAN TO, bearing 030, distance 64,000
        yards.
0515(I) APR picked up the usual radar on 150mc from KOKUZAN TO.
0606(I) SJ interference from friendly submarine. Not identified.
0632(I) Submerged SW of KOKUZAN TO.
1354(I) Heard the first of 6 depth charges in the distance.
1434(I) Sighted smoke bearing 025 (Ship Contact #6).
1543(I)
to
1546(I) Heard 24 distant depth charges.
1642(I) There were now five columns of smoke. A plane could be seen
        circling over the convoy (Aircraft Contact #7). Screws could
        be heard on the JP. JK picked up pinging bearing 051.
1651(I) Sighted masts of at least 4 ships, bearing 059. The convoy
        was headed right for us. We had decided to let it go by, as
        it was only an hour and a half to sunset. We planned to
        surface and attack at night.
1720(I) Went to 150 feet. Convoy passed right over us. There were
        numerous escorts, pinging loudly.

-8-

— page 104 —
CONFIDENTIAL

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of SECOND WAR PATROL.

H. ATTACK DATA (Cont'd). Torpedo Attack No. 1

TUBES FIRED
| | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1
TRACK ANGLE | | 119S | 119.5S | 120S | 120S | 121S
GYRO ANGLE | | 009 | 010-15 | 008-45 | 007-50 | 013-30
DEPTH SET | | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft
POWER | | High | High | High | High | High
HIT OR MISS | | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Miss
ERRATIC | | No | No | No | No | No
MARK TORPEDO | | 23 | 14-3A | 23 | 14-3A | 23
SERIAL NO. | | 63275 | 40164 | 62942 | 40622 | 62933
MARK EXPLODER | | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4
SERIAL NO. | | 7842 | 12833 | 7164 | 12671 | 7860
ACTUATION SET | | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont
ACTUATION ACTUAL | | Cont | Cont | Cont | Cont | ---
MARK WARHEAD | | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1
SERIAL NO. | | 12565 | 20924 | 17784 | 20923 | 20876
EXPLOSIVE | | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX | TPX
FIRING INTERVAL | | --- | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8

TYPE SPEED | Divergent
SEA CONDITIONS | (2) -- 115°
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY | Sub Base, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

REMARKS
The first torpedo fired must have run a little slow, and
the second a little fast--or a combination of both--as
they were seen to hit the target in an interval of not
more than one second.

-26-

— page 112 —
CONFIDENTIAL

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of SECOND WAR PATROL.

H. ATTACK DATA (Cont'd). Torpedo Attack No. 4

TUBES FIRED                               1         2         3         4
TRACK ANGLE                             92P       94P       95P       98P
GYRO ANGLE                            002-30      002     356-30      357
DEPTH SET                               6 ft      6 ft      6 ft      6 ft
POWER                                   ---      High      ---      High
HIT OR MISS                             Hit      Miss      Miss      Hit
ERRATIC                                  No        No        No        No
MARK TORPEDO                             23      14-3A       23      14-3A
SERIAL NO.                            63014     39863     49449     25453
MARK EXPLODER                           6-4       6-4       6-4       6-4
SERIAL NO.                             6692      7850     19354      8034
ACTUATION SET                         Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact
ACTUATION ACTUAL                      Contact     ---       ---     Contact
MARK WARHEAD                           16-1      16-1      16-1      16-1
SERIAL NO.                            16550     16778     16545     14938
EXPLOSIVE                               TPX       TPX       TPX       TPX
FIRING INTERVAL                           0       1.6         8        31

TYPE SPREAD                                     Divergent
SEA CONDITIONS                                  090°      --- (4)
OVERHAUL ACTIVITY                       Sub Base, Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor, T. H.

                                        -34-

— page 120 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
14 December 1944.

FB5-141/A16-3

Serial: 042

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. SPADEFISH Report
of Second War Patrol

From: The Commander Submarine Division One Hundred Forty-One.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron FOURTEEN.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET.
(3) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411), Report of War Patrol Number TWO.

1. SPADEFISH made her second war patrol in the YELLOW SEA area in
company with SUNFISH and PINTADO, with Commanding Officer of the SPADEFISH as Group
Commander. The duration of the patrol was fifty days, of which twenty-two days
were spent in the area, twelve of the latter being conducted submerged. Opera-
tions were terminated due to the expenditure of all, but one, torpedoes.

2. This was a well-conducted and highly successful patrol in an area
which has consistently proven productive in contacts and sinkings for our sub-
marines. The comparatively few aircraft contacts and the unprecedentedly numer-
ous floating mine contacts are particularly of note. Twenty-three torpedoes
were fired for a total of fourteen hits, which indicates excellent fire control
and torpedo performance.

3. Five aggressive torpedo attacks were made, each of which were
successful in damaging the enemy. On 14 November in a night surface radar
attack on a large AK under tow and heavily escorted, five torpedoes were
fired at a range of 3,000 yards on a 120° track, resulting in four hits and
the destruction of the target. Three days later a beautiful night attack was
was made on an escort carrier protected by radar-equipped escorts. At a range of
4,100 yards six torpedoes were fired on a 65° starboard track. Four torpedoes
found their mark, thus destroying this valuable plane-loaded ship. A turn to
the left put the SPADEFISH in position to fire her stern tubes at a large tanker
in this same convoy and one hit was scored with unobserved results. After pull-
ing clear for a short time, position was regained for a third attack on the con-
voy, and, although detected and fired upon, SPADEFISH attacked with four more
torpedoes at a range of 2,800 yards on a 100° track and scored three hits in a
large DD. This was followed by successful surface evasion of the escort which
had opened fire on SPADEFISH. The last SPADEFISH attack was made in the middle
of the day on 29 November. A radar contact made in poor visibility was developed
and attack conducted submerged on a medium unescorted AK. Two hits from a four
torpedo salvo meant complete destruction for this ship. Survivors refused to be
taken prisoner, so with one torpedo remaining, SPADEFISH headed for home.

- 1 -

— page 121 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE

FB5-141/A16-3                                        Care of Fleet Post Office,
                                                     San Francisco, California,
Serial: 044                                          14 December 1944.
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS SPADEFISH report of
Second War Patrol.

Subject:      U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411), Report of War Patrol Number TWO.

— page 123 —
FF12-10/.16-3(15)

Serial 02931
CONFIDENTI.L.

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
SPADEFISH Report of
Second War Patrol.

SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET

[HANDWRITTEN: 24 DEC 1944]
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
23 December 1944

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 622
U.S.S. SPADEFISH - SECOND WAR PATROL.

From: The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of Second War Pa-
         trol (23 October to 12 December 1944).

1. The second war patrol of the SPADEFISH was conducted
in the Yellow Sea areas. The SPADEFISH, along with the U.S.S. SUNFISH
(SS281) and the U.S.S. PETO (SS265), operated as a coordinated attack
group with the Commanding Officer of the SPADEFISH, Commander G. W.
Underwood, U.S. Navy, as group commander.

2. This alert, aggressive patrol was one of the out-
standing patrols of the war to date. Five expertly conducted attacks
were made which resulted in four enemy ships sunk and one damaged.
The series of three aggressive attacks made on the convoy the night
of 18 November in the face of most severe enemy anti-submarine meas-
ures, which resulted in a CVE and a large escort being sent to the
bottom and damage to a large tanker, was a feat deserving of the high-
est praise. The two other attacks made were equally successful and
resulted in the sinking of two AK's.

3. Award of the Submarine Combat Insignia for this pa-
trol is authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congra-
tulates the commanding officer, officers, and crew of the SPADEFISH
for this second successive highly successful patrol and the illustri-
ous record of ten ships sunk for 73,200 tons, including a 20,000 ton
CVE laden with aircraft, and three damaged for 24,500 tons. The
SPADEFISH is credited with having inflicted the following damage upon
the enemy during this patrol:

S U N K

1 - Large AK (EU)                               -     7,500 tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - CVE (OTAKA Type) (EC)                       -    20,000 tons (Attack No. 2)
1 - DD (EU)                                     -     1,700 tons (Attack No. 3)
1 - Medium AK (EU)                              -     4,000 tons (Attack No. 4)

TOTAL SUNK                                           33,200 tons

- 1 -

— page 125 —
SS411/A
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411)

c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
13 February 1945.
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
[HANDWRITTEN: AUTHORITY: NND 735013]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY: 09095K DATE 6/16/72]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Division EIGHTY-TWO.
(2) The Commander Task Group SEVENTEEN POINT TEN.
(3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(4) The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411), Report of War Patrol
Number Three.

1. Enclosure (A), covering the Third War Patrol of
this vessel, conducted in the Yellow Sea area during the period
of 6 January 1945 to 13 February, is forwarded herewith.

G. W. UNDERWOOD.

[HANDWRITTEN: FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 109491]

— page 137 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. SPADEFISH (SS411) - Report of THIRD WAR PATROL.

2 February (Cont'd)

1248 Submerged, with nearest island, HAKUGO TO, twelve and a half
     miles distant. Target had been tracked on course 100, speed
     9, now zig-zagging and unescorted. Target was hard to dis-
     tinguish as he was smoking heavily and there was a strong wind
     from astern.

1318 Target, now identified as a medium-sized AK, changed course to
     about 140, giving a zero angle on the bow. He was yawing about
     10 or 15 degrees. We had turned for a stern tube shot and opened
     out on a starboard track. He was now tracked at 7 knots. We
     had to make 2/3 speed to hold depth and were opening out too
     fast. A set-up for a 2800 yard torpedo run, small track shot,
     with Mk 18 torpedoes, was rejected due to the uncertain speed
     performance of the Mk 18 torpedoes at the low temperature, 35°.

1340 Swung around for bow shot. Target has now opened out suffic-
     iently to identify as a composite superstructure, raked bow,
     counter stern, high stack AK. There were two tripod masts.
     Apparently an old type ship with new type masts. He was fairly
     well loaded.

1348 Commenced firing four bow torpedoes, 2400 yard torpedo run,
     112 starboard track, near zero gyro, 8-foot depth setting.
     Sound tracked torpedoes to run normal and at a bearing that,
     after the correct torpedo run time, merged with the sound of
     the target screws. The set-up on the target kept checking
     right on. Everything was just right--except no torpedo ex-
     plosions. No explanation unless temperature of water effected
     depth setting of the Mk 14 and Mk 23 torpedoes. A very dis-
     appointing performance to say the least. Watched the target
     lumber along on his way, now inside the 10 fathom curve again,
     the set-up still checking on the TDC.

1747 Surfaced. The seas were now mountainous. Took several big
     ones over the bridge before we were blown up.

3 February

0530 Radio antenna mast broke from the weight of the ice. Turned
     away from the sea and took down the antenna. Using SD mast
     to copy the Fox schedule; reception good.

0615 Completed work on antenna. Headed back into the sea toward
     the position off the 10 fathom bank where yesterday's contact
     was made.

0918 Dived in the deep (33 fathoms) channel between the 10 fathom
     banks at the end of SEKIMO SUIDO.

-12-