U.S.S. POMFRET (SS-391) — war patrol report SS-391_POMFRET.pdf

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START OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: H-108]
[HANDWRITTEN: HR-47-77]

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OPERATOR [SIGNATURE: Rmuach]
DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 12-14-77]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Seal]
MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET, START & END
NAVEXOS 3968

— page 2 —
Dictionary
of
American Naval
Fighting Ships

VOLUME V • 1970
Historical Sketches—Letters N through Q
Appendices—Stone Fleet
Minecraft
New Ships
Aircraft

WITH A FOREWORD BY
THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS ADMIRAL ELMO R. ZUMWALT, Jr., U.S. Navy

AND AN INTRODUCTION BY
THE DIRECTOR OF NAVAL HISTORY REAR ADMIRAL ERNEST McNEILL ELLER,
U.S. Navy (Ret.)

NAVY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

NAVAL HISTORY DIVISION • WASHINGTON

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Pomfret
A fish of the sea-bream family; a powerful and speedy
swimmer, capable of operating at great depths.
(SS-391: dp. 1,525 (surf.), 2,391 (subm.); l. 312'; b. 27'; dr.
15'3"; s. 20 k. (surf.), 9 k. (subm.); cpl. 66; a. 1 5",
10 21" tt.; cl. Balao)

Pomfret (SS-391) was laid down 14 July 1943 and launched
27 October 1943 by the U.S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.;
sponsored by Miss Marilyn Maloney, daughter of Senator
Francis Maloney; and commissioned 19 February 1944,
Comdr. Frank C. Acker in command.

After training, the new submarine arrived Pearl Harbor 1
June 1944. She departed Pearl Harbor 23 June and proceeded
via Midway to her first patrol area—East Kyushu and Bungo
Suido. On 6 July she made an emergency dive when attacked
by a Japanese plane. On 12 July she allowed a Japanese
hospital ship to proceed in peace. After attempting an attack
on a battleship, she arrived at Midway 16 August.

On 10 September she departed Midway for the Luzon
Straits, South China Sea area to conduct her second patrol.
She sighted two enemy battleships on the 26th, but their
speed and the presence of an enemy submarine prevented
an attack.

On 2 October Pomfret sank Tsuyama Maru, a 6,962-ton
passenger-cargo vessel. After the usual depth charging, she
departed for Saipan and moored in Tanapag Harbor 12
October.

After refit and training, Pomfret reentered the same patrol
area 1 November as part of a wolf pack. Pomfret sank Atlas
Maru, 7,347-tons and Hamburg Maru, 5,271-tons. On the

343

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USS Pomfret (SS-391); a 1944 photo.

25th, she sank the Japanese cargo ship Shoho Maru, 1,356
tons. Pomfret departed the area and proceeded via Midway
to Pearl Harbor.
The ship began her fourth patrol 25 January 1945 in another
wolf pack. The mission was a picket boat sweep ahead of a
carrier task force soon to strike the Tokyo-Nagoya area.
After completing the sweep without encountering any picket
boats, she moved south of Honshu for lifeguard work.
On 16 February she rescued a pilot from Hornet. The next
day, she saved a pilot from Cabot. That day she also captured
two prisoners. Unsuccessfully attacked by a Japanese de-
stroyer on 10 March, she departed the area 23 March and
arrived at Midway on the 30th.
Departing Midway 26 April for the Kurile Islands, Okhotsk
Sea area, she entered the area 5 May. On the 26th she fired
torpedoes at an enemy anti-submarine hunter-killer group
but scored no hits. She returned to Midway 7 June.
On 2 July she departed for her sixth war patrol. After
lifeguard duty south of Honshu, she began patrol in the East
China Sea. On the 19th she sank the first of 44 floating mines.
On the 24th, she shelled the Kuskaki Jima lighthouse and
radio installations and, on the 26th, she destroyed a three-
masted junk and a small schooner. On 8 August she rescued
the entire five-man crew of a B-25 bomber. Pomfret continued
to shell small craft and pick up Japanese and Korean survivors
until the cessation of hostilities 15 August 1945. The following
day she headed for Guam. On 9 September she arrived at
San Francisco.
On 2 January 1946 Pomfret departed Mare Island for Guam,
arriving 22 January 1947. She proceeded to Subic Bay,
Philippine Islands 9 March, and from there steamed to
Tsingtao, China where for six weeks she acted as target for
U.S. anti-submarine warfare vessels based at Tsingtao. On
18 May she returned to Pearl Harbor, her new homeport.
During the next three years, she made two tours of duty in
WestPac: the first, April to August 1947, and the second,
December 1948 to April 1949.
In 1950 Pomfret arrived in San Diego. She operated along
the coast until February 1951 when she participated in the
Korean action until September, when she returned to San
Diego to operate locally. Pomfret decommissioned in April
1952 for conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard to a
Guppy IIA submarine. After conversion, she recommissioned
5 December and in the ensuing years alterrated between
coastal operations out of San Diego and WestPac deploy-
ments.
She departed for Far Eastern waters 7 July 1967 on a cruise
which included anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Gulf
of Tonkin off Viet Nam. She returned to San Diego 23 January
1968 and spent most of that year in exercises off of San Diego.
Pomfret received five battle stars for World War II service.

344

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[HANDWRITTEN: 1st Copy]

SS391/A16
Serial ( 027 )

U.S.S. POMFRET
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
16 August 1944.

DECLASSIFIED-L

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Official Channels.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET, Report of War Patrol Number One.

Enclosures: (A) Subject report.
(B) Track chart (to ComSubPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the first war patrol of this
vessel, conducted in Japanese Empire waters south of HONSHU and SHIKOKU
during the period June 23, 1944 to August 16, 1944, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: F.C. Acker]
F.C. ACKER.

DECLASSIFIED

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B7C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 6/4/72]

[HANDWRITTEN: Filmed]
[HANDWRITTEN: 87002]

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

(A) PROLOGUE

     Highlights of the POMFRET pre-patrol period follow, all dates 1944.
POMFRET was built at U.S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.

     February 19          Commissioned.

     March 11             Ship accepted. Underway training began.

     March 25             Portsmouth underway training period completed.
                          This included modified war patrol.

     March 31 -           Fired contract torpedo trials, Newport, R.I.
     3 April.

     April 3 - 17         Conducted training period at New London, Conn.
                          Sound tests and deperming included.

     April 24 -           Operations with Fleet Sound School, Key West,
     10 May               Florida. Continued ship's training.

     May 14               Transited Panama Canal.

     June 1               Arrived Pearl Harbor, T.H.

     June 23              After intensive and extremely beneficial training
                          at Pearl, departed on first war patrol.

(B) NARRATIVE

     23 June, 1944.
     1330 (VW)            Departed Pearl Harbor for Midway, under escort
                          of PC-487. U.S.S. TAUROG in company.
     2100 (VW)            Released escort and U.S.S. TAUROG. Made trim
                          dive and checked #2 periscope job; it appeared to
                          be highly satisfactory.

     24 June.
     0410 (X)             Made quick dive to 100 feet. Surfaced twenty
                          minutes later.

     25 June.
     1435 (X)             Made quick dive to 100 feet. Surfaced half an
                          hour later.
                          Hold fire control problem during late afternoon.

     26 June.
     0356 (Y)             Made quick dive to 100 feet. Surfaced one hour
                          later.
     0949 (Y)             Sighted ship bearing 265° True over the horizon.

-1-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol
--- ---
1200 Position bearing 183° True, distant nine miles
from FUKA SHIMA.
1537 Sighted one freighter and one patrol boat escort
five miles to northward standing down towards FUKA
SHIMA. Manned battle stations torpedo and commenced
approach.
1610 Plot finally established as zero; they are at
anchor and swinging rather than zigging. Their
position at anchor bearing 090° True distant 5000
yards from FUKA SHIMA. Anticipating their waiting
for convoy to form up opened slowly to southward to
give me time to track when they got underway.
1910 Target and escort underway again to southward.
Evidently they were waiting not for other ships but
for sunset. Tracked at speed 8 knots, courses con-
forming to coast contour. Being doubtful of peri-
scope ranges against land background, decided to
track by radar and make night surface attack.
2037 Surfaced and commenced target chase to south.
2057 Two simultaneous aircraft contacts. (A.C. #10 and
11); both unidentified. One bore 350° relative,
distant two miles, passing normal to our course
and not closing, detected from bridge by his white
light. The other bore 160° relative closing us fast.
"SJ" picked him up first and showed him in to 2000
yards as we dived. J.O.O.D. sighted his exhaust,
elevation three degrees, just as we started down.
We were lucky on this one, for he apparently passed
right over without sighting us.
2112 Surfaced and resumed chase.
2240 Radar tracking completed. Plot and T.D.C. agree on
target course and speed, targets are to our starboard
beach heading south. Night dark, moon-
rise not due till midnight.
2247 All ahead full, heading in to reach firing point on
a 120° port track at which position the targets will
almost overlap to present combined target lengths.
Sea flat; set torpedo depth 4 feet to get them both.
2327 Fired six bow tubes at average range 2900; turned
away at flank speed, not detected. No hits.
Reload forward completed. Conference with control
party confirmed my conviction that our solution was
correct, so decided to fire no more fish till thorough
test surface and submerged at high speeds of trans-
mission of gyro angles from conning tower through
to torpedoes.
2356 J.O.D. sighted red flare dead ahead and made quick
dive.

13 July (all times ITM)
0015 Having verified our suspicion that his "red flare"
was no more than the first flush of moonrise, surfaced.
-7-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of First War Patrol

2150            "SJ" contact bearing 230° True distant 12000 yards.
                It faded almost instantly. Ran in 4000 yards with-
                out picking it up, then reversed course and opened
                out, since it might have been a submarine.

15 July (all times ITEM)
0218            "SJ" contact at 6000 yards. No fishermen out here.
                Small patrol indicated, but could see nothing in
                excellent visibility and in view of midget sub-
                marine information cleared the vicinity.
0401            Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
                depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1210            Surfaced for sun line, high periscope sweep and air
                rejuvenation.
1223            Dived and resumed submerged patrol.
2001            Fire in the main cubicle, fortunately minor. Two
                small starting resistors burned out.
2027            Surfaced.
2042            Sighted running lights of aircraft dead ahead,
                distant three miles, elevation angle four degrees.
                Dived. No more were sighted.
2111            Surfaced. All clear.

16 July (all times ITEM)
0350            Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
                depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1243            Surfaced for sun line, high periscope sweep and
                air rejuvenation.
1253            Dived and resumed submerged patrol.
2023            Surfaced.

17 July (all times ITEM)
0401            Made quick dive to 400 feet.
0442            Secured all propulsive power and balanced at 125
                feet forty-four minutes while renewing two burned
                main motor starting contacts and cleaning the
                others.
0526            Main propulsion in commission; commenced submerged
                patrol.
1200            Surfaced for sun line, high periscope sweep and
                air rejuvenation.
1214            Dived and resumed submerged patrol.
2017            Surfaced.

18 July (all times ITEM)
0402            Made quick dive to 400 feet. Ship control drills.
                Returned to periscope depth and commenced submerged
                patrol.

                                                                -10-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

0745 Came left and headed seaward. Having gotten in to
     1000 yards from the beach, we were properly grateful
     that the torpedoes fired had been electric and had
     failed to alert the target. Rigged for
     depth charge and went to 150 feet, about all the depth
     allowed.
0752 One loud explosion, estimated range 3000 yards.
     Continued our hegira to seaward and greater depths.
     Light screws on either quarter, occasionally stopping
     to listen.
0920 Returned to periscope depth for a look. Two patrol
     boats bearing 175° relative, 5000 yards, zero angle
     on the bow. Went deep again. At this time one of
     them pinged for about ten seconds on 15.5 Kcs., the
     only pinging we heard during their search for us.
1116 Returned to periscope depth. All clear. Secured
     from "Rig for Depth Charge." Carried out torpedo
     reload.
2027 Surfaced.

21 July (all times ITEM)
0358 Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
     depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1200 Sea force 5 to 6 has us broaching frequently.
     Finally compromised on running below periscope depth
     and looking every fifteen to twenty minutes.
2024 Surfaced. Seas remain heavy, intermittent squalls.
     Vivid lightning all around the horizon made a weird
     impressive setting for our plunging microcosm. No
     fix for over thirty hours; D.R. and E.P. positions
     differ by some sixty miles. Yielded to nature-
     abandoned plans for close inshore work tomorrow and
     headed west into seas at four knots.

22 July (all times ITEM)
0402 Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
     depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1200 Seas subsiding. Now able to run periscope patrol
     without broaching.
2027 Surfaced. Decided to patrol tomorrow inshore to
     northeastward of SHIONO MISAKI.

23 July (all times ITEM)
0342 Made quick dive to 300 feet about ten miles off
     shore. Returned to periscope depth and commenced
     submerged patrol towards the beach.

-12-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET          Report of First War Patrol

sweep (some 7 - 8 seconds later) this contact had
moved into 600 yards, at which time we were on the
way down. The plane itself (A.C. #19), which was
never sighted, was apparently coming in by radar. How
he could have failed to see us in the bright moonlight
is incomprehensible, but he dropped no bombs.

4 August (all times ITEM)
0114          Surfaced. All clear.
0424          Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
              depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1958          Surfaced.

5 August (all times ITEM)
0434          Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
              depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1943          Surfaced.

6 August (all times ITEM)
0431          Made quick dive to 400 feet. Returned to periscope
              depth and commenced submerged patrol closing east
              coast of KYUSHU.
1957          Surfaced. Being loath to depart area tomorrow leaving
              no carte de visite for the Nips ashore, made plans
              for shelling of factory at TAKANABE on east coast
              KYUSHU (Lat. 32° - 08' N, Long. 131° - 32' E) and
              set courses hoping to fire at 0200 tomorrow from
              position two miles off the beach. As we'd have a
              full moon to the south and secondary airfield and
              searchlight station within twelve miles, I anticipated
              a maximum of three to four minutes firing followed by
              retirement at flank speed.

7 August (all times ITEM)
0115          Ten miles from firing point, but low surface haze
              appears to obscure the entire beach.
0130          Manned battle stations gun action; gun crew standing
              by below.
0145          Four miles from firing point. Beach invisible in
              surface haze, but decided to close to firing position
              hoping for clearing.
0158 to       About a mile from firing point, still nothing but haze,
0200          ready to make a reluctant departure when we received
              a triple-barreled greeting, two sharp unidentified
              water noises or explosions, SJ contact five thousand
              yards bearing 305° relative (not visible but not on

-15-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

the beach) and SD contact at six miles (A.C. #20).
Came right at flank speed and dived to 100 feet.
Took course 090° to head out to deep water.
Soundings gave another good hundred feet below us,
0208 so rigged out QB sound head and ordered 150 feet.
Somewhat disconcerted presently to find ourselves
neatly, gently and scarpously bottomed at 152 feet
(mud-sand bottom). QB sound head sheared out of
commission and locking freely. At this point our
fathometer watch blandly offered soundings of over
100 feet; he's a normally reliable man, but -
possibly through nervousness or tension - was work-
ing on false echoes.
Huffed and puffed and blew up to 100 feet and con-
0216 tinued on course 090° True.
0232 Surfaced and retired at flank speed.
0434 Made quick dive to 200 feet. The tightened packing
on damaged sound head (which we cannot raise) holds
at this depth without leakage. Returned to periscope
depth and commenced submerged patrol.
1955 Surfaced. Departing from area as required by
provisions OPORDER.

8 August (all times ITEM)
0445 Made dawn dive.
0615 Surfaced.
1840 Made twilight dive.
1933 Surfaced.

9 August (all times ITEM)
0501 Made quick dive to 200 feet. Returned to periscope
depth and commenced submerged patrol.
0743 Sighted SOFU ON ISLND bearing 118° True, distant
18 miles.
1942 Surfaced.

10 August
0015 (I) Sent POMFRET serial two to ComSubPac.
0415 (I) Made dawn dive.
0531 (I) Surfaced.
0817 (I) Lookout sighted aircraft (A.C. #21) "Betty" bearing
165° relative, elevation angle 2°, range five miles.
Dived to 200 feet. We were apparently not sighted.
0900 (I) Set ship's clocks ahead one hour to minus ten zone
time.
1000 (K) Surfaced. All clear.
1315 (K) Lookout sighted unidentified aircraft (A.C. #22)
bearing 355° relative, elevation angle 2°, range six
miles. Dived to 200 feet. We were apparently not

-16-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

                                                              sighted. Looks
                                                              transmission.
1412 (K)                                                      Surfaced.

11 August (all times KING)
0448                                                          Made dawn dive.
0555                                                          Surfaced.
0950                                                          Number 3 engine out of commission for remainder of
                                                              patrol. See Addenda to Section "K" for details.

12 August (all times KING)
0419                                                          Made dawn dive.
0534                                                          Surfaced.

13 August
0400 (K)                                                      Made dawn dive.
0502 (K)                                                      Surfaced.
1252 (K)                                                      O.O.D. sighted unidentified plane (U.C. #23) bearing
                                                              010° relative, elevation angle 7°, distant four miles.
                                                              Dived to 400 feet. No more apparently not sighted. As
                                                              the O.O.D.'s shirt was securely tied to a bridge hand
                                                              rail, it was therefore left there. The fountain pen
                                                              on board withstood the pressure test successfully,
                                                              offering material for commercial advertising, but in
                                                              conformity with the non-endorsement policy of the
                                                              Navy Department the name of the make of the pen is with-
                                                              held.
1300 (K)                                                      Set ship's clocks ahead one hour to minus eleven zone
                                                              time.
1437 (L)                                                      Surfaced. All clear.

14 August (all times LOVE)
0442                                                          Made dawn dive.
0541                                                          Surfaced.

15 August
0434 (L)                                                      Made dawn dive.
0525 (L)                                                      Surfaced.
1700 (L)                                                      Commenced 6 hour battery discharge.
1800 (L)                                                      Set ship's clocks ahead one hour to minus twelve zone
                                                              time.

16 August
0030 (M)                                                      Completed 6 hour battery discharge. Shifted propulsion
                                                              to engines.
0500 (M)                                                      Made dawn dive.
0550 (M)                                                      Surfaced.

                                                              -17-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of First War Patrol

— page 26 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. POMFRET
Report of First War Patrol

(F) SHIP CONTACTS

| NO. | TIME DATE | LATITUDE LONGITUDE | TYPE | INITIAL RANGE | EST. COURSE SPEED | HOW CONTACTED | REMARKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0932(I) 12 July | 32°-42'N 132°-01'E | Hospital ship (E.C.) (One funnel; photo- graph will identify). | 10,000 yards | 190° 10 Kts. | Periscope Submerged | Took photographs for confirmatory identification. No violation of her privileged status observed. Air patrols and close inshore position precluded surfacing to stop or search her. |
| 2 | 1537(I) 12 July | 32°-43.5'N 132°-00.0'E | One JAP AK (2700 tons) HINO MARU similar to our P.C. boat but with higher lines. | 10,000 yards | 150° 8 Kts. | Periscope Submerged | On initial contact target and escort seen to anchor. Underway at sunset. Tracked by radar and made night surface attack. No hits. |
| 3 | 0112(I) 14 July | 31°-52.2'N 133°-03.0'E | One FUSO class (E.C.) battleship escorted by three destroyers. | 23,000 yards | Various and later 15 knots | Radar | Ended around and tracked by radar. Dived ahead range 12,000 yards and conducted submerged periscope attack. |
| 4 | 0744(I) 20 July | 33°-31.4'N 135°-28.5'E | One large general patrol boat, lines of con- verted yacht coastal minelayer. | 10,000 yards | 170° 11 Kts. | Periscope Submerged | Fired three stern shots, range 960 yards, 120° port track. No hits. |

Page (21)

— page 27 —
**(G)**
| | AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED) | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONTACT NUMBER | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
| Date | 7-6-44 | 7-8-44 | 7-10-44 | 7-11-44 |
| Time (Zone) | 1345 | 0854 | 1003 | 1045 |
| Position: Lat. | 30°- 27' N | 29°- 57' N | 31°- 39' N | 32°- 30' N |
| Long. | 148°- 37' E | 139°- 40' E | 132°- 02' E | 131°- 40' E |
| Speed | 14.5 | 16.5 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| Course | 264° | 267° | 310° | 000° |
| **SUBMARINE** | | | | |
| Trim | Surface | Surface | Submerged | Submerged |
| Minuted Since Last SD Radar Search | Zero | Zero | Zero | Zero |
| | | | | |
| **AIRCRAFT** | | | | |
| Number | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Type | Betty | Sally | Unidentified | Mavis |
| Probable Mission | Patrol | Patrol | Training Flight | Training Flight |
| How Contacted | High peri-scope sight | Quartor-mastor sight | Periscope Sight | Periscope Sight |
| Initial Range | 10 Milos | 10 Miles | 5 Milos | 8 Miles |
| Elevation Angle | 2° | 3° | 4° | 4° |
| Range & Relative Bearing of Plane When it Detected Submarine | Not Detected | Not Detected | Not Detected | Not Detected |
| | | | | |
| **CONDITIONS** | | | | |
| (State)(Beaufort) Sea: | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| (Direction - Rel.) | 260° | 290° | 175° | 030° |
| Visibility (Miles) | Squally | Unlimited | 10 | 10 |
| (Height in Feet)- Clouds | 1500 | 8000 | 1500 | 1000 |
| (Percent Overcast)-Clouds | 70% | 5% | 70% | 50% |
| Moon: (Bearing Rel.) | - | - | - | - |
| (Angle) | - | - | - | - |
| (Percent Illum.) | - | - | - | - |
| Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: | Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B. | -22- | | | | |

— page 29 —
(C)
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

| CONTACT NUMBER | #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 7-12-44 | 7-12-44 | 7-12-44 | 7-13-44 |
| Time (Zone) | 1030 | 2057 | 2057 | 0026 |
| Position: Lat. | 32°-38'N | 32°-30'N | 32°-30'N | 32°-14'N |
| Long. | 132°-03'E | 131°-51'E | 131°-51'E | 132°-06'E |
| Speed | 2 | 15 | 15 | 17 |
| Course | 210° | 229° | 229° | 090° |
| Trim | Submerged | Surface | Surface | Surface |
| Minutes Since Last | | | | |
| SD Radar Search | 280 | None | None | None |
| | | | | |
| Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Type | Unknown 2 Flo. low wing Seaplane | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Probable Mission | Scouting | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol |
| How Contacted | Periscope sight | Sight | Sight | Lookout - run- ning lights |
| Initial Range | 3000 | 2000 | 3500 | 6000 |
| Elevation Angle | 20 | 30 | Unknown | 50 |
| Range & Relative Bearing of Plane when it Detected Submarine | Not detected | Not detected | Not detected | Not detected |
| | | | | |
| (State)(Beaufort) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sea: (Direction - Rel.) | 340° | 350° | 350° | 340° |
| Visibility (Miles) | Unlimited | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| (Height in Feet) - Clouds | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 6000 |
| (Percent Overcast) - Clouds | 1% | 1% | 1% | 1% |
| (Bearing Moon: Rel.) | Daylight | 350° | 350° | 350° |
| (Angle | | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| (Percent Illum.) | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.

-24-

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(6)
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

CONTACT NUMBER | #13 | #14 | #15 | #16
Date | 7-13-44 | 7-13-44 | 7-15-44 | 7-19-44
Time (Zone) | 0552 | 0823 | 2042 | 0218
Position: Lat. | 32°-01'N | 32°-00'N | 31°-24.7'N | 33°-20'N
Long. | 133°-15'E | 133°-20'E | 134°-21.2'E | 134°-55'E
Speed | 2 | 2 | 10 | 15
Course | 110° | 110° | 290° | 270°
Trim | Submerged | Submerged | Surface | Surface
Minutes Since Last | None | None | None | None
SD Radar Search | | | |
Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Type | Twin float | | |
monoplane | | |
Probable | | | |
Mission | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol
How | Periscope | Periscope | Sight run- | Sight run-
Contacted | sight | sight | ning lights | ning lights
Initial | | | |
Range | 8000 | 4000 | 6000 | 7000
Elevation | | | |
Angle | 4° | 5° | 4° | 3°
Range & Relative | | | |
Bearing of Plane | | | |
When it Detected | Not | Not | Not | Not
Submarine | detected | detected | detected | detected
(State)(Beaufort) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
Sea: | | | |
(Direction - Rel.) | 240° | 030° | 240° | 200°
Visibility(Miles) | Unlimited | Unlimited | 6 | 3
(Height in | | | |
Feet) - Clouds | 7000 | 1500 | - | -
(Percent | | | |
Overcast) - Clouds | 2% | 2% | 1% | 2%
(Bearing | | | |
Moon: | Rel.) | Daylight | Daylight | - | -
(Angle) | - | - | - | -
(Percent | | | |
Illum.) | - | - | - | -

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.

-25-

— page 31 —
(G)
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
| CONT. NUMBER | #17 | #18 | #19 | #20 |
| Date | 7-19-44 | 8-2-44 | 8-3-44 | 8-7-44 |
| Time (Zone) | 2039 | 2039 | 2319 | 0200 |
| Position: Lat. | 33°-30'N | 31°-03.7'N | 30°-35.7'N | 30°-06'N |
| Long. | 135°-20'E | 131°-10.7'E | 131°-33.1'E | 131°-35'E |
| Speed | 10 | 10 | 10 | 18 |
| Course | 270° | 335° | 180° | 290° |
| Trim | Surface | Surface | Surface | Surface |
| Minutes Since Last | | | | |
| SD Radar Search | None | None | None | None |

| Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Type | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| Probable | | | | |
| Mission | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol |
| How | Sight run- | Sight | SJ | SD |
| Contacted | ning lights | | contact | contact |
| Initial | | | | |
| Range | 8000 | 8000 | 7000 | 12000 |
| Elevation | | | | |
| Angle | 2° | - | - | - |
| Range & Relative | | | | |
| Bearing of Plane | Not | Not | Not | Not |
| When it Detected | detected | sighted | sighted | sighted |
| Submarine | | | | |

CONDITIONS
| (State)(Beaufort) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Sea: | | | | |
| (Direction Rel.) | 215° | 165° | 170° | 180° |
| Visibility (Miles) | 3 | 6 | 5 | Hazy |
| (Height in | | | | |
| Feet) - Clouds | - | 5000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| (Percent | | | | |
| Overcast) - Clouds | 5% | 3% | 5% | - |
| (Bearing | | | | |
| Moon: Rel.) | - | 180° | 080° | 270° |
| (Angle) | - | - | - | - |
| (Percent | | | | |
| Illum.) | - | 70% | 90% | 95% |
Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.

-26-

— page 32 —
(G)                                                AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
CONTACT NUMBER             | #21       | #22       | #23
|||
Date                       | 8-10-44   | 8-10-44   | 8-13-44
S Time (Zone)              | 0617      | 1315      | 1250
U Position: Lat.           | 30° - 55' N | 29° - 59.2' N | 30° - 18' N
B Long.                    | 143° - 33' E | 144° - 36.4' E | 162° - 07' E
M Speed                    | 17        | 17        | 17
A Course                   | 090°      | 087°      | 090°
R Trim                     | Surface   | Surface   | Surface
I Minutes Since Last       |           |           |
N SD Radar Search          | 0         | 0         | 0
E                          |           |           |
|||
                           |           |           |
Number                     | 1         | 1         | 1
Type                       | Betty     | ---       | Unknown
Probable                   |           |           |
Mission                    | Patrol    | Patrol    | Patrol
How                        |           |           |
C Contacted                | Sight     | Sight     | Sight
O Initial                  |           |           |
N Range                    | 10,000    | 12,000    | 8,000
D Elevation                |           |           |
I Angle                    | 2°        | 2°        | 7°
T Range & Relative         |           |           |
I Bearing of Plane         | Not       | Not       | Not
O When it Detected         | sighted   | sighted   | sighted
N Submarine                |           |           |
S                          |           |           |
|||
                           |           |           |
(State)(Beaufort)          | 1         | 1         | 3
Sea:                       |           |           |
(Direction - Rel.)         | 130°      | 130°      | 0
Visibility                 |           |           |
(Miles)                    | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited
(Height in                 |           |           |
Feet) - Clouds             | 2,000     | 2,000     | 3,000
(Percent                   |           |           |
Overcast) - Clouds         | 2%        | 3%        | 15%
(Bearing                   |           |           |
Moon: Rel.)                | ---       | ---       | ---
(Angle)                    | ---       | ---       | ---
(Percent                   |           |           |
Illum.)                    | ---       | ---       | ---
|||

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.

-27-

— page 34 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of First War Patrol

— page 35 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol
(H) ATTACK DATA TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT
U.S.S. POMFRET TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 PATROL NO. 1
TIME: 0333(I). DATE: 14 July 1944. LAT: 31° - 52.2' N. LONG: 133° - 03' E.

TARGET DATA

DESCRIPTION: Target was JAP battleship of FUSO class. (E.C.) Three
escorts, two definitely destroyers, third believed to be
destroyer, but radar pip showed him a little larger than
other two. Initial contact at 0112(I) by SJ radar bear-
ing 230° True, range 23000 yards. Dark night at contact
but within half an hour moon (last quarter) rose. From
that point till completion attack moon in clear about 80%
of time, obscured by clouds about 20% of time. At range
14000 yards target could be seen clearly enough to give us
definite indication she was battleship.

SHIP SUNK: None.

SHIP DAMAGED: Possible three hits.

DAMAGE DETERMINED No positive assurance of damage. The only three explosions
BY: heard were checked by time to be the forward three of the
spread of six fired, but because of the extreme range of
firing (torpedo runs 5450 to 5550 yards) they could have
been either hits or end-of-run explosions. Record books
show two of these three torpedoes to have previously run
5700 and 5500 yards respectively. The third had run 5100
yards.

TARGET DRAFT: .23'. Course: 330°. SPEED: 15.0. RANGE: 4800 yards.

GUN SHIP DATA

SPEED: 3.7 knots: COURSE 050°. DEPTH: 62 feet. ANGLE 0°.

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

TYPE ATTACK Night periscope attack. Target radar detected at 0112(I)
near BUNGO - SAIPAN line heading for BUNGO; initial radar
range 23000 yards, bearing 230° True. Tracked zigging
between 040° True and 330° True favoring 330° band; he ran
from 3 to 8 minutes on each leg. Initial speed 12. At
0203(I) detected increase of speed to 15, at which he ran
for balance of attack. Dived twelve thousand yards ahead of
him; continued approach at radar depth to 8000 yards; com-
pleted approach at periscope depth. Eight minutes before

-30-

— page 37 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET             Report of First War Patrol

(H) ATTACK DATA                                         TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2

Tubes Fired             | #1        | #2        | #3        | #4        | #5        | #6
Track Angle             | 121°P     | 122°P     | 123°P     | 124°P     | 124°P     | 125°P
Gyro Angle              | 338.5°    | 339°      | 339°      | 339°      | 333.5°    | 332°
Depth Set               | 6'        | 6'        | 6'        | 6'        | 6'        | 6'
Power                   | High      | High      | High      | High      | High      | High
                        | Possible  |           |           |           | Possible  | Possible
Hit or Miss             | Hit       | Miss      | Miss      | Miss      | Hit       | Hit
Erratic                 | No        | No        | No        | No        | No        | No
Mark Torpedo            | 23        | 23        | 23        | 23        | 23        | 23
Serial No.              | 61683     | 41180     | 41747     | 49687     | 49656     | 52906
Mark Exploder           | 6-4       | 6-4       | 6-4       | 6-4       | 6-4       | 6-4
Serial No.              | 21897     | 18298     | 2431      | 748       | 21887     | 1774
Actuation Set           | Contact   | Contact   | Contact   | Contact   | Contact   | Contact
Actuation Actual        | Contact   | None      | None      | None      | Contact   | Contact
Mark Warhead            | 16-1      | 16-1      | 16-1      | 16-1      | 16-1      | 16-1
Serial No.              | 12285     | 3918      | 13301     | 11845     | 13317     | 13320
Explosive               | TPX       | TPX       | TPX       | TPX       | TPX       | TPX
Firing Interval         | 0         | 10 Sec.   | 8 Sec.    | 8 Sec.    | 7 Sec.    | 8 Sec.
Type Spread             | Divergent - 1° and 1-1/4°.
Sea Conditions          | Smooth - Low short swell.
Overhaul Activity       | Subase, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

                                                                                             -32-

— page 38 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
(H) ATTACK DATA
U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol
TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT
U.S.S. POMFRET TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3 PATROL NO. 1
TIME: 07-44(I) DATE: 20 July 1944. LAT: 33° - 31.4' N. LONG: 135°-28.5' E.

TARGET DATA

DESCRIPTION: Target was large patrol boat or CM with over-all yacht
             lines; estimated tonnage 800 - 1000. Some six lookouts
             standing on top of the bridge house. Contact and attack
             by periscope submerged. At firing point we were inshore
             of him and about 1000 yards from the beach.

SHIP SUNK:   None.

SHIP DAMAGED: None.

DAMAGE DETERMINED
BY:          No hits; no damage.

TARGET DRAFT: 7'. COURSE 170° True. SPEED 11. RANGE 960.

OWN SHIP DATA

SPEED:       3.2 knots. COURSE 060° True. DEPTH: 64 feet. Angle: 0°

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

TYPE ATTACK  Day periscope attack. Target was one of three escorts
             to seaward of a small and a medium AK standing to south-
             ward hugging the HONSHU coast. Target was well astern
             in the formation and looked at first like a main target
             because of its size. Our unsuccessful
             attempt to close the AKs to good range brought us about
             3000 yards from track of and in position 5000 yards ahead
             of the target. Ten minutes later he zigged for a port
             angle on bow of 12 to 15 degrees, a course which would
             pass him astern of us. Six minutes before firing he
             increased speed from 8.5 to 11 knots and maintained this
             speed. Fired three torpedoes, average range 1000, average
             track 120° port. At firing a single ping sounding gave
             us 30 fathoms, about 1000 yards from the beach and we
             promptly hauled out.

-33-

— page 39 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

(H) ATTACK DATA TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3

Tubes Fired | #7 | #8 | #9
Track Angle | 116° | 120° | 124°
Gyro Angle | 170½° | 170° | 169°
Depth Set | 6' | 6' | 6'
Power | High | High | High
Hit or Miss | Miss | Miss | Miss
Erratic | No | No | No
Mark Torpedo | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1
Serial No. | 54455 | 55022 | 55088
Mark Exploder | 8-4 | 8-4 | 8-4
Serial No. | 7976 | 8236 | 8045
Actuation Set | Contact | Contact | Contact
Actuation Actual | - | - | -
Mark Warhead | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1
Serial No. | 1594 | 1916 | 1656
Explosive | TORPEX | TORPEX | TORPEX
Firing Interval | 0 | 11 Sec. | 10 Sec.
Type Spread | Divergent 4 degrees.
Sea Conditions | Condition 2 - moderate swells. Few whitecaps.
Overhaul Activity | Subase, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

-34-

— page 40 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POLFRET Report of First or Patrol

(I) MINES.

No remarks.

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS.

Enemy aircraft patrol this area by day as well as by night.
By night they frequently have running lights burning. Some of them appear
to be radar equipped. None of them bombed us, although we had some twenty
contacts. While enroute to and from the area we used the SD radar in the normal
manner, but in the area we used it only as a receiver - i.e. it omitted no
signals - hence no possibility of D.F.ing - but showed radar interference if
a plane were coming in on us by radar. SJ radar proved invaluable in warn-
ing us of low flying planes. Observation confirmed that merchant traffic
here is well escorted and hugs the coast; also that before departing from
BUNGO SUIDO it waits for sunset. It is of interest that a FUSO class battle-
ship, presumably equipped with their latest radar on a high platform, failed
to pick us up at 14,000 yards and even at 12,000 yards whatever indication
they got, if any, was evaluated poorly enough that they failed to turn away
from our bearing. In contrast to this some of our D.E.s have had this same
ship on radar at ranges well over twenty thousand. Of further interest is
their psychology in turning on the battleship searchlight rather than send-
ing a destroyer over at high speed to investigate. Echo ranging was heard
in only one instance, and then for only about ten seconds; its frequency was
15½ kilocycles.

Evasive measures submerged consisted in going deep, running
silent and adjusting course to keep the hunters astern. No false target
shells were used.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE.

Material difficulties were pleasantly few.

(1) BENDIX UNDERWATER LOG.

At 0018 on 28 June 1944 seven hours after leaving Midway,
this ship struck a submerged object. The object struck well forward on the
port side of the forward torpedo room and scraped down the port side.

As a result of this collision the Bendix underwater log
immediately stopped indicating the ship's speed through the water; it was
found impossible to house the sword arm. No spare sword arm was on board,
in spite of the fact that a spare sword arm had been requested at both the
Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, and the Submarine Base, Midway.

-35-

— page 43 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

(K) ADDENDA - MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE.

On the morning of 11 August, a peculiar noise was noticed in
the generator end of #3 main engine. The noise lasted only a few seconds
and apparently disappeared. A moment later the engine began slowing down,
and before the load could be removed and the engine secured, the engine had
completely stopped, as if by a tremendous braking effect. A piston seizure
was suspected, since it was believed nothing else could stop the engine in
this manner, (the generator armature air gap was checked and found to be
clear). All pistons were examined and found to be free. The throttleman
had just finished taking his hourly readings, all of which were normal.

On more detailed examination of the engine, the locknut on
the lower thrust bearing of the vertical drive was noticed to be dry of oil
and blue, as if it had been extremely hot. The engine could not be rolled
by air or the jacking motor. As it was necessary to rotate the vertical
drive to further inspect it, the generator was motorized, using another
generator for power. This method succeeded, and as soon as the engine rolled,
it could be seen that the lower thrust bearing was completely ruined, and
obviously the cause of the stoppage.

On inspection of the oil line leading to the ruined bearing,
a wad of hair-like material was found to be clogging the line completely,
stopping the oil supply to the bearing.

No spare parts for the vertical drive assembly are included
in the ship's allowance.

-38-

— page 47 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of First War Patrol

Sound conditions were poor to fair in the patrol area. The
usual high noise level was observed when working on soundings close to the
beach.

The SC-2 equipment gave only fair results, for example a
maximum range of 8,000 yards on a FUSO class battleship which was making 15
knots. Three thousand yards or less was a representative range of the equip-
ment on patrol boats.

During the patrol the JP-1 gear was able to obtain slightly
greater ranges than did the SC-2.

The ship's force installed a direct two-station only phone
from the conning tower to the JP-1 gear, which greatly facilitates com-
munication between the Conning Officer and the sonic listening station.

(O) DENSITY LAYERS.

Marked negative gradients were noted throughout the patrol
area, varying from ten degrees to twenty degrees. Layer depths varied from
the surface to 230 feet.

An exploratory dive to 400 feet was made each morning to obtain
data for sound conditions and evasive tactics.

The bathythermograph was quite helpful in aiding the Diving
Officer in maintaining depth control; differences in temperature at peri-
scope depth were frequent, and on one occasion varied as much as nine degrees.
By carefully watching for sudden temperature changes, the Diving Officer
could make the necessary ballast changes before depth control was lost.

On one occasion a very sharp negative gradient allowed us to
balance for forty-five minutes at about 130 feet while replacing starting
contactors in the main control cubicle.

Below are listed ten typical area conditions recorded:

| Layer | Gradient in | Gradient, Layer | Date | Location |
| Depth | First 30 Feet | Depth to | | |
| | of Thermocline | 400 Feet. | | |
| 20' | 3° | 15° | 7-10-44 | 31°-33'N,132°-12'E |
| Surface | 2° | 15° | 7-14-44 | 31°-56'N,133°-28'E |
| 40' | 8° | 17° | 7-16-44 | 31°-29'N,134°-17'E |
| 60' | 6° | 17° | 7-17-44 | 31°-35'N,133°-37'E |
| 40' | 3° | 20° | 7-19-44 | 33°-24'N,135°-23'E |
| 80' | 10° | 22° | 7-22-44 | 33°-31'N,135°-31'E |
| 30' | 4° | 14° | 7-27-44 | 30°-13'N,135°-47'E |
| 100' | 6° | 15° | 7-30-44 | 30°-14'N,133°-50'E. |
| 230' | 4° | 10° | 8-2-44 | 30°-37'N,131°-37'E |
| 170' | 3° | 18° | 8-4-44 | 33°-03'N,131°-45'E |

-42-

— page 51 —
F55-62
Serial: 036
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. POMFRET, Report
of War Patrol No. 1
dated 16 August 1944.

From: The Commander Submarine Division SIXTY-TWO.
To : The Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet.
(1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
Subordinate Command, Navy Number 1504.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(3) The Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET, Report of War Patrol No. 1.

1. The first war patrol of POMFRET covered a period of
51-days, 29 of which were spent in the assigned area in Japanese Empire
waters south of HONSHU and SHIKOKU and along the East Coast of KYUSHU.
The area was well patrolled and it is noted from the track chart that
the Commanding Officer was not deterred by shallow water.

2. Only three contacts justifying torpedo attack were made
and all three were fired at. It is regretted that no hits were ob-
served. A total of 15 torpedoes were fired.

3. Attack #1
In a night surface attack on 12 July after three and a
half hours of tracking fired 6 Mark 23's at an overlapping target of
a freighter and it's escort. Track angle was 130° port, range 2900, depth
set 4 feet. All missed. Although POMFRET was not detected attack
was abandoned due suspicion of errors in transmission of gyro angles
between TDC and tubes. Later tests convinced the Commanding Officer
that misses were due to control errors.

Attack #2
At 3 a.m. on 14 July 6 Mark 23 torpedoes were fired
submerged at a battleship with 3 escorts. Track angle was 125°P, tor-
pedo run 5500 yards, depth setting 6 feet. POMFRET went deep immedi-
ately after firing so no observation could be made to determine whether
any or all of the 3 explosions heard were hits.

Attack #3
In a submerged periscope attack on a convoy of two
freighters and three escorts at 0744 on the morning of 20 July, 3
Mark 18 torpedoes were fired from the stern tubes at a 1000 ton con-
verted yacht type escort which was trailing the formation. The two

- 1 -
SUBMARINE DIVISION SIXTY-TWO
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
20 August 1944.

— page 52 —
F85-62/A16
Serial: 036
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

SUBMARINE DIVISION SIXTY-TWO
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
20 August 1944.

Subject: U.S.S. PO.FRET, Report of War Patrol No. 1.

freighters had gone by at 4000 yards. Firing range was 1000 yards,
track 120° port, depth setting 6 feet, with PO.FRET inshore of target
1000 yards from the beach in 30 fathoms of water. Torpedoes may have
under-run as all missed.

4. The difficulty experienced in emptying #4 fuel ballast
tank preparatory to converting to a main ballast tank is noted. The
use of after engine room bilges as a fuel tank is considered poor
practice even in an attempt to save the few gallons of fuel involved.

5. The general material condition of the PO.FRET on re-
turn from this patrol was excellent. It is expected that the repairs
to #4 main engine vertical drive shaft and replacement of damaged
sound heads, spider, and shafting will be accomplished within the
normal refit time by Division 62 relief crew assisted by Submarine
Base Midway.

6. Commanding Officers and Crew are congratu-
lated on the completion of this the PO.FRET's first war patrol.

[SIGNATURE: J. M. WILL]
J. M. WILL.

- 2 -

— page 53 —
COMMANDER SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET, (Ht)
SUBORDINATE COMMAND, NAVY NO. 1504

A16-3
Serial: 0134

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

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
USS POIFRET Report of
War Patrol No. 1 dated
16 August 1944.

.From:
To :
Via :

Subject:

1.
in the first endorsement. Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
20 August 1944.

The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
Subordinate Command, Navy No. 1504.
The Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet.
(1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(2) The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

U.S.S. POIFRET (SS391) - Report of War Patrol
No. 1.

Forwarded, concurring in the remarks contained

[SIGNATURE: C. D. Edmunds]
C. D. EDMUNDS.

— page 54 —
F12-10/A16-3(15)/(16)
Serial 01849
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
POMFRET Report of
First War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 509.
U.S.S. POMFRET - FIRST WAR PATROL.

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

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of First War Patrol.
(23 June to 16 August 1944).

1. The first war patrol of the POMFRET was conducted in
Japanese Empire Waters south of Honshu and Shikoku.

2. Excellent area coverage was maintained and three con-
tacts worthy of torpedo fire resulted, one of which was a FUSO class
battleship escorted by three destroyers. The three contacts were ag-
gressively developed into attacks none of which, unfortunately, were
successful. The long range attack made on the battleship was worth
the try but evidence of damage is not conclusive. The valuable ex-
perience gained by the POMFRET on this first patrol will pay divi-
dends in patrols to come.

3. This patrol is not designated as "Successful" for
award of Combat Insignia.

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
CominCh (7)
CNO (5)
CinCpac (6)
Intel.Gen.Pac.Ocean Areas (1)
ComServPac (1)
CominClant (1)
ComSubLant (8)
S/M School NL (2)
ComSoPac (2)
ComSolWesPac (1)
ComSubSoWesPac (2)
CTF 72 (2)
ComNorPac (1)
ComSubsPac (20)
SUBAD, MI (2)
ComSubsPacSubOrdCom (3)
All Squadron and Division
Commanders, Pacific (2)
SubSTrainPac (2)
All Submarines, Pacific (1)
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET hch
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
31 August 1944.

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

C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.

[SIGNATURE: C. A. Lockwood]
[HANDWRITTEN: @ L. Hynes 2nd]
E. L. HYNES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary.

— page 55 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st Copy]

SS391/A16
U.S.S. POMFRET

Serial ( 029 )

c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
19 October 1944.

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

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Official Channels.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET, Report of War Patrol Number Two.
Enclosures: (A) Subject report.
(B) Track chart (to ComSubPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the second war patrol of this vessel,
conducted in the northern portion of the South China Sea and the Luzon Straits,
during the period 8 September 1944 to 12 October 1944, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: Fredric B Clarke]
for F.C. ACKER.

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 6/1/72]

DECLASSIFIED

[HANDWRITTEN: Filmed]
[HANDWRITTEN: 93095]

— page 62 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. PO FRET Report of Second War Patrol

at approximately one minute intervals, varied later
to three minute intervals. Only about thirty were
dropped, none close enough to shake the boat. We
maintained depths 440 feet to 480 feet while evading.
At 2254, a good hour after firing, we heard the start
of breaking up noises, which lasted about fifteen
minutes, loud and clear throughout the boat. Sound
bearings confirmed them to be in the direction of
the scene of attack. Target number two evidently
bowed out at this time, a welcome end, for she was
originally very low in the water, presumably heavily
laden. By 2330 depth charging and pinging had faded
into the distance. Prepared to surface.

3 Oct.(All times HYPO)
0012 Surfaced. All clear. Feeling that BASHI would be too
     hot for transit tonight, stood away to west for the
     night and put in battery charge and reload forward.

0500 Dived for all-day submerged patrol.

1508 Sighted small patrol boat, range 7,000 yards. Not
     worth a torpedo, seas too heavy to permit use of our
     deck gun - avoided.

1844 Surfaced. Commenced run for BASHI CHANNEL.

1850 SJ picked up aircraft (A.C.#7) at range 13,000 yards.
     When range closed to 10,000 yards dived.

1942 Surfaced. All clear. Continued run for BASHI CHANNEL.

2330 Completed BASHI transit.

4 Oct.(All times HYPO)
1630 Submerged to water batteries. Too rough topside to
     allow men in battery wells.

1831 Surfaced.

5 Oct.
0100 (H) Seas making up. Wind 40 knots.

0700 (H) Set course at top speed to conduct search in compliance
     with COMSUBPAC orders. Possible duration of search
     several days.

-7-

— page 65 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. PO FRET        Report of Second War Patrol

— page 66 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
(F) SHIP CONTACTS
U.S.S. POLFRET
Report of Second War Patrol

| NO | TIME | DATE | LATITUDE | LONGITUDE | TYPE | INITIAL EST. RANGE | COURSE | SPEED | HOW CONTACTED | REMARKS |
|---|
| 1 | 1240 | 9/26/44 | 20°-44'N | 118°-13.5'E | 2 Battleships | 20,000 Yards | 160°-250° | 20 Kts. | Periscope | No possible attack. Tracked. |
| 2 | 1620 | 9/26/44 | 19°-55'N | 117°-55'E | Periscope - About 1 foot out. | 500 Yards | 240° | 3 Kts. | O.O.D. Sighted | Dived. |
| B | 1421 | 10/1/44 | 20°-43.7'N | 120°-12.5'E | 1 patrol craft | 8000 Yards | 320° | 3 Kts. | Periscope | Avoided. |
| 4 | 1945 | 10/2/44 | 21°-09.0'N | 121°-46.0'E | Convoy - 5 ships 4 escorts | 17,000 Yards | 180°(T) | 8 Kts. | Radar | Attacked. Sank two AKs. |
| 5 | 1508 | 10/3/44 | 20°-53.7'N | 121°-16.9'E | 1 patrol craft | 7000 Yards | 290° | 4 Kts. | Periscope | Avoided. |

-11-

— page 67 —
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
(G)
CONTACT NUMBER | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4
---|---|---|---|---
Date | 9/25/44 | 9/26/44 | 9/30/44 | 10/1/44
Time (Zone) | 0905 | 2330 | 2235 | 1904
Position Lat. | 19° 01.1' N | 20° 11.0' N | 20° 38.6'N | 20° 44.7' N
Long. | 119° 31.4' E | 118° 11.0' E | 118° 41.3'E | 120° 24.8' E
Speed | 3 | 14 | 14 | 5
Course | 312° | 090° | 090° | 075°
Trim | Submerged | Surface | Surface | Surface
Minutes Since Last SD Radar Search | -- | -- | -- | --

AIRCRAFT
Number | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1
---|---|---|---|---
Type | High Wing Single Eng. Monoplane | Bomber | Bomber | Unidentified
Probable | | | |
Mission | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol
How Contacted | Periscope | Visual | Visual | SJ Radar
Initial Range | 2 miles | 5 Miles | 5 Miles | 3 Miles
Elevation Angle | 25° | 6° | 10° | --
Range & Relative Bearing of Plane When It Detected Submarine | Not Sighted | Not Sighted | Not Sighted | Not Sighted

CONDITIONS
(State) (Beaufort) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5
---|---|---|---|---
Sea: (Direction Rel.) | 180° | 090° | 090° | 065°
Visibility (Miles) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited
(Height in Feet) - Clouds | 8000 | 10,000 | 10,000 | 3000
(Percent Overcast) - Clouds | 10% | 5% | 10% | 60%
Moon: (Bearing Relative) | -- | 120° | 120° | 40°
(Angle) | -- | 80° | 87° | 20°
(Percent Illum.) | -- | 60% | 65% | 100%

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.
-12-

— page 68 —
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
(a)
CONTACT NUMBER | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8
Date | 10/2/44 | 10/2/44 | 10/3/44 | 10/5/44
Time (Zone) | 0030 | 2116 | 1850 | 1249
Position: Lat. | 20° 55.0' N | 20° 20.0'N | 21° 20.0'N | 20° 14.0' N
Long. | 121° 04.0' E | 117° 44.0'E | 121° 35.0'E | 129° 35.0' E
Speed | 10 | 4 | 10 | 7
Course | 100° | 340° | 095° | 064°
Trim | Surface | Submerged | Surface | Surface
Minutes Since Last | | | |
SD Radar Search | - | - | - | -
Number | 1 | 1 | Unknown | 1
Type | Unidentified | Unidentified | Unidentified | Sally
Probable | | | |
Mission | Patrol | Escort | Patrol | Patrol
How | | | |
Contacted | SJ Radar | SJ Radar | SJ Radar | Lookout
Initial | | | |
Range | 4 Miles | 12 miles | 9 Miles | 3 Miles
Elevation | | | |
Angle | -- | -- | -- | 4°
Range & Relative | | | |
Bearing of Plane | Apparently | Apparently | Apparently | 090° Relative
When it Detected | Not | Not | Not | 7000 Yards.
Submarine | Sighted | Sighted | Sighted |
(State)(Beaufort) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5
Sea: | | | |
(Direction Rel.) | 060° | 060° | 050° | 015°
Visibility (Miles) | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 Miles | 10 Miles
(Height in | | | |
Feet) - Clouds | 3000 | 3000 | 2500 | 2000
(Percent Over- | | | |
cast) - Clouds | 25% | 70% | 70% | 90%
(Bearing | | | |
Moon: Relative) | 090° | 120° | -- | --
(Angle) | 40° | 50° | -- | --
(Percent | | | |
Illum.) | 100% | 100% | -- | --

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.
-13-

— page 69 —
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

| (G) | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 |
| CONTACT NUMBER | | | | |
| Date | 10/2/44 | 10/2/44 | 10/3/44 | 10/5/44 |
| S | Time (Zone) | 0030 | 2116 | 1850 | 1249 |
| U | Position: Lat. | 20° 55.0' N | 20° 20.0'N | 21° 20.0'N | 20° 14.0' N |
| B | Long. | 121° 04.0' E | 117° 44.0'E | 121° 35.0'E | 129° 35.0' E |
| M | Speed | 10 | 4 | 10 | 7 |
| A | Course | 100° | 340° | 095° | 064° |
| R | Trim | Surface | Submerged | Surface | Surface |
| I | Minutes Since Last | | | | |
| N | SJ Radar Search | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| E | | | | |
| | Number | 1 | 1 | Unknown | 1 |
| S | Type | Unidentified | Unidentified | Unidentified | Sally |
| U | Probable | | | | |
| B | Mission | Patrol | Escort | Patrol | Patrol |
| M | How | | | | |
| A | Contacted | SJ Radar | SJ Radar | SJ Radar | Lookout |
| R | Initial | | | | |
| I | Range | 4 Miles | 13 miles | 9 Miles | 3 Miles |
| N | Elevation | | | | |
| E | Angle | -- | -- | -- | 4° |
| | Range & Relative | | | | |
| | Bearing of Plane | Apparently | Apparently | Apparently | 090° Relative |
| | When it Detected | Not | Not | Not | 7000 Yards. |
| | Submarine | Sighted | Sighted | Sighted | C | (State) (Beaufort) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| O | Sea: | | | | |
| N | (Direction Rel.) | 060° | 060° | 050° | 015° |
| D | Visibility (Miles) | Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 Miles | 10 Miles |
| I | (Height in | | | | |
| T | Feet) - Clouds | 3000 | 3000 | 2500 | 2000 |
| I | (Percent Over- | | | | |
| O | cast) - Clouds | 25% | 70% | 70% | 90% |
| N | (Bearing | | | | |
| S | Moon: Relative) | 090° | 120° | -- | -- |
| | (Angle) | 40° | 50° | -- | -- |
| | (Percent | | | | |
| | Illum.) | 100% | 100% | -- | -- |

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.
-13-

— page 73 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Second War Patrol
(d) ATTACK DATA:
TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1

TARGET NUMBER ONE TARGET NUMBER TWO
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6
Tubes Fired
Track Angle 83S 87S 84S 65S 66S 63S
Gyro Angle 004° 008° 005° 346° 347° 344°
Depth Set 6' 6' 6' 6' 6' 6'
Power High High High High High High
Hit or Miss Hit Hit Miss Hit Miss Miss
Erratic No No No No No No
Mark Torpedo 23 23 23 23 23 23
Serial No. 41364 41256 52829 53030 61805 52785
Mark Exploder 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4
Serial No. 12341 7364 18509 847 12251 18512
Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual Contact Contact None Contact None None
Mark Warhead 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1,
Serial No. 11634 13284 12969 12904 12715 12400
Explosive TPX TPX TPX TPX TPX TPX
Firing Interval 0 9 Sec. 3 Sec. 0 8 Sec. 8 Sec.

Type Spread. Divergent 2½°
Sea Condition Condition 3 - Heavy swells.
Overhaul Activity: Subase, Midway, T.H.

-17-

— page 75 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET     Report of Second War Patrol

          Upon our return to Midway the QC-JK assembly was removed.
The sound head was removed and a 600# hydrostatic test was placed on the shaft.
This test disclosed that a fractured weld on the lower flange of the upper
section was the source of the leak. The flange was re-welded and subsequent
pressure tests indicated that the shaft was satisfactory.

          Submarine Base, Midway, manufactured and installed new solid
drift stop rollers for both sound shafts. No further difficulty with the rollers
has been experienced.

          It is believed that if four drift stops were installed on
each sound shaft, the failure of any one roller would not necessarily put the
shaft out of commission; certainly the additional surface thus made available for
taking the pressure should be an advantage over the present two-roller system.

          (2) HYDRAULIC ACCUMULATOR.

          On 12 September the accumulator was found to be making a
loud groaning noise when unloading slowly. When unloaded rapidly by opening
hand by-pass valve wide, noise was not detected.

          STEPS TO REMEDY:

          (1) Backed off on lower packing gland on accumulator.
Renewed oil in oil seal. Slight improvement.

          (2) Backed off on upper packing gland on accumulator in an
attempt to remedy possible misalignment. Slight improvement. Packing glands
have been taken up much too tightly by refit crew in attempt to stop accumulator
leak.

          (3) Bled down accumulator air flask, loosened lower packing
gland completely, and took up evenly the prescribed amount. Condition remedied.

          (3) LOW PRESSURE BLOW LINE CHECK VALVES.

          Upon surfacing after deep submergence on 27 September the
ship took a 10 degree list to port while blowing up with the low pressure blower.
All main vents were checked closed and emergency vents open. #6B and D were
blown with 600# air and the list was corrected. A test dive was made and the
trouble did not reoccur.

          Subsequent investigation when these check valves were removed
in Saipan showed the hole for the check hinge pin was out of round, and that the
check valve could sometimes be jammed closed. The holes were re-drilled and the
valves reassembled.

                                                              -19-

— page 81 —
CTG-17.7/A16-3/jhg

Serial: 010

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

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS POMFRET (SS391)
Report of Second War
Patrol.

From: Commander Task Group SEVENTEEN POINT SEVEN.
To : Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Fleet.
Via : (1) Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(2) Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Second War Patrol -
Comments on.

1. The second war patrol of the POMFRET was scheduled to be
conducted as part of a coordinated attack group with COBIA and SNOOK in the
Luzon Strait areas. Due to delay in reaching the area, because of the
necessity of returning to Midway for repairs to the sound gear, and the un-
fortunate illness of the Commanding Officer which necessitated the return of
POMFRET to Saipan, no opportunity to conduct coordinated operations was
presented.

2. Only two contacts were made with possible torpedo targets.
The first, with two battleships making 20 knots on September 26, could
unfortunately, not be closed. The second, made as POMFRET cleared Bashi Channel
on her return to Saipan, was a convoy of five ships, and was developed into
a night radar and periscope attack which resulted in the sinking of two of
the five. This attack was very well executed and especially commendable when
the physical condition of the Commanding Officer is considered.

3. Commander Task Group 17.7 congratulates the commanding
officer, officers and crew of the POMFRET on the damage inflicted on the enemy,
and recommends that it be credited as follows:

SUNK
1 Large AK (EU) (Attack No. 1) 7500 tons
1 Medium AK (EU) (Attack No. 2) 4000 tons
Total 11,500 tons

[SIGNATURE: G. E. Peterson]
G. E. PETERSON.

— page 82 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02411
CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
POMFRET Report of
Second War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 558.
U.S.S. POMFRET - SECOND WAR PATROL.

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

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Second War Patrol.
(10 September to 12 October 1944).

1. The second war patrol of the POMFRET was conducted in
the northern portion of the South China Sea and the Luzon Straits.
Initially the POMFRET was a part of an attack group consisting of the
POMFRET, the U.S.S. COBIA (SS245), and the U.S.S. SNOOK (SS279), with
the commanding officer of the POMFRET acting as group commander. An
unfortunate illness of the commanding officer of the POMFRET necessi-
tated her return to Saipan.

2. Only two contacts were made during the patrol, the
first contact consisting of two battleships which, unfortunately,
could not be closed. The second contact, a five ship convoy, was
developed into an aggressive attack and resulted in one AK being sunk
and another severely damaged.

3. Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol is
authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the commanding officer, the executive officer who acted as com-
manding officer during the illness of the regularly assigned command-
ing officer, officers, and crew of the POMFRET for this successful
patrol. The ability to carry on despite the illness of the commanding
officer, and the spirit displayed by the commanding officer during the
attack despite his physical condition, reflect great credit upon the
command. Unfortunately, the evidence of damage in the case of the
medium AK is not strong enough to permit credit as a sinking. The
POMFRET is credited with having inflicted the following damage upon
the enemy during this patrol:

S U M M A R Y
1 - Large AK (EU) - 7,500 tons (Attack No. 1)

- 1 - SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
[STAMP: P S NOV 1944]
hch
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
2 November 1944

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

— page 83 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)                               SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET                 hch
Serial 02411                                                               Care of Fleet Post Office,
                                                                           San Francisco, California,
CONFIDENTIAL                                                               2 November 1944

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
POMFRET Report of                                                          NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
Second War Patrol.                                                                DESTROYED PRIOR TO
                                                                                  ENTERING PATROL AREA.
COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 558.
U.S.S. POMFRET - SECOND WAR PATROL.

Subject:           U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Second War Patrol.
                   (10 September to 12 October 1944).

— page 84 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

SS391/A16
Serial ( 032 )
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED] [HANDWRITTEN: N-I-A-L]

U.S.S. POMFRET Br.
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
11 December 1944.

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Official Channels.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET - Report of War Patrol Number THREE.

Enclosures: (A) Subject report.
(B) Track Chart (To ComSubPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the THIRD WAR PATROL of this vessel,
conducted in the northern portion of the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait,
during the period 28 October 1944 to 11 December 1944, is forwarded herewith.

J.B. HESS.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 6/1/72]

[HANDWRITTEN: Filmed]
[HANDWRITTEN: 100827]

— page 85 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Third War Patrol

(A) PROLOGUE.

          Arrived Tanapag Harbor, Saipan on 12 October 1944 from second war
patrol. Voyage repairs conducted by U.S.S. HOLLAND. On 14 October 1944,
Lieutenant Commander John B. HESS, U.S. Navy, relieved Commander Frank C.
ACKER, U.S. Navy, as commanding officer. Ready for sea on 16 October 1944.
Conducted training exercises on 16, 17, 22 and 23 October 1944. Commander
F.W. LAING, U.S. Navy, training officer.

(B) NARRATIVE.

     28 October 1944.
     1128 (I) Underway for THIRD WAR PATROL in accordance with ComSubPac
                    secret despatch of 27 October, as part of a coordinated
                    attack group consisting of PARCHE, SAILFISH, and POMFRET.
                    Commander L.P. RAMAGE, U.S.N., commanding officer of
                    PARCHE, group commander. Escorted to safety lane by
                    CONKLIN (DE-439).

     1715 (I) Escort turned back.

     29 October.

                    Surface cruising enroute area conducting training dives
                    and exercises.

     0619 (I) Sighted friendly plane (Identified by IFF).

     1437 (I) SD radar contact on plane; identified as friendly.

     30 October.
     0703 (I) Closed and spoke PARCHE. Exercised radar tracking parties.

     1304 (I) Sighted friendly plane (B-24).

     1548 (I) Fired all automatic guns and five rounds of four inch at
                    radar decoy balloons.

     31 October.
     1426 (I) Sighted and closed PARCHE for rendezvous.

     1614 (I) Made probable periscope sighting (Ship contact number 1)
                    opened out at flank speed and informed PARCHE of sighting
                    by visual.

     1 November 1944.
     1300 (I) Entered area.

                                                                -1-

— page 90 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Third War Patrol

— page 94 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET          Report of Third War Patrol

— page 96 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET        Report of Third War Patrol

— page 98 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET           Report of Third War Patrol

— page 101 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Third War Patrol

0617 (Y) Rendezvoused with air escort.
0900 (Y) Moored SUBMARINE BASE, MIDWAY ISLAND, T.H.
1414 (Y) Underway fro PEARL HARBOR in company with SAILFISH
         conducting training dives and drills enroute.

9 December
1200 (Y) Set all clocks ahead one hour to zone plus 11 time.

10 December
1900 (X) Set all clocks ahead one half hour to zone plus 10½ time.

11 December
0039 (WX) Exchanged calls with escort (PC-571).
0800 (WX) Set all clocks ahead one hour to zone plus 9½ time.
1133 (WX) Moored Pier S-16, U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

-16-

— page 103 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
(F) SHIP CONTACTS (All times
except as noted).

                                                              U.S.S. POMFRET
                                                                                                    Report of Third War Patrol

| NO. | TIME | DATE | LATITUDE | LONGITUDE | TYPE | INITIAL RANGE | EST. COURSE | SPEED | HOW CONTACTED | REMARKS |
|-----|------|------| 1.  | 1611 | 10-31-44 | 20-41 N | 130-29.9 E | Submarine Periscope | 3,000 yards | -           | -       | Visual        | Avoided.          |
| 2.  | 2139 | 11-2-44 | 20-24 N | 121-42 E | Convoy of 7 ships                 | 24,500 yards  | 201°(T)     | 9.5 Kts. | SJ radar      | Attacked.         |
| 3.  | 0127 | 11-4-44 | 20-51 N | 121-39 E | Hunter-Killer Group (2 large craft). | 10,000 yards  | Various     | Various | Sound         | Evaded.           |
| 4.  | 1635 | 11-7-44 | 20-49 N | 119-35 E | Hospital ship Tatibana Maru.      | 14,000 yards  | 010 (T)     | 13 Kts. | Periscope     | Evaded.           |
| 5.  | 0145 | 11-15-44 | 18-09 N | 117-46 E | Patrol Craft                      | 9,000 Yards   | 170(T)      | 8 Kts.  | SJ radar      | Convoy zigged away. |
| 6.  | 1950 | 11-24-44 | 21-02 N | 121-36 E | Convoy                            | 27,000 Yards  | 160(T)      | 7.5 Kts. | SJ radar      | Attacked.         |
| 7.  | 0422 | 11-25-44 | 20-23 N | 121-41 E | Hunter-Killer Group - 3 DD and 2 PC. | 22,500 Yards  | 180°(T)     | 7.5 Kts. | SJ radar      | Avoided.          |
| 8.  | 0739(K) | 12-2-44 | 21-57 N | 149-00 E | Submarine Periscope               | 1,200 Yards   | -           | -       | Visual        | Avoided.          |

-18-

— page 104 —
(G)
                                                               AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

CONTACT NUMBER                                     #5                 #6                 #7                 #8

Date                                               11-4-44            11-4-44            11-4-44            11-4-44

S   Time (Zone)                                    0015 (I)           0428 (I)           1027 (I)           1104 (I)
U
B   Positions Lat.                                 20°-55' N          21°-06' N          20°-50' N          20°-50' N
M
A   Long.                                          121°-10' E         121°-12' E         121°-16' E         121°-16' E
R
I   Speed                                          10                 15                 2.5                2.5
N
E   Course                                         050°               080°               109°               190°

    Trim                                           Surface            Surface            Submerged          Submerged

    Minutes Since Last                             -
    SD Radar Search

                                                   -NOT IN USE-

Number                                             1                  1                  1                  3

Type                                               Unknown            Unknown            Unknown            BETTY

A   Probable                                       Patrol             Patrol             Patrol             Patrol
I   Mission
R
C   How                                            APR                APR                Periscope          Periscope
R   Contacted                                      SJ Radar           SJ Radar
A
F   Initial                                        5½                 9½                 5                  6
T   Range (Miles)

    Elevation                                      Unknown            Unknown            6°                 5°
    Angle

    Range & Relative                               110°(R),           Apparently         Apparently         Apparently
    Bearing of Plane                               11,500 Yds.        not                not                not
    When it Detected                                                  detected           detected           detected
    Submarine.

    (State)(Beaufort)                              1                  1                  2                  2

C   (Direction Rel.)                               350°               350°               350°               350°
O
N   Visibility (Miles)                             Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited          Unlimited
D
I   (Height in                                     2,000              3,000              3,000              3,000
T   Feet) - Clouds
I
O   (Percent                                       40%                70%                70%                70%
N   Overcast) - Clouds
S
    (Bearing                                       020°               200°(T)            ---                ---
    Moon: Relative)

    (Angle)                                        30°                ---                ---                ---

    (Percent                                       100%               100%               ---                ---
    Illum.)

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.

-19-

— page 105 —
(G)
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

CON TACT NUMBER | #1        | #2        | #3        | #4
||||
Date            | 11-3-44   | 11-3-44   | 11-3-44   | 11-3-44
S Time (Zone)   | 0700 (I)  | 1000 (I)  | 1145 (I)  | 1255 (I)
U Position: Lat.| 20°-30' N | 20°-30' N | 20°-29' N | 20°-29' N
B Long.         | 121°-21' E| 121°-15' E| 121°-07' E| 121°-07' E
M Speed         | 2.5       | 2.5       | 2.5       | 2.5
A Course        | 230°      | 270°      | 200°      | 200°
R Trim          | Submerged | Submerged | Submerged | Submerged
I Minutes Since Last | --- | --- | --- | ---
N SD Radar Search | --- | --- | --- | ---
E               |           |           |           |
                | -NOT IN USE- |           |           |

                | Number    | 1         | 1         | 1         | 1
A               | Type      | Light     | Unknown   | NULL      | NULL
I               |           | Bomber    |           |           |
R               | Probable  | A/S       | A/S       | A/S       | A/S
C               | Mission   | Search    | Search    | Search    | Search
R               | How Contacted | Periscope | Periscope | Periscope | Periscope
A               | Initial Range (Miles) | 8 | 4 | 7 | 5
F               | Elevation Angle

— page 106 —
(G)
                                                                AIRCRAFT CONTACT (REVISED)

CONTACT NUMBER                                                  #9              #10             #11             #12
Date                                                            11-6-44         11-22-44        11-23-44        11-24-44
Time (Zone)                                                     0055 (I)        0500 (I)        2317 (I)        0520 (I)
Position: Lat.                                                  20°-35.3' N     20°-33.4' N     20°-36' N       20°-55.3' N
S
U                               Long.                           119°-20.1' E    120°-32.5' E    121°-07' E      121°-38.8' E
B
M                               Speed                           10              8               10              9
A
R                               Course                          • 095°          080°            255°            190°
I
N                               Trim                            Surface         Surface         Surface         Surface
E                               Minutes Since Last              -
                                SD Radar Search                 ---NOT IN USE---

Number                                                          1               1               1               1
Type                                                            Unknown         Unknown         Unknown         Unknown
Probable
Mission                                                         Patrol          Patrol          Patrol          Patrol
A                               How                             APR                                             Sight,
I                               Contacted                       SJ Radar        SJ Radar        SJ Radar        SJ Radar
R                               Initial
C                               Range (Miles)                   13              9½              9               2
R                               Elevation
A                               Angle                           Unknown         Unknown         Unknown         40°
F                               Range & Relative                Apparently      Apparently      Apparently      Apparently
T                               Bearing of Plane                not             not             not             not
                                When it Detected                detected        detected        detected        detected
                                Submarine.

(State)(Beaufort)                                               3               2               2               2
Sea
(Direction Rel.)                                                050°            120°(T)         080°            090°
C
O                               Visibility (Miles)              Unlimited       1½              Unlimited       Unlimited
N                               Height in
D                               (Feet) - Clouds                 2,000           2,000           2,000           2,000
I                               (Percent
T                               Overcast) - Clouds              40%             80%             40%             80%
I                               (Bearing
O                               Moon: Relative)                 350°            ---             000°            ---
N
S                               (Angle)                         30°             ---             20°             ---
                                (Percent
                                Illum.)                         50%             ---             30%             ---

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.
                                                                -21-

— page 107 —
(C)
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
CONTACT NUMBER | #13 | #14 | #15
Date | 11-24-44 | 11-27-44 | 11-27-44
Time (Zone) | 0820 (I) | 1401 (I) | 1700 (I)
Position: Lat. | 20°-49.3'N | 20°-58.9'N | 20°-56.8'N
         Long. | 121°-42.5'E | 121°-30.1'E | 121°-23.4'E
Speed | 1.5 | 2.5 | 2.5
Course | 150° | 250° | 250°
Trim | Submerged | Submerged | Submerged
Minutes Since Last | | NOT IN USE |
SD Radar Search | | |

S
U
B
M
A
R
I
N
E
A
I
R
C
R
A
F
T
Number | 1 | 2 | 1
Type | Unknown | RUFE | RUFE
Probable | | |
Mission | Patrol | Patrol | Patrol
How | | |
Contacted | Periscope | Periscope | Periscope
Initial | | |
Range (Miles) | 5 | 12 | 3
Elevation | | |
Angle | 60 | 4° | 4°
Range & Relative | Apparently | Apparently | Apparently
Bearing of Plane | not | not | not
when it Detected | detected | detected | detected
Submarine | | |

C
O
N
D
I
T
I
O
N
S
(State) (Beaufort) | 2 | 1 | 1
Sea: (Direction Rel.) | 100° | 120°(T) | 120°(T)
Visibility (Miles) | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited
Height in | | |
(Feet) - Clouds | 10,000 | 2,000 | 2,000
(Percent | | |
Overcast) - Clouds | 40% | 5% | 5%
(Bearing | | |
Moon: Relative) | --- | --- | ---
(Angle) | --- | --- | ---
(Percent | | |
Illum.) | --- | --- | ---

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol: Modified haze gray, Design 32/3SS-B.
-22-

— page 108 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

(H) ATTACK DATA

U.S.S. POMFRET ' Report of Third War Patrol

PATROL NO. 3

TORPEDO ATTACK REPORT
TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1

U.S.S. POMFRET
TIME: 2304(I) DATE: 11-2-44 LAT.: 20-20.3 N. LONG.: 121 - 30 E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

DESCRIPTION:
The convoy consisted of approximately seven medium
AKs with about six escorts at least one of which was a
Chidori or Otori. The convoy was contacted by SJ radar
at a range of 24,500 yards. The moon was full and while
there was a slight overcast the visibility was excellent.
The target group could be seen from the bridge at 18,000
yards.

SHIP(s) SUNK:
NONE.

SHIP(s) DAMAGED OR
PROBABLY SUNK:
1 Medium AK (Kamikaze Maru class) (SU) 4,916 tons.
1 Medium AK (Kamikaze Maru class) (SU) 4,916 tons.

DAMAGE DETERMINED
BY:
Heard and timed one distinct torpedo hit in each
target corresponding to torpedo runs of 2,000 yards
and 2,700 yards respectively. Upon surfacing after the
counter attack, we regained contact with the ships, both
stopped, believed to be the two targets we fired at in
this attack.

TARGET DRAFT:
#1 20 feet Course 201° Speed 9.5 kts. Range 2,100 Yds.
#2 20 feet Course 201° Speed 9.5 kts. Range 2,700 Yds.

OWN SHIP DATA

SPEED: 3 knots. Course: 098°. Depth: 64 feet. Angle: 0°.

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

TYPE ATTACK:
The target group was tracked on the surface until
we had a solution which checked and had obtained a position
directly ahead of the convoy. Turned towards and dived
to radar depth at 15,000 yards as visibility was ex-
ceptionally good. With the nearest escort at 8,000 yards
went to periscope depth. The actions of the starboard bow
escort delayed our coming to the firing course long enough
to make the firing range greater than had been desired.
The torpedoes were spread by periscope for 60% coverage on
the near target and 80% coverage on the far target. The
left hand torpedo hit in both cases indicating that our
spread estimate was a little high.

-23-

— page 111 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. PO FRET        Report of Third War Patrol

(H) ATTACK DATA:                                      TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2

Tubes Fired                                           #1                    #3
Track Angle                                           124.5S                124S
Gyro Angle                                            357.5°                357°
Depth Set                                             5                     5
Power                                                 High                  High
Hit or Miss                                           Miss                  Miss
Erratic                                               Erratic to right.     Broached.
Mark Torpedo                                          23                    23
Serial No.                                            61716                 41371
Mark Exploder                                         6-4                   6-4
Serial No.                                            12341                 1384
Actuation Set                                         Contact               Contact
Actuation Actual                                      None                  None
Mark Warhead                                          16-1                  16-1
Serial No.                                            11634                 13795
Explosive                                             TPX                   TPX
Firing Interval                                       0.                    9
Type Spread                                           Divergent by periscope.
Sea Conditions                                        Force 1, abeam.
Overhaul Activity:                                    Subase, Midway, T.H.

                                                      -26-

— page 113 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET          Report of Third War Patrol

(H) ATTACK DATA                                         TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3

| Tubes Fired         | #1      | #2      | #3      | #4      | #5      | #6      | #7      | Track Angle         | 59.5S   | 60S     | 62S     | 72S     | 75S     | 78.5S   | 97.5S   |
| Gyro Angle          | 359.5°  | 000°    | 002°    | 012°    | 015°    | 016.5°  | 107.5°  |
| Depth Set           | 6       | 6       | 6       | 6       | 6       | 6       | 6       |
| Power               | High    | High    | High    | High    | High    | High    | High    |
| Hit or Miss         | Miss    | Hit     | Miss    | Miss    | Hit     | Miss    | Miss    |
| Erratic             | No      | No      | No      | No      | No      | No      | No      |
| Mark Torpedo        | 23      | 14-3A   | 23      | 14-3A   | 23      | 14-3A   | 18-1    |
| Serial No.          | 53111   | 40806   | 62491   | 40116   | 41386   | 26625   | 55498   |
| Mark Exploder       | 6-4     | 6-4     | 6-4     | 6-4     | 6-4     | 6-4     | 6-4     |
| Serial No.          | 21895   | 8753    | 8400    | 740     | 11984   | 889     | 8245    |
| Actuation Set       | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact |
| Actuation Actual    | None    | Contact | None    | None    | Contact | None    | None    |
| Mark Warhead        | 16-1    | 16-1    | 16-1    | 16-1    | 16-1    | 16-1    | 16-1    |
| Serial No.          | 5324    | 11503   | 15535   | 1331    | 12827   | 12866   | 2226    |
| Explosive           | TPX     | TPX     | TPX     | TPX     | TPX     | TPX     | TPX     |
| Firing Interval     | 0       | 8       | 16      | 32      | 39      | 49      | 0       |

Type Spread             Divergent.
Sea Conditions          Force 1, 040° Relative.

Overhaul Activity:      Mark 14-3A - U.S.S. HOLLAND.
                        Mark 23    - Subase, Midway, T.H.
                        Mark 18-1  - Subase, Midway, T.H.

                                                                                -28-

— page 121 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Third War Patrol

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S. POMFRET        Report of Third War Patrol

— page 125 —
FB5-42/A16-3

Serial ( 077 )

CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO USS POMFRET Report
of Third War Patrol.

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

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Third
War Patrol.

1. The third war patrol of the U.S.S. POMFRET was
conducted in the northern portion of the SOUTH CHINA SEA and
was of forty-five days duration of which twenty-seven days
were spent in the area, twenty-six days submerged. The
POMFRET was a part of the PARCHE-SAILFISH-POMFRET co-ordinated
attack group commanded by Commander L. P. RAMAGE. This was
the first war patrol of the commanding officer, Lieutenant
Commander John B. HESS, as such.

2. Summary of attacks follows:

(a) FIRST ATTACK (2 November)

Two hits out of six torpedoes, one hit in each
of two medium AKs of a convoy of seven AKs with about six
escorts. Contact was made by SJ radar. The moon was full
and the visibility excellent. This was a radar approach
followed by periscope attack. Torpedo runs 2,000 and 2,700
yards. Tracks 68 to 80 degrees, gyros 351 to 003. Mark 14
and 23 torpedoes. Depth set 6 feet. Spread, by periscope,
60 percent and 80 percent of target lengths. Target speed
used 9½ knots.

Recommended assessment - 2 medium AKs (EU) damaged,
4,000 tons each.

(b) SECOND ATTACK (3 November)

The target was one of the ships damaged in the
first attack. It was stopped and with a starboard list.
This was likewise a moonlight radar approach and periscope
attack. Two torpedoes were fired. One ran erratic as to
direction and the other broached. No hits. Torpedo run
2,500 yards. Track 125. Gyros 357. Depth set 5 feet.

-1-
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY TWO

Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
12 December 1944

— page 126 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY TWO
12 December 1944

FB5-42/A16-3
Serial ( 077 )
CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST NDORSEMENT to
CO USS POMFRET Report
of Third War Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Third War
Patrol.

Spread by periscope. Mark 23 torpedoes.

(c) THIRD ATTACK (25 November).

The target group consisted of three ships believed
to have been MINEKAZE class destroyers and two smaller anti-
submarine vessels. This was a night surface radar approach
and attack. Two hits were made of seven torpedoes fired, one
hit in each of two of the destroyers. Torpedo runs 4,000 and
3,000 yards. Tracks 60 to 80, and 100 for the last shot.
Depth set 6 feet. Torpedoes, three Mark 14s, three Mark 23s
and one Mark 18. The first destroyer hit exploded instantly
while the other took 3½ minutes to sink as it disappeared from
the radar screen at 5,000 yards. Evaded on the surface.

Recommended assessment - 2 DDs sunk (EU) MINEKAZE CLASS -
1,300 tons each.

3. This splendid war patrol was characterized by
plenty of action; elation at hits; disappointment at misses;
plenty of anti-submarine measures both surface and air. The
outstanding feature was the magnificent night surface attack
on a hunter-killer group consisting of three destroyers and
two smaller vessels, with full realization of the punishment
which would be meted out in case of detection prior to the
attack. "We'll touch the so and so's to look for our sub-
marines."

4. Under Section K the Commanding Officer has made
some most pertinent comments. A determined effort will be
made to correct those chronic difficulties which have defied
previous refit efforts. The Division Commander strongly con-
curs with the Commanding Officer in his comment that the loc-
ation of the SJ transmitter is a military menace. Not only is it
liable to be flooded out, but repair work and adjustment must
be carried out in a most unfortunate location.

5. The Division Commander is honored to congratulate
the Commanding Officer, officers and crew of the U.S.S. POMFRET
upon the completion of this arduous, aggressive and eminently
successful patrol, the results of which are deeply regretted
by the Japs. Two destroyers sunk and two freighters damaged
is a good bag in any league.

[SIGNATURE: R S BENSON]

— page 127 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

FC5-4/A16-3

Serial: 0551 14 December 1944.

C O N F I D E N T I A L
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
USS POMFRET (SS391) Report
of Third War Patrol.

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, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) Report of Third War
Patrol.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of Com-
mander Submarine Division FORTY-TWO.

2. The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR heartily
congratulates the Commanding Officer, officers and crew of
the U.S.S. POMFRET upon completion of this aggressive patrol,
resulting in the sinking of two enemy warships and damaging
two merchantmen.

3. It is recommended that the U.S.S. POMFRET be
credited with the following:

[HANDWRITTEN: SUNK]
1 - DD(EU), 1,300 tons
1 - DD(EU), 1,300 tons
Total Sunk 2,600 tons

[HANDWRITTEN: DAMAGED]
1 - AK(EU), 4,900 tons
1 - AK(EU), 4,900 tons
Total Damaged 9,800 tons

Total Sunk or Damaged, 12,400 tons.

[SIGNATURE: W. V. O'Regan]
W. V. O'REGAN.

— page 128 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)                               SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET           nch

serial 02908                                         Care of Fleet Post Office,
                                                     San Francisco, California,
CONFIDENTIAL                 [STAMP: 24 DEC 1944]    20 December 1944.

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

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 612.
U.S.S. POLFRET - THIRD 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. POLFRET (SS391) - Report of Third War Patrol
             (28 October to 11 December 1944).

             1. The third war patrol of the POLFRET was conducted in
the northern portion of the South China Sea and the Luzon Straits.
The POLFRET, along with the U.S.S. SAILFISH (SS192) and the U.S.S.
PARCHE (SS384), formed a coordinated attack group with the Commanding
Officer of the PARCHE, Commander L. P. Ramage, U.S. Navy, as the
group commander.

             2. Despite thorough area coverage, few contacts worthy of
torpedo fire were made in this normally highly productive area.
Three aggressive attacks were delivered, two on a convoy and one on
a "hunter-killer" group, resulting in two ships sunk and two ships
damaged. The two ships sunk out of the "hunter-killer" group were
very logically estimated by the commanding officer to be destroyers.
The poor visibility attending the attack made at night prevented
positive identification.

             3. Award of the Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol
is authorized.

             4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the commanding officer, officers, and crew for this aggressive,
well planned and successful patrol during which the following damage
was inflicted upon the enemy:

                                   SUNK

1 - UN (Probably a DD)           = 1,300 tons (attack No. 3)
1 - UN (Probably a DD)           = 1,300 tons (attack No. 3)

TOTAL SUNK                       2,600 tons

                                   - 1 -

— page 129 —
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET hcn
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
20 December 1944.

FF12-10/A16-3(15)

Serial 02908

<u>CONFIDENTIAL</u>

<u>THIRD ENDORSEMENT</u> to
POLFRET Report of
Third War Patrol.

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
<u>DESTROYED PRIOR TO</u>
<u>ENTERING THE AREA.</u>

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 612.
<u>U.S.S. POLFRET - THIRD WAR PATROL.</u>

Subject: U.S.S. POLFRET (SS391) - Report of Third War Patrol.
(28 October to 11 December 1944).

— page 130 —
FF12-10/A16-5(12) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET km

Serial 0123 Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
CONFIDENTIAL 7 February 1946.

From: The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Chief of Naval Operations.
Via : The Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Third War Patrol.

Reference: (a) ComSubPac third end. FF12-10/A16-3(15) serial 02908
of 20 December 1944.

1. Reference (a) credits U.S.S. POMFRET with certain damage to
the enemy including damaging of two freighters in a submerged torp-
edo attack on 2 November 1944 in position 20-20.3 N, 131-50 E. These two
ships were attacked simultaneously and one hit was obtained in each. Es-
cort counter measures prevented immediate observation of damage inflicted.

2. Reliable intelligence, subsequently received, states that as
a result of POMFRET's attack on this occasion the HAMBURG MARU a freighter
of 5,271 tons and the ATORAS MARU a freighter of 7,347 tons, were sunk.
Accordingly reference (a) is modified as follows:

(a) Delete all after the word "enemy" in paragraph 4 and substitute
therefor:

SUNK
1 - AK (HAMBURG MARU) 5,271 tons
1 - AK (ATORAS MARU) 7,347 tons
1 - UP (Probably a AM) 1,300 tons
1 - UP (Probably a DD) 1,300 tons
TOTAL SUNK 15,218 tons

DISTRIBUTION:

CNO (12) Frank T. Watkins,
CinCPac (6) Chief of Staff.
CICPOA (1)
ComServPac (1) [STAMP: RECEIVED SC FILES]
CinCLant (1) [STAMP: Room 2035]
ComSubLant (8) [STAMP: ROUTE TO:]
CO, S/M School, FL (2)
CO, S/M Enso, FL (1) [STAMP: 25 FEB 1946]
ComSoPac (2)
ComSubsPhilSeaFron (4) [STAMP: File No. (SC)]
ComNorPac (1) [STAMP: Doc. No. 196845]
ComSubPac (40)
Op-32-D, II (2) [STAMP: Copy No. 11 of 40]
All Squadron and Div. [STAMP: Reg. No.]
Comdrs. Pacific (2)
ComSubOpTra-r (5) [HANDWRITTEN: W. B. Sioleff]
All Submarines, Pacific (1) Commander, USN.
Comdr. J. B. Joss, USN. (1) Flag Secretary.

— page 131 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

SS391/A16                               U.S.S. POMFRET

Serial ( 04 )                           c/o Fleet Post Office,
                                        San Francisco, Calif.
                                        30 March 1945.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From:                                   The Commanding Officer.
To :                                    The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via :                                   Official Channels.

Subject:                                U.S.S. POMFRET, Report of War Patrol Number Four.

Enclosures:                             (A) Subject report.
                                        (B) Track chart (to ComSubPac only).

1.      Enclosure (A), covering the fourth war patrol of this
vessel, conducted in the NANPO SHOTO and BUNGO SUIDO area, during the period
25 January 1945 to 30 March 1945, is forwarded herewith.

                                        [SIGNATURE: J.B. Hess]
                                        J.B. HESS.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY OP-09B9C DATE 6/4/72]                 [STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: Serial
116-283]

— page 132 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of fourth war patrol

(A) PROLOGUE

Arrived Pearl Harbor, T.H., from third war patrol on 11 December
1944. Refitted by Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, and Submarine Division
FORTY TWO. Major work items accomplished were: removed four inch gun for-
ward and installed five inch gun aft, removed forward single 20 M.M. and
installed 40 M.M., replaced after single 20 M.M. with a twin 20 M.M. mount,
removed torpedo tube outboard vents, installed interior depth charge hatch,
installed type 4 periscope and ST radar, installed pressure proof binocular
type T.B.Ts., completed alteration in forward torpedo room to handle electric
torpedoes and replaced battery electrolyte. Lieutenant Commander F.B. CLARKE,
U.S.N., and Lieutenant R.A. BENSON, U.S.N.R., were detached and Lieutenant
E.J. MOREHOUSE, U.S.N.R., and Lieutenant (jg) W.F. LANGAN, U.S.N.R., reported
aboard for duty. Conducted twelve days operations and training between 31
December 1944 and 22 January 1945. Commander Roy S. BENSON, U.S. Navy, and
Commander R.E.M. WARD, U.S. Navy, training officers. Readiness for sea date
25 January 1945. Due to the length of time available and to the interest
and cooperation shown by the refitting division commander, division engineer,
ship's superintendent and the entire E and R department, the POMFRET received
an excellent refit. Even the laundry service was excellent, although the
laundry did insist on showing its independence by returning laundry to one
officer and one man with the knotted khaki trousers used to send the laundry
in nicely washed and pressed with the knots still in the trouser legs.

(B) NARRATIVE
25 Jan. 1945.
1351 (VW) Underway from Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., on
FOURTH WAR PATROL in accordance with Commander Submarine
Force Pacific Fleet Administrative Command Secret dis-
patch dated 25 January 1945, as a member of a coordinated
group consisting of PIPER, BOWFIN, TREPANG, POMFRET and
STERLET, Commander B.F. MC MAHON, U.S. Navy, in PIPER,
group commander.

26 Jan. to
5 Feb. 1945.
Enroute SAIPAN in company conducting training dives,
drills, radar tracking, fire control problems and com-
munication and navigation exercises enroute.

6 Feb. 1945.
0945 (K) Rendezvoused with L.C.I. 1063.

1508 (K) Moored port side to U.S.S. PIPER alongside U.S.S. FULTON
in TANAPAG Harbor, SAIPAN.

8 Feb. 1945.
0820 (K) Underway in company with PIPER, BOWFIN, TREPANG and STERLET
in accordance with Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet
Operation Order 37-45. Escorted by L.C.I. 1061.

-1-

— page 141 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of fourth war patrol

0414 (K) Surfaced. We are getting sea returns on the SJ out
           to 9,000 yards so have many false contacts at about
           6,000 yards.

0610 (K) Dived. Running at 100 feet between looks.

1929 (K) Surfaced.

25 Feb. 1945.
0526 (K) Dove on lifeguard station.

0754 (K) Surfaced on station for carrier strike on TOKYO.

0924 (K) Sighted 2 plane fighter cover.

1039 (K) Sighted 4 small surface vessels bearing 100°(T) about
           12,000 yards. (Ship contact #8). Requested planes to
           investigate our contact and after doing so they re-
           ported them to be 4 picket boats. We requested our
           planes to take care of them for us since we did not
           feel like taking on 4 unknowns in a gun duel and did not
           feel justified in sacrificing our lifeguard duties for
           the amount of time that would be necessary to investi-
           gate the contacts submerged. Avoided on the surface.
           Our planes called in two friends and the 4 of them
           strafed the 4 boats with little apparent results. The
           boats showed no indications of bothering us but con-
           tinued to head for SAGAMI NADA. Conducted radar track-
           ing exercise for a while at 9,000 to 10,000 yards.
           The largest was possibly 300 to 400 tons.
[HANDWRITTEN: X]
1130 (K) Fighter cover relieved after expending all ammunition
           on picket boats.

1341 (K) Fighter cover again relieved. Heard reports during
           the day of two planes down in the STERLET'S area but
           no business for us.

1510 (K) Fighter cover secured for the day. No signs of friendly
           activity. Had previously heard a report being sent to
           a carrier from one plane stating: "Fighter sweep im-
           possible - snowing over entire area - visibility less
           than one quarter mile".

1607 (K) Unidentified SD contact 12 miles closing. (Aircraft
           contact #6).

1610 (K) Contact now at 6 miles still closing, dived. B-29s
           should be well on the way home now so stayed submerged.

-10-

— page 142 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                     U.S.S. POMFRET : Report of fourth war patrol

1706 (K) Broached for SD and IFF check, all clear.

1920 (K) Surfaced. The Commanding Officer placed himself in
         a "reserve on board" status with a simultaneous touch
         of the flu and the measles. It sounds funnier than
         it really was.

26 Feb. 1945.
0610 (K) Ship took an unusually heavy roll and the master gyro
         went out. Shifted steering to the auxiliary which
         was already running.

0700 (K) Patrolling on lifeguard station for second day of
         carrier strike. This one may be on NAGOYA only, but we
         have no definite word. No signs of activity.

1620 (K) Still no indications of any friendly planes in the
         vicinity and no fighter cover. The carriers must be
         hitting NAGOYA from west of the islands. Submerged
         for the remainder of the afternoon.

1920 (K) Surfaced.

1949 (K) Sighted running lights of plane close aboard. Dived.
         (Aircraft contact #7).

2045 (K) Surfaced.

27 Feb. 1945.
0538 (K) Dived.

0745 (K) Surfaced on lifeguard station for possible third day of
         carrier strikes. Do not expect them today but we are
         here according to instructions just in case.

0948 (K) Unidentified SD radar contact closed to 7 miles. Still
         closing, so dived. (Aircraft contact #8).

1024 (K) Surfaced. Continued patrol on lifeguard station.

1158 (K) Sighted rusty floating mine.

1221 (K) After we had fired several rounds of 20 M.M. and 50
         caliber, mine finally blew up in our face.

1243 (K) Since it is apparent that we are getting no business,
         and since the mine explosion might attract the curious,
         dived to conduct submerged patrol for remainder of
         afternoon.

1923 (K) Surfaced.

                                 --11--

— page 148 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of fourth war patrol

frequencies just in case we might possibly be of any
assistance. These B-29s are flying singly, sometimes
several minutes apart, and apparently all of them
are burning running lights. Heard nothing on life-
guard frequencies. We are now at the assembly point
for the second sweep. Swept on down to the southwest
and back to the east with no contacts. Utilized the
day to conduct our own voyage repairs. Replaced
trainer's seat on 5 inch gun and repaired port out-
board antenna, both having carried away during the
heavy weather of the last few days in the patrol area.

0700 (K) Secured guard on lifeguard frequencies.

1050 (K) SD radar contact 16 miles, closing.

1053 (K) SD contact at 10 miles, still closing. Dived.
(Aircraft contact #11).

1221 (K) Surfaced.

1224 (K) Unidentified SD contact at 14 miles, closing. Dived.
(Aircraft contact #12).

1258 (K) Surfaced.

1915 (K) Sighted possible plane. Dived. I suspect this may
have been a star.

1938 (K) Surfaced.

1939 (K) SJ radar contact with STERLET at 6,000 yards.
Exchanged recognition signals via SJ radar.

2050 (K) Received instructions from the PIPER for conducting
a preliminary anti-picket boat sweep. Changed course
and speed to comply with instructions.

13 March 1945.
1830 (K) Preliminary sweep completed. Set course in company
to reach point for commencing of main sweep.

14 March 1945.
0015 (K) Sighted running lights of a plane. Manned SD radar
and cut in IFF. Plane identified as friendly and
proved to be the first of many B-29s enroute to strike
the Empire. Again manned lifeguard frequencies.

0305 (K) Made SJ radar contact on and exchanged recognition
signals with PIPER.

-17-

— page 149 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of fourth war patrol

0640 (K) Divod for trim.
0657 (K) Surfacod.

15 March 1945.
0200 (K) Formation disbanded, procceding indopendently to
         assigned point.

0600 (K) Commenced sweep.

0640 (K) Divod.

0721 (K) Surfacod. We have received a report of an onomy
         submarine who was cont cted by two of our submarines
         further north. He should pass through our scouting
         formation between 1200 and 1300 (K).

0837 (K) Sighted two friondly PB4Y2s. One of the planes is
         coming in low over the water.

0839 (K) One plane still coming in fast with a zoro angle on
         the bow. Fired one rocket and divod.

0850 (K) Surfacod.

1100 (K) Two friendly IFFs at 30 milos. They moved in to 15
         miles and then back out again. As far as I am con-
         cerned no plane is friendly today as they will certainly
         force the onomy sub to dive. Whercas I would much profor
         to oncountor him on the surface.

1157 (K) Sighted floating mine bearing 040 dogroos relative at
         600 yards. Contact with onomy submarine considored
         imminent and due to the importanco of not lotting him
         get through to attack our task force decided not to
         explode the mine for foar of alerting the onomy. The
         mine is well at the track of the task force and we are
         experiencing a slight westerly set so there appears to
         be no likolihood of its bothering our outfit.

1620 (K) Roportod position of floating mine to PIPER who hos
         to submit a report to ComSubPac this ovening anyway.

16 March 1945.
0653 (K) Divod.

0712 (K) Surfacod.

1240 (K) SD contacts on two planes at 14 and 16 miles, identified
         as friondly.

-18-

— page 152 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                 U.S.S. PO FRET          Report of fourth war patrol
                - - - - - - -

1540 (K)        More anti-aircraft fire from one of the destroyer
                groups.

1605 (K)        Unidentified aircraft contact on SD at 6 miles. Not
                sighted. (Aircraft contact #20).

1703 (K)        Unidentified aircraft contact on SD at 2 miles.
                Opened out to 4 miles at which point we sighted them
                dead ahead. Tried without success to raise our
                fighter cover who had wandered off several minutes
                before. The two Jap twin engine bombers swung around
                and started back in on us. Angle on the bow zero
                both horizontally and vertically. Dived with the
                range at 3 miles. (Aircraft contact #21).

1724 (K)        Surfaced. We had thoroughly covered the reported
                vicinity of the downed pilot as far south as the
                northern limit of the destroyer sweep. Abandoned
                the search and headed for our assigned station.

1855 (K)        Sighted object on the horizon.

1900 (K)        Identified object as a small submarine, angle on the
                bow ten port. (Ship contact #16). Dived and manned
                battle stations. Did not regain contact until the
                range had closed to about 6,000 yards. Target de-
                finitely identified as an RO-100 class submarine of 500
                tons. His small conning tower and low freeboard make
                him very difficult to see at any distance. Every ob-
                servation showed him with a 10 to 15 port angle on the
                bow. TDC claimed it could not be so according to the
                bearings. We only had two torpedoes in the tubes aft
                and target length is only 180 feet so I was particularly
                anxious to fire before he swung ship for a bow shot
                which would give us a torpedo run of about 600 yards.
                At a range of 1,600 yards began to suspect that he
                was constant helming. At 1,000 yards we got a starboard
                angle on the bow and the constant helming was soon con-
                firmed by quick checks. It is amazing that with as
                many tank angle observations as we made we always saw
                his right hand leg until the very end.
                We were going to be right on his track with no time to
                pull off of it.

1946 (K)        Made unsuccessful attack. Details contained in Addendum
                One to Subdivision "H", Report of FOURTH WAR PATROL,
                U.S.S. POMFRET.

2023 (K)        While in the process of coming up to periscope depth
                JP reported light fast screws bearing 070°(T). The

-21-

— page 154 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET          Report of fourth war patrol

1105 (K)        Remaining two fighters left for their carrier without
                relief. They said they would request relief for us,
                but no relief ever showed up.

1157 (K)        Unidentified SD contact at 6 miles, closing. Dived.
                (Aircraft contact #27).

1218 (K)        Surfaced.

1303 (K)        Unidentified SD contact at 11 miles. Watched Jap twin
                engine bomber pass by at 6 miles. (Aircraft contact #28).

1317 (K)        Unidentified SD contact at 7 miles. Watched Jap bomber
                pass by at 5 miles. (Aircraft contact #29). We are
                beginning to wonder whether we are lifeguarding for our
                own forces or acting as a navigational beacon for re-
                turning Jap bombers. If our fighter cover would ever
                show up we'd make Aces out of them in short order.

1330 (K)        Passed through wreckage of HELEN shot down this morning.
                Nothing salvageable sighted.

1630 (K)        IFF contact at 16 miles.

1700 (K)        Received instructions from Commander Task Force 58 via
                4475 kc to remain on station tomorrow.

20 March 1945.
0331 (K)        SJ radar contact bearing 180°(T), range 15,050 yards.
                Although the contact was forward of the beam we lost
                it after about 20 seconds. Chased down the bearing and
                keyed the SD radar. No contact and no IFF. Believed to
                be an enemy plane. (Aircraft contact #30). Search gave
                negative results. Continued patrolling across lane that
                would probably be used by enemy submarines returning to
                BUNGO SUIDO.

0440 (K)        SJ contact bearing 250°(T), range 8,000 yards. Contact
                disappeared in a few seconds, almost dead ahead. Keyed
                SD and obtained IFF at 9 miles moving out. Believe this
                was our SJ contact as we were unable to regain it.

0612 (K)        Sighted parachute flare bearing 286°(T).

0646 (K)        Dived.

0746 (K)        Surfaced. Patrolling lifeguard station for the third
                day of the strike.

1529 (K)        Unidentified SD contact at 8 miles. When it reached 6
                miles and was still closing we dived. (Aircraft contact
                #31).

                                                                -24-

— page 157 —
U.S.S. POLEPHT
Report of Fourth War Patrol

(F) SHIP CONTACTS
NO. | TIME | DATE | LATITUDE | LONGITUDE | INITIAL RANGE | TYPE | ST. COURSE & SPEED | CONTACT | REMARKS
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1. | 0217 | 2-15-45 | 33° 50.0' N | 140° 00.0' E | 13,000 | Unknown | 330°(T) | Radar | Could not close.
2. | 0617 | 2-15-45 | 34° 24.0' N | 140° 02.0' E | 12,000 | Unknown | Easterly | Radar | Originally believed to have
  | | | | | | | | | been a plane. Dove & lost contact.
3. | 1045 | 2-15-45 | 34° 19.0' N | 139° 55.0' E | 8,000 | Sub-killer | 12 kts. | Radar | Sighted while recovering
  | | | | | | | | | pilot.
4. | 0325 | 2-17-45 | 34° 24.0' N | 140° 24.0' E | 3,000 | AK | 330°(T) | Periscope | Could not close.
5. | 1345 | 2-17-45 | 35° 02.0' N | 139° 29.0' E | 6,200 | Three or Four | 7-8 kts. | Radar | Obviously a sweep. -veaded on
  | | | | | | | Sampans | | | surf. co.
6. | 1500 | 2-19-45 | 34° 34.0' N | 139° 52.0' E | 45,000 | Small picket boat | 350°(T) | Sighted | Believed to be same as #4 and
  | | | | | | | | | been strafed by carrier planes.
7. | 1947 | 2-19-45 | 34° 12.0' N | 139° 53.0' E | 9,400 | Two small ships | 8 kts. | Smoke | Evaded submerged.
8. | 1039 | 2-25-45 | 34° 41.0' N | 140° 00.0' E | 12,000 | Four small ships | 330°(T) | Sighted | Probably a PC boat.
9. | 1304 | 3-2-45 | 34° 10.0' N | 140° 01.0' E | 7 tons. | 300 tons. | 7 kts. | Sighted morning & afternoon. | Could not close.
  | | | | | | | | | Could not obtain attack position
  | | | | | | | | | due to high speed of escort.
10. | 0740 | 3-7-45 | 34° 15.0' N | 139° 57.0' E | 6,500 | One FC & One DE | 330°(T) | Periscope | Could not obtain attack position
  | | | | | | | | | due to when sighted. Dove &
  | | | | | | | | | departed area.
11. | 1155 | 3-3-45 | 34° 12.0' N | 140° 02.0' E | 8,000 | Patrol craft | Variable | Periscope | Could not close.
12. | 1240 | 3-9-45 | 33° 37.0' N | 139° 32.0' E | 8,500 | Patrol craft | Southerly | Periscope | Very small vessels conducting
  | | | | | | | | | sweep. Avoided.
13. | 2202 | 3-9-45 | 33° 38.0' N | 139° 30.0' E | 3,000 | DE | Southerly | Radar | Could not close.
14. | 1235 | 3-10-45 | 33° 30.0' N | 139° 39.0' E | 7,500 | DE | Easterly | Periscope | Made unsuccessful attack.
15. | 1435 | 3-13-45 | 33° 23.0' N | 139° 39.0' E | 7,500 | DE | Southerly | Periscope | Could not close.
16. | 1900 | 3-13-45 | 32° 18.5' N | 132° 56.0' E | 13,000 | Submarine | Southerly | Periscope | Made unsuccessful attack.
  | | | | | | -100 Class | 9½ kts. | |

[HANDWRITTEN: CONFIDENTIAL]
-26a-

— page 163 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POFFRET          Report of fourth war patrol

(B) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED.

                                                              Miles          Gallons
Pearl Harbor to Saipan                                        3723           49,200

Saipan to start of                                            317            10,200
picket boat sweep

In area                                                       5876           63,000

Area to Midway                                                2708           33,670
Totals                                                        12,624         161,070

(C) DURATION

Days enroute to area 17

Days in area40

Days enroute to base9

Total66

Days submerged22

(D) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING

TORPEDOES             FUEL             PROVISIONS          PERSONNEL FACTOR
19 Mk. XVIII          4500 Gals.       5 days              10 days

Limiting factor this patrol: Operation Order.

(E) RADAR COUNTERMEASURES.

     From interpretations of APR signals it can be stated that the enemy
is still using 153 m.c. 800 - 1000 p.r.f. airborne radar. Airborne radar was
also encountered on one occasion off BUNGO SUIDO on 212 m.c. 800 p.r.f.
Land based radar varied from 32 m.c. to 158 m.c. with a p.r.f. in the vicinity
of 400. The RO-100 submarine apparently was equipped with 154 m.c. non-
directional radar with a 400 p.r.f.

APR Contact Report.

     During the carrier strikes of 16, 17, 25, and 26 February on
Tokyo and vicinity our lifeguard station was about 15 miles south of
NOJIMA SAKI and east of O SHIMA. The following radars were detected:

-32-

— page 166 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
2 April 1945.

F85-242/L16-3

Serial: (09)

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

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
C.O., USS POMFRET Report
of 4th War Patrol, serial
(04) of 30 March 1945.

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

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET - Report of War Patrol Number FOUR.

1. The fourth war patrol of the POMFRET, conducted in the Nanpo
Shoto and Bungo Suido areas, was of 64 days duration, 38 of which were in patrol
areas.

2. During this patrol POMFRET was a unit of a coordinated patrol
group consisting of PIPER, POMFRET, BOWFIN, TREPANG, and STERLET, with the Com-
manding Officer of the PIPER, Commander P. F. McMAHON, as Group Commander. In
addition to normal offensive patrolling POMFRET:
(a) Furnished life-guard services.
(b) Participated in sweeps against enemy patrol and picket boats.
(c) Participated in reconnaissance sweeps for major units of the
Jap Fleet while own task forces were conducting aircraft
strikes against the Japanese homeland.
(d) Assisted in the destruction of two Jap planes.
(e) Destroyed two floating mines.

3. Very few worthwhile torpedo targets were sighted. These con-
sisted of daylight contacts on one AK of about 2,000 tons, an RO-100 class sub-
marine, and contacts on four destroyer escorts. All the destroyer escorts
appeared to be making anti-submarine sweeps and zigged radically. As contacts
were in daylight and POMFRET was submerged, she was unable to close the AK and
three of the destroyer escorts to torpedo firing range. Unsuccessful attacks
were made on one destroyer escort and the RO-100 class submarine. Details of
these attacks are contained in Enclosure, to Commanding Officer, POMFRET, top
secret letter SS391/L16/S75, serial (004) of 30 March 1945.

4. Twelve days were devoted specifically to life-guard duties.
While thus engaged, POMFRET rescued two U. S. aviators. She also recovered from
the water and made prisoners, one aviator who tried to drown himself while
being rescued, and one unidentified Jap who acted happy to be rescued and became
a prisoner. In order to rescue one of the U. S. aviators, it was necessary for
POMFRET to daringly penetrate to within 9 miles of Joga Shima, the immediate
approaches of Tokyo Bay. Fighter cover when furnished proved very helpful in
locating aviators in the water, provided some security against enemy planes and

- 1 -

— page 167 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
2 April 1945.

FB5-246/A16-3
Serial: (09)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
From: C.O., USS POMFRET Report
of 4th War Patrol, serial
(04) of 30 March 1945.
Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET - Report of War Patrol Number FOUR.

— page 168 —
FC5-24/A16-3
Serial: 072
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO POMFRET Report of 4th
War Patrol, serial (04),
dated 30 March 1945.

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

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET - Report of War Patrol Number FOUR.

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

2. The manner in which the Commanding Officer of the POMFRET
carried out his life guard duties is considered exemplary. The value of
a friendly C.A.P. cannot be overemphasized. The efficiency of life-
guarding submarines is greatly increased by the air search in addition to
making possible recoveries which would not be possible without the protection
afforded by air cover.

3. The Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY-FOUR congratulates
the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew of the POMFRET on a most aggres-
sive and well conducted patrol and upon the recovery of two valuable aviators.
It is to be regretted that more opportunities to inflict damage on the enemy
were not presented.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY-FOUR
11/dn
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
2 April 1945.

F. W. FENNO.

— page 169 —
FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0798 Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
CONFIDENTIAL 12 April 1945.

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

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 716
U.S.S. POMFRET - FOURTH 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. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Fourth War Patrol
(25 January to 30 March 1945).

1. The fourth war patrol of the POMFRET, under the com-
mand of Lieutenant Commander J. B. Hess, U.S. Navy, was conducted in
the Nanpo Shoto and Bungo Suido areas. The POMFRET was a member of a
coordinated attack group consisting of the U.S.S. PIPER (SS409), the
U.S.S. BOWFIN (SS287), the U.S.S. TREPANG (SS412), the U.S.S. STERLET
(SS392) and the POMFRET with the commanding officer of the PIPER as
the group commander. Their mission was lifeguard duty, picket boat
sweeps, and offensive patrol.

2. This outstanding patrol resulted in the rescue of two
friendly aviators, picking up of two prisoners (one a Japanese avia-
tor), and assistance to the Air Force in destroying two enemy planes.
The POMFRET penetrated to within nine miles of Joga Shima in the ap-
proaches to Tokyo Bay in the performance of her lifeguard duties. The
two torpedo attacks delivered, which are a subject of a separate re-
port, unfortunately were unsuccessful.

3. Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol is
authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congra-
tulates the commanding officer, officers and crew of the POMFRET for
this outstanding, courageous, successful patrol, which is such a good
example of a job well done in these times when large torpedo targets
are becoming very scarce.

MERRILL COMSTOCK.

Authentication and distribution [HANDWRITTEN: EXTRA]
on following page. [HANDWRITTEN: ORIGINAL]
[HANDWRITTEN: SORG. MICRO]
[HANDWRITTEN: PHOTO-LAB OP-16]
[HANDWRITTEN: RETURN TO F-223]
[STAMP: FILMED] - 1 -

— page 171 —
[HANDWRITTEN: pt copy]

SS391/A16                               U.S.S. POLFRET

Serial (09)                             c/o Fleet Post Office,
                                        San Francisco, Calif.,
CDECLASSIFIED-L                         7 June 1945.

From:                                   The Commanding Officer.
To :                                    The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via :                                   Official Channels.

Subject:                                U.S.S. POLFRET, Report of War Patrol Number Five.

Enclosures:                             (A) Subject report.
                                        (B) Track chart (to ComSubPac only).

                                        1.
                                        Enclosure (A), covering the fifth war patrol of this
vessel, conducted in the OKHOTSK SEA - KURIL ISLAND AREA, during the
period 26 April 1945 to 7 June 1945, is forwarded herewith.

                                        J.B. HESS.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY OP-09B9C DATE 6/1/72]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

127876 [STAMP: FILMED]

— page 172 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Fifth War Patrol

(A) PROLOGUE.

    Arrived Submarine Base, Midway Islands, T.H., on 30 March 1945
    from FOURTH WAR PATROL. Refitted by Submarine Division TWO FORTY TWO and
    U.S.S. AEGIR. No major alterations accomplished. Lieutenant W.C. DOZIER
    Jr., U.S. Navy, and Ensign D.P. SCHAUMBURG, U.S. Navy, detached. Lieutenant
    F.R. ALVIS Jr., U.S. Naval Reserve, and Ensign J.E. PEARCE, U.S. Navy, re-
    ported aboard for duty. Readiness for sea date 26 April 1945. The highest
    degree of interest and cooperation was shown by the tender, relief crew,
    division and squadron engineers and division and squadron commanders.
    When the POMFRET was turned over to the crew upon completion of the refit
    it was the cleanest I have ever seen any boat upon completion of a refit.
    The refit itself was excellent.

    Conducted regular training operations 18 - 21 April and coordinated
    attack training with PIPER, PLAICE and SEA POACHER on the night of 22 - 23
    April, Commander J.W. DAVIS, U.S. Navy, and Commander R.H. CLOSE, U.S. Navy,
    training officers.

(B) NARRATIVE.

    OFFICERS ON BOARD                               PREVIOUS WAR PATROLS
    Lieut-Comdr. J.B. HESS, U.S.N.                                12
    Lieutenant F.R. ALVIS Jr., U.S.N.R.                            7
    Lieutenant A.B. COSBY, U.S.N.R.                                4
    Lieutenant E.J. MOREHOUSE, U.S.N.R.                            1
    Lieutenant (jg) W.F. LNCAN, U.S.N.R.                           1
    Lieutenant (jg) M.L. CULLEN Jr., U.S.N.                        4
    Lieutenant (jg) B.G. FLMAGE, U.S.N.R.                          4
    Lieutenant (jg) J.M. CANTY, U.S.N.R.                           4
    Lieutenant (jg) H.J. GOODNO, U.S.N.                            4
    Ensign J.E. PEARCE, U.S.N.                                     0

    CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ON BOARD                   PREVIOUS WAR PATROLS
    ABPLINALP, E.N., CMOMM(AA)(T), U.S.N.                          9
    BEATLEY, J.W., CQM, U.S.N.                                    11
    BRINGLE, G.F., CY(T), U.S.N.                                   5
    BURNS, O.H. Jr., CTM(AA)(T), U.S.N.                            4
    FONTANA, E. (n), CEM(AA)(T), U.S.N.                            2
    MALONEY, J.R., CEM, U.S.N.                                     9
    MONTGOMERY, L.V., CRT(AA)(T), U.S.N.R.                         4
    SCARBOROUGH, J.D. Jr., CMOM(AA)(T), U.S.N.                     7
    SUMMERSON, J.R. Jr., CMOMM(T), U.S.N.                          4

    26 April 1945.
    1715 (Y) Departed Midway for POLAR CIRCUIT patrol, in accordance
             with ComSubPac Operation Order 82-45, as a member of a
             coordinated attack group consisting of PIPER, PLAICE,
             STERLET, SEA POACHER and POMFRET. Commanding Officer

-1-

— page 174 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. PO_FRET Report of Fifth War Patrol

1640 (K) Dived for trim.
1653 (K) Surfaced.

5 May 1945.
0200 (K) Transited KITA URUPP. SUIDO. We are now in the SE.
OF OKHOTSK. Headed on across the sea since an analysis
of all contacts in this area shows that most of the
worthwhile targets were found somewhere near the middle
of this area. This will also enable us to patrol on
the surface both day and night thus greatly increasing
the amount of area we can cover. C.BRILL. has reported
heavy drift ice in this section so we shall do our pre-
liminary scouting during daylight so as to be able to
make our own estimate of the present ice situation.

1034 (K) Sighted many large blocks of drift ice. Decided to
patrol between the ice and the island chain until the
ice condition clears.

1200 (K) Latitude 47° - 10' N., Longitude 149° - 15' E.

1551 (K) Dived to complete conversion and flushing out of #4
fuel ballast tank.

1805 (K) Surfaced. There is considerable fog, but the wind and
sea have been extremely moderate. Temperature stays
around 30° - 32° (F). The cold is damp and penetrating.

6 May 1945.
1021 (K) After dodging gremlin contacts on the SJ for one hour
we pick up a genuine pip bearing 312°(T), 16,000 yards.
Went to battle stations and commenced ending around.
Target is on steady course 040°(T) at 13.5 knots, no
escorts, so it does not look very promising.

1101 (K) Went to radar depth and shortly afterward went to ST
depth.

1124 (K) Target loomed out of the fog at 2,200 yards. Before
we could distinctly see the hull outline the big white
field with U.S.S.R. on it stood out like a neon sign.
This identification painting is really effective.
Everyone in the conning tower had a look at him as he
passed by on a 90° track, torpedo run 600 yards. He
appeared to be a standard American LIBERTY and was fly-
ing the proper 2 letter hoist and the Russian colors.

-3-

— page 175 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Fifth War Patrol

7,176 tons just went down the drain. Secured the
tubes and secured from battle stations. Decided to
remain submerged for a couple of hours to check the
torpedoes and train the planesmen.

1152 (K)      Lost ST contact at 11,800 yards.

1200 (K)      Latitude 47° - 35' N., Longitude 149° - 22' E.

1205 (K)      ST radar contact to the northeast at 9,200 yards.
              Went to battle stations and came up to SJ radar depth.
              Commenced the approach.

1220 (K)      Went back to ST radar depth.

1230 (K)      Freighter becoming visible through the fog at 2,400
              yards and once again the Russian side marking loomed
              out clearly and distinctly. Came up to 58 feet, ex-
              posing 10 feet of number 2 end 6 feet of number 1
              periscope to take Kodachrome movies.

1235 (K)      Unidentified Russian freighter (3,500 tons) passed by
              on a 90° track, torpedo run 700 yards.

1236 (K)      Their lax lookouts finally sight our scopes and the
              Russian makes a half hearted attempt to man his stern
              gun. Went to 120 feet to save embarrassment.

1250 (K)      Back at ST depth. Russian is standing on peaceably to
              the southwest.

1822 (K)      Surfaced.

2015 (K)      We are being constantly heckled by bird or gremlin
              contacts on the SJ out to 5,000 yards.

7 May 1945.
1200 (K)      Latitude 47° - 28' N., Longitude 148° - 27' E.

2120 (K)      Dived for trim.

2201 (K)      Surfaced.

8 May 1945.
1200 (K)      Latitude 47° - 06' N., Longitude 146° - 46' E.

1457 (K)      Sighted very probable periscope at 175°(T) about
              5,000 yards. This appeared to be about 5 feet ex-
              posed and it was observed for several minutes by the
              quartermaster, O.O.D. and the commanding officer.

                                                              -4-

— page 178 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Fifth War Patrol

0837 (K) Dived to ST depth.
0850 (K) Watched properly marked KLARA ZETKIN class freighter
(3,974 tons) pass by at 900 yards. Secured the tubes.
The torpedomen in particular are becoming very dis-
gusted. All five of these Russians are running on
a lane 85 miles southeast of and parallel to their
charted lane.

1030 (K) Surfaced.
1200 (K) Latitude 48° - 00' N., Longitude 149° - 17' E.

14 May 1945.
0932 (K) Dived for trim.
1010 (K) Surfaced.
1115 (K) Picked up SJ interference. Attempting rendezvous
with PIPER and STERLET for first sweep.
1200 (K) Latitude 48° - 49' N., Longitude 149° - 00' E.
1250 (K) In position 6,000 yards on starboard beam of PIPER.
1500 (K) Opened out on scouting line, distance between boats
15 miles.
1735 (K) SJ radar contact 176°(T), 17,600 yards. Looks like
another Russian. Commenced the approach. He is
running on 050°(T) at 13 knots and should pass
slightly closer to the PIPER than to us. Did not
consider a contact report necessary so continued to
maintain radio silence.
1810 (K) We are now about 45° on target's port bow at 12,000
yards. Picked up PIPER on SJ and short Fox Mike con-
versation revealed that PIPER'S SJ was temporarily
out of commission and that she had sight contact with
the target, a properly marked Russian. Russian
apparently sights PIPER and zigs to his left giving us
a 20° starboard angle on the bow. We'still do not
see him at 10,000 yards. We head back to the west to
regain our assigned track line. Russian sees us dead
ahead of him at 7,500 yards and zigs back to his right
to show us his side markings. We pass amicably at
6,000 yards. He is a standard LIBERTY and is the first
of our 5 northbound contacts to be loaded. He is riding
very low in the water.

-7-

— page 181 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Fifth War Patrol

Changed track of sweep to 090° - 270° true.

2000 (K) Dived for trim.

2100 (K) Surfaced.

23 May 1945.
1200 (K) Latitude 52° - 01' N., Longitude 151° - 44' E.

1907 (K) Dived for trim.

1945 (K) Surfaced.

2014 (K) Made simulated emergency deep dive and rig for depth
charge.

2055 (K) Surfaced.

24 May 1945.
0513 (K) Dived for trim.

0521 (K) Surfaced.

1200 (K) Latitude 52° - 01' N., Longitude 147° - 36' E.

1551 (K) Test fired 40mm gun.

25 May 1945.
0012 (K) Dived for trim.

0033 (K) Surfaced.

0036 (K) Dived with blower running for training.

0042 (K) Surfaced.

0200 (K) Sweep completed. Heading for assigned area of rotating
patrol schedule in accordance with instructions received
from FAPER. Set course for ONEKOTAN KAIKYO.

1200 (K) Latitude 51° - 02' N., Longitude 153° - 00' E.

1544 (K) Dived for trim and training and to work over number one
hydraulic plant and to chase grounds in the starboard
lighting circuit.

1935 (K) Surfaced with MAKANRU TO at 70,000 yards.

2032 (K) Exchanged SJ recognition signals with friendly
submarine believed to be the PLAICE.

-10-

— page 182 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Fifth War Patrol

2345 (K) SJ radar contact 210°(T), 12,100 yards. Went to battle
         stations. Contacts developed into two weak pips tracking
         on 000°(T) at 8 knots. They appear to be in line of
         bearing.

2352 (K) Two pips have turned around and are now heading 180°(T).

26 May 1945.
0003 (K) Third contact bearing 227°(T), 15,000 yards, on north-
         easterly course. First two contacts move over and fall
         into column with the third contact. Tracked targets
         who had settled down on course 045°(T) at 8 knots as we
         worked around so as to be able to conduct our approach
         from the east. Started in on the starboard bow. As the
         range closed to where we could get good lobing bearings
         the targets appeared to be on 060°(T). Believe this was
         merely a better solution rather than a zig. Plot and
         TDC are checking nicely and the solution appears to be
         excellent.

0057 (K) A fourth SJ contact appeared on the screen on the far
         flank at 6,500 yards followed immediately by another
         on the near flank at 5,400 yards. The for-
         mation is bunched very close together and seems to
         resemble an inverted Y in shape. Something is very
         queer about this outfit. Their disposition is certainly
         a very poor defensive one and they have not zigged in
         almost an hour. Our general radar ranges obtained on
         Russians in the middle of the SEA OF OKHOTSK have not
         been very good, but when we close the land masses we
         get excellent land contacts (90,000 to 120,
         000 yards). I hesitate to predict the size of these
         targets on the basis of radar ranges. Visibility is
         highly variable and very deceiving. It is generally
         very poor. Set torpedo depth at 5 feet since there is
         a long heavy ground swell running. Targets appear to
         be heading for the channel on the eastern side of
         MUSASHI WAN.

0102 (K) Commenced firing first three bow tubes at third pip in
         column, 14° left gyro, 63° starboard track, torpedo
         run 3,500 yards, divergent spread.

0103 (K) Commenced firing last three bow tubes at middle pip,
         2° left gyro, 74° starboard track, torpedo run 2,350
         yards, divergent spread.

0104 (K) Swung left with full rudder at flank speed. Right flank
         pip is at 2,000 yards with a small starboard angle
         on the bow. Slowed to two-thirds speed and steadied
         down on 190°(T).

-11-

— page 191 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Fifth War Patrol
(H) ATTACK D.T. TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1(Continued).

on that date and the moon was full. A fog of un-
determined density was the sole hindrance to visi-
bility. Fired on radar bearings using the third
ship in column and then the middle ship as targets
for the bow tubes. Accepted fairly long torpedo
runs (3500, 2350 and 2850 yards) because of the
tricky visibility. Swung left and accepted a 25°
leading gyro for the stern tube shot at the lead-
ing ship in column. Obtained no hits. The targets
are believed to have all been PC boats and the
misses were probably due to the size and shallow
draft of the targets. A 5 foot depth setting was
used because of the heavy ground swell running at
the time.

-20-

— page 193 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Fifth War Patrol

— page 197 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. PO FRET Report of Fifth War Patrol

(2) No radar jamming or other types of radar countermeasures were
    encountered.

                       COMMUNICATION COUNTERMEASURES

(1) No enemy signals were intercepted.

(2) On the first transmission made on 1 June the enemy was using a
    mechanical jammer on 8470 Kcs. On changing to 12705 Kcs. the
    transmission was completed without difficulty. Our position at
    the time was 44° - 30' N, 153° - 00' E. The enemy was jamming
    the WOPACO frequency thirty minutes after the new SAFPLAN was
    placed into effect.

(V) REMARKS.

                       The chart furnished us for this patrol showing all previous
    enemy contacts in the Polar Circuit area was greatly appreciated, but it
    didn't seem to get us anywhere. We apparently spent all our time being in
    the wrong place at the right time or in the right place at the wrong time.

                                     -26-

— page 198 —
[HANDWRITTEN: SAFETY]
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO HUNDRED FORTY-TWO

                                                                Care of Fleet Post Office,
                                                                San Francisco, California.
                                                                8 June 1945.

FB5-2/A16-3

Serial: (015)

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

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS POFFRET (SS391) Report
of Fifth War Patrol.

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

Subject:      U.S.S. POFFRET (SS391) - Report of FIFTH War Patrol.

1.    The fifth war patrol of the U.S.S. POFFRET was conducted in the
OKHOTSK SEA - KURILE ISLAND AREA. The POFFRET was one of five (5) submarines
in a coordinated search and attack group consisting of the PIPER, PLAICE, STERLET,
POFFRET and SEA POACHER, with the Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PIPER,
Commander B.F. Mc MAHON, U.S. Navy, as Group Commander. This patrol was of forty-
two (42) days duration, thirty-one (31) of which were spent in the assigned area.

2.    While no severe weather was encountered, visibility during ninety
percent of the time was poor and "spotty".

3.    Ten (10) worthwhile torpedo targets were sighted. Nine (9) of
these contacts were properly marked RUSSIAN ships. The other contact (25 May
1945) consisted of a five (5) ship hunter-killer group. A night surface attack
was made on this group, using radar data only. Fog prevented sight identity
before firing. Ten (10) torpedoes (5 Mk. 23's and 5 Mk. 14-3A's) were fired at
the three largest targets of the group in column-three (3) at the third ship,
three (3) at the second ship, and four (4) at the lead ship. Average torpedo
runs 2800 yards, average track 80°, depth set on all torpedoes 5 feet. All
torpedoes missed, probably due to the size and shallow drafts of the targets.
Later, sight contact definitely identified one of the largest ships of the group
as a PC boat.

4.    It is noted that five (5) of the Russian ships contacted were 85
miles southeast of and parallel to their charted lane.

5.    The remarks concerning winter clothing are noted. It is hoped that
a suitable and adequate cold weather allowance will soon be provided.

6.    The POFFRET returned from the patrol clean and in good material
condition. It is expected that her refit will be completed in the normal period.
Health of the crew was very good and morale high.

7.    The Division Commander congratulates the Commanding Officer, officers
and crew of the POFFRET upon the completion of an arduous patrol. It is regretted
that this fighting ship was unable to inflict damage on the enemy.

                                                                [SIGNATURE: J. W. DAVIS.]

[HANDWRITTEN: 700]
[HANDWRITTEN: 38]

— page 199 —
FC5-24/A16-3
Serial: (0122)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
USS POMFRET (SS391) Report
of Fifth War Patrol.

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

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of FIFTH War Patrol.

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

2. The Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY-FOUR congratulates
the Commanding Officer, officers and crew on the completion of the
POMFRET's fifth war patrol. The lack of enemy targets on this patrol
is regrettable, but the experience gained will make POMFRET an even
more deadly menace to the Japs when they do show up.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY-FOUR
05/wd
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
9 June 1945.

[SIGNATURE: F. W. FERNO.]
F. W. FERNO.

[HANDWRITTEN: 700]
[HANDWRITTEN: 29]

— page 200 —
FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET Ga
Serial 01496
CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
POMFRET Report of
Fifth War Patrol.
COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 787
U.S.S. POMFRET - FIFTH 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. [HANDWRITTEN: 6 05003]

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Fifth War Patrol
(26 April to 7 June 1945).

1. The fifth war patrol of the POMFRET, under the command of Lieutenant-
Commander J. B. Hess, U.S. Navy, was conducted in the Okhotsk Sea--Kurile Islands
area. The POMFRET formed a coordinated attack group along with the U.S.S. PIPER,
U.S.S. PLAICE, U.S.S. SEA POACHER, and U.S.S. STERLET, with the commanding officer
of the PIPER as task group commander.

2. Area coverage was good, but aside from properly marked Russian ships,
only one group of enemy ships was encountered. It was probable that the torpedoes
fired at this convoy all passed under, because of the light draft of the ships.

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

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratulates the
commanding officer, officers, and crew of the POMFRET upon the completion of this
patrol in the cold northern waters of the Kuriles, and hopes they may have better
luck in the matter of targets on their next patrol.

E. E. YEOMANS.

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7)
CNO (5)
Cincpac (6)
JICPOA (1)
AdICPOA (1)
Comservpac (1)
Cinclant (1)
Comsublant (8)
S/M School, TL (2)
CO, S/M Base, PH (1)
Comsopac (2)
Comsowespac (1)
Comsubs7thFlt (Fwd Echelon) (2)
Comsubs7thFlt (Rear Echelon) (2)
Comnorpac (2)
Comsubspac (3)

[STAMP: FILMED]

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
19 June 1945.

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

ComsubspacAdComd (20)
SUBAD, H.I. (2)
ComsubspacSubordcom (3)
All Squadron and Div.
Commanders, Pacific (2)
CSS 3 (Airmail) (5)
Substrainpac (2)
All Submarines, Pacific (1)

[SIGNATURE: W. S. Langley]
W. S. LANGLEY,
Asst. Flag Secretary. EXTRA - ORIGINAL
SORG. MICRO
PHOTO-LAB OP-16
RETURN TO F-4253

— page 201 —
[HANDWRITTEN: lst copy]

SS391/A16
Serial ( 019 )

U.S.S. POMFRET

Br.
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.
31 August 1945.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
[CROSSED OUT: CONFIDENTIAL]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Official Channels.

Subject: U.S.S. POMFRET, Report of War Patrol Number Six.

Enclosure: (A) Subject Report.

1. Enclosure (A), covering the SIXTH WAR PATROL of this
vessel, conducted in the area south of HONSHU and THE EAST CHINA SEA,
during the period 2 July 1945 to 31 August 1945, is forwarded herewith.

2. Track chart forwarded to Commander Submarine Force,
Pacific Fleet under separate cover.

[SIGNATURE: J.B. Hess]
J.B. HESS.

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 6/1/72]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: Filmed]
[HANDWRITTEN: 142355]

— page 202 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Sixth War Patrol

(A) PROLOGUE.
PATROL on 7 June 1945. Arrived Submarine Base, Midway Islands, T.H. from FIFTH WAR
Removed twin 20mm mount from after cigarette deck and installed 40mm mount.
Refitted by Submarine Division 242 and the U.S.S. [UNCLEAR: BUSHNELL]
installed TDM equipment. Lieutenant A.F. COSBY, U.S.N.R., Lieutenant (jg) M.L.
CULLEN, Jr., U.S.N., Lieutenant (jg) Harold J. GOODNOW, U.S.N., Electrician
J.R. MALONEY, U.S.N., and Machinist J.R. SUMMERSON, Jr., U.S.N., detached, and
Lieutenant (jg) R.D. REHNBERG, U.S.N., Ensign H.D. MURPHREE, U.S.N. and
Ensign R.E. JOHNSON, U.S.N., reported aboard for duty. Conducted training
operations on 26 - 29 June 1945, Commander J.A. DAVIS, U.S.N. training officer.
Readiness for sea date 2 July 1945. The rest and recreation facilities at
Midway have been improving steadily in recent months and the refit we received
was very good. The boat was exceptionally clean when it was turned over to the
crew upon the completion of the refit.

(B) NARRATIVE.

OFFICERS ON BOARD PREVIOUS WAR PATROLS
Lieutenant Commander J.B. HESS, U.S.N. 13
Lieutenant F.R. ALVIS, U.S.N.R. 8
Lieutenant E.J. MOREHOUSE, U.S.N.R. 2
Lieutenant (jg) W.F. LINGAN, U.S.N.R. 2
Lieutenant (jg) B.G. RIDGE, U.S.N. 5
Lieutenant (jg) J.H. CANTY, U.S.N. 5
Lieutenant (jg) R.D. REHNBERG, U.S.N.R. 0
Ensign H.D. MURPHREE, U.S.N. 0
Ensign J.E. PEIRCE, U.S.N. 1
Ensign R.E. JOHNSON, U.S.N. *3
*All three patrols made as an enlisted man.

CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ON BOARD PREVIOUS WAR PATROLS
APPLENALP, E.H., CMoMM(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 10
BEATLEY, J.W., CQM(SS), U.S.N. 12
BRINGLE, G.F., CY(T)(SS), U.S.N. 6
BURNS, O.H. Jr., CTMC(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 5
FONTANA, E., CEM(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 3
LITTLE, R.E. Jr., CRM(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 10
MONTGOMERY, L.V., CRT(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N.R. 5
SCARBOROUGH, J.D., Jr., CMoMM(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 8
SEVERANCE, R.A., CTMC(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 9
WOOD, P.W., CPhM(A)(T)(SS), U.S.N. 5

2 July 1945. Underway for SAIPAN on SIXTH WAR PATROL in accordance with
1602 (Y) ComSubPac operation order 140-45 as modified by dispatch.
Conducting daily dives and drills enroute.

-1-

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET          Report of Sixth War Patrol

1417 (I)      Exploded floating mine (No. 2.)

2300 (I)      IFF contact at 28 miles, moved on out.

28 July 1945.
0355 (I)      Dived to flush out #4 fuel ballast tank after conversion.

0407 (I)      Surfaced.

0429 (I)      SJ plane contact at 12,000 yards. No IFF, no answer on VHF,
              closing steadily, submerged.

0459 (I)      Surfaced.

0645 (I)      Unidentified SD contact at 11 miles, does not answer VHF,
              submerged with range at 7 miles.

1200 (I)      Latitude 32° - 15' N., Longitude 127° - 41' E.

1940 (I)      Surfaced.

2200 (I)      Commenced transmitting POMFRET fifth reporting results to
              date and lack of communications with OKINAWA and our intention
              to patrol inshore submerged during daylight.

0501 (I)      Submerged 11 miles off OSE SAKI, commenced closing the beach.

0950 (I)      Sighted formation of unidentified bombers heading north.
              Believe they are ours and decided we had better get back on
              our lifeguard station.

1013 (I)      Surfaced 4500 yards off the beach and headed for our lifeguard
              station at full speed.

1030 (I)      Contacted PLAYMATE plane who said he would be in the vicinity
              for 3 or 4 hours. He gave us some dope on the raid.

1035 (I)      First of several IFF contacts on Mustangs and Mitchell bombers.

1047 (I)      Unidentified SD contact at 13 miles. Moved in to 9 miles and
              then moved back out again.

1115 (I)      Arrived on lifeguard station.

1200 (I)      Latitude 32° - 36' N., Longitude 128° - 16' E.

                                -11-

— page 213 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

— page 216 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET          Report of Sixth War Patrol

— page 218 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

— page 222 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

— page 225 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POLFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

— page 230 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Sixth War Patrol

1758 (K) Received dispatch instructions from ComSubPac changing
          our destination to Pearl Harbor.

1900 (K) Released escort.

2045 (K) Transmitted POMFRET acknowledgment to ComSubPac on
          modification of routing instructions.

23 August 1945.
1200 (K) Latitude 17° - 44' N., Longitude 145° - 30' E.

24 August 1945.
1200 (K) Latitude 18° - 26' N., Longitude 151° - 55' E.

25 August 1945.
1200 (K) Latitude 19° - 30' N., Longitude 158° - 22' E.

1817 (K) Exchanged recognition signals with SPIKEFISH via
          SJ radar.

26 August 1945.
0549 (L) Sighted SPIKEFISH and after brief conversation via SCR-610
          proceeded in company.

1200 (L) Latitude 20° - 45' N., Longitude 164° - 43' E.

27 August 1945.
0210 (L) Transmitted dispatch to ComSubPacAdComd giving 1630 zebra
          positions and time of PEARL rendezvous for SPIKEFISH and
          POMFRET.

1111 (L) Dived for prearranged practice torpedo approach on
          SPIKEFISH.

1129 (L) Surfaced.

1200 (L) Latitude 20° - 42' N., Longitude 171° - 15' E.

28 August 1945.
0215 (L) Avoided several friendly SJ ship contacts.

1200 (L) Latitude 20° - 46' N., Longitude 177° - 56' E.

28 August 1945.
1200 (Y) Latitude 20° - 41' N., Longitude 175° - 44' W.

29 August 1945.
0608 (Y) Dived for practice torpedo approach on SPIKEFISH.

0635 (Y) Surfaced.

-27A-

— page 232 —
Report of Sixth War Patrol

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

(C) WEATHER.
passed up the [UNCLEAR]
and the East China Sea
the seas extremely [UNCLEAR: rough]

on the edge of a typhoon
the area south of HONSHU
good at all times and

(D) TIDAL INFLUENCE.
[UNCLEAR] knot and [UNCLEAR]
west of FUJI
SUBSERVI[UNCLEAR]

a Sea a drift of .8 of a knot
expected. In the vicinity
the current was due north and in the

(E) NAVIGATION.
the East China Sea area.

— page 233 —
(F) SHIP CONTACTS
No. | Time | Date | Latitude | Longitude | Type | Initial Range & Speed | Est. Course | Tonnage | How Contacted | Remarks
1 | 0540(I) | 7-26-45 | 33°-47'N | 126°-50'E | Two Masted Schooner | 6,000 yds. 2 knots | 310°(T) | 50 | Periscope | Gun Attack #2
2 | 0541(I) | 7-26-45 | 33°-47'N | 126°-50'E | Three Masted Junk | 6,000 yds. 2 knots | 080°(T) | 120 | Periscope | Gun Attack #2
3 | 1038(I) | 7-26-45 | 33°-59'N | 126°-54'E | Two Masted Junk | 7,000 yds. 2 knots | 080°(T) | 20 | Periscope | Gun Attack #2
4 | 1846(I) | 7-26-45 | 32°-01'N | 129°-02'E | Two Masted Junk | 12,000 yds. 2 knots | 080°(T) | 80 | Periscope High | Gun Attack #5
5 | 0724(I) | 8-11-45 | 32°-46'N | 128°-44'E | Sea Truck | 8,000 yds. 5 knots | 170°(T) | 100 | Periscope | Gun Attack #6
6 | 1105(I) | 8-11-45 | 33°-58'N | 126°-41'E | Two Masted Junk | 8,000 yds. 2 knots | 030°(T) | 25 | Lookout | Gun Attack #6
7 | 1839(I) | 8-13-45 | 34°-05'N | 126°-36'E | Two Masted Junk | 9,000 yds. 2 knots | 080°(T) | 80 | Periscope | Gun Attack #7
8 | 1840(I) | 8-13-45 | 34°-05'N | 126°-36'E | Three Masted Junk | 9,000 yds. 2 knots | 080°(T) | 60 | Periscope | Gun Attack #7
9 | 2131(I) | 8-13-45 | 33°-48'N | 126°-50'E | Two Masted Junk | 8,400 yds. 2 knots | 030°(T) | 150 | SJ Radar | Gun Attack #7

— page 237 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET             Report of Sixth War Patrol

— page 241 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                               U.S.S. POMFRET        Report of Sixth War Patrol

APR CONTACTS CONTINUED.

DATE        POSITION        FREQ. PPS.   PW.        REMARKS
7-23-45     31°-30' N.      159   900    6 ms.      Steady, strong, keyed aircraft
            129°-05' E.                               radar.
7-23-45     31°-30' N.      158   400    7 ms.      Strong sweeping -
            129°-15' E.                               KOSHIKI RETTO.
7-24-45     30°-50' N.      157   400    4 ms.      Strong - keyed -
            129°-10' E.                               KUSAKAKI RETTO.
7-25-45     31°-10' N.      160   400    12 ms.     Weak, sweeping -
            129°-00' E.                               DANJO GUNTO.
7-25-45     31°-10' N.      98    300-600 5-14 ms.   Steady strong.
            129°-00' E.
7-26-45     33°-50' N.      179   200    4 ms.      Dove for SD contact
            129°-00' E.
7-26-45     33°-50' N.      176   400    8 ms.      Weak and sweeping.
            129°-00' E.
7-30-45     32°-10' N.      160-161 400    7 ms.      AMAKUSA SHIMO SHIMA.
            129°-50' E.
8-2-45      31°-45' N.      104   400    21 ms.
            129°-20' E.
8-2-45      31°-45' N.      159   400    8 ms.      Both very weak.
            129°-20' E.
8-6-45      32°-19' N.      150   800    5 ms.      Steady keyed -
            127°-13' E.                               Possible Jap plane.
8-6-45      33°-30' N.      151-159 900    8 ms.      Very strong keyed -
            127°-50' E.                               Possibly Jap plane.
8-7-45      32°-35' N.      195   400    25 ms.     FUKAE SHIMA.
            128°-35' E.
8-14-45     33°-47' N.      153   400    7 ms.      Weak and sweeping.
            127°-45' E.
8-15-45     33°-50' N.      160   400    5 ms.      Weak and sweeping.
            127°-40' E.

(V) REMARKS.

        Our tour of lifeguard duty in the National League was brief and
was without incident. There was some question in our minds as to whether it
was desired that we remain on the surface during all raids even when we were
omitted from the list of submarines assigned stations for the strike. We were
not sure whether or not the planes made any use of the lifeguarding submarine
as navigational beacons and whether or not we would be confusing the issue by
staying on the surface.

        Once the OKINAWA ASR unit got to functioning after the Texas League
was established we had little difficulty. During the early days of the league's
existence we got inadequate notice of strikes. Throughout the patrol we found
that OKINAWA apparently assumed that we would never had to dive since lifeguard
messages were rarely sent out more than once. We either missed many of them or
else there were many strikes that no notice was sent out on. In general the
supposed air cover from OKINAWA was non-existent. On only one occasion did the
air cover remain in our immediate vicinity throughout the duration of the strike.
We were bothered considerably by planes that we knew or believed to be friendly.

                                                    -37-

— page 242 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L U.S.S. POMFRET Report of Sixth War Patr...
who adopted a most menacing behavior toward us. The etiquette of many of the
planes was exemplary and it was a pleasure to encounter that type of search
plane.

If submarines are to continue to do lifeguard duty it is recommended
that they carry the five man rubber life rafts as used by the B-25's rather than
the three man size since the latter is too small for proper handling of stretcher
cases when transfer at sea becomes necessary. If submarines are going to life-
guard in areas where there is very little likelihood of finding targets worth a
torpedo fire, it is further suggested that four less torpedoes be carried in the
forward torpedo room so that the racks can be utilized as bunk space for re-
covered aviators. A submarine with one or two B-29 crews on board is indeed
hard pressed to provide adequate sleeping facilities. One torpedo rack when
provided with some form of mattress will provide a reasonably comfortable bunk
for two men.

-38-

— page 243 —
FB5-44/A16-3 SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY-FOUR

Serial: N-0112 Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L 2 September 1945.

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS POMFRET (SS391) Report
of Sixth War Patrol.

From: The Administrative Commander Submarine Division FORTY-FOUR.
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. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Sixth War Patrol.

1. The Sixth war patrol of the POMFRET, under the command of
Commander J.B. HESS, U.S. Navy, was conducted in areas south of HONSHU and
east of KYUSHU. This patrol was of sixth (60) days duration, thirty-two of
which were spent on station.

2. The primary mission of this patrol was lifeguard duty and
offensive patrol. The period 15 to 20 July was spent on lifeguard station
south of HONSHU and proved to be uneventful. On 21 July POMFRET arrived on
assigned station in the East China Sea for offensive patrol and on 23 July
assumed duties as coordinator of patrol areas assigned POMFRET, SPIKEFISH
and BLACKFISH. From 27 July to 12 August POMFRET rendered lifeguard services
of rescuing five U.S. Army personnel, the crew of a B-25 which had made a crash
landing in her vicinity. No other opportunity arose for POMFRET to rescue
aviation personnel although she conducted a search on 1 - 2 August, without
result, for a plane reported in trouble in her area. A survivor in a life raft
was reported to her on 11 August, but he was picked up by one of our planes.
The period from 13 August until departure from area was spent on offensive
patrol.

3. Gun Attack #1: On 24 July POMFRET assisted in creating a
diversion for POGY and SENNET by bombarding KUSAKAKI lighthouse
and radio and radar station. Several 5 inch hits were scored
in the target area.
Gun Attack #4: On 7 August she created another diversion by
bombarding a radar station near OSE SAKI on FUKAYE SHIMA.
Seven or eight good 5 inch hits were obtained on the buildings
and radar antennae.

4. POMFRET also conducted five gun attacks on small craft:
Gun Attack #2: On 26 July 1945 a small three masted junk,
estimated 120 tons, disintegrated after four (4) five inch and
numerous 40 MM hits.

- 1 -

— page 245 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON TEN 11/jhc
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California.
5 September 1945.

FC5-10/A16-3
Serial: ( 0283 )

CONFIDENTIAL

SENCOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS391)
Report of War Patrol
Number Six.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron TEN.
To : 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. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of War Patrol
Number Six.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the
Commander Submarine Division FORTY-FOUR.

2. The Squadron Commander takes pleasure in con-
gratulating the Commanding Officer, officers and crew of the
U.S.S. POMFRET on the successful completion of this aggres-
sive Patrol, the sixth and the last one for the POMFRET.

3. It is recommended that the U.S.S. POMFRET be
credited with the following:

SUNK

1 - Misc. (Junk) (EC) 120 tons
1 - Misc (Schooner) (EC) 50 tons
1 - Misc (Junk) (EC) 80 tons
1 - Misc (Sea truck) (EC) 100 tons
1 - Misc (Junk) (EC) 150 tons
Total Sunk 500 tons

[SIGNATURE: ggPeterson]
G. E. PETERSON

— page 246 —
F12-10(A)/A16-3(18)
Serial 02391
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
POMFRET Report of
Sixth War Patrol

COMBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 894
U.S.S. POMFRET - SIXTH 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. POMFRET (SS391) - Report of Sixth War Patrol
(2 July to 31 August 1945).

1. The sixth war patrol of the U.S.S. POMFRET, under the command
of Commander J. B. Hess, U.S. Navy, was conducted in the Tempo Shoto Islands
area, in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. The mission of this patrol
was mainly lifeguard duty. While the POMFRET was operating in the East China
and Yellow Sea her commanding officer acted as coordinator of the submarine
patrolling in those areas.

2. Although POMFRET covered her areas thoroughly and resorted to
inshore patrolling when time was available from lifeguard station, no targets
worthy of torpedo fire were sighted. The POMFRET rescued all five members
of the crew of a B-25 which was forced to ditch within a few miles of her position.
The POMFRET used her guns to sink five small schooners or junks, to sink or
explode forty-four of about fifty-one floating mines which she sighted and also
in two very effective shore bombardments to create diversions for other sub-
marines conducting a special mission. The POMFRET recovered a total of thirty
prisoners from small craft which she sank.

3. Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol is authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratulates the
commanding officer, officers, and crew of the POMFRET for their efficient per-
formance of lifeguard duties, for the damage inflicted upon the enemy and for
the completion of this very well conducted and successful patrol. The POMFRET
is credited with having inflicted the following damage to the enemy:

SUNK

1 - MIS (Schooner) (EC) | 120 tons (Gun Attack No. 2)
1 - MIS (Schooner) (EC) | 50 tons (Gun Attack No. 3)
1 - MIS (Junk) (EC) | 80 tons (Gun Attack No. 4)
1 - MIS (Sec Truck) (EC) | 100 tons (Gun Attack No. 6)
1 - MIS (Junk) (EC) | 150 tons (Gun Attack No. 7)
TOTAL SUNK | 500 tons

- 1 -
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET

bn
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
26 Sept. 1945.

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

— page 248 —
S391/A12-1
Serial: (210)

U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

22 July 1947

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
[STAMP: R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Chief of Naval Operations.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Division TWELVE.
(2) The Commander Submarine Squadron ONE.
(3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(4) The Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: USS POMFRET, Report of Simulated War Patrol Number One.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart (to ComSubPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the first simulated war patrol of
this vessel, conducted in the CAROLINE ISLANDS, PHILIPPINES, NORTH CHINA
and OKINAWA areas during the period 31 March 1947 to 16 July 1947, is
forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: J. B. HESS]

— page 249 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D

(A) PROLOGUE:

Arrived Pearl Harbor, T. H., upon completion of Phase Two of PACIFIC FLEET
EXERCISE 2-47 on 9 March 1947. Conducted upkeep liberty and recreation
from 9 - 16 March. The period from 17-24 March was devoted to post over-
haul training, five torpedo practices were fired. Received our first
ADMINISTRATIVE INSPECTION, conducted by Commander Submarine Division
TWELVE assisted by U.S.S. QUEENFISH (SS 393) on 25 March 1947. Ready for
sea on 31 March 1947.

(B) NARRATIVE:

OFFICERS

RANK | NAME | FILE NO. | WAR PATROLS
--- | --- | --- | ---
CDR | J. B. HESS | 0078786 | 14
LCDR | T. B. DENEGRE, JR. | 0098103 | 10
LT | J. M. NAYLOR | 0165747 | 7
LT | H. J. MORIN | 0334489 | 13
LT | E. R. MARCUS | 0282801 | 4
LTJG | J. E. PEARCE | 0389903 | 2
LTJG | R. L. JORDAN | 0389704 | 0
LTJG | R. E. JOHNSON | 0443738 | 4

ENLISTED PERSONNEL

NAME | RATE | SERVICE NO. | WAR PATROLS
--- | --- | --- | ---
ALLEN, Frank D. | F2 | 308 04 49 | 0
ANDERSEN, Alfred A. | C.M | 321 68 22 | 7
BAILEY, Louis G., Jr. | EM3 | 202 33 45 | 0
BARLOW, Charles W. | CQM | 258 34 57 | 10
BIRCH, Edward A. | F1 | 660 22 64 | 5
BOGARD, Clinton V. | S1 | 570 97 69 | 0
BOYLE, Philip J. | F1 | 808 92 66 | 0
BRAKE, Everett H. | MOMM1 | 381 62 53 | 6
BRAND, Walter H. | F1 | 239 02 33 | 0
BROWN, Charles E. | SC1 | 321 59 01 | 6
BRUCE, Verner (n), Jr. | EM1 | 346 99 33 | 11
BURRUCKER, Edward F. | MOMM2 | 202 53 29 | 0

- 1 -

— page 250 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

ENLISTED PERSONNEL

COLSTON, Samuel W.         ST2     921 32 13     4
COLE, Robert J.            MOMM2   321 75 99     7
CONLIN, Dennard L.         F1      784 92 92     0
COOPER, Willis "B"         S2      954 20 46     0
DERR, Noble A.             ST2     935 67 99     3
ENTLER, Frank A., Jr.      SM2     342 77 52     0
EDWARDS, George R.         ST2     263 69 44     0
F.L.RDE.U, Robert E.       MOMM2   245 71 65     2
FENDER, Warren W.          TM2     301 03 00     0
FLANAGAN, Richard V.       F1      247 81 52     0
FORD, William M.           TM1     258 09 07     8
FOURNIER, Nelson C.        RM1     207 36 99     1
FREDRICKSON, Harold W.     F1      566 48 35     0
GAGNEAUX, Paul R.          ETM3    275 09 72     0
GERMIN, Carlton R.         S1      751 83 12     0
GREEN, Robert Earle        S1      968 57 48     0
GUILLOTTE, George L.       Y2      212 63 20     0
HALSTEAD, Edwin C.         CMCM    680 03 33     0
HAMILTON, Robert R.        CM3     358 64 21     0
HAMILTON, William R.       S1      358 64 22     0
HIMMER, Howard W.          FCS2    329 05 63     0
HAWKEY, Robert J.          TM1     329 17 06     6
HOFFMAN, Albert G.         F1      566 23 45     0
HOWIE, Robert C.           MOMM1   262 98 38     6
IRVIN, Gordon S.           S1      296 26 60     0
JENSEN, Dana C.            CMCM    328 68 27     12
JOHNSON, Marvin J.         MOMM2   329 22 33     5
JONES, George H.           S2      755 44 18     0
KASSEL, Herbert (n)        S1      759 30 22     0
KIRKHUFF, Robert G.        S2      381 95 94     1
KOBERSTEIN, Daniel A.      CS      385 54 84     0
KOLLAR, Peter P. J.        CM3     283 82 92     7
LARSEN, Niels L., Jr.      MOMM1   277 35 18     0
LARSON, Albert W.          S1      301 41 01     0
LONGWORTH, William G.      MOMM3   382 97 47     3
MOULTON, "H" "J"           QM2     670 61 15     7
NUNEZ, Lawrence (n)        MOMM2   618 54 40     6
OTT, John H.               RM1     250 44 75     2
PERRY, Donald G.           G.M.1   243 71 48     14
POOL, Jack H.              TM2     383 16 18     1
POWELL, Kenneth R          S       379 21 90     0
R.Y, Walton L              BKR3    264 31 18     0
REDDY, Horace H.           CEM     201 22 23     9

- 2 -

— page 251 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D

(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

ENLISTED PERSONNEL

ROBINSON, Robert L. | F1 | 379 18 61 | 0
ROSE, William H. | F2 | 294 47 46 | 0
SALVESON, Robert J. | MO.M2 | 329 30 46 | 1
SCHMIDT, Edwin (n) Jr. | EQ | 300 94 51 | 1
SEVERANCE, Robert A. | CTM | 316 51 13 | 10
SKLENAR, Francis T. | F1 | 224 59 46 | 6
SLACK, Carey S. | S2 | 798 11 37 | 0
SMITH, Warren H | S2 | 567 86 53 | 0
STEPHENSON, Raymond R. | TM3 | 250 85 67 | 2
TROSPER, Elmer E. | TM1 | 287 37 99 | 8
TURNER, Walter L. | CHOMM | 321 59 19 | 13
VASTARDIS, Louis G. | QM | 817 34 79 | 6
WALSH, Robert T. | RM2 | 942 05 84 | 0
WAMSER, John A. | S1 | 294 56 42 | 0
WESTFALL, Ellsworth C. | CTM | 279 33 78 | 9
WOOD, Paul Wilf | CPHM | 346 75 94 | 6
WREDE, Robert A. | S1 | 566 99 27 | 0

31 March 1947

1400 WX Departed Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. for first simulated war
         patrol in accordance with Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet
         Operation Order 7-47. Set all clocks back one half hour to zone
         plus eleven time.

1410 X Passed Pearl Harbor sea buoys abeam. Transmitted POMFRET serial one.
         Set great circle course for MAJURO. Steering course 248°(t) at two
         engine speed.

1921 X We have an average 12.5 knots in order to be off MAJURO at dawn on
         the eighth. Desire to get two all day dives in prior to then so went
         to three engine speed.

1 April 1947

0610 X Dived for trim and training.

0639 X Surfaced.

0905 X8 Sighted floating horned type mine.

0942 X Sank mine by .50 caliber and 40MM fire in position Latitude 19° - 48'
         North Longitude 161° - 44' West.

- 3 -

— page 252 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

1145 X SV and sight contact on transport plane bearing 338°(t), 18,000
          yards. Plane passed by at that range apparently enroute from
          JOHNSTON Island to Pearl Harbor (Aircraft contact no. 1).

1200 X Latitude 19° - 39' North Longitude 162° - 14' West.

1717 X SV plane contact at 300°(t), 38 miles. Held contact for four minutes
          and lost it on bearing 020°(t). (Aircraft contact no. 2)

2 April 1947

0620 X SV plane contact 310°(t), 25,000 yards.

0622 X Sighted plane, submerged.

0634 X Surfaced.

0649 X SV plane contact 250°(t), 20,000 yards. Identified as PB4Y heading
          NNW.

1104 X SV plane contact 343°(t), 18,000 yards opening out.

1200 X Latitude 17° - 39' North Longitude 168° - 20' West.

3 April 1947

0603 X Submerged for all day dive. Conducted high speed and hovering exer-
          cises.

1200 X Latitude 15° - 32' North Longitude 172° - 01' West.

1816 X Surfaced. Set two engine speed.

1930 X Set clocks back one hour to zone plus twelve time.

4 April 1947

1200 Y Latitude 13° - 15' North Longitude 177° - 53' West.

1330 Y Conducted .50 caliber instruction and firing.

2002 Y Submerged for trim and training.

2023 Y Surfaced.

6 April 1947

                                                              - 4 -

— page 253 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

6 April 1947
0000 M Changed time from plus twelve to minus twelve thus skipping 5 April.
1200 M Latitude 10° - 36' North Longitude 177° - 02' East.
1530 M Dived for trim and training. Went deep for BT card. Made this daily
        practice wherever depth of water permitted.
1630 M Surfaced.

7 April 1947
0624 M Submerged for all day dive. Exercised at hovering, high speeds and
        emergency drills.
0810 M Swung ship for magnetic compass compensation and calibration.
1200 M Latitude 08° - 31' North Longitude 173° - 15' East.
1833 M Surfaced. We have had a solid overcast for two days and the wind, sea
        and rain are all heavy. Conditions very unfavorable for our scheduled
        photographic reconnaissance of MAJURO tomorrow. Transmitted FOFR
        serial two six to ComSubPac stating that unless otherwise directed
        would photograph EBON ATOLL on ninth, weather permitting, instead of
        MAJURO.

8 April 1947
0300 M Seas very heavy and sky still completely overcast. Consider these
        very poor conditions for photographing a lee shore. Passed 27 miles
        north of MAJURO.
1100 M Set all clocks back one hour to zone minus eleven time.
1144 L Sighted JALUIT ISLAND bearing 220°(t).
1200 L Latitude 06° - 00' North Longitude 169° - 53' East.
1240 L Closed east coast of JALUIT ISLAND to simulate picking up simulated
        coast watcher. Observed several gutted buildings, radio towers with
        their antennas down, radar masts, etc., but saw no sign of human life.
        More details are included in the Navigation section of this report.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

8 April 1947 (Continued)

1335 L Simulated enemy plane contact. Submerged. Commenced pulling clear
          to the south.

1800 L Surfaced. Set course for EBON ATOLL.

2350 L Radar contact on EBON ATOLL at 18 mil s.

9 April 1947

0153 L Made PPI sketch (SS Radar) of EBON ATOLL from the north side. Range
          to the reef 4,500 yards. Tried taking photographs of the PPI Scope.

0503 L Conditions are definitely not very favorable for periscope photography,
          but decided to take the chance anyway. Dove and commenced closing the
          north east corner of the atoll.

0856 L After having been held up some time because of rain squalls, commenced
          photographic run. The northern most island on the east side as shown
          by HO Chart 5429 is not visible and apparently has been washed away.
          Observed a few thatched shacks on the lagoon side of the main island
          and one lateen rigged canoe inside of the lagoon.

1200 L Latitude 04° - 36' North, Longitude 168° - 46' East.

1323 L Secured the photographic party after having taken 6 rolls of film.
          Rain squalls have again blown in and the sky has again become overcast.
          Most of the last roll was taken in poor light conditions. This photo-
          graphic reconnaissance is covered by a separate report.

1500 L Conducted high speed drills.

1750 L Surfaced. Set course for KAPINGAMARANGI ATOLL.

10 April 1947

0537 L Dove for trim and training.

0557 L Surfaced.

0855 L Held man overboard drill and conducted small arms instruction and firing
          for all topside port watch standers.

                                                              - 6 -

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(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
1054 L Submerged for training.
1118 L Surfaced.
1121 L Held collision drill.
1200 L Latitude 03° - 34' North Longitude 164° - 45' East.
1453 L Submerged for training.
1507 L Surfaced.
11 April 1947
0816 L Held collision drill.
0825 L Simulated steering casualty, shifted steering to emergency in control
       room.
0846 L Dove for simulated plane contact.
0900 L Simulated collision in the conning tower.
0909 L Simulated loss of all main power.
0942 L Surfaced.
1200 L Latitude 02° - 15' North Longitude 159° - 08' East.
1530 L Held maneuvering drill.
1548 L Conducted man overboard drills.
1655 L Dived for training.
1703 L Held submerged maneuvering drills. Diving officer maintained good
       control while backing for ten minutes.
1715 L Surfaced.
1716 L Submerged for simulated plane contact.
1719 L Surfaced.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE : (Continued)

12 April 1947
0613 L Submerged for all day dive. Conducted usual high speed, hovering
           and submerged loom exercises.
1200 L Latitude 01° - 29' North Longitude 155° - 54' East.
1430 L Set all clocks back one hour to zone minus ten time.
1734 K Surfaced.
2302 K SS radar contact on KAPINGAMARANGI ATOLL bearing 240°(t), 33,000
           yards.

13 April 1947
0544 K Submerged for trim and training.
0620 K Surfaced. Commenced closing the eastern side of the reef.
0745 K Having closed the reef to 1200 yards and observed much native activity,
           headed down for the small boat passage at the southern end of the reef.
0840 K Lying to about 800 yards off the small boat passage. Ten canoes under
           full sail standing out from the northern section of the islands. We
           flooded down forward to facilitate the canoes coming alongside.
0935 K The first canoe came alongside with the number two king of the island
           and a native interpreter. The interpreter was pretty good and although
           we had occasional linguistic difficulties we always managed to reach
           a mutual understanding eventually. There was much exchanging of pre-
           sents between the king, the interpreter and myself.
           The executive officer won the toss to see who would go ashore so he,
           four other officers and about 35 men went ashore in the canoes with
           the approval of the number two king. Twenty natives stayed aboard to
           barter. The items most desired by the natives were dyeing inks, mat-
           tress covers, sheets, cigarettes and fish hooks. I had given the king
           a flashlight with extra batteries, a cigarette lighter with several
           cans of fluid and some cigarettes. Finally gave him a little flour,
           coffee, sugar and salt (items which are also apparently much in demand).
           The old native "missionary", Mr. Henry, came aboard and finally found
           an extra bible amongst the crew. Gave him a little flour, etc., also.
           He was wearing long Khaki trousers, no shoes, a pin stripe shirt, a

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(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

13 April 1947 (Continued)

battered felt hat, spectacles with one lens missing and a black tie he
had received from Otis Cole during the Cabezon's visit several months
ago. At his request I gave him a tie clasp. His command of the Eng-
lish language was very meager indeed. He was a very humorous old
gent but seemed to be held in very high regard by the rest of the
natives. The crew got along famously with the natives both ashore
and afloat and greatly enjoyed the visit.

1200 K Latitude 00° - 57' North Longitude 154° - 50' East.

We had a typical tropical cloudburst during the afternoon so we put
the 20 natives in the forward torpedo room to keep them from being
drowned. I stayed on the bridge and the number two king, seeing that
the captain was staying topside, proudly put on his slicker and
stayed topside too. Eventually I took the King, Mr. Henry and the
interpreter through the boat although I do not think they understood
much about it. Half a dozen natives spent some time crawling around
the propellor guards trying to see what it was that made the ship go.

The executive officer and third officer called on the number one king,
King David, while ashore and had a little lunch with him. They re-
ported the island to be extremely clean and well kept. There were 3
or 4 Japanese float planes on the island that had been only partially
stripped. The natives wanted a hack saw but we did not have one to
spare. Gave them 4 blades.

One of the "natives" is definitely a Jap. He was racially different in
appearance, wore glasses, had a Japanese field cap on and had the ris-
ing sun tattooed on his chest. I do not think he is doing any harm and
he seems to be accepted by the natives.

One of the canoes carrying our liberty party ashore swamped crossing
the reef and swamped again late in the afternoon on the way out.
Another canoe bringing our liberty party back capsized under full
sail while crossing the reef. Several people got thoroughly soaked
but nobody was hurt.

We brought a dishpan full of roast chicken and a couple of buckets of
drinking water topside for the natives lunch and the way they put
that navy chicken away was something to behold.

The interpreter was very anxious for me to understand how much better
they had been treated since the Americans had been dealing with them

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
13 April 1947 (Continued)

than they had been before under the Japs. I am sure that we boosted
the cause of American diplomacy. Everyone enjoyed themself and there
was not a single unpleasant incident. We ended up with more "life-
boats" than any other ship in the navy since by actual count we left
with 66 model native canoes on board.

1800 K Took our departure from KAPINGAMARANGI ATOLL. Requested modifiction
of our schedule to include one day at JOLO and one day at ZAMBOANGA, in-
stead of two days at JOLO.

14 April 1947

0602 K Submerged.
0640 K Surfaced.
0900 K Held maneuvering and casualty drills.
1200 K Latitude 00° - 33' North Longitude 150° - 21' East.
1900 K Suppressed small uprising by polywogs.

15 April 1947

0630 K Dived.
0645 K Surfaced.
0920 K Davy Jones came aboard.
0927 K His Royal Highness King Neptune, Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal
Court came aboard.
0928 K Crossed the equator, proceeded with the ceremony of initiating the
lowly polywogs.
1153 K All polywogs having been duly accepted into the fold, King Neptune
and his party left the ship. Set course for JOLO at two engine speed.
Received approval from ComSubPac on our requested change in schedule.
1200 K Latitude 00° - 00' Longitude 144° - 56' East.
1325 K Submerged.
1330 K Surfaced.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE (Continued)

16 April 1947
0620 K Dived for all day submerged patrol. Conducted hovering, high speed
        and submerged also exercises and emergency and casualty drills.
0730 K Set all clocks back one hour to zone minus nine time.
1200 I Latitude 01° - 07' North Longitude 140° - 18' East
1730 I Surfaced.

17 April 1947
0530 I Submerged.
0601 I Surfaced.
0815 I Commenced holding maneuvering, man overboard and other emergency
        drills intermittently through out the day.
1100 I Submerged.
1105 I Surfaced.
1200 I Latitude 02° - 17' North Longitude 136° - 08' East.
1300 I Dived.
1342 I Surfaced.

18 April 1947
0550 I Submerged for all day dive. Conducted the usual submerged exercises.
        Maintained a periscope patrol going deep between observations.
1200 I Latitude 03° - 34' North Longitude 132° - 20' East.
1755 I Surfaced.

19 April 1947
0629 I Submerged.
0704 I Surfaced.

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B-Z-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(b) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

19 April 1947 (Continued)

0945 I Set all clocks back one hour to zone minus eight. Conducted maneuver-
        ing and emergency drills throughout the day.

1003 H Dived.

1004 H Surfaced.

1005 H Dived.

1014 H Surfaced.

1200 H Latitude 04° - 28' North Longitude 128° - 54' East.

1445 H Submerged.

1456 H Surfaced.

1850 H Radar contact on MIRAMPIT ISLAND bearing 252°(t), 74,400 yards.

20 April 1947

0516 H Submerged for sail sighted bearing 210°(t), 10,000 yards.

0529 H Surfaced and closed MORO sailing vinta for inspection. Decided natives
        were not enemy.

0543 H Simulated receiving report of friendly aviator down in entrance to
        SARANGANI BAY. Headed north to investigate. Mounted DU loop equipmont
        on bridge and tested it out.

0900 H After thoroughly reconnoitering the entrance of the bay without locating
        the simulated aviator, set course for JOLO. Sighted converted LCM
        plying its trade along the coast.

1115 H Sighted small ship bearing 263°(t), 16,000 yards. Manouvered to keep
        range open. After careful examination of contact through high scope
        decided he was suitable gun target. Closed target (a converted LSM)
        manning the guns in order to avoid any
        international incident. Target was flying the flag of the Republic
        of the Philippines (Ship contact no. 1). Exchanged waves and went
        on our way.

1200 H Latitude 05° - 44' North Longitude 124° - 29' East.

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(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
20 April 1947 (Continued)
1415 H Submerged for simulated plano contact.
1441 H Surfaced.
2123 H SS radar contact on BASILAN ISLAND bearing 334° (t), 125,000 yards.

21 April 1947
0450 H Passing through island chain south east of JOLO.
0555 H Submerged.
0651 H Surfaced.
0748 H Moored starboard side to the government pier at JOLO, JOLO, P.I. The
    commanding officer called immediately on Lt. Colonel DELGADO, the
    military police commander for the island. He placed a jeep at our
    disposal and was extremely pleasant. Called on the Collector of Cus-
    toms and obtained permission to remain alongside the wharf. JOLO is
    a very small walled town and apparently every christian on the island
    remains inside JOLO's walls. Everyone found the place interesting,
    but I do not consider it suitable for more than a daylight stop. The
    military were very courteous and hospitable. Two other officers and
    myself lunched at the home of the dental officer Lt. GABOR, and there
    were other international get togethers at the local hotel.

    Constant war is being waged with the MOROS outside the city's walls.
    This of course has gone on for many years but the situation is part-
    icularly ticklish now since all the MORO tribesmen obtained fire arms
    and ammunition during the war. We were told by some of the junior
    officers that any display of force such as the visit of a warship is
    of psychological help to them in their dealings with the MOROS. The
    local high school defeated our softball team 7-4.

1821 H Underway for ZAMBOANGA.
2025 H SS radar contact on WEST BOLL ISLAND bearing 064°(t), 30,800 yards.
2053 H SS radar showed a strait line contact normal to our course and 1,100
    yards distant. Contact proved to be a tide rip. Navigation in these
    waters is very tricky and would be a nightmare at night without radar.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

21 April 1947 (Continued)
2330 H Passed through the island chain off the north east coast of JOLO.

22 April 1947
0530 H Submerged for sea truck contact bearing 093°(t), 14,000 yards.

0605 H Sea truck has closed to 5,000 yards. Surfaced and mounted colors.
(Ship contact no. 2)

0827 H Sighted the first of several small ships in the vicinity of ZAMBOANGA
harbor.

0924 H All the deep water dock space is occupied so anchored 300 yards off
the center of the dock. The executive officer went ashore in a
native banca and called on the collector of customs to check on the
dock situation. The collector obligingly moved two small ships around
to the shallow dock section to make room for us.

1017 H Underway shifting berths.

1022 H The military police commandant Captain Cresencio J. CANTOY came aboard
from a small outboard motor boat.

1033 H Moored starboard side to the government wharf at ZAMBOANGA, MINDANAO.
P.I. CAPTAIN CANTOY took the executive officer and myself all over
town in his jeep and for a quick ride through the park areas above
town. There has been considerable war damage both here and at JOLO
and practically all the buildings are temporary structures or bomb
gutted buildings which have been temporarily repaired. The crew
found ZAMBOANGA very interesting and all hands enjoyed our short stop
here. Some of the PHILIPPINE officials in either JOLO or ZAMBOANGA
had been informed of our scheduled visit but they all seemed very
interested and pleased at our having called. We sent a shore patrol
ashore in ZAMBOANGA. They rode around with the Philippine military
police. The military police also loaned us three men to assist in
keeping the peddlers off the dock. We had had a hopeless time
trying to keep the children and peddlers off the topside in JOLO but
had no trouble at all here.

We obtained several items of fresh fruits and vegetables here which
provided a very welcome change in diet.

1731 H Underway for SUBIC BAY. Reported to Commander Submarine Base Subic
Bay for duty and services to Fleet Air Wing TEN.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

23 April 1947

0535 H Sighted small sailing vessel bearing 305°(t), 10,000 yards. Avoided
          on the surface.

0616 H Sighted small sailing vessel bearing 040°(t), 12,000 yards, avoided on
          the surface.

0812 H Sighted small merchantman bearing 055°(t), range 25,000 yards. Stationed
          radar tracking party. (Ship contact no. 3)

0840 H Ship on opposite divergent course. Lost contact and secured tracking
          party.

0927 H Sighted large freighter 067°(t), 27,000 yards. Stationed tracking
          party. (Ship contact no. 4)

0950 H Submerged.

1025 H Surfaced. Ship is out of sight.

1028 H Sighted SOMBRERO ROCK bearing 303°(t), 17,000 yards.

1106 H Sighted tops of freighter bearing 339°(t), 24,000 yards. After taking
          initial avoiding action came back to our original course and stationed
          tracking party. (Ship contact no. 5)

1114 H Passed SS INCHKEITH abeam to starboard 2,500 yards.

1200 H Latitude 10° - 55' North Longitude 121° - 35' East.

1723 H Sighted four masts bearing 335°(t) about 14 miles. Turned away. (Ship
          contact no. 6)

1726 H Submerged.

1756 H After being unable to make contact submerged, surfaced. No contacts.

24 April 1947

0632 H Sight and SV contact on two planes from FLEET AIR WING TEN bearing
          095°(t), 35,000 yards.

0634 H Sight and SV contact on one plane bearing 000°(t), 35,000 yards.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(P) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

29 April 1947

1004 H Underway from Submarine Base, Subic Bay in accordance with instructions
           from the Commander, NOB, Subic Bay.
1040 H Cleared Subic Bay. Set course for Hong Kong.
1200 H Latitude 14° 50' North Longitude 119° 54' East
1515 H Submerged.
1547 H Surfaced.

30 April 1947

0215 H Sight and radar contact on lighted ship bearing 334°(t), 22,000 yards.
           Took avoiding action at flank speed. (Ship contact no. 7)
0220 H Came back to original course and 2 engine speed. Adjusted course to
           reanin out-side of 16,000 yards of target.
1110 H Submerged.
1125 H Surfaced.
1200 H Latitude 18° 59' North Longitude 116° 39' East
1300 H Sighted ship bearing 354°(t), 22,000 yards. Stationed tracking party.
           (Ship contact no. 8) After taking initial avoiding action came back
           to our original course to speal target.
1330 H Passed ship 3,500 yards abeam to starboard.
1814 H Sighted tanker bearing 325°(t), 25,000 yards, angle on the bow 90°
           starboard. (Ship contact no. 9)
1840 H Sight and SS radar contact on ship bearing 314°(t), 29,000 yards. Took
           avoiding action and then came back to our original course. (Ship con-
           tact no. 10)
1915 H Ship passed 7,000 yards abeam to port.

1 May 1947

0250 H SS radar contact on first of many junks.
0312 H Land contact on SS radar bearing 344°(t), 115,400 yards.
0710 H Sighted WANGLIN ISLAND bearing 286°(t), 11,000 yards.

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R-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

1 May 1947 (Continued)
0836 H Entered Hong Kong Harbor.
0902 H Skimmer came alongside and Lieutenant B.F.P. SALBOURNE, RN, came aboard.
0914 H Moored starboard side to HMS AURIGA in nest alongside HMS ADMLNT at
       buoy one, Hong Kong.
1000 H Found that Hong Kong was keeping daylight saving time (minus 10) so
       adjusted clocks accordingly.
       British hospitality during our four day stay certainly left nothing
       to be desired. Captain B. BRYANT, Captain Submarines, invited the
       commanding officer to a small dinner dance party the evening of our
       arrival. The wardroom of H.M.S. ADMLNT gave a party for all officers
       the following night. The commanding officer had lunch with Commodore
       Hong Kong on the second day.

5 May 1947
1128 I Underway for Tsingtao.
1155 I Set all clocks back one hour to zone minus eight time.
1135 H Clear of Hong Kong harbor. Set course up west side of Formosa Strait.
       Reported to COMINVESPAC for duty. The best information obtainable in
       Hong Kong from our own destroyers was that the weekly Sub conference
       was normally held on Friday afternoons. We are not scheduled to arrive
       Tsingtao until late Friday afternoon so increased speed of advance
       (remaining on two engines) so as to arrive in the morning. Decided
       to proceed direct without avoiding ship contacts since the entire route
       is frequented by many hundreds of junks.

1200 H Latitude 22º 15' North Longitude 114º 27' East
1825 H SS radar followed by sight contact on small freighter bearing 007º(t),
       22,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 11)
1850 H Exchanged calls with HAI LIEN.
1932 H SS radar contact bearing 030º(t), 22,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 12)
1955 H SS radar contact bearing 038º(t), 23,700 yards. (Ship contact no. 13)
2035 H SS contact on N.MO. ISLAND bearing 028º(t), 48 miles.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
5 May 1947 (Continued)
2340 H Sighted LAMOCK ISLAND LIGHT bearing 350°(t), 15 miles.
2355 H SS radar contact on ship bearing 030°(t), 26,000 yards. Ship passed
well clear to port. (Ship contact no. 14)

16 May 1947
0545 H Heavy fog set in visibility 500 yards. Slowed to 10 knots on one
engine.
0804 H Visibility greatly improved. Resumed standard speed.
0820 H SS radar contact bearing 034°(t), 24,000 yards. Contact proved to be
small coastal tanker who passed well clear to port. (Ship contact no.
15)
1120 H Sighted lighthouse on OSKSEU ISLAND bearing 345°(t), 22 miles.
1200 H Latitude 24° 44' North Longitude 119° 40' East
1625 H Submerged for trim.
1640 H Surfaced.
2200 H Unusually large number of junk contacts.

17 May 1947
0200 H Received SOS from SS FOOSHING aground. He is over 200 miles astern of
us and is closer to Hong Kong, Swatow, and Amoy than he is to us. De-
cided to continue on to TSINGTAO.
0805 H SS radar contact on YUSHAN LIEHTAO ISLAND bearing 318°(t), 32,700 yards.
0852 H Passed YUSHAN LEIHTAO ISLAND abeam to port at 14 miles.
1200 H Latitude 29° 21' North Longitude 122° 44' East.
1630 H SS radar and sight contact on small engine aft freighter bearing 325°
(t), 24,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 16)
2005 H Submerged for trim.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
7 May 1947 (Continued)

2014 H Surfaced.
2019 H SS radar contact bearing 244°(t), 28,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 17)
2043 H SS radar contact bearing 262°(t), 18,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 18)
2235 H SS radar contact bearing 052°(t), 17,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 19)

8 May 1947
0740 H SS radar contact bearing 229°(t), 21,950 yards. (Ship contact no. 20)
0855 H Submerged for trim and training and to flush out fuel ballast tanks.
         We are well up on our schedule so decided to remain submerged for the
         rest of the day.
1200 H Latitude 33° - 59' North Longitude 122° - 42' East
1753 H Surfaced to guard mandatory fox schedule.
2225 H SS radar contact on ship bearing 268°(t), 32,600 yards. Junks all
         around us. (Ship contact no. 21)
2350 H Ship passed close aboard to starboard.

9 May 1947
0530 H Sighted CHILIEN TO bearing 310°(t), 17 miles.
0815 H Entered TSINGTAO outer harbor.
0916 H Moored alongside USS CARP (SS 338) at the west end of pier 3, Great
         Harbor, TSINGTAO, CHINA. Reported to CTG 71.6 and CTG 71.2 for
         operational control.

         Found that the weekly ASW conference had been discontinued. Commanding
         officer commenced round of calls as follows: ComNavWesPac (Admiral
         Cooke), ComTaskFor 71 (Rear Admiral Kitts), ComServRon 3 (Rear Admiral
         Denebrink and later Commodore Keliner), ComTaskFor 75 (Rear Admiral
         Soucek), ComTaskFor 78 (Rear Admiral Entwistle), ComTaskGroup 71.6

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(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

9 May 1947 (Continued)
    (Captain Clark), ComDesRon 17 (Captain Tedder), and the commanding
    officers ELDORADO, DIXIE, ENRICO, HOOPER ISLAND, HAWKINS, M.C. FOX,
    and other assorted dignitaries.

10 May 1947
    All officers except the duty officer attended a humdinger coctail
    party given by the departing CARP and GREENLET.

11 - 17 May 1947
    Underway at 0600 Monday morning for the first weeks operations.
    Rendered ASW services for WILTSIE and OZBOURN throughout the day.
    Found a 16 degree negative gradient between 30 and 40 feet giving a
    maximum assured range of 600 yards. Spent all day sending up air
    bubbles and smoke bombs. Upon nearing the anchorage detected an un-
    usual noise in the port reduction gear. An examination revealed that
    some of the spray nozzles had clogged and the bronze helical "gear
    driven" which drives the reduction gear lube oil pump was badly worn.
    A careful search revealed that no spare was aboard and disclosed the
    most peculiar and one of the most embarrassing incidents in spare parts
    history. Incidental to the Engineering Officer's taking over the de-
    partment in January of this year a complete inventory of all engineer-
    ing spares had been taken. Both the Engineering Officer and the
    engine room chief motor machinists mate had personally sighted in
    this spare. It developed that early in February while transferring
    all spares from the storeroom to the ship the spare parts king had
    deliberately thrown out the spare gear in question since it looked
    to him as if it had been used. He states that due to the economy
    drive he was afraid to say anything about the gear since it was so
    expensive (about 100 dollars). We promptly had another man take
    over his job.

    Reported the casualty to CTG 71.6 and stated that it would not affect
    our operations except for limiting our maximum speed. ComDesRon 17
    cancelled the remainder of the weeks ASW exercises anyway due to the
    impossible sound conditions and we were directed to return to port
    Tuesday for repairs.

    The JASON assured us that she could manufacture the gear to all spec-
    ifications including the chilled bronze rim but after receiving the

- 21 -

— page 269 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED W.R. PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

11 - 17 May 1947 (Continued)
gear we found it to be made of brass and found there was no bronze
stock of suitable size in the area. The new gear promptley wore down
so we had to reinstall the old one in reverse position and keep our
fingers crossed. We never had any further trouble with it and it did
not interfere with our future operations. The DIXIE sent a dispatch
to Sub Supply Center, Pearl, on 13 May stating that the gear was
urgently needed and requesting that one be shipped air mail. Sub
Supply Center was further requested to advise on shipping date. The
gear was finally shipped from Mare Island on 19 May by U.S. instead
of air mail with the result that it never arrived.

18 - 24 May 1947
The destroyers proved very reluctant to even schedule ASW exercises
since with the existing sonar conditions they got nothing out of the
exercises except a sense of frustration.

Got underway Tuesday morning in a pea soup fog and proceed to the
operating area. After standing by in the close vicinity of the HAWKINS
all afternoon the exercises were finally cancelled since the visibility
was never over 1200 yards.

Anchored in the area Tuesday night.

Spent all Wednesday morning conducting ISE. Held many assorted emer-
gency and casualty drills and training dives. Made three practice
approaches on the HAWKINS in the early afternoon and then furnished
one and a half hours ASW services for HAWKINS with no better results
than last week. Anchored in the area overnight.

On Thursday morning fired three S-2-G practices using BLUEBIRD as
target and recovery ship. These firings are the subject of regular
torpedo reports. Followed BLUEBIRD into port on completion of fir-
ing holding radar tracking drill enroute. Removed sound dome after
return to port.

25 - 31 May 1947
Underway at 0635 Tuesday morning with Task Force 71 operations officer,
LCDR Omar Fitch, USN, riding as an observer. He had taken a weeks
leave when the ST. PAUL left for SHANGHAI in order to observe submarine

- 22 -

— page 270 —
U.S.S. POINFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D

(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

25 - 31 May 1947 (Continued)

operations. Proceeded to the operating area in company with BLUEBIRD,
conducting one hour of radar tracking drill enroute. Made one S-2-G
rehearsal run on BLUEBIRD but haze was so heavy and periscopes fogged
so badly that target was invisible outside of 4,500 yards.

Conducted ISE for the remainder of the day, spending 2 hours and 40
minutes holding man overboard drills alone. LCDR FITCH made one run.
Held battle surface exercise and fired a few rounds of 40 MM and 50
caliber. Anchored for the night at the site of our scheduled salvage
exercise. Transferred LCDR FITCH to the BLUEBIRD for the salvage
exercise.

At 0638 Wednesday morning got underway and at 0710 made stationary
dive with bow down current. Bottomed in 106 feet of water. BLUEBIRD
commenced laying her moor at 0730. Sonar communications were general-
ly good and after releasing forward marker buoy phone communications
were excellent. The first dive started down at 0953. At 1405 the
bell was seated and the forward torpedo room hatch opened. The com-
manding officer rode the bell back up at 1428 to observe operations
from the rescue ship. The BLUEBIRD handled the entire operation
smartly and, except for the divers inability to get the salvage air
hose connected to number seven main ballast due to the heavy current,
everything went off according to schedule. Considerable time was
spent trying to get number seven connected and when it became apparent
that the operation could not be completed prior to dark the BLUEBIRD
pulled clear of her moor and the POINFRET was directed to surface
just at dark, anchored in the vicinity for the night. LCDR FITCH,
the commanding officer and two other POINFRET officers who had been
on the BLUEBIRD all day as observers were returned to the POINFRET.

Thursday forenoon we conducted one S-5-G firing run and one S-7-G
firing run with the BLUEBIRD as target and recovery vessel. No
screens were available. One torpedo from each tube nest was fired
on each run. Upon completion of the firing followed BLUEBIRD back
to port conducting radar tracking enroute. Moored alongside BLUE-
BIRD at pier 3 at 1720. Rendered no ASH services this week.

LCDR FITCH returned to SHINGH.I on Friday accompanied by the executive
officer, LCDR DENEGRE, and LT NAYLOR who went down on a weeks leave.

The commanding officer attended the first of a new series of Friday

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— page 271 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
25 - 31 May 1947 (Continued)

morning operational conferences comprised of the commander of the
operating destroyer division, the commanding officer of the OAKLAND,
the CTG 71.6 operations officer, the commander of the local underway
training unit and the commanding officer of the submarine.

1 - 7 June 1947

Underway for the operating area at 0700 Tuesday morning. Held ISE
throughout the forenoon. Rendered ASW services to BENNER from 1330
to 1420 at which time we were surfaced since sound conditions were
just as hopeless as before. We had been requested to stream a buoy
and fortunately had brought along two aircraft belly tanks painted
yellow for just such a contingency. Even with the buoy they were un-
able to keep track of us. Held emergency and casualty drills the
remainder of the afternoon. Anchored off CHILIEN TO for the night.

Underway at 0705 Wednesday morning. Commenced 2 hour 15 minute ASW
run for BUCKLEY at 0915. Conditions were the same as before and we
spent all morning sending up air bubbles. ASW exercises scheduled
for the afternoon were cancelled and we conducted ISE until time to
anchor for the night.

Underway at 0650 Thursday morning. Had intended to conduct salvage
operations again today but the wind is strong and there is a heavy
chop and swells. After searching most of the forenoon in a fruit-
less attempt to find an area with more favorable conditions, headed
for port thru a rapidly forming fog layer. Moored alongside BLUE-
BIRD at pier 3 at 1415.

On Saturday 7 June the POMFRET was inspected by Vice Admiral KWEI
Deputy Commander in Chief of the Chinese Navy and three officers of
his staff. Admiral COOKE came aboard shortly before Vice Admiral
KWEI, but left as soon as the Chinese admiral arrived. Four star and
Chinese admiral's flags were going up and down on the periscopes with
much dash. Admiral KWEI and his party spent an hour and a half
going through the boat and evinced considerable interest if not a
great deal of comprehension concerning the intricacies of a submarine.
As a result of his visit Vice Admiral KWEI invited the commanding of-
ficer to his dinner party Saturday evening. It was a genuine Chinese
dinner with swallow's nest soup, shark fins, etc., and I found my-
self the junior American representative by at least 15 years.

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— page 272 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

8 - 14 June 1947

Undorway at 0615 Monday morning with Vice Admiral KWEI and two officers
of his staff embarked. We had made arrangements for an excellent
S-3-G search and attack exercise with the OAKLAND as target, the BLUE-
BIRD trailing the OAKLAND as recovery vessel and second ship in the
division, the BENNER and BUCKLEY as surface screens and two planes for
air patrol. Unfortunately the weather kicked up so as to force can-
cellation of the plane flights and make torpedo recovery impracticable.
We had transferred one exercise head from the after torpedo room to
the forward torpedo room so as to have a three torpedo salvo ready.
Proceeded with the exerciso without the planes. Tracked the target
group by SS radar for 15 minutes before diving. Simulated fire at 1100
yards on a ninety port track, gyros near zero. The surface screens
had had two false contacts but did not pick us up either before or
after firing. Went "deep" (90 feet) and rigged for depth charge after
firing. After surfacing made one more trim dive and returned the Ad-
miral to port. Vice Admiral KWEI and party left the ship and POMFRET
returned to the operating area to anchor for the night.

The wind and seas picked up steadily and we dragged about 3 miles
during the night. At 0730 Tuesday morning CTG 71.6 cancelled all
operations and directed ships to return to port at discretion. After
a considerable struggle and a badly bruised chief of the boat, we
finally got our anchor up at 0950 and returned to Tsingtao.

The weather had moderated considerably by Wednesday morning. Under-
way in company with BLUEBIRD at 0815 enroute operating area.

Fired four S-2-G practices during Wednesday afternoon using the BLUE-
BIRD as target and recovery vessel. No screens were available. The
first torpedo failed to run hot, straight and normal run and was lost. The second and third wore
normal for about 2,500 yards and wore hits. The fourth torpedo ran
normal for about 2,500 yards and then came up to a depth of about
ten feet and hit the BLUEBIRD in the after fuel group. The exercise
head was knocked off and sank. The BLUEBIRD hooked a grapnel onto
the torpedo and got it aboard while the propellers were still turning
over, a very smart recovery job. The BLUEBIRD naturally immediately
inspected the depth set dial and found it properly set on 30 feet.
There are more details on torpedo troubles under the MAJOR DEFECTS
and DAMAGE section of this report. The BLUEBIRD suffered no apparent
damage.

After completion of the firing the BLUEBIRD lay to and we went along-
side and took aboard all torpedoes except the one without a head.

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— page 273 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NU. BER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
8 - 14 June 1947 (Continued)

Considered it too dangerous to handle in the swells without a proper
air flask nose piece so postponed taking it back until after our re-
turn to port. Anchored in the area for the night.

Underway at 0745 on Thursday. Made four S-2-C rehearsal runs before
BLUEBIRD had to rendezvous with the patrol squadron planes for their
bombing exercise. Returned to port after completion of runs holding
various drills enroute. Moored alongside DELIVER (ARS 23) at pier 3
at 1547. Rendered no ASW services this week.

The BLUEBIRD reinstalled the sound dome on Friday morning. The dome
was secured in place and the divers clear 4 hours and 10 minutes after
the dome entered the water. The divers inspected our screws and found
that both were slightly nicked, possibly a result of our salvage exer-
cise.

Major General DING, Brigadier General LING, Chinese Army, and Mrs.
LING (all of whom I had met at Admiral KEI's dinner party) went
through the boat Saturday morning. Once again we borrowed the BLUE-
BIRD's boatswain's mate to pipe the side (he is beginning to agitate
for submarine pay). We found to our surprise that unlike the Chinese
Navy the Chinese Army has no personal flags for generals. They use
the national flag as a personal flag so we followed their example.

The ENTEMEDOR (SS 340) arrived during the generals' inspection and
moored outboard in the nest. As soon as the inspection was over we
turned all applicable publications and information over to the
ENTEMEDOR who did then and there relieve us.

15 - 17 June

Upkeep in TSINGTAO.

The staff of ComNavWesPac is fully cognizant of the sound conditions
off TSINGTAO this time of year and is working on plans to conduct ASW
exercises in some other area during the summer months.

18 June 1947

1300 I In accordance with ComTaskFor 71 dispatch 140511Z (Based on ComSubPac
        140324Z and ComNavWesPac 130143Z) POMFRET underway enroute TSINGTAO
        to OKINAWA.

1445 L Passed ComDesDiv 152 in RUPERTUS (DD 851) with LEONARDO F. MASON (DD
        852) and ARNOLD J. ISBELL (DD 869) enroute TSINGTAO. Requested and
        obtained permission to proceed on duty assigned.

- 26 -

— page 274 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

18 June 1947 (Continued)
1945 I SS radar contact on small ship bearing 210°(t), 20,000 yards. (Ship
        contact no. 23)
1955 I Submerged for trim.
2002 I Surfaced.

19 June 1947
0201 I Maneuvered to avoid two small fishing trawlers on our track. Many
        junk contacts.
1200 I Latitude 32° 20' North Longitude 124° 15' East
1420 I Made trim dive.
1434 I Surfaced. Several junk and fishing trawler contacts throughout the
        day and night.

20 June 1947
0240 I Commenced series of tests on one engine to determine fuel consumption,
        shaft rpm and speed at cruising load and full power.
0510 I SS radar contact on ship bearing 110°(t), took evasive action. (Ship
        contact no. 24)
1200 I Latitude 28° - 21' North Longitude 127° - 17' East
1430 I SS radar contact on TORI SHIMA bearing 102°(t), 65,000 yards.
1900 I Completed engineering tests.
2200 I Passed through island chain north of OKINAWA.

21 June 1947
0510 I Dove for trim and training.
0640 I Surfaced.
0750 I Entered BUCKNER BAY, OKINAWA. This is one of the most desolate places
        I have ever seen. The harbor is full of wrecks and there is no sign

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— page 275 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

21 June 1947 (Continued)

          of life in any form. Managed to rise "Operations Okinawa", an army
station, on the voice circuit but he has no way of contacting the
port director who has no radio. We ran all over the south west sec-
tion of the bay but saw nothing but wrecks. Finally headed up to
the northeast section where we found two civilian looking tugs at
anchor. Decided that with complete lack of any information we might
as well anchor and await developments.

0901 I Anchored in northeast section of BUCKNER BAY, OKINAWA. Reported by
          dispatch through OPERATIONS OKINAWA to CTF 75 and CTG 75.3 for duty.
          OPERATIONS OKINAWA had informed us that he was guarding for both
          commands. We had expected to find both the SALISBURY SOUND with
          CTF 75 and the ORCA with CTG 75.3 in OKINAWA on our arrival but
          learned they had left port due to the typhoon warning. Our plot
          shows that the typhoon will pass at least 600 miles west of us so
          decided to stay put.

22 - 27 June 1947

          FECHTELER (DD 870) returned to port from her typhoon evasion run on
          the morning of the 22nd. Learned from her commanding officer that
          the SALISBURY SOUND had left for GUAM and the ORCA for the UNITED
          STATES. The new CTG 75.3 in the GARDINERS BAY is due in from TSINGTAO
          some time soon. Remained at anchor 22nd, 23rd and 24th awaiting the
          GARDINERS BAY. The FECHTELER spent all that time trying to get fuel
          so we could not conduct ASW exercises. GARDINERS BAY stood in and
          moored the afternoon of the 23rd. Commanding officer attended con-
          ference on GARDINERS BAY later in the afternoon. CTG 75.3 had never
          received a copy of our orders from CTF 75, the dispatch substitut-
          in FECHTELER for HIGBEE. FECHTELER was not an addressee on this
          either, the speedletter advising our schedule one day (we never got
          this) nor our reporting for duty message, in fact he didn't know
          anything about us. Apparently all correspondence on our operations
          here had gone to the ORCA.

          Underway at 0600 25 June. Conducted gambit exercises with PRIVATEER
          from YONABARU all day. Returned to port that night, anchoring at
          1812.

          Underway at 0757 26 June. Conducted ASW exercises with FECHTELER
          throughout the day. Streamed towing buoy for the afternoons exer-
          cises. Remained in the area overnight rendering services to the

- 28 -

— page 276 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
22 - 27 June 1947 (Continued)

        PRIVATEERS for illumination runs until 0100. The MARINERS had not
        yet returned from TSINGTAO so we returned to port in accordance with
        instructions from CTG 75.3 during the forenoon of the 27th. The
        commanding officer attended a critique aboard the GARDINERS BAY on
        the evening of the 27th.

28 June 1947
0635 I Underway for ASW exercises.
0754 I After streaming towing buoy, dove for ASW exercises with FECHTELER
        (DD 370) and DUNCAN (DD 874).
1200 I Latitude 26° - 21' North Longitude 128° - 15' East
1227 I Surfaced, recovered towing buoy.
1322 I Submerged for first of 6 ASW runs with MARINERS from OKINAWA sea-
        drome.
1605 I Surfaced from last ASW run. Set course for assigned rendezvous with
        ComDesRon 17 northeast of DANJO GUNTO.
1710 I Commenced engineering tests to determine speed, rpm, and fuel used at
        full power and cruising loads on 3 engines.
1945 I Sighted small ship bearing 030°(t), 13,550 yards.' (Ship contact no.
        25)
2147 I SV plane contact bearing 340°(t), 21,500 yards, opening.

29 June 1947
0110 I Completed engineering tests.
0725 I Dove for all day dive, conducted high speed and hovering exercises
        and casualty drills.
1200 I Latitude 30° - 18' North Longitude 128° - 42' East
1830 I Surfaced to guard mandatory fox.
        Reported to COMN.VFE for temporary duty.

- 29 -

— page 277 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

29 June 1947 (Continued)
2116 I Sighted two lights bearing 325°(t), 20,500 yards. Took avoiding
        action. (Ship contact no. 26)

30 June 1947
0050 I SS radar contact on DANJO GUNTO bearing 318°(t), 36.5 miles.
0617 I At assigned rendezvous.
0625 I Sighted WILTSIE and CHANDLER bearing 013°(t), 18,000 yards. (Ship
        contact no. 27)
0700 I Submerged for ASW run.
1120 I Surfaced.
1200 I Latitude 32° - 15' North Longitude 128° - 54' East
1230 I Submerged for ASW run.
1536 I Surfaced, proceeding in formation to anchorage on east side of FUKAYE
        SHIMA.
1650 I Anchored.

July 1947
0754 I Underway on signal from ComDesRon 17.
0913 I Submerged for ASW run.
1200 I Latitude 32° - 16' North Longitude 128° - 56' East
1223 I Surfaced.
1256 I Submerged for ASW run.
1521 I Surfaced in close proximity to formation of 3 Japanese destroyers and
        5 destroyer escorts. (Ship contact no. 28)
1540 I Released by COMDESRON 17 after transferring DRT traces to CHANDLER
        whaleboat. Passed thru Japanese destroyer - destroyer escort formation
        at flank speed (without embarrassing anyone). Greatly enjoyed the many

- 30 -

— page 278 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

1 July 1947 (Continued)
    dips that were smartly rendered and answered. All units were flying the
    Japanese merchant flag. Set course for YOKOSUKA via VAN DIEMAN STRAITS
    at 2 engine speed.
2330 I SS radar contact bearing 190°(t), 24,600 yards. (Ship contact no. 29)

2 July 1947
0100 I Transitting VAN DIEMAN STRAIT.
0213 I SS radar contact bearing 036°(t), 24,000 yards. (Ship contact no. 30)
0610 I Ship contact #31 bearing 124°(t), 17,800 yards. Avoided.
0825 I Submerged for six hour battery discharge.
1200 I Latitude 32° - 00' North Longitude 133° - 05' East.
1518 I Discharge completed, 105.8 percent capacity.
1521 I Surfaced.
1815 I SS contact on southernmost tip of SHIKOKU bearing 000°(t), 56 miles.
1855 I SS contact on small ship bearing 113°(t), 20,000 yards, avoided.
        (Ship contact #32)
2015 I SS contact bearing 154°(t), 37,000 yards, avoided. (Ship contact #33)

3 July 1947
0110 I Sighted SHIONO MISAKI light bearing 023°(t), 21.5 miles.
0717 I Changed course to close the coast near DAIO SAKI at the entrance to
        NAIGUMA harbor.
0930 I Commenced dodging fishing nets, reconnoitering the coast of HONSHU.
1055 I After passing 3,000 yards off DAIO SAKI set course for YOKOSUKA.
1200 I Latitude 34° - 18' North Longitude 136° - 56' East
1935 I Equalizing charge completed, submerged for trim and sound monitoring

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— page 279 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

B-R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

3 July 1947 (Continued)

               tests. At 300 feet discovered sizeable pinhole leak or crack in
               compensating water line in the control room. Discontinued sound tests.
               Screws are noisy, apparently due to the nicks in them.

2052 I         Surfaced.

2320 I         Visibility reduced to 1,000 yards due to fog.

4 July 1947

0030 I         Entering SAGAMI NADA west of O SHIMA.

0325 I         Commenced lying to in northern section of SAGAMI NADA. awaiting day-
               light and better visibility.

0620 I         Headed for entrance of TOKYO KAIWAN at reduced speed. Visibility
               200 yards, many fishing boat contacts.

0813 I         Entered the narrows, visibility 200 yards, many fishing boat contacts.

1126 I         Picked up Japanese pilot off the YOKOSUKA N.V.L BASE, the visibility
               improved greatly once we were close to the base and we had no difficul-
               ty entering.

1144 I         Moored portside to inside of drydock number five. We found the base
               almost completely deserted since this was a holiday and there was a
               big parade in TOKYO. Finally located a disbursing officer who very
               obligingly changed some of our cash into military script.

5 July 1947

               Commanding officer called on CTG 96.5 (Rear Admiral BLEDSOE) in
               TOKYO. COMNAVFE is in TOKYO. Several officers and men went to TOKYO
               during the day. All Japanese service establishments were off limits and all
               service establishments were army and would not admit naval personnel,
               so unless an officer or man was fortunate enough to strike up an
               acquaintanceship with army personnel who would escort him to a club
               as a guest, there was no way he could get either food or drink in
               TOKYO.

6 July 1947

0825 I         In accordance with sailing orders received from COMNAVFE, underway
               from YOKOSUKA for MIDWAY.

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— page 280 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

6 July 1947 (Continued)

0900 I Passed USAT ADMIRAL SIMS hard aground on number two fort. She had
        hit several days ago while making 16 knots in a heavy fog and her bow
        is entirely out of water.

0920 I Passed KANNON SAKI light abeam to starboard.

0940 I Returned dip of SS RUPERT W. PECKHAM who passed close aboard to star-
        board. This is the first American merchantman that I have seen dip
        in many years. The fact that they could undoubtedly see our signal-
        man standing by our colors may have had something to do with it.

1115 I Passed INUBO SAKI abeam, set great circle course for MIDWAY.

1200 I Latitude 34° - 49' North Longitude 140° - 02' East.

1815 I Commenced engineering tests to determine fuel consumption, rpm and
        speeds on two engines at cruising load and full power.

1845 I Set all clocks ahead one hour to zone minus ten time.

7 July 1947

0715 K Completed engineering tests on two engines.

0822 K Submerged. Have discontinued going deep for BT card until we get the
        compensating line adequately patched. The leak is right at an elbow
        and the normal bands do no good.

0845 K Surfaced.

1025 K SV contact on small tanker bearing 135°(t), 23, 800 yards. Avoided.
        (Shi. contact no. 34)

1200 K Latitude 34° - 55' North Longtitude 147° - 05' East

1209 K Dived.

1215 K Surfaced.

1219 K Commenced equalizing charge for one hour discharge.

8 July 1947

0833 K Dived for one hour test discharge.

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— page 281 —
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)
8 July 1947 (Continued)

0940 K Discharge completed. Obtained 103.5 percent with a temperature rise
          of 36 degrees (from 102° F to 138° F). This is the first discharge I
          remember of that was ever stopped by overall voltage. Upon coming to
          periscope depth sighted merchantman bearing 130°(t), 8,000 yards.
          (Ship contact no. 35)

0945 K Surfaced.

1200 K Latitude 34° - 31' North Longitude 153° - 44' East

2300 K Set all clocks ahead one hour to zone minus eleven time.

9 July 1947

0255 L Completed equalizing charge following one hour discharge.

0906 L Reported to ComSubPac for duty in accordance with CONNAVESPAC 130143 Z
          of June.

1200 L Latitude 33° - 52' North Longitude 159° - 58' East

1306 L Dived.

1311 L Surfaced.

1314 L Dived.

1328 L Surfaced. The improvised copper band around the compensating line
          leak seems to be holding satisfactorily. None of the steel bands in
          the depth charge kit would hold since they did not give to conform
          to the bend in the pipe.

1500 L Commenced twenty four hour engineering run.

10 July 1947

0400 L Submerged pulling 3 hour rate.

0500 L Surfaced.

1200 L Latitude 32° - 47' North Longitude 167° - 18' East

1500 L Completed twenty four hour engineering run, no casualties. Sea had
          been building up steadily and is now force 3 from dead ahead.

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— page 282 —
SAFETY FILM
SAFETY FILM
KODAK
KODAK
U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE: (Continued)

10 July 1947 (Continued)

1640 L Submerged.
1653 L Surfaced.
2245 L Reported to Commander Submarine Squadron ONE for duty in accordance
        with our OpOrder.

11 July 1947

0305 L Set all clocks ahead one hour to zone minus twelve time.
1200 M Latitude 31° - 35' North Longitude 172° - 30' East
        We are now having a little difficulty in maintaining our speed of
        advance due to the head seas.

12 July 1947

1200 M Latitude 29° - 48' North Longitude 177° - 46' East
1940 M Dived.
1955 M Surfaced.

12 July 1947

0000 X At midnight set clocks back twenty three hours to zone plus eleven
        and commenced reliving the twelfth of July.
0410 X SS contact on KURE ISLAND bearing 150°(t), 28 miles.
0728 X SS contact on MIDWAY ISLANDS bearing 114°(t), 29 miles.
0950 X Passed thru channel sea buoys, entered MIDWAY lagoon.
1020 X Moored starboard side to pier two, MIDWAY ISLANDS. Lt. Cdr. Fred
        MORGAN, USN, Commanding Officer, Submarine Base, Midway, met the ship
        and took the commanding officer up to call on Captain WOODS. The
        crew played a double header in softball with the league leading sub-
        marine base team. The submarine base team is undefeated in league
        competition and although we scored more runs off them than any team
        so far we were unable to besmirch their record.
1847 X Underway for Pearl Harbor in accordance with sailing orders from Com-
        SubPac.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(B) NARRATIVE (Continued)

U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

12 July 1947 (Continued)
1910 X Passed the channel sea buoys abeam.
2010 X Commenced fuel consumption vs. rpm and speed engineering runs on two
         main engines.

13 July 1947
0410 X Completed engineering runs.
1200 X Latitude 27° - 50' North Longitude 173° - 12' West.
1828 X Dived.
1840 X Surfaced.

14 July 1947
0000 X Latitude 25° - 39' North Longitude 167° - 10' West.
1231 X Dived.
1241 X Surfaced.
2300 X Set all clocks ahead one hour to zone plus ten time.

15 July 1947
0922 W Submerged. Conducted submerged rehearsal for hand dive.
0945 W Surfaced.
0958 W Made hand dive.
1015 W Surfaced.
1020 W Made hand dive. Commenced sound monitoring tests. Screws are definately
         noisy and can be heard through the hull in the conning tower at 120 rpm
         at 100 feet. At 250 feet the compensating line commenced leaking in a
         steady stream. Secured the sound monitoring tests.
1135 W Surfaced.
1200 W Latitude 23° - 31' North Longitude 161° - 45' West.
1335 W Sighted NIHOA ISLAND, T.H., bearing 213°(t), range 31 miles.
1810 W SV contact on KAUAI ISLAND, bearing 130°(t), 65 miles.

16 July 1947
0700 W Submerged to reconvert #3, #4 and #5 fuel ballast.
0732 W Surfaced.
0854 W Passed channel entrance buoys abeam.
0927 W Moored starboard side to berth S-9 at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

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U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D

(C) WEATHER

Weather conditions encountered during this patrol were moderate.
One days operations was lost off Tsingtao on 10 June due to a small
typhoon which passed off the China Coast.

On 15 - 21 June a typhoon passing west of OKINAWA caused all ships to
evacuate BUCKNER BAY. We arrived when the typhoon was at least 600
miles west of BUCKNER BAY. No effects were noted other than a
general overcast conditions of the sky.

We encountered considerable fog both at Tsingtao and Yokosuka.

(D) TIDAL DATA

Currents and tides encountered were generally as shown on Hydro-
graphic publications and charts. They were usually of somewhat less
velocity than indicated.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

General: Navigation during the patrol presented no great problem.
Good star fixes were obtainable about 75% of the time, during the
overcast periods the Loran equipment gave good fixes except for the
areas covered by the "Base line extentions". Our routing took us
through several such areas therefore it cannot be said that the
Loran replaced the sextant. The SS radar is an invaluable aid to
piloting. Landfalls and entrances were made in reduced visibility
at Hong Kong, Tsingtao, Buckner Bay and Yokosuka all by means of
the SS radar.

Charts: The latest chart of Buckner Bay, Okinawa (Anchorage Chart
CE, (2727B1) is not correct, all buoys shown are either missing or
misplaced. #1 (lighted) buoy was about 400 yards south of its
charted position and all of the upper frame work was missing, leav-
ing a low lying menace to navigation. The SS radar gave a good
picture of the bay and not too much difficulty was encountered
identifying the various islands and points of land. The numerous
wrecked ships about the bay give excellent radar reflections and
would be useful for piloting if their positions were charted.

Light List: The following lights were observed to have character-
istics different from those shown in the latest light list supple-
ments.

TSURIKAKE SHIMA Light: Lat. 31° - 37' North Long. 129° - 48' East

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U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS (Continued)

Observed characteristics - Flashing white 4 seconds, eclipse 12
seconds, flashing white 4 seconds, eclipse 30 seconds.

BONO MISAKI Light: Lat. 31° - 15' North Long. 130° - 13' East
Not lighted.

SATA MISAKI Light: Lat. 30° - 59' North Long. 130° - 40' East
Observed characteristics - Occulating white every 18 seconds.

Reconnaissance, JALUIT ATOLL: The following observations were made
of JALUIT ATOLL:

Many of the installations and objects listed are not shown on H.O.
Chart 6007.

Approaching JALUIT from EAST - position 5 miles due East of EAST
POINT.

EMIDJ ISLAND - 6 block houses visible on north end, one single radar
or radio tower standing. Lat. 06° - 00.5' North.

The radio tower indicated on the chart at Lat. 05° - 59.6' North is
not visible.

AINEMAN ISLAND - North end, from position Lat. 05° - 58.2' North,
Long. 169° - 45.3' East 2 miles off shore, bearing 129°(t), 2.3
miles from north tip of island. One block house and two radar
towers, which range on bearing 306°(t) are visible. Lat. 05° -
59.0' North. The bed spring type antenna from one tower is lay-
ing on the beach near the foot of the tower. Two wrecked merchant-
men are beached side by side on a NE heading on the inner beach at
Lat. 05° - 58.8' North. The pole type of foremast and king post main
mast and stack of the larger ship (about 2000 ton) are easily
visible from seaward. The stack of the southernmost wreck is
visible from seaward.

ENYBOR ISLAND - South end from position Lat. 05° - 55' North,
Long. 169° - 41' East, 1½ miles off shore, bearing 110°(t), 1 3/4
miles from south tip of island. One block house, well concealed
in foliage, is visible near the southern end of the island. There
is what appears to be the base of a wrecked light house on the
beach at the southern tip just at the entrance to SOUTHEAST PASS.
The radio towers indicated on the chart are not visible.

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U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS (Continued)

SOUTH EAST PASS - The buoys and "day marker" type beacons indicated
on the chart are visible in SOUTH EAST PASS.

JALUIT ISLAND - North end from position Lat. 05° - 54.8' North Long.
169° - 40.5' East, 1½ miles off shore, bearing 105°(t) from north tip
of island. The northern end of JALUIT ISLAND is protected by a low
seawall. There are many houses and blockhouses in the foliage on this
tip. (JABOR) - At Lat. 05° - 54.9' North there are two low radio
antennae. JABOR RADIO STATION - At Lat. 05° - 54.5' North in a clump
of trees and several sand dunes there is a tank farm consisting of two
cylindrical oil storage tanks, possibly more tanks are concealed in
the sand dunes.

At Lat. 05° - 53.2 North two radar towers are visible.

The surface reconnaissance was continued at 1½ miles off shore to
Lat. 05° - 50.6 North at which point submerged and altered course
off shore to 160°(t), this took us 3 3/4 miles off of SOUTH POINT,
JALUIT ISLAND.

The two radio towers indicated on the chart at Lat. 05° - 49.6'
North and Lat. 05° - 48.3' North are not visible.

The soundings obtained during this reconnaissance coincided with
those shown on the chart.

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R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D

U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

(F) SHIP CONTACTS

| No. | Time Date | Lat. Long. | Type (s) | Initial Range | Est. Course & Speed | °(t) Kts | How Cont-acted | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 1115 20 Apr | 05-45 N 124-37 E | Ex-LCI | 16,000 | 070 8 | | S | Philippine Coastal Trader |
| 2. | 0606 22 Apr | 06-54 N 122-37 E | Engine Aft AK | 18,000 | 270 7 | | SN S | Philippine Coastal Trader |
| 3. | 0812 23 Apr | 11-01 N 121-10 E | 5000 ton AK | 25,000 | 176 10 | | S | Merchantman |
| 4. | 0927 23 Apr | 10-37 N 121-30 E | 8000 ton AK | 25,000 | 176 10 | | S | Merchantman |
| 5. | 1106 23 Apr | 10-54 N 121-36 E | 7000 ton AK | 24,000 | 150 10 | | S | SS INCHKEITH |
| 6. | 1723 23 Apr | 12-01 N 121-00 E | 4 Unknown | 20,000 | Unknown | | S | Possibly 4 De in formation. |
| 7. | 0215 30 Apr | 17-26 N 117-58 E | Large AK | 23,000 | 090 10 | | S | Practiced evasive tactics. |
| 8. | 1300 30 Apr | 19-11 N 116-30 E | 2500 tons Engine Aft | 26,000 | 145 15 | | S | Visual call sign "QRUL" |
| 9. | 1814 30 Apr | 20-08 N 115-51 E | 8000 ton AO | 23,000 | 050 15 | | S | Did not close |
| 10. | 1840 30 Apr | 20-13 N 115-43 E | 8000 ton AK | 29,000 | 135 15 | | SS | |
| 11. | 1825 5 May | 20-13 N 116-03 E | 3000 ton AK | 29,000 | 257 10 | | SS | SS HAI LIEN |
| 12. | 1938 5 May | 22-39 N 116-19 E | AK | 30,000 | 270 10 | | S | Coastal Merchantman |
| 13. | 1955 5 May | 22-41 N 116-29 E | Unknown | 23,700 | 250 10 | | SS | |
| 14. | 2355 5 May | 23-06 N 117-26 E | AK | 26,000 | 250 10 | | S | Coastal Merchantman |
| 15. | 0820 6 May | 23-10 N 118-59 E | 5,000 ton AO | 24,000 | 230 10 | | SS | Coastal Tanker |
| 16. | 1645 7 May | 30-22 N 123-12 E | 3,000 ton AK | 24,000 | 200 10 | | S SS | Engine Aft Merchantman |
| 17. | 2019 7 May | 31-08 N 123-25 E | Unknown | 28,000 | Unknown | | SS | |
| 18. | 2043 7 May | 31-12 N 123-25 E | Unknown | 18,000 | Unknown | | SS | |
| 19. | 2235 7 May | 31-37 N 123-25 E | Unknown | 17,000 | Unknown | | SS | |
| 20. | 0740 8 May | 33-40 N 123-00 E | 3,000 ton AK | 21,950 | 315 10 | | SS | Coastal Merchantman |

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U.S.S. POMFRET (SS 391)
SIMULATED WAR PATROL NUMBER ONE

R-E-S-T-R-I-C-T-E-D
(F) SHIP CONTACTS (Continued)

No. | Time Date | Lat. Long. | Type (s) | Initial Range | Est. Course & Speed | How Cont- acted | Remarks
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
21. | 2225 8 May | 34-14 N 121-59 E | Unknown | 32,600 | Unknown | SS |
22. | 2324 8 May | 34-54 N 121-50 E | Unknown | 23,700 | 165 10 | SS |
23. | 0015 18 June | 35-10 N 121-36 E | Unknown | 20,000 | Unknown | SS |
24. | 0510 20 June | 29-12 N 126-40 E | 2 Unknown | 22,800 | 320 10 | SS |
25. | 1945 28 June | 27-10 N 128-20 E | 7,000 ton AK | 18,500 | 270 10 | S |
26. | 2116 29 June | 31-04 N 125-50 E | Unknown | 22,000 | 180 12 | S |
27. | 0625 30 June | 32-25 N 128-49 E | 2 DDs | 18,000 | 180 15 | S | WILTSIE CHANDLER
28. | 1521 1 July | 32-25 N 128-53 E | 3 DD, 5 DE, 1 AK | 17,000 | 170 14 | S | Japanese in convoy
29. | 2330 1 July | 30-58 N 130-19 E | Unknown | 24,000 | 270 12 | SS |
30. | 0213 2 July | 30-30 N 131-00 E | 2 Unknown | 24,000 | 270 12 | SS |
31. | 0610 2 July | 31-29 N 132-02 E | Unknown | 17,650 | 180 10 | SS |
32. | 1855 2 July | 32-34 N 134-13 E | Unknown | 38,000 | 250 10 | SS |
33. | 2015 2 July | 32-43 N 134-27 E | Unknown | 37,000 | 250 10 | SS |
34. | 1025 7 July | 34-55 N 146-34 E | AO | 23,800 | 270 14 | SV |
35. | 0945 8 July | 34-29 N 153-10 E | AK | 20,000 | 270 14 | S |

S - Sighted SS - SS Radar SV - SV Radar SN - Sonar

Note: Those ships sighted while entering and leaving ports are not listed.

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