U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS-217) — war patrol report SS-217_GUARDFISH_Part2.pdf

— page 1 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION
EIGHTY-TWO

FB5-82/A16-3                                        c/o Fleet Post Office,
                                                    San Francisco, Calif.,
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                             5 November 1943.

Subject:        U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Sixth
                War Patrol.

— page 2 —
FCS-8/A16-3
Serial 0170
CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO GUARDFISH Report of
Sixth War Patrol.

From:
To:
Subject:

1.
GUARDFISH's sixth war patrol, her second long
patrol in succession, lasted 71 days. Of these, 17 days were
spent en route to and from base, a total of 25 days were spent
on two special tasks, and a total of 29 days, divided into two
approximately equal periods, were spent on normal patrol against
enemy shipping between TRUK or PELEWS and KABAUL.

2.
GUARDFISH was hand-picked for the two hazardous
and highly important special tasks because of her previously
demonstrated ability to handle such assignments. The choice
was amply justified by the results obtained.

3.
Her first period of patrol against shipping was
fruitless, with no attack opportunities. Her second, however,
of about two weeks duration, provided several attack opportun-
ities and resulted in the sinking of two enemy freighters, one
of which was loaded. Two other attacks were delivered but were
frustrated by poor torpedo performance. On two additional
occasions attack opportunities were presented, but torpedoes
were not fired because of (1) a lack of confidence in torpedo
performance and tactical setup, and (2) a reluctance to dis-
close position under existing circumstances.

4.
Torpedo performance was poor. Two premature war-
head explosions, two surface runs, plus excessively smoky tor-
pedo tracks gravely reduced the effectiveness of her attacks.
The undesirability of this general condition is emphatically
portrayed by the fact that lack of confidence in his ability to
inflict damage, on the part of the submarine commanding
officer, whose skill, judgment and spirit are above question, was a
major factor contributing to his decisions not to fire torpedoes
at two valuable targets, one a large submarine (which passed
at a range of 1000 yards) and the other a 10,000 ton tanker.

- 1 -
SUBMARINE SQUADRON LIGHT
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
6 November 1943

Commander Submarine Squadron LIGHT.
Commander Task Force SEVENTY-TWO.
U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217), Sixth War Patrol;
Comments on.

[STAMP: 11 01894]

— page 3 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON EIGHT
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
November 6, 1943.

F25-3/A16-3
Serial: 0170

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
COMSUBPAC Report of
Sixth War Patrol.

SUBJECT: U. S. S. GUADFISH (SS217), Sixth War Patrol;
Comments on.

— page 4 —
FF12-15(72)/A16-3/Pk
Serial 0338
CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Task Force SEVENTY-TWO.
To : The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via : The Commander, THIRD FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217), Sixth War Patrol; com-
         ments on.

1. The GUARDFISH departed BRISBANE on her Sixth War
Patrol, 24 August 1943. Refueling from COUCAL in Jomard En-
trance, Louisades on 28 August, she proceeded to patrol area
via Solomons Sea. After thirteen days uneventful patrol Truk
- Xavier shipping routes and south of Truk on 14 September she was
ordered to Tulagi for special assignment, arriving 19th. Dur-
ing 20 - 28 September she carried out mission west coast of
Bougainville. Leaving Tulagi for patrol area again on 29
September, proceeded north via bombing restriction lane east
of Bougainville. Dove on aircraft radar contact afternoon of
30th. Two bombs, estimated small, dropped as she went deep
with no damage. Plane not seen but presumably enemy. GUARD-
FISH having intercepted southbound convoy of four large ships
by contact reports received direct from PETO, at 0321 19th
fired six torpedoes in radar night surface attack at largest
maru (8,250 tons), two hits, one premature. This spoiled
plans for stern tube salvo at remaining ships as escort
promptly counter attacked. She heard ship break up during
depth charge attack near Latitude 00-25' S., Longitude 146-
22' E. Further pursuit of convoy was abandoned to carry out
orders to proceed Tulagi for special duty. A cancellation of
orders however enabled her to contact a northbound escorted
medium freighter dawn of the 19th. After tracking during
morning she made unsuccessful attack, firing three torpedoes.
Two ran erratic on surface. Depth charged but no damage.
Aggressively chasing, a night attack by radar and periscope
resulted in one hit of four torpedoes fired. When last seen,
4,800 ton target was burning and heavily listed. During sub-
sequent ineffectual depth charging heard ship break up near
Latitude 1°-06' N., Longitude 145°-55' E. Surfaced one hour
later, only escort in sight. Then proceeded off WATOM Island
for special duty, passing properly marked northbound hospital
ship enroute. Patrolling off WATOM Island, morning of 12
October with dual mission of sinking shipping fleeing from
Allied Air strikes at RABAUL and rescue of aviators subseqent
to strike, she sighted I-class submarine, No. 177. Reaching
firing position, Commanding Officer withheld fire as short
tracking interval had not solved speed, and he correctly de-
cided against revealing his presence and position unless sure

- 1 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 11 01894]

TASK FORCE SEVENTY-TWO,
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

12 November 1943.

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L
SS217/A16-3/gn
U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217)
Serial 04
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
18 February, 1944.
CONFIDENTIAL
[DECLASSIFIED]
From
To
:
Via:
(1)
(2)
(3)
Subject:
Enclosure:
The Commanding Officer.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
The Commander, Submarine Squadron FOUR
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet.
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - Report of War Patrol Number Seven.
1.
(A) Subject report.
(B) Track chart of movements (For Comsubpac only).
(C) Plots of two torpedo attacks (For Comsubpac only).
Enclosure (A), covering the seventh war patrol of
this vessel conducted in the area north of the Bismarck Archipelago
and off the South Pass of Truk Islands during the period 27 Dec-
ember 1943 to 18 February 1944, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: N. G. WARD]
N. G. WARD.
DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-0989C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/30/22]

67739
[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]
DECLASSIFIED

— page 8 —
CONFIDENTIAL

A. PROLOGUE

Arrived New Farm Wharf, Brisbane, Australia, from
Sixth War Patrol on 3 November, 1943. In recognition of
two successive patrols of over seventy days duration,
CTF 72 granted a leave period of three weeks, with the
usual one week's readiness for sea period. Normal refit
undertaken by Repair Unit, Navy Number 89, of which major
items were (a) Elimination of low resistance readings on
No's 2 and 4 main generator armatures; (b) overhaul of no. 4
main engine; (c) overhaul of both H.P. air compressors;
(d) overhaul of FBT emergency vent valve checks; (e) removal
of ARC; (f) removal of DQ; (g) repair of bent stern plane
shafting (h) Dry docking to replace propellers with latest
type, install doubler plates on pressure hull outside, re-
duction gear lub oil sumps, overhaul no. 7 torpedo tube
shutter and perform routine dock work; (i) Painted ship
in accordance latest camouflage scheme.

Underway 2 December, 1943, on seventh war patrol in
accordance with CTF 72 secret operation order S81-43 to
wage unrestricted warfare in the Bismark Archipelago -
Truk area departing area about 13 January and proceeding
to Mare Island for Navy Yard overhaul by way of Pearl Har-
bor. Conducted sound tests and firing of guns in Moreton
Bay and proceeded to training area for 24 hours independent
exercises. Rendezvoused with HMAS STUART and COWRA
1800 L, 3 December 1943 for joint training. At 2355 L,
3 December 1943, while conducting night training approach
on the surface, collided with USATS YO-20; rupturing
6A and C MBT's, crushing starboard main induction line, de-
molishing No. 1 main engine muffler and topside piping in
vicinity of frame 85, denting pressure hull at frame 85,
and cracking no. 2 main engine crankcase.

Returned to New Farm Wharf, Brisbane, Australia,
4 December 1943, for repairs by Repair Unit, Navy Number
89 and local shipwrights. Renewed outer hull plating, and
section of bulkhead between 6A and C MBT's; renewed damaged
section of main induction, no. 1 main engine muffler, and
topside piping; welded no. 2 main engine crankcase. Re-
pairs completed 24 December 1943.

Again underway on 27 December 1943 on Seventh War
Patrol in accordance with CTF 72 secret operation order
S90-43 to wage unrestricted warfare in Bismark-Truk-Palau
area until 5 February 1944, at which time head for Navy
Yard. No training exercises provided. All times LOVS.

-1-

— page 9 —
CONFIDENTIAL
B. NARRATIVE.
27 December.
1300 Underway on Seventh War Patrol.
2000 Passed out of swept channel, set course for Tulagi
along prescribed route.
2055 Submerged for trim and deep dive; tight at 320 feet.
2144 Surfaced: Unable to raise Brisbane on Harbor Circuit
to report successful completion by prearranged "Z"
signals.
28 - 31 December
Enroute Tulagi; conducting training dives and fire
control problems enroute. Speed of advance eleven
knots. At 2330 29 December struck submerged object
putting pit log out of commission. Decided not to
replace it with spare until arrival Tulagi in order
to attempt to salvage it if a diver is available.
1 January 1944
Enroute Tulagi.
0605 Rendezvoused with escort, SC725.
1045 Entered Tulagi Harbor.
1103 Moored to YOG-41; commenced fueling.
1445 Underway for point white escorted by SC725.
1530 Made trim dive off Florida Island.
1542 Held battle surface drill.
1900 Released escort. Sent GUARDFISH serial one to CTF72
requesting rendezvous with PETO to transfer pit log
rodmeter. Our spare is bent and won't work. Went
to 4 M.E.
2037 Aircraft contact #1.
2 January 1944
Enroute to area.
0030 At rendezvous point.
0100 No sign of PETO; set course 302°T along PETO's route
in bombing restriction lane.
0129 Indications of another radar on starboard bow; c/c
to 335°T to close.
0138 Ship contact #1; pip on SJ radar bearing 343°T, range
6650 yds.
0145 Exchanged recognition signals with PETO - The camou-
flage is effective; definite sight contact not being
established until 1800 yards.
0150 Maneuvering alongside PETO; obtained new rodmeter.
(Hope they won't be mad when they learn the one we
to
0245 bent was the last one in SowesPac Area).
0250 Set course 302°T
0739 Aircraft contact #2 - A Catalina passed.
0320 Aircraft contact #3 - Radar pip 8 mi. and at
0321 Sighted SBD on beam. He circled astern then started
in on what could have been a bombing run at distance
of 6 mi. So at

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— page 10 —
2 January (Con't)
0822 Submerged, firing identification signal on way down.
Held fire control drill while submerged.
0901 Surfaced.
0905 Ship contact #2. Sighted tops of U.S. Destroyer. We
are close to where our carrier task force is refuel-
ing. Plane and DD part of outer screen.
0909 Aircraft contacts #4 and 5. Sighted our friend the
SBD several times and at one time had three plane
1006 pips at same time at range up to 20 miles.
1145 Aircraft contact #6 - Exchanged recognition signals
with a Liberator.
2019 Aircraft contact #7 - Radar contact at 14 miles; did
not close; plane not sighted.

3 January
Underway in bombing restriction lane.
0610 Submerged for trim dive.
0640 Surfaced.
0705 Aircraft contact #8 - Sighted unidentified 2 eng.
bomber at range 12 miles; submerged.
0715 Surfaced.
0857 Aircraft contact #9 - Radar at 14 miles; plane not
sighted.
0909 Aircraft contact #10 - Sighted "Emily" on bow and
submerged.
0936 Surfaced.
1059 Aircraft contact #11 - Sighted unidentified 2 eng.
bomber coming in on bow and submerged. (Nips certainly
searching this area today).
1124 Surfaced.
1143 Ship contact #3. Indications of another radar bear-
ing 330°T believed to be CERO.
2226 J/c to 335°T and stopped. Believed CERO sighted at
this time for short period.
2230 All ahead on 2 M.E.
2334 Indications had slowly drawn down port side until
abeam and then maintained a constant bearing so went
to 4 M.E. to open out.

4 January.
Underway as before.
0030 Slowed to 2 M.E.; radar interference had faded out;
c/c to 280°T to head for area.
0310 Aircraft contact #12 - Sighted Liberator and submerged.
0326 Held fire control drill.
0900 Surfaced.
1326 Aircraft contact #13 - Radar at 9 mi. maintained radar
contact from 7 to 9 miles until it started closing
rapidly; so at
1345 submerged; range 6½ miles - Plane never seen.
1419 Surfaced.

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— page 11 —
5 January
Patrolling area on 1 M.E. at night; 2 M.E. during day.
1400 Submerged for trim dive and fire control drill.
1453 Surfaced.

6 January.
0902 Submerged; proceeding on 4 M.E. toward BLACKFISH contact.
0916 Surfaced; crossed across projected track of convoy at their 1400 L
1230 estimated position; commenced patrol on 2 engines nor-
mal to line of advance; no fix for two days.
1341 Received orders to help out BALAO on her contact if we
could make it. With heavy head seas it would be im-
possible to make contact before dawn, and with air cover
from Truk certain decided we would not be able to es-
tablish contact during daylight - no action taken.

1403 False smoke contact bearing 210°T; went to 4 M.E. to
close.
1530 Slowed to 2 M.E. and resumed base course 240°T.
1614 Ship contact #4 - sighted smoke bearing 243°T followed
by masts; went to 4 M.E. and c/c to 130°T. Angle on bow
appeared to be port but bearing changed rapidly to right.
1703 C/c to 045°T to check bearing on that course; bearing
changed rapidly to left! All bearings cut in at a point.
Targets (there are tops of three visible now) are stopped.
1802 Submerged to close in and lock the situation over.
1852 Convoy formed up. Was seen to be composed of 1 small
tanker (1500 tons); one small freighter (HFN-2500 tons);
one KAMIKAZE Class DD; one TIDORI class; and two sub-
chasers. Departed on course 170°T. NB: At time ships
were thought to be larger. Sizes are as determined next
day.
1935 Surfaced to track.
2026 Sighted convoy in bright moonlight; commenced tracking.
SJ working beautifully with constant pips on small tar-
gets 13 - 14,000 yards.
2114 Having determined base course 170°T; speed 7½ knots
commenced tracking party and commenced end around.
2135 Felt and heard 3 heavy, evenly spaced explosions. Thought
we had hit something when first went off. Was SCALED
attack on targets, 7 miles abeam. Targets turned toward,
so turned with them and stopped. Was going to dive and
attack if they continued toward me.
2147 Heard first of 20-25 depth charges. The depth charge
vessel was showing a red truck light. With range 9000
yards targets c/c to southward again and continued on.
2203 Went ahead on three engines and opened range.
2209 With range to nearest ship 11,500 yards c/c to parallel.
2212 One of escorts commenced challenging us with white light
sending what signalman read as "3 E AA V E".

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— page 12 —
7
6 January (Con't)
2213 C/c to put stern toward and opened out at full power.
2217 No further action being taken slowed to standard
     and came around to parallel convoy again. Tracked
     convoy on course 145°T, and commenced taking posi-
     tion ahead.

7 January
Tracking convoy.
0030 In position ahead; submerged for periscope and radar
     approach. Target tracked beautifully until range
     3000 yards with 45° port angle on bow on normal
     approach; when formation changed base course to right
     putting us abaft targets' beam. Another few minutes
     and we would have fired.
0152 Surfaced to regain attack position.
0206 With nearest pip on SJ over 12,000 yards; one of the
     ships started challenging GUARDFISH with green sig-
     nal light; we were on course 170°T and light bore
     265°T.
0207 Received challenge from white light bearing 315°T
     radar couldn't find any target nor could any
     from bridge. GUARDFISH down moon from both
0208 Went to full power and c/c to open out, expecting
     anything. Either our gray paint reflects moonlight
     like a mirror or someone is equipped with an excel-
     lent radar. The latter was suspected. Lost contact.
0318 C/c to 270°T to regain contact with estimated tar-
     get course 225°T
0425 Contact on SJ bearing 045°T, range 14,650 yds. Moon
     has set; commenced tracking. Decided against sur-
     face attack because of possibility of enemy radar.
0544 With base course established at 220°T submerged for
     a morning twilight attack. This time base course
     was changed to 165°T when range was 6000 yards and
     targets disappeared in rain squall. I still had no
     picture of the size of the targets but did see
     four escorts so considered they must be important.
0926 Surfaced for another try.
1444 Ahead once more; base course 170°T. Submerged for
     a normal approach course; but flanking escorts were
     6000 yards ahead. (Had we but known it at the time
     1/2 hour after submerging aircraft reported another
     larger and more important convoy 30 miles ahead of
     our diving position which probably explains this
     convoy's change in base course at this time.)
1720 Broke off approach.
1927 Surfaced; decided to let these fellows go after get-
     ting a good picture of their size. In accordance
     with CTF 72 instructions commenced inactivating all
     torpedoes.

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— page 13 —
8 January
Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
0503 Indications of another SJ bearing 300°T.
0600 Radar indications getting stronger.
0628 Ship contact #5. Sighted S/M bearing 003°T distant
4½ miles.
0634 Radar contact at 7300 yards; went to 4 M.E. and
changed course 60° away when S/M submerged. Either
BLACKFISH or SCALP.
0705 C/C back to original course.
0739 Submerged.
0907 Surfaced and headed for new area.
1400 Completed inactivating all torpedoes.

9 January
Patrolling area on 1 M.E.

10 January
Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
0900 Submerged for trim.
0937 Surfaced.

11 January
Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
0844 Sighted object on horizon through #1 periscope
bearing 179°T.
0920 Object identified as a Japanese landing craft, type
"A" Army, with the number 5202 and some Japanese
characters on the side - unoccupied.
0927 Opened fire with 20 m.m. and 30 cal.
0935 Boat sank stern first - chalk up ? tons!!
Lat. 1°-41'N, Long. 147°-12'E; continued on way.
1340 Submerged for trim and fire control drill.
1440 Surfaced.

12 January
Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
1735 Submerged for trim.
1759 Surfaced.
2130 Went to 2 M.E.

13 January
Patrolling area on 2 M.E.

14 January
Patrolling area on 2 M.E.
0726 Submerged for trim.
0755 Surfaced; proceeding on 2 M.E.
1035 Went to 3 M.E.
1224 Ship contact #6. Sighted smoke and masts bearing
119°T distant 14 miles.
1223 Submerged. Identified as a destroyer with another

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— page 14 —
14 January (Con't).
1228 (Cont'd) destroyer about 10 miles to the right, on
    course 335°T, speed 22 knots.
1320 Closest destroyer passed ahead at 9 miles.
1349 Destroyers had changed course to N.E. and disappeared;
    surfaced, proceeding on course 070°T on 4 M.E.
1403 Ship contact #7. Sighted huge column of smoke and
    flames, 500 ft. high bearing 010°T, estimated dis-
    tance 20 miles; changed course to 000°T. At same
    time personnel below decks reported a series of
    heavy explosions.
1408 Ship contact #8. Sighted tops of one destroyer
    bearing 008°T, distant 16 mi; c/c to 199°T.
1414 Salvo of 16 depth charges heard.
1417 Salvo of 5 depth charges.
1418 C/c to 160°T.
1419 [NOTE: Contacts #7 and 8 are believed to be the two
    DD of contact #6. Looks like the ALBACORE removed
    one from the surface.)
1422 Ship that was hit now burning with a heavy black
    smoke. Communique "Smoke could be seen rising from
    the target area 50 miles away".
1429 C/c to 090°T.
1430 6 depth charges.
1432 2 depth charges.
1435 4 depth charges.
1437 Forced to change course to 150°T to open out; DD
    of contact #8 running about in vicinity of burning
    ship.
1444 C/c to 130°T. Difficult to get around this fellow
    to permit investigating to northward.
1448 C/c to 150°T.
1455 C/c to 090°T; heavy black smoke had ceased to rise.
1508 Ship contact #9. Sighted another immense column of
    smoke bearing 253½°T, distant about 50 miles. Later
    learned to be SCALP's successful attack on a tanker;
    c/c to 270°T.
1520 C/c to 240°T.
1604 9 more depth charges.
1732 Ship contact #10. Sighted smoke and masts bearing
    272°T; c/c to 070° and commenced tracking.
    Between two lines of fire. With targets bearing
    251°T, and base course not definitely established,
    the tops of our DD (ship contact #11) came into
    view bearing 357°T, distant 14 miles, angle on bow
    20° starboard; submerged and commenced approach on
    targets astern.
1739 5 depth charges.
1751 5 depth charges.
1801 8 depth charges - ALBACORE sure catching them.

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— page 15 —
14 January (Cont)
1805 With targets coming nicely into view and identified
as two 10,000 ton loaded tankers (GENYO MARU type,
P-262, ONI 203J) selected the northerly one as pri-
mary target and went to battle stations for the
attack.
1844-20 Commenced firing salvo of 6 torpedoes with 111 P
track, 329 gyro angle, 600 yard range, 620 yard
torpedo run with a depth spread of 10' and a diver-
gent 4° spread from aft forward. Attempts to ob-
tain sound ranges at last minute let him get by and
we were closer than believed.
1844-45 First of six hits, (#5 was a dud hit) all seen.
Three were in his stern which was demolished, other
two farther forward. Tanker burning nicely and
settling fast by the stern.
1845 Lost contact #12. Sighted destroyer bearing 223½°T,
70 relative, angle on bow zero, range about 4000
yards, making 17 knots with his DD as he picked
up depth charge. Discovered with gratification a
negative gradient between 280' and 340'.
1848 4 depth charges - not close.
1852 3 depth charges - not close; DD starts his pinger.
1858 6 depth charges - going away.
1900 Heard plainly throughout the boat a series of heavy
muffled explosions signifying the swan song of a
Jap tanker.
1904 Both sound heads raised sufficiently to prevent their
training. Couldn't get them down by hand.
1919 9 depth charges - not close; further crackling noises
from the sinking tanker.
1944 7 depth charges - distant.
1951 After 51 minutes of no sound reception other than
that obtained by swinging ship (Sound heads fortun-
ately trained on their respective quarters when dis-
engaged) started hydraulic plant and forced them down.
1959 5 depth charges - distant (This attack has been a
pleasure).
2001 Started up.
2015 Periscope depth, nothing in sight.
2032 Surfaced, clearing vicinity on 2 M.E. Useless to
attempt to overtake other tanker as he was making
17 knots when last seen. Heard this afternoon
from 1444 to 1959 (5½ hrs) 94 counted depth charges,
of which 34 were intended for us.

15 January
0553 Returning to area on 1 M.E.
Lost contact #13. Sighted destroyer bearing 291°T,
range 7 miles, bright moonlight. C/c to put him
astern.
0559 Picked up target on SJ at 13,000 yards.

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— page 16 —
15 January (Con't)
0601 With target closing went to 4 M.E.
0615 C/c to 120°T.
0704 With target zigging on base course 120°T, speed
     16 knots, bearing 300°T, submerged. Target not
     seen again.
0748 Surfaced; proceeding on 2 M.E. on course 110°T.
1155 Aircraft contact #14. Sighted single engine land
     plane bearing 240°T, distant 4 miles, coming in.
     Submerged.
1220 Surfaced; proceeding on 2 M.E.

16 January.
     Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
1431 Trim dive.
1513 Surfaced.

17 January.
     Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
1932 Trim dive.
1951 Surfaced.

18 January.
     Patrolling on 1 M.E.
0838 Submerged to work on follow-up system of master
     gyro-compass.
1129 Surfaced.

19 January.
     Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
0700 Went to 3 M.E. and commenced search for convoy
     sighted by aircraft.
1500 No contact; secured search, slowed to 1 M.E.
1728 Submerged for trim and fire control drill.
1824 Practice battle surface.

20 January.
     Patrolling area on 1 M.E.

21 January.
     Patrolling area on 1 M.E.
0812 Submerged.
1436 Sighted Manus Island bearing 214°T, distant about
     35 mi.
1938 Surfaced; proceeding on 2 M.E.
2000 Sighted what was thought to be smoke bearing 306½°T;
     c/c to head for it.
2130 No developments.

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— page 17 —
22 January.
Patrolling area on 2 M.E.
0100 Received word to stay north of one degree south lati-
tude which makes it impossible to investigate Seead-
ler Harbor as was intended; headed north.
1835 Trim dive.
1842 Surfaced.

23 January.
Patrolling area on 2 M.E.
1703 Submerged for trim dive and fire control drill.
1751 Battle surface; proceeding on 2 M.E.

24 January.
Patrolling on 2 M.E.
0700 C/c to 090°T on equator; went to 3 M.E.; heading for
Tulagi to refuel.

25 January.
Heading for Tulagi to refuel; on 4 M.E.
1102 Plane contact #15. Radar at 7 miles, closing, plane
not sighted; submerged.
1120 Surfaced.

26 January.
Heading for Tulagi to refuel.
0744 Plane contact #16. Radar at 7 miles, closing, plane
not sighted; submerged.
0802 Surfaced.

27 January.
Heading for Tulagi to refuel.
0231 Sighted Malaita Island bearing 150°T, distant 25
miles.
0349 At Point White.
0354 Heard pinging of escort.
0410 Picked up escort, AlM83, on radar, range 8750; ex-
changed recognition signals and proceeded to Tulagi
in company.
0920 Entered Tulagi Harbor.
0945 Moored alongside YOG41.
1000 Commenced fueling.
1800 Completed fueling; received 78,000 gals.
1806 Underway, standing out of harbor.
1942 Released escort.
2015 Aircraft contact #17 - sighted running lights of a
plane bearing 240°T, range about 5 miles.
2150 Sighted Malaita Island bearing 065°T, distant 35
miles.

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— page 18 —
28 January.
In bombing lane, enroute area.
0153 Ship contact #14 - Contacted BLACKFISH on radar,
       bearing 234°T, range 5,600 yards.
0730 Aircraft contact #18 - Contact on SD at 12 mi.
       Closed to 10 mi. then faded out. Plane not
       sighted.
0756 Aircraft contact #19 - Liberator sighted bearing
       285°T, range 14 mi.
1420 Aircraft contact #20 - Contact on SD at 8½ mi.
       closed to 5 mi; submerged, plane not sighted.
1437 Surfaced.
1443 Aircraft contact #21 - Simultaneous sight and radar
       contact at 13 mi, bearing 170°T.
1449 Aircraft contact #22 - Another pip on radar at 10
       mi. with first pip at 15 mi.
1450 A Liberator, believed to be one of previous contacts
       sighted starting a gliding approach, angle on bow
       zero; submerged.
1500 Periscope depth; Liberator circling spot where
       GUARDFISH submerged.
1503 Fired submerged recognition signal as we settled to
       140 ft.
1508 Periscope depth; plane still circling showing no
       signs of having seen our signal.
1510 Fired second signal as ducked down again.
1515 Periscope depth and Liberator still circling. Went
       to 90 ft. to outwait him - hope he gets dizzy.
1558 Surfaced; no planes in sight; 30 miles behind sche-
       dule, thanks to our friend.
1600 Sent word out on aircraft frequency to Air Base
       and CTF 72; received apology from airmen.

29 January.
In bombing lane enroute area.
0156 Ship contact #15 - SJ bearing 019°T, range 6050 yds.
0159 Sighted USS DARTER, south bound for Tulagi.
1232 Aircraft contact #23 - Pip on SD at 16 mi, did not
       close.
1710 Departed bombing lane.

30 January.
Enroute area.
0600 Received orders proceed north at best speed.
1011 Submerged for trim dive.
1040 Surfaced.

31 January.
Enroute area.
0430 Entered area south of Truk.
0555 Sighted searchlight on Truk bearing 000°T.

-11-

— page 19 —
31 January (Continued).
0610 Sighted peaks of Truk bearing 004½°T, distant 30 mi.
0620 Sighted Kuop Is. bearing 080°T, distant 8 miles.
0638 Submerged.
0640 Heard faint pinging in direction of Truk.
0707 C/c to 000°T to head up for South Pass.
1004 Ship contact #16 - Sighted trawler bearing 337°T,
       range 6000 yards, on easterly course.
1334 Sighted trawler again making westerly trip along
       side of atoll, about 4 miles off reefs.
1445 Ship contact #17 - Sighted SENDAI Class CL bearing
       037½°T, range 15,000, standing out of South Pass.
1456 Went to Battle Stations. However, the CL stood out
       of South Pass, changed course to the southeast and
       went through the channel between Otta Island and
       Kuop Atoll; nearest range 9,250.
1524 Secured from Battle Stations; c/c to 225°T to open
       out for surfacing.
1532 Picked up trawler again on his easterly leg.
2003 Sighted searchlight on Dublon Is. bearing 037°T.
2006 Surfaced; patrolling east-west line, 14 miles south
       of Truk during bright moonlight.
2142 Searchlight.
2210 Searchlight.

1 February
       Patrolling East-West Line 14 mi. south of Truk at
       4 knots.
0430 Commenced closing Truk.
0635 Submerged.
0925 Ship contact #16a - Sighted our friend, the trawler,
       on his westerly sweep, bearing 035°T, distant 8,000
       yards.
0934 C/c to 180°T to avoid.
1000 C/c to 090°T to close South Pass.
1059 Trawler in sight again on his easterly sweep.
1101 C/c to 135°T to let him pass clear.
1131 Ship contact #18 - Heard pinging bearing 306°T.
1150 C/c to 090°T.
1158 Sighted column of smoke bearing 303°T, a development
       of contact #18.
1210 Contact #18 still developing - 2 columns of smoke.
       Came to normal approach course.
1222 Contact #18 becomes 2 sets of masts.
1234 Contact fully develops -
       (a) One MFM Maru similar to TAIAN MARU, p. 132,
           ONI 208J of 3670 tons.
       (b) One engine aft maru of GOSEI MARU class, p. 255,
           ONI 208J of 1950 tons.
       (c) One FUEBUKI class DD of the AMAGIRI group with two
           horizontal white stripes around forward stack.
       -12-

— page 20 —
1 February (Continued)
Convoy is standing down to the southeastward about 2½
miles off the reefs of atoll, apparently bound for
South Pass.
1240 Went to battle stations and commenced approach on HFM
Maru. Trawler is now close aboard hampering movements.
1310 Convoy zigged away; unable to close Maru so shifted
to DD.
1315-20 Good set up on DD, drew a bead and commenced firing
four torpedoes forward, range 1480 yards, 79° star-
board track, 6° right gyro angle.
1315-24 One hit under after gun mount; completely demolish-
ing his stern. His stern settled and he rolled over
on his port side.
1316 Trawler now coming in. Apparently another had trailed
this convoy because at this time a second was sighted
also coming in. With a last look at the DD to see
his bow in the air, his keel showing and monkeys
scrambling over the side, started deep without
rigging for depth charge attack enroute.
1321 Three depth charges, not close.
1323 GUARDFISH well shaken by a tremendous explosion attri-
buted to the depth charges of the DD going off as he
sank.
1324 A total of 61 depth charges dropped - none too
1325 close.
1328 Two sets of light high speed screws audible.
1330 JK-QC head raised and could not be forced down by hand.
1442 Started up for periscope depth.
1458 Periscope depth after a struggle. Six tons of water
taken aboard in 1 hr. and 40 min. Engine exhaust
exhaust valves are worst offenders.
1500 Sighted masts of one of the two trawlers bearing
002°T, distant 6½ miles.
1506 Secured from depth charge attack and squared away.
1533 Aircraft contact #24 - Sighted one "PETE" bearing
193½°T, distant 3 miles, circling at 500 ft.
1545 Sighted second trawler bearing 335°T, distant 8 miles.
1550 Aircraft contact #24a - Two "PETES" bearing 339°T
distant 4 mi., circling.
1705 Aircraft contact #24b - There are now 3 "PETES" in
sight.
1803 Three "PETES" still in sight but farther away.
2015 Surfaced in moonlight about 20 mi. away from DD bur-
ial ground, proceeding at 4 knots toward tomorrow's
assigned lifeguard station.

2 February.
Patrolling at 4 knots.
0630 Went to 2 M.E. speed patrolling station on surface.
0705 Aircraft contact #25 - One "DAVE" dove from stern,
dropping what felt like a 150 kilo. depth charge, or
bomb, which landed about 10 yards abreast of conning
tower, shaking the boat up severely; submerged. He
-13-

— page 21 —
2 February (Continued).
in range but off in deflection. The first in-
dication of his presence was the roar of his engine
as he passed at an altitude of about 100 ft. The depth
charge was seen by the C.O. as it went hurtling by.
0800 Periscope depth.
0821 Aircraft contact #26 - Sighted one "ALF" bearing 293°T,
distant 3 miles, circling.
0829-36 15 depth charges astern, in vicinity where "ALF" was
circling, and where we had been bombed. Must have been
a number of planes out.
0840 - 0903 4 depth charges, same vicinity.
1250 6 depth charges - nothing in sight.
1252 5 depth charges.
1330 3 depth charges.
1643 4 depth charges; well distant.
2005 Surfaced; proceeding northward for patrol off Truk.

3 February.
Patrolling off Truk at 4 knots.
0032 Indications of another SJ radar showing on our radar,
bearing 095°T.
0048 Ship contact #19 - Sighted dark object bearing 030°T,
distant about 5 miles. Am on area eastern boundary
line and coupled with radar indications assumed ship
to be U.S.S. SKIPJACK. Opened out at 2 engine speed.
0120 Sighted Kuop Island bearing 280°T.
0123 Slowed to 4 knots.
0608 Submerged; patrolling athwart channel between Truk and
Kuop Atolls.
2001 Surfaced; proceeding at 4 knots for lifeguard station.

4 February.
Proceeding to Lifeguard station at 4 knots.
0410 Ship contact #20 - SJ radar contact bearing 015°T,
range 16,000 yards, c/c to 016°T and lost contact.
0440 Target not seen and no further radar contacts, c/c
to 225°T.
0555 Ship contact #21 - SJ radar contact bearing 335°T,
range 13,500 yards; c/c to 345°T. Assume it to be
same one as contact at 0410. Closed to 12,000 yards,
making slow speed on westerly course. Decided
to attempt to get to westward before dawn.
0603 C/c to 270°T and went to 2 eng. lost radar contact.
0611 C/c to 270°T.
0613 C/c to 315°T, still no further radar contact.
0633 Near lifeguard station. With SD radar out of com-
mission decided to dive until repairs effected; sub-
merged.
0806 With SD in commission came to 52' to check for planes
before surfacing.
0807 Ship contact #22 - Sighted a WAKATAKE class DD bearing
352½°T, range 11 miles, on course 290°T, estimated speed

-14-

— page 22 —
4 February (Continued).
3 knots. Returned to periscope depth. Assumed to be
same ship we had made radar contact with at 0410, and
again at 0555, patrolling wo went to 2/3 speed and
stood up toward his line with intention of picking him
off if opportunity offered.
1002 Had come up to 52' for SD sweep and high periscope
sweep preparatory to surfacing when heard a distant
depth charge, nothing in sight. Decided not to sur-
face. Another distant depth charge.
1035 Another distant depth charge.
1415 Ship contact #23 - Sighted smoke bearing 019°T.
1442 Ship identified as a trawler type patrol; patrolling
on a S.S.W. course.
1510 Trawler reversed course.
1520 Ship contact #24 - Sighted ship bearing 169°T, range
8,000 yards on course 355°T, speed 10 knots. Peri-
scope fogs badly except when pointed into wind and
no positive identification made, but believed to
have been HASHIDATE class gunboat. Avoided.
1937 Ship contact #25 - Light high speed screws bearing
197°T.
1947 Sighted dim outline of ship through periscope bearing
218°T. passed down starboard side on estimated course
355°T at an estimated speed of 10 knots. Believed
to have been a torpedo boat.
2015 Surfaced; proceeding south on 2 M.E. to send a des-
patch informing CTF 72 of conditions at Lifeguard
point.
2058 Ship contact #26 - Two contacts on SJ, 3,500 yards,
dead ahead, closing rapidly. Sight contact from
bridge at 4,100 yards. Submerged and c/c to 090°T.
2100 Four sets of screws, believed to be DD's making high
speed on northerly course.
2110 Lost sound contact.
2129 Surfaced; proceeding South.
2300 Cleared message. C/c to return to area intending to
dive off South Pass.

5 February.
0627 Heading for South Pass on 3 M.E.
0705 Submerged.
0708 Sighted Tol Island bearing 058°T, distant 20 mi.
Found we were well out of area and to N.W. Had been
set well to N.W. since last fix on 3 February.
Headed for area.
1948 Two distant depth charges.
1959 Surfaced.
2040 Received message to depart area for Pearl Harbor.
C/c to 210°T and went to 2 M.E.
2045 Ship contact #27 - SJ radar contact bearing 002°T,
range 19,500 yards, three pips, commenced tracking.
2210 Having obtained preliminary estimate of course 270°T
speed 13 knots; broadcast information on 450 Kcs for
-15-

— page 23 —
5 February (Continued)
information of TRIGGER in case convoy changed course
to northward..
2300 Convoy tracking on course 255°T, speed of advance 13.2
     knots; commenced taking position ahead.

6 February.
Tracking convoy.
0200 In position ahead. Decided state of sea renders sub-
     merged radar and periscope approach dangerous and im-
     practicable. Decided to make dawn attack.
0515 Passed Pusuluk Is. abeam to starboard, distant 9.5
     miles. SJ suddenly became temperamental - after pro-
     ducing consistent 20,000 yard ranges all night, 15,000
     was now the best it would do.
0600 With convoy bearing 081°T, range 15,000 yards, opened
     out on range to 17,000 yards, and c/c to bring bearing
     to 075°T.
0634 With ships in sight from bridge and light increasing,
     range had again closed to 15,000 yards before radar
     could make contact. At this time convoy bearing 057°T
     putting GUARDFISH out of position. No time remained
     to adjust so submerged in hopes of being able to fire
     from the flank.
0710 Convoy which had been identified as three 10,000 ton
     tankers, empty, and three DD escorts, passed ahead at
     range of 4,000 yards to nearest tanker. Convoy had
     changed base course to 275°T, probably shortly after
     passing Pululuk Is.
0723 Secured from Battle Stations.
0817 Surfaced to take up the chase on 4 M.E.
0849 Sighted convoy bearing 269°T, distant 13 mi.
0913 Because of poor visibility coupled with fact the ships
     refused to smoke for us, lost sight contact. Commenced
     easing to northward to close in again.
1058 Aircraft contact #27 - Sighted a "Pete" dead ahead,
     angle on bow zero, range 5 miles, altitude 300 ft.
     Submerged.
1125 Pete still circling in vicinity. Estimate convoy
     now 26 miles ahead. Coupled with probable speed
     and course change, since this warning, decided there
     is little, if any, possibility of reestablishing con-
     tact, therefore, discontinued chase. This was a tough
     decision to make, but considered best under existing
     conditions.
1502 Surfaced after a short rest and set course for Pearl
     Harbor along prescribed routing.

7 - 12 February.
Enroute Pearl Harbor via Midway.

7 February.
1100 Passed operational control of CTF 17.

-16-

— page 24 —
8 February.
1314 Ship contact #28 - Sighted S/M bearing 106°T,
     range about 16,000 yards, angle on bow 30 stbd;
     reversed course to run with him and look him
     over.
1317 S/M identified as U.S. - have been expecting
     U.S.S. TANG - on course 255°T, Sp. 10.
1342 S/M lighted off two or three more engines.
1346 Needed trim dive anyway, so submerged to observe
     one of E.B.'s latest products. Nothing sighted in
     periscope. Transmitted identification signal by
     underwater sound in case he had also dived.
1407 Surfaced; sighted S/M bearing 131°T, range 13,000
     yds., angle on bow 100 stbd. Resumed base course
     077°T.

11 February.
2000 Set clocks ahead one hour to zone -12(M) time.

12 February.
0000 Changed to zone #12(Y) time. Repeating a day
     crossing International Date Line.
1518Y Rendezvoused with 2 SBD's off Midway.
1542Y Sighted Midway Island bearing 073°T, distant
     13 mi.
1630Y Received information channel closed; joined
     THRESHER and PCL079 conducting A/S patrol off
     Midway.

13 February.
     Conducting A/S patrol off Midway in company with
     THRESHER and PCL079.

14 February.
     Conducting A/S patrol off Midway.
1130Y Received pilot on board.
1200Y Proceeded into Midway Channel, no enemy S/M's
     found.
1318Y Moored alongside THRESHER, N.O.B. Dock, Midway.
1630Y Completed fueling.
1645Y Underway.
1710Y Cleared channel and set course for Pearl Harbor.

15 February.
     Underway for Pearl Harbor.

16 February.
     Underway for Pearl Harbor.
0000Y Set clocks ahead to zone plus 11(X) time.

17 February.
     Underway for Pearl Harbor.
0400X Set clocks ahead to zone plus (10 (W) time.
2000W Set clocks ahead to zone plus 9½ time.
     -17-

— page 25 —
18 February.
Underway for Pearl Harbor.
Rendezvoused with escort.
Entered Pearl Harbor Channel.
Moored to S/M Base, Pearl Harbor.

-18-

— page 26 —
C. WEATHER.
    1. During January and early February, the balmy
atmosphere and glassy seas, to which we had accus-
tomed in the area north of the Bismarck Archipelago,
were conspicuous in their absence. In the first two
weeks of January, particularly, seas were consistently
whipped up to condition 3 to 5 by a 10 to 18 kt. NE wind.
Skies were overcast most of the time and celestial navi-
gation, consisting principally of fuzzy sun lines and
"EP's", ceased, temporarily, to be an exact science.

    2. Heavy seas and strong winds, often making
depth control precarious, were also experienced off the
South Pass of Truk during the first week of February.

D. TIDAL INFORMATION.
    1. The set and drift from the equator to 5°N be-
tween 146°E and 150°E were unpredictable, being in some
cases easterly and in others westerly.

    2. Off of the South Pass of Truk, a strong NW
set of 1 to 1½ kts was observed.

    3. East of the Kuop Islands and between that group
and the reefs of the Truk Atoll the current set east and
west at about 1 kt, apparently in accordance with the
tide running in or out of Otta pass and in the adjacent
channel between Kuop and Truk.

E. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS.
    No comments.

-19-

— page 27 —
[HANDWRITTEN: L]

F. SHIP CONTACTS

* P - Periscope
R - Radar
So - Sound
SSN - Sighting surface Night
SSD - Sighting surface Day.

| No. | Time | Lat. | Types | Initial | Estimated | How * | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | Date | Long. | | Range | Crs. & Spd. | Cont. | |
| 1. | 0145L | 7-16S | U.S.S. PETO | 6650 | 122; 15 | R | |
| | 1/2 | 159-53E | | | | | |
| 2. | 0905L | 6-34S | U.S. DD | 15 mi. | So; ? | SSD | |
| | 1/2 | 158-45E | | | | | |
| 3. | 2213L | 0-01S | Assumed to be | Est. | Easterly; ? | R | No pip on radar - indications of |
| | 1/3 | 155-00E | U.S.S. CERO | 20 mi. | | | another radar only. |
| 4. | 1614L | 2-50N | 1-1500 AO, | 18 mi. | 165; 7½ | SSD | |
| | 1/6 | 148-10E | Huon Class | | | | |
| | | | 1 - 2500 AK | | | | |
| | | | 1 - DD Mutsuki Class | | | | |
| | | | 1 - Tidori | | | | |
| | | | 2 - Trawlers | | | | |
[HANDWRITTEN: -20-] | | | | | | | |
| 5. | 0628L | 0-53N | SS | 4 mi. | 045; 16 | SSN | Assumed to be USS SCAMP as indi- |
| | 1/8 | 149-45E | | | | | cations of another radar had been |
| | | | | | | | observed on SJ since 0503L. |
| 6. | 1224L | 5-17N | 2 - DD | 14 mi. | 335; 22 | SSD | 2 DD were about 10 mi. apart. |
| | 1/14 | 141-33E | | | | | |
| 7. | 1403L | 5-16N | Large column of | 20 mi. | | SSD | One of #6, hit with torpedo |
| | 1/14 | 141-25E | smoke and flame | | | | and sunk by ALBACORE. |

— page 28 —
F. SHIP CONTACTS
No. Time Lat. Types Initial Estimated How * Remarks
Date Long. Range Crs & Spd. Cont.
8. 1408L 5-42N 1 DD 16 mi. Patrolling SSD Believed to be second of #6
1/14 141-25E depth charging ALBACORE.
9. 1455L 5-15N Large column 50 mi. SSD SCAMP's successful attack on one
1/14 140-43E of smoke. of 3-10,000 ton tankers.
[HANDWRITTEN: -21-]
10. 1604L 5-12N 2 - 10,000 T 16 mi. 070; 17½ SSD The two remaining after SCAMP's
1/14 140-59E Tankers. attack. One of the 2 was of
Genyo Maru type (page 262. ONI-
208J), sunk by GUADFISH.
11. 1732L 5-29N 1 DD 16 mi. 160; ? SSD Believed to be same as #8.
1/14 141-27E
12. 1845L 5-23N 1 DD 4000 yds 045; 25 P Trailing escort for #10.
1/14 141-27E
13. 0553L 4-33N 1 DD 8 mi. 120; 18 SSN
1/15 143-08E
14. 0153L 7-44S USS BLACKFISH 5650 155; 15 P
1/28 160-15E
15. 0156L 3-52S USS DARTER 6050 158; 15 P
1/29 155-45E
16. 1004L 7-10N Trawler 6000 090; 8 P Patrolling east & west along out-
1/31 151-42E side of southern end of Truk Atoll.
17. 1445L 7-08N SENDAI class CL 15,000 Var; 23 P Stood out So. Pass Truk then SE
1/31 151-44E through channel between Otta
Island and Kuop Atoll.

— page 29 —
F. SHIP CONTACTS
Time
No. Date
18. 1136L
2/1
Lat.
Long.
7-16N
151-26E
Types
3600 ton AK
1950 ton AK
1 - DD
Initial
Range
18 mi.
Estimated
Crs & Spd.
Var; 9½
How
Cont.
So
Remarks
(a) Similar to TAIAN MARU, page
132 ONI 203J, 3670 tons.
(b) GOSEI MARU, class, page 255
ONI 208J; 1950 tons.
(c) AMAGIRI class; sunk.
Convoy heading for South Pass of
Truk Is. along southern reefs of
atoll.
19. 0048L
2/3
20. 0412L
2/4
21. 0555L
7-05N
152-17E USS SKIPJACK
5 mi.
SSN
6-44N
151-51E Unknown
16,000
NE; ?
R
SJ radar contact only.
6-43N
20
2/4
20
151-47E Unknown
13,500
NE; ?
R
SJ radar contact only.
22. 0807L
6-50N
WAKATAKE
2/4
151-45E Class DD
11 mi.
290; 8
P
23.
1415L
6-48N
SSW-NNE
0
2/4
151-51E Trawler
10 mi.
8 kts.
P
24. 1520L
2/4
25. 1937L
2/4
6-37N
HASHIDATE
151-52E class PG
8000
015; 10
P
6-29N
151-50E Unknown
6000
355; 10
So
Appeared to be Corvette or PC
through periscope in darkness.

— page 30 —
Γ
Γ

F. SHIP CONTACTS
| No. | Time/Date | Lat./Long. | Types | Initial Range | Estimated Crs & Spd. | How * Cont. | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26. | 2058L<br>2/4 | 6-20N<br>151-33E | 4 ships believed<br>to be DD. | 8500 | NW; 15 | R | Four sets of screws on sound;<br>Two pips on radar.<br>(a) 1 tanker was TEIYO MARU<br>(b) 1 tanker was NIPPON MARU. |
| 27. | 2045L<br>2/5 | 7-08N<br>151-22E | 3 - 9-10,000<br>ton tankers<br>3 - DD | 19,500 | 253; 13.5 | R | (c) DD's were:<br>1 WAKATAKE CLASS<br>1 ASSASHIO CLASS<br>1 HIBIKI CLASS |
| 28. | 1314L<br>2/8 | 13-05N<br>154-34E | SS | 16,000 | 255; 13 | SSD | Assumed to be USS TANG;<br>definitely U.S. |

-23-

— page 31 —
G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

* P - Periscope
R - Radar
SSN - Sighting Surface Night
SSD - Sighting Surface Day

No. | Time | Lat. | Type | Initial | Est. | How * | Alt. | Remarks
| Date | Long. | | Range | Crs. | Contact | |
1. | 2037L | 8-15S | Unident. | 8 mi. | So. | SSN | 1000 | Sighted port running light.
| 1/1 | 160-40E | | | | | |
2. | 0739L | 6-40S | Catalina | 12 mi. | .090 | SSD | 1000 |
| 1/2 | 158-57E | | | | | | |
3. | 0820L | 6-37S | Dauntless | 8 mi. | 300 | R | 500 |
| 1/2 | 158-50E | | | | | | |
4. | 0909L | 6-33S | Dauntless | 9 mi. | 240 | SSD | 1000 |
| 1/2 | 158-44E | | | | | | |
5. | 0945 - | 6-22S | 3 Unident. | 16, 13, | ? | R | ? |
| 1006L | 158-25E | | 20 mi. | | | |
| 1/2 | | | | | | | |
-24-
6. | 1145L | 6-10S | Liberator | 8 mi. | 120 | SSD | 1000 | Exchanged Recognition Signals.
| 1/2 | 158-07E | | | | | | |
7. | 2018L | 5-08S | Unident. | 14 mi. | ? | R | ? | Not seen.
| 1/2 | 156-40E | | | | | | |
8. | 0705L | 3-10S | Unident. | 12 mi. | No. | SSD | 1000 |
| 1/3 | 155-28E | 2 Eng Bomber | | | | | |
9. | 0857L | 2-48S | Unknown | 14 mi. | ? | R | ? |
| 1/3 | 155-21E | | | | | | |

— page 32 —
7

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS
No. Date | Time | Lat. | Type | Initial | Est. | How * | Alt. | Remarks
| | Long. | | Range | Crs. | Cont. | |
10. 0909L | 2-45S | Emily | 7 mi. | So. | R & | 3000
1/3 | | 155-20E | | | | SSD | |
11. 1059L | 2-28S | Unident. | 12 mi. | So. | SSD | 1000
1/3 | | 155-12E | 2 Eng. | | | | |
12. 0810L | 0-52N | Liberator | 11 mi. | 300 | SSD | 1500
1/4 | | 153-32E | | | | | |
13. 1326L | 1-00N | Unknown | 9 mi. | ? | R | ? | Not seen.
1/4 | | 152-26E | | | | | |
14. 1155L | 4-03N | Possibly | 3 mi. | 060 | SSD | 300 | Single engine plane with
1/15 | | 143-27E | Zeke | | | | | wheels down.
15. 1102L | 0-01N | Unknown | 7 mi. | ? | R | ? | Not seen.
1/25 | | 154-56E | | | | | |
16. 0744L | 5-05S | Unknown | 7 mi. | ? | R | ? | Not seen.
1/26 | | 156-25E | | | | | |
17. 2015L | Off | Unknown | 5 mi. | 000 | SSN | 1000 | Running lights seen. Assumed
1/27 | | Savo Is. | | | | | | to be Catalina.
18. 0730L | 6-46S | Unknown | 13 mi. | ? | R | ? | Not seen. [HANDWRITTEN: faint down-right arrow mark]
1/28 | | 159-16E | | | | | |
19. 0756L | Same | Liberator | 14 mi. | 315 | SSD | 1000
1/28 | | | | | | | |
20. 1420L | 5-55S | Unknown | 8½ mi. | ? | R | ? | Not seen.
1/28 | | 157-48E | | | | | |

— page 33 —
G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS.
| No. | Time | Lat.    | Type         | Initial | Est.     | How *    | Alt.    | Remarks                                 |
|-----|------||||||||
| 21. | 1443L| 5-53S   | Unidentified | 13      | 160      | SSD      | 3000    |                                         |
|     | 1/28 | 157-44E | Flying Boat  |         |          |          |         |                                         |
| 22. | 1449L| 5-53S   | Liberator    | 10      | 230      | SSD      | 2000    |                                         |
|     | 1/28 | 157-44E |              |         |          |          |         |                                         |
| 23. | 1232L| 1-10S   | Unknown      | 16      | ?        | R        | ?       | Pip only lasted about 2 min.            |
|     | 1/29 | 154-54E |              |         |          |          |         | and then faded out.                     |
| 24. | 1533L| 7-02.5N | 3 Pete's     | 3 mi.   | Circling | P        | 500     |                                         |
|     | 2/1  | 151-43E |              |         |          |          |         |                                         |
| 25. | 0705L| 6-35N   | 1 Dave       | 100 yds | Diving   | Heard    | 100 ft. | Not seen until zoom of engine           |
|     | 2/2  | 151-45E |              |         |          | Engine   |         | heard. Dropped bomb close               | aboard to starboard.                    |
| 26. | 0821L| 6-35N   | 1 Alf.       | 3 mi.   | Circling | P        | 500 ft. |                                         |
|     | 2/2  | 151-47E |              |         |          |          |         |                                         |
| 27. | 1058L| 6-23N   | 1 Pete.      | 4 mi.   | 100      | SSD      | 300 ft. |                                         |
|     | 2/6  | 148-25E |              |         |          |          |         |                                         |
-26-

— page 34 —
H. ATTACK DATA.
U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. ONE PATROL NO. SEVEN.

Time 1844L Date 14 January 1944 Lat. 5-22N Long. 141-27E.

Target Data -- Damage Inflicted. Two large fast tankers
camouflaged with two or more shades of gray paint but similar
in appearance to the GENYO MARU, 10,020 tons loaded, with
small cruiser type bow. Moving on zig-zagging on base course
067°T. Speed 17¼ knots, speed of advance 15-3/4 knots. Only one
DD escort seen, well astern of tankers but coming up fast.
SCAMP's reported two DD escorts for three tankers, of which she
sank one tanker about four hours previously. First contact
established with smoke of burning tanker as result of SCAMP's
attack. Visual contact with tankers at 17 miles about one
hour later. Weather clear, with unlimited visibility. Ex-
cellent periscope weather with white caps and very choppy sea.

Ship sunk: One GENYO MARU type tanker, 10,020 tons.

Damage determined by: Saw five hits and one dud. Three hits
in stern blew stern completely off, ruptured after fuel tanks
and started fire. Two other hits about 50 ft. forward of en-
gine room. Fires started there also. Dud hit about amidships.
One long extended heavy explosion 16 minutes after first hit.
Noises which accompany a sinking ship lasted for about 15 min-
utes and were clearly heard throughout the ship.

Target Draft 30 ft. Course 067°T. Speed 17¼ Kts. Range 800 yd.

Own Ship Data

Speed 2 kts. Course 158°T. Depth 63 ft. Angle 0.

Type of Attack:

Fire Control and Torpedo Data. We were forced to sub-
merge by DD to northward before base course of tankers had been defin-
itely established. Ran on normal approach course in direction
of last change of true bearing until targets came into range
of visibility. Upon sighting found true bearing had changed
14 degrees in opposite direction. Reversed course and ran at
high speed until it was determined could get in on nearest
tanker. At range of 2000 yards was dead ahead of nearest tank-
er headed across his bow from port to starboard when tankers
zigged 35° to their starboard. A zig to port would have given
a shot at both tankers with bow and stern tubes. Ranging was
very poor because of heavy chop and range was over estimated.
Target passed ahead at 600 yards while attempting to get a
scuni run. Commenced firing with a 31° left gyro angle and
17½° track and ended up with a 87°L gyro angle and 65½°P
track. Used a 4° divergent spread throughout, and corrected
for each shot with MCT as point of aim for first 4
shots and, Bow for last two, when it was seen all were hitting

-27-

— page 35 —
H. ATTACK DATA (ATTACK NO. ONE)

aft. Arbitrarily decreased TDC range 400 yards after
first two shots when there was such a large difference
between generated and observed bearings. The solution
to the entire problem was; we were so close we couldn't
miss despite large range errors, large gyro angles and
large tracks. Everyone in the Fire Control Party per-
formed calmly and coolly with the exception of the Cap-
tain who became quite excited trying to give bearings
and watch hits at the same time.

-28-

— page 36 —
H. ATTACK DATA (ATTACK NO. ONE)

| | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tube No. | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 |
| Track Angle | 111 P | 124P | 145 P | 156 P | 162½ P | 165½ P |
| Gyro Angle | 329 | 318½ | 301 | 295 | 293 | 293 |
| Depth Set | 20 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| Power | High | High | High | High | High | High |
| Hit or Miss | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit | Hit |
| Erratic | No | No | No | No | Dud Explosion | No |
| Mark Torp. | XIV-3 | XIV-3 | XIV-3 | XIV-3 | XIV-3 | XIV-3 |
| Serial No. | 39774 | 39773 | 39763 | 39686 | 25531 | 25550 |
| Mark Exploder | VI-1A | VI-1A | VI-1A | VI-1A | VI-1A | VI-1A |
| Serial No. | 12944 | 12886 | 12830 | 12893 | 12946 | 9255 |
| Actuation Set | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| Actuation Act. | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| Mark Warhead | XVI | XVI | XVI | XVI | XVI | XVI |
| Serial No. | 9555 | 2220 | 1660 | 3733 | 11084 | 2135 |
| Explosive | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex |
| Firing Int. | - | 10S | 12S | 12S | 12S | 12S |
| Type Spread | Divergent | Divergent | Divergent | Divergent | Divergent | Divergent |
| Sea Condition | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Overhaul Act. | Navy #89 | Navy #89 | Navy #89 | Navy #89 | Navy #89 | Navy #89 |
| Remarks | | | | | | |

-68-

— page 37 —
H. ATTACK DATA
U.S.S. GUADFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. TWO PATROL NO. SEVEN
Time 1315L Date 1 February 1944 Lat. 7-10.5N
                                      Long. 151-43.5E.

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description:
     One MPM Maru similar to TAIAN MARU, p. 132, ONI 208J,
of 3670 tons, and one of the GOSEI MARU class, p. 225, ONI
208J of 2500 tons escorted by a DD of the FUBUKI class,
one AMAGIRI class DD. The convoy was zig-zagging about 2½ miles off the reefs of
Truk Atoll, heading for South Pass from the westward at a
speed of 10 knots. The freighters were in line of bearing
with the DD on the southern flank about equidistant from
the two Maru's. First contact was by sound with the echo
ranging of the DD, then sighting the smoke and finally
masts of the ships. Weather was clear and occasionally
white caps on the sea.

Ships Sunk: One AMAGIRI class DD.

Damage determined by:
     One torpedo hit abreast of after gun mount on
starboard side demolishing the stern. The DD rolled over
on its port side and started settling by the stern. When
last seen, about two minutes after the hit the destroyer was
down about 60° by the stern and had rolled over about 120°
with all hands abandoning ship. Seven minutes after the
hit there was a tremendous explosion attributed to the
depth charges of the DD going off as she sank.

Target draft 10 ft. Course 083°T. Speed 9½ kts. Range 1420 yds.

Own Ship Data

Speed 3 kts. Course 340°T. Depth 63 ft. Angle 0.

Fire Control and Torpedo Data.

Type of Attack:
     The TAIAN MARU type ship was selected as the target.
When first sighted GUADFISH came to a normal
approach course which headed up toward South Pass. The
bearings drew aft during the first stages of the approach,
but shortly after the masts came into sight the bearings
started to draw forward. However, we were unable to use any
speed during this phase of the approach because a trawler
patrol boat was within 3000 yards of us until about 10 min-

-30-

— page 38 —
H. ATTACK DATA; Attack No. Two.

utes before firing, when it drew off to the northwest, to
permit the convoy to pass. About 9 minutes before firing
the target zigged away and it was seen that in order to
fire at the Maru it would have to be done at about 3000
yards, so shifted to the DD which was on our flank as the
target. Commenced firing 9 minutes after shifting using a
10' depth setting and 2.5 degree divergent spread, firing
4 torpedoes spread from aft forward. The last two inputs
to the TDC before firing checked on with the general
values and each periscope firing bearing checked with
TDC generated bearings. One hit resulted abreast of the
after gun mounts. All data available indicates the second
torpedo hit, and, whereas the third torpedo should have
hit, it apparently ran under the target.

Tube No.             1.         2.         3.         4.
Track Angle          79S        84S        90S        94S
Gyro Angle           006        009        011¼       013½
Depth Set            10 ft      10 ft      10 ft      10 ft
Hit or Miss          Miss       Hit        Miss       Miss
Ratio                No         No         No         No
Mark Torp.           XIV-3      XIV-3      XIV-3      XIV-3
Serial No.           25545      24539      25563      39765
Mark Exploder        VI-1A      VI-1A      VI-1A      VI-1A
Serial No.           12938      12947      12964      6468
Actuation Set.       Contact    Contact    Contact    Contact
Actuation Act.       None       Contact    None       None
Mark Warhead         XVI        XVI        XVI        XVI
Serial No.           10311      11891      2223       687
Explosive            Torpex     Torpex     Torpex     Torpex
Firing Interval      -          11s        9s         8s
Type Spread          Divergent  Divergent  Divergent  Divergent
                     3-3/4°L    1-1/4°L    1-1/4°R    3-3/4°R
Overhaul Act.        Navy No. 89 Navy No 89 Navy No 89 Navy No 89
Remarks.

-30a-

— page 39 —
I. MINES.
No comment.

J. ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASIVE TACTICS

1. In general, the inferiority of DD's as compared
to PC's in delivering depth charge attacks was again noted.
The former seem to drop large salvoes in the general vi-
cinity; while the latter (as borne out by previous unhap-
py GUARD FISH moments) husband their smaller supply and
drop a few in the immediate vicinity. The DD counter-
attack on January 14 was typical. Despite the fact
that it is doubtful if he ever had a good contact or solu-
tion, he nevertheless dropped 34 charges.

2. Of the multitudinous patrols encountered off
South Pass of Truk, none was heard to use echo ranging.
The two which carried out the counter-attack on 1 February
apparently never established definite contact and conducted
their search to the southwestward of South Pass rather than
to the southward along Kuop Islands where GUARD FISH was.

3. The attack on the DD off South Pass of Truk on
1 February stirred up a hornet's nest of A/S measures. By
an hour and a half after attacking, GUARD FISH was able to
return to periscope depth and sighted three float planes,
the first seen at Truk. The hunt continued and depth
charges were heard for 5 hours after reaching periscope
depth. The following morning at dawn, another float plane,
with a "fair linkum" very much on the job, sneaked in and made a
"fair linkum" drop before GUARD FISH could dive. After this con-
tact, a total of 40 more charges were heard during the day follow-
ing, happily, within 3 or 4 miles. The second day follow-
ing, in about the same spot, one DD and four patrols were
sighted.

4. No patrol was seen to the eastward of Otta Pass
between Kuop Island and Truk Atoll.

5. Enemy air patrol, in general, in the Bismarck
Archipelago and around Truk was light. A float plane,
however, appeared and frustrated the chase of tanker con-
voy near Fuluwat Island on 6 February.

6. As a broad observation over a period of numerous
patrols in the Southwest Pacific Area, the following may
be said of surface A/S vessels.

-31-

— page 40 —
(a) Their primary mission does not appear to be to
destroy submarines. Invariably they have left to rejoin
their convoys within a few hours and have shown no in-
dications of persistent, systematic search. They appear
satisfied to keep the submarine down long enough to allow
convoy to obtain a good lead ahead.

(b) If contact is made by them before submarine has
reached deep submergence the counter-attack is usually very
accurate. If, on the other hand, however, the submarine
has ample time to reach deep submergence and steer an eva-
sive course for a few minutes, A/S vessels seem to have
great difficulty in locating their prey.

7. As to evasion, every counter-attack undergone by
this vessel indicates that 2/3 speed is just as silent as
1/3 at deep submergence. 1/3 leaves one in the same spot
for a long while and the use of 4 kts. has appeared to
throw A/S vessels off, with the possible explanation that
they use a slower estimate in projecting submarine's track
during the period when water is disturbed after a salvo.

K. MAJOR DEFECTS.

1. The fittings, piping and plating installed inci-
dent to repairs from collision damage, occasioned no trouble
whatsoever.

2. Hull.
(a) Both the inboard flapper and check valve
gaskets on MBT #6D 10# blow line leaked, allowing,
at periscope depth, a one inch stream of water
to run out of volume tank drain.

(b) Even after a complete overhauling last re-
fit, relief valves in emergency vents of fuel ballast
tanks continued to chatter on rapid changes of depth.
It was necessary to run with them cracked, so great
was their clamor.

(c) #2 periscope fogged badly beginning the next
week on station.

(d) The aircraft depth charge planted by "Dave"
on 2 February sprung a leak in the after half of #5
air bank in #6C main ballast tank. It was bled down
and secured.

(e) Sound heads raised at deep submergence.
See paragraph N.

3. Machinery.
(a) On 30 January, during a run at standard speed
on four engines, #4 unit on #1 main engine seized.
The seizure is attributed to a loose micrometer rod
-32-

— page 41 —
which allowed an excess of fuel to be injected into
the unit. At that time, #1 main engine had 3971 total
engine hours and 1316 hours since last overhaul. The
unit was renewed and engine performed satisfactorily
thereafter. This is the first major engine casualty
in eight months consisting of many protracted surface
runs at high speeds.

(2) GUARDFISH is looking forward expectantly to
the prospect of new type outboard exhaust valves dur-
ing the coming navy yard overhaul. Despite grinding
and working at least two (seldom the same two) leaked
all the time. In one instance, one of them leaked
while the ship was cruising flooded down on the surface.

(b) Distillers - The quality of the fresh water
took a sharp decline when the gasket on the feed pump
suction strainer developed a leak. It was dis-
covered that distilled sea water is far superior to
distilled bilge water in practically all respects.

3. Electrical.

(a) Pitometer Log -

(1) GUARDFISH's rodmeter jinx reappeared on
30 December, when three days out, a submerged object
eliminated the third in as many months. In order to
provide a spare, Navy No. 89 had devoted much time and
patience during the last refit in endeavoring to
straighten out a previously damaged rodmeter (no spare
was available in Australia). In spite of their much
appreciated efforts and long hours of grinding and
fitting on the part of ship's force, the improvised
rod would not go through the hull gland. Apparently,
once bent, a rod cannot be repaired in the field.

(2) During the last week on station, one hose
connection blew off in deep submergence, distorting
the bellows and making its operation undependable.

(b) Follow up system on master gyro-compass
ceased to function on 18 January. A complete set of
tubes was installed replacing the set which had been
put in at Midway, September, 1942, and had per-
formed work for 9000 hours, 900% of the guarantee
period. The following day, however, the system
again failed. Entire circuit was checked, cleaned

-33-

— page 42 —
and adjusted. While no conclusive evidence was
found, it is felt that the trouble was due in some
obscure manner to constant helm zig-zagging, which
GUARDFISH had been using for over three weeks of sur-
face running. The continuous, unrelenting swinging
back and forth over an arc of some sixty degrees
(occasionally the same arc for a matter of days)
must have produced excess heating, causing a failure
which could not be located when system was secured
and cooled.

4. Torpedoes and gunnery.

(a) Torpedo #25344 flooded through a broken
gyro housing gasket.

(b) Torpedo #39781 flooded through a broken
hand hole gasket.

(c) Torpedo #39780 was found to have loose and
stripped connections on discharge of both oil pots.

(d) Torpedo #24497 was flooded through loose
differential lead from reducer, and thereafter the
gyro (#9626) was excessively noisy. The torpedo was
not fired.

(e) GUARDFISH had to relinquish her spare skids
during last refit. This made even routine checks while
on the surface in a fair seaway precarious. It
further made the proposition of first partially and
then fully inactivating all exploders a problem of
position, movement, and suspension of no mean moment.
The torpedo officer now feels equal to any and all
jig-saw and similar puzzles.

L. RADIO.

1. The long awaited RBC will be a welcome addition
in the yard.

2. No material difficulty or unusual condition en-
countered.

M. RADAR.

1. Both the SJ and SD continued to give a high
degree of performance with the following exceptions:

(a) Periodically the trace of the SJ would move
off the screen to the left when the equipment was

-34-

— page 43 —
started up. No definite answer has yet been found
despite exhaustive checking. The trouble always
cleared up of its own accord in a matter of ten
minutes or so.

(b) During the last week on station, oscillator tube
in transmitter of SD failed. In a week's time a
total of 8 were used. The lack of means for tuning
SD at sea is still keenly felt.

N. SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS.

1. For the first time in GUARDFISH's career, the
sound heads began to raise at deep submergence. Mechan-
ical clamps and hydraulic locks both failed and
hand hydraulic pump was useless below 200 ft. During
the depth charge attack on 14 January, both heads
raised simultaneously. As luck would have it, they were
disengaged on respective quarters when training gears
engaged. Thereafter, ship was conned by swinging
left with varying amounts of rudder; swinging one way
until echo ranging became audible through the head on that
side, then reversing the rudder until pinging came in on
other head, etc. etc. Ultimately, of course, it was neces-
sary to start the main hydraulic plant to make possible a
thorough search for screws during the ascent to periscope
depth. Subsequent to that unhappy experience, on each dive,
immediately upon their being lowered both heads were
secured down with assorted persuaders, shores and wedges.

SOUNDING LIMITS.

1. Of fifteen observations made at depths of 280
feet or greater only one marked gradient was found. That,
Lat. 3-20N, Long. 141-27E, was a negative 6°F so
between keel depths of 230 ft (bathythermograph's maximum)
and 350 ft.

2. As material condition deteriorates and deep sub-
mergence leaks become progressively worse, negative gra-
dients assume importance for beneficially affecting trim
perhaps even more than for adversely affecting sound con-
ditions.

3. A summary of observations follows. All depths
are keel depths.

| Time | Date | Lat. | Long. | Gradients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0850L | 1/4 | 0-58N | 153-13E | (a) 70'-100' - 1/2° |
| | | | | (b) 100'-200' - 3/4° |
| | | | | (c) 200'-280' - 0 |
| 1430L | 1/5 | 2-37N | 148-13E | None to 280' |
| 1340L | 1/11 | 0-50N | 147-12E | None to 280' |

-35-

— page 44 —
No. Time Date Lat. Long. Gradients
4. 1740 1/12 0-55N 145-37E None to 280'
5. 0740 1/14 5-06N 140-48E (a) 230-280' - 2°
6. 1850L 1/15 5-23N 141-27E (a) 60-200' - 0
                                (b) 200-250' - 2°
                                (c) 250-280' - 0
                                (d) 280-350' - 6°
7. 1440L 1/16 0-36N 147-04E (a) 335' - 1°
8. 1730L 1/19 2-21N 146-57E (a) 60-230' - 0
                                (b) 230-350' - 1°
9. 0315L 1/21 1-10S 147-30E (a) 60'-310' - 0
10. 1700L 1/23 1-53N 146-05E (a) 60'-310' - 2°
11. 1015L 1/31 2-08N 152-10E (a) None to 280'.
12. 1315L 2/1 7-05N 151-44E (a) None to 350'.
13. 1545L 2/4 6-37N 151-52E (a) None to 320'.
14. 2100L 2/4 6-19N 151-53E (a) None to 230'.
                                (b) 280-325' - 2½°
15. 1100L 2/6 6-23N 148-25E (a) None to 230'.

P. PERSONNEL.

1. The whereabouts of the Submarine School's
    products is a source of wonder. Of the full complement
    on board, 30 men (42%) are graduates of Subma-
    rine School, 16 new men (with no war patrol experience)
    received no soft shift, not a single one had
    attended the School. Fortunately, this group was above
    average, they applied themselves and learned quickly. The
    obvious point, though, is how much more readily they would
    have been able to "pull their load in the boat" had they Sub
    School background to assist them.

Q. HEALTH, FOOD, HABITABILITY.

1. Health - With the exception of one persistent
    fungus infection of the feet and one toothache,
    health was good.

2. Food - In this direction there was a very de-
    finite improvement, thanks to the efforts of Navy No. 89
    in furnishing better qualified personnel and higher quality
    foodstuffs; but you can't change tough beef.

3. Habitability - Excellent.

-36-

— page 45 —
R. MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED.

| | Miles | Fuel |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Brisbane to area | 2184 | 25,500 |
| 2. Round trip, area-Tulagi | 1396 | 20,825 |
| 3. In area | 7229 | 81,655 |
| 4. Area to Pearl | 4124 | 65,825 |
| 5. Total | 14933 | 193,805 |

S. DURATION

| | |
|---|---|
| 1. Brisbane to area | 8 |
| 2. Round trip; area-Tulagi | 4 |
| 3. In area | 30 |
| 4. Area to Pearl | 13 |
| 5. Total | 55 |
| 6. Days submerged | 7 |

T. FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING

| Torpedoes | Fuel | Provisions | Personnel Factor. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 7000 gal. | 20 days | 14 days |
| | (Midway) | (Midway) | |
Limiting factor this patrol - patrol ended in accordance
U. REMARKS. with CTF 72 orders.

1. The possibility of a radar installation on
TIDORI accompanying the convoy of 6-7 January
1944 was noted.

2. The gray paint camouflage appears to be
far superior to black paint jobs.

3. It is believed that the majority of the
tankers and convoys proceeding to Truk from the Indies
pass about 6 - 8 miles south of Pulusuk Island. Air
Patrols in this sector are liable to be encountered during
day light.

4. If the "NIPPON MARU" may be taken as the basis of
the size of a 10,000 ton tanker it is believed that the
Japanese are building their new tankers of 12-15,000 tons.
At least two of the tankers seen on this patrol were
definitely larger than the "NIPPON MARU" type.

-37-
[STAMP: 3 01309]

— page 46 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY-THREE
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
25 February 1944.

PBS-43/A16-3
Serial ( 018 )
CONFIDENTIAL
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
GUARD FISH Conf. ltr.
SS217/A16-3/gn, Ser. 04,
of 18 February, 1944.

From: The Commander Submarine Division FORTY-THREE.
To : The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET.
Via : The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARD FISH - Report of Seventh War Patrol,
Comments on.

1. Forwarded.

2. The GUARD FISH's seventh patrol covered a period
of 55 days from Brisbane, Australia to Pearl Harbor. Thirty days
were spent patrolling in the Bismarck Archipelago area south of
TRUK under Commander Task Force SEVENTY TWO. Although numerous
contacts were made, most of these were A/S vessels, and the two
worth-while contacts were skillfully and aggressively developed.

Attack No. 1

Of six torpedoes fired at a 10,000-ton loaded
tanker, five hits and one dud were obtained. Three of these hits
were in the stern, and when last seen the tanker was settling
rapidly.

Attack No. 2

While making an approach on two medium sized
vessels, a zig placed the escorting destroyer in line of fire.
With a quick shift in setup four torpedoes were fired at the
destroyer resulting in one observed hit. Two minutes after being
hit, destroyer had rolled over 120° and was down 20° by the bow.

Both attacks speak very well for the fire-control
party, who in one case were able to obtain six hits out of six
torpedoes fired, and in the other case, with a quick shift in set-
up, were able to hit an escorting destroyer.

- 1 -

— page 47 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY THREE
                                                Care of Fleet Post Office,
FB5-43/A16-3                                    San Francisco, California,
Serial ( 018 )                                  25 February 1944.

CONFIDENTIAL

Subject:        U.S.S. GUARDFISH - Report of Seventh War Patrol,
                Comments on.

— page 48 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
11/jmg
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
27 February 1944.

FC5-4/A16-3
Serial 059

CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO GUARDFISH Conf. Ltr.
SS217/A16-3/gn, Ser. 04
dated 18 Feb 1944.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(2) The Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH - Report of War Patrol Number
Seven.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of Commander
Submarine Division Forty-Three.

2. The Commanding Officer, officers and crew of the
GUARDFISH are congratulated on the excellence of their teamwork
and ability to shift targets with a changing situation.

C. P. MONSEN

— page 49 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET ld
Serial 0383
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
CONFIDENTIAL 24 February 1944.

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
GUARDFISH Report of
Seventh War Patrol. NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE DESTROYED

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 370 PRIOR TO ENTERING PATROL AREA.
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - SEVENTH 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. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Seventh War Patrol.
(27 December 1943 to 18 February 1944).

1. The GUARDFISH's seventh war patrol was made in areas north of
the Bismarck Archipelago and south of Truk while proceeding to Pearl Harbor for
overhaul.

2. Good area coverage and area analysis was made. Two aggressive
attacks were conducted, resulting in inflicting severe damage to the enemy. The
sinking of an enemy destroyer close to the South Pass of Truk was outstanding.

3. The GUARDFISH also conducted lifeguard duty south of Truk for the
Marine photographic reconnaissance planes.

4. Of note is the fact that enemy destroyers seem to be inferior to
our patrol craft in anti-submarine measures. This fact has been substantiated
by other submarines returning from patrol in recent months. It is also of note
that the grey camouflage apparently was helpful to the GUARDFISH.

5. This patrol is designated as successful for Combat Insignia Award.

6. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratulates the
Commanding Officer, officers, and crew for this aggressive and successful war
patrol. The GUARDFISH is credited with having inflicted the following damage
upon the enemy:

S U N K
- Tanker (GENYO MARU class) - 10,019 tons (Attack #1).
- Destroyer (AMAGIRI class) - 1,850 tons (Attack #2).

TOTAL: 11,869 tons

NOTE: Since the above damage was done in areas under the operational control
of the Commander Task Force Seventy-Two, he is requested to assume credit
accordingly.

Distribution and authentication
on following page. ( . A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.
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— page 50 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0383
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
GUARD FISH Report of
Seventh War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 370
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - SEVENTH WAR PATROL.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Seventh War Patrol.
(27 December 1943 to 18 February 1944).

— page 51 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

SS217/A16-3
U.S.S. GUARDFISH
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
31 July 1944.

Serial 024
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. GUARDFISH.
To : Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) Commander Submarine Division EIGHTY-TWO.
(2) Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT.
(3) Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH, Report of War Patrol No. 8.

Enclosure: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track chart.

1. Enclosure (A) covering the 8th war patrol of
this vessel conducted in Luzon Straits and South China Sea
during the period from June 14, 1944 to 31 July 1944
is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: N. G. Ward]
N. G. WARD

[HANDWRITTEN: 84196]
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— page 52 —
(A) Prologue -

Arrived Pearl Harbor February 18, 1944, from sev-
enth war patrol. Departed February 21, 1944 and arriv-
ed Bethlehem Steel, Submarine Repair Base, San Francisco,
California February 27, 1944, for Navy Yard Overhaul.
Following major items accomplished: Replaced battery
jars, installed skewed slot armatures in main motors,
PPI and SJ-A, clutches for bow and stern plane shaft-
ing, charging panels for electric torpedoes, JP sound
gear, additional berthing facilities, dark lighting in
COC and CT, BN and BK, Gould type trim pump, IMO pump,
drain pump, MK III Mod 12 TDC, new main eng-
ine exhaust valves, new armatures in #2 and #4 gener-
ators, shock mounting in accordance with latest plans,
new shafts, replaced damaged section of hull, converted
#4 to PPI, cut down bridge, moved #1 periscope to CT,
removed CT door and FER hatch, installed lower hatches
on trunks in crews mess, AER, and ATR, three Sailfish
design twin 20mm guns, and other approved alterations.
Departed San Francisco, California on May 25, 1944
arriving Pearl Harbor June 1, 1944. Voyage repairs by
Sub Base. Installed APR, replaced one twin 20mm with
40mm gun, and received slotted type SJ reflector. One
day independent exercises 6 days training including
Convoy Exercises. Fired two MK XVIII torpedoes. Test-
ed forward tubes for MK XVIII torpedoes. Ready for
sea June 14, 1944.

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CONFIDENTIAL                                                      CONFIDENTIAL
(B) Narrative -

                                                      June 14, 1944

1330(VW)      Departed Pearl in Company with U.S.S. THRESHER
              and U.S.S. PIRANHA as part of Coordinated At-
              tack Group composed of U.S.S. GUARDFISH, U.S.S.
              THRESHER, U.S.S. PIRANHA, and U.S.S. APOGON,
              hereafter known as "Micky Finns", with Com-
              Task Group Commander, Captain W. V. O'Regan,
              USN in U.S.S. GUARDFISH. Escorted by PC 486
              until dark. Journey from Pearl to Midway was
              uneventful with excellent weather. Made many
              training dives and held drills daily.

                                                      June 18, 1944

0815(Y)       Moored to U.S.S. GABILAN, alongside U.S.S. HOL-
              LAND at Midway, T.H. Replenished fuel and
              fresh water.
1500(Y)       Departed Midway with plane escort.
1735(Y)       Thresher returned to Midway for repairs, with
              instructions to rejoin formation at Apogon
              Rendezvous.

                                                      June 19, 1944

0309(Y)       Crossed 180th meridian. Skipped a day. Conducting
              training dives, emergency drills and F.C. drills.
              Weather Excellent.

                                                      June 23, 1944

0417(L)       Rendezvous with U.S.S. APOGON.
0445(L)       Passed patrol instructions to U.S.S. APOGON
              via line and empty 4" shell container.
0446(L)       Set course for area. Training dives and drills
              during day.

                                                      June 24, 1944

              Enroute area. Training dives and drills dur-
              ing day.

                                                      June 25, 1944

              Enroute area. Training dives and drills dur-
              ing day.
2200(K)       c/c to 229°T to conduct search for downed a-
              viator during daylight June 27, 1944.

                                                      - 3 -

— page 54 —
CONFIDENTIAL
June 26, 1944
CONFIDENTIAL
Enroute search area, trim dive at dawn.
June 27, 1944
0530(K) "Micky Finns" commenced search for downed avi-.
ator.
0939(K) Plane contact #1. Sight; bearing 140°T, range
12 miles. Unidentified. Did not close. As-
sumed to be friendly.
0941(K) Sighted Pajaros Island bearing 177°T, distant
30 miles.
1935(K) Secured search. Numerous oil drums sighted dur-
ing day. Only item of interest was Apogon's
report of seeing five Japs on a raft who would
not talk. Set course for area, speed of ad-
vance 10 knots.

June 28, 1944
0646 (K) Plane contact #2. Sight; bearing 270°T range
15 miles; unidentified. Dove.
0702 (K) Surfaced.
1036 (K) Plane contact #3. Sight; range 5 miles plus,
coming in. Identified as "Betty". Dove.
1101(K) Surfaced.
2000 (K) Converted #4 from FBT to MBT.

June 29, 1944
0545(K) Trim dive. Received report of plane contact from
Piranha at this time.
0605(K) Surfaced.
0708(K) Passed three life rings lashed together.
0829(K) Plane contact #4. Sight; bearing 050°T, range
12 miles. Coming in. Identity not definitely
established. Large flying boat with parasol type
wings. Could have been a PBY or a "Mavis". BK
triggered several times while trying to get under.
Four anxious minutes were spent at this time
because the ship would not dive. All vents show-
ed open but we were still riding the surface.
Finally after working #4 MBT tank vent lever
again we started down and at
0833(K) Finally got under fully expecting to be bombed.
0927(K) Surfaced.
0938(K) Test dive; no trouble getting under.
0941(K) Surfaced.
1604(K) Dove to repair air leaks. Ground in bow buoy-
ancy and safety blows. After two hours all
leaks not located or corrected.

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— page 55 —
CONFIDENTIAL
1815(K) Surfaced.

CONFIDENTIAL

June 30, 1944

0615(K) Dove.
0627(K) Surfaced.
1439(I) Dove.
1632(I) Surfaced.

July 1, 1944

0527(I) Dove.
0547(I) Surfaced.
1127(I) Another Sub of pack reported diving for sight
                 contact with a plane, so dove.
1214(I) Surfaced.

July 2, 1944

0130(I) Entered Area.
0530(I) Trim dive.
0550(I) Surfaced.
0913(I) Dove on days patrol line.
1938(I) Surfaced.

July 3, 1944

0533(I) Dove on days patrol line.
1947(I) Surfaced.
2228(I) Sighted Y'Ami Island of Batan Group.

July 4, 1944

0539(I) Dove on days patrol line across Bashi Channel.
1301(I) Sighted masts bearing 359°T. Identified as sev-
                 en fishing sampans. Advised by "Pack Com-
                 mander" not to surface to sink them.
1701(I) Seven more fishing boats sighted and let pass
                 close by.
1944(I) Six more fishing boats sighted and passed close
                 by. Let a good two thousand tons of fishermen
                 go today, when they would have been easy pract-
                 ice for the gunners.
2121(I) Surfaced after working around last group. No
                 celebration today.

July 5, 1944

0100(I) Picked up unusual radar interference from direct-
                 ion of Formosa; similar to radar jamming: Noth-
                 ing on APR.
0302(I) Heard echo-ranging on QB bearing 325°T.
0340(I) Ship contact #1. Radar 11,400 yards bearing 298°T.

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— page 56 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Identified as small patrol; pinging constantly.
0447(I) Closed him to 7,500 yards for inspection and
then avoided to southward.
0545(I) Lost SJ contact at 12,000 yards bearing 320°T.
Submerged, heading up for southern tip of For-
mosa.
0637(I) Pinging heard on port beam.
0720(I) Heard two distant explosions, thought to be
torpedoes. Followed by another one minute later.
0909(I) Aircraft contact #5. Two bombs close aboard and
overhead. At 60' for observations. Periscope
was in process of being raised - had taken a 30
second sweep in low power about one minute be-
fore. Started deep and received a third bomb on
way down. c/c to 180°T.
1104(I) Weak pinging at 175°T.
1130(I) Came up for a look, nothing seen.
1147(I) At 120' looking for air leaks. Received one
bomb over head. Our friend still with us.
Started deeper.
1153(I) Another bomb while passing 230'.
1159(I) Picked up screws, bearing 180°T, coming in.
Rigged for depth charge attack but left all
vents closed.
1207(I) First of 13 depth charges, astern and clear.
1210(I) Last depth charge. Remained deep for remainder
of day. Knew there were air leaks.
1424(I) Heard 15 distant depth charges to eastward.
2030(I) Surfaced.

July 6, 1944

0554(I) Dove. Spent day attempting correct air leaks,
looking every 10 minutes.
2025(I) Surfaced full moon.

July 7, 1944

0542(I) Dove.
2013(I) Surfaced.

July 8, 1944

0344(I) Plane contact #6 - SD Radar 8 miles closing -
0403(I) Dove.
0540(I) Surfaced.
2013(I)

July 9, 1944

0548(I) Dove.
0701(I) Plane contact #7. Periscope.

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— page 57 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL

1959(I) Surfaced.

July 10, 1944

0544(I) Dove.
1950(I) Surfaced.

July 11, 1944

0550(I) Dove.
1946(I) Surfaced.
2241(I) Received contact report from Thresher.
2248(I) c/c and speed to intercept.
2255(I) Ship contact #2. SJ Radar bearing 195°T, range
30,000 yards. Commenced tracking and making
end around to port of convoy. Convoy consists
of nine large ships and at least five escorts.

July 12, 1944

Continuing end around on convoy.

0001(I) Made sight contact.
0228(I) Apogon dove for attack.
0255(I) In position ahead. Half moon; too bright for
surface attack.
0308(I) Heard ten explosions - two sounded like torpedoes.
0326(I) Battle Stations.
0331(I) Dove for attack. Convoy bearing 016°T, range
17,500 yards. Base course to leading escort 11,000
yards. Base course since 2245(I) 197°T, speed
of advance 10.6 knots. No change in either since
Apogon's attack.
0401(I) One escort passed to starboard, (East) range
2,500 yards.
0410(I) Another escort passed to port (West) range 2,700
yards.
0418(I) Realized targets have changed base course to about
165°T. Came to 110°T, running at 42' 2/3 speed.
0431(I) c/s to standard; course to 140°T. Least torpedo
run to nearest target 3,800 yards. Did not fire.
Very slow in catching change in base course which
occurred with range about 9,000 yards. As
we were in good position when two escorts, which
were about 6,500 yards on each bow of convoy passed
down each side of Guardfish. A rotten perform-
ance from an ideal position.
0512(I) Surfaced opening range to east ward for another
end around.
0521(I) Plane contact #8. SJ radar closing rapidly. Dove.
0547(I) Surfaced. Convoy bearing 180°T, 26,000 yards.
0613(I) Plane contact #9. Sighted plane from bridge. Dove.

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— page 58 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

0643(I) Plane in sight through periscope.
0700(I) Heard one distant explosion.
0705(I) Surfaced - Plane in sight bearing 206°T distant
4 miles.
0720(I) Bearing of smoke of convoy had changed from
214°T to 245°T.
Closing range slowly.
0758(I) Last of two ships in sight through #1 periscope
on south easterly course.
0832(I) Dove for SD plane contact. Range 9 miles.
0848(I) Two distant explosions. Believed torpedo (Pir-
anha's attack?)
0856(I) Surfaced.
0903(I) Sighted plane cutting across bow; dove.
0927(I) Surfaced.
0934(I) Sighted plane. No contact with convoy and this
was last plane contact. Searching so as to
cover courses of convoy from east to east coast
of Luzon. Convoy had disappeared; probably gone
west through Babuyan Channel after Piranha's
attack.
1830(I) Discontinued search; reversed course proceeding
back to area.
2155(I) Torpedo in racks made hot run. Short circuit.
2316(I) Exchanged SJ signals with Piranha.

July 13, 1944

0510(I) Thresher joined formation.
0605(I) Dove.
1952(I) Surfaced.

July 14, 1944

0605(I) Dove for the day. Depth control difficult.
Broached twice.
1934(I) Surfaced. Commenced passage through Balingtang
Channel.
2016(I) SJ out of commission.

July 15, 1944

0331(I) SJ back in commission.
1200(I) Formed scouting line; searching to south for re-
ported convoy.
1800(I) SK triggered for 45 minutes. Why?
2000(I) Commenced search to N.E.
2300(I) Changed course to N.W. Piranha did not receive
message changing direction of search, and could
not be raised though all efforts were made to
do so. Thus was changed the entire picture of
the patrol. The Piranha scouts to the northeast,
while Guardfish and Thresher scout to the north-
west.

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— page 59 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                CONFIDENTIAL

July 16, 1944

0353 (I) Receivod contact report from Piranha, 110 miles
             to eastward by Dead Reckoning. No fix for 36
             hours.
0402 (I) Changed course to intercept.
0702 (I) Trim dive.
0740 (I) Surfaced.
0950 (I) Ship contact #3. Sighted smoks bearing 113°T.
0945 (I) Plano contact #10. Sighted plano bearing 149°T.
             Air coverage for convoy which is on a southerly
             course; commencod end around.
1005 (I) Plano contact #11. Pip on SD at 6½ miles closing.
             Dove. This is another plano since contact #10
             was in sight over convoy.
1008 (I) Hoard 2 distant explosions followed a few minutes
             later by a series of 48 more.
1050 (I) Surfaced. Resumed end around.
1210 (I) Two planes in sight over convoy.
1218 (I) Plano heading toward. Dove.
1229 (I) Hoard 3 distant explosions.
1246 (I) Hoard ocho-ranging bearing 080°T.
1250 (I) JP picked up screws at 076°T; nearest ship in the
             convoy believed to be distant at loast 14 miles.
1302 (I) Two sets of ocho-ranging hoard.
1307 (I) JP lost contact.
1351 (I) Three sets of ocho-ranging hoard.
1409 (I) Sighted a "HAP" over convoy.
1458 (I) Sighted a "Mavis" distant 5 miles headed toward
             so went to 150' for 10 minutes.
1546 (I) Surfaced. During period submerged 23 distant ex-
             plosions wore hoard.
1550 (I) Sighted a cclumn of smoks bearing 040°T. Our con-
             voy bears 139°T.
1552 (I) Making end around with plano in sight over convoy.
2000 (I) In position ahead.
2010 (I) Picked up indications on SJ radar believed to be
             attempts at Jap jamming. In direction of con-
             voy. Those came on at frequent intervals, beforo
             and, during the attacks on this convoy and are
             described in detail in section "M". No indic-
             ations of radar on APR.
2112 (I) Stopped; lowered QB sound head; hoard weak ping bear-
             ing 330°T. Changed course to 330°T.
2120 (I) SJ contact, 347°T, 22,000 yards.
2124 (I) Battle Stations.
2145 (I) Estimate convoy had changed base course from 195°T
             to 270°T at dark.
2220 (I) Convoy changes base course to 210°T.
2235 (I) In position 11,000 yards ahead of convoy, sizing up
             disposition and goneral conditions for best attack
             position. Convoy consists of 10 ships with three

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— page 60 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL
be on starboard quarter of convoy. Ships in
two columns with large AK loading port column
and a large Tanker leading starboard column.
An escort on each bow and each quarter of con-
voy. No other escorts located. Determined to
attack from port flank since we would then have
light advantage.
2306(I) Hauled out on port bow of convoy.
2310(I) Made all tubes ready.
2335(I) Port bow escort passed close ahead.
2342(I) Commenced firing forward tube nest. Fired
all six at continuous target of 5 overlap-
ping ships, using the large tanker as point
of aim for first three and shifting to next
ship aft in starboard column for point of aim
for next three; applying a divergent spread
to each salvo of three. Started swinging
right and speeding up after fourth torpedo
was fired. Attempting to get set on next
group of ships for stern tubes.
2345(I) First of six hits in four ships. The Tanker
was loaded with gas and blew up immediately so
flames thousands of feet high. The large
AK was also loaded with combustibles, com-
mencing to burn aft and later blew up. The
third ship in line, an AK, broke in two in
the middle and sank, and the fourth ship in
line went down bow first. The scene was
lit up as bright as day by the explosions and
burning ship. Did not have good enough set
up on next group when all of this occurred,
so withhold fire as other ships were seen to
scatter in all directions.

July 17, 1944

0006(I) Commenced tracking one large ship. An es-
cort dropping depth charges on far side of
convoy.
0038(I) In good position on starboard bow of AK at
2,500 yards, swung right to bring stern
tubes to bear.
0042(I) Commenced firing three stern tubes. Second
torpedo went out 5 degrees off through con-
trol error.
0045(I) Two hits. Pulled clear as we had an escort
within 2,600 yards in vicinity of target.
Target leaned over on its starboard side
and disappeared from sight and SJ screen at
7,700 yards. Hunting another target while
reloading some tubes.

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CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

0100(I) The burning ship gave up with one final explosion
        and disappeared.
0136(I) Commenced tracking another target.
0212(I) In position ahead of new target. Decided to make
        this a stern tube shot. Target zigging radically
        every 4-5 minutes.
0257(I) Became impatient and fired two tubes aft at 2,500
        yards, 65 port track. Immediately after firing
        target zigged towards and torpedoes missed ahead.
        Went ahead flank, swung left and made two
        tubes ready.
0303(I) Fired tubes 3 and 4 at 1,250 range, 95 port track.
        Two hits. Proximity of escort and rising moon
        induced Guardfish to head out fast feeling sure
        this ship would sink immediately. However, it
        continued on at about three knots though seen to
        be settling by stern. It disappeared from the
        radar screen at 13,000 yards with escort seen at
        12,500 yards at same time. Numerous lights and
        much activity was seen on the target as we haul-
        ed clear. It is believed this ship sank but only
        damage is claimed. Did not consider it possible
        to made another attack on any of the widely scattered
        targets so secured from battle stations and pull-
        ed clear to northward on four engines. Everyone
        in the control party was beginning to show fa-
        tigue after six hours at battle station under
        constant tension and the Commanding Officer had
        no rest for over fifty hours. Under these
        conditions it was considered best to let the
        others go.
0340(I) Large explosion and flare up bearing 332°T, 25-
        30 miles distant. (Thresher busy?)
0405(I) Sighted searchlight sweeping horizon bearing 280°T.
0545(I) Exchanged SJ signals with Pirnaha, bearing 320°T.
0545(I) Sighted N.W. point of Luzon bearing 110°T.
0603(I) Dove for the day.
0606(I) Heard echo-ranging to port.
0613(I) First of string of 21 depth charges on port side.
0620(I) Ship contact #4. Sighted patrol boat bearing
        228°T, angle on bow 10 starboard, range 2,500.
0628(I) Still coming on. Headed for 350 feet, rigging
        for depth charge attack.
0635(I) First of a string of 17 depth charges - not close.
0705(I) Secured from depth charge attack.
0725(I) 5 more - not close.
0745(I) Periscope depth - all clear.
        Declared today a day of rest.
1957(I) Surfaced.

        July 18, 1944

0608(I) Dove for day. Overcast and squally with rough

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CONFIDENTIAL                                                                CONFIDENTIAL
seas, picking up during day. Periscope obser-
vations difficult and unsatisfactory.
1800(I) Ship contact #5. Sighted ship at 12,000 yards.
        Battle stations submerged, commenced approach.
        As range closed identified ship as one of many
        of a large fast convoy. The number of ships
        and escorts were never determined because of
        limited visibility and high seas which made
        observations extremely difficult. At 60' seas
        were continually washing over the periscope,
        even though we were fortunately running with
        the seas. The following ships were defin-
        itely seen: 2 aircraft carriers (type unknown),
        2 large tankers, one transport similar to the
        "Hokoku Maru", one seaplane tender, and a
        naval auxiliary identified as the "Ayatosan
        Maru" from type selection ONI-208J (revised),
        while conducting the attack. Several other
        hazy shapes were seen. Base course 215°T,
        speed 15 knots. The "Ayatosan Maru" was sel-
        ected as the target, being the closest ship.
        Sound conditions bad. Conducted entire ap-
        proach at 2/3 and higher speeds.
1822(I) Commenced firing three bow tubes at selected
        target at 1,370 yards, 75 port track, zero
        angle, divergent spread from aft forward.
        Commenced swinging right and getting set up
        on tanker astern of this ship.
1823(I) Two hits heard but not seen as periscope was
        trained on tanker. Immediately swung back to
        target and saw that one had hit just abaft
        the superstructure. Swung back to tanker
        for final set up.
1824(I) Saw tanker swing toward at about 800 yards range.
        Impossible to fire, so ordered deep depth and
        took final look at first target to see it
        settling fast with about 30° port list and main
        deck nearly awash, much activity in vicinity
        of life boats. This ship was flying a nation-
        al ensign.
1827(I) First of a series of several depth charges.
        One close.
1837(I) Ship breaking up noises heard which lasted
        for several minutes and stopped with a muf-
        fled explosion.
1838(I) Lost contact on screws, pinging still heard.
1842(I) A muffled explosion after which no more break-
        ing up noises heard.
1854(I) Started up, pinging still heard to southward.
1910(I) At periscope depth. One DD seen circling in
        vicinity of attack; assumed to be rescuing
        survivors.

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— page 63 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL
1915(I) Secured from battle stations.
2038(I) Surfaced. No chase possible due to convoy speed,
        state of sea, and fuel available.

July 19, 1944

0532(I) Ship contact #6. SJ radar contact, bearing 235°T,
        22,500 yards. Commenced tracking on four engines.
        Sent Piranha a contact report. Trying to get
        ahead before dawn. Base course of convoy 350°T.
0610(I) Very light with numerous rain squalls. Did not
        want to be sighted so dove even though out of
        position.
0639(I) Periscope contact. Convoy has changed base course
        to 050°T; toward us. Visibility varying from
        bad to poor as rain squalls passed over. At one
        time could not see targets at 5,000 yards.
        Sound conditions terrible.
0641(I) Battle Stations.
0711(I) Made tubds ready. A PG is escorting on our side.
        Had selected as target a large modern AK lead-
        ing the port column.
0720(I) First screws heard. Escort at about 2,500 yards.
0725(I) With escort about 1,200 yards offering small
        angle on bow went to 120' to duck under him.
        Had a tough time getting back to periscope depth.
0736(I) Finally back at 60'. Escort clear but target
        has also gone by offering 130 port track, bad
        gyro angles and getting worse. Shifted target
        to next ship.
0742(I) Ping range at 1,000 yards. Again found myself
        with an overlapping target. The far target
        being 1,500 yards on other side of selected
        target.
0743(I) Commenced firing last four forward fish at 1,000
        yards, 94 port track, small gyro. Commenced swing-
        ing right.
0744(I) First of two hits on target. Hit amid ships,
        second forward. Target broke in half immed-
        iately.
0746(I) Timed hit on second ship. Everyone in ship heard
        a torpedo pass down starboard side and cross over
        the maneuvering room. This must have been our
        #3 torpedo making a circular run. JP had call-
        ed it going out well to the right of the others.
        Since depth control had been lost, ordered deep
        submergence.
0748(I) Ship breaking up.
0749(I) First of many depth charges.
0755(I) Two depth charges very close shaking boat con-
        siderably. These must have been from a thrower

- 13 -

— page 64 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL
because there were, and had been, no very close
crews.
0800(I) Last of concentrated depth charges. Two escorts
        are making a systematic search of area but we
        are riding comfortably under a 13° gradient.
0919(I) At periscope depth, no escorts in sight.
0920(I) Ship contact #7. Sighted masts of two ships
        and one escort bearing 083°T on a southerly
        course. Too far away to close for an attack.
        This is another convoy bound south.
0942(I) Lost contact bearing 089½°T.
0944(I) Secured from Battle stations.
1345(I) Faint echo-ranging bearing about 085°T.
1450(I) Ranging getting close; nothing in sight. Ping-
        ing heard intermittently until.
1643(I) When it started getting louder bearing 240°T.
1653(I) Ship contact #8. Sighted ship bearing 240°T.
1703(I) Identified contact as a "Wakatake" class DD
        at 8,000 yards, apparently on an A/S search.
        He was patrolling S.E.-N.W. line. He was
        kept in sight for next two hours with per-
        iscope, never getting closer than 6,000 yards
        and tracking at 13½ knots.
1930(I) He started closing on about 350°T. Went to
        Battle station.
1934(I) Made ready last three fish which were aft.
        With range 1,750 yards and coming up on a 90°
        starboard track DD increased speed and start-
        ed signalling to N.E. Apparently he has a
        false sound contact.
1936(I) He started dropping depth charges. When he
        started swing toward Guardfish lost the in-
        itiative and at
1937(I) Started deep, rigged for depth charge attack.
        At
1945(I) Thought he had established contact when he
        shifted to short scale and started across
        our stern. No drops, however. He remained
        in the vicinity until 2112 when contact was
        lost. A false sound contact saved this baby
        from destruction. The set up was perfect.
2128(I) Surfaced. Because of the material condition,
        small number of torpedoes aboard, and short-
        age of fuel started for home. The leaks into
        forward trim and negative were becoming in-
        creasingly difficult to control at deep depths.
2243(I) Ship contact #9. SJ radar bearing 001°T, range
        22,000. Commenced tracking and closing on
        3 engines, charging on one. Receiving SJ radar
        indications on this bearing.
2253(I) 5 distant explosions. Thought perhaps this
        was a convoy and some one had hit it and we
        could pick off a single. Closed to 6000 yards

                                - 14 -

— page 65 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                        CONFIDENTIAL

          tracking target on base course 345°T; speed 8. At
          this range nothing could be seen and radar indic-
          ations were still coming in on bearing of target;
          In addition SJ indications were being received
          on two other bearings so decided we were track-
          ing one of the "Wilkins Wildcats", and therefore
          hauled clear.

          <u>July 20, 1944</u>

0005(I)   Secured tracking; headed east through safety lane.
0605(I)   Dove for the day. Observed annular eclipse of
          the sun through the periscope between 1430 and
          1730.
1942(I)   Surfaced.

          <u>July 21, 1944</u>

0002(I)   Picked up Itbayat and Batan Islands.
0200(I)   Passed between above Islands.

          <u>July 24, 1944</u>

0908(I)   Plane Contact #12. Sighted plane bearing 250°T,
          range 11 miles by SD at same time. Dove.
0928(I)   Surfaced.
0949(I)   Plane contact #13. SD at 9 miles closing. Dove.
1016(I)   Surfaced.

          <u>July 25, 1944</u>

0853(K)   Plane contact #14. SD at 12 miles closing.
0905(K)   Dove.
0915(K)   Surfaced.
1203(K)   Plane contact #15. SD at 21 miles. Transmitted
          and received IFF signal.

          <u>July 26, 1944</u>

1039(K)   Sighted spherical object, probably a mine, about
          3" in diameter floating on surface. Position
          latitude 22°-09'N longitude 150°-36'E. Circled
          and sank it with 20 MM fire.

          <u>July 27-31, 1944</u>

          Enroute Midway in excellent weather.

          <u>July 31, 1944</u>

1608(M)   Crossed International Date Line; repeating a day.
0535(Y)   Rendezvous with escort planes.
0715(Y)   Moored at Midway.

          - 15 -

— page 66 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

(C) WEATHER
The weather enroute to station was excellent. With
the exception of the last week in the area, 13-20 July
(Area centered at about 19°-30'N - 120°-00'E) when rough
seas and rainy and overcast skies were normally had,
the weather in the area was good. Rough seas from the
S.E. on 22-23 July (21°N, 125°-13'E) were encountered
returning from patrol. We passed either to northward
and ahead of the reported typhoon, or else it dis-
sipated.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION
Currents encountered were as indicated in H.O. pub-
lications and the summer submarine supplement.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
No remarks.

(F) SHIP CONTACTS
| No. | Time Date | Lat. Long. | Type(s) | Initial Est. Range | Course Speed | How Con-tacted | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 0302(I) | 21-26N | 1-A/S | 7½ Mi | Patrolling | Pinging | Closed |
| | 5 July | 120-40E | Patrol | | | | QB first, | to id- |
| | | | (PC Size) | | | | SJ at 11, | entify, |
| | | | | | | | 500 Yds. | then a- | voided. |
| 2. | 2255(I) | 19-53N | Convoy-9 | 15 Mi | 197° | SJ Radar | 9 targets |
| | 11 July | 122-45E | targets & | | 10.6 (Ad- | Surface | through |
| | | | 5 escorts | | vance) | | | water. |
| 3. | 0950(I) | 19-19N | Convoy-10 | 20 Mi | 195° | Sighted | 7.5 kts |
| | 16 July | 120-18E | target & | | 6.8 (Ad- | smoke from | thr- |
| | | | 4 escorts | | vance) | | bridge | ough water |
| 4. | 0606(I) | 18-47N | 1-A/S | 1½ Mi | Patrolling | Pinging | May have |
| | 17 July | 119-57E | Patrol | by si- | | QB first, | sighted |
| | | | Boat | ght | | Periscope | us prior |
| | | | | | | | 14 Min. | diving. | later. |
| 5. | 1800(I) | 20-32N | Convoy- | 6 Mi | 215° | Periscope | Compos- |
| | 18 July | 119-15E | Naval-2 | | 15 Knots | Submerged | ition not |
| | | | CV, 2AO | | | | | fully ob- |
| | | | 1AP, 1AUX. | | | | | served. |
| | | | others. | | | | | |
| 6. | 0532(I) | 19-58N | Convoy- | 11 Mi | 050° | SJ-Radar | About 4 |
| | 19 July | 118-14E | 9000 ton | | 7½ Kts. | Surface | escorts |
| | | | ship, oth- | | | | | and 5 |
| | | | ers smaller | | | | | targets |
| 7. | 0920(I) | 20-06N | Convoy- | 9 Mi | 180° | Periscope | At ext- |
| | 19 July | 118-27E | masts of | | ? | Submerged | reme ra- |
| | | | 2 ship & | | | | | nge - |
| | | | 1 escort | | | | | Composi- | tion ? |

- 16 -

— page 67 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

(F) SHIP CONTACTS (Cont'd)
No. | Time | Lat. | Bearing | Initial Est. | Course | How Con- | Remarks
    | Date | Long. | Type(s) | Range | Speed | tacted |
8.  | 1653(I) | 20-12N | 1-Wak- | 4 Mi | Patrolling | Pinging. Had
    | 19 July | 118-16E | atake | By sight | | | heard
    | | | Class DD | | | | | his ping
    | | | | | | | then pinging for
    | | | | | | | 3 hours. Submerged
9.  | 2243(I) | 20-44N | Unknown | 11 Mi | 350° | SJ Radar | Could
    | 19 July | 118-28E | | | 8 knots | Surface | not see
    | | | | | | | him at
    | | | | | | | 6000 Yd

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS
No. | Time | Lat. | True Brng. | How Con- | Est. | Remarks
    | Date | Long. | Type(s) | Init.Range | tacted | Course | P.A.
1.  | 27 June | 21-00N | 1-PBM | 140° | Sight | 270° | 5° | Surface
    | 0939(K) | 144-51E | (?) | 12 Mi | only | | |
2.  | 28 June | 21-27N | 1-Large | 270° | Sight | 180° | 1° | Surface
    | 0646(K) | 142-10E | land Type | 15 Mi | only | | |
3.  | 28 June | 21-36N | 1-Betty | 210° | Sight | 090° | 2° | Surface
    | 1036(K) | 141-38E | | 5 Mi | only | | |
4.  | 29 June | 21-30N | 1-PBY(?) | 050° | Sight | 250° | ? | Submer-
    | 0929(K) | 137-20E | | 12 Mi | only | | | ged at
    | | | | | | | | 60'
5.  | 5 July | 21-25N | Not | ? | Dropped | ? | - | Submer-
    | 0909(I) | 120-37E | Sighted | | 3 bombs | | | ged at
    | | | | | close | | | 60'
6.  | 8 July | 21-37N | Not | - | SD Radar | ? | ? | -
    | 0344(I) | 120-47E | Sighted | 8 Mi | | | |
7.  | 9 July | 21-42N | 2-Sally | 138° | Sighted | 050° | 4° | Submer-
    | 0701(I) | 122-31E | | 7 Mi | through | | | ged at
    | | | | | periscope | | | 60'
8.  | 12 July | 18-58N | Not | 260° | SJ Radar | ? | ? | Surface
    | 0521(I) | 122-36E | Sighted | 3½ Mi | | | | just
    | | | | | | | | prior
    | | | | | | | | dawn
9.  | 12 July | 18-58N | 1-Emily | 265° | Sight | 090° | 2° | Surface
    | 0613(I) | 122-44E | | 10 Mi | Only | | |
10. | 16 July | 19-26N | 1-Hap | 115° | Sight | 290° | 2° | Convoy
    | 0954(I) | 119-55E | | 12 Mi | only | | | escort
11. | 16 July | 19-24N | 1-Mavis | 115° | SD Radar | | ? | Contact
    | 1005(I) | 119-55E | ? | 6½ Mi | | | | #10 in
    | | | | | | | | sight
    | | | | | | | | at 12mi
    | | | | | | | | at time
12. | 24 July | 22-01N | 1-2 eng- | 250° | Sight & | 070° | 5° | -
    | 0908(I) | 139-17E | ine land | 11 Mi | SD Radar | | |
    | | | | type. | | simult. | | |

- 17 -

— page 68 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (Cont'd)
Ship's
Time Lat.
True Brng. How Con- Est. Est. Remarks
No. Date Long. Types(s) Init. Range acted Course P.A.
13.24 July 22-01N Assumed
Only
?
?
Not
0949 (1)139-21E to be
9 Mi
SD Radar
Sighted
same as
#12.
14.25 July 22-07N
?
SD Radar?
?
Not
0853 (K)144-26E
12 Mi
Only
Sighted
surfaced
15.25 July 22-07N Assumed
SD Radar?
?
Blip on
1203 (K)145-10E to be
21 Mi
Only
IFF
friendly

- 18-

— page 69 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

(H) ATTACK DATA

                                            TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT

U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1 PATROL NO. 8.
Time-2342(I) Date-16 July, 1944 Lat.18-20.5N Long.
119-42.5E.

                                        Target Data - Damage Inflicted

DESCRIPTION: A ten ship slow speed convoy including
one large tanker, one large modern AK and eight older,
large and medium, AK's. Escorted by at least four
small patrol boats. Convoy in two columns with tank-
er leading starboard column and modern large AK the
port column. The escorts were disposed on each bow
and quarter of the convoy. Original contact was by
sighting smoke after receiving PIRANHA'S contact
report which may have been on this convoy. An end
around was made during daylight, the convoy having
at least a two plane air coverage during the day.
The attack was delivered at night on the surface with
a good horizon in direction of convoy and a rain
squall astern of Guardfish. Ships were distinguish-
able at 10,000 yards.

Ship (s) Sunk:
(1) EU - Large Able Oboe - 10,000 tons. Ship dist-
    inguishable as a large tanker. It being the
    most outstanding feature of any ship in the
    convoy.
(2) EU - Similar to A Kagi Maru - 7,400 tons. This
    ship caught fire and burned brightly. Its fea-
    tures were noted carefully and readily ident-
    ified as one of this class by the type select-
    system ONI-208J (revised).
(3) EU - Similar to Aden Maru - 5,800 tons. Fea-
    tures clearly distinguishable in bright light
    cast by (2) burning. Identified from ONI-208J
    (revised).
(4) EU - Similar to Aden Maru - 5,800 tons. Same
    as three.

NOTE: Reported #3 as probably sunk by despatch be-
fore information of the attack was correlated. #4 seen
to sink by C.O. and two lookouts. #3 seen to sink by
OOD and two lookouts and identified by OOD.
Ship (s) Damaged or Probably Sunk.

— page 70 —
CONFIDENTIAL

(2) Commenced burning immediately upon being hit;
    burned for one hour and fifteen minutes then
    blew up with a large explosion.
(3) Broke in half and sank about five minutes after
    being hit. Both halves seen to sink.
(4) Seen to sink bows first.

Target Draft-24-29' Course-220° Speed-7.5kts Range
3300 yards.

Own Ships Data

Speed-9 kts. Course-300° Depth-Surface Angle-0(At firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

TYPE ATTACK:

Night surface attack using radar ranges and TBT
bearings. Six fish were fired at a 5 ship overlap-
ping target with two ships in far column being over-
lapped by three ships in the near column so as to
give one long target. The two ships in the far col-
umn were used for the points of aim. Three torpedoes,
using a divergent spread from aft forward, were fir-
ed at each of the two ships. By luck, rather than
mathematical reasoning, the five ships still
formed one continuous line when the torpedoes hit result-
ing in six hits and four ships sunk.
To decide upon method of attack, Guardfish after
approaching from the port beam, and locating escorts
on port side as being on bow and quarter of port column,
about two thousand yards off the track, took position
11,000 yards ahead of convoy in order to locate star-
board escorts and to get a clear picture of the convoy
arrangement. It was then decided the port flank of-
fered best opportunity for an undetected attack, be-
cause of the visibility conditions then existing; de-
spite the fact that the most desirable target was
loading tanker in the starboard column. Upon reaching this
decision it was also decided to use the tanker (load-
ed, starboard column) as the target and attempt
to gain a favorable position on it, making it easy
to shift targets in case of an unfavorable zig or
if the desired position could not be attained. Guard-
fish then hauled out on the port flank; then slowly cl-
osed the track bows on to the escort on port bow of
target. In this way the escort was safely avoided
and the most desirable firing opportunity presented it-
self making it impossible to miss. It was like spray-
ing the ground with buck shot - They all had to land.

- 20 -

— page 71 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL
After firing the bow tubes the ship was maneuvered
to bring the stern tubes to bear on the other ships in the
convoy, but a favorable position was not attained before
the hits on the first group caused the other ships to
scatter.
Five minutes after hitting all ships were accounted
for and it was merely a question of deciding which one
to select for attack number two.

- 21 -

— page 72 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

                                                                ATTACK #1

Tubes Fired         -       #1        #2        #3        #4        #5        #6
Track Angle         -       108°P     110°P     112°P     94°P      95½°P     97½°P
Gyro Angle          -       351½°     349½°     347½°     356°      351½°     342½°
Depth Set           -       8'        8'        8'        8'        8'        8'
Power               -       -         -         -         -         -         -
Hit or Miss         -       Hit       Hit       Hit       Hit       Hit       Hit
Erratic             -       No        No        No        No        No        No
Mark Torpedo        -       18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1
Serial No.          -       54357     54738     54596     54638     54376     54589
Mark Exploder       -       8-5       8-5       8-5       8-5       8-5       8-5
Serial No.          -       9251      9327      8346      8297      7988      8509
Actuation Set       -       Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact
Actuation Actual    -       Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact
Mark Warhead        -       18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1
Serial No.          -       1949      1655      1713      1854      1892      1756
Explosive           -       Torpex    Torpex    Torpex    Torpex    Torpex    Torpex
Firing Interval     -       -         15S       15S       15S       12S       12S
Type Spread         -       1°R       O         1°L       1°R       O         1°L

Sea Conditions      - Long Swells, phosphorescent.
Overhaul Activity   -Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Remarks             - (1) Shifted targets between firing #3 and #4
                          tubes.
                      (2) Started swinging right after fourth tor-
                          pedo was fired.

                                      - 22 -

— page 73 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 PATROL NO. 8
Time-0042(I) Date-17 July, 1944 Lat.-18-17.5N Long.
119-50.0E.

                       Target Data - Damage Inflicted

DESCRIPTION: One of the ships of the convoy that scattered
after attack #1. It was headed toward the southeast. This
ship had the appearance of another of the "Aden Maru" class
and by binocular formula had a length of 435'.

Ship Sunk:
(1) EU - "Aden Maru" class - 5800 tons.

Ship (s) Damaged Or Probably Sunk. - - -

Damage Determined by:
(1) Saw two hits.
    Saw ship roll over on starboard side; disappeared
    from sight and radar screen at range of 7,700 yards.

Target Draft-26' Course-145°T Speed-7½kts. Range-2740
yards (At firing)
                                Own Ships Data

Speed-14 kts Course-224°T Depth-Surface Angle-0 (At firing)

                       Fire Control and Torpedo Data

TYPE ATTACK:

    Night surface using radar ranges and TBT bearings.
    Closed the target from starboard quarter, tracking to
    2000 yards then swung to bring stern tubes to bear.
    There was a short delay after swinging, while the target
    zigged away, thereby increasing the firing range. Three
    torpedoes aft were fired using a divergent spread and all
    three would have hit if the second torpedo had not gone
    out with a five degree off set in bearing through a con-
    trol error. However, the first and third torpedoes hit
    and the target was soon on its side and disappeared.

- 23 -

— page 74 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
ATTACK #2
Tubes Fired
#7
#8 #9
Track Angle
92°S
87°S
96°S
Gyro Angle
192½°
187½°
197°
Depth Set
-
8'
8'
8'
Power
-
-
-
Hit or Miss
-
Hit
Miss
Hit
Erratic
-
No
No *
No
Mark Torpedo
-
18-1
18-1
18-1
Serial no.
-
54404 54425 54368
Mark Exploder
-
8-5
8-5
8-5
Serial No.
-
9241
9268 16876
Actuation Set
-
Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual
-
Contact
-
Contact
Mark Warhead
-
18-1
18-1
18-1
Serial No.
-
1600
1935
8382
Explosive
Torpex Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval
-
-
10s
10s
Type Spread
1½°L
0
1°R
Sea Conditions
-
Phosphorescent sea, long swells.
Overhaul Activity -Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Remarks
*
TBT reader made 5º error in reading off bear-
ing. This incorrect bearing was used in TDC
for this shot.

- 24 -

— page 75 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                          CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3 PATROL NO. 8
Time-0257(I) Date 17 July, 1944 Lat.-18-09.7N Long.
119-49.0E.

                     Target Data - Damage Inflicted

DESCRIPTION: Single ship from convoy of attack No. 1.
Had gone off to north eastward and was now on a south-
easterly course with one escort on its starboard quarter.

Ship Sunk: - NONE.

Ship Damaged or Probably Sunk - NONE

Damage determined by ----

Target Draft-29' Course-240°T Speed-7½ kts Range 2580
yards (At firing)
                     Own Ships Data

Speed-3 kts. Course-160°T Depth-Surface Angle-0 (At
firing)

                     Fire Control and Torpedo Data

TYPE ATTACK:

     Two hours after first attack commenced tracking this
target. Had decided upon a stern tube attack so took
position ahead and waited for target to close. Remained
on port bow of the target. At 0257(I) after tracking for
1 hour and twenty one minutes, became impatient and fir-
ed though expecting a zig toward at any moment. Within one
minute after firing saw target commence swinging toward
the port bow, therefore knew that torpedoes would miss.
So went ahead at flank speed and swung left toward the target preparing
two bow tubes for firing on attack No. 4.

- 25 -

— page 76 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
ATTACK #3
Tubes Fired
#7
#8
Track Angle
63°P
66½°P
Gyro Angle
196½°
193°
Depth set
8'
8'
Power
-
-
Hit or Miss
Miss
Miss
Erratic -
No
No
Mark Torpedo
18-1
18-1
Serial No.
54380
54582
Mark Exploder
8-5
8-5
Serial No.
7946
9418
Actuation Set
Contact
Contact
Actuation Actual
-
-
Mark Warhead
18-1
18-1
Serial No.
1788
1514
Explosive
Torpex
Torpex
Firing Interval -
-
10s
Type Spread -
7/8°R
7/8°1
Sea Conditions
-
Phosphorescent Sea, long swells.
Overhaul Activity - Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Remarks
-
Target zigged toward just after firing. Torpedoes
missed ahead.

- 26 -

— page 77 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. GUARD FISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 4 PATROL NO. 8
Time-0303(I) Date-17 July, 1944 Lat. 18-09.7N Long.
119-40.0E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

DESCRIPTION: A continuation of attack No. 3. At a range
of 1000 yards this ship was identified as having a sil-
houette similar to "Atago Maru", 7,500 tons with a length
of 475' by the binocular formula.

Ship (s) Sunk - - -

Ship Damaged or Probably Sunk:
(1) Similar to "Atago Maru" - 7,500 tons.

Damage Determined:
(1) Saw two hits. One aft, one forward. Saw ship start
to stop and settle by stern. It slowed down but did not
immediately. Disappeared from radar screen at 13,000
yards range. It is believed this ship eventually
sank, but Guardfish cleared area without witnessing
same.

Target Draft-29' Course-220° Speed-7¼ kts. Range-1250
yards (At firing)
Own Ships Data
Speed-3 kts Course-305° Depth-Surface Angle-0 (At firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

TYPE ATTACK:

When it was seen that torpedoes of attack #3 would
miss, swung left with full rudder and headed for ship,
stopping own propellors so as not to get too close
fore forward tubes were ready. Kept ships head pointed
just ahead of target so as to have close to zero angle
on firing. Commenced firing with 1250 yard range, 95
port track. Immediately started swinging right and went
ahead flank to clear this ship. It is hard to realize
that Guardfish was not seen because a minimum range of
900 yards was reached, before the range started open-
ing. Guardfish hauled clear to northward. Two hits were
seen made on the target.

- 27 -

— page 78 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL

ATTACK #4
Tubes Fired - | #3 | #4
Track Angle - | 95°P | 96°P
Gyro Angle - | 000 | 000
Depth Set - | 8' | 8'
Power - | - | -
Hit or Miss - | Hit | Hit
Erratic - | No | No
Mark Torpedo - | 18-1 | 18-1
Serial No. - | 54609 | 54631
Mark Exploder - | 8-5 | 8-5
Serial No. - | 7990 | 9269
Actuation Set - | Contact | Contact
Actuation Actual - | Contact | Contact
Mark Warhead - | 18-1 | 18-1
Serial No. - | 1822 | 1801
Explosive - | Torpex | Torpex
Firing Interval - | - | 10S
Type Spread - | NONE | NONE
Sea Conditions - Phosphoresent sea, long swells.
Overhaul Activity - Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Remarks -

- 28 -

— page 79 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5 PATROL NO. 2
Time-1822(I) Date-18 July, 1944 Lat. 20-27N Long.
119-11E

                       Target Data - Damage Inflicted

DESCRIPTION: A large convoy composed of two aircraft
carriers (Type unknown) two large tankers, one seaplane
tender, one large transport (similar to Hokoku Maru),
and several other transports and naval auxiliaries includ-
ing the "Ayatosan Maru", escorted by several destroyers
loomed up out of a rain squall at a range of about
11-12,000 yards. The exact number, types, and disposit-
ion of the ships were never determined. The convoy was
on base course 215°T, speed 15 knots. Visibility was
very poor due to rain squalls and high seas washing over
the periscope. The "Ayatosan Maru", leading the port
column and the closest ship was selected as the target.
Due to lack of time and the better farther ships were not
recognized as such until range was about 6000 yards.
There was a tanker astern of the selected target. The
formation was in two or more columns and all ships noted
were flying the National Ensign.

Ship Sunk:
(1) EU - Naval Auxiliary similar to the "Ayatosan Maru"
    9,800 tons.

Ship (s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: - - -

Damage Determined By:

    Two hits were heard at correct time. Immediately
afterwards it was noted where one hit had been made
about 50' abaft the stack. The ship was seen to list
quickly to port and had settled to where the main deck
was nearly awash and much activity in vicinity of the
life boats. When forced deep; breaking up noises, assoc-
iated with a sinking ship were heard, starting 14 minutes
after the first hit and ending 5 minutes later with a
muffled explosion. 47 minutes later a destroyer was
seen maneuvering in vicinity of attack as if recovering
survivors.

Target Draft-29' Course-180°T Speed-15 kts. Range
1370 yards (At firing)

                       Our Ships Data

Speed-4 kts. Course-290°T Depth-61' Angle-1° down (At
Firing)

                             - 29 -

— page 80 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                      CONFIDENTIAL

TYPE ATTACK:

          Day periscope. When target was sighted at 11,000
yard range it had a large port angle on bow. Came to nor-
mal approach course and ran at high speed. Came to normal
and continued to run at high speed when target zig-
ged toward. At 60' seas were washing over the periscope
continually and it was necessary to run at 2/3 speed or
higher to maintain depth. The target made three succes-
ive zigs toward until an ideal firing point was reached.
It was thought that it would be possible to fire at this
ship and also at the tanker astern of it. Therefore
three torpedoes with a divergent spread were fired at
this ship and an immediate shift was made to the tanker.
Before firing could commence the first hit took place
and the tanker started to swing toward at an 800 yard
range. In order to obviate the possibility of any trouble
Guardfish resorted to deep submergence.

- 30 -

— page 81 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                        CONFIDENTIAL
                                    ATTACK #5

Tubes Fired -                             #1          #2          #3
Track Angle -                             70½°P       77½°P       83½°P
Gyro Angle -                              359½°       352½°       346½°
Depth Set -                               15'         15'         15'
Power -                                   -           -           -
Hit or miss -                             Hit         Hit         Miss
Erratic -                                 No          No          NO
Mark Torpedo -                            18-1        18-1        18-1
Serial No. -                              54669       55041       54595
Mark Exploder -                           8-5         8-5         8-5
Serial No. -                              8147        8054        8449
Actuation Set -                           Contact     Contact     Contact
Actuation Actual -                        Contact     Contact     -
Mark Warhead -                            18-1        18-1        18-1
Serial No. -                              1643        1883        1945
Explosive -                               Torpex      Torpex      Torpex
Firing Intervals -                        -           10S         10S
Type Spread -                             3°R         0           1½°L

Sea Conditions - Thirty feet seas.
Overhaul Activity - Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Remarks -
          Miss due to normal spread. Used speed 15.5 knots.
          Recheck shows best speed 15 knots.

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— page 82 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 6 PATROL NO. 8
Time-0743(I) Date-19 July 1944 Lat. 20-07N Long. 118-20E

                         <u>Target Data - Damage Inflicted</u>

DESCRIPTION: Radar contact was established at 22,500
yards, bearing 235°T at 0532(I). Immediately started
tracking and attempting to gain position ahead. Tar-
get tracked on course 350°T. At 0610 considered it ad-
visable to dive because of day light and desire not to
be spotted. Made periscope contact at 0639 to find con-
voy had changed base course to 050°T. Visibility varied
with frequent rain squalls obscuring target. The con-
voy was seen to consist of three large and three medium
AK's with only one escort seen, though more were known
to be present. Only two of the AK's were identified,
one being a large modern AK, and the other being the
ship sunk.

Ship Sunk:
(1) EU - Similar to the "Hoeisan Maru" - 6,100 tons.
        Identification made by type selector ONI 208J (rev-
        ised) during the approach.

Ship (s) Damaged or Probably Sunk: - - -
(1) UN - Medium AK - 4,000 tons.
        No attempt was made to identify this ship
        though it is believed to have been nearly
        the same size as the one sunk.

Target draft-29' Course-050°T Speed-7½ kts. Range 950
yards (At firing)
                         <u>Own Ships Data</u>[HANDWRITTEN: ✓]
Speed-4kts. Course-130°T Depth-61' Angle-1° down (At
firing)

                    <u>Fire Control and Torpedo Data</u>

TYPE ATTACK:
     Day-submerged-periscope. When periscope contact was
made a large modern AK was selected as the target and ap-
proach made on this. The convoy had an escort out about
2000 yards on the port bow and it was necessary to go
down to 120' in order to permit this escort to pass over.
Difficulty was encountered in returning to periscope depth,
it taking 11 minutes to go down and come back up, and when
periscope depth was again reached the target was past
with an unfavorable track and gyro angle. Therefore a
shift was made to the next target astern and six minutes

                               - 32 -

— page 83 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                CONFIDENTIAL

after returning to periscope depth fired four torpedoes
at this target using a divergent spread. This ship was
overlapping another ship 1500 yards on the other side
and two hits resulted in the near target (witnessed)
and one timed hit in the far target. Guardfish turned right
immediately after firing in an effort to clear but was
forced deep by the next ship astern after losing depth
control. The approach was made on a 100° port track
throughout, into heavy seas. The third torpedo fired
made a circular run passing over the maneuvering room of
this ship.

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— page 84 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
ATTACK #6
Tubes Fired
-
#2
#4
#5
#6
Track Angle -
90°P
96°P
102°P
109°P
Gyro Angle
-
010°
004°
357°
351°P
Depth Set
-
14'
14'
14'
14'
Power
-
-
-
-
Hit or Miss
Hit
Hit
Miss
Hit
Erratic
-
No
NO
Yes
No
→ Mark Torpedo -
18-1
18-1
18-1
18-1
→ Serial No.
-
54388
54622
54750
54744
Mark Exploder -
8-5
8-5
8-5
8-5
→ Serial NO.
-
9227
8032
9411
8424
→ Actuation Set
-
Contact Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual
-
Contact Contact
-
Contact
→ Mark Warhead
-
18-1
18-1
18-1
18-1
→ Serial No.
-
1363
1572
1974
2205
Explosive
-
Torpex
Torpex
Torpex
Torpe x
Firing Interval
-
-
105
10s
108
Type Spread
-
6°R
2°R
2°L
6°L
Sea Conditions
-
Twenty foot seas.
Overhaul Activity
-
Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Remarks
→
(The third torpedo made a circular run passing
over the maneuvering room. The fourth torpedo
made timed hit on a target 1500 yards farther
away.

- 34 -

— page 85 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                     CONFIDENTIAL

(I) MINES
    No comments.

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS

    No new measures were encountered. All convoy
escorts usually disposed on the bows and quarters of the
convoy, and during day light periods had air cover. This
air cover is considered inadequate, both in number and
in effectiveness. The screen would have been more effect-
ive against a Submarine gaining position ahead if they
made occasional searches out from the immediate vicinity
of the convoy.

    Sound conditions were in general very poor, and in
each instance when forced to take evasive measures at deep
depths, a large temperature gradient was found to exist.
Sound contact was never established with the Guardfish
but the general precaution of keeping the stern to hunters
and running at 80 RPM was followed. This latter
is standard procedure aboard this ship, usually combined
with fish-tailing.

    Use of MK XVIII torpedoes, and therefore failure to
leave a point of origin, greatly assisted in evasion.

    The detection by aircraft on July 5, 1944 was a res-
ult of air bubbles, and it is suspected, though never
determined, a fuel leak from #3 FBT. Air leaks were
never stopped though every effort was made to do so.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE

    (A) HULL

        1. Air leaks.
            (a) The port side of #3 air bank (in MBT #2B)
                leaked and was bled down.
            (b) Bow buoyancy tank blow was ground in ten
                times during the patrol and still leaked.
                The seat is off center with the disc. No
                adequate refacing tools are on board.
            (c) All tanks showed varying amounts of bubbles
                which continued from four to eight hours
                after submerging. No apparent cause could
                be found, but 600# hammer valves and both
                emergency group blow supply valves were
                ground in in an effort to remedy. The leaks
                or indications were greatest in MBT #1
                and #7.

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— page 86 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTI
(d) With all vents closed, all impulse bottles
(all of which leak) forward blown down,
200# and high pressure air blown down,
superstructure bubbles would continue
almost steadily for periods exceeding
three hours after submerging.

2. Periscopes

Both periscopes bound badly in train.
The periscopes were removed at Pearl Har-
bor prior to start of patrol, and the bear-
ings were found to be badly scored. How-
ever, instead of renewing the bearings,
they were smoothed off by lapping, and
started binding again within a week. Both
periscopes were stoned down twice during
patrol, keeping both in commission. #2
is in particularly bad shape.

3. Negative Tank

After blowing, followed by quick vent-
ing of negative tank at 300' on 2 July 1944,
it was apparent that negative tank either
leaked by the gasket or was ruptured or
both. Rupture was indicated by the large
amount of air bubbles from MBT #2-A after
blowing negative.

4. Forward Trim Tank

Following a deep dive on 14 July, it
was noted that this tank had water leak-
ing into it. The cause is probably a
grease line through the tank.

(B) MACHINERY - ELECTRICAL

1. #2 Main generator was placed out of commis-
sion on 21 June due to oil leakage between
the faces on the main bearing at the for-
ward end. The forward end of the casing
was removed, the bearing rolled out, and
the inside of the casing cleaned. Re-
assembly was completed at 0900, 22 June,
and no further trouble was experienced.

2. The follow-up motor on the master gyro-
compass became very noisy and erratic with
bad sparking on 22 July. The spare fol-
low-up motor was installed and gave satis-
factory but noisy performance.

- 36 -

— page 87 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                CONFIDENTIAL

3. The following pressure proof circuits flooded
   out during depth charging at deep submergence
   on 5 July:

   1. Forward Target Bearing Transmitter.
   2. Side lights.
   3. Searchlight.

4. The cable from the I.C. M.G. supply box in the
   pump room to the I.C. board is too small and
   became badly overheated when both I.C. M.G.
   sets were running.

5. The motor on #2 H.P. air compressor was flood-
   ed with salt water and badly grounded. The
   motor was cleaned up and made operative by
   jumping out the bottom interpole. This
   motor will be given a complete overhaul dur-
   ing the coming refit.

(C) MACHINERY - MECHANICAL

1. Shortly after starting #3 main engine on 22
   July, #10 unit seized. The unit was renewed.
   The seizure is believed to have been caused by
   a scuffed piston. At time of seizure, engine
   had a total of 4660 hours operation and 642 hours
   since last overhaul.

2. After 237 hours operation #1 set of evaporat-
   ors began to make salty water caused by a
   leaky coil. These coils have 3100 hours op-
   eration and have had 7 acid cleanings and
   two mechanical cleanings.

3. Linkage on out board exhaust valve of #3 main
   engine had to be adjusted from topside on 3
   July due to heavy leakage.

(L) RADIO

   In general the reception of the Haiku Schedule was
fair to good. No serial numbers were missed and only
ten Haiku numbers. These were "P" nos. 300 to 310 which
leads to the belief they were never transmitted. Be-
cause of submerged running during the day, the majority
of the schedule was copied at night. The best frequency
found to be 9090 kcs. with 6380 kcs the next best. The
few days spent on the surface showed that 14,390 kcs gave
the best reception. The first check on the high power
17,370 kcs. came on leaving the area and it was then found
to give much better results than 14,390 kcs.

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— page 88 —
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
The ship to shore frequency 8470 kcs was best for trans-
missions. The only reason suggested for this is that the
shore personnel are more alert on this frequency than they
are on the higher harmonics. One serial was transmitted
after much delay on 12,705 kcs. Only once did anyone
answer up on 16,940 kcs. and in this case,communications
between ship and shore were very good.

It was found impossible to transmit a message between
0300 (I) and 0700 (I) because no one could be raised.

(M) RADAR

1. SD-A - On the way to the area the equipment was
operated at 120.7 mc in an attempt to use a higher fre-
quency setting. However, operation became increasingly
unstable with a strong tendency for the equipment to
operate on another frequency and sometimes two frequen-
cies at the same time. Minor adjustments, such as
diplex tuning, antenna coupling tuning, and filament
tuning failed to help. Therefore, the frequency was
lowered to 117.5 mc by changing the frequency of the
transmitter. This gave stable operation during the
remainder of the patrol. It is felt however, that
the SD-A equipment is not giving maximum response
and will be given a careful check and tuning dur-
ing refit. The reliable range for planes was only 8
miles.

2. BK - Triggered once when a plane of unknown nat-
ionality was in sight on June 29, 1944 in position Lat.
21°-30'N Long. 136°-55'E. It triggered again for a per-
iod of 45 minutes on July 15, 1944 in position Lat. 19°-
00'N Long. 118°-45'E when it is known no friendly planes
were in the vicinity.

3. SJ-a - The SJ was up to its usual high standard
of performance which has come to be accepted in this
ship. The slotted type reflector screen eliminated ghost
pips. Only one casualty occurred, that being a condenser
in the bias regulator circuit of the transmitter break-
ing down.

4. Enemy Radar or Radar jamming was evident on two
occasions during the patrol, and in the opinion of the
Commanding Officer it was an attempt at jamming. It
was first encountered when an enemy patrol boat was seen
the night of July 5, 1944 in position latitude 21°-08'N
longitude 121°-08'E. The range was approximately 24,000
yards bearing 310°T when this interference was first not-
iced, and range was closed to 7500 yards without detection
before opening the range. The second occurrence was during

- 38 -

— page 89 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

during the tracking and attacks on the enemy convoy dur-
ing the night of July 16, 1944 in position latitude 18°-
17'N longitude 120°-01'E. Here the range was about 30,
000 yards bearing 330°T when the interference first show-
ed on the radar. In both instances, the effect on our SJ
appeared only periodically and were identical in charact-
eristic. (See drawing below)

The indications came in throughout the 360° sweep
on both scopes of own ship's radar, but were strong enough
to "jam" only ship's PPI scope for a section of about
20°. The indications could not have emanated from friend-
ly sources in either case, and though the APR was tuned
through its frequency range on both occasions, no read-
ings were obtained. The type of radar installed is the
SJ-a equipment with a type 706AY magnetron.

(a) Pulse width of radar approximately 4 or 5 micro
seconds.
(b) With our pulse rate adjusted to 1500 p.p.s.
about 8 pulses appeared on precision sweep.
(c) Enemy radar produced high grass on range scope
and cloudy effect on PPI. (high snow)

Picture of interference on both scopes.

[HANDWRITTEN: PPI Scope]                                [HANDWRITTEN: Range Scope (Precision)]           [HANDWRITTEN: Range Scope (SJ)]
[HANDWRITTEN: Starburst]                                [HANDWRITTEN: (off bearing)]                    [HANDWRITTEN: on bearing]
[HANDWRITTEN: Screen Cloudy]                            [HANDWRITTEN: High Grass]                       [HANDWRITTEN: Very High Grass]
[HANDWRITTEN: Spokes "all]                              [HANDWRITTEN: False Bearing]                    [HANDWRITTEN: Trailing Effect"]
[HANDWRITTEN: around 12° back]                          [HANDWRITTEN: Across Screen]                    [HANDWRITTEN: Across Screen]
[HANDWRITTEN: Jammed Completely]

5. APR-1 - RADAR DETECTOR - This detector, with TN-2
and TN-3A tuning units which permit a sweep from 80
mc to 1000 mc, did not pick up an enemy radar signal during the

- 39 -

— page 90 —
CONFIDENTIAL

patrol. It is recommended that this ship be furnished the
higher tuningunit, TN-4, to permit sweeping higher frequ-
ency ranges.

(N) SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS

The sound gear gave a highly efficient performance.
As has been noted before in this ship, the QB was gener-
ally more proficient in picking up propellor noises than
the JK.

The JP was very effective. Under most conditions it
was able to pick up and track propellors long before the
supersonic gear established contact. On one occasion the
JP gave bearings on screws at a minimum range of 14 miles.
Position latitude 19°-07'N longitude 119°-57'E.

Except as noted above sound conditions varied from
bad to fair. On one occasion in position latitude 20°-
27'N longitude 119°-11'E on July 18, 1944 first echo-rang-
ing was heard at range of about 8000 yards. Seas were
high and numerous rain squalls in direction of A/S vessel.
On July 19, 1944 in latitude 20°-07'N longitude 118°-20'E
screws were not heard until at a range of about 3000 yards.

When at deep submergence 1500 yards was considered
maximum range on propellor noises.

The A/S vessel or vessels making the counter-attack
following the attack on July 19, 1944 undoubtedly had
depth charge throwers in order to have two depth charges
go off so close to this ship.

(O) DENSITY LAYERS

The following bathythermograph cards were obtained
and are being forwarded:

DATE           TIME (GCT)           LAT.           LONG.

2 July         0030                 21-35N         123-30E
9 July         0900                 21-29N         122-32E
16 July        2230                 18-53N         119-59E
18 July        0900                 20-28N         119-12E
18 July        2300                 20-05N         118-19E

It is noted that the layers were fairly consistent
in the Luzon Strait westward of the Batan and Babuyan Is-
lands - with an isothermal from surface down to a point
between 100' and 200', and a 10° to 15° negative grad-
ient between that point and 300'.

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— page 91 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

(P) HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY.

    (a) HEALTH

        The health of all hands was excellent. This is
    attributed to the long rest all hands received during
    Navy Yard Overhaul.

        One case of syphilis developed the third day out
    of Midway. Case isolated.

        One case of gonorrhea developed the third day out
    of Midway and was cured on board.

    (b) FOOD

        The food and its preparation was excellent throu-
    ghout the patrol.

    (c) HABITABILITY

        Habitability was excellent.

(Q) PERSONNEL

    Number men on board 73
    Number Qualified start of Patrol----- 39
    Number Qualified end of Patrol------- 45
    Number Advanced During Patrol1
    Number Transferred end of Patrol----- 18

    BuPers Circular Letter 134-44 prevented making any
advancements during the patrol. There are several men on
board ready, eligible, and deserving of advancement, but
no vacancies existed. The defect is being corrected by
transfers at end of patrol.

    The state of training of the crew is high. All hands
attended the schools applicable and available during Navy
Yard Overhaul. Training in "School of the Boat" was con-
ducted daily for all non-qualified men. This School con-
sisted of an officer lecturing one half of the class on
the general arrangement of a particular system, while
the other half was divided into small groups of four, each
assigned to a leading Petty Officer for detailed instruc-
tion and demonstration on a particular subject. The per-
formance of duty of all officers and men in combat leaves
nothing to be desired. This is attested to by the excel-
lent performance of this ship on this patrol.

    To Lieutenant Commander A. K. Tyree, U.S.N. goes most
of the credit for making this highly successful patrol
possible.

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— page 92 —
CONFIDENTIAL
(R) MILES (RPM) STEAMED - FUEL USED
CONFIDENTIAL
Base to Area
(Pearl Harbor)
4535.2 miles
54465 gallsna
In area
3611.2 miles
44992 gallons
Area to Base
(Midway)
2962.8 miles
34800 gallons
(S) DURATION
Days enroute to area
15
Days in Area
22
Days enroute to base
10
Days submerged
17
(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING
TOR PEDES | FUEL | PROVISIONS | PERSONNEL FACTOR
3 | 1000 | 30 | 30
Limiting factor this patrol - TOR PEDOES, FUEL, and MAT-
ERIEL.

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— page 93 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                              CONFIDENTIAL

(U) REMARKS

(1) The following Wolf Pack ideas are recommended for
consideration by proper authorities:

(a) When possible, Packs be increased to five
submarines. It is believed that this will give the op-
timum in Pack operations. With intelligent use of SJ radar
and communications two submarines can operate on the same
flank of a convoy without danger and interference.
(b) That several code vocabularies be prepared
and four frequencies in the two thousand band be perm-
anently assigned for use with each code. The frequencies
shift at 0000 zebra daily; with the day of the month,
to be used, also designated. That specific calls be
assigned with each code. That each Pack commander be pro-
vided copies of all codes in order that communications may
be established between the pack commanders if necessary.
CW in the 2000 kc band is considered the best method of
communications within Packs.
(c) That Area 11 Delete be extended south to at
least 17°N and that it be further subdivided to permit three
packs to work the area bounded by a line drawn from South
Point of Formosa to North Coast of Luzon at longitude 121°E
thence south along west coast of Luzon to the southern
boundary of the area, west to 117°E thence north along 117°E
until it intersects the present northern boundary of 11 Des-
troy thence northeastward, as at present, to the West Coast
of Formosa. That one pack be assigned the remainder of
11 Destroy and that the eastern halves of 11 Detect and 11
Delete be combined into one area. A safety lane can be
provided as at present even though it may be in the middle
of an area. The recommendation is made in order that the
most profitable areas may be saturated with submarines.

(2) The Commanding Officer, Officers and all hands were,
and are, enthusiastic over the performance of the MK XVIII
torpedo and particularly desire to carry a full load on each
patrol.

(3) The following comments on the MK XVIII torpedo
are submitted:

(a) Considerable trouble was experienced with the
hydrogen burner circuit in that it was impossible to main-
tain the amperage within the proper limits. There was a
constant fluctuation from 4.1 to 5.3 amps. With a constant
voltage the amperage would fluctuate as much as 0.3 amps
from day to day. One reason for the hydrogen explosion in
torpedo #54609 was a drop from 4.5 to 4.1 amps in one day
in the hydrogen burner. The lead titted bulbs in the hy-
drogen circuit were unsatisfactory, the tits wearing off

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— page 94 —
CONFIDENTIAL
and bulbs jumping out from vibration. The screw-in type
of socket and bulb would be much better.

Individual rheostats on each burning circuit with an
ammeter and a rotary selector switch would provide means for keep-
ing a constant check on the circuits.

(b) Charging procedure:

After a system was worked out it cut down the
time of charging considerably. Using a spare skid it took
three days to charge 16 torpedoes forward and two days to
charge 8 torpedoes aft.

In the forward room it was found easier and
safer to charge if the torpedo was completely withdrawn
from the tube and secured in the spare skid. The proc-
edure was:

FIRST DAY

. Tube #1, its reload and reload for tube #4.
. Tube #2, its reload and reload for tube #3.

SECOND DAY

. Tube #3, its outboard reload and reload for tube #6.
. Tube #4, its outboard reload and reload for tube #5.

THIRD DAY

. Tube #5 withdrawn all the way and charged in spare
skid.
. Tube #6 withdrawn part way out of tube and charged.

Every other week the torpedoes in tubes #5 and #6 were
alternated on being completely withdrawn. When the torpedo
was completely withdrawn it was checked for dead cells.

In the after torpedo room the torpedoes were exchang-
ed from racks to the tubes.

Torpedoes were charged every seven or eight days.

(c) Casualties:

Torpedo #54609 - Battery explosion.
Reason - Hydrogen burner had dropped to 4.1 amps
and torpedo was ventilated before burn-
er had cooled down.
Damage - Blew off and destroyed all vent caps on
after battery. Damaged one cell top so
that vent cap could not be screwed back
on.
Repairs - Cell tops cleaned off, grounds removed
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— page 95 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                                CONFIDENTIAL
                                                and vent caps from the hot run torpedo
                                                installed on all except the one cell.
                                                Results-Fired and hit.

                                                Torpedo #54638 - Battery explosion.
                                                Reason - Undetermined.
                                                Damage - None.
                                                Repairs-Thoroughly checked and cleaned.
                                                Results-Ran hot, straight, and normal.

                                                Torpedo #54610 - Hot run in racks.
                                                Reason - In jumping out dead cell #19, jumper
                                                touched shell of torpedo. There was a
                                                ground on negative side of motor circuit
                                                or in motor switch and a short resulted,
                                                causing the motor to run.
                                                Damage - Full line voltage ground. Motor turned
                                                over for about 15 seconds with smoke
                                                coming out of #7 hand hole plate. Jump-
                                                er and shell of torpedo fuzed with lots
                                                of smoke and arcing. All liquid, in
                                                cell being jumped, blew out.
                                                Repairs-Battery cleaned up, motor disconnected
                                                from battery and battery recharged.
                                                Gravity after run was 1.225, voltage
                                                149. After charging gravity 1.266,
                                                voltage 161.
                                                Results-Torpedo set aside and no attempt made
                                                to overhaul.

                                                Torpedo #54750 - Circular run.
                                                This torpedo made a circular run when fired on
July 19, 1944.

                                                (d) Twenty torpedoes were fired.
                                                Fifteen hits were made.
                                                One torpedo ran circular.
                                                Two torpedoes missed when fired on a knuckle.
                                                One torpedo missed because of spread.
                                                TOTAL - 75%.

                                                - 45 -

— page 96 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
[HANDWRITTEN: Pat Ref #491]
[HANDWRITTEN: Guardfish - 8]

AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 27 June | 28 June | 28 June | 29 June | 5 July | 8 July |
| S | Time (Zone) | 0939(K) | 0646(K) | 1036(K) | 0829(K) | 0909(I) | 0344(I) |
| U | | | | | | | |
| B | Position: Lat. | 21-00N | 21-27N | 21-27N | 21-30N | 21-25N | 21-37N |
| M | Long. | 144-51E | 142-10E | 141-38E | 137-20E | 120-37E | 120-47E |
| A | | | | | | | |
| R | Speed | 15k | 11k | 11k | 11k | 2.6k | 11k |
| I | Course | 193° | 271° | 271° | 271° | 355° | 200° |
| N | Trim | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Per. | Surf. L.T. |
| E | Minutes Since Last | In use | In use | In use | In use | 204 | 0 |
| | SD Radar Search | at time. | at time. | at time. | at time. | | |
| | Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| A | Type | PBM? | Large | Betty | PBY? | Unk. | Unk. |
| I | | | Land | | | | |
| R | Probable Mission | Pat. | Unk. | Unk. | Unk. | H. | Unk. |
| C | How Contacted | Sight | Sight | Sight | Sight | Bombed | SD |
| R | Initial Range | 12mi | 15mi | 5+mi | 12mi | 0 | 8mi |
| A | Elevation Angle | 5° | 1° | 2° | 2° | Unk. | Unk. |
| F | Range & Relative | | | | | | |
| T | Bearing of Plane | ND | ND | ND | Unk. | Unk. | ND |
| | When It Detected | | | | | | |
| | S/M. | | | | | | |
| | (State (Beau- | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| C | Sea: | fort) | | | | | | |
| O | (Direction(Rel)) | 180° | 215° | 225° | 215° | 150° | 090° |
| N | Visibility (Miles) | 50mi | 35mi | 50mi | 50mi | 50mi | 40mi |
| D | (Height in | | | | | | |
| I | Clouds (Ft. | 1000' | 600' | 800' | 1000' | 600' | 600' |
| T | (Percent | 30% | 70% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 70% |
| I | Overcast | | | | | | |
| O | | | | | | | |
| N | Moon (Angle(Rel) | Day | Day | Day | Day | Day | 60° |
| S | (Percent | - | - | - | - | - | 70% |
| | Illum. | | | | | | |

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol 32/3SS-B.

ENCLOSURE (G)

— page 97 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
CONTACT NUMBER | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Date | 9 July | 12 July | 12 July | 16 July | 16 July | 24 July
S Time (Zone) | 0701(1) | 0521(1) | 0613(I) | 0954(1) | 1005(I) | 0908 (1)
U
Position: Lat. | 21-42N | 18-59N | 18-58N | 19-26N | 19-24N | 22-01N
B
Long. | 122-31E | 122-36E | 122-44E | 119-55E | 119-55E | 139-17E
M
A Speed | 2.6k | 15k | 16k | 15k | 15k | 14k
R
I Course | 000° | 090° | 130° | 170° | 170° | 090°
N
Trim | Per. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf.
E
Minutes Since Last 73 | In use | In use | In use | In use | 0 | 0
SD Radar Search | at time | at time | at time | at time | |
Number | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
A Type | Sally | Unk. | Emily | Happ | Mavis? | 2 Eng.
I | | | | | | Land.
R Probable Mission | Trans. | Esc. | Esc. | Esc. | Esc. | Unk.
C
How Contacted | Peris. | SJ | Sight | Sight | SD | Sight &
R | | | | | | SD Simul.
A Initial Range | 7 mi | 3 mi | 10mi | 12mi | 6 mi | llmi
F
Elevation Angle | 4° | Unk. | 2° | 2° | Unk. | 5°
T
Range & Relative | | | | | |
Bearing of Plane | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | Unk.
When It Detected | | | | | |
S/M | | | | | |
(State (Beau- | | | | | |
C Sea: (
fort) 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1
0
(Direction (Rel) | 090 | 035 | 000 | 010 | 010 | 045
N
Visibility (Miles) | 50mi | 30mi | 30mi | 50mi | 50mi | 50mi
I
(Height in | | | | | |
T Clouds: ( Ft. | 800' | 800' | 800' | 1000' | 1000' | 600'
I
(Percent | | | | | |
0
Overcast | 30% | 20% | 20% | 50% | 50% | 60%
N
S Moon(Angle
(Bearing (Rel) | Day | 060° | 030° | Day | Day | Day
20° | 15° | | |
-
(Percent | | | | | |
Illum. | - | 40% | 40% | - | - | -
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol 32/3SS-B.
ENCLOSURE (G)

— page 98 —
CONFIDENTIAL

AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

| CONTACT NUMBER | 13 | 14 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 24 July | 25 July | 25 July |
| S Time (Zone) | 0949(I) | 0853(K) | 1203(K) |
| U | | | |
| B Position: Lat. | 22-01N | 22-07N | 22-07N |
| M Long. | 139-21E | 144-26E | 145-10E |
| A Speed | 14k | 14k | 14k |
| R Course | 090° | 090° | 090° |
| I Trim | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. |
| N | | | |
| E Minutes Since Last O | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SD Radar Search | Number | ? | ? | 1 |
| A Type | ? | ? | Unk. |
| I | | | |
| R Probable Mission | Unk. | Unk. | Unk. |
| C How Contacted | SD | SD | SD |
| R Initial Range | 9mi | 12mi | 21mi |
| A | | | |
| F Elevation Angle | ? | ? | ? |
| T Range & Relative | ND | ND | Unk. |
| | Bearing of Plane | | Blip on |
| | When It Detected | | IFF |
| | S/M. | | |
| | | | |
| C Sea: (Beau- | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| O Fort) | | | |
| N Direction(Rel) | 045 | 010 | 010 |
| D Visibility (Miles) | 50mi | 50mi | 50mi |
| I | | | |
| T Clouds: (Height in | 600' | 800' | 1000' |
| I Ft. | | | |
| O (Percent | 60% | 60% | 60% |
| N | | | |
| S Moon: (Bearing (Rel) | Day | Day | Day |
| | Angle | | | |
| | (Percent | - | - | - |
| | Illum. | | | |

ENCLOSURE (G)

— page 99 —
COMMANDER SUBMARINE DIVISION EIGHTY-ONE
                                                                Care of Fleet Post Office,
                                                                San Francisco, California.

FB5-81/A16-3/Hr
Serial 026                                                      31 JULY 1944.

CONFIDENTIAL
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS GUARDFISH (SS217)
Report of War Patrol
No. 8.

From:           The Commander Submarine Division EIGHTY-ONE.
To :            The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. FLEET.
Via :           (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT.
                (2) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC
                    FLEET, Subordinate Command, Navy No. 1504.
                (3) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET.
                (4) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject:        U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of War
                Patrol Number EIGHT.

                1. The eighth war patrol of the GUARDFISH, the
first after a navy yard overhaul, comprised a period of 48
days of which 22 were spent in assigned areas in LUZON STRAIT.
GUARDFISH with THRESHER, PIRANHA and APOGON formed a coord-
inated Attack Group with Captain W.V. O'Regan as Task Group
Commander in GUARDFISH.

                2. GUARDFISH with a full load of Mark 18 torped-
oes in a period of 56 hours made six attacks on the enemy
convoys and obtained 15 hits out of 20 torpedoes fired. One
torpedo, an erratic run, passed over the maneuvering room.

                3. (a) ATTACKS Nos. 1 and 2. On 16 July GUARDFISH
made a masterful approach and daylight end-around on a convoy
of 10 ships and 4 or more escorts with plane coverage. During
the night surface attack after plane coverage left, she worked
into perfect position to obtain an overlapping target
and fired the forward nest of Mark 18's at a 5 ship target -
a large tanker and a large and two medium AK's. After
the convoy scattered GUARDFISH selected a radically zigging
AK and sunk it with 2 hits from a 3-torpedo salvo.

                (b) ATTACKS Nos. 3 and 4. About two hours
after attack No. 2 GUARDFISH fired two after tubes at a 7500
ton AK at a range of 2500 yards 65° track. These torpedoes
missed as target zigged but 6 minutes later GUARDFISH fired
two forward tubes at the same target and obtained two hits.
This ship took a list and an angle down by the stern and may
have sunk but there is no conclusive evidence to that fact.
It disappeared from the radar screen at a range of 13,000
yards whereas an escort at a range of 12,500 yards was still
visible.
                                                                -1-

— page 101 —
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to USS GUARDFISH Report of War Patrol No. 3.

6. This most outstanding patrol of GUARDFISH is the
fourth consecutive successful patrol for the present commanding
officer and occurring after a navy yard overhaul is evidence of
his ability to quickly develop a new efficient fighting unit.

7. The Commanding Officer, Officers and Crew are most
sincerely congratulated on this very outstanding patrol as is
also the Commander of the Task Group, Captain W.V. O'Regan,
on the damage inflicted on the enemy by the whole group.

8. It is recommended that GUARDFISH be credited with
inflicting the following damage to the enemy:

S U N K

1 - Large Tanker EU - 10,000 tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - Large Freighter (AKAGI MARU
    class EC - 7,400 tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - Freighter (ADEN MARU class)
    EC - 5,800 tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - Freighter (ADEN MARU class)
    EC - 5,800 tons (Attack No. 2)
1 - Large Naval Auxiliary
    (HOKOSAN MARU) EU - 9,800 tons (Attack No. 5)
1 - Freighter (HOEISAN MARU
    class) EC - 6,100 tons (Attack No. 6)
TOTAL - 50,700 tons.

D A M A G E D

1 - Large Freighter (ATAGO MARU
    class) EU - 7,500 tons (Attack No. 4)
1 - Medium Freighter (UN) - 4,000 tons (Attack No. 6)
TOTAL - 11,500 tons.

[SIGNATURE: W. J. Suits]
W. J. SUITS.

-3-

— page 102 —
FC5-8/A16-3
Serial: 086
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

COMMANDER SUBMARINE SQUADRON EIGHT
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
1 August 1944.

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217)
Report of War Patrol No. 8.

From: Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT.
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. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of War Patrol
Number Eight - Comments on.

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

2. July 16, 1944 is certainly an outstanding day in
the history of the U.S.S. GUARDFISH. After receiving the
initial contact report the Commanding Officer successfully
maneuvered the U.S.S. GUARDFISH against plane coverage to end-
around into a favorable position and after dark made a surface
attack on a 10 ship convoy with 4 or more escorts. The decision
to make the attack on the port flank because of the favorable
visibility conditions, despite the fact that the most desirable
target was on the starboard column, proved highly successful. As
soon as the leading ship of the starboard column, the initial
target, was hit and exploded the escorts no doubt believed that
the attack was made from starboard, thus little escort interference
was encountered. The U.S.S. GUARDFISH sank one (1) large tanker,
one (1) large freighter, two (2) medium freighters, and probably
sank or damaged another medium freighter during this night's
operation. During the attacks on 18 July and 19 July, in which
the U.S.S. GUARDFISH sank one (1) large naval auxiliary, one (1)
medium freighter, and damaged another medium freighter, heavy
enemy countermeasures prevented further attacks.

3. The material condition of the U.S.S. GUARDFISH
upon return from patrol was in general, very good, numerous air
leaks were prevalent throughout the patrol including the leakage
between number one negative and number two affirm main ballast tank. Every
effort will be made to correct these deficiencies during overhaul.
The U.S.S. GUARDFISH will receive a regular standard refit,
including docking, conducted by the squadron.

4. The Task Group Commander, Captain W. V. O'REGAN,
U. S. Navy, the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew are
congratulated on the outstanding success of this patrol.

W. M. DOWNES.

— page 103 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 8 03507]

FF12-10/A(16-3)(15)/(16)
Serial 01643
CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
GUARDFISH Report of
Eighth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 491
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - EIGHTH 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. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Eighth War
Patrol (14 June to 31 July 1944).

1. The eighth war patrol of the GUARDFISH was con-
ducted in the South China Sea Areas around Formosa. The GUARD-
FISH was one of four submarines forming a coordinated attack
group.

2. This patrol was one of the most outstanding made
in the war to date. Six torpedo attacks were conducted, all
of which were well planned, excellently executed, extremely
aggressive, and highly successful. Particularly outstanding
was the first attack made on the night of 16-17 July when six
torpedoes were fired at a group of five overlapping ships.
This attack resulted in the quick sinking of four of these
ships, including a large tanker and possibly an ammunition
ship. Of this convoy of ten ships, two more, totalling six,
were sunk within three and a half hours. All attacks were
made on the surface, taking full advantage of radar and camou-
flage. The following day a large Naval auxiliary was sunk in
an aggressive attack against a heavily escorted Naval convoy.
The last attack was made on the 19th of July and was another
aggressive and well planned daytime periscope attack.

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

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
congratulates the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew for
this most outstanding, aggressive and successful war patrol.
The fine score made on this patrol by the GUARDFISH creates
a new war record. The GUARDFISH is credited with having in-
flicted the following damage upon the enemy:

S U N K
1 - Large Tanker (class unknown) (EU)
(Attack No. 1)
- 1 -

SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET mr
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
8 August 1944
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

[HANDWRITTEN: ORIGINAL]
[HANDWRITTEN: MICRO]
[HANDWRITTEN: COMS]
[STAMP: EXTRA :]
[STAMP: SORG-000]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB]
[STAMP: OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]

— page 105 —
FF12-10/116-3(15)/(16) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 01643 Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
8 August 1944

CONFIDENTIAL NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to DESTROYED PRIOR TO
GUARDFISH Report of ENTERING PATROL AREA.
Eighth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 491
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - EIGHTH WAR PATROL.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Eighth War
Patrol (14 June to 31 July 1944).

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7)
CNO (5)
Cincpac (6)
Intel.Cen.Pac.Ocean Areas (1)
Comservpac (1)
Cinclant (1)
Comsublant (8)
S/M School, NL (2)
Comsopac (2)
ComsoWespac (1)
ComsubsoWespac (2)
CTF 72 (2)
Comnorpac (1)
Comsubspac (40)
SUBAD, ML (2)
ComsubspacSubordcom (3)
All Squadron and Division
Commanders, Pacific (2)
Substrainpac (2)
All Submarines, Pacific (1)

[HANDWRITTEN: G. L. Hymes 2nd]
E. L. HYMES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary.

— page 106 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

SS217/A16-3
Serial 041
C-O DECLASSIFIED -A-L

From:
To :
Via :
Subject:

Enclosure:

U.S.S. GUARDFISH
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
24 October 1944.

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. GUARDFISH.
Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Official Channels.

U.S.S. GUARDFISH, Report of War Patrol number
nine.

(A) Subject report.
(B) Track Chart for Commander Submarine Force,
Pacific Fleet.

1. Enclosure (A) covering the ninth war patrol of
this vessel, conducted in East China Sea, - Yellow Sea Area
during the period August 23, 1944 to October 24, 1944, is
forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: N. G. WARD]
N. G. WARD

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/30/22]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: 93552]

— page 107 —
CONFIDENTIAL

(A) PROLOGUE:

Arrived Midway July 31, 1944 from Eighth War Patrol.
Refitted by U.S.S. FULTON and Submarine Division Eighty-
two. Docked. No major items of work accomplished.

Two days and one night of training during which
three torpedoes were fired. Not sound tested or deperm-
ed. Ready for Sea August 23, 1944.

(B) NARRATIVE

August 23 to August 31, 1944

1415(Y) Departed Midway on Ninth War Patrol in company
          with U.S.S. THRESHER, as a unit of a coordinat-
          ed Patrol Group composed of U.S.S. SUNFISH,
          U.S.S. THRESHER, and U.S.S. GUARDFISH, in Area
          Nine and Twelve in accordance with ComSubPac
          Secret OpOrd 284-44 of August 17, 1944. Es-
          corted by planes until sunset.
1514(Y) Made trim and deep dive.
          Crossed 180th meridian and skipped August
          24, 1944. Enroute area conducting training
          dives and drills daily. Riding out a storm
          29 and 30 August. Men separated from the boys.

September 1, 1944

2320(K) Radar contact with U.S.S. BOWFIN on opposite
          course.

September 2, 1944

0720(K) Plane Contact #1. Radar, 9½ miles, closing.
          Dove.
0759(K) Plane Contact #2. Periscope, 2 miles. A "Hap"
          circling. Decided to remain submerged most of
          the day in order to let Thresher get ahead for
          passage through Tokara Kaikyo first, as pre-
          viously planned.
1025(K) Thresher passed out of sight.
1629(K) Surfaced.
1630(K) Sighted three sampans. Commenced closing.
1632(K) Sighted Sofu Gan.
1655(K) Manned 20mm and 40mm guns.
1700(K) Opened fire with four 20mm and one 40mm guns
          at 2000 yards, closing range to 1200 yards.
          40mm gasped one shot and failed to return to
          battery. Manned 4" gun. Japs returning fire
          with small caliber machine guns and depth
          charges. After 40 minutes of roundy-go-round,

- 2 -

— page 108 —
CONFIDENTIAL

during which most of the time was spent repair-
ing gun casualties, broke off engagement with
all guns out of commission. Expended 19 rounds
of 4" for no hits, 2 miss fires, and poor fire
control; 1380 rounds of 20mm with several jams;
1 round of 40mm. The most heavily gunned sub-
marine of this type, hangs her head in shame
and retires from the scene after inflicting a
little damage by virtue of a few 20mm hits.
2200 (I) Converted #4 from FBT to a MBT.

September 4, 1944

0518 (I) Submerged for day 36 miles SE of Tanega Shima.
1911 (I) Surfaced, Negotiating Tokara Kaikyo.

September 5, 1944

0024 (I) Entered Area.
0537 (I) Submerged. Went to 300' for BT card. An-
          tenna trunk flooded out. See Major Defects.
1914 (I) Surfaced.

September 6, 1944

0537 (I) Submerged.
1941 (I) Surfaced.
2215 (I) Ship contact #1. Radar range 6350 yards.
          Small - avoided.

September 7, 1944

0549 (I) Submerged.
1912 (I) Surfaced.

September 8, 1944

0135 (I) Ship contact #2. Radar range 9700 yards.
          Small, possibly a patrol. Held drill for
          radar tracking party. Ship inside 100
          fathom curve between Noma Misaki and Bono
          Misaki.
0516 (I) Submerged.
0717 (I) Ship contact #3. Two sets of pinging on sound,
          faint smoke bearing 083½°T. Placed ships
          close in shore north of Bono Misaki.
1823 (I) Ship contact #4. Sighted small vessel bear-
          ing 341°T. Unable to identify.
1921 (I) Surfaced. Sighted several searchlights during
          night.

- 5 -

— page 109 —
CONFIDENTIAL

September 9, 1944

0535(I) Submerged.
1901(I) Surfaced.

September 10, 1944

0519(I) Submerged. Sighted numerous fishing boats dur-
       ing day.
1130(I) Ship contact #5. Sighted smoke bearing 116½°T.
1250(I) Battle stations submerged for tracking drill.
       Ship identified as "Bait" type Maru of about
       1000 tons making 12 knots following 100 fathom
       curve. Target went about 15,000 yards to
       northward then reversed course disappearing
       in direction from whence it came.
1321(I) Secured from battle stations.
1930(I) Surfaced and started playing tag with radar pips
       which at times would indicate planes and then
       high speed surface craft. Range would vary
       from 1000 yards to 5000 yards.
2024(I) Submerged with pip closing rapidly.
2044(I) Surfaced.
2045(I) Pip closing rapidly on steady bearing. Sub-
       merged.
2200(I) Surfaced. Pip closing rapidly again.
2201(I) Submerged.
2256(I) Surfaced. Not bothered any more. - We are
       still guessing.

September 11, 1944

0533(I) Submerged.
1850(I) Surfaced.

September 12, 1944

0535(I) Submerged.
1850(I) Surfaced.

September 13, 1944

0229(I) Ship contact #6. Sighted white light bearing
       154°T. Identified as a hospital ship proper-
       ly marked heading for "Nagasaki".
0350(I) Held radar tracking party drill.
0424(I) Secured from drill.
0524(I) Submerged.
1335(I) Plane contact #3. Periscope. Type "Mavis".
1906(I) Surfaced.

- 4 -

— page 110 —
CONFIDENTIAL

September 14, 1944

0530(I) Submerged.
0720(I) Ship contact #7. Sighted smoke bearing 082°T
           close to northern islands of "Goto Retto"
           group. Changed course to close and ran at
           high speed.
0729(I) JP reported screws.
0737(I) JP lost contact.
0800(I) Lost smoke contact.
1107(I) Heard first of several distant depth charges.
           Suspect "Thresher" being worked over.
1644(I) Plane contact #4. Periscope. Type "Rufe".
1934(I) Surfaced.

September 15, 1944

0511(I) Submerged. Suspect we were tracked by Radar
           on "Azuki O Shima" as we closed northern en-
           trance to "Sasebo".
0615(I) Ship contact #8. JP reported screws bearing
           120°T. Sighted tops of large ship in fog on
           the bearing. Abaft his beam.
0705(I) With fog closing in, land obscured, changed
           course to head out of channel entrance.
0743(I) Ship contact #9. Small patrol vessel similar
           to one of our sub chasers. Sounded like he
           was running his fathometer. Patrol passed
           about 1500 yards to northward and at
0948(I) Passed out of sight.
1127(I) Ship contact #10. Sighted ship bearing 073°T,
           range 7500 yards, Angle on the Bow zero.
1130(I) Battle stations.
1159(I) Secured from battle stations. Ship very freak-
           ish small craft unworthy of torpedo fire.
           Passed stern at 700 yards making 12 knots 275
           RPM. Suspected to be another patrol with
           "I-51" on his bridge.
1805(I) Subchaser in sight again. From subsequent
           movements looked as if we had closed his patrol
           area.
1931(I) Surfaced with subchaser bearing 130°T relative
           range 3000 yards. Cleared vicinity on 4 Main
           Engines.

September 16, 1944

0559(I) Submerged. Patrolling off "Haku To".
1907(I) Surfaced.

September 17, 1944

0150(I) Ship contact #11. SJ radar range 11,850 yards.

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— page 111 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Commenced tracking. Target tracking on 275°т,
speed 6 3/4 knots, showing port running light.
Closing to 1600 yards. Target very small.
Seas too heavy for shallow torpedo depth.
0340(I)
Secured tracking.
0550(I)
Submerged south of "Haku To". Depth control
difficult in heavy seas, but only broached once.
1926(I)
Had to run at 2/3 speed for observations.
Surfaced. Thought we were in for typhoom but
barometer had gone up during day.

September 18, 1944
0538(1)
Submerged.
1935(1)
Surfaced.

September 19, 1944
0509(I)
Submerged.
1150(I)
Plane contact #5. Sighted eight (8) unident-
ified planes bearing 322°T on a westerly course.
1204(1)
Plane contact #6. Sighted two (2) unident-
ified planes taking off from "Saishu To".
1210(1)
Plane contact #7. Sighted one (1) plane.
1231 (1)
Plane contact #8. Sighted nine (9) planes.
1250(I)
Plane contact #9. Sighted ten (10) planes land-
ing on airfield on "Saishu To".
1254(1)
Plane contact #10. Sighted twelve (12) planes
taking off.
1310(1)
Plane contact #11. Sighted six (6) planes.
1931(1)
Surfaced.

September 20, 1944
0030 (1)
SJ radar indications bearing 005°T. Believed
to be Thresher. Attempted radar identification
several times during night with no success.
0547(I)
Submerged.
0859(1)
Ship contact #12. Sighted smoke bearing 046°T.
Ship on other side of "Kokuzan To" from us.
1417(1)
Heard one underwater explosion. Perhaps Thresh-
er got this ship.
1921 (1)
Surfaced.

September 21, 1944
0605(1)
Sighted much debris in water. A ship had been
sunk in vicinity.
0622 (1)
Ship contact #13. Sighted smoke bearing 276°T.

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CONFIDENTIAL

Commenced tracking and end around from 'dead
astern.
1100(I) In position ahead. Ship on course 275°T,
speed eleven knots.
1108(I) Submerged on target track.
1204(I) Battle stations. The "Smoky Joe" which
had occupied our morning turned out to
be a small minesweeper type of about 250
tons. Not identified while making end
around.
1420(I) Ship out of sight bearing 273°T.
1453(I) Sighted horn type floating mine.
1611(I) Surfaced. Relocated mine and sank same.
Our first sinking.

September 22, 1944

This was third night in succession spent
in chasing phantoms on radar. Twice good
clear sharp pips were picked up at 36,000
to 39,000 yards. We would go chasing down
their bearing only to have them disappear
from the screen and not show up again.
Numerous pips from 12,000 to 18,000 yards
were investigated with same results. All
occurred in vicinity of "Daikokuzan Gunto".
Finally, with dawn breaking and very clear
to eastward, at
0523(I) Ship contact #14. Two pips on SJ. One
bearing 250°T, 8500 yards; one bearing
280°T, 10,200 yards. These were seen from
bridge. Commenced tracking and hurriedly
opening range since we were to eastward.
Lost radar contact at 12,000 yards but
ships could be seen from bridge at TDC
range of 16,000 yards. Hurried prelim-
inary estimate was course 200°T speed 12.
0540(I) Ship contact #15. Sighted ship from
bridge bearing 130°T, 350° Relative.
Appeared to be a destroyer.
0547(I) With range 10,500 yards to DD, submerged.
Too light to stay up any longer. Thought
he may have rendezvous with other two
ships so came to 220°T and ran at high
speed. However, first two ships never seen
again and angle on bow of destroyer seldom less
than 90°S. He appeared to be patrolling to
SW at 8 knots pinging occasionally. Minimum
range reached was 6800 yards. This ship is a
new one. He had general lines of a "Chidori"
but appeared larger and had torpedo tube nest.

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— page 113 —
CONFIDENTIAL
1916(1)
1551(1)
1604(I)
1042(I)
1108(1)
1219 (1)
between foremast and his single stack.
Surfaced. Again had phantom pips all night.

September 23, 1944

Patrolling on surface covering route between
"Daikokuzan Gunto and Tsingtao.
Sighted floating mine dead ahead.
Exploded mine with rifle fire.

September 24, 1944

Patrolling surface, reverse of previous day.
Sighted mast on horizon bearing 156°T. Commenced
tracking.
Submerged ahead. Discovered it was a junk.
Manned stations for "Battle Surface".
Surfaced and closed. - Chinese.

September 25, 1944
0609(1)
1854(1)
1935(1)
2203(1)
2219(1)
2224(I)
Submerged off Daisei Gunto.
Surfaced.
Ship contact #16. SJ radar 22,750. Commenced
tracking. Looked him over good at 2000 yards.
Course 325°T, speed 6 3/4 knots. Identified.
as a small tanker similar to "Anastasia".
Page 271 ONI 208J (revised).
Battle Stations.
Fired two MK XVIII torpedoes with torpedo run
of 780 yards on a 90 degree track, depth.set
at two feet with a condition 1 sea. One
torpedo was seen to broach several times and
then pass well astern of target. The other hit
him in engine room after a 50 second run, blow-
ing a hole all the way through, but leaving
his main deck hanging on.
Ship sank. Ran on outskirts of large oil slick
looking for survivors but found none. They
went with the smoke.

September 26, 1944
0536(1)
Submerged. Fatrolling in mid channel in
Gaichosan Suido.
1925(1)
Surfaced. Ran through Gaichosan Suido to
Darien entrance, thence toward "En To".

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CONFIDENTIAL

September 27, 1944

0622(I) Submerged off "En To". Heard 18 underwater
         explosions at intervals during the morning.
1800(I) Surfaced. Heading for Shantung Promontory.

September 28, 1944

0649(I) Plane contact #12. Sighted three (3) "Zekes",
         range 5 miles bearing 160° relative coming in.
         Submerged; flooded main induction but leveled
         off at 91' in 100' of water. - Lucky.
1903(I) Surfaced. Transmitted serial one.
2216(I) Plane contact #13. Sighted plane from bridge
         at radar range of 2000 yards. Had radar con-
         tact several times over a two hour period.
         Moonlight night. - Probably an answer to our
         transmission.

September 29, 1944

0743(I) Sighted floating mine ahead.
0809(I) Exploded mine by rifle fire.

September 30, 1944

1132(I) Sighted a floating mine. Seas too rough to
         sink it.
1554(I) Mine contact #5.
1624(I) Sank mine by rifle fire.
1640(I) Mine contact #6.
1653(I) Exploded mine with Lewis Machine Gun.
2248(I) Started negotiating "Maikotsu Suido" against
         a three knot current.

October 1, 1944

0255(I) Completed passage of "Maikotsu Suido".
0557(I) Submerged.
1914(I) Surfaced.

October 2, 1944

0603(I) Submerged.
1856(I) Surfaced. Received nine day extension of
         patrol.

October 3, 1944

0600(I) Submerged.
1841(I) Surfaced.

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CONFIDENTIAL

October 4, 1944

0600(I) Submerged. Broached twice in rough seas.
1851(I) Surfaced.

October 5, 1944

0605(I) Submerged. Only broached once today.
1826(I) Surfaced.

October 6, 1944

0543(I) Submerged. Still rough but no broaching.
1826(I) Surfaced.
1923(I) Plane contact #14. Sighted running lights of
        two planes. Strong radar indication 154mgs on
        APR at this time. Submerged.
1953(I) Surfaced.

October 7, 1944

0552(I) Submerged. Heavy seas.
1831(I) Surfaced.

October 8, 1944

0615(I) Submerged.
1825(I) Surfaced.

October 9, 1944

0015(I) Ship contact #17. Radar contact bearing 075°T,
        range 31,500 yards. Commenced tracking. Tar-
        get sighted at 19,000 yards. Target identified
        as "Asama Maru" class zigging on base course
        270°T, using radical zigs and speed changes,
        varying speed between 13 and 15 knots. It was
        noted that whenever the target zigged and show-
        ed a red truck light a change in speed became
        apparent. Visibility excellent, sea conditions, arrange-
        ment of escorts (one on each beam and one pat-
        rolling astern) and radical zigs being used de-
        cided a stern tube shot on a reasonable track
        offered best chance for success.
0203(I) Commenced firing 4 stern shots on a 50 star-
        board track, 2400 yard torpedo run. As the
        fourth fish was fired the target zigged toward
        presenting a 5° port angle on the bow and all
        fish missed. 2 minutes and 43 seconds after

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CONFIDENTIAL

firing first torpedo there was one explosion,
which could have been on the trailing escort
with reasoning as follows:

1. Time corresponds to approximate range at
   time of firing.
2. Both beam escorts headed in that dir-
   ection.
3. Only two escorts noted on radar shortly
   before diving.
4. Only two sets of echo ranging and three
   sets of screws were heard after submerg-
   ing.

Went ahead flank on firing in an attempt to
pull out ahead of target. After explosion
noted, when it was apparent starboard escort
was heading over to port side, attempted to
head across bow of target while opening range
to attain position for a bow shot. But target
was increasing speed to where range rate was
practically zero and at 3800 yards either
spotted sub or smoke from same. This was
noted when the "Asama Maru" opened up with her
main battery. The first few shots were short
but she quickly started walking salvos across
in deflection and steadily approached closer.
After about two minutes of firing one salvo
landed about 100 yards on the port beam, thus
giving the Guardfish her diving signal. In
the meantime one DD was heading for the scene
of action.

0211 (I) Submerged and received 27 depth charges, but
        not too close, from one DD.
0302 (I) With no close echo-ranging surfaced and hauled
        clear to northeast. Range to target 23,000
        yards, bearing 275°T. Pursuit impossible be-
        cause she would be over the "Yangtze Bank"
        shortly after dawn.
0537 (I) Submerged.
1845 (I) Surfaced.

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CONFIDENTIAL

October 10, 1944

0547 (I) Submerged.
1841 (I) Surfaced.
2230 (I) Sighted small craft from bridge. Officer of the
            deck said it looked like a barge. Evaded.

October 11, 1944

0546 (I) Submerged. Thirteen distant explosions heard during day.
1820 (I) Surfaced.

October 12, 1944

0417 (I) SJ radar contact on small craft range 2400 yards.
            Evaded.
0550 (I) Submerged. Patrolling in "Osumi Gunto" be-
            tween "Iwo Shima" and "Yaku Shima" covering south-
            ern approaches to "Kago Shima Kaiwan".
0833 (I) Plane contact #15. Sighted "Nell" type patrol-
            ling.
1008 (I) Ship contact #18. Sighted smoke bearing 030°T.
1012 (I) Heard pinging on same bearing.
1104 (I) Sighted convoy composed of six coastal freight-
            ers with five escorts. Went to battle stations,
            making approach on starboard column which con-
            tained two ships of about 2000 tons each, and
            one of about 4000 tons. Was about five minutes
            from firing position when the ships did a march
            by the left flank and the escorts by the right
            flank, giving two of the escorts a zero angle
            on the bow. When it appeared they had a defin-
            ite contact, range to closest escort about 1200
            yards, went deep and rigged for depth charges.
            Found an excellent gradient and though escorts
            milled around for a while nothing was dropped.
            It is believed that the convoy was alerted by
            one of several fishing boats around at the
            time. At one time during the approach a peris-
            cope exposure was made with two of the boats
            not over 200 yards away. It was a question
            of taking a chance on the periscope not being
            sighted.
1205 (I) Secured from battle stations. Convoy had closed
            Yaku Shima.
1317 (I) Plane contact #16. Sighted float plane bear-
            ing 277°T distant about one mile, circling.
1319 (I) Plane dropped two depth charges about 4000
            yards away.
1418 (I) Ship contact #19. Sighted RO class Submarine
            bearing 216°T, range 8000 yards heading southeast.

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CONFIDENTIAL

1432(I) for strait off Yaku Shima.
1441(I) Ship contact #20. Sight yacht type patrol
        craft of about 500 tons bearing 354°T.
        Battle Stations. Commenced approach on tar-
        get. Intended to fire one MK XVIII at him
        if conditions favorable, but decided not to
        when at
1458(I) Plane contact #17. He was joined by three
        float planes.
1503(I) Secured from battle stations.
1335(I) Surfaced and departed area.

October 13, 1944

Enroute Midway.

October 14, 1944

1131(I) Plane contact #18. Sighted Liberator bear-
        ing 020°T.
1134(I) Submerged when plane started heading toward.
1152(I) Surfaced.
1419(I) Ship contact #21. Sighted trawler type ves-
        sel bearing 005°T, range 8 miles. Closed to
        4 miles to investigate. Too rough for 4"
        gun and his armament too heavy for 20mm alone.
        So continued on way.

October 15, 1944

1104(K) Plane contact #19. Sighted "Botty" bearing
        245°T, range 8 miles. Submerged.
1142(K) Surfaced.

October 16, 1944

0652(K) Ship contact #22. Sighted a trawler type
        vessel bearing 070°T range 7 miles. Com-
        menced closing.
0705(K) Battle Stations surface.
0720(K) Commenced firing at range of 4100 yards
        with the 4" gun. The enemy was returning
        fire with about the equivalent of a 40mm.
        He was spraying the water mostly short but
        with a few close aboard and one that went
        whizzing just over the bridge. The clos-
        est landed about 20 feet aboard. The sea
        being very rough made firing haphazard on
        both sides. We expended 5 rounds of 4"
        ammunition getting a close straddle between
        the second and third.

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— page 119 —
CONFIDENTIAL

October 18-20 1944
. Enroute Midway. Crossed 180th meridian and re-
peated 20th.

October 20, 1944
0637(Y) Sighted Midway bearing 095°T.
0817(Y) Moored Berth S-3, Midway. Received fuel and
provisions, and unloaded MK XVIII torpedoes.
1459(Y) Underway for Pearl Harbor.

October 21-23, 1944
Enroute Pearl Harbor. Conducted Six hour
Battery Discharge.

October 24, 1944
0640(VW) Rendezvous with escort PC 485.
1045(VW) Moored Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

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CONFIDENTIAL

(C) WEATHER

The first twenty days on station were mainly marked
by good weather which was surprising in view of existing
data on weather conditions along western coast of Japan
and the entire Yellow Sea. Normal seas were condition
one and visibility was good with only a light surface
haze which fitted well with the type camouflage used for
this patrol (32/3SS-B).

The remaining eighteen days satisfied previous
expectations, being marked by rapidly fluctuating baro-
metric pressure and temperature. Seas ranged from one
to seven accompanied by high surface winds. Sky averag-
ed 90% overcast with two cloud layers (the lowest from
500 to 1000 feet in elevation). Surface fog never quite
dense but lowered periscope visibility considerably.
Effect of seas caused sub to broach a number of times
and periscope observations were of limited range.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION

Tidal currents and currents (normal) conform in
general to H.O. area charts and various H.O. sailing
directions. Surface passage of Maikotsu Suido was made
from north to south against a 3 knot tidal current.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

All navigational lights in positions approached
during this patrol were noted to be burning with either
normal or altered characteristics.

Lights with characteristic noted:

Kusakaki Shima - (Altered to Gp. Fl. 24 Seconds -
                  2 flashes 6 seconds, eclipse 18
                  seconds)
Tsurikahe Saki - (altered to steady white 5 seconds,
                  eclipse 35 seconds)
Me Shima        - (Normal characteristics - Gp. Fl.
                  W 3 flashes 16 seconds, eclipse
                  24 seconds)
Futagami        - (Light dimmed and directed inland)
Haku To         - (Light burning - altered Fl. W 11
                  seconds)
Gyu To          - (Gp. Fl. W V-2 6 seconds flashes
                  1 second, eclipse 5 seconds)
Kokuzan To      - (Gp. Fl. W 30 seconds - 4 flashes
                  15 seconds - eclipse 15 seconds)

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— page 122 —
CONFIDENTIAL
(F) SEIP CONTACTS (Cont'd)

TD LL T I A R
I A AO Y N N EST.
M T TN P I G COURSE HOW
E E G E TE & SPD. CON. REMARKS

NO.
15. 9-22-44 30-55.0N DE 10500 225°T SD Ship ping
    0540(I) 125-20.0E 8 kts.
16. 9-25-44 38-20.5N AO 22750 325°T R Sunk
    1935(I) 124-14.0E 3100 6 3/4
    tons kts.
17. 10-9-44 32-37.8N I AP31500 270°T R AP of "Amasama
    0015(I) 127-04.0E 3 DE 13-15 Maru" class
    kts. possible hit
    on 1 escort.
18. 10-12-44 30-42.0N 6 Sm.16000 220°T P AK's were
    1008(I) 130-24.3E AK-5 10½ kt. Freighters all of
    Esc. 2000 tons with
    exception of 1
    3000 tons.
19. 10-12-44 30-41.2N SS RO 8000 135°T P
    1418(I) 130-17.2E Class
20. 10-12-44 30-41.0N Pat. 4000 185°T P
    1432(I) 130-16.0E 500 9½ kt.
    tons
21. 10-14-44 29-59.8N Traw-16000 SD Closed to Id-
    1419(I) 141-53.0E ler entify Proceeding
    Pat. enroute Base.
22. 10-16-44 30-46.7N Traw-14000 SD Engaged Short
    0652(K) 152-40.7E ler gun duel.
    Pat.
23. 10-16-44 30-47.7N Traw-10000 Closing SD This one came
    0724(K) 152-40.7E ler Sub best up to assist
    Pat. speed 14 ship contact
    kts. No. 22.

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

D T LL T TRUE C E
I A AO Y BEAR- O S P A
M T TN P ING HOW U T O N
E E G E RANGE CON.R S & REMARKS

NO.
1. 9-2-44 30-06.1N Unid. 9½ Mi. R Surface
   0720(K) 141-10.0E
2. 9-2-44 30-06.0N 1 000°T P 270 2° Submerged
   0759(K) 141-08.0E "Hap" 2 Mi.
3. 9-13-44 32-13.5N 1 348°T P 258 Submerged
   1335(I) 128-55.0E Mavis 5 Mi.

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CONFIDENTIAL

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (Cont'd)

NO. | D A T E | L L A T | T I M E | T R U E B E A R I N G | C E O S P A | H O W U T O N | R A N G E | C O N. R | S G | REMARKS
4. | 9-14-44 | 33-18.3N | 1 | 020°T P | 030 | 1° | Submerged
| | 128-48.3E | Rufe 5 Mi.
5. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.0N | 8 | 322°T P | 090 | 3° | Submerged
| | 126-23.8E | Unid.6 Mi.
6. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.0N | 8 | 330°T P | | 3° | Planes Took
| | 126-23.8E | Unid.6 Mi. | | | | off from
| | | | | | | Saishu To.
7. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.0N | 1 | 332°T P | | 3° | Submerged
| | 126-23.8E | Unid.5 Mi.
8. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.4N | 9 | 330°T P | 090 | 3° | Submerged
| | 126-21.9E | Unid.6 Mi.
9. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.4N | 10 | 303°T P | | 3° | Planes land-
| | 126-21.9E | Unid.6 Mi. | | | | ed on Saishu
| | | | | | | To.
10. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.4N | 12 | 330°T P | 270 | 3° | Planes Took
| | 126-21.9E | Unid.6 Mi. | | | | off from
| | | | | | | Saishu To.
11. | 9-14-44 | 32-57.4N | 6 | 355°T P | 270 | 3° | Submerged
| | 126-21.9E | Unid.5 Mi.
12. | 9-28-44 | 37-04.0N | 3 | 345°T SD | 165 | 4° | Surface
| | 128-58.0E | Zekes 5 Mi.
13. | 9-28-44 | 36-59.9N | 1 | 175°T R | | 1° | Had SJ pip
| | 128-45.0E | Unid.1 Mi. SN | | | | several times
| | | | | | | 2 Hr. period
| | | | | | | Radar
| | | | | | | indications
| | | | | | | 154 MGS.
14. | 10-6-44 | 30-07.5N | 1 | 114°T SN | | 2° | Strong Radar
| | 128-34.0E | Unid. | | | | indications
| | | | | | | 154 MGS.
15. | 10-12-44 | 30-40.0N | 1 | 272°T P | 002 | 5° | Submerged
| | 130-28.0E | 11 2 Mi.
16. | 10-12-44 | 30-41.4N | 1 | 227°T | 005 | 2° | Dropped (2)
| | 130-24.6E | 1 Mi. P | | | | Bombs approx.
| | | | | | | 2 Mi. away.
17. | 10-12-44 | 30-40.0N | 1 | 273°T P | | 1° | Submerged
| | 130-28.0E | at 5Mi. | | | | making an
| | | | | | | approach.
| | | | | | | Plane
18. | 10-14-44 | 29-59.9N | 1 | 020°T SD | 310 | 2° | Surface
| | 141-14.0E | Liber 6Mi.
| | | | | | | ator
19. | 10-15-44 | 30-34.3N | 1 | 245°T SD | 110 | 5° | Surface
| | 147-30.0E | Betty 8 Mi.

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CONFIDENTIAL

TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT

USS GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1. PATROL NO. 9.
Time 2219(I) Date 25 September 1944 Lat. 38°-30'-00
Long. 124°-06'-15.

Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description

A small engine aft "Able Oboe" at a range of 600
yards, on a clear, bright night with first quarter moon,
identified as similar to "Anastasia" Page 271, OPI
203 (revised), of 3100 tons.

Ship Sunk

(1) Similar to "Anastasia" - 3100 tons (EC).

Damage Determined

Saw one torpedo hit. Saw ship sink five minutes
later.

Target Draft 17'7" Loaded Course 325°T Speed 6 3/4 kts.
Range 800 yards
(At firing)
Own Ships Data

Speed 5 kt. Course 216°T Depth Surface Angle 0
(At firing)

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type Attack

Night radar surface using TBT bearings. Tracked
for 2 1/2 hours before firing to get everything accurate.
Target on steady course of 325°T at speed of 6 3/4
knots. Kept target silhouetted by setting moon and
closed slowly. Fired with an 800 yard range on a 90°
starboard track with a 20 degree right gyro angle. One
torpedo was seen to broach several times and pass well
astern of target. The other hit in the engine room,
made a big blop, blowing a hole all the way through.
practically the entire force of the explosion was str-
aight ahead with very little up or to the side.

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CONFIDENTIAL

TUBES FIRED -                               # 5         # 6

Track angle                                 90S         97½S
Gyro angle                                  19½R        25R
Depth Set                                   2'          2'

Lower

Hit or Miss                                 Hit         Miss
Erratic                                     No          Broach (Yes)
Mark Torpedo                                18-1        18-1
Serial                                      55354       54398
MARK Exploder                               4-2         4-2
Serial No.                                  9531        9163
Actuation Set                               Contact     Contact
Actuation Actual                            Contact     Contact
Mark Warhead                                18-1        18-1
Serial No.                                  2308        1638
Explosive                                   Torpex      Torpex
Firing Interval                                         10 Sec.
Type Spread                                 1°L         1°R
Sea Conditions                              Smooth - Gentle Swells
Overhaul Activity                           U.S.S. FULTON
Remarks:                                    NONE
Torpedo Run                                 780         740

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TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT

USS GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2. PATROL NO. 9.
Time 0203(I) Date 9 October 1944 Lat. 32°-44'N Long.
127°-03'E.

Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description
(LC) Similar to "Asama Maru". Page 1 ONI 208J
(revised) escorted by three destroyers.

Ship Sunk NONE.

Ship Damaged or
Probably Sunk One Destroyer (EU). 1500 tons.

Damage Determined
Evidence very meager. One torpedo could have hit
this escort. Time from firing to explosion and position
corresponds. Only two sighted and two shown on radar
afterwards.

Target Draft 21½' Course 247°T Speed 14.5 Kts.
Range 3000 yards
(At firing)

Own Ships Data
Speed 8.4 kts. Course 272½°T. Depth 0 Angle 0
(At firing)

Fire control and Torpedo Data
Type Attack
Night surface Radar using TBT bearings. Took pos-
ition ahead and waited for target to overtake. With tar-
get using radical zigs and two escorts disposed about
2000 yards on each beam the chances of attaining a fav-
orable position for a bow tube shot were very unpredict-
able. Tried to maintain position about 1500 yards on
the track on which ever bow of the target we happened to
be at the time. Because of existing excellent visibility,
(one-quarter moon elevation 50° in a clear sky) was
forced to accept a fairly small track with moderate gyro an-
gles. The fourth tube was fired the target zigged toward
presenting a 5° port angle on the bow. Was vainly attempt-
ing to gain position far enough ahead to swing for a stern
bow tube shot when two torpedoes exploded, alerting the
enemy. The starboard escort swung across the stern of the

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— page 127 —
CONFIDENTIAL

target leaving the starboard side clear. In attempting
to cross the bow of the target to the starboard side on
a small converging course, was sighted at 3700 yards
range (or engine smoke sighted) by target who opened
fire with four guns. First several salvos were well
placed but target started walking salvos back and forth
in deflection and increasing range. Submerged when one
salvo landed in water about 100 yards abeam. In mean-
time the port escort started over and dropped several
depth charges near point of submergence, the target
changing course to south westward. The entire atten-
tion of the Commanding Officer and Officer of the Deck
was directed toward the target and maneuvering for a
new attack position so that it never occured that the
trailing escort could have been hit until well after
submerged, when the absence of one set of screws was
noted.

- 22 -

— page 128 —
CONFIDENTIAL

TUBES FIRED - | # 7 | # 8 | # 9 | # 10
Track Angle | 45½S | 47 3/4S | 50½S | 52½S
Gyro Angle | 200 | 202½ | 204 3/4 | 207
Depth Set | 12' | 12' | 12' | 12'
Power | MK 23 | MK 23 | MK 23 | MK 23
Hit or Miss | Miss | Miss | Miss | Miss
Erratic | No | No | No | No
Mark Torpedo | MK 23 | MK 23 | MK 23 | MK 23
Serial | 62076 | 62547 | 62045 | 62042
Mark Exploder | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4
Serial No. | 17980 | 5261 | 17975 | 14914
Actuation Set | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact
Actuation
Actual
Mark Warhead | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1
Serial No. | 1281 | 2449 | 3160 | 2041
Explosive | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex
Firing Interval | 0 | 10S | 10S | 10S

Type Spread Divergent 3/4° from aft forward.
Sea Conditions State five from North.
Overhaul Activity U.S.S. FULTON
Remarks: All missed target fired upon. One torpedo
exploded 2 minutes and 43 seconds after firing first
torpedo. Another exploded 3 minutes and 25 seconds
after firing first torpedo. May have been erratic
runs.

- 23 -

— page 130 —
CONFIDENTIAL

GUN ATTACK NO. 2

USS GUARDFISH GUN ATTACK NO. TWO PATROL NO. NINE.
Time 0720(K) Date October 16, 1944 Lat. 30°-47'N
Long. 152°-41'E.

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Sunk - NONE.

Damaged or
Probably Sunk - NONE.

Damage Determined By - -

Details of Action

Sighted trawler of about 300 tons. Commenced clos-
ing and manned 4" gun. Trawler changed course to head
into condition five seas and Guardfish paralleled. Traw-
ler opened fire at range of 4500 yards with a rapid fire
gun of about 40MM caliber. Closed to 4100 yards and
opened fire with 4" gun. At this range trawler started
getting straddles, so after firing 3 rounds of 4" with
close straddle between second and third changed course
to open range to about 5000 yards. Immediately after
changing course sighted a second trawler of same size
closing so as to get Guardfish in cross fire. Decided
two were too many in heavy seas so broke off action and
cleared vicinity at best speed. There were two misfires
during this action.

- 23B -

— page 131 —
CONFIDENTIAL
(I) MINES
    Sighted horn-type floating mines at:

    (1) 34°-53'-15"N
        123°-10'-15"E - Destroyed

    (2) 34°-37'-35"N
        123°-00'-30"E - Destroyed

    (3) 36°-15'-10"N
        125°-03'-00"E - Destroyed

    (4) 35°-52'-30"N
        124°-38'-00"E - Not Destroyed

    (5) 35°-27'-30"N
        124°-48'-00"E - Destroyed

    (6) 35°-25'-15"N
        124°-50'-30"E - Destroyed

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS.

    Nothing new encountered.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE

    1. Antenna Trunk.

        Flooded on first deep dive in area. The gaskets
    on this trunk were changed from ConSolco to rubber against
    the wishes of the ship and after a specific request had
    been made not to touch the antenna trunk in any way. The
    trunk would flood at depths below 200 feet.

    2. 40mm Gun.

        The gun was fired after the loading platform had
    been bent by heavy seas, without being straightened. The
    case deflector prevented the shell case from being eject-
    ed. At same time the breech housing stop was bent and the
    gun did not completely return to battery. A little jig-
    gling returned the gun to battery, the bent stop was re-
    moved and the loading platform bent back into place.

        Another round was fired without the breech housing
    stop installed and the gun failed to return to battery.
    This time it was necessary to use a chain fall to return

- 24 -

— page 132 —
CONFIDENTIAL

the gun to battery. A new breech housing stop was in-
stalled and the same thing happened. This time one shell
was left in the gun because it could not be removed with-
out complete disassembly of the breech housing. The
gun was greased heavily and left in this condition.

The primary cause of the casualty is lack of
familiarity of personnel with the gun and failure to use
good common sense.

3. No. 2 Periscope.

This periscope was useless throughout patrol.
It was very foggy, optics dirty, and showed wavy lines.

4. Piston seizure on No. 9 Unit of No. 2 main eng-
ines on October 15, 1944.

(L) RADIO

No remarks.

(M) RADAR

1. SD - Used only for a short period in vicinity of
Bonins.

2. SJ - Up to its usual high standard except for a
period of four days when the overall sensitivity would
begin to drop after several hours of continuous oper-
ation. The trouble was finally found to be that the
lock-in ring on the 721A duplex tube had been left
loose during the refit period when a new tube was in-
stalled. This was after approximately 200 hours of
operation this patrol.

However, it was the loss of sensitivity in this
period that prevented this ship from making an earlier
contact and possible attack on an enemy ship during
the morning hours of 15 September, 1944. We had been
within 20,000 yards of a large ship without picking
it up on the radar.

3. It is recommended that an easily used accurate
method of determining the overall sensitivity of the
SJ-A radar be devised.

In this connection it is considered that the
ring time of an accurately tuned echo box is an
excellent check. But in order to secure the same

- 25 -

— page 134 —
CONFIDEN AL

(P) HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY

    1. Health of the entire crew was excellent with the
    exception of one case of athletes foot which incapacit-
    ated a man for the last forty days of the patrol.

    2. Food was average.

    3. Habitability excellent. The installation of a
    booster blower in the ventilation supply increased the
    comfort of the forward end of the ship to the requisite
    level. No additional cooling unit is needed in this
    ship.

(Q) PERSONNEL

    At the end of the last patrol the Executive Officer,
    Engineer Officer, Gunnery Officer and all Chief Petty
    Officers were detached and transferred. In their places
    four new officers reported aboard and the Chief Petty
    Officers were replaced by advancement of qualified
    personnel. In all twenty-three (23) new men were aboard
    at the start of this patrol.

    It is believed that the ship benefited from this
    large turnover of personnel since most of the older
    hands with six or more patrols were transferred.

    The performance of duty by the new Chief Petty Offi c-
    ers was outstanding during this patrol and it is believ-
    ed that competition for advancement in rating is keener
    now since the new BuPers requirements have practically
    eliminated advancements in excess of complement.

    The new personnel received were of higher caliber
    than any group previously received.

        No. Men on Board72
        No. Qualified start of patrol----34
        No. Qualified end of patrol------49
        No. Advanced during patrol-------9*
        No. Transferred end of patrol----17

    * Advanced during last refit - No vacancies during
    patrol.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED

    Midway to Area ---- 2886 miles - 33585 gallons.
    In Area 4728 miles - 37145 gallons.
    Area to Pearl ---- 3984 miles - 64030 gallons.

- 27 -

— page 135 —
CONFIDENTIAL

(S) DURATION

Days enroute to area12
Days in area38
Days enroute to base13
Days submerged35

(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING

TORPEDOES     FUEL (MIDWAY)     PROVISIONS     PERSONNEL
                                               FACTOR
18            2500              10             10

Limiting factor this patrol - Operation Order.

(U) REMARKS

None.

(V) TORPEDOES

1. Sixteen MK XVIII torpedoes were carried forward
and eight MK XXIII torpedoes aft.

2. No troubles were experienced with the MK XVIII's
upkeep and the hydrogen burner circuits were satisfact-
ory.

3. Two MK XVIII torpedoes were fired with depth
set at 2 feet in a condition I sea and one ran on the
surface and off in deflection. The other ran hot
straight and normal resulting in a hit.

- 28 -

— page 136 —
[HANDWRITTEN: P.R.# 557
Guardfish-9]
[HANDWRITTEN: Attach to
mimeographed
copy of patrol
report when it
arrives.]

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

CONTACT NUMBER | AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
Date | 9-2-44 | 9-2-44 | 9-13-44 | 9-14-44 | 9-19-44
S | Time (Zone) | 0720(K) | 0759(K) | 1335(I) | 1644(I) | 1150(I)
U | Position Lat. | 30-06.0N | 30-06.0N | 32-13.5N | 33-18.3N | 32-57.0N
B | (DRAI) Long. | 141-10.0E | 141-08.0E | 128-55.0E | 128-48.3E | 126-23.8E
M | Speed (Knots) | 14½ | 2 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.8
A | Course | 270°T | 270°T | | 060°T | 250°T
R | Trim | Surface | 60' | | 60' | 60'
I | Minutes Since Last Continuous 39 Min.
N | SD Radar Search | search.
E |
| Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8
A | Type | Unk. | "Hap" | "MAVIS" | "Rufe" | Unk.
I | Probable Mission | ? | ? | Scout | Scout | ?
R | How Contacted | SD | Peris. | Peris. | Peris. | Peris.
C | Initial Range | 9½ Mi. | 2 Mi. | 5 Mi. | 5 Mi. | 6 Mi.
R | Elevation Angle | ? | 2° | 1° | 1° | 3°
A | Range & Relative
F | Bearing of Plane
T | When it Detected
| S/M.
| Sea:(State (Beau- | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
C | (fort) |
O | (Direction Rel.NNE | NNE | NNE | NNE | NE
N | Visibility (Miles) 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
D | (Height in
I | CLOUDS: (Feet.
T | (Percent
I | (Overcast | 6% | 6% | 2% | |
O | Moon: (Bearing (Rel)
N | (Angle
S | (Percent
| (Illum.
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol - 32/3SS-B.

ENCLOSURE (G)

— page 137 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
CONTACT NUMBER | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Date | 9-19-44 | 9-19-44 | 9-19-44 | 9-19-44 | 9-19-44
S Time (Zone) | 1204(I) | 1210(I) | 1231(I) | 1250(I) | 1254(I)
U Position: Lat. | 32-57.0N | 32-57.0N | 32-57.4N | 32-57.4N | 32-57.4N
B (DRAI) Long. | 126-23.8E | 126-23.8E | 126-21.9E | 126-21.9E | 126-21.

— page 138 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

CONTACT NUMBER
| | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 9-19-44 | 9-28-44 | 9-28-44 | 10-6-44 | 10-12-44
| S Time (Zone) | 1310(I) | 0649(I) | 2216(I) | 1923(I) | 0833(I)
| U Position: Lat. | 32-57.4N | 37-04.0N | 36-59.5N | 30-07.5N | 30-40.0N
| B (DRAI) Long. | 126-21.9E | 122-58.0E | 123-45.0E | 128-34.0E | 130-28.0E
| M Speed (Knots) | 1.8 | 7.4 | 14 | 10 | 2.1
| A Course | 250°T | 185°T | 110°T | 085°T | 270°T
| R Trim | 60' | Surface | Surface | Surface | 60'
| I Minutes Since Last | | | | |
| N SD Radar Search | | | | |
| E | | | | |
| | Number | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1
| A Type | Unk. | "Zekes" | Unk. | Unk. | "Nell"
| I Probably Mission | ? | ? | ? | ? | Scout
| R How contacted | Peris. | Sight | Sight | Sight | Peris.
| C Initial Range | 6 Mi. | 5 Mi. | 1 Mi. | | 2 Mi.
| R Elevation Angle | 3° | 4° | 1° | 2° | 5°
| A Range & Relative | | | | |
| F Bearing of Plane | | | | |
| T When it Detected | | | | |
| | S/M. | | | | |
| | | (State) | 1 | 4 | 1 | | 1
| C Sea: (Beau-) | (Direction Rel.NE) | | NNE | NNE | | E
| O Visibility (Miles) | 8 | 6 | 8 | | 7
| N Clouds: (Height in | | | | | 5000
| D (Feet) | | | | |
| I (Percent | | 80% | 90% | | 90%
| T Overcast) | | | | |
| I (Bearing Rel. | | | | |
| O Moon: (Angle) | | | | |
| N (Percent | | | | |
| S (Illum.) | | | | |

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol - 32/3SS-B.

ENCLOSURE (G)

— page 139 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

CONTACT NUMBER             | 16        | 17        | 18        | 19
||||
Date                       | 10-12-44  | 10-12-44  | 10-14-44  | 10-15-44
S Time (Zone)              | 1317(I)   | 1500(I)   | 1131(I)   | 1104(K)
U Position: Lat.           | 30-41.4N  | 30-40.6N  | 29-59.9N  | 30-34.3N
B (DRAI) Long.             | 130-24.6E | 130-21.0E | 141-14.0E | 147-30.0E
M Speed (knots)            | 2.2       | 2         | 15        | 15
A Course                   | 250°T     | 241°T     | 084°T     | 084°T
R Trim                     | 60'       | 66'       | Surface   | Surface
I
N
E Minutes Since Last
  SD Radar Search

Number                     | 1         | 3         | 1         | 1
A Type                     | Float     | Float     | Liberator | "Betty"
I                          | Plane     | Plane     |           |
R Probable Mission         | Scout     | ?         | Scout     | ?
C
R How Contacted            | Peris.    | Peris.    | Sight     | Sight
A Initial Range            | 4 Mi.     | 5 Mi.     | 6 Mi.     | 8 Mi.
F
T Elevation Angle          | 2°        | 1°        | 2°        | 5°

Range & Relative
Bearing of Plane
When It Detected
S/M

Sea: (State (Beau-         | 1         | 1         | 3         | 4
      fort)
     (Direction Rel. NE    | NE        | NE        | NNE       | NE
Visibility (Miles)         | 25        | 25        | 8         | 8
Clouds: (Height in         |           |           | 2000'     | 6000'
         Feet)
         (Percent          | 90%       | 90%       | 100%      | 60%
         Overcast)
Moon: (Bearing (Rel)
      (Angle)
      (Percent
      Illum.

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol - 32/3SS-B.

ENCLOSURE (G)

— page 140 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO EIGHTY ONE
F. Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, Calif.

C O N F I D E N T I A L 2 November 1944

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO GUARD FISH Conf. Ltr.
SS217/A16-3, Serial (041)
of 24 October 1944.

From: The Commander Submarine Division TWO EIGHTY ONE.
To : The Commander in Chief, Unites States Fleet.

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

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of NINTH War Patrol.

1. The ninth war patrol of GUARDFISH was conducted in the EAST
CHINA SEA and YELLOW SEA areas. Including a nine day extention it was
sixty three (63) days duration of which thirty eighty (38) days were spent
in the operating area.

2. This patrol was characterized by a paucity of worthwhile
contacts. Of a total of twenty three (23) only six (6) were suitable
torpedo targets.

3. The commanding officer notes in section H, that the attrac-
tive target encountered in the approach to SASEBO on the morning of
15 September escaped attack largely because of the reduced sensitivity of
GUARDFISH SJ radar.

4. At first dawn on 22 September radar contact was made on a
two (2) ship convoy. Shortly afterward a small destroyer or torpedo boat,
possibly acting as distant screen, was sighted. GUARDFISH made a deter-
mined effort to develop this contact but was unable to gain an attack
position before increasing visibility forced her to submerge. The fact
that on a moonless night and in the dark sector sight contact could be main-
tained to 16000 yards while radar contact was originally made at 8500 and
was lost at 12,000 yards suggests that the radar was still
not functioning at peak efficiency. It is noteworthy that for the three
previous nights GUARDFISH had been plagued by radar phantoms.

5. Shortly after surfacing on the evening of 25 September radar
contact was made with a single ship at 22,750 yards. Following a deliberate
approach a well delivered attack resulted in a small oiler being sunk by one
hit out of two torpedoes fired.

-1-

— page 141 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO EIGHTY ONE
Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, Calif.
CONFIDENTIAL
2 November 1944
Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of NINTH War Patrol

6. At midnight 8-9 October a radar contact at 31,500 yards
developed into a large transport with three (3) escorts. From a favorable
firing position GUARDFISH attacked the transport with four torpedoes.
Unfortunately a large zig toward just as firing was completed caused all
torpedoes to miss. However there is reason to believe that an escort
beyond the principal target received one, possibly two, hits. GUARDFISH
attempted to gain a position for a second attack but accurate gunfire
forced her to break off the action and submerge.

7. On 12 October, while patrolling submerged in OSUMI GUNTO,
a convoy of six (6) small freighters and five (5) escorts was sighted.
Before a firing position could be reached the freighters, possibly alerted
by one of the many fishing boats in the immediate vicinity, took avoiding
action while the escorts threatened but did not deliver an attack on
GUARDFISH. Later the same day a RO class submarine was sighted but could
not be closed.

8. Two gun actions were attempted neither of which was effective.
On 2 September three (3) sampans were attacked but poor performance of the
armament made it necessary to break off the action without material damage
to the enemy. Again on 16 October an armed trawler was engaged but after
a brief and ineffective exchange of fire GUARDFISH was forced to retire by
the arrival of enemy reinforcements.

9. On her return GUARDFISH was clean and shipshape, and in good
material condition. Necessary steps will be taken to make the antenna
trunk tight. All guns will be completely and carefully overhauled. The
40MM gun will be relocated in a more protected position on the after bridge,
Number two periscope will be repaired or replaced as necessary. The fact
that four cells in the after battery must be replaced and smoke prevention
material is to be installed (ShipAlt SS147K) makes it doubtful that the
refit can be accomplished in the normal time.

10. The commanding officer, officers and crew are congratulated
upon the completion of this arduous and effective patrol.

[SIGNATURE: K. L. CHAPPELL]

— page 142 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
FC5-4/A16-3
Serial 0448
CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
U.S.S. GUARDFISH Report
of Ninth War Patrol.
11/tel
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Californie,
4 November 1944.

From:
To:
Via:
The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Flect.
(1) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLET.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U. S. PACIFIC FLEE.

Subject:
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - Report of Ninth War Patrol.

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

2.
The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR congratulatos
the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew of the GUARDFISH upch
the completion of this extended patrol.

3.
It is recommended that the GUARDFISH be crudited
with the following:

| | SUNK |
| 1 AO | (EC) | 3,100 tons. |

[HANDWRITTEN: 11.2.01. you]
[SIGNATURE: W. V. O'REGAN.]

— page 143 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02446
CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
GUARDFISH Report of
Ninth War Patrol.

[HANDWRITTEN: hch]
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California
5 November 1944.
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 557.
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - NINTH 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. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Ninth War Patrol.
(23 August to 24 October 1944).

1. The ninth war patrol of the GUARDFISH was conducted in
the East China - Yellow Seas Areas.

2. Despite thorough and alert area coverage, the GUARDFISH
was afforded few opportunities to inflict damage upon the enemy during
this patrol. Contacts included a hospital ship, two submarines, a
tanker, a large AP, and a coastal convoy. Two aggressive attacks were
made, one on the tanker and the other on the large AP. The tanker was
sunk, but an unfortunate zig saved the AP. Two aggressive gun attacks
were made, but due to material failures and unfavorable firing condi-
tions neither was very effective.

3. Award of the Submarine Combat Insignia is authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the commanding officer, officers, and crew for this successful
patrol. It is believed that due to the enemy to the already record dam-
age inflicted by this fighting ship. The GUARDFISH is credited with
having inflicted the following damage upon the enemy during this
patrol:

S U N K
1 - Small AO (ANASTASIA MARU - 3,100 tons (Attack No. 1)
Type) (EC)

D A M A G E D
1 - DD (LU) - 1,500 tons (Attack No. 2)
1 - MS. (Sampan) (EC) - 100 tons (Gun Attack No. 1)

TOTAL DAMAGED 1,600 tons

SUNK AND DAMAGED 4,700 tons

Distribution and authentication
on following page.
- 1 - [SIGNATURE: C. A. LOCKWOOD]

[STAMP: EXTRA : ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: J. BORGEN : MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB : OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]

— page 144 —
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
5 November 1944.

FF12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02446

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
COMSUBPAC Report of
GUARD FISH Report of
Ninth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 557.
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - NINTH WAR PATROL.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Ninth War Patrol.
(23 August to 24 October 1944).

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7)
CNO (5)
Intel.Gen.Pac.Ocean Areas (6)
CinCPac (1)
ComAirPac (1)
ComServPac (8)
S/F SubDiv, NL (2)
C/C Sub Base, PH (1)
Com 3rd Flt (2)
ComDesPac (1)
ComSubSoWesPac (2)
CTF 72 (2)
ComForPac (1)
ComSubsPac (40)
SUND, LH (3)
ComSubPacSubOrdCom (2)
All Squadron and Division
Commanders, Pacific (3)
SubSTrainPac (2)
All Submarines, Pacific (1)
[SIGNATURE: E. L. Hynes]
E. L. HYNES / 2nd
Flag Secretary.

hch

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

— page 145 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]

SS217/A16-3
Serial 02

U.S.S. GUARDFISH
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
26 January 1945.

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
From: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. GUARDFISH.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Commander Submarine Division EIGHTY-TWO.
The Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHT.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH, Report of War Patrol
Number Ten.

Enclosure: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart. (ComSubPac only)
(C) ComTaskGroup 17.14 Grid Chart. (ComSubPac
only)

1. Enclosures (A) to (C) inclusive, covering the
TENTH War Patrol of this vessel, conducted in the LUZON
STRAIT area during the period 26 November, 1944 to 26 January
1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: D. T. Hammond]
D. T. HAMMOND

[STAMP: 106912]
[STAMP: FILMED]

— page 146 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARD FISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(A) PROLOGUE

        Arrived Pearl Harbor, T.H. 24 October 1944, from
Ninth War Patrol and was assigned to Submarine Base and
to Submarine Division two Eighty One for refit and to
Submarine Squadron Four for administrative purposes.
Commander D. T. Hammond, U.S. Navy relieved Commander
N. G. Ward, U.S. Navy as Commanding Officer on 27 Oct-
ober 1944.

        In addition to routine docking the following work
items were accomplished:

        (1) Smoke prevention alteration and overhauled
            all main engines.
        (2) Replaced two cells in forward battery and
            two in after battery.
        (3) Shifted 4" gun to after deck and installed
            two 40MM's; one forward and one aft on cigar-
            ette deck, rearranged ammunition ready lockers.
        (4) Installed MK 8 T.B.T.
        (5) Installed speed halving and range doubling equ-
            ipment for MK 3 T.D.C.
        (6) Installed Depth Charge Indicator.
        (7) Installed APR tuning unit (TN-4A) and pulse
            analyser.

        Conducted sound test 12 November 1944. Commenced
ten day training period 14 November.

Ready
for sea 26 November 1944.

(B) NARRATIVE

        26 November 1944

1330 (VW) Underway from Pearl Harbor, T.H., enroute to
        patrol area on Tenth War Patrol in accordance
        with ComSubPac Secret Op. Ord. 396-44.
1428 (VW) Held battle surface drill and fired all guns
        at moored target.
1550 (VW) Proceeding in company with U.S.S. SEA ROBIN
        escorted by P.C. 1077.
1753 (VW) Made trim dive.
1809 (VW) Surfaced and sighted U.S.S. SARATOGA cond-
        ucting training exercises to southwestward.
1910 (VW) Released escort.

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2045 (VW) Set ship's clocks back one half hour to confor
           with +10 time zone.

27 November 1944
0000 (W) Underway as before in company with U.S.S. SEA
           ROBIN conducting training dives and drills -
           GUARDFISH and SEA ROBIN alternating as target
           for practice approaches.
1500 (W) Set all clocks back one (1) hour to conform
           with +11 time zone.

28 November 1944
0000 (X) Underway as before in company with U.S.S. SEA
           ROBIN. Conducted various drills and approach-
           es during the day.
1120 (X) Sighted submarine over horizon bearing 322°T.
           Closed and exchanged recognition signals with
           eastbound U.S.S. TAMBOR.

29 November 1944
0000 (X) Underway as before in company with U.S.S. SEA
           ROBIN. Conducted various drills and practice
           approaches during the day.
1000 (X) Set all clocks back one (1) hour to conform
           with +12 time zone.

30 November 1944
0030 (Y) SEA ROBIN reported radar contact bearing 055°T
           range 10,000 yards. Changed course to 055°T
           to investigate. Had contact on rain squall
           on this approximate bearing but unable to pick
           up SEA ROBIN contact.
0100 (Y) Resumed base course.
0705 (Y) Crossed 180th Meridian and dropped 30 November
           1944.

1 December 1944
0923 (M) Held battle surface drill and fired all deck
           guns.
1624 (M) Contacted U.S.S. SEA DOG and closed to trans-
           fer operation order and other officer messeng-
           er mail.

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1700 (M) Formed Task Group 17.14. Received orders from
          ComTaskGroup 17.14 in SEA DOG to form scouting
          line normal to base course. SEA DOG guide,
          GUARDFISH twenty miles on starboard beam, SEA
          ROBIN twenty miles on port beam; base course
          259°T, speed of advance eleven knots, enroute
          SAIPAN Island for fuel thence to patrol Master
          Schedule in Convoy College in accordance with
          ComSubPac Secret Op. Ord. 396-44.

3 December 1944

0630 (M) Set all clocks back one (1) hour to conform
          with (-11) time zone.

4 December 1944

2345 (L) Changed interval of scouting line to 10,000
          yards.

5 December 1944

0000 (L) Underway as before.

6 December 1944

0100 (L) Set all clocks back one (1) hour to conform
          with (-10) time zone.
0030 (K) Exchanged recognition signals and calls by SJ
          radar with U.S.S. ATULE.
0600 (K) Changed base course to 265°T.

7 December 1944

0730 (K) Changed base course to 240°T.
1402 (K) Plane contact #1. Pip on Sugar Dog Radar 18
          miles faded out at 20 miles.
1539 (K) Plane contact #2, S.D. Radar, 12 miles closed
          to 10 miles; submerged.
1553 (K) Surfaced.

8 December 1944

0116 (K) Picked up SARIGAN Island by radar bearing 280°T,
          distance approximately 45,000 yards, and ANATAHAN
          Island bearing 260°T, approximately 75,000 yards.
0535 (K) Contacted SAIPAN escort, U.S.S. BOND AM152,
          bearing 223°T, range 19,000 yards.

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0605 (K) BOND had possible sound contact with enemy sub-
    marine. Maneuvered at high speed while BOND
    conducted search.
0705 (K) BOND reported negative results. Proceeded to
    SAIPAN with Task Group 17.14 and BOND. Sight-
    ed numerous northbound friendly planes while
    enroute SAIPAN.
0910 (K) Sighted SAIPAN Island bearing 173°T.
1012 (K) On various courses at various speeds entering
    SAIPAN Harbor.
1105 (K) Moored starboard side to U.S.S. SEA DOG in
    submarine nest port side of U.S.S. FULTON.
1128 (K) U.S.S. SEA ROBIN moored alongside to port.

    Fueled to capacity and made minor voyage
    repairs. Held conference with ComTaskGroup
    17.14 and received additional instructions and
    grid chart for coordinated patrol.

9 December 1944

0922 (K) Underway proceeding on various courses at var-
    ious speeds standing out of SAIPAN Harbor.
1005 (K) Proceeding in company with escort U.S.S. BOND
    (AM152) and Task Group 17.14 enroute patrol
    area, holding communication drill with ComTask-
    Group 17.14.
1339 (K) Made trim dive.
1500 (K) Escort released.
1845 (K) Opened distance to take station in scouting
    line twenty miles to starboard of SEA DOG,
    SEA ROBIN twenty miles to port of SEA DOG, base
    course 297°T, speed of advance 11.5 knots.
2100 (K) Set ship's clocks back one (1) hour to conform
    with -9 time zone.

10 December 1944

Unless otherwise specified all times are Item
(-9).

0300 Set watch on lifeguard frequency to cover re-
    connaissance planes as requested by ComTask-
    Group 17.7. Maintained this watch for twenty-
    four hours.
0803 Plane contact #3. Sighted unidentified plane,
    distance seven miles, elevation 1 degree, bear-
    ing 175°T.

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0810 Submerged for plane #3.
0825 Surfaced.
1206 Plane contact #4. Sighted unidentified plane.
     Radar range 11 miles bearing 220°T. Plane headed
     away - did not dive.

11 December 1944

0550 Trim dive.
0625 Surfaced.
0938 Plane contact #5. Pip on Sugar Dog at 10 miles.
     Submerged.
1020 Surfaced.
1054 Plane contact #6. Sighted plane from bridge bear-
     ing 237°T, Angle on the Bow 60P, elevation 3°,
     range 6 miles by S.D. radar. O.O.D. identified
     as possibly Nell on opposite course.
2232 Received contact report from SEA ROBIN. Reported
     position, course, and speed checked closely with
     that of GUARDFISH. Maintained course and speed
     and reported GUARDFISH position.

12 December 1944

0123 SEA ROBIN reported previous contact as U.S. subma-
     rine without radar.
0614 Submerged - trim dive.
0712 Surfaced.
1600 Submerged - battle problem drill.
1640 Surfaced.
2200 Received orders from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to take
     station in patrol line twelve miles south of BALIN-
     GANG Island by daylight 14 December 1944, if poss-
     ible. Went to three engine speed and set course
     to assigned station.

13 December 1944

0643 Made trim dive.
0656 Surfaced.
1700 Entered area "DELETE".
1846 Picked up radar indications bearing 250°T.
1911 Exchanged recognition signals with U.S.S. HADDO.
2239 Plane contact #7. Submerged upon getting steady
     strength five signal at 154 megacycles on APR.
2308 Surfaced.

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14 December 1944

0130 Picked up BALINTANG Island on radar bearing 260°T.
0135 Proceeding to station for submerged patrol. SEA
      ROBIN 12 miles south of BALINTANG Island, SEA DOG
      10 miles west of SEA ROBIN, GUARDFISH 10 miles west
      of SEA DOG.
0620 Submerged. Patrolling assigned station.
1350 Surfaced. Patrolling north and south courses
      southwest of BALINTANG Island.
2037 Exchanged recognition signals with SEA DOG by
      radar.

15 December 1944

0000 Course 284°T proceeding to assigned station.
0040 Picked up SEA DOG by radar 9,000 yards. Opened
      range.
0636 Submerged. Patrolling assigned station approximat-
      ely 80 miles west of BALINTANG Island.
1836 Surfaced.

16 December 1944

0000 Set course to new patrol station.
0721 Submerged. Patrolling assigned station approxim-
      ately 140 miles west of BALINTANG Island.
1419 Surfaced for sun line.
1430 Submerged.
1505 Heard distant underwater explosion.
1850 Surfaced.
2105 Set course 140°T proceeding to assigned station.

17 December 1944

0653 Submerged. Patrolling approximately 30 miles NNE
      of CAPE BOJEADOR.
1846 Surfaced. Maintained station patrol on north and
      south courses.

18 December 1944

0655 Submerged. Patrolling assigned station same as
      previous day.
1840 Surfaced. Maintained station patrol on north and
      south courses.

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19 December 1944
0120 Received orders to proceed to new station for pat-
     rol on 20 December.
0142 Picked up DALUFIRI and CALAYAN Island and north-
     tip of LUZON by radar.
0650 Submerged. Patrolling approximately 40 miles north-
     west of LUZON.
1845 Surfaced.
1914 Set course 253°T enroute to form East-West scout
     line with GUARDFISH, SEA DOG, SEA ROBIN, and
     SEGUNDO at 10 mile intervals.

20 December 1944
0530 Picked up SEA DOG by radar bearing 335°T, range
     8,300 yards. Opened range to 10 miles eastward
     of SEA DOG.
0658 Submerged. Patrolling approximately 120 miles west
     of CAPE BOJEADOR.
1848 Surfaced.
2236 Plane contact #8. Radar contact bearing 320°T,
     range 25,000 yards.

21 December 1944
0500 Received orders from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to patrol
     vicinity area approximately 60 miles southeast of
     MARATAS REEF until sunset 22 December.
0708 Submerged. Trim dive.
0826 Surfaced; patrolling assigned area.
2034 Commenced converting #4 F.B.T. to M.B.T.
2120 Completed conversion.
2203 Submerged to flush #4 M.B.T.
2245 Surfaced.

22 December 1944
0200 Replaced broken port antenna.
0200 Casualty - Main Power Electrical (See Major De-
     fects)
0710 Submerged in order to repair damage to #3 Generator
     and Resistor. Underway on port shaft to permit
     work in starboard side of Main Control Cubicle.
1316 Damage repaired.
1415 Surfaced. Patrolling assigned station.
2119 Received orders from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to patrol

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with SEA ROBIN for four days in area bounded approx-
imately by Longitudes 113°E to 116°E and Latitudes
19°-30'N to 20°-30'N. SEA DOG patrolling in area
Latitudes 18°-30'N to 19°-30'N and Longitudes 113°E
to 116°. Instructions for patrol through 31 Dec-
ember were also received.

23 December 1944
0520 Received message by radar from SEA ROBIN that they
had lost member of crew overboard and were search-
ing. Informed SEA ROBIN that we were closing to
join search.
0649 Sighted SEA ROBIN bearing 255°T.
0709 Picked up SEA ROBIN by radar bearing 250°T, range
8,350 yards. Exchanged recognition signals and
commenced search in accordance with SEA ROBIN plan.
0945 Plane contact #9. Pip on Sugar Dog radar 8 miles.
1016 Submerged.
1120 Surfaced and continued search.
Received message from SEA ROBIN that she believed
man was injured when washed overboard and would
discontinue search after one more pass to north-
ward.
1149 Plane contact #10. Pip on Sugar Dog radar 6 miles -
Submerged.
1222 Communicated with SEA ROBIN by sound. Further
search for man overboard from SEA ROBIN considered
hopeless.
1525 Surfaced. Continued patrol westward.

24 December 1944
0719 Submerged. Patrolling SSW of HONG KONG along 100
fathom curve..
0958 Plane contact #11. Sighted two (2) Nells bearing
184°T, elevation 4°, range approximately 3 miles.
1243 Sighted four (4) junks bearing 350°T, range approx-
imately 10,000 yards - appeared to be fishing.
1918 Surfaced.

25 December 1944
0214 QB sound heard possible pinging 090°T. No contact.
0728 Submerged. Patrolling same area as yesterday.
0900 Sighted eight (8) fishing boats, bearing 053°T to
063°T, range approximately 10,000 yards.
1942 Surfaced.

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26 December 1944
0728 Submerged. Patrolling assigned station approxim-
     ately 120 miles east of HAINAN Island.
1923 Surfaced.
1946 Exchanged recognition signals by radar with SEA DOG.

27 December 1944
0721 SEA ROBIN reported sighting northbound ships bear-
     ing 297°T, range 33,000 yards from latitude 18°-44'N,
     longitude 110°-58'E. Went to 3 engine speed to
     intercept reported ships off TAYA Island.
0728 SEA ROBIN reported enemy course 035°T, no speed
     estimate.
0735 Received the following from SEA ROBIN "Cancel Con-
     voy". No further word from SEA ROBIN - assumed
     contact was false and resumed patrol.
0751 Submerged; patrolling southeast of TONKON POINT.
1928 Surfaced.

28 December 1944
0120 Received instructions from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to
     patrol vicinity latitude 20°-00'N, longitude 112°-
     30'E (Square 47) at discretion.
0155 Received contact report from Radio Chunking. Con-
     voy was sighted by reconnaissance plane off south
     coast of HAINAN on course 070°T. Reported course
     indicated convoy headed for FORMOSA. Changed
     course to get on estimated track.
0500 Received information from SEA ROBIN that she had
     sighted northbound convoy yesterday hugging coast
     of HAINAN. ("Cancel Convoy" received at 0735, 27
     December 1944 must have been garbled.)
0601 Received orders from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to close
     coast of HAINAN at discretion. Decided convoy
     south of HAINAN report by China planes would
     probably head north along coast. Commenced clos-
     ing TONKON POINT attempting to intercept convoy.
0832 Trim dive.
0900 Surfaced.
1144 Plane contact #12. Pip on SD radar 8 miles. Sub-
     merged.
1310 Surfaced.
1403 Plane contact #13. Pip on SD radar 6 miles, sub-
     merged and continued closing coast.
1857 Sighted TONKON POINT bearing 338°T.

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1935 Surfaced. Fixed position 17 miles southeast of
     TONKON POINT and headed east to clear blind bomb-
     ing zone.

29 December 1944

0503 Commenced closing TAYA ISLAND.
0742 Submerged and continued closing TAYA Island.
0852 Sighted South TAYA Island bearing 294°T, distance
     about 15 miles.
1300 Plane contact #14. Sighted plane bearing 190°T,
     distance 4 miles identified as Sally.
1927 Surfaced. Obtained radar fix using South TAYA Is-
     land. Commenced clearing blind bombing zone.
2100 Commenced moving eastward in accordance with Com-
     TaskGroup 17.14 patrol plan to reach patrol station
     southwest of TAKAO by dawn 1 January 1945.

30 December 1944

0658 Sighted drifting horn type mine sharp on port bow -
     passed abeam to port about 10 feet.
0702 Stopped and waited for daylight to re-locate and
     sink mine.
0758 Sighted mine and sank it using 20MM and B.A.R.
0920 Plane contact #15. SD contact at 14 miles closed
     to 12 miles. Submerged.
1049 Surfaced.
1237 Plane contact #16. SD contact at 12 miles closed
     to 7 miles. Submerged.
1531 Heard possible pinging bearing 030°T.
1658 No further pinging heard and nothing sighted
     through periscope. Surfaced to investigate. Noth-
     ing sighted; continued surface patrol.
2019 Intercepted messages indicating that SEA DOG and
     SEA ROBIN were developing a contact southeast of
     HAINAN. We probably submerged when contact
     report was sent.
     Position, course, and speed reports of SEA DOG
     and SEA ROBIN made it apparent that we were too far
     to the eastward to get in on this contact. Sent
     position report to ComTaskGroup 17.14 and reported
     that we had received no information on their con-
     tact. Received instructions from ComTaskGroup 17.14
     to patrol north of 19°-30'N in LEG JOINT. Decided
     to continue moving eastward to cover routes through
     PESCADORES CHANNEL, covering probable FORMOSA -
     HAINAN route while enroute. At this time it was

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expected that the rest of the group would head east
to assigned area south of FORMOSA after finishing
present contact activities.
2306 Received new area description and reclassification
of areas effective 1500 GCT 31 December.

31 December 1944

0337 Steady signal on APR, strength 5. Submerged.
0359 Surfaced.
1100 Plane contact #17. SD contact 6 miles. Submerged.
1210 Surfaced.
1345 Plane contact #18. Sighted three (3) single eng-
ine land planes range 5 miles closing. Submerged.
picked up planes on SJ at 9,000 yards while going
down.
1855 Surfaced.

1 January 1945

Necessary to place one Officer on sick list;
confined to bed with serious infection of lower right
leg caused by skin brasure in clearing bridge.

Patrol area now limited to off shore routes
west of 120°E. Moving east to cover possible traf-
fic through PESCADORES CHANNEL and probable routes
west and southwest of TAKAO.
0556 APR signal 155 megacycles. Secured SJ transmitter
and the signal soon faded out.
0713 Submerged.
1900 Surfaced.
2012 Received instructions from ComSubPac relative to
sending weather reports up to and including 16
January.
2200 Received orders from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to pat-
rol east of 115°E in LEG JOINTS. SEA ROBIN is west
of 112°E, SEA DOG 112°E to 115°E.
Having missed ComSubPac Serial 54 which assig-
ned Task Group 17.14 the area west of 118°E, assumed
that we had area from 115°E to 120°E. Learned later
that we were in ASPRO'S area until 5 January.

2 January 1945

0041 APR signal 154 megacycles.
0058 154 megacycle signal steady at strength 5 - Sub-
merged.
0136 Surfaced.

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0155 APR signal 154 megacycles.
0206 APR signal 154 megacycles, strength 5, steady -
     Submerged.
0250 Surfaced.
0522 APR signal 155 megacycles, strength 5, steady -
     Submerged. This procedure was getting to be mo-
     notonous - decided to stay down.
0900 Plane contact #19. Sighted two (2) Nells approx-
     imately 4 miles.
0916 Plane contact #20. Sighted one (1) unidentified
     twin engine bomber - 3 miles - heading east.
1014 Plane contact #21. Sighted two float type planes
     distance 5 miles, headed west.
1425 Heard distant pinging bearing 250°T. Headed toward
     pinging.
1440 Ship contact #1. Sighted masts bearing 295°T, es-
     timated range 20,000 yards. Went to battle stations
     and commenced approach.
1455 Three large ships and two escorts now in sight.
     Leading ship in convoy bearing 300°T range 16,000
     yards. Angle on the bow 50 degrees starboard.
1507 Base course of convoy 070°T, speed 14 knots; zig
     zagging approximately 30 degrees either side of base
     course.
1521 Could not close to firing range submerged. Convoy
     consisting of one large AP similar to KATURAGI
     MARU (Page 82 ONI 208-J revised), two large AP-AK's
     and at least two (2) DD escorts went by at a range
     of 11,000 yards - apparently headed for TAKAO or
     PESCADORES CHANNEL.
          These three deisel beauties (estimated ton-
     nage 8000 each) were in close column formation
     with one DD ahead and one DD on the starboard bow
     of the leading ship.
          Went to convoy base course and continued track-
     ing.
1615 Lost sight of convoy.
1626 Surfaced and sent contact report to Task Group
     17.14 and to ASPRO on wolf pack frequency. Re-
     ceived receipt of report from SEA DOG only.
1627 SJ contact 27,000 yards. Three ships bearing 010°T
     could not be made out using high periscope due to
     surface haze. Closed range to 24,000 yards and
     commenced end around keeping convoy in sight using
     high periscope.
1730 Base course is still 070°T, speed 14 knots.
1925 Base course now 050°T, speed 14 knots. We are on
     the outside track which makes getting ahead

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difficult. GUARDFISH maximum speed heading into
existing sea is 17 knots.
1941 Getting dark. Commenced closing range to deter-
     mine disposition of escorts. After the plane ac-
     tivity last night and this morning, it was a pleas-
     ant surprise to be allowed to remain on the sur-
     face. Theory was that a thorough search had been
     made ahead of the convoy as no planes were sighted
     while tracking for about 5 hours.
1948 Intermittent pips on two escorts on starboard flank
     coming in at about 22,000 yards.
2007 Range to leading ship in column, 15,000 yards. We
     now had a total of seven ships on the radar screen,
     three large ships in close column formation and four
     escorts. Continued tracking and end around, main-
     taining range of not less than 15,000 yards from
     leading ship and 12,000 yards from nearest escort.
2029 Disposition of convoy as follows: One large AP
     and two large AP-AK's in close column formation,
     one DD escort about 3,000 yards on starboard bow
     of leading ship, one DD patrolling approximately
     3,000 yards on starboard beam of center ship, one
     unidentified escort on port side of convoy, and
     one small unidentified escort trailing at a range
     of about 4,000 yards. Since time was not avail-
     able to reach a more favorable position on port
     flank before convoy reaches PESCADORES CHANNEL,
     it was decided to go in from present position.
     Chances of getting inside the two starboard es-
     corts without detection was slim. Planned to
     shoot three bow tubes at the beam escort and re-
     maining bow tubes and stern tubes at second and
     ships in column - or to accept any favorable shot
     with range to leading ship 14,000 yards, headed
     at 17 knots.
2038 At a range of 9,500 yards the starboard beam es-
     cort flashed a red light and immediately opened
     fire; range to leading ship in column 11,500
     yards. Splashes were on in deflection but fell
     short. Three distant depth charges heard and
     felt one minute after escort opened fire - prob-
     ably other escorts joining in to create confusion.
     Night was dark, sky overcast, and moon not
     due to rise for two hours. Dim blurs of the large
     ships could be made out but the escort was not
     seen before or after he commenced firing. We could
     not have been sighted at this range. Our speed at the
     time was 17 knots but due to the high speed of the

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
convoy (14 knots) it is highly improbable that we
were detected by sound. This escort was undoubt-
edly equipped with efficient radar. During the
first stages of the approach signals were received
on the APR varying from 120 to 150 megacycles.
This signal was intermittent - coming in about 30
times per minute as a dull click. Radar interfer-
ence did not appear on the SJ screen.
2040 Escort closing range, but after putting him astern,
range remained constant for about 8 minutes and
then opened rapidly, indicating a return to stat-
ion with the convoy to close gap in the screen.
2050 Headed for convoy and resumed tracking.
2055 With convoy bearing 011°T, range 22,000 yards,
course 020°T, commenced working around again.
2058 Entered blind bombing zone.
2130 Convoy bearing 005°T, range 19,000 yards, base
course now 020°T, speed 14 knots. Speed advant-
age of GUARDFISH was not sufficient to gain pos-
ition ahead of convoy for attack before reaching
restricted waters of PESCADORES CHANNEL (35 miles
from present position). It was not feasible to
follow convoy through PESCADORES CHANNEL for an-
other attempt north of the PESCADORES. Continued
tracking while moving northeastward to be in pos-
ition in the event of an abrupt change of course
for TAKAO.
2158 Lost contact. Sent contact report to ComSubPac for
benefit of submarines in Area 11 or Air Forces.
Commenced clearing blind bombing zone.
2242 APR contact 155 megacycles, strength 5, steady
signal. Submerged.
2250 Heard two distant explosions.
2332 Surfaced.
2348 APR contact 154 megacycles steady - secured trans-
mitting on SJ and signal faded out.
It is noted that radar planes appeared on the
scene within an hour after we were detected; range
to nearest air; base about fifty miles.

5 January 1945;
0036 Signal on APR 155 megacycles. Secured SJ trans-
mitter and the signal faded out in about one half
hour.
0100 Picked up radar indications; probably ASPRO.
0229 Intermittent signal on APR at 155 megacycles. Se-
cured SJ transmitter.

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0237 Signal on APR 155 megacycles now steady at strength
     five. Submerged.
0327 Surfaced - SJ and SD radar secured. Intermittent
     signal on APR 155 megacycles - Strength one. Did
     not increase intensity.
0630 Received message from SEA ROBIN reporting position
     and course of convoy which is 500 miles from
     GUARDFISH heading away. Continued patrol in as-
     signed area.
0721 Submerged; patrolling approximately 100 miles
     southwest of TAKAO. Listening on lifeguard
     frequency using SD antenna; no intelligible signal.
1124 Heard first of several distant underwater explosions.
1853 Surfaced.

4 January 1945

0742 Submerged; patrolling south of PESCADORES CHANNEL.
0910 Surfaced.
0925 Junior Officer of the deck sight periscope 290°T,
     range approximately 3,000 yards. Evaded at high
     speed and then resumed previous base course.
0953 Plane contact #22. Pip on SD at 4 miles closing.
     Submerged with last range on plane 2 miles. Not
     sighted from bridge; visibility very poor, low
     overcast. Reversed course and headed for the
     true bearing of periscope sighting; expecting sub-
     marine might surface and trail since we were prob-
     ably out of sight before submerging.
1052 Plane contact #23. Sighted three (3) single eng-
     ine planes at range of 4 miles bearing 168°T.
1553 Heard possible pinging - bearing 100°T. Changed
     course to 100°T.
1626 Nothing sighted in very poor visibility and no
     further pinging was heard. Surfaced to made radar
     sweep.
1632 Submerged.
1900 Surfaced.
1904 Plane contact #24. Pip on SJ bearing 050°T, dist-
     ance 20,000 yards. Pip faded and did not close.
2133 Second sweep echo range approximately 150,000
     yards on FORMOSA.
2227 Sent Serial Two to ComSubPac - weather report and
     miscellaneous data, including request for a miss-
     ing serial.
     Having now transmitted two (2) messages in
     approximately the same position, decided to move
     westward and patrol possible HONG KONG - MANILA
     routes and possible north and south shipping routes
     passing west of FORMOSA BANKS.

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2249 AFR signal 100 megacycles, strength two, rotating.
     Faded out.

5 January 1945

0711 Submerged - Patrolling southwest of PESCADORES
     CHANNEL.
1000 Surfaced. Received missing Serial 53. We had
     been in ASIRO area but are now in area assigned
     to Task Group 17.14.
1453 Plane contact #25. Pip on SD at 21 miles - faded
     out.
1530 Plane contact #26. Pip on SD at 33 miles - faded
     out.
1607 Plane contact #27. Pip on SD at 19 miles - Faded
     out.
1930 Received China Group aircraft contact report of
     convoy headed through this area. Conducted search
     allowing for ±2 knots error in estimated speed,
     and ±10° course error. Negative results.
2206 Received instructions for lifeguard duty from Com-
     SubPac.
2330 Sent Serial Three to ComSubPac requesting medical
     advice for treating patient with serious leg in-
     faction.

6 January 1945

0741 Submerged. Patrolling north of VERREKER BANK.
1305 Surfaced.
1412 Received orders for additional weather reports.
1548 Sent Serial Four to ComSubPac (Weather report).
1643 Plane contact #28. Two (2) pips on SD at 8 miles,
     closed to 6 miles. Submerged.
1909 Surfaced.
2005 Ship contact #2. Radar contact bearing 213°T, range
     25,000 yards. Closed range to 16,000 yards and
     commenced tracking. Had three good size pips at
     23,000 yards and a total of five pips at 18,000
     yards.
2107 Targets have tracked on course 045°T at 5 knots
     for one hour. During this tracking period con-
     siderable suspicion was aroused for the following
     reasons: (a) The three large pips were always
     equidistant, approximately 800 yards between pips,
     along a constant line of bearing approximately nor-
     mal to the course line: (b) These large pips at

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

times exhibited two peaks (at ranges as great as
16,000 yards) which often separated to give two re-
turns; (c) The small pips varied in size and num-
ber from two to four independant of any range ele-
ment; (d) Steady course and slow, constant speed;
(e) Weak radar interference from the bearing of
targets. (See Radar section)

In view of the suspicious nature of these pips,
and the fact that the other submarines of this type
group are patrolling independantly in areas well to
eastward, report of contact was not transmitted.
2109 Continued tracking at various ranges and definitly
determined that the size of the pips varied with
ranges.
2212 Targets (?) still have not changed course or speed.
GUARDFISH now at 16,000 yards 40 degrees on the
port bow of the near target. Lowered sound head
and commenced easing in at 5 knots to see if visual
contact would clarify the radar confusion.
2251 Nothing visible at 6,000 yards range. Under exist-
ing visibility conditions a medium size ship should
be visible at 8,000 yards - (partly overcast, but
clear atmosphere). Radar pips were at saturation
heighth at a range of 10,000 yards. By this time
we were convinced that the contact was a decoy of
some type, but considered that there was a possibil-
ity of hitting one of the towing vessels with torpe-
does. Made ready three stern tubes, and headed
in for attack.
2301 With five targets overlapping, fired three torped-
oes at the second from ahead at a range of 2,800
yards; track angle 91 port; gyro angles approximat-
ely zero. Torpedoes were set at six, six, and four
feet; six feet being considered the minimum setting
advisable for the existing sea. All torpedoes
missed, undoubtedly running under the targets.
2301:20 Commenced opening range, making radical course
changes.

2309 Paralleled target course at 6,000 yards and contin-
ued tracking. Targets took no action - still on
course 045°T at 5 knots maintaining perfect
station on same line of bearing. Considered firing
the Mark 18 set at zero feet but decided that we
had already been taken for three torpedoes.
2345 Decoy group course 045, speed 5 knots. Station
ahead for daylight submerged inspection would be
thirty miles inside of blind bombing zone in 22 fa-
thoms of water and would necessitate destruction

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

of ECM. Gave up idea of possible gun action and
headed south to clear blind bombing zone. Lost c-
ontact and resumed patrol across the track of
this group. They might have been sent ahead of a
convoy either to locate submarines or to cause
expenditure of torpedoes.

7 January 1945

0432 Received instructions for treatment and transfer
     of patient with infected leg to DACE.
0718 Submerged. Patrolling north of PRATAS REEF.
1724 Surfaced.
1854 Sent Serial five to ComSubPac (Weather report).

8 January 1945

0727 Submerged. Patrolling northeast of PRATAS REEF.
0848 Surfaced.
1005 Fino contact #29. Three (3) pips on SD at 11,
     15, and 19 miles. Submerged.
1900 Surfaced.
2042 Sent Serial Six to ComSubPac (Weather report; and
     information that transfer of patient to DACE not
     considered necessary.)

9 January 1945

     Commenced moving to westward limit of assigned
area - our position should be accurately known by
Japs due to several radio transmissions in present
immediate vicinity.
0731 Submerged. Patrolling north of PRATAS REEF.
1026 Surfaced.
1135 Fino contact #30. Pip on SD at 30 miles. Faded
     out and did not close.
1758 Received orders to be on lifeguard station 13th to
     15th January, inclusive.
1840 Fino contact #31. Pip on SD and SJ at 4 miles
     bearing 290°T, closing. Submerged.
1924 Surfaced.
2122 Received notice of zone re-classification. Assign-
     ed patrol area is now a joint zone - conducting
     patrol accordingly.

10 January 1945

0721 Submerged. Patrolling north of VEREKER BANK.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

1911 Surfaced.

11 January 1945
0421 Picked up radar indications bearing 170°T.
0445 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with SEA
     DOG.
0524 Exchanged position reports with SEA DOG. Receiv-
     ed orders from ComTaskGroup 17.14 to patrol in
     assigned area at discretion. Will remain in the
     general vicinity assigned lifeguard station.
0745 Submerged. Patrolling approximately 60 miles west
     of PRATAS REEF.
1919 Surfaced.

12 January 1945
0733 Submerged. Patrolling approximately 60 miles west
     of VEREKER BANK.
0925 Surfaced.
1105 Obtained the first sun sight in 22 days. Have had
     continuous overcast in the day time during this
     period. Occassional moonlight star fixes and land
     fixes have been obtained.
1236 Plane contact #32. Pip on SD at 24 miles - Faded
     out.
1306 Plane contact #33. Pip on SD at 26 miles - Faded
     out.
1354 Plane contact #34. Pip on SD at 10 miles. Sub-
     merged.
1400 Plane contact #35. Sighted plane identified as
     Betty - distance approximately 5 miles.
1517 Sighted U.S. Submarine, probably SEA DOG, zigzag-
     ging on northeasterly course bearing 300°T, range
     7,000 yards.
1930 Surfaced.
1945 Sent Serial Seven to ComSubFrac (Weather report).

13 January 1945
0704 Submerged. Patrolling assigned lifeguard station,
     listening on lifeguard frequency using SD mast and on
     VHF.
1157 Sighted three (3) small sailing vessels; apparent-
     ly Chinese fishermen.
1930 Surfaced. No indications of plane activity all
     day and nothing intelligible heard on lifeguard
     frequency.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

2312 Received orders to patrol in general vicinity of
     assigned lifeguard station until further notice.

14 January 1945

0735 Submerged. Patrolling approximately 40 to 60
     miles south of assigned lifeguard station; list-
     ening on aircraft frequency using SD antenna.
1315 Surfaced.
1445 Sighted two small sailboats - avoided detection
     on surface.
1534 Sighted horn type mine; bobbed up one time about
     300 yards on the starboard bow. Stopped to dest-
     roy mine if it could be located.
1548 Submerged for false plane contact.
1615 Surfaced after clearing vicinity of drifting mine.
     Attempted, in vain, to relocate mine. Seas were
     rough and the mine had apparently little remain-
     ing buoyancy.
1627 Sighted two small sailboats and avoided detection
     on surface.
1658 Submerged to avoid detection by sailboats.
1920 Surfaced.
1946 Received orders from ComSubPac for termination
     of patrol at sunset on 16 January 1945 and routing
     instruction to GUAM.

15 January 1945

0721 Submerged. Patrolling south of assigned lifeguard
     station and listening on lifeguard frequency using
     SD antenna.
1526 Surfaced to get sunsight. Remained on surface as
     low overcast cleared.
1622 Received orders to be on lifeguard station today
     and tomorrow. Proceeding to assigned station.
1823 Received information from ComSubPac in relation
     to downed plane in an inaccessible position.
1920 Forward antenna stub mast was bent back by heavy
     sea. All antennas grounded out. Rigged temp-
     orary antenna from searchlight platform rail
     to stub mast forward. Considering the seas en-
     countered throughout the patrol this forward an-
     tenna rig lasted longer than expected.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

16 January 1945

Patrolling in the vicinity of assigned life-
guard station.
0624 Avoided several lighted fishing vessels while pro-
ceeding to designated lifeguard station.
0650 Heard voices over VHF - unable to distinguish what
said.
0704 Submerged to avoid detection by junks in the vic-
inity. On lifeguard station - listening on VHF and
aircraft frequency using SD antenna.
0712 Heard first of several distant underwater explo-
sions which occured at infrequent intervals during
day.
0828 Sighted first of numerous Chinese junks. Had from
eight to an indefinite number in sight for the
rest of the day. We were completely surrounded
late afternoon. Examined several at close range
and was satisfied that they were Chinese fishermen.
Any aviator having trouble in this area should cer-
tainly be spotted by somebody.
0842 Plane contact #36. Sighted two (2) Kate planes at
six miles, bearing 070°T, flying very low and head-
ed north.
0900 Heard American voices over aircraft frequency. No
intelligible information.
1621 Ran through area of green dye.
1922 Surfaced. Sailboats in sight and on SJ radar all
around.
No friendly planes were sighted during the day
and no messages were intercepted on VHF lifeguard
frequency to indicate that any planes were in diff-
iculty in this area. Inter-plane conversation be-
tween two pilots home bound from some target at about
2000. Intercepted one message from a SOWESPAC sub-
marine reporting negative results of search for
plane survivors south east of HAINAN. No other in-
formation received relative to downed planes.
2344 Sent weather report to ComSubPac and requested ex-
tension of time in area. (Serial Eight)

17 January 1945

0000 Having received no information over submarine
schedule relative to downed planes, headed east in
accordance with routing instructions while waiting
for reply to request for extension of patrol.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0920 Plane contact #37. Pip on SD at 7 miles. Submerged.
1517 Surfaced. Continued heading eastward.
1928 SJ Radar indications at 080°T and 020°T.
1930 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with BLACKFISH using SJ radar. Sent data on location of drifting mines encountered.
2020 Received orders from ComSubPac to proceed to GUAM in accordance with previous instructions. Extension of patrol not considered justified in view of current activity in this area. Proceeding in accordance with routing instructions.
2130 Exchanged calls with ARCHERFISH using SJ radar.

18 January 1945

0912 Took considerable water down conning tower hatch. #1 periscope contactor panel was the only casualty.
1108 #1 periscope contactor panel again grounded out. Periscope is up and cannot be lowered until grounds are cleared up. Submerged.
1630 #1 periscope back in commission but the brake is unreliable. Pulled fuses to make it inoperative. Surfaced.
1941 Exchanged calls with ASPRO on SJ radar.
1942 Intermittent APR signal strength 2, 154 megacycles.
1945 Submerged. APR signal strength 5, steady.
2010 Surfaced.
2112 APR signal, strength 2 intermittent, 154 megacycles.
2128 APR signal, strength 5, steady.
2129 Submerged.
2204 Surfaced.
2355 Struck submerged object with such force as to be felt throughout the ship. Nothing sighted from bridge.

19 January 1945

0331 Pip on SJ, range 6,100 yards, bearing 120°T. Had SJ radar interference on this bearing for some time previous to contact. Ran around and sent challenge but received no reply. Had been expecting CHARM.
0700 Surfaced. West of SABTANG Island.
1852 Surfaced.
2039 Land pip on SJ 060°T, range 60,000 yards (SABTANG Island).
2149 Commenced passage southward between BABUYAN and CALAYAN Islands and eastward between BABUYAN and CALAYAN Islands.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

CAMIGUIM Island. Proceeding in accordance with
prescribed routing enroute GUAM.

20 January 1945

0705 Exchanged recognition signals with CROAKER by radar.
     (Northeast of LUZON)
0645 Submerged. Involuntary dive due to grounding of
     diving alarm. Located ground in bridge circuit and
     pulled this circuit.
0725 Surfaced.
1234 Plane contact #38. Pip on SD at 7 miles closing.
     Submerged.
1315 Surfaced.
1728 Received rendezvous instructions for arrival at
     GUAM from ComTaskGroup 17.7.

21 January 1945

0700 Enroute GUAM.
0750 Plane contact #40. Pip on SD at 16 miles - Closed
     to 10 miles. Submerged.
0821 Surfaced.
1224 Plane contact #41. Pip on SD at 5 miles. Submerged.
1532 Sighted life ring (white with orange stripes). Sea
     too rough to recover - no identifying data other
     than color of stripes.
1727 Plane contact #42. Pip on SD at 25 miles - faded
     out.

22 January 1945

0000 Enroute GUAM.
0204 Sent position, speed of advance and ETA at rand-
     ezvous to ComTaskGroup 17.7.
1105 Plane contact #43. Pip on SD at 22 miles.
1619 Submerged to conduct battle problem.
1724 Surfaced.
2340 Number two main engine out of commission (See Major
     Defects).

23 January 1945

0000 Enroute GUAM.
1121 Plane contact #44. Pip on SD at 8 miles, closing.
     Submerged.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

1152 Surfaced. No. 4 main engine out of commission
     (See Major Defects).
1225 No. 2 main engine back in commission.
1725 Radio antenna stub mast forward sheared at the
     deck. Have SD radar antenna only.
2030 SJ radar contact bearing 030°T, range 11,000 yards.
     Commenced tracking.
2038 Estimated target course 270°T, speed 11 knots.
     Contact believed to be either a small ship or a
     submarine. Tracking at range from 10,000 to
     13,000 yards; nothing sighted from the bridge.
     Radar indications of a friendly submarine are not
     in evidence.
2117 Having no data on friendly forces in this immediate
     vicinity decided to send contact report and a re-
     quest for information. Report not cleared until
     2310 due to difficulty in transmitting using the
     SD antenna. Continued tracking at a range of
     approximately 13,000 yards to avoid detection. A
     dim blur could be made out occasionally on the
     bearing of the target at a range of 12,000 yards
     when the moon broke through the overcast. Visi-
     bility conditions: - overcast with passing rain
     squalls.
2242 Target has been checking on course 280°T, speed
     10.5 knots since about 2200. Commenced running
     down stern of target to take advantage of better
     background on the starboard beam.
2327 Set a watch on the QB sound receiver to listen for
     possible sound challenge made by friendly surface
     ships when in a Joint Zone. No signals or pinging
     heard; maintaining sound watch.

24 January 1945

0000 Now on northern edge of Joint Zone. Enciphered
     message to ComSubPac and ComTaskGroup 17.7 giving
     position course and speed and information that
     we would continue tracking and attack when positive
     enemy character of contact unless otherwise dir-
     ected. (Message delivered to Radio DARWIN for re-
     lay to 0054)
0040 #4 Main engine back in commission.
0113 Received information from ComSubPac to the effect
     that no known friendly submarines were in the
     immediate vicinity and that if contact were surfa-
     ship it would probably be friendly as we were in

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

a Joint Zone.
0130 Received instructions from ComTaskGroup 17.7 to
  continue tracking.
0338 Received information from ComTaskGroup 17.7 that
  no known friendly forces were in the vicinity of
  our contact, and was reminded that we were in a
  Joint Zone.
0542 Commenced drawing ahead on starboard bow of tar-
  get to gain position for submerged identification,
  and attack if enemy, at dawn. Planned to dive
  enough ahead at dawn to have sufficient vis-
  ibility for identification as he approached
  our position. Having in mind that if the contact
  were an enemy submarine that he might dive before
  sunrise, did not want to get too far ahead.
  Submerged 13,600 yards ahead of contact approx-
  imately 2,000 yards from his track.
0605 Sound contact bearing 117°T.
0603 Periscope contact bearing 117°T, range 6,800 yards,
  angle on the bow 15° starboard.
0620 Target identified by the Commanding Officer after
  two observations, and by the Executive Officer
  after two observations, at ranges varying from
  6,800 yards to 1,800 yards as a Japanese Submar-
  ine of the I-165 Class using ONI 41-42 for com-
  parison of silhouette. Visibility conditions:
  Ten minutes before scheduled time of sunrise -
  sky overcast; passing light rain squalls; target
  clearly silhouetted by pre-sunrise light in the
  east.
0620:20 Fired 4 Mark 18 torpedoes from bow tubes at 10
  second intervals.

POSITION - Lat. 15°-41'N Long. 135°-29'E.

  Estimated range 1,200 yards; angle on the bow
  50° starboard. Estimated torpedo run 600 yards;
  track angle 70 starboard. One minute and eighteen
  seconds after firing the first torpedo heard first
  hit and eight seconds later heard second hit.
  Raised periscope and observed target surrounded
  by smoke.
0623 Smoke cleared and observed stern of target rise
  out of the water. Upon seeing the stern, realized
  with grave concern that we had not hit a submarine.
0630 Surfaced and closed wreckage. Upon drawing close
  aboard the first life raft realized the full extent
  of our mistake. The survivors were American.

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CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
0635 Commenced picking up survivors. Ship sunk deter-
mined to be U.S.S. EXTRACTOR (ARS-15). Low swells
and light rain squalls, but visibility is good.
0815 Picked up the last of a total of seventy three sur-
vivors. All survivors were apparently in good con-
dition; a few having suffered minor bruises and
lacerations. Á muster by the Commanding Officer
of EXTRACTOR indicated that six men were unaccount-
ed for. Continued searching in and around wreckage
and to leeward at slow speed, searching for addition-
al survivors.
0909 Having completed a thorough search of the area
for the six missing men without success, commenced
clearing Air-Surface Zone. Visibility now excell-
ent - fully convinced that all survivors have been
picked up.
Post Firing Analysis
1. Ás determined by torpedo time of run, the actual
range to the target at the time of firing was 1750
yards, or 550 yards greater than had been estimated.
2. Prior to firing it was fully realized that the
target must be identified as enemy beyond possible
doubt.
3. At the time of firing there was not the slight-
est doubt in the Commanding Officers mind that the
target was a submarine, that it was not a friendly
submarine, and that it closely resembled the Japan-
ese I-165 Class submarine. The Executive Officer
made two observations and was equally sure that
the target was a Japanese submarine of the I-165
Class.
4. The masts of the EXTRACTOR were in line with the
bridge structure to give a definite impression of
being a radio mast and raised periscope extending
above the conning tower and bridge structure of
a Submarine of the I-165 Class. The stepped
bridge structure of the EXTRACTOR and lower stack
blending in with the bridge structure, made the
same silhouette as a submarine of the I-165 Class
with a rounded conning tower contour forward and
low bridge deck aft.
0957 Plane contact #45. Pip on SD closing to 9 miles,
not sighted but probably friendly, pulled flares
and submerged.
1025 Surfaced. No in Joint Zone Enroute GUAM.
1057 Plane contact #46. Sighted plane on converging

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
course, estimated range 5 miles. Plane probably
friendly but not positively identified, pulled
flares and submerged. Picked up plane on SJ, 10,000
yards while diving.
1156 Completed transmission of preliminary report of our
tragic mistake to ComSubPac, ComTaskGroup 17.10
and ComTaskGroup 17.7.

25 January 1945

Underway as before enroute GUAM.

26 January 1945

0748 Pip on SJ radar 173°T, 21,900 yards.
0800 Made rendezvous with U.S.S. GEORGE (DE 697). Pro-
ceeding enroute Guam escorted by U.S.S. GEORGE.
1344 Arrived Guam.

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(C) WEATHER
The entire period covered by this patrol, occurring
at the peak of the Northeast Monsoon, was marked by a
continuance of bad weather. Wind and sea frequently reach-
ed gale proportions particularly in the vicinity of PRATAS
Island.
Weather conditions in general conformed closely to
data set forth in various H.O. Sailing Directions.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION
Currents held closely to those indicated on various
H.O. charts and Sailing Directions. No unusual conditions
encountered.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
Aids to navigation were sadly lacking on this pat-
rol and was made more noticeable due to the fact that
heavy overcast prevented obtaining consistent Celestial
fixes.
Frequent use was made of the fathometer during the
period spent in the vicinity of PRATAS Island and position
was checked by running across VEREKER BANK and recrossing the
100 fathom curve.

(F) SHIP CONTACTS
| NO. | TIME | LAT. | TYPE | INIT. | EST. | HOW |
| | DATE | LONG. | | RANGE | COUR.& | CONT- |
| | | | | | SPEED | ACTED | REMARKS |
| 1. | 1-2-45 | 21-48.0N | 1 AP | 20,000 | 070°T | SP | AP sim- |
| | 1440(I) | 118-32.0E | 2 AP-AK's | | 14 kt. | | ilar to |
| | | | 2 DD's | | | | KATORI |
| | | | | | | | MARU |
| 2. | 1-6-45 | 21-30.0N | Unident. | 25,000 | 045°T | SJ | See at- |
| | 2005(I) | 116-07.0E | | | 5 kt. | Radar | tack |
| | | | | | | | DATA |
| | | | | | | | sec- |
| | | | | | | | (H) |

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(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

NO. | DATE | TIME | LAT. | LONG. | TYPE | TRUE | BEAR- | ING | HOW EST. | POSIT. | RANGE | CON. | COUR. | ANGLE | REMARKS
----|------|------|------|------|------|------|-------|-----|||-------|------|-------|-------|
1.  | 12-7-44 | 17-53.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 18Mi.  | R    |      |       |       | Remained
    |   | 1402(K) | 148-48.0E | surfaced
2.  | 12-7-44 | 17-42.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 12Mi.  | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1539(K) | 148-19.0E |
3.  | 12-10-44 | 17-53.5N |      |      |      | 175°T |       |     |          | 7Mi.   | S    | East | 1°    |       | Remained
    |   | 0808(I) | 141-27.0E | Unid.| surfaced
4.  | 12-10-44 | 18-14.8N |      |      |      | 220°T |       |     |          | 11Mi.  | S    | 240  | 3°    |       | Remained
    |   | 1206(I) | 140-57.0E | Unid.| surfaced
5.  | 12-11-44 | 19-40.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 10Mi.  | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 0938(I) | 137-00.0E |
6.  | 12-11-44 | 19-44.0N |      |      |      | 237°T |       |     |          | 6Mi.   | R&S  | 110  | 3°    |       | Remained
    |   | 1054(I) | 136-48.0E | Nell | surfaced
7.  | 12-11-44 | 19-58.0N |      |      |      | APR   |       |     |          |        |      |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 2239(I) | 123-15.0E |      |      |      | 154   | MC    |       |     |          |        |      |      |       |       |
8.  | 12-20-44 | 18-26.0N |      |      |      | 320°T |       |     |          | 12Mi.  | SJ   |      |       |       | Remained
    |   | 2336(I) | 118-33.0E | surface
9.  | 12-23-44 | 20-11.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 8Mi.   | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 0945(I) | 115-43.0E |
10. | 12-23-44 | 20-11.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 6Mi.   | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1149(I) | 115-39.7E |
11. | 12-24-44 | 19-58.0N | (2)  |      |      | 184°T |       |     |          | 3Mi.   | P    | 350  | 4°    |       | Submerged
    |   | 0958(I) | 113-44.0E | Nells|
12. | 12-28-44 | 19-40.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 8Mi.   | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1144(I) | 111-52.0E |
13. | 12-28-44 | 19-41.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 6Mi.   | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1403(I) | 111-39.0E |
14. | 12-29-44 | 19-52.0N |      |      |      | 190°T |       |     |          | 4Mi.   | P    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1300(I) | 111-40.0E | Sally|
15. | 12-30-44 | 19-55.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 14Mi.  | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 0920(I) | 112-51.0E |
16. | 12-30-44 | 19-54.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 12Mi.  | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1237(I) | 113-11.0E |
17. | 12-31-44 | 20-43.0N |      |      |      |      |       |     |          | 6Mi.   | R    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 1100(I) | 116-00.0E |
18. | 12-31-44 | 20-57.0N | Unid.|      |      |      |       |     |          | 5Mi.   | S&R  | 000  | 3½°   |       | Submerged
    |   | 1345(I) | 116-17.0E |
19. | 1-2-45 | 21-47.0N | (2)  |      |      |      |       |     |          | 4Mi.   | S    |      |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 0900(I) | 118-18.0E | Nells|
20. | 1-2-45 | 21-47.0N | (1)  |      |      |      |       |     |          | 3Mi.   | S    | 090  |       |       | Submerged
    |   | 0916(I) | 118-19.0E | Unid.|

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (Cont'd)

NO. | DATE | TIME | LAT. | LONG. | TYPE | TRUE | RANGE | HOW EST. | CON. | COUR. | ANGLE | REMARKS
| | | | | | BEAR- | ING | | | | | |
21. | 1-2-45 | 1015 | 21-47.5N | 118-21.0E | Unid. | 5Mi. | S | 270 | | | Submerged
22. | 1-4-45 | 0950 | 22-04.0N | 118-48.0E | (3) | 4Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
23. | 1-4-45 | 1050 | 22-03.0N | 118-46.0E | Unid. | 4Mi. | SP | | | | Submerged
24. | 1-4-45 | 1900 | 22-07.0N | 119-00.0E | | 050°T | 10Mi. | R | | | | Remained
| Surface
25. | 1-5-45 | 1450 | 21-32.0N | 117-05.0E | | | 21Mi. | R | | | | Surface
26. | 1-5-45 | 1530 | 21-31.0N | 116-51.0E | | | 33Mi. | R | | | | Surface
27. | 1-5-45 | 1600 | 21-31.0N | 116-51.5E | | | 19Mi. | R | | | | Surface
28. | 1-6-45 | 1645 | 21-31.0N | 116-04.0E | (2) | 6Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
29. | 1-8-45 | 1000 | 21-45.0N | 117-36.0E | Unid. | 15Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
30. | 1-9-45 | 1130 | 21-52.0N | 117-38.0E | | | 33Mi. | R | | | | Remained
| Surface
31. | 1-9-45 | 1840 | 21-02.0N | 115-57.0E | | 290°T | 4Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
32. | 1-12-45 | 1230 | 20-38.0N | 115-06.0E | | | 24Mi. | R | | | | Remained
| Surface
33. | 1-12-45 | 1300 | 20-39.0N | 115-10.0E | | | 26Mi. | R | | | | Surface
34. | 1-12-45 | 1350 | 20-44.0N | 115-17.0E | | | 10Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
35. | 1-12-45 | 1400 | 20-44.0N | 115-17.0E | Betty | 5Mi. | SP | | | | Submerged
36. | 1-18-45 | 0842 | 21-11.0N | 114-09.0E | Kate | 6Mi. | SP | 000 | 1° | Submerged
37. | 1-19-45 | 0920 | 21-06.0N | 115-56.0E | | | 7Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
38. | 1-20-45 | 1234 | 17-05.0N | 122-54.0E | | | 7Mi. | R | | | | Submerged
39. | 1-21-45 | 0700 | 15-26.0N | 124-21.0E | | | 22Mi. | R | | | | Remained
| Surface
40. | 1-21-45 | 0750 | 15-25.0N | 124-32.0E | | | 10Mi. | R | | | | Submerged

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CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
(H) ATTACK DATA

TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT

U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1 PATROL NO. 10
Time 2300 (I) Date 6 January, 1945 Lat. 21°-39'N
Long. 116°-25'E.

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description
Radar decoy targets giving an appearance of a group
of medium size ships in close formation. Made radar
contact at 25,000 yards and determined the contact to
be a decoy of some type by tracking at various ranges
for over three hours. Nothing was sighted at a minimum
range of about 2,600 yards. Visibility conditions: -
partly overcast, but clear atmosphere; estimated visib-
ility of a medium size ship 8,000 yards. Fired three
torpedoes hoping to hit even the small craft support-
ing the radar targets.

Ships Sunk None
Ships Damaged None

Target Draft Course 045°T Speed 5 knots Range
2,900 yards
(At firing)

Own Ships Data

Speed 7 knots Course 310°T - Surface attack.

Fire Control Data and Torpedo Data

Type Attack

Night surface attack using radar ranges and bear-
ings.

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— page 178 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

TUBES FIRED - | #8 | #9 | #10
Track Angle | 98 | 98½ | 99
Gyro Angle | 180-40 | 180 | 179-30
Depth Set | 6' | 6' | 4'
Power | Hi | Hi | Hi
Hit or Miss | Miss | Miss | Miss
Erratic | No | No | No
Mark Torpedo | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A
Serial | 24534 | 40318 | 26787
Mark Exploder | 6-5 | 6-5 | 6-5
Serial No. | 13824 | 26744 | 26908
Actuation Set | Contact | Contact | Contact
Actuation Actual |
Mark Warhead | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1
Serial No. | 20983 |
Explosive | Torpex | Torpex | Torpex
Firing Interval | 8 Sec. | 8 Sec. | 8 Sec.
Type Spread | Divergent - 1° between torpedoes.
Sea Conditions | Moderate Swells
Overhaul Activity | Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor.
Remarks: | None
Torpedo Run | 2870 | 2900 | 2950
Remarks: All torpedoes ran under targets.

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— page 179 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
(H) ATTACK DATA (Cont'd)

TORPEDO ATTACH REPORT

U.S.S. GUARDFISH TORPEDO ATTACH NO. 2. PATROL NO. 10.
Time 0620(I) Date 24 January 1945 Lat. 15°-44'N
Long. 135°-29′E.

Target Data Damage Inflicted
Description
Radar contact with a single ship at 11,000 yards at
2030(1) 23 January 1945. Tracked all night and submerged
ahead prior to dawn. Identified through periscope in
morning twilight as an I-165 Class Japanese submarine.
(See NARRATIVE Section for details). Visibility: about
ten minutes before scheduled time of sunrise Sky over-
cast; passing light rain squalls. Target was silhouetted
by pre-sunrise light in the east. Generated range on
TDC at first sighting was approximately 6,000 yards.

Ships Sunk - U.S.S. EXTRACTOR (ARS-15). See Narrative
Section for details of this Tragic mistake.

Damage Determined by -
Observed hits and saw ship sink.

Target Draft 14' Course 280°T Speed 10.5 knots Range
1,750 yards
(At firing)

Own Ships Data

Speed 3.6 knots Course 171°T Depth 65' Angle 1º down

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type Attack
Night radar tracking. Periscope attack in morning
twilight.

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— page 180 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

TUBES FIRED -                               #1        #2        #3        #4
Track Angle                                 752/3S    731/3S    79½S      76S
Gyro Angle                                  0012/3    0021/3    008½      005
Depth Set                                   6         6         6         6

Power

Hit or Miss                                 Hit       Hit       Miss      Miss
Erratic                                     No        No        No        No
Mark Torpedo                                18-1      18-1      18-1      18-1
Serial                                      56530     55509     56576     56395
Mark Exploder                               4-7       4-7       4-7       4-7
Serial No.                                  17380     17357     16769     17309
Actuation Set                               Contact   Contact   Contact   Contact
Actuation Actual                            Contact   Contact

Mark Warhead                                18        18        18        18
Serial No.                                  458       1288      714       639
Explosive                                   Torpex    Torpex    Torpex    Torpex
Firing Interval                             10 Sec.   10 Sec.   10 Sec.   10 Sec.
Type Spread                                 Divergent 2° between torpedoes.
Sea Conditions                              Moderate Swells
Overhaul Activity                           Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor.
Remarks:                                    None
Torpedo Run                                 1300      1275      1230      1200

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— page 181 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(I) MINES
Sighted horn-type drifting mine at:
(1) 20°-00'-00"N (2) 20°-30'-00"N
113°-00'-00"E 113°-22'-00"E

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASIVE TACTICS
No new anti-submarine measures were encountered.
The usual day and night plane patrols were in evidence,
particularly in area 11-DELECT southwest of FORMOSA.
Night flying planes were equipped with 155 megacycle
radar.
The only convoy contacted during the patrol was
accompanied by escorts have efficient radar.
One encounter with radar decoy is fully described
in the Narrative and Radar sections of this report.
The sole objective of the group of targets seemed to be
to cause expenditure of torpedoes, but it is possible
that they were in advance of a convoy to spot submarines.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE
(1) #3 Main Generator Field Rheostat (Type 17KM7C)
Trouble was first noticed on 22 December when con-
trollerman attempted to throw a load on a dead generator.
Upon inspection the following day, the Field Rheostat was
found to have one resistor entirely burned out also, par-
ticles of copper were discovered between two of the
commutator bars. The resistor was renewed and the com-
mutator dressed up. The Field Rheostat was replaced and
#3 Main Generator placed back in commission. Four days
later, sparking of the Rheostat was again noticed. Fol-
lowing day, the Rheostat was pulled again. One Resistor
was slightly burned. This was silver soldered and re-
placed. Upon inspection of the control cubicle, it was
discovered that the lead to one side of #3 Generator
Field Ammeter was open. The resistor evidently had short
circuited against this lead. This lead was retaped and
secured against back of panel to safeguard against any
further contact with resistor from #3 Generator Rheostat.
No more trouble was experienced.

(2) #2 Main Generator Field Rheostat
On 12 January 1945, sparking was seen and the Gener-
ator put out of commission. The following day, the

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— page 182 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

Rheostat was pulled. Fiber was found between bars on the
commutator. This was cleaned up and the Rheostat was re-
placed. No further trouble experienced.

(3) Night of 22 January 1945, enroute to GUAM while mak-
ing 8-10 combination on 4 Main Engines, #2 Main Engine
secured when fresh water was discovered spraying out of
inboard side of #10 head. Upon removing head and inspect-
ing it it was found that the two inboard studs (Head
sets) had sheared off. Also, one of the liner to head
stud was found sheared and one exhaustion following
morning.

(4) On morning 1130 of 23 January 1945, #9 unit of #4
Main Engine was flooded resulting in the cracking of
both cylinder liner and piston. Liner and piston renew-
ed. Engine back in commission 0230 January 24, 1945.

(5) Number one periscope contactor panel located just be-
low conning tower chart desk became grounded out due to
the heavy seas taken down conning tower hatch. The panel
is such that it is vulnerable to any water
coming down the hatch. During the next refit it is intend-
ed to remove the solid deck under the hatch and install
a section of grated deck. It is believed that this al-
teration will help to keep water out of periscope con-
tactor panels.

(L) RADIO

Nine transmissions were made while in the area.
Considerable difficulty was experienced on all transmis-
sions due in part to trouble in the high frequency mas-
oscillator switch, but primarily to our unsatisfactory
antenna arrangement.
Fading was frequently experienced in receiving
which was caused in part by the antennas being more or
less submerged due to heavy seas.
During the last refit the antennas were shifted
forward when the 4 inch gun was moved to the after deck.
On January 15, the forward stub mast was bent back by
heavy seas and all antennas carried away. Temporary an-
tennas were rigged twice and both carried away. On 23
January the forward stub sheared off, leaving us with
the SD antenna only. Difficulty in varying degrees
was experienced transmitting using the SD antenna cut
a total of four messages were delivered either to radio
GUAM or to AUSTRALIAN stations.

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— page 183 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(M) RADAR

1. SD - Keyed approximately 5 seconds out of each
minute when on the surface in daylight by simply turning
up the high voltage variac. Salt deposit on the an-
tenna insulator topside causing multiple traces was the
only difficulty encountered. The set gave a good dep-
endable performance with ranges on planes out to 33
miles and on land out to an estimated 100 miles.
2. SJ - Used intermittently while in the patrol
area to minimize DF-ing by night flying aircraft. Per-
formance as a whole was good and time lost was small
compared to operational time. Good ranges were usually
obtained and on two occasions second sweep echoes from
Southern FORMOSA were tracked to the end of the main sweep;
a range estimated to be in excess of 180,000 yards.
3. The echo box, now fitted with a fixed probe in
the wave guide section below the kidney joint, served a
dual purpose for both tuning the receiver and checking
overall performance by ringing time.
4. First contact on the decoy convoy was two pips
at 25,000 yards. Upon closing the range, the number of
echoes increased to seven, three large and four small.
Oddly enough, the large pips were always equidistant
along a line of bearing and at times exhibited two peaks
which often separated and became two returns. Inter-
mittent radar indications were observed on both the PPI
and the "A" Scan. The familiar wheel spokes showed on
the PPI and very narrow, somewhat fuzzy railings on the
"A" scope. At no time were they at saturation height.
During this approach the APR watch reported a signal,
tuning broadly between 120 and 150 megacycles and peak-
ing about 126. The pulse was narrow (less than a micro-
second) and strongly resembled the SJ pulse. The signal
was intermittent coming in from 20 to 30 times a minute
and sounded not unlike the click on the sound gear when
the fathometer is operating - there was no note outside
of this dull click. This signal has been received on
at least two other occasions, once while tracking a con-
voy. The broad tuning strongly suggests shipboard inter-
ference but as yet the source has not been found.
5. Considerable trouble while enroute to patrol
area was experienced with beat oscillator and T.R. tube
failures, and during the patrol the entire supply of
5U4G tubes spares were used as replacements in the re-
gulated rectifiers.
6. At 534 hours the output voltage of "B" Regulated
Rectifier dropped to zero. Trouble was localized in the

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— page 184 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
Receiver-Indicator and after much tracing, V8, the "Return
trace Blanking" tube was found to be internally shorted
to ground. The lesson learned by ship's technicians is
to suspect tubes first and any other circuit elements
second.
7. At 773 hours, an overload in the high voltage
supply developed. Trouble was localized in the high
voltage rectifier unit, and for some time thought to be
in the high voltage transformer, because megger read-
ings indicated wiring to be apparently open. Examin-
ation of the insulators between the high voltage lead
to tube caps and chassis, showed them to be charred and
broken. Wiring caps directly to transformer secondary
remedied the trouble.
8. The following radar signals were intercepted on
the APR-1.

| FREQUENCY | PRF | PULSE WIDTH | SHIPS POSITION | SOURCE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | 900 | 10 | 19°-59'N | Aircraft |
| | | | 123°-04'E | |
| 153 | 1000 | 10 | 21°-48'N | Aircraft |
| | | | 118°-07'E | |
| 154 | 1000 | 8 | 22°-03'N | Aircraft |
| | | | 119°-15'E | |
| 152 | 1000 | 8 | 21°-36'N | Aircraft |
| | | | 119°-59'E | |
| 158 | 500 | 15 | 21°-18'N | Unknown |
| | | | 120°-21'E | |
| 169 | 500 | 7.5 | 21°-15'N | Unknown |
| | | | 114°-33'E | |

Operation of the SJ radar was secured upon receipt
of an airborne radar as an effort to minimize DF-ing.
It was observed on one occasion that after being forced
down twice in one night by aircraft, the radar signal
gradually faded out upon surfacing without benefit of
SJ radar.

(N) SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS

Hydraulic oil leaking out of sound heads, caused
the rubber insulation of the leads to the sound heads to
show signs of deterioration. On 1 January the QC proj-
ector failed. Resistance readings were taken across
the coils and from the coils to ground. In both cases
the reading were zero. The cable was cut about six inches

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— page 185 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

from the entering sleeve to the projector, as it was be-
lieved that the cable was grounded out. Resistance read-
ings were the same. Since the trouble appeared to be
outside of the pressure hull no further action was taken
to repair the QC sound head.

(O) DENSITY LAYERS

The following bathythermograph cards were obtained
and are being forwarded as a separate report.

DATE         TIME (GCT)         LATITUDE         LONGITUDE
11-19-44         2030         21°-19'.0N         158°-15'.0W
11-19-44         2015         21°-20'.0N         158°-15'.0W
11-22-44         2030         22°-02'.8N         158°-03'.2W
11-29-44         0243         22°-16'.4N         176°-49'.3W
12-15-44         2206         20°-00'.5N         120°-48'.8W
12-16-44         2200         18°-58'.0N         120°-43'.0W
12-17-44         2130         19°-02'.0N         120°-49'.0W
12-18-44         2200         19°-03'.0N         120°-42'.0W
12-19-44         2200         18°-30'.0N         118°-40'.0W
12-20-44         2215         18°-51'.0N         118°-31'.0W
12-24-44         2240         19°-53'.0N         113°-49'.0W
12-25-44         2300         19°-00'.0N         112°-50'.0W
12-31-44         0600         20°-58'.0N         116°-20'.0W
1-2-45           2215         21°-31'.0N         117°-23'.0W
1-2-45           2230         22°-06'.0N         119°-06'.0W

(P) HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY

1. The health of the crew in general was good with
the exception of one Officer who was incapacitated for
the last 25 days of the patrol due to a severe infection
of the right lower leg, one Steward's Mate whose effici-
ency was impaired by a fungus infection of the left foot,
and one Ship's Cook who lost several days because of a
nervous indigestion. Several men received minor bruises
and lacerations upon being pushed around by heavy seas
coming over the bridge.
2. Food was average.
3. Habitability was in general very good although
the continued rough weather necessitated recirculation of
air while on the surface and thereby prevented maximum
circulation of fresh air through the boat.

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— page 186 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(Q) PERSONNEL

     Training of unqualified officers and men was con-
     ducted throughout the patrol.

     No. Men on board73
     No. Qualified start of patrol-------42
     No. Qualified end of patrol52
     *No. Advanced during patrol16
     No. Transferred end of patrol-------14

     *Advanced during last refit - No. vacancies during
     patrol.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED

     Base to Area
     (Pearl Harbor Via Saipan)-4980 miles 67,475 gals.
     In Area6227 miles 54,280 gals.
     Area to Base (Guam)1828 miles 37,320 gals.
     TOTAL13,035 miles 159,075 gals.

(S) DURATION

     Days enroute to area (Pearl Harbor Via Saipan)--17
     Days in area37
     Days enroute to base (Guam)6
     Total days60
     Days submerged26

(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING

     NUMBER             GALS.          DAYS           DAYS
     TORPEDOES          FUEL           PROVISIONS     PERSONNEL FACTOR

     18                 4000           10             14
     (Includes 3
     specials)

     Limiting factor this patrol - Operation Order.

(U) RADAR AND RADIO COUNTER MEASURES

     None observed other than the usual jamming of all
     radio circuits.

                                  - 41 -

— page 187 —
CONFIDENTIAL - U.S.S. GUARDFISH TENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(V) MARK XVIII TORPEDOES

     No difficulty was experienced in carrying out the
necessary routine. Had to jump two dead cells in each
of two torpedoes.

(W) REMARKS

     It is believed that the use of the SD radar when on
the surface in daylight gave away the position of GUARD-
FISH on several occassions. Due to the low overcast
that existed in the area most of the time it was usually
unwise to stay on the surface in the daytime without
using the SD.
     The low life rail around the after bridge deck,
which was made necessary upon installation of a 40MM aft,
has created an additional hazard for personnel when in
heavy seas. Upon one occassion the after lookout, who
was holding on to the after T.B.T. at the time, was
washed off the bridge deck but fortunately managed to
land on the main deck. During the next refit a more
secure platform for the after lookout will be designed
and installed.

- 42 -

— page 188 —
FB5-102/A16-3
Serial 05

SUBMARINE DIVISION 102
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
31 January, 1945.

CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO USS GUADFISH Conf.
ltr. SS217/A16-3 Serial 02
dated 26 January, 1945.

From: The Commander Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED TWO.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron TEN.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(3) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. GUADFISH (SS217) - Tenth War Patrol;
Comments on.

1. The tenth war patrol of the U.S.S. GUADFISH was
conducted in the Luzon Strait area. The GUADFISH was grouped
with the USS ROBIN and the USS SEA DOG into a wolf pack under
the command of Commander V. L. LOWRANCE in the last named vessel. The
patrol covered a period of 60 days from port to port of which
37 were spent in the patrol area. During the greater part of the
time on station the three submarines were confined to the area
designated Leg Joint.

2. Contacts were infrequent and no known damage was
inflicted upon the enemy. The best opportunity for attack was
presented on the night of January 2 when a convoy of three transports
and four destroyers was encountered heading up the west coast
of Formosa. The GUADFISH tracked this convoy for six hours and
then attempted a night surface attack which had to be broken off
when one of the escorts detected her by radar and opened
fire at a range of 9,500 yards. The convoy continued on into the restricted
waters of the Pescadores Channel where it could not be followed.

3. On the night of January 6, the GUADFISH trailed
and attacked what appears to have been a phantom target group
first picked up by radar at a range of 25,000 yards. A study of
the situation reveals several interesting but unexplained radar
indications. The GUADFISH radar indicated saturation pips at
10,000 yards range, yet nothing could be found visually at a
range of 2800 yards although the visibility conditions were
favorable. In spite of certain arguments to the contrary, the
uniform direction and rate of target motion, even though up-wind,
and the continuous relation of the target indications to each other
suggests the probability that the electronic phenomena observed and
were caused by an ionized cloud or air stream. The
advisability of firing torpedoes at these unseen targets is open
to question.

- 1 -

— page 189 —
F35-102/A16-3
Serial 05
[HANDWRITTEN: SECRET] (crossed out)
CONFIDENTIAL (crossed out)
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO USS GUADFISH Conf.
ltr. S5217/A16-3 Serial 02
dated 26 January, 1945.

Subject: U.S.S. GUADFISH (SS217) - Tenth War Patrol;
Comments on.

SUBMARINE DIVISION 102
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
31 January, 1945.

4. The GUADFISH while enroute to GUAM, had the tragic
experience of sinking one of our own surface vessels. This incident
has been made the subject of separate inquiry and report. It is
a matter of deep regret. Prompt and efficient measures taken by the
GUADFISH resulted in the rescue of 73 of the 79 members of the
crew of the torpedoed vessel.

5. The material condition of the GUADFISH is excellent
considering the foul weather and heavy seas encountered during most
of the patrol. The antenna array will be rigged aft during the
normal refit period scheduled by the [UNCLEAR: SBMY] and this division.

6. Commander Submarine Division 102 welcomes the
officers and men of the GUADFISH to port and congratulates them
upon the conclusion of an arduous patrol.

[SIGNATURE: T. B. Klakring]
T. B. KLAKRING.

— page 190 —
FC5-10/A16-3
Serial: (038)

SUBMARINE SQUADRON TEN

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
3 February 1945.

CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
GUARD FISH Tenth War
Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron Ten.
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. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Tenth War Patrol; comments on.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks contained in the first
endorsement.

[SIGNATURE: G. L. Russell]
G. L. RUSSELL.

Copy to:
CSD-102.
CO GUARDFISH.

— page 191 —
FF12-10(A)/ A16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0225

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
GUARDFISH Report of
Tenth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 664
U.S.S. GUARDFISH - TENTH 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. GUARDFISH (SS217) - Report of Tenth War Patrol
(26 November 1944 to 26 January 1945).

1.
The tenth war patrol of the GUARDFISH, under the
command of Commander D. T. Hammond, U.S. Navy, was conducted in the
Luzon Straits Areas. The GUARDFISH, along with the U.S.S. SEA ROBIN
(SS407) and the U.S.S. SEA DOG (SS401), formed a coordinated attack
group with the commanding officer of the SEA DOG as the group
commander.

2.
Very bad weather prevailed throughout this patrol; and
despite thorough area coverage, only two contacts were made, one of
which was contacted only by radar. Determined efforts to get in an
attack on the first contact were thwarted by gun fire from one of the
escorting destroyers. The second contact was attacked with no ap-
parent damage to the enemy. No opportunity to attack the enemy
should be lost even though targets are small. However, it is felt
that for torpedo attacks upon small shallow draft vessels to be
successful they must be made at close ranges. Had the GUARDFISH's
attack on the radar contact been at shorter range, chances of
success would have been greater as well as relieving the doubt as to
whether the contact was in fact ships or some peculiar radar phenomena.

3.
Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol is
not authorized.

4.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, joins the
commanding officer, officers, and crew of the GUARDFISH in deepest
regret for the sinking of the U.S.S. EXTRACTOR (ARS15); which was
mistaken for an enemy submarine. This incident is the subject of a
separate report.

Authentication and distribution
on following page.
- 1 - Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
February 14, 1945.

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

J. H. BROWN, [UNCLEAR: INPA]
Deputy ComSubsPac.
[STAMP: ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO LAB OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]

— page 193 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]

SS217/A16-4
Serial 06
C-DECLASSIFIED-L

U.S.S. GUARDFISH
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
11 April 1945.

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. GUARDFISH.
To : Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Commander Submarine Division TWO-FORTY-ONE.
Commander Task Group 17.5.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH, Report of War Patrol,
Number Eleven.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart.

1. Enclosure (A), covering the Eleventh war
patrol of this vessel conducted off KII SUIDO during the
period 27 February, 1945 to 11 April, 1945 is forwarded
herewith.

D. T. HAMMOND

[HANDWRITTEN: 118269]

— page 194 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(A) PROLOGUE

     Arrived Advanced Base, Guam, 26 January 1945, from
Tenth War Patrol and was assigned to Commander Submarine
Squadron Ten for administration and to Commander Submar-
ine Division One-Hundred-Two and U.S.S. SPERRY for re-
fit. Due to departure of SPERRY from Guam area, GUARD-
FISH was reassigned on 13 February, 1945, to Commander
Submarine Squadron Twenty-Eight for administration, and
to Commander Submarine Division Two-Eighty-Two and
U.S.S. APOLLO for completion of refit, post repairs,
and training.

     In addition to routine refit work, the following
was accomplished:
     (a) Replaced damaged port propellor.
     (b) Replaced JK-QC sound head.
     (c) Installed new SJ-a radar transmitter.
     (d) Shifted radio antenna aft.
     (e) Removed and replaced after battery soft patch
         three times in order to stop leaks.

     Commenced four day training period on 15 February,
1945. Ready for sea on 21 February, 1945. Departed
Guam 21 February, 1945, for SAIPAN for group training
with U.S.S. TENCH, U.S.S. SEA DEVIL, and U.S.S. BALAO.
Conducted pack training with the above group 22-23
February. On 27 February plans for GUARDFISH patrol
Task Group 17.22 were cancelled and GUARDFISH was
ordered on independant patrol as substitute for GROUPER.

- 1 -

— page 195 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
(B) NARRATIVE

                                OFFICERS ASSIGNED

NAME                       RANK       MO. ON BOARD   NO. PREVIOUS PATROLS

*HAMMOND, D. T.            Comdr.          4                3
*JOHNSON, L. R.            Lt. Cdr.        7                8
#ANDREWS, Z. B.            Lieut.(DE)      3                4
SEABORN, M.                Lieut.          1                5
#HOWARD, W. J.             Lieut.(DE)     22                6
HOLMES, A. W.              Lt.(jg) (D)L    7                2
ASHCROFT, J.L.             Lt.(jg)         3                1
ZWILLING, D.               Lt.(jg)        12                3
SCHOCK, K. R. U.           Lt.(jg) (D)L    7                2
JENNINGS, F. M.            Lt.(jg) (D)L    7                2

* Qualified to Command
# Qualified in Submarines

                           CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ASSIGNED

NAME                       RATE       SER. NO.       MONTHS ON BOARD   PREVIOUS NO. PATROLS

BEASLEY, E. T.             CMOMM(PA') 316 35 81           3                6
SIMMS, W. W.               CTM(T)     320 92 64           1                2
CLAY, C. W.                CEM(T)     272 18 88           1                2
CAMPBELL, J. I.            CEM(AA)(T) 337 16 00          29                9
YOUNG, K. L.               CMOMM(AA)  368 38 27          24                7
                           (T)

                                     - 2 -

— page 196 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

27 February 1945

1645 (K) Underway from TANAPANG Harbor, SAIPAN Island,
          for patrol area as Task Unit 17.1.1 in accord-
          ance with Commander Submarine Force, Pacific
          Fleet Operation Order 49-45.
1715 (K) Joined formation with Task Group 17.22, con-
          sisting of TENCH, SEA DEVIL, and BALAO, in
          accordance with routing instructions of CTG
          17.7; OTC in TENCH. Proceeding to patrol
          area at two engine speed escorted by LCI-
          1063. Conducting training dives, drills,
          and tracking exercises daily while enroute.
1915 (K) Contacted approximately twenty friendly ships,
          on opposite course apparently landing craft
          and small escorts, bearing 310°T range 18,000
          yards. Held radar tracking drill.

28 February 1945

1200 (K) Position - LAT. 15°-04'N
                       LONG. 142°-29'E

0000 (K) Escort departed. Opened range to take assign-
          ed station 10 miles on starboard beam of
          TENCH. SEA DEVIL station is ten miles astern
          of TENCH and BALAO station is ten miles astern
          of GUARDFISH.
0600 (K) Received Comsubpac 271703 relative to downed
          B-29 somewhere near our track. Set watch on
          lifeguard frequency.
1600 (K) Changed ships time to conform with (-) 9
          Zone Time.

          Unless otherwise indicated all times listed
          hereafter are "ITEM", zone (-) 9.

1630 Sighted two friendly submarines bearing 330°T,
          range 6 miles, on opposite course. Unable to
          exchange calls by visual or radar. Assumed
          to be HAKE and PARGO as they were expected.

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— page 197 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

1 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 17°-39'N
           LONG. 138°-24'E

0825 Starboard lookout reported periscope bearing 040°
     relative, estimated range 1,000 yards; not sighted
     by O.O.D. and was lost immediately by lookout.
1148 Evaded at flank speed and sent urgent message
     pack frequency to BALAO, who was in sight astern,
     informing him of possible periscope sighting.
1338 Received Comsubpac 282301 relative to plane search
     in this vicinity for downed B-29. Maintaining
     watch on "Lifeguard" frequency and on VHF.
1537 Received Comsubpac 010307 directing Task Group
     17.22 and GUARDFISH to proceed to vicinity of
     20°-55'N, 135°-30'E and conduct search for two
     life rafts containing a total of eight survivors.
     Closing TENCH to visual signalling distance for
     instructions.
1800 Proceeding to search area in accordance with orders
     of OTC in TENCH. Remaining within visual signal-
     ling distance of TENCH. BALAO and SEA DEVIL are
     out of sight astern and are closing range on TENCH.
2256 Received search plan from TENCH by visual.
2256 Received Comsubpac 011241 correcting reported pos-
     ition of survivors.

2 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 20°-22'N
           LONG. 135°-18'E

0242 Received Comsubpac 011131 relative to friendly
     surface ships in vicinity of search area.
0334 Approaching reported position of life rafts.
     Searching in accordance with plan of CTG 17.22;
     all submarines firing green rockets at various
     intervals until daylight.
0942 Intercepted message from search plane (30 V 850)
     giving position of two rafts. Plane not in sight
     and no emergency IFF signals. This reported pos-
     ition is being covered by search plan.
1420 Continued searching area for rest of daylight.
     Saipan based planes were in evidence most of the
     day but no information of value was intercepted on
     lifeguard frequencies.
     Sighted first of several carrier planes and listen-
     ed to conversations on VHF relative to search.

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— page 198 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
areas, etc.
1644 Sighted unidentified friendly DD signalling and
closing TENCH. Commenced closing TENCH for in-
formation.
1730 By this time information intercepted on VHF and
lifeguard frequency indicated that a total of
eight survivors had been picked up by unidentif-
ied friendly surface forces. (No direct inform-
ation was received by GUARDFISH, at any time.)
Carrier planes and one DD are still in sight and
other units of Task Force 58 are apparently in
the immediate vicinity. Agreed with CTG 17.22
that we should clear the area.
1811 Set course for patrol.area via WINDPIPE in company
with Task Group 17.22 in accordance with orders
of CTG 17.22.
1822 SJ and sight contact with two friendly destroyers.
Exchanged calls with U.S.S. HENRY A. WILEY (DD749).
Shortly afterwards had SJ contact with two ships
bearing 270°T at 20,000 yards, on southerly courses;
assumed to be friendly destroyers and continued
clearing area.
1937 Lost all sight and radar contact with friendly
planes and surface ships.
2036 Observed parachute flares followed by gun fire
bearing 180°T - over the horizon in the direction
of last contact with friendly force. Gun fire
continued for approximately fifteen minutes. It
sounded like AA fire but could have been star
shells fired to illuminate search area.

3 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 21°-37'N
LONG. 136°-35'E

0500 Received information from Comsubpac to the effect
that one survivor was still in the water and
orders for Task Group 17.22 and GUARDFISH to con-
tinue search through daylight today.
0756 CTG 17.22 ordered return to search area by visual
message. Changed course to return to area and
went to four engine speed, maintaining station on
TENCH within visual signal range.
0845 Received orders from Comsubpac for GUARDFISH to
return to area and conduct independant' search.
Task Group 17.22 to proceed to patrol area. In-
formed CTG 17.22 by visual and proceeded independ -
antly at four engine speed. Information available

- 5 -

— page 199 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

now indicated that two survivors remain in the
water.
0950 Received information copy of orders to Task Group
     17.22 to proceed to patrol area.
1228 #1 main engine out of commission. (See Major De-
     fects)
1258 Established communications with search planes
     (52 V 890 and 54 V 890). They have raft with one
     survivor in sight. Informed 54 V 890 of our est-
     imated distance from raft and received reply that
     he could notwait for our arrival, and that he
     would attempt to land. Sea calm with low swells.
1314 Plane (54 V 890) made successful take off with one
     survivor. Informed plane that our information in-
     dicated that one more survivor was still not ac-
     counted for.
1328 Received word from plane (54 V 890) that he had
     completed search of the area, that he did not be-
     lieve there were any other survivors, and that he
     was returning to base. Requested that he inform
     his base that GUARDFISH would continue search
     til we received information that all survivors
     had been accounted for or until dark on 4 March,
     1945.
1628 Commenced search of most probable area for remain-
     ing survivor.
2205 Received information from Comsubpac that all sur-
     vivors have been rescued and orders to proceed to
     patrol station. Proceeding in accordance with
     previous routing instructions.

4 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 22°-41'N
               LONG. 137°-22'E
0850 #1 main engine back in commission.
1353 #4 main engine out of commission. (See Major De-
     fects)
1700 Sighted horn type floating mine close aboard to
     port, Lat. 23°-23'N, Long. 137°-33'E. Sank it
     using Browning Automatic Rifle.
1740 #4 main engine back in commission.

5 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 26°-41'N
               LONG. 137°-34'E

- 6 -

— page 200 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0745 Sighted unidentified twin engine bomber at six
     miles, closing. Submerged.
0810 Surfaced.
0929 SJ radar contact with unidentified plane at 16,000
     yards, closing range. Submerged.
0952 Surfaced.
1413 Sighted unidentified plane at 8 miles on converging
     course. Submerged.
1446 Surfaced.
1632 SJ contact with unidentified plane at 20,000
     yards, closing range. Submerged. Planes contact-
     ed today may have been friendly as we were in the
     vicinity of IWO JIMA. However, IFF was used with-
     out results and we submerged on all contact clos-
     ing to less than 8 miles.
1703 Surfaced.
1830 Picked up signal on APR at approximately 150 meg-
     acycles, PRF 500. Signal did not appear to be
     from a plane. Commenced maneuvering to determine
     bearing of signal - thought to be from enemy Sub-
     marine or surface ship.
1845 Signal faded out before any idea as to bearing could
     be obtained. Signal probably was from aircraft.
1913 Received SENNET 050945 on Wolfpac frequency giv-
     ing area information which was greatly appreciated.

6 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 30°-06'N
               LONG. 137°-08'E

0110 Completed conversion of No. 4 FBT to Main Ballast
     Tank.
0132 Submerged to flush out No. 4 Main Ballast Tank.
0208 Surfaced.
0300 Entered area GARAGE.
0539 Submerged for all day dive, training of plans-
     men, drills, etc.
1802 Surfaced.
1910 Sent serial one to Comsubpac and Comsubpacacmd.
     (Weather report)

7 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 31°-53'N
               LONG. 135°-50'E

0529 Submerged. A leather mitten was lodged on the

- 7 -

— page 201 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
0534 bridge hatch seat as lookouts cleared the bridge
and bridge hatch could not be properly dogged.
Took considerable water in conning tower while sur-
facing to clear hatch. No damage to equipment.
1822 Submerged.
2043 Surfaced and set course for KAMATA SAKI light (KII
SUIDO).
Commenced receiving airborne radar signals on APR
at 154 megacycles (prf 800). Signals reached sat-
uration at about 2100 and thereafter appeared as
if the transmitter was being keyed.
2110 SPA screen shows probable lobe switching of signal
at 154 megacycles. SJ radar now in continuous use,
but no contact.
2112 Efficiency of SJ in doubt. Submerged to avoid
aircraft.
2231 Surfaced. Same radar signals being received, but
are much weaker.

8 March 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 32°-45°N
LONG. 135°-20'E

0204 Submerged to avoid two radar equipped planes after
going through the procedure described earlier.
two or more planes were searching, apparently not
close, from the time of surfacing until about 0145
when the intensity began to increase. Lobe switch-
ing and keying started at about 0200. In addition
to the airborne radar signals; other signals,
apparently shore based, at 96, 147, 152, and 154
megacycles (prf of latter three 400) had been re-
ceived continuously since about 2000.
Could not blow negative tank with high pressure
air on this dive due to a high pressure air man-
ifold valve failure. (See Major Defects)
0340 Surfaced, weak signals at 154 megacycles still be-
ing received. Keyed SD radar and had plane con-
tact at 28 miles which soon faded out.
0431 Sighted engine exhaust and green running light of
plane at low altitude crossing the bow rapidly
from port to starboard.. APR signals had been much
weaker than those received prior to last dive and
the presence of a plane in the immediate vicinity
was not suspected. This one was probably homing
on bearings of our SJ radar. We should have been
sighted but apparently were not, since no bombs or

-8-

— page 202 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

depth charges were dropped. Maybe Jap subs are
also patrolling this area.
Submerged, patrolling southwest of SHIONO MISAKI
across eastern approaches to KII SUIDO and along
direct route from TOKYO BAY to VAN DIEMEN STRAITS.
1731 Surfaced.
Both Target Bearing Transmitters are out of com-
mission for remainder of patrol. (See Major De-
fects)
Negative tank now back in commission. (See Major
Defects)

9 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-06'N
LONG. 135°-27'E

0100 Commenced closing SHIONO MISAKI for daylight sub-
merged patrol.
0317 Submerged to avoid plane - SJ radar contact at
6,000 yards, closing. Signal at 154 megacycles
had been at saturation strength for about three
minutes before radar contact was established.
0429 Surfaced.
0437 APR signal at 154 megacycles again at saturation.
0439 Submerged to avoid plane. This aircraft welcome
to KII SUIDO is definitely not appreciated. Pat-
rolling southwest of SHIONO MISAKI across eastern
approaches to KII SUIDO and along direct route
from TOKYO BAY to VAN DIEMEN STRAIT.
1843 Surfaced.
2058 Completed transmission of serial two to Comsubpac
(Weather report). Commenced moving to southwest-
ward to clear estimated night plane search area.

10 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-45'N
LONG. 134°-47'E

0505 Submerged; patrolling south of KII SUIDO across
direct routes from TOKYO BAY area to VAN DIEMEN
STRAIT.
1140 Heard distant explosion.
1836 Surfaced.

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— page 203 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

11 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-13'N
                 LONG. 135°-23'E

0431 Heard distant explosion.
0502 Submerged; patrolling off SHIONO MISAKI across
     eastern approaches to KII SUIDO and along direct
     route from SHIONO MISAKI to ASHIZURI SAKI.
1840 Surfaced.

12 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-03'N
                 LONG. 135°-20'E

0506 Submerged. Patrolling off MUROTO ZAKI across
     western approaches to KII SUIDO and on line be-
     tween SHIONO MISAKI and ASHIZURI SAKI.
1850 Surfaced.
1941 Sent serial three to Comsubpac and Comsubpac-
     comd. (Weather report)

13 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-21'N
                 LONG. 135°-14'E

0000 Commenced closing ICHIE SAKI; giving SHIONO MISAKI
     a wide berth and using SJ radar sparingly. Night
     plane patrols have not bothered us for three days -
     probably because we remained clear of the normal
     search area.
0428 Submerged approximately 17 miles west of ICHIE
     SAKI. Had the usual shore based radar signals
     continuously and occasional airborne signals
     throughout the night. Planes apparently did not
     come close.
1535 Ship contact #1. Heard pinging at 18 kcs in the
     direction of ICHIE SAKI. Pinging continued until
     dark and appeared to draw alternately north and
     south along the coast between ICHIE SAKI and SHIONO
     MISAKI - apparently a patrol boat conducting a
     station patrol, or area search. Maximum visibility
     during the period was 8,000 yards and nothing was
     sighted.
1839 Surfaced.
2325 SJ radar contact at 26,000 yards. Range closed.

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— page 204 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

to 17,000 yards and then faded out. Weak airborne
radar signals at 154 megacycles had been received
intermittently for about two hours prior to this
contact. During the next fifteen minutes had
one to three planes on SJ radar screen continuously
at ranges varying from 14,000 to 20,000 yards.
This was an organized submarine hunt rather than
an air sweep ahead of shipping.
2340 Sighted exhaust of one plane sharp on the starboard
bow. Had lost contact with a single plane at
14,000 yards bearing 350° relative about two min-
utes before this sighting. Submerged.

14 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 30°-08'N
LONG. 135°-42'E

0105 Upon preparing to surface had two planes on SJ
radar screen on various bearings at ranges varying
from 8,000 to 11,000 yards.
0207 All clear on SJ radar, surfaced. Keyed SD radar
and had plane contacts at 15 and 26 miles.
0233 Lost all plane contacts. Secured SD radar and re-
sumed keying routine on SJ radar. Closest plane
range since surfacing was about 20,000 yards.
0338 Plane contact on SJ radar bearing 000° relative
at 10,000 yards, closing range. Submerged.
0436 All clear; surfaced to ventilate boat before day-
light.
0500 Submerged; patrolling eastern approaches to KII
SUIDO.

We are now convinced that our presence is de-
tected and general location known whenever the
coast is approached to within approximately 20
miles on the surface. It is felt that our SJ
radar gives us away to planes as well as to shore
based detectors, but intermittent use of SJ is
considered necessary in view of existing visib-
ility conditions in waters where radar equipped
patrols are maintained. ST radar, which is not
installed, or some other unfamiliar to the enemy
would undoubtedly make detection less likely when
patrolling close to the coast.

Night patrol planes cover KII SUIDO north of
a line between SHIONO ISAKI and MUROTO ZAKI and do

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— page 205 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
not extend very far south of this line. They use
154 megacycle radar (prf 800-1000), as well as
radar detectors, and may be directed or assisted
by shore based radars and radar detectors.

Radar signals are received continuously or
intermittently while on the surface on the follow-
ing frequencies:

AIR SEARCH - 75, 82, 96, 100 megacycles

AIR SEARCH/SURFACE SEARCH - Various frequencies
                               from 145 to 165 mega-
                               cycles (prf 400-500).

AIRBORNE - 154 megacycles (800-1000 prf)

See radar section of this report for further
comment and probable locations of various radars.

Information and assumptions governing the re-
mainder of the patrol are:

(1) Primary mission assigned is early detec-
    tion and attack of major units of the en-
    emy fleet leaving the INLAND SEA via KII
    SUIDO.

(2) Major fleet units will not hug the coast
    but will steam off shore at high speed.

(3) An effective patrol for merchant shipping
    hugging the coast in the vicinity of KII
    SUIDO cannot be conducted due to detection
    when the coast is closed to reach a de-
    sirable position for submerged patrol dur-
    ing daylight.

(4) Analysis of known inshore contacts in
    this area during the preceding eight months
    show that only four of approximately
    thirty-three suitable contacts have re-
    sulted in successful attack.

1841 Surfaced.
2200 Received assignment to lifeguard station off MUROTO
     ZAKI for B-29 strike on KOBE.

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— page 206 —
CONFIDENTIAL = USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

15 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-06'N
                   LONG. 135°-40'E

0500 Submerged. Patrolling across eastern approaches
     to KII SUIDO and along TOKYO BAY - NANSEI SHOTO
     route.
1849 Surfaced.
1912 #3 main engine out of commission. (See Major De-
     fects)

16 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-17'N
                   LONG. 134°-39'E

     On assigned lifeguard station. Strike has been
     delayed twenty-four hours.
0220 #3 main engine back in commission.
0459 Submerged. Patrolling western approaches to KII
     SUIDO on a line from SHIONO MISAKI to MUROTO ZAKI.
1846 Surfaced. Patrolling lifeguard station off MUROTO
     ZAKI.
1940 Number three (3) main engine out of commission
     for remainder of patrol due to cracked crank
     housing. Can be used in an emergency for an
     unpredictable length of time. (See Major De-
     fects)

17 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-03'N
                   LONG. 134°-35'E

0315 Observed first of numerous flashes of light bear-
     ing 000°T to 030°T. Could have been explosions
     over B-29 targets, but it is believed, due to the
     distance to KOBE, that flashes observed were from
     search lights and gun fire of coast defenses.
0340 Started keying SD radar since it was apparent from
     VHF conversations that strike was well underway
     and had numerous and continuous plane contacts
     at ranges from two to thirty miles for a period of
     nearly two hours. Sky was overcast and no planes
     were observed but it was estimated that most of
     them flew directly overhead.
0348 Super Dumbo (35 V 850) reported on station in this
     vicinity.

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— page 207 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0400 Commenced picking up high speed pips on SJ radar
     at ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 yards. These pips
     caused considerable maneuvering as well as con-
     fusion until daylight at which time the suspician
     that these were ghost pips was verified.
0413 Observed last of flashes in the north and north-
     east.
0425 Sighted what appeared to be a burning plane in a
     vertical dive which disappeared over the horizon
     bearing 095°T. Headed on 095°T while waiting for
     information. (No indications of B-29 crashes were
     received so it must have been enemy.)
0525 Last plane contact on SD radar. No emergency IFF
     signals nor information on planes in trouble re-
     ceived.
0542 Dumbo (35 V 850) reported on VHF that he was leaving
     area, and that we were released.
0550 Submerged. Patrolling western approaches to KII
     SUIDO off MUROTO ZAKI and on a line from SHIONO
     MISAKI to ASHIZURI SAKI.
0910 Heard distant explosion.
1853 Surfaced.

18 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-18'N
               LONG. 134°-29'E

0339 Several dim lights in sight on O SHIMA Island and
     one steady white light believed to be KANNOURA
     Light on SHIKOKU. This is the only burning nav-
     igational light so far observed.
0500 Submerged, patrolling western approaches to KII
     SUIDO on a line from MUROTO ZAKI to SHIONO MISAKI.
1856 Surfaced.
1858 Receiving indications of another SJ radar. Believ-
     ed to be STERLET as she is assigned a lifeguard
     station west of MUROTO SAKI.
2145 SJ contact at 11,000 yards on bearing of SJ radar
     interference. Exchanged recognition signals and
     calls with BOWFIN. We must have missed a change
     in lifeguard station assignments - our plot shows
     BOWFIN south of BUNGO SUIDO.
2226 Lost contact with BOWFIN at 14,000 yards after
     tracking her on course 270°T.
2230 Received assignment to lifeguard station off
     MUROTO ZAKI for carrier strikes on KOBE-KURE area.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
19 March 1945

.1200 Position - LAT. 33°-10'N
                 LONG. 134°-41'E

0415 Patrolling assigned lifeguard station.
0506 Momentary pip on SJ radar at 14,000 yards. As-
     sumed to be aircraft.
0544 Momentary pip on SJ radar at 12,000 yards. As-
     sumed to be aircraft.
     O.O.D. sighted possible torpedo wake and evaded
     at flank speed. The momentary pip at 12,000
     which was assumed to be aircraft, might have been
     an enemy submarine as we closed on the bearing of
     the contact and day was just beginning to break
     when contact was made and lost.
0551 Submerged on assigned lifeguard station and con-
     tinued listening watch on lifeguard frequency using
     SD antenna. The fighter cover which was expected
     did not appear.
0902 Heard occasional distant underway explosions.
to
1035
1043 Sighted two unidentified single engine planes
     bearing 258°T distance about six miles.
1105 Sighted six to eight additional planes above the
     original two. They appear to be friendly - con-
     tinued closing for positive identification.
1125 Two of the planes identified at close range as
     CORSAIRS.
1128 Surfaced and headed for two planes identified as
     HELLCATS, circling at low altitude. Eight COR-
     SAIRS were patrolling in the immediate vicinity.
1135 Sighted two men in rubber boats.
1147 Rescued Ensign Paul H. Whitford, U.S.N.R., file
     number 378604, and Vincent Royal Smith, 876-54-45,
     ARM3c, U.S.N.R.; survivors of plane #8 of Bombing
     Squadron 6, U.S.S. HANCOCK. Plane was damaged on
     a mission in the KOBE area.
1150 Having no desire to positively identify a Jap tor-
     pedo, moved to southwest to clear area of torpedo
     wake sighted just before sunrise. Continued sur-
     face patrol off MUROTO ZAKI with two HELLCATS
     providing air cover. All planes except these two
     left the area as soon as we approached the sur-
     vivors.
1210 Sighted unidentified submarine bearing 255°T, dist-
     ance about six miles. One of our fighters inves-
     tigated and apparently identified as friendly. Had

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

SJ radar interference on the bearing of this con-
tact - could have been BOWFIN although contact was
lost before identity could be established.

Had numerous plane contacts in groups of two
and four for the remainder of the day - none clos-
ing to less than 4,000 yards and were apparently
friendly. The absence of enemy planes this close
to the coast of SHIKOKU when our own planes were
obviously visible from the beach was amazing.

Due to our VHF transmitter being out of com-
mission, an exchange of information with the fight-
er cover could not be made. However, we could
hear the HELLCATS and usually they spotted approach-
ing planes as soon as we did and took appropriate
action.

1602 Fighter cover departed after a conversation about
fuel. They did not tell us they were leaving
whether or not reliefs could be expected.
1645 Sighted last of friendly planes heading south -
four F4U's at 8,000 yards.
1657 Submerged. No relief fighter cover has appeared.
1853 Strikes for the day apparently completed.
2045 Surfaced.
Sent serial four to Comsubpac reporting rescue of
HANCOCK aviators.
2212 SJ radar interference - apparently another SJ
radar.

20 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-16'N
LONG. 134°-53'E

Patrolling in vicinity of lifeguard station
for carrier strikes.
0226 Submerged for unidentified aircraft radar contact
which closed to 6,000 yards, range had opened to
9,000 when antenna went under.
0425 Surfaced. Patrolling on lifeguard station.
0437 Had radar contact with two or more planes at
10,000 yards. Used call for any U.S. Navy plane
and reported on station. One plane answered im-
mediately saying that he would report it to his
base. Pips closed to 4,000 yards during this con-
versation, but no exhaust was sighted. In view of
later developments, these planes were probably

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0500 scouting the KII SUIDO area and were not headed
     inland for strikes as we thought at the time.
0655 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with BON-
     FIN using SJ radar. Had indications of another
     SJ radar occasionally since about 2200 but had not
     been able to exchange recognition signals.
1046 Submerged. No evidence of fighter cover or of
     other friendly aircraft. Maintaining watch on
     lifeguard frequency using SD antenna.
1053 Surfaced.
1115 Radar contact with unidentified plane at 10,000
     yards. Turned on IFF and did not receive recog-
     nition signal. Submerged when range reached
     8,500 yards. Plane not sighted.
1215 Came to radar depth - no contacts. Continued
     watch on lifeguard frequency using SD antenna.
1225 Heard high speed screws bearing 195°T and drawing
     north.
1240 Sighted unidentified submarine bearing 212°T range
     8,000 yards.
1313 Contact identified as friendly; probably BONFIN.
     Continued approach for training.
1343 Surfaced to exchange information. No sight or
     radar contact - he must have submerged while we
     were making a search for aircraft before surfac-
     ing. Closed last true bearing and turned beam to esti-
     mate position for identification.
1413 Submerged.
1427 Picked up fast screws and again sighted submarine
     bearing 030°T range 6,000 yards. Made training
     approach.
1428 Fired recognition signal, 1,000 yards on port beam
     of friendly submarine.
1511 Surfaced and exchanged calls and mutual lack of
     information on carrier plane activity today with
     BONFIN.
1900 Submerged.
2100 Surfaced.
2205 Received TILEFISH fifth to Comsubpac reporting
     losing contact with small high speed ship, possibly
     submarine, off SHIONO MISAKI at 0500 this morn-
     ing. This contact has long since gone by us if
     course and speed reported were held. We were sub-
     merged most of the day on the reported track.
     Received Comsubpac serial seven ordering close sur-
     veillance of KII SUIDO exit from INLAND SEA for
     enemy forces attempting to reach one of our dam-
     aged ships south of KII SUIDO. Commenced closing
     KAMATA SAKI.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

21 March 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 33°-32'N
LONG. 134°-44'E

0405 Submerged to avoid aircraft. Signal at 154 mega-
cycles had reached saturation and then appeared to
be keyed at reduced strength. Keyed SD radar and
had simultaneous contact on SJ and SD radars at 11
miles. Submerged when range closed to 8 miles.
Remained submerged and continued closing KAMATA
SAKI light for daylight patrol.
0955 Ship contacts #2 and #3. JP sound contact bearing
045°T.
0959 Sighted two masts bearing 043°T.
1020 Contact identified at a range of 6,000 yards as
two converted Whale Killer patrol boats on south-
westerly course. They were not pinging on any
detectable frequency but would stop occasionally
to listen.

LAT. 33°-37'N LONG. 134°-40'E
1047 Patrol boats reversed course. They are searching
along the 100 fathom curve south of KAMATA SAKI
and east of O SHIMA Island. Closest range was
3,000 yards ahead of them when course reversed
to the northeast. Gun odds and position were
against us for gun action.
1120 Lost contact with patrol boats.
1853 Surfaced.

22 March 1945
12 Position - LAT. 33°-12'N
LONG. 135°-00'E

0457 Submerged southwest of SHIONO MISAKI; patrolling
eastern approaches to KII SUIDO.
0744 Sighted empty life raft.
1401 Heard three distant explosions.
1902 Surfaced.

23 March 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 33°-11'N
LONG. 135°-17'E

0459 Submerged southwest of SHIONO MISAKI; patrolling

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

eastern approaches to KII SUIDO.
1900 Surfaced.
1911 Ten centimeter radar interference from direction
     of SHIONO MISAKI - not SJ radar. Distance to
     SHIONO was approximately 17 miles. This radar was
     rotating but would steady on our bearing after each
     SJ transmitting sweep. We played with it until
     convinced that the signal was stationary and
     coming from SHIONO MISAKI or O SHIMA Island to the
     east of SHIONO.
1951 Sighted floating mine 30 yards on port beam. Lost
     contact and did not sink it.

24 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-53'N
                   LONG. 134°-20'E

0505 Submerged southeast of MUROTO ZAKI. Patrolling
     western approaches to KII SUIDO on a line from
     SHIONO MISAKI to VAN DIEMEN STRAIT.
1859 Surfaced.

25 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-44'N
                   LONG. 134°-27'E

0457 Submerged southeast of MUROTO ZAKI; patrolling
     western approaches to KII SUIDO and across routes
     from SHIONO MISAKI to VAN DIEMEN STRAIT.
1900 Surfaced.

26 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-07'N
                   LONG. 134°-37'E

0455 Submerged southeast of MUROTO ZAKI; patrolling
     western approaches to KII SUIDO and on a line from
     SHIONO MISAKI to ASHIZURI SAKI.
1145 Sighted single engine land plane bearing 030°T,
     distance three miles on southwesterly course.
1856 Surfaced.

27 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-58'N
                   LONG. 134°-39'E

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0231 Submerged to avoid aircraft. APR signal same as
     usually precedes SJ radar contact by a few minutes.
0502 Surfaced.
0806 Submerged southeast of MUROTO ZAKI; patrolling
     western approaches to KII SUIDO on a line between
     SHIONO MISAKI and ASHIZURI SAKI.
1610 Sighted unidentified plane bearing 000°T, dist-
     ance about five miles on westerly course.
1904 Surfaced.
2228 Sighted numerous distant flashes of light from ex-
     to plosions or gun fire in the northeast.
2312

28 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-52'N
                   LONG. 134°-15'E

0455 Submerged; patrolling western approaches to KII
     SUIDO.
1904 Surfaced. SJ radar out of commission.
1954 Submerged to work on SJ radar.
2049 Surfaced; SJ radar back in commission.

29 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-47'N
                   LONG. 134°-24'E

0502 Submerged. Patrolling western approaches to KII
     SUIDO.
1900 Surfaced.

30 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-09'N
                   LONG. 135°-39'E

0448 Submerged southwest of SHIONO MISAKI; patrolling
     eastern approaches to KII SUIDO.
1858 Surfaced.
2004 Commenced a two hour session with high speed ghost
     pips at ranges from 1,000 to 4,000 yards.

31 March 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-03'N
                   LONG. 135°-10'E

0044 QB sound operator reported a torpedo bearing 025°

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

relative. Evaded at flank speed. A description of
the sound heard indicated a torpedo, but the dur-
ation of contact seemed to be short for it to have
been the real thing. We were using the high speed
search on QB sound equipment recently recommended
when making 12 knots or less on the surface. An
opportunity to hear a torpedo running should be
afforded all sound operators during training periods
since defensive measures against enemy torpedoes
are becoming more and more necessary.
0457 Submerged; patrolling eastern approaches to KII
SUIDO.
1907 Surfaced.
2238 Submerged for plane contact on SJ radar when it
closed to 11,000 yards. This contact was not pre-
ceded by the usual APR signal. Believe they have
given up on their own radar and are attempting to
come in on SJ bearings.
2345 Surfaced.

1 April 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 32°-55'N
LONG. 134°-31'E

0459 Submerged; patrolling western approaches to KII
SUIDO.
1903 Surfaced.
2050 Received Comsubpac serial 75 directing SPOT and
PICUDA to patrol KII SUIDO and GUARDFISH to depart
when relieved by PICUDA.
2210 Receiving weak interference from another SJ radar
drawing to westward. Possibly THREADFIN as she
should be moving west from TOKYO BAY area.

2 April 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-11'N
LONG. 135°-37'E

0153 Received SPOT serial eight directing GUARDFISH to
patrol east of Longitude 134°-56'E until relieved
by PICUDA.
0434 Submerged when airborne radar at 154 megacycles
appeared to have contact. No contact on SJ.
Patrolling eastern approaches to KII SUIDO south-
west of SHIONO MISAKI.
1905 Surfaced.

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— page 215 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
3 April 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 33°-17'N
           LONG. 135°-34'E

0226 Submerged for radar contact which closed from 5,000
    to 3,600 yards in less than one minute. No radar
    contact ten minutes later when we came to radar
    depth - contact might have been a ghost pip, al-
    though it was picked up at range of 2,000 yards
    greater than we had been getting on ghost pips
    earlier in the evening. If it was a plane, the
    Nips have to identify targets in this area before
    bombing.
0250 Surfaced.
0445 Submerged southeast of SHIONO MISAKI; patrolling
    eastern approaches to KII SUIDO.
1901 Surfaced.
2025 Intercepted Comsubpac 030219 to SPOT and PICUDA
    relative to B-29 strike. Set watch on lifeguard
    frequency as we are still in same area.
2048 Picked up SJ radar interference bearing 290°T
    probably from PICUDA. Commenced closing and attempt-
    ing to challenge using SJ radar.
2155 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with PICUDA.
    Closed range until radar contact was established.
2215 Commenced opening range on PICUDA and transmitted
    area information using SJ radar. She had been in
    this area since last night and had been joined here
    east of SHIONO MISAKI investigating a reported en-
    emy submarine until after midnight.
2235 Lost contact with PICUDA. Departing area for
    MIDWAY in accordance with Comsubpac serial 75 of
    1 April, 1945.
2304 SJ contact at 7,000 yards - range opening. Shortly
    after contact was first established a searchlight
    beam trained down from a low flying plane was ob-
    served for a few seconds moving across the water.
    Range opened to 12,000 yards and contact was lost.
    Regained contact at 9,000 yards, range closing,
    and the searchlight was again trained on the water.
    Submerged - no longer curious. Apparently he was
    trying to locate us using bearings of SJ radar
    transmission and had overshot badly on the first
    attempt - the range opened and closed along the
    track we had been on for about one half hour. APR
    signals had not indicated that a plane was in
    vicinity. If radar was being used, it was on a
    frequency that we were not covering at the time.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
2352
and it was not very efficient as the plane was
not close when the light was first turned on.
Surfaced. Set course to pass between HACHIJO
SHIMA and AOGA SHIMA enroute MIDWAY.

4 April - 11 April 1945

     Enroute MIDWAY in accordance with Comsubpac
dispatch serial seven five of 1 April, 1945. Con-
ducting trim and training dives and drills daily.

Noon Positions Enroute KII SUIDO to MIDWAY

1200(I) 4 April, 1945     LAT. 32°-50'N
                          LONG. 137°-39'E

1200(I) 5 April, 1945     LAT. 32°-26'N
                          LONG. 143°-41'E

1200(K) 6 April, 1945     LAT. 31°-48'N
                          LONG. 149°-00'E

1200(K) 7 April, 1945     LAT. 31°-18'N
                          LONG. 155°-24'E

1200(L) 8 April, 1945     LAT. 30°-43'N
                          LONG. 159°-39'E

1200(L) 9 April, 1945     LAT. 30°-14'N
                          LONG. 165°-53'E

1200(L) 10 April, 1945    LAT. 29°-14'N
                          LONG. 171°-44'E

11 April 1945 (East Longitude)

1200 Position - LAT. 28°-33'N
                  LONG. 177°-53'E

2400(M) Changed time zone description to (+) 12, re-
        peating 11 April, 1945 in west longitude.
        Contacted air escort.
        Arrived MIDWAY.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(C) WEATHER
The weather off KII SUIDO was normal for this time
year. The conditions varying from very rough seas and
complete overcast to flat calm with heavy surface haze.
Due to this surface haze, particularly along the coast,
visibility was poor throughout the patrol. When the
wind was strong enough to clear the atmosphere the sea
was usually too rough for good periscope visibility
when submerged. Rapid shifts of wind and sea, as great
as 180°, and quick change from flat calm to a fairly
rough sea were not uncommon. During the latter part
of the patrol, particularly during the full moon per-
iod, the wind was usually light, seas calm, and the in-
shore haze frequently approached a fog condition.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION
Southeast of MUROTO ZAKI and south of SHIONO MISAKI
the set was usually ENE and the drift varied from 1 to
3.5 knots. North of a line from MUROTO ZAKI to SHIONO
MISAKI both set and drift were variable and current pre-
dictions were of little or no value. Currents in-
variably took charge when submerged and intentions to
remain in one spot or to move in any given direction
were usually defeated. Sudden changes in surface water
temperature of as much as 5° were observed - apparently
as we moved in and out of the Kuro Shio.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
Navigation on station was almost entirely by radar,
using various tangents and peaks. Due to obscuring of
the coast line by haze and fog, visual fixes on land of
any value were rare. MUROTO ZAKI light and the radio
beacons north of this point were useful on clear days.
Identification of peaks along the coast and inland on
both HONSHU and SHIKOKU was difficult due to general
ruggedness, haze, and low clouds.

KANNOURA light was observed burning with normal
characteristics on two occasions. No other navigational
lights were observed to be burning.

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— page 218 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
(F) SHIP CONTACTS

| NO. | TIME DATE | LATITUDE LONGITUDE | TYPE | ESTIMATED INITIAL RANGE |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | 1535(1) 3-13-45 | 33°-26'N 135°-20'E | Unidentified patrol boat | 14,000 Yds. |
| 2 | 0955(1) 3-21-45 | 33°-37'N 134°-40'E | Converted Whale Killer patrol boat | 8,000 Yds. |
| 3 | 0959(1) 3-21-45 | 33°-37'N 134°-40'E | Converted Whale Killer patrol boat | 6,000 Yds. |

| NO. | ESTIMATED COURSE SPEED | HOW CONTACTED | REMARKS |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Various | Heard on JK Echo Ranging at 18 kc | Patrolling between ICHIE SAKI and SHIONO MISAKI |
| 2 | Various | Propellors by JP sound | Patrolling south of KAMATA SAKI light |
| 3 | Various | Periscope | Patrolling in company with contact #2 |

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

Enroute SAIPAN to KII SUIDO only four planes not
definitely identified as friendly were contacted.
These four were all contacted on the same day when passing
approximately 200 miles west of IWO JIMA. While these
planes could not be identified, it was felt that they
were probably friendly in view of current amphibious
activity in the vicinity of IWO JIMA.

Aircraft contacts near the coast in the vicinity of
KII SUIDO were numerous, particularly at night. Twenty
eight of thirty one contacts were made during darkness,
but this does not necessarily mean that day air patrols
were lighter than night patrols since we were submerged
during daylight and visibility was usually not good for
periscope sightings. Numerous contacts were made by
APR with airborne radar - only six of these contacts
are included in the total of 28 night contacts referred
to above since this was the number of times we felt
that it was necessary to dive in order to avoid attack
by radar equipped planes.

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[

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

It was apparent from the way the enemy used 154
megacycle radar that they are well aware that we are
able to detect this signal. Reduction of signal
strength and keying was practiced after contact had
been established.

Planes would sometimes arrive in our immediate
vicinity very soon after they were first detected by
APR, and did not follow the usual search routine which
we became familiar on the last patrol. It is be-
lieved that bearings were obtained on our SJ trans-
mission by receivers ashore and that planes were vectored to us.

Several radar contacts were made with rapidly clos-
ing planes, usually on moonlight nights, when we had
been alerted by APR signals. These planes were appar-
ently homing on our SJ radar. One plane used a search-
light to illuminate when he thought he was overhead.
It is believed that he was homing on our radar since we
had not detected any signal on known Jap airborne fre-
quencies.

It is believed that Jap planes are becoming scarce
since all contacts were close to the coast. We ran on
the surface from KII SUIDO through the NANPO SHOTO
chain to MIDWAY without a single plane contact.

(H) ATTACK DATA

None.

(I) MINES

No mine laying or sweeping was observed. Two drift-
ing horn type mines were encountered.

1716(I) March 4, 1945

LAT. 23°-22'N
LONG. 137°-33'E Sunk

1951(I) March 23, 1945

LAT. 33°-00'N
LONG. 135°-20'E Not sunk - lost
contact after
sighting close
aboard at night.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS

     No new anti-submarine measures were encountered.
Aircraft equipped with radar detectors as well as shore
based radar and detectors were efficient in spotting us
when the coast was closed on the surface. Air patrols
maintained close to the coast only, but they were
unsuccessful in keeping us clear of coastal traffic. One
night flier used a searchlight without success after
homing on SJ radar. See section (G) for comment on air-
craft tactics employed.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGES

                     HULL AND MACHINERY

     At 0204 (I) March 8, 1945, submerged to avoid air-
craft. Negative blow valve could not be opened and the
tank was blown using 200 lb. air. The high pressure
air manifold was secured and negative blow valve disas-
sembled. The traveling nut was found to be frozen in
place due to distortion caused by the valve stem having
too much clearance in the traveling nut socket. Removal
of the nut was beyond the capacity of ships force.
Negative blow line was disconnected at the manifold and
shifted to the hydraulic accumulator charging connection.
A section of torpedo charging line was rigged from the
high pressure air shore charging connection to the hy-
draulic system air flask.

     On 3 March, 1945 #1 main engine was out of commission
for replacement of #1 unit cracked liner. This casualty
was caused by a broken head stud.

     15 March, 1945. Exhaust valve rocker arm assembly
sheared off on #9 unit of #3 main engine. Renewed
cylinder head, injector, micrometer rod, rocker arm as-
sembly and all gaskets. This casualty may have been
caused by the defect described below.

     16 March, 1945. #3 main engine was placed out of
commission for the remainder of the patrol due to a
crack in the crank housing just below #9 unit. This
crack was first discovered during the last refit but
in view of its size and the possibility of causing mis-
alignment and consequent delay in readiness for sea it
was decided not to attempt to weld the crack unless it
became worse during the training period preceding this
patrol. The engine had been in use approximately 200
hours.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

hours before the crack showed any increase in size, at
which time vibration and shearing motion became too ex-
cessive for further use of the engine except in an
emergency.

27 March, 1945. #1 main engine inboard exhaust valve
casing sprung a leak. It is believed that this is an in-
dication of deterioration of salt water piping and that
the valve housing should be drill tested to determine
the thickness of metal remaining.

31 March, 1945. Master gyro follow up system fail-
ed. When the follow up coil was displaced the current
induced by displacement was not amplified enough to
move the follow up system. Amplifier tube (6A6) and the
follow up motor were both replaced and the system funct-
ioned properly thereafter.

Performance of the pit log was unsatisfactory through-
out the patrol. The source of trouble was the water
pump which has been overhauled too many times and re-
quires replacement.

During the patrol the superstructure groans and
rattles increased considerably more than normal. A
thorough check for loose deck slats and loose super-
structure plating will be made upon return to port.

ORDNANCE AND GUNNERY

Both Target Bearing Transmitters flooded out;
apparently through stuffing tubes.

(L) RADIO

In two instances approximately one hour was required
to clear messages that ordinarily would not require more
than ten minutes. Effective jamming by nearby enemy
transmitters was partly responsible for the difficulty
encountered, but the primary trouble was due to our
transmitter, which has a poor note and oscillates con-
tinuously despite checking during two refits.

Reception after surfacing at night was best on
either 9050 or 9090 kilocycles until 1400 to 1500 GCT.
From this time until about 1900 GCT reception was best
on 6045 and sometimes on 4515 kilocycles. For the re-
mainder of the night 9090 or 9050 kilocycles was again

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

. No trouble was experienced with bad reception due
to heavy seas as was encountered on the Tenth War Patrol.
One of the greatest helps was the stringing of the an-
tennas aft of the conning tower for this patrol. Enemy
jamming was experienced in each frequency but it was
never strong enough to totally block reception except for
short intervals. The keying of 9090 kilocycles from NPN was
often faulty with resultant extra signals being heard.
Signal strength of 9090 kilocycles was usually strong-
er than 9050 kilocycles, however the later frequency
was preferred due to the clear signal.

The VHF transmitter was inoperative while conduct-
ing lifeguard duties on 19 March, 1945. A faulty tube
was discovered and after replacement the set operated
properly. This fault could have been found much sooner
if spare parts test equipment and instruction pamphlet
for VHF had been available.

(M) RADAR

The SJ radar was normally keyed at intervals vary-
ing from two to five minutes, depending upon own speed
and enemy plane activity, while on station. SJ radar perform-
ance was excellent throughout the patrol and very little
operating time was lost for minor repairs and adjust-
ments. This was in contrast to the constant care and
attention that was required for good operation during
the 10th patrol. The improvement in performance was due
entirely to the installation of a new transmitter by the
U.S.S. APOLLO during the last post-refit period. The
OBU-1 echo box has proved to be a valuable addition
to SJ test equipment. It provides a constant check on
sensitivity, a means for tuning the receiver, and is
an aid to trouble shooting.

The SD radar was used only while enroute to the
area. While on station it was kept in a standby status,
and was used only a few times when airborne radar signals
received on the APR indicated that the plane probably
had made contact. After it was learned that most night
planes, due to low altitude, were picked up first by the
SJ radar, the SD was not used. Upon testing the SD
upon departure from station it was discovered that the
antenna resistance to ground had been reduced to 10,000
ohms - caused by leakage of salt water through the mast
insulator - and the SD was secured during transit from
area to MIDWAY.

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— page 223 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH PATROL REPORT

The APR receiver again was very valuable in detect-
ing airborne as well as shore based radars. It was at
these convoys considered to be a worry-box.

The pulse analyser was erratic throughout the patrol.

(N) SONAR GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS

Sound conditions were excellent on the only two
opportunities we had for sound detection while on station.

TIME DATE LAT. TARGET SPEED RANGE
LONG. JP JK

1215 (I) 3-20-45 33-16N USS 14 kts. 10,000 7,000
134-44E BOWFIN
Whale
Killer
1020 (I) 3-21-45 33-37N Patrol 10 kts. 8,000 5,000
134-44E Boat

(O) DENSITY LAYERS

No density layers of any consequence were encount-
ered, maximum change in temperature being 3°F from 65
feet to 300 feet. Bathythermograph cards have been
forwarded under separate cover.

(P) HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY

The health of the crew in general was good with the
exception of one officer who was confined to bed on 31
March for the remainder of the patrol with an un-diagnozed
acute abdominal disorder. Considerable pain and loss
of weight was suffered over a period of two weeks. Colds
caused considerable discomfort during the first ten days
on station.

Food was average.

Habitability was excellent. One air condition-
ing unit was operated while on station to reduce the
moisture inside the boat.

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— page 224 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(Q) PERSONNEL

(a) No. men detached after previous patrol----- 19
(b) No. men on board during patrol75
(c) No. men qualified at start of patrol----- 48
(d) No. men qualified at end of patrol------- 58
(e) No. unqualified men making first patrol-- 12

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED

Saipan to KII SUIDO 1290 Mi. 19,845 Gals.
In Area 4755 Mi. 45,104 Gals.
KII SUIDO to Midway 2574 Mi. 43,470 Gals.

TOTAL -----8619 Mi. 108,420 Gals.

(S) DURATION

Days Saipan to KII SUIDO7
(Includes two day search
for survivors)
Days in Area29
Days KII SUIDO to MIDWAY8

TOTAL DAYS ---- 44

Days Submerged27

(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING

TORPEDOES FUEL (Gals) PROVISIONS PERSONNEL FACTOR
DAYS DAYS
25 6000 20 20

Limiting Factor this patrol - Operation Orders

(U) COMMUNICATIONS, RADAR, AND SONAR COUNTER-MEASURES
RADAR COUNTER-MEASURES
(1) Intercept of Enemy Signals.

Station patrol was maintained off KII
SUIDO for the duration of the patrol. Various
radar signals were received continuously or
intermittently and for this reason dates are
not listed. The period on station was from
7 March, 1945 to 4 April, 1945.

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— page 225 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

SHORE-BASED RADAR

FREQUENCY | PRF | PULSE WIDTH | PROBABLE LOCATION
76 | 800 | 20 | MUROTO ZAKI
82 | 500 | 30 | KANTORI SAKI
88 | 500 | 30 | Vicinity of SHIONO MISAKI
96 | 750 | 20 | MUROTO ZAKI
102 | 1000 | 12 | Vicinity of SHIONO MISAKI
102 | 500 | 6 | SHIONO MISAKI or ICHIE SAKI
151 | 500 | 30 | Vicinity of SHIONO MISAKI
155 | 1000 | 15 | Unknown
155 | 500 | 5 | Vicinity of SHIONO MISAKI
156 | 500 | 15 | SHIONO MISAKI

AIRBORNE SIGNALS

FREQUENCY | PRF | PULSE WIDTH
152 | 900 | 8
154 | 800 | 8

UNKNOWN - SHIPBORNE OR SHORE BASED

FREQUENCY | PRF | PULSE WIDTH
147 | 500 | 8
151 | 500 | 6
156 | 500 | 5
159 | 500 | 8

The above signals, listed as unknown,
were received at various times in various
localities. It was not possible to tell
whether they were from radars on HONSHU or
SHIKOKU or from surface ships or submarines.
The latter was strongly suspected on several
occasions but radar contact was never es-
tablished to verify that any of these sign-
als were shipborne.

Ten Centimeter interference was detected
on one occasion on the bearing of SHIONO
MISAKI light when we were about 17 miles away.
The pulse width was about five times that of
the SJ radar. This radar was rotating when
first detected and later gave the appearance
of tracking us or attempting to establish

- 32 -

— page 226 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT

contact. Bearings indicated that this radar
was fixed and that it was located very near
SHIONO MISAKI light. Failure to detect this
interference when in this vicinity on sub-
sequent days indicated that the radar might
have been from a patrol boat or other surface
ship.

The following signals were received while
passing south of HACHIJO SHIMA enroute MIDWAY.

FREQUENCY PRF PULSE WIDTH PROBABLE LOCATION
79        '400' 15          AOGA SHIMA
104       600   8           HACHIJO SHIMA
154       450   5           AOGA SHIMA
159       500   8           HACHIJO SHIMA

(2) No radar jamming was observed.

(3) Aircraft attempted, ineffectively, to prev-
ent detection of their radar by keying an
apparent reduction in signal strength as the
range was decreased. It is believed that
ineffective attempts were made by planes hav-
ing search receivers to close the range while
radar equipped planes would remain in the
distance and give the appearance of searching.
There was some evidence of coordination of
search between shore based radars or radar
detectors and aircraft.

COMMUNICATIONS COUNTER-MEASURES

No counter-measures other than the usual jamming
were observed. Jamming on Wolf Pack and lifeguard
frequencies, which was much more effective than on
other schedules, caused considerable difficulty. Many un-
readable wolf pac messages were intercepted, due prim-
arily to garbled reception. The two letter wolf pac
code is not suitable for use in areas where reception
is difficult.

SONAR COUNTER-MEASURES

None.

- 33 -

— page 227 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH ELEVENTH WAR PATROL REPORT
(V) REMARKS

     It is strongly recommended that submarines equipped
with SJ radar be assigned to KII SUIDO and similar areas
whenever possible. It is believed that the SJ radar is
rapidly becoming a liability in areas covered by shore
based and airborne radar detectors and that productive
patrols using this equipment close to the coast in the
Empire Areas are a thing of the past.

- 34 -

— page 228 —
FB5-241/A16-3
SUBMARINE DIVISION T O FORTY ONE.

Serial: 013
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.,
12 April 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. GUADFISH (S-217)
Eleventh War Patrol
dated 11 April 1945

From: The Commander Submarine Division T O-FO RTY-O NE.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
Subordinate Command, Navy 1504.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
Administration.
The Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. GUADFISH (S-217) Eleventh War Patrol -
Comments on.

1.
The Eleventh War Patrol of the U.S.S. GUADFISH was
conducted off Iri Suido. The patrol was of 44 days duration
which 29 were spent in the area. The GUADFISH performed life
guard duty in addition to conducting an offensive patrol.

2.
Only three ship contacts were made, all were patrol
boats close inshore. Numerous contacts were made by AIR with
enemy airborne radar, the ship diving for 28 of the contacts.
The GUADFISH believed that enemy planes homed on their SJ radar.
This occurred usually on moonlight nights.

3.
The GUADFISH expeditiously rescued two of our
aviators.

4.
The GUADFISH returned from patrol in an excellent
state of cleanliness. It is believed that the material defic-
iencies can be repaired here.

5.
The Commanding Officer, Officers and crew of the
GUADFISH are congratulated on their efficient rescue of naval
aviation personnel and the completion of this arduous patrol.

[SIGNATURE: D. F. WILLIAMSON.]

— page 229 —
A16-3
Serial: 070

COMMANDER SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
SUBORDINATE COMMAND, NAVY NO. 1504.

Fjw

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
16 April 1945.

C-C-N-F-I-D-L-L
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217)
Eleventh War Patrol
dated 11 April 1945.

From:
To : The Commander Task Group SEVENTEEN POINT FIVE.
The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET,
Administration.
(2) The Commander in Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH (SS217) Eleventh War Patrol - Comments on.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the Commander Submarine
Division TWENTY-ONE.

2. The commanding officer, officers, and crew are congratulated
upon the completion of this patrol, the lifeguard services performed, and the
rescue of two naval aviation personnel.

[SIGNATURE: K. C. Hurd]
K. C. HURD.

— page 230 —
5 0493

FF12-10(A)A16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0908 Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
CONFIDENTIAL 24 April 1945
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
COMSUBSPAC PATROL NO. 727 DESTROYED PRIOR TO
U.S.S. GUADFISH - ELEVENTH WAR PATROL. ENTERING PATROL AREA.

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. GUADFISH (SS217) - Report of Eleventh War
Patrol ( 27 February to 11 April 1945).

1. The eleventh war patrol of the GUADFISH, under the
command of Commander D.T. Hammond, U.S. Navy, was conducted off
KII SUIDO. In addition to offensive patrol the GUADFISH performed
lifeguard duty.

2. Area coverage was thorough and patrol was well con-
ducted. Only three contacts were made, these all being patrol
boats close inshore. During lifeguard services the GUADFISH had
the privilege of rescuing two downed aviators.

3. Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol
is authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, con-
gratulates the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew of the GUAD-
FISH for making this well conducted successful patrol to her
illustrious record.

MERRILL COMSTOCK.

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7) Comsubspac (3)
CNO (5) ComsubspacAdComd (40)
Cinclant (6) SUBAD, III (2)
JICPOA (1) ComsubspacSubordCom (3)
AdJICPOA (1) All Squadron and Div.
Comservpac (1) Commanders, Pacific (2)
Cinclant (1) Substrainpac (2)
Comsubslnt (8) All Submarines, Pacific (1)
S/M School, NL (2) CO, S/M Base, PH (1)
Comsubowcspac (2) Comsowospac (1)
Comnorpac (1) C.T.G. 71.9 (2)

[STAMP: EXTRA ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: SORG. MICRO.]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]
[SIGNATURE: E. L. Hynes] [HANDWRITTEN: med]
E. L. HYNES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary.

— page 231 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]

SS217/A16-4
Serial 010

C-O [STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. GUARDFISH
To : Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Commander Submarine Division ONE-EIGHTY-ONE.
Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHTEEN.
Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. GUARDFISH - Report of War Patrol,
Number Twelve.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart.

1. Enclosure (A), covering the Twelfth war
patrol of this vessel conducted south of HOKKAIDO and east
of HONSHU during the period 8 May, 1945 to 26 June, 1945
is forwarded herewith.

[HANDWRITTEN: D. T. Hammond]
D. T. HAMMOND

[HANDWRITTEN: 130636]

— page 232 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(A) PROLOGUE

Arrived Submarine Base, Midway, T.H., 4 April, 1945
from Eleventh War Patrol. Assigned to Commander Submarine
Force, Pacific Fleet, Subordinate Command, for administ-
ration and to Advanced Training and Relief Crew No. 2,
and to Submarine Base Midway, for refit.

In addition to routine refit work, the following was
accomplished:

(a) Satisfactorily welded cracked housing of number
    three main engine.
(b) Replaced SD-3 radar transmitter with SD-4 trans-
    mitter.
(c) Replaced both propellors in an attempt to reduce
    cavitation and eliminate shaft squeal.

The following named officers were detached:

Lieut. Comdr. L. R. Johnson Executive Officer
Lieut. Z. B. Andrews Communications Officer
Lieut. M. Seaborn 1st Lieutenant
Lieut. W. J. Howarth Engineering Officer

This wholesale transfer of officers was necessitated
by illness of one officer and by orders to new construction
for two others.

The following named officers reported on board for
duty:

Lieut. J. E. Clarke, III
Lieut. K. M. Price
Lieut. (jg) G. B. Banks
Lieut. (jg) C. B. Ukena

Completed four day training period 6 May, 1945.
Ready for sea 8 May, 1945.

- 1 -

— page 233 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(B) NARRATIVE.

OFFICERS ASSIGNED

NAME | RANK | MON. ON BOARD | NUMBER PREVIOUS PATROLS
---|---|---|---
*HAMMOND, D. T. | Comdr. | 7 | 4
#CLARKE, J. E. | Lieut. | 0 | 5
#PRICE, K. M. | Lieut. | 0 | 4
#BANKS, G. B. | Lt.(jg) | 0 | 5
#HOLMES, A. W. | Lt.(jg) | 9 | 3
#ZWILLING, D. | Lt.(jg) | 14 | 4
ASHCROFT, J. L. | Lt.(jg) | 5 | 2
#SCHOCK, R. U. | Lt.(jg) | 9 | 3
#JENNINGS, F. M. | Lt.(jg) | 9 | 0
UKENA, C. B. | Lt.(jg) | 0 | 0

* Qualified for Command
# Qualified in Submarines

CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ASSIGNED

NAME | RATE | SERVICE NUMBER | MONTHS ON BOARD | NUMBER PREV. PATROLS
---|---|---|---|---
BEASLEY, E. T. | CMOMM(PA) | 316 35 81 | 5 | 7
SIMS, W. W. | CTM(T) | 320 92 64 | 3 | 4
CLAY, C. J. | CEM(T) | 272 18 88 | 3 | 3
YOUNG, K. L. | CMOMM(AA) | 368 38 27 | 26 | 8
| (T) | | | |
YATES, P. L. | CMOMM(AA) | 272 22 53 | 0 | 8
| (T) | | | |
DIXON, W. J. | CPhM(AA) | 265 99 12 | 0 | 0
| (T) | | | |

- 2 -

— page 234 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

8 May 1945
1610 (Y) Underway from Submarine Base, Midway, T.H.
         as Task Unit 17.1.25 in accordance with Com-
         mander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet Oper-
         ation Order No. 96-45 of 2 May 1945.
1755 (Y) Submerged for trim.
1810 (Y) Surfaced.
2400 (Y) Changed zone description to (-)12 and dropped
         9 May from the calender.

10-15 May 1945
Enroute patrol area in accordance with operation
order routing. Holding training and trim dives,
fire control, and emergency drills daily.

10 May 1945
1200 (M) Position - LAT. 29°-03'N
                   LONG. 173°-21.2'E

11 May 1945
1200 (M) Position - LAT. 30°-17.6'N
                   LONG. 173°-32.3'E

12 May 1945
1200 (L) Position - LAT. 31°-11.9'N
                   LONG. 168°-41.2'E
Sent serial ONE to Comsubpac reporting Oplan
3-45 not on board (annex used for lifeguard
station assignment) and behind schedule due to
head seas.

13 May 1945
1200 (L) Position - LAT. 32°-12.8'N
                   LONG. 163°-36.8'E

14 May 1945
1200 (K) Position - LAT. 32°-59.2'N
                   LONG. 157°-33.9'E

Unless otherwise specified all times listed
are zone (-)10 (King).

- 3 -

— page 235 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WA PATROL REPORT

15 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 33°-16.5'N
                   LONG. 152°-52'E
2139 Received Comsubpac 150557 ordering GUARDFISH to
     patrol area FURNACE east of 139°-30' East.

16 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 33°-30'N
                   LONG. 148°-51'E
0443 Submerged for trim.
0510 Surfaced.
1317 Received Comsubpac 160514 ordering GUARDFISH on
     lifeguard station for air strike in TOKYO area
     on 17 May 1945. Increased speed to full on four
     engines - maximum speed in existing sea about 14
     knots - taking water down conning tower hatch.
2059 Informed Comsubpac in serial TWO of inability to
     arrive on assigned lifeguard station at desig-
     nated time and gave ETA at best speed. Continued
     at best speed.

17 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 34°-07'N
                   LONG. 140°-30'E
0110 Received comsubpac 161249 changing time required
     on lifeguard station to 1345 today. Can now
     make it unless forced down by aircraft.
1300 On assigned lifeguard station approximately 25
     miles south of NOJIMA SAKI. Submerged for trim
     and to wait for time designated for air strike.
1345 Surfaced.
1355 First contact with friendly aircraft by radar at
     26 miles. Established identity by VHF conversation
     and by IFF.
1356 Had continous radar contact with numerous friend-
to   ly planes. Sighted several B-29's and P-51's.
1440 Visibility was very poor and no planes were vis-
     ible at a range greater than 3 miles.
1405 Visual contact with our air cover - which consisted
     of one B-29 and four mustangs.
1440 Informed by air cover that they were going home -
     no planes down.

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— page 236 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

1448 Lost contact with all aircraft. Submerged.
2010 Surfaced and commenced closing MIKURI Island; in
assigned patrol area.
2130 Received Comsubpac 170311 changing patrol areas
ONE, TWO, and THREE, and ordering GUARDFISH
to patrol as directed by the Commanding Officer of
TORSK. Set course for area THREE.

18 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 35°-39'N
LONG. 142°-00'E

0451 Submerged.
1058 Surfaced and continued northward to conduct sub-
merged patrol off SHIOYA SAKI during daylight
18 May, 1945.
1635 Aircraft contact at 17 miles on SD radar, range
closing. Submerged to avoid detection.
2010 Surfaced.

19 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 36°-55'N
LONG. 141°-22'E

0435 Submerged for patrol along 100 fathom curve off
SHIOYA SAKI.
0759 Ship contact #1 (Small Craft). Sighted large Sam-
pan lying to, bearing 278(T), distance 6,000
yards. Probably using listening equipment.
Shifted positions occasionally and was not fish-
ing. (Lat. 37°-03'N; Long. 141°-20'E). Plans to
get him at dusk with guns were foiled when he
headed in for YOTSUKURA in the early afternoon.
2005 Surfaced and headed north for submerged patrol
off KINKASAN during daylight 20 May unless other-
wise directed by TORSK.

20 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 38°-48.7'N
LONG. 143°-20'E

0238 Received TORSK 191630 ordering rendezvous. Set
course for assigned rendezvous point.
0304 Ship contact #2 (Unidentified). SJ radar contact
bearing 294(T), range 7,700 yards. (Lat. 37°-20'N;
Long. 141°-50'E) Tracked on southeasterly course.

- 5 -

— page 237 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

making 16 knots. Contact not identified and lost
0400 at 8,500 yards; probably small patrol craft.
0450 Sent ETA at rendezvous to TORSK.
1542 Submerged for trim.
1557 Surfaced.
2025 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with
      TORSK.
2045 Radar contact with TORSK bearing 320(T), range
      10,300 yards.
2110 Received operation order from TORSK, who also
      provided greatly appreciated copies of CERO and
      PARCHE track charts (Both having completed highly
      successful patrols in this area recently).
2130 Parted company with TORSK. Proceeding to assigned
      station on patrol line bearing 150(T) from ERIMO
      SAKI.

21 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 41°-15'N
                  LONG. 143°-28'E

0055 SJ radar interference. Unable to exchange re-
      cognition signals or establish contact. Believed
      to be friendly submarine.
0441 Submerged for trim.
0517 Surfaced. Commenced station patrol, twelve mile
      legs, on assigned station bearing 150(T) distance
      30 miles from ERIMO SAKI. SANDLANCE and TORSK to
      southeast of GUARDFISH. Covering possible enemy
      movements from Empire toward KURILES during current
      air-surface operations in that area.
1605 SD radar contact - two planes closed to 13 miles.
      Submerged to avoid detection and continued
      station patrol.
2017 Surfaced. Conducting surface patrol south and
      east of ERIMO SAKI.

22 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 42°-00'N
                  LONG. 143°-45'E

(Assigned area north of 41°-15'N and East of
142°-45'E until 0000 (K), 25 May 1945.)
0012 SJ radar interference bearing 240(T); probably
      SANDLANCE, who should be moving northwest tonight.
0359 Submerged for patrol along 100 fathom curve
      northeast of ERIMO SAKI. No activity observed.

- 6 -

— page 238 —
CONFIDENTI L - USS GUARDFISH TW LFTH P TROL REPORT
2005 Surfaced.

23 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 41°-46'N
LONG. 143°-47'E

0235 Closing KUSHIRO KO light for submerged patrol.
0500 Fog closing in.
0500 Fog very dense; patrolling 100 fathom curve from
KUSHIRO KO to ERIMO SAKI on surface.
1200 Patrolling on northwest-southeast courses south-
east of ERIMO SAKI.
1628 Fog lifted; submerged.
1755 Fog closed in again. Surfaced and continued
surface patrol.

24 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 41°-50'N
LONG. 143°-47'E

0525 Fog lifting. Submerged east of ERIMO SAKI and
patrolled along 100 fathom curve. No signs of
activity of any description.
2013 Surfaced and headed for new area.

25 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 42°-11'N
LONG. 142°-13'E

(Assigned area north of 40°-00'N and west of
142°-45'E, until 0000 (K), 28 May 1945.)
0404 Submerged and closed MONBETSU light.
1345 Sighted two bouyed flag markers about 2,000 yards
apart. (Position: Bearing 320(T), 5 miles from
MONBETSU light.) Probably markers for fishing
nets but could have been sono bouys.
2014 Surfaced and patrolled across line from ESAN SAKI
to ERIMO SAKI during the night.

26 May 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 41°-58'N
LONG. 141°-22'E

0355 Submerged; closing ESAN SAKI light.
0900 Heard four explosions.

- 7 -

— page 239 —
CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

1230 For closing in - unable to fix position. Reversed
course to clear ESAN SAKI before surfacing.
1440 Surfaced fifteen miles east of ESAN SAKI and con-
tinued patrol across probable route from ESAN
SAKI and OMA SAKI to ERIMO SAKI.

27 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 40°-55'N
LONG. 142°-09'E

0300 Ran into heavy fog upon closing SHIRIYA SAKI for
submerged patrol. Commenced working south to new
area.
0706 Fog clearing - Submerged and continued patrol.
2018 Surfaced and headed south for new area.
2211 SJ radar interference bearing 185(T). Unable to
establish contact or exchange recognition signals.
Believe to be friendly submarine.

28 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 39°-15'N
LONG. 142°-04'E

(Assigned area south of 40°-00'N and west of
142°-45'E until 0000 (K), 31 May 1945)
0401 Submerged 17 miles southeast of OKAMA SAKI and
closed SANGAN SHIMA to patrol across entrance
KAMAISHI KO.
1005 Ship contact #3 (Patrol Craft). (Lat. 39°-14'N;
Long. 142°-03'E) Sighted landing craft (Similar
to type "A" Cinepac-Cincpoa Bulletin 56-45)
with numerous lookouts bearing 236(T), range
8,000 yards. Patrolling toward TODO SAKI along
the 100 fathom curve.
1319 Sighted numerous sampans south of SANGAN SHIMA.
In sight for remainder of afternoon.
1410 Ship contact #4 (P.C. Patrol) (Lat. 39°-13'N;
Long. 142°-01'E). Sighted and heard P.C. boat
pinging bearing 240(T), range 8,000 yards.
Rounded O SAKI and entered KAMAISHI KO.
2020 Surfaced. Interference on SJ radar bearing 135(T).
2040 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with
SANDLANCE by radar.

29 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 39°-06'N
LONG. 142°-00'E

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

29 May 1945

0401 Submerged and closed KOBE SAKI to four miles.
0616 Commenced sighting sampans and had one or more
       in sight for remainder of day.
1420 Ship contacts #5 and #6. (Lat. 39°-11'N; Long.
       141°-57'E) Sighted two luggers bearing 269(T),
       range 6,000 yards - hugging the coast heading
       north from TONI WAN; too close inshore for gun
       attack. Lost contact as they rounded O SAKI.
1753 Fog closing in - Surfaced.
2000 Fog very dense - headed south to patrol north of
       KINKASAN.

30 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 38°-56'N
                 LONG. 142°-02'E

0320 Commenced closing coast north of KINKASAN to
       make surface sweep toward TODO SAKI approximately
       15 miles off shore - fog too dense for coast
       hugging traffic.
0727 Fog lifting - submerged and commenced closing
       RYORI WAN light.
1501 Ship contact #7 (Pinging only). Heard pinging
       from 1501 to 1537 bearing 340(T) and drawing
       south from direction of KOBE SAKI. Nothing
       sighted - probably a patrol boat entering
       OKKIRAI WAN.
2025 Surfaced.
2140 SJ radar interference bearing 105(T).
2210 Challenged radar bearing 100(T) and received in-
       correct reply. Interference appeared to be
       from friendly radar - could not establish contact.

31 May 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 39°-24'N
                 LONG. 143°-29'E

0000 Entered new area. Patrolling on east and west
       courses east of TODO SAKI across possible routes
       from KURILES to Empire. (Assigned off shore
       area south of Lat. 41°-15'N. and east of Long.
       142°-45'E until 0000 (K), 3 June, 1945)
0425 Submerged.
0509 Heard 12 explosions - probably distant depth
       charges.
0512

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT
0807 Heard 12 more distant depth charges.
0924 Still nothing in sight - surfaced for a better
     look.
0934 SJ radar range unit out of commission. (See major
     defects)
0954 Submerged to work on SJ radar.
1322 SJ back in commission. Surfaced.

1 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 40°-32'N
     LONG. 142°-55'E

Patrolling northeast of TODO SAKI across possible
routes from KURILES to EMPIRE.
0411 Submerged.
0843 Surfaced.
1258 Radar contact with two planes closed to 13 miles -
     submerged to avoid detection.
1350 Heard approximately 14 distant depth charges.
1432 Surfaced to look for source of explosions - noth-
     ing sighted.
1510 Aircraft contact at 16 miles on SD radar. Pip
     faded and did not close - Still nothing in sight.

2 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 40°-51'N
     LONG. 143°-25'E

Patrolling between TODO SAKI and ERIMO SAKI -
moving north to new area.
0408 Submerged.
0650 Heard 5 distant underwater explosions.
0657 Heard 2 distant explosions.
0854 Surfaced - searching for source of explosions.

3 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 42°-07'N
     LONG. 143°-34'E

0000 Entered new area. (Assigned area north of 41°-15'N
     and east of 142°-45'E until 0000 (K), 6 June, 1945)
     Enroute ERIMO SAKI for submerged patrol.
0418 Submerged and closed coast to 75 fathom curve
     east of TOPSEPPU SAKI. Patrolled between
     TOPSEPPU and ERIMO SAKI. No signs of activity
     of any description.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

1954 Surfaced - fog closing in from seaward.

4 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 41°-36.2'N
                   LONG. 144°-34.0'E

Dense fog - inshore traffic highly improbable.
Patrolled on surface south of KUSHIRO KO across
probable offshore routes from KUSHIRO and
KURILES.
2125 Received Comsubpac serial 51 ordering GUARDFISH
     to coordinate patrols in areas ONE, TWO, and
     THREE after departure of TORSK night of 5 June,
     1945.
2243 Received TIGRONE 041220 reporting in area for
     assignment.

5 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 41°-53'N
                   LONG. 143°-43'E

Dense fog - patrolling on surface southeast of
ERIMO SAKI.
0043 Delivered GUARDFISH 041352 to TIGRONE on area
     frequency. Assigned areas and gave area info
     to TIGRONE. Unable to raise TENCH.

                   AREA ASSIGNMENT

             | ONE(W)      | TWO(W)      | ONE, TWO, and THREE(E)
|||
6-7 June     | GUARDFISH   | TIGRONE     | TENCH
8-11 June    | TENCH       | GUARDFISH   | TIGRONE
12-15 June   | TIGRONE     | TENCH       | GUARDFISH

GUARDFISH scheduled to depart area 15 June, 1945.

1755 Trim dive.
1820 Surfaced.
2046 Delivered GUARDFISH 041352 to TENCH on area
     frequency.
2200 Headed west for area ONE(W) along 100 fathom
     curve south of ERIMO SAKI.

6 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 42°-00'N
                   LONG. 142°-43'E

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(Patrolling area ONE(W) until 0000 (K), 8 June,
1945)
0201 SJ radar interference bearing 295(T).
0214 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with
TENCH by radar.
0406 Submerged on 100 fathom curve west of ERIMO SAKI
and closed URAKAWA light.
1300 Took pictures of coast line of HOKKAIDO from
URAKAWA light to HOROIZUMI light.
1547 Sighted twin engine bomber - probably a BETTY -
bearing 350(T), range 3 miles on southwesterly
course. Apparently on routine patrol and not in
company with shipping.
2028 Surfaced and patrolled across routes from TSUGARU
Strait to ERIMO SAKI.

7 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 41°-28'N
LONG. 141°-37'E

Patrolling between SHIRIYA SAKI and ERIMO SAKI.
0412 Submerged 18 miles east of SHIRIYA SAKI and clos-
ed coast.
1300 Visibility decreased - unable to see land at 7
miles.
1400 Running through fog banks - visibility varying
from 2,000 to 10,000 yards. Headed out to surface.
1844 Surfaced and headed south for area TWO.

A total of eleven days has been spent in area
ONE. Dense fog was encountered at least 50% of
this time, with poor visibility during part of
other days. Since no contacts of any sort were
made, with the exception of one plane, it is
doubted that much traffic passes south of
HOKKAIDO at this time of year. An attempt was
made to cover offshore as well as inshore routes -
depending upon visibility conditions.

8 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 39°-38.5'N
LONG. 142°-32'E

Enroute area TWO, patrolling area two until 0000
(K), 12 June, 1945.
0430 Submerged northeast of TODO SAKI.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

2 June 1945
1132 Surfaced - fog closing in. Continued patrol on
surface approximately 15 miles offshore between
TODO SAKI and KAMAISHI KO.

9 June 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 39°-18'N
LONG. 142°-05'E

Patrolling off TODO SAKI in fog.
0130 Fog clearing.
0408 Submerged with TODO SAKI light bearing 290(T),
range 16 miles. Closed coast and patrolled
4 miles offshore from KONE SAKI to O SAKI.
0833 Sighted single engine float plane bearing 325(T)
distance 3 Miles - searching on various courses
at low altitude.
0849 Heard one bomb explosion.
0854 Heard second bomb explosion. Float plane search-
ing in the vicinity disappeared shortly after
these explosions - believe he was ready to go
home and dropped on suspicion. Bombs were
dropped near by but not close enough to have
been intended for us.
1040 Heard echo ranging at 16 Kcs. bearing approxim-
ately 255(T).
1155 Ship contact #8. Sighted PC patrol boat bearing
255(T), range 7,000 yards heading northeast.
(Position:- Lat. 39°-18'N; Long. 142°-01'E)
1057 Sighted float plane circling in the vicinity of
PC boat. PC came out of KAMAISHI KO or RYOISHI
WAN, rounded SANGAN SHIMA and searched to northward
accompanied by float plane.
1140 Lost contact with plane and PC boat. Closest
range 5,000 yards.
1244 Sighted twin engine bomber (FRANCES) bearing
320(T) on southerly course - flying low.
1254 Sighted single engine float plane bearing 010(T).
1255 Ship contact #9. Sighted the same or a similar
PC boat on various courses bearing 000(T), range
8,000 yards, and heard pinging at 16 Kcs. on
same bearing - float plane searching in vicinity
of PC boat.
1320 Have two twin engine bombers and four single
engine float planes in sight, all searching at
low altitude in the vicinity of a PC boat
headed south.
1345 Search group headed back in northward after com-
ing as far south as O SAKI. Our hopes of being

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

in the right spot faded. Had from one to six
planes in sight until about 1700. What had at
first appeared to be a search off KAMISHI KO prec-
eding a sortie turned out to be two patrol boats
and at least six planes conducting a concentrated
submarine search from O SAKI to TODO SAKI. We
were in a position to see anything headed north
from KAMAISHI KO or any southbound shipping.
Planes did not search to seaward more than 6 or 7
miles, and PC boats stayed within three miles of
the coast. Thanks to choppy seas, which was
unusual, we were able to watch the show with
little chance of periscope being sighted.
1800 Pinging faded out to northward. Lost all con-
tact with search group.
2023 Surfaced and patrolled east of KAMAISHI KO.

10 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 39°-10'N
LONG. 142°-06'E

0416 Submerged with O SAKI bearing 295(T), distance
17 miles and closed coast off TONI WAN.
1022 Sighted 4 twin engine bombers bearing 311(T) dist-
ance three miles headed north along the coast.
Appeared to be in transit and not conducting a
search.
1220 Heard four distant explosions.
1713 Sighted single engine float plane bearing 298(T),
distance 4 miles, flying low and headed north.
2031 Surfaced - patrolling east of KOBE SAKI.

11 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 39°-08'N
LONG. 142°-01'E

0400 SJ radar interference bearing 020(T).
0405 Exchanged recognition signals and calls with
TENCH.
0416 Submerged with KOBE SAKI bearing 263(T), dist-
ance 18 miles. Closed KOBE SAKI to 4 miles and
patrolled across OKKIRAI WAN.
1230 Took pictures of coast line from KOBE SAKI to
O SAKI.
2015 Surfaced.
2028 Airborne radar signal on APR at 145 megacycles.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

(prf-1000) - the first and only definite radar
equipped plane encountered. Used SJ radar con-
tinuously and keyed SD periodically and failed
to make contact. Plane searched in the vicinity
for about one hour.
2242 Received Comsubpac 110207 ordering TIGRONE to
lifeguard league and PIRANHA to area ONE, TWO,
and THREE.

12 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 38°-37'N
LONG. 141°-43'E

0004 Commenced moving southwest for submerged patrol
off OSU SAKI (North of KINKASAN).
0416 Submerged and patrolled inside 100 fathom curve
off OSU SAKI. Hoped to at least find a gun
target but there were no signs of life.
1816 Fog closed in. Surfaced and patrolled off KIN-
KASAN in dense fog.
2044 Attempted without success to raise PIRANHA on
area frequency. Transmitted GUARDFISH 121031
blind directing PIRANHA to rendezvous at
1900 (K) 13 June for track charts and area
information and assigning area to PIRANHA in
the event rendezvous could not be made.

13 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 38°-49'N
LONG. 142°-58'E

0003 Raised PIRANHA and re-transmitted GUARDFISH
121031.
0042 Enroute rendezvous with PIRANHA.
1300 Cleared fog.
1744 Submerged for trim.
1804 Surfaced.
1807 SJ radar interference bearing 220(T).
1816 Sighted PIRANHA bearing 220(T).
1845 Passed track charts of GUARDFISH, PARCHE and
CERO and other area data to PIRANHA. Sighted
horn type mine while alongside PIRANHA.
1903 GUARDFISH and PIRANHA using mine for rifle tar-
get - Mine exploded. (Guardfish Gunners Mate
claims credit) Position: Lat. 39°-00'N, Long.
143°-47'E.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

13 June 1945
1915 Parted company with PIRANHA and headed for KOBE
     SAKI. (PIRANHA directed to patrol north of
     40°-00'N until departure of GUARDFISH or until
     0000(K), 17 June, 1945. TENCH ordered by Comsub-
     pac to depart area at sunset today)

14 June 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 38°-51'N
               LONG. 142°-06'E

0000 Closing KOBE SAKI - running through fog patches.
0450 Fog lifted - submerged and closed KOBE SAKI.
1005 Heard distant explosion.
1035 Fog closed in again. Surfaced eight miles east of
     KOBE SAKI and commenced surface sweep 10-20 miles
     off shore from KOBE SAKI to KINKASAN.
2036 Headed north to be in position for submerged
     patrol off KOBE SAKI if fog clears by daylight.

15 June 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 39°-04'N
               LONG. 142°-03'E

0510 SJ radar out of commission. Submerged in heavy
     fog to make repairs.
0730 Fog cleared - KOBE SAKI bearing 220(T), 16 miles.
     Closed to 3 miles - no activity.
1050 SJ radar back in commission.
1435 Took pictures of coast line of KOBE SAKI - bearing
     310(T), distance 3 miles.
2012 Surfaced.
2150 Received Comsubpac 150537 ordering GUARDFISH to
     leave station tonight and proceed to Pearl Harbor
     via Midway. Set course for MIDWAY.

16 June 1945
1200 Position - LAT. 38°-45.5'N
               LONG. 145°-16'E

     Enroute Pearl Harbor via MIDWAY.
0420 Submerged for trim.
0433 Surfaced.
0734 Ship contact #8. Sighted small unidentified ship
     through high periscope bearing 032(T), estimated
     range 20,000 yards - no radar contact.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0836 Target on course 205(T), speed 5 knots. Submerged
     16,000 yards ahead and spent the morning trying
     to get close enough to look him over to see if
     he was big enough for one of our remaining 25
     torpedoes. Target on various courses.
1255 Identified target as small trawler. Opened range
     to 12,000 yards, surfaced, and manned guns.
1325 Trawler is equipped with two antennas, one a
     loop, and has one machine gun mounted on top of
     pilot house and possibly on mounted aft. Opened
     fire with 4" gun at a range of 4500 yards using
     radar ranges. Fifth shot hit pilot house and
     literally blew the top off - first four rounds
     fired were erratic due to failure of foot firing
     mechanism and necessity of using hand lanyard.
     Opened fire with both 40MM guns at 3,500 yards and
     with two fifty caliber machine guns at approx-
     imately 700 yards. The first few hits had the de-
     sired effect and fire was not returned. Ceased
     firing after entire superstructure and one
     mast shot away.
1355 Trawler refused to settle - no signs of survivors.
     Closed range to 300 yards and put three four
     inch hits at the water line. Observed four survivors
     playing possum in wreckage aft as she settled
     decks awash. Took two prisoners - the others
     could not be enticed aboard.
1440 Left trawler with superstructure shot away, holed
     below the water line and settling with decks awash.
     (Position: Lat. 38°-23'N, Long. 145°-00'E)
2344 Sent serial Three acknowledging Comsubpac 150537.

17-21 June 1945

Enroute MIDWAY. Making trim and training dives
daily.

17 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 37°-09'N
                   LONG. 151°-20'E

18 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 35°-48'N
                   LONG. 157°-57'E

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

0000 (L) Set clocks ahead to conform to zone (-)11 time.

19 June 1945

1200(L) Position - LAT. 33°-56.6'N
LONG. 164°-12.5'E

2123 (L) Sent Serial Four to Comsubpac and C.T.G. 17.5
requesting MIDWAY rendezvous.

20 June 1945

1200(L) Position - LAT. 31°-30.9'N
LONG. 170°-38'E

21 June 1945 (East Longitude date)

1200(M) Position - LAT. 29°-36'N
LONG. 176°-26.8'E

21 June 1945 (West Longitude date)

1200(Y) Position - LAT. 29°-08'N
LONG. 178°-16'W

0922 (Y) SD and sight contact with first friendly plane
from MIDWAY. Had several contacts from this
time until arrival in MIDWAY.
1133 (Y) Sighted two small friendly patrol boats or
fishermen off KURE Island.
1147 (Y) Sighted KURE Island bearing 027(T).
1315 (Y) Made rendezvous with MIDWAY plane escorts.
1525 (Y) Entered lagoon at MIDWAY and conducted sound
test.
1621 (Y) Moored at berth S-2, MIDWAY, T.H.

The following items were removed from the ship
as directed by C.T.G. 17.5.

20 Mark 18 Torpedoes
2 40MM guns
2 40MM ammunition ready lockers.
1 DU Direction Finder Unit.

Took on board 25,000 gallons of deisel fuel and
fresh provisions.

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CONFIDENTIAL - USS GUARDFISH TWELFTH WAR PATROL REPORT

22 June 1945

1200 Position - LAT. 27°-35'N
                     LONG. 176°-53'W

0835 (Y) Received two (2) Japanese and one (1) Korean
         prisoners on board for transportation to Pearl
         Harbor.
0910 (Y) Underway for Pearl Harbor in accordance with
         routing instructions of ComTaskGroup 17.5.

0953 (Y) Submerged for trim.
1005 (Y) Surfaced.
1900 (Y) Sighted convoy of at least three large friendly
         ships bearing 101(T), range 10 miles, on course
         235(T). Ran well astern to avoid being sighted.

23 June 1945

1200 (Y) Position - LAT. 24°-05'N
                     LONG. 173°-15'W

Made trim dive. Held various drills for train-
ing.

24 June 1945

1200 (X) Position - LAT. 21°-56'N
                     LONG. 167°-55'W

25 June 1945

1200(X) Position - LAT. 21°-00'N
                     LONG. 162°-45'W

1322 (X) SD radar contact with friendly aircraft at
         19 miles - not sighted.
2305 (X) Radar and sight contact with large unident-
         ified ship, assumed to be friendly, bearing
         050(T), range 20,000 yards. Passed 5 miles
         to southward.

26 June 1945

0230 (VW) Numerous friendly aircraft and surface ship
         contacts from this time until arrival Pearl
         Harbor.
0614 (VW) Rendezvous with escort, PC 485. Proceeding to
         Pearl Harbor.
1026 (VW) Moored at Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

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