U.S.S. BESUGO (SS-321) — war patrol report SS-321_BESUGO.pdf

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JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: E-108]
[HANDWRITTEN: AR-79-78]

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OPERATOR [HANDWRITTEN: HANCOCK]

DATE [HANDWRITTEN: MAY 9 1978]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[IMAGE: Department of Defense Seal with text "DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET, START & END
NAVEXOS 3968

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[HANDWRITTEN: BESUGO (SS-321)]
[HANDWRITTEN: WWI PATROL FILE]

[HANDWRITTEN: FOR DECK LOGS JUNE 1944 - DECEMBER 1945]
[HANDWRITTEN: CONSULT NATIONAL ARCHIVES WHICH HAS CUSTODY]

[HANDWRITTEN: ALL MATERIAL ON THIS REEL IS DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: J.A. KOONTZ]

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2

Ships Section
Office of Public Information
Navy Department

HISTORY OF U.S.S. BESUGO (SS 321)

Submarine hull number 321 was laid down at the Victory Yard of
Electric Boat Company, at Groton, Connecticut, on 27 May 1943. She was
launched on 27 February 1944, at which time she was christened U.S.S.
BESUGO by Mrs. Margaret P Homer of New London, Connecticut. Upon com-
pletion of fitting out she was moved to U.S. Submarine Base, New London,
Connecticut, where she was accepted and commissioned on 19 June 1944,
with Commander L. Wogan, U.S. Navy, in command. She wears a plaque
indicating that the people of the county of Queens, New York, loaned the
money for her building.

The shakedown, training, and government alteration period was completed
without incident and U.S.S. BESUGO departed New London on 25 July 1944.
On 1 August 1944, she arrived at Key West, Florida to provide services for
and receive further training from the Key West Sound School. On 13 August
1944, departure was taken from Key West for Pearl Harbor, T.H., via Balboa,
C. Z. The entire period from 17 August to 22 August 1944 was spent in Balboa under-
going routine voyage repairs.

The new submarine arrived at U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T. H.,
on 7 September 1944. Five days of voyage repairs and modernization alter-
ations, eleven days of training, and two days of loading, brought her to
readiness for her first War Patrol in Japanese waters.

FIRST WAR PATROL: Combat Insignia Awarded.

U.S.S. BESUGO departed Pearl Harbor on 26 September 1944 in company
with U.S.S. GABILAN on her first patrol. A group composed of U.S.S.
BESUGO, U.S.S. GABILAN and U.S.S. RONQUIL was to form off the Bungo Suido
entrance to Japan's Inland Sea with Commander T. L. Wogan, U.S. Navy,
Commanding Officer, BESUGO in tactical command. The primary mission of the
group was to be reconnaissance to locate and report any enemy task groups
or heavy warships departing Bungo Suido. Attack was not to be made until
after reporting by radio the sortie of enemy heavy units.

On 30 September 1944 the two submarines stopped at Submarine Base,
Midway Island, T. H., for fuel and fresh provisions and departed the same
day. The route followed was roughly a straight line to Sofu Gan, west for
about three hundred miles, then north to Bungo Suido. On 5 October 1944,
U.S.S. RONQUIL made her rendezvous with the group. BESUGO delivered her
patrol instructions to her via officer messenger in a rubber boat.

At 1931 on 6 October 1944, contacted a small enemy patrol vessel. The
target was lying to and drifting with the wind. The Commanding Officer
ordered U.S.S. RONQUIL and U.S.S. GABILAN to continue on course while
U.S.S. BESUGO destroyed the enemy picket. At 2102 three torpedoes were
fired at the target from range 1250 yards. All missed, probably because
of the small size and shallow draft of the target. U.S.S. BESUGO with-
drew, the moon rose, and the target got underway, moved about a mile and
a half and lay to again. BESUGO circled the still unsuspecting target,
put her upmoon in the moon slick, and closed for a surface gun attack. At

— page 4 —
(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO (Cont.)
- 2 -

2228 fire was opened with the five inch gun and both 20 mm guns. The low
five inch was immediately ineffective because of difficulty in seeing the
target over the swells and shortly became useless as necessity for keeping
the open with way on the ship let the enemy move out of the moon
slicks. At this time the enemy was replying with sporadic bursts of light
machine fire and the 20 mm could be seen to be hitting the enemy.
After opening fire both 20 mm guns jammed and the five inch
still could not see the target to shoot. Range was 800 yards.

The enemy then closed the range to 500 yards and commenced fire with
a 50 cal. machine gun in addition to his light guns, scoring some hits on
the conning tower and periscope shears. Copper fragments from a bullet
which holed the shears wounded the gunnery officer, Lieutenant C. E.
STASINY, U. S. Navy in the hand and a lookout, W. L. La Casse, F1c, USNR,
in the leg.

It was not possible to remain in the vicinity until daylight to finish
the slightly damaged enemy. The comment of the Commanding Officer upon
leaving the enemy "Not an auspicious beginning for our fighting career."
Four hours had to be made up to regain position.

At 1243 on 8 October 1944, when passing 20 miles north of LOTS WIFE,
sighted an enemy BETTY aircraft distant five miles and dove for remainder
of the day.

At 0625 on 9 October 1944, an enemy trawler type anti-submarine vessel
was sighted at about five miles by the high periscope lookout. When the
enemy turned toward, BESUGO dove and evaded, watching the enemy go past
at 2000 yards. At 0821 with the enemy out of sight the submarine surfaced
and continued enroute to her patrol station.

BESUGO encountered her first enemy radar equipped anti-submarine
plane at 0329 on 10 October. His closest known approach was 1600 yards, a
half hour of radical high speed maneuvering on the surface was nerve-rack-
ing, but shook him off. At dawn that morning BESUGO commenced submerged
patrol during day-light hours in approaches to BUNGO SUIDO in the eastern
sector.

On 13 October at 0426 three small vessels were contacted on radar.
They were tracked until dawn maneuvering radically at a slow speed near the
coast. They were not attacked.

When submerged the BESUGO sighted a group of masts at 0746 on 15
October 1944. Contact developed into a MATORI class light cruiser, and
three heavy cruisers of ATAGO, NACHI and AOBA class with air cover. About
three hours later, another large man-of-war and a HATSUSHIMARU DD also departed
Bungo Suido. An attack on the destroyer might have been possible, but none
was made because of definite orders concerning the patrol. Immediately
upon surfacing that night, radio silence was broken to transmit the con-
tact report on the enemy task force. During the night, the submarines
changed positions and BESUGO's sector became the west sector of BUNGO SUIDO.
During the submerged patrol next day, the enemy planes and a sampan were
sighted.

— page 5 —
(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)
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After surfacing that night, on 16 October, radar contacted two large
enemy ships leaving Bungo Suido zig-zagging at 20 to 22 knots. At 2150
six bow torpedoes were fired at the nearest cruiser. At 2210 six bow torpedoes were
fired at the nearest cruiser. At 2212 one torpedo was seen to hit the
nearest cruiser just abaft the bridge. The hit was followed by a rumbling
explosion which was heard and felt but not seen. Turn tubes were not
fired because by the time the BESUGO had been swung to bring them to bear
the enemy was out of range. Both cruisers milled around for about eight
minutes while BESUGO opened out to 6000 yards range and reloaded the tor-
pedo tubes. The damaged cruiser then headed generally southwest at speeds
from 12 to 18 knots with the undamaged ship covering her retreat. BESUGO
followed attempting to get into position to make another attack. At 2235,
four explosions were heard, then at 2255, BESUGO ran through a large, heavy
oil slick, and at 2305 six heavy underwater explosions were heard.

At 2350 the enemy cruisers were inside the 10 fathom curve skirting
the shoreline closely returning to port at 16 knots. BESUGO tracked them
until 0030 until she lost radar contact and sent her radio contact
report of the incident. She thus eliminated two enemy cruisers from the
enemy's forces converging to oppose our Leyte Landings.

At 0513 on 18 October, radar contacted a very large enemy vessel enter-
ing Bungo Suido at 24 knots. BESUGO was unable to close inside 9500 yards,
but identified the vessel as probably a converted battleship of the ISE
class. No definite identification could be made. The ship could have been
a large passenger liner. At 0534 approaching daylight forced BESUGO to
dive. Periscope sighted an enemy heavy cruiser returning to Bungo Suido
She passed BESUGO far out of range zig-zagging. Upon surfacing that night,
BESUGO sent her contact report concerning the submarine; ships and informed
Commander Submarines Pacific that the group of submarines now considered
their primary mission was to attack the enemy, rather than to prevent an
undetected sortie from Bungo Suido.

No important enemy contacts were made for some days. Numerous enemy
planes and occasional sampans were sighted in daylight through the peris-
cope and on radar at night. GATLAN had evaded the morn-
ing of 22 October. The following evening, GATLAN had
BESUGO shifted over to the east side of Bungo Suido and Ronquil
assigned to the west side.

At 0310 on 24 October radar contacted a large and a small target.
Commander RONQUIL was called in for a coordinated attack. RONQUIL to
attack from starboard side. At 0349, BESUGO started in on the group to
the target proved to be a large tanker with a destroyer ahead and a
quarter escort or similar anti-submarine vessel on each bow and quarter.
The plan was to sneak in between the port bow and quarter escorts to
torpedo the tanker, but two rapid zigs away in rapid succession eliminated
chances at the tanker. BESUGO was unable to get around the group to
without time before daylight to make another end-around on the group to
attain a favorable attack position.

BESUGO abandoned the tanker to RONQUIL and attacked the port
quarter escort, of the DE-UN2 class, with three torpedoes.

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(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)
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At 0415, BESUGO had the stern escort 500 yards on her starboard beam
when the attacked DE on her port bow blew up, illuminating the entire area
and silhouetting BESUGO for the rear escort. BESUGO immediately dove
deep to take her depth charging, which, strangely, did not materialize.
Apparently the enemy was outside echo-ranging range before he recovered
from the shock. At 0537 BESUGO heard the first of six of RONQUIL's tor-
pedoes explode. Distant depth charging commenced an hour and a half later
with nothing in sight but an occasional plane. Upon surfacing that even-
ing a number of planes searched the area, but all were avoided by radical
maneuveres on the surface.

During darkness the morning of 25 October BESUGO shifted her patrol
station to cover the approaches to Van Diemen Strait and the east coast of
Kyushu. Nothing but enemy aircraft were sighted here until U.S.S. STERLET
entered the area searching for a battleship which U.S.S. SEA DOG had
sighted. Shortly after, at 0100, 29 October, Commander Hogan formed
STERLET, BESUGO and RONQUIL into a coordinated group to search.

BESUGO never sighted the enemy, but both STERLET and RONQUIL made con-
tacts for short intervals. Two battleships succeeded in passing the group
out of range at high speed returning to JAPAN. Contacts from other sub-
marines approaching the area indicated large numbers of enemy ships were
approaching the area from southward, being attacked meanwhile by other sub-
marines. By 1600 there were six submarines in BESUGO's area. Commander
Hogan took command of the group, using radio to make contact with all. That
evening a seventh submarine joined the group.

BESUGO sighted gun flashes to the south southwest at 2010, and at 2142
she sighted more gun fire far away. This gunfire continued, and a half hour
later Commander Hogan received a message from U.S.S. SALMON saying she was
badly damaged and still fighting off two sub-chasers. BESUGO was closing
the SALMON but at 2336 all gunfire ceased in a heavy rain squal.

At 0002 BESUGO's radar contacted three small north bound enemy ships
and shortly thereafter a large stationary target to southward.

BESUGO evaded the three anti-submarine vessels and commenced an
approach on what proved to be a damaged tanker. However, before BESUGO
reached firing range STERLET sank the tanker.

Commander Hogan then coordinated the beginning of the operation of
getting the damaged U.S.S. SALMON back to base. Three submarines escorted
her and BESUGO returned to patrol area. During this process BESUGO was
harried by three enemy planes, an enemy periscope, and a drifting mine.

Two days later, on 1 November 1944, BESUGO received orders to proceed
to Saipan. She moored alongside U.S.S. FULTON at Saipan on 5 November 1944.

Since the patrol had been so short, no rest period was provided at
Saipan and BESUGO performed only voyage repairs and reloading alongside
FULTON.

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(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)
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SECOND WAR PATROL: Combat Insignia Awarded

BESUGO departed Tanapag Harbor, Saipan for her second patrol on
10 November 1944. Enroute to area she conducted much training, contacting
many friendly submarines along the way. During the night of 15 to 16
November 1944, Balintang Channel was transitted via Balintang Channel and BESUGO
entered the South China Sea. The following day enemy radar-equipped planes
harried the submarine. At 0400 on 18 November BESUGO entered the area
controlled by Commander Submarines South West Pacific. That afternoon she
received orders to conduct an offensive reconnaissance off Linapacan Strait
upon arrival in that area, and on 20 November commenced daylight submerged
patrols in Western approaches to the strait.

On 22 November at 0455, radar contacted an enemy vessel which proved
to be a modified tanker. BESUGO attacked her quickly in the approach-
ing dawn, firing four torpedoes at 0521. One torpedo hit the tanker amidships,
starting an enormous fire which lasted until the target sank two minutes
later. After the target sank, a large barge about 300 foot long was dis-
covered about 1500 yards astern of the spot in which the tanker sank.

At 0530, two bow torpedoes were fired at the barge. One hit near
the stern of the barge. Three minutes later, two stern tubes were fired
at the barge, which had already begun to sink by the stern. Both missed.

While clearing the area in daylight to get into diving water, at 0601
radar made contact on a ship headed for Halsey Harbor on Culion Island.
BESUGO tracked her for over half an hour without sighting her, then broke
off the chase and dove for the day because target would reach port before
BESUGO could attack.

Two hours after surfacing that night radar began picking up and losing
targets. At 2054 a good contact on a large vessel was made and the approach
began on a pitch-black and stormy night. At 2138 four bow torpedoes were
fired from close range, but all missed. An hour and around
2240 and at 2245 BESUGO fired four bow torpedoes and commenced swinging to
bring the stern tubes to bear, only one torpedo hit the target, so at
2249 four stern torpedoes were fired. All of them missed because target
was rapidly slowing to a stop. At 2256, two bow torpedoes were fired,
both to hit the center of the target. The mid-ships section of the target
was demolished by a rumbling explosion. The flames lasted about a minute.
The target was apparently still afloat, and BESUGO had only two torpedoes
left, both aft.

These torpedoes were expended one at a time from close range, but
neither exploded. The target was left sitting on the bottom in six fathoms
of water with the superstructure visible.

On 23 November 1944, departed area enroute Fremantle, A.A., for refit,
transitting Mindoro Strait via Apo East Pass that night into the Sulu Sea.
The evening of 25 November transitted Sibutu Passage into Celebes Sea and
the following day, Navy Jones was aboard inspecting landlubbers. BESUGO
dove to cross the Equator her first time at 0905 on 27 November 1944. The
evening of 28 November she transitted Lombok Strait and arrived alongside

— page 8 —
(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)
                                                                - 6 -

U.S.S. ANTHEDON for refit at Fremantle, W.A. on 4 December 1944.

        ANTHEDON and the second relief crew of Submarine Division 262 con-
ducted a 13 day refit while the BESUGO crew enjoyed a rest cure at
various rest camp hotels. After the rest period training was conducted
for two days. Exercise torpedoes and guns were fired, and the ship was
loaded and ready for sea on 24 December 1944.

THIRD WAR PATROL: Combat Insignia Awarded.

        BESUGO departed Fremantle, W.A. on 24 December 1944 to patrol in
a group of submarines off the entrance to the Gulf of Siam in the South
China Sea. The coordinated attack group was under the command of
Commander W. L. Hogan, U.S.N., commanding officer of the BESUGO. She pro-
ceeded north in company with U.S.S. HARDHEAD, entering Exmouth Gulf for
fuel on 27 December and transited Lombok Strait uneventfully on the night
of 30 to 31 December 1944. Three small enemy vessels were sighted in the
bright moonlight, but none made contact on BESUGO.

        At 0710 on 31 December a small enemy merchantman was sighted emerging
from a rain squall. BESUGO dove and attacked with three torpedoes, but
missed. Target was too small to be worth further expenditure of torpedoes,
so BESUGO surfaced and continued toward her area. During the remainder
of the day she was driven down four times by searching enemy aircraft.

        Karimata Strait was transitted on the morning of 2 January 1945 and
patrol area was reached on 4 January, when a coordinated search was
commenced with HARDHEAD.

        At 1840 on 6 January 1945 BESUGO sighted an enemy tanker and escort
to southward and commenced trailing from ahead. HARDHEAD made contact an
hour later. At 2118 BESUGO attacked the large, heavily laden tanker
with six torpedoes. Target was escorted by a destroyer ahead and two
smaller escorts, one on each beam. Three torpedoes hit the target, caus-
ing her to burst into raging flame from end to end. She sank nine minutes
later. BESUGO cleared the area on the surface without being sighted by
the escorts, who contented themselves by milling about and dropping a
total of seven depth charges.

        At 1306 on 8 January when 75 miles south of Cape Kamao, BESUGO en-
countered an enemy aircraft and dove. Five minutes later the enemy
dropped one bomb, not close. U.S.S. COBIA joined the pack the following
day. Except for occasional enemy aircraft contacts, the relieving of
COBIA by U.S.S. BLACKFIN in the pack on 14 January, occasional shifts
of scouting line, the detachment of BLACKFIN on 17 January and her re-
joining on 22 January, nothing further was sighted until a contact report
was received from BLACKFIN at 0530 on 24 January 1945.

        At 0600 BESUGO had closed and contacted BLACKFIN and a few minutes
later contacted two enemy ships. At 0619 a torpedo fired by BLACKFIN hit
the large enemy target. The enemy commenced firing guns and dropping
depth charges. One escort closed BESUGO and drove her off, then headed
back toward the large unidentified target BLACKFIN had hit. Twenty minutes
later it was getting light, BESUGO was again heading in toward target; and

— page 9 —
(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)
                                                                - 7 -

the near escort vessel was plainly visible heading toward BESUGO again. At
0642 when flashing lights were seen on escort, BESUGO dove and continued
approach on the large enemy target. At 0710 the escort, an AM13-16 class
minecraft, was close to BESUGO searching frantically with her sound gear.
At 0713 BESUGO sighted and identified the large ship as an enemy tanker,
about 10,000 tons. Two minutes later the enemy escort commenced his first depth charge attack
from BESUGO. While the depth charges were exploding,
BESUGO fired six torpedoes at the tanker, which was of about 10,000 tons
similar to NUZISAN MARU. Commanding officer at the periscope saw the first
torpedo hit the tanker just forward of her stack, then watched the escort
vessel coming in drop ing depth charges before going deep to evade the depth
charge attack. HARDHEAD sighted a second torpedo hit near the tanker's bow.
Depth of water was too shallow for really deep evasion.

        The counter attack continued fast and furious for half an hour with
two enemy anti-submarine vessels involved. A total of 22 depth charges
were dropped in patterns of one to six. Many exploded very close to BESUGO,
but no serious damage resulted. At 1130 the submarine had cleared the area
and was back at periscope depth. The two enemy anti-submarine vessels
could be seen five miles astern still searching. Late that afternoon the
enemy dropped 31 more depth charges; apparently on a false contact.

        On the morning of 26 January HARDHEAD contacted an enemy Destroyer
Escort. BESUGO and HARDHEAD attempted to get ahead of him and attack
but by 1700 the enemy had escaped in the poor visibility without being
attacked.

        BESUGO contacted a group of four enemy vessels at 2330 on 1 February
1945. She commenced trailing from ahead and called BLACKFIN and HARDHEAD
in to help. At 0155 BLACKFIN had made contact and BESUGO then dove to
commence her attack. The enemy consisted of four anti-submarine vessels
conducting a sound sweep on a line of bearing with 1500 yards between
ships. BESUGO attacked the right center ship with four torpedoes from a
position under the right flank ship at 0227 and obtained one hit in the
small destroyer, believed to be of the MATSU class. HARDHEAD observed her
to sink. The remaining three enemy vessels searched for BESUGO, but did
not make contact. One of them dropped a large depth charge pattern over
two hours later when BESUGO was back on the surface leaving the area.

        No further enemy contacts developed in the area except enemy aircraft.
BESUGO departed her area for Fremantle, W. A., on 5 February 1945, transitting
Karimata Strait the following night and Lombok Stra it the evening of
8 February 1945. Two enemy patrol vessels were contacted in Lombok
Strait.

        On 12 February BESUGO and U.S.S. GABILAN took on fuel at Onslow, W.A.
Both suffered minor hull damage from pounding in a heavy storm that
caught them alongside each other at the jetty.

        Upon arrival alongside U.S.S. DURILLE at North Wharf, Fremantle, W.A.,
on 15 February, so many submarines were undergoing refit that BESUGO had
to be assigned a waiting period of 10 days before her normal two week
refit period could be commenced.

— page 10 —
(History of U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.
- 3 -

On 18 February 1945 Commander T. L. Wogan, USN, was relieved as
commanding officer by Lieutenant Commander H. E. Tiller, USN. Commander
Wogan went to duty as a submarine division commander.

After the usual refit and five days of training, BESUGO was ready for
sea on 24 March 1945.

FOURTH PATROL: Combat Insignia Awarded.

BESUGO departed Fremantle, W.A., on 24 March 1945 under the command
of Lieutenant Commander H. E. Tiller, USN. She was to patrol in a pack
with U.S.S. GABILAN and U.S.S. CHARR under the command of Commander F. D.
Boyle, USN, commanding officer of CHARR in the east Java Sea and southern
end of Makassar Strait. Lombok Strait was transitted uneventfully the
evening of 29 March.

Nothing but native sailboats was sighted before joining GABILAN on
patrol in southern Makassar Strait on 31 March. On 2 April the pack
commander in CHARR arrived and moved the pack south. The night of 3-4
April the pack moved still further south off Bangkoang and Longko Itan
Islands.

At 1125 on 4 April 1945 while submerged BESUGO picked up echo ranging
from a group of ships. This contact developed into an enemy task force
of one NAGATO class light cruiser with three torpedo boats and one mine-
layer as a sound screen. This task force passed outside of torpedo range.
When they were over the horizon, BESUGO surfaced and commenced trailing
and sent contact reports. During the afternoon and evening, BESUGO
attempted to make an end-around to get ahead of the enemy to attack, but
she was forced to dive four times by the enemy task force's air cover.
The enemy was kept in sight until dark, then BESUGO attempted to head
them off by taking a short-cut between Sangeang Island and Maru Point,
bearing the eastern end of this channel the enemy was found
to have changed formation to a column and was approaching the en-
trance of Sape Strait. This pass through the Malay Barrier had not been
used by allied forces since the very beginning of the war. It was narrow,
constricted by many rocks, and believed to have been mined by the
Japanese. BESUGO did not have detailed charts of the strait, but con-
sidered that following the Japanese through the safe channel using her
radar for tracking and navigation would not be hard. She therefore formed
column five miles astern of the Japanese ships and followed them through
uneventfully. At 2315 the south entrance to Sape Strait had been cleared
and an end around had been completed four hours later, the BESUGO then
being eight miles ahead of the enemy task force in bright moonlight.

During the ensuing approach the enemy succeeded in detecting the
submarine. The cruiser avoided six torpedoes fired at her, and an attack-
ing escort was missed by one torpedo fired at her. The attack was made at
0358 on 5 April 1945, and was countered by 13 depth charges from escorts.
One of the torpedoes fired at the cruiser exploded after a long run, and
may have hit an escort that was near her, though this is doubtful. Upon
surfacing at 0510 BESUGO retired to the westward. She had received instruc-
tions in answer to her contact report to clear the area while allied air-
craft from Australia attacked. She patrolled in Sumba Strait south and
east of Sape Strait for the following 24 hours.

— page 11 —
(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO cont.) - 9 -

At dawn on 6 April the BESUGO dove and patrolled the
south half of Cape Strait awaiting the return of any remnants of the
enemy force which the aviators might drive back that way. The other two
submarines of the group were waiting north of Sape Strait to pick off any
ships driven by BESUGO.

At 1335 the NATURI class cruiser was sighted returning along at very
high speed. She passed close aboard BESUGO, who missed her with all nine
torpedoes fired at the cruiser eight minutes after original sighting.
Her excellent haze gray camouflage coupled with the fact that she had out-
distanced her smoky escorts aided the speeding cruiser to get close before
she was sighted by the waiting submarine.

After the cruiser had gone at least three miles past the BESUGO she
realized she had been fired upon. Her air cover dropped a few bombs, and
the cruiser a pattern of depth charges as she continued to race on north
through Sape Strait. The location of the submarine remained undetermined
to the enemy. Meanwhile BESUGO was feverishly reloading her torpedo
tubes, for more enemy ships could be seen approaching Sape Strait from
the southeast.

The first three escort-type vessels passed northward out of range
of the BESUGO's torpedoes. Each dropped one or two depth charge patterns
where the cruiser had dropped hers - at least 5000 yards from the submarine.
The fourth and last escort tried to pass through the same water the cruiser
had used, but the BESUGO blew her in two at the bridge with one of four
torpedoes fired at her. This vessel was identified as a SHIMIDZU class
gunboat of 1200 tons. Her bow sank immediately, but her stern continued
to float with no signs of sinking while the troops she had been ferrying
abandoned ship. BESUGO fired one torpedo at the floating half of the
gunboat, but had to pull her periscope down and go deep immediately be-
cause an enemy plane was soon heading at the periscope close aboard. The
plane's bomb missed by a wide margin. The torpedo missed.

The BESUGO then spent two hours dodging enemy planes and remaining
close to the floating half of the gunboat trying to get into perfect
position to sink the derelict with her last remaining torpedo. During
this time she was bombed closely once and strafed twice by enemy aircraft.
Finally, at 1712, the last remaining torpedo hit and sank the enemy.
Shortly thereafter, the submarine surfaced and attempted to pick up
some floating survivors. None would come aboard, but
some floating charts were recovered before an enemy plane forced the
submarine to dive again. That night, upon leaving Sape Strait, an enemy
fired one torpedo at the BESUGO. It missed.

The submarine then returned to Fremantle, West Australia, for another
load of torpedoes and minor repairs. After four days in port she de-
parted to continue patrol in the Java Sea on 16 April 1945. She transitted
Lombok Strait on the night of 21 April 1945. One sizable enemy patrol

— page 12 —
(History of U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)                                 - 10 -

vessel was sighted and an approach commenced, but an enemy night flying
LILLY bomber forced the BESUGO to dive. Her bomb was not close, but the
enemy warship escaped at high speed to the northward. The submarine tried,
but could not go fast enough to catch her, so continued on her way to the
central Java Sea where she joined a wolf-pack consisting of U.S.S. BLOWER,
BESUGO and PERCH.

On 23 April at 1350 a submarine was sighted where none of ours were
expected. She was tracked and found to be a German submarine with
Japanese colors painted on her conning tower. She was attacked at 1428
and sank immediately upon being hit with one torpedo. The BESUGO sur-
faced immediately to recover survivors and ten minutes later had the only
survivor aboard. He was badly injured and had been the Officer-of-the-
Deck of the sunken enemy submarine U-183 of the 740 ton class German U-Boat.
He was a German Warrant Officer.

Nothing more except native sailboats was sighted until the evening of
28 April, when a large enemy auxiliary sailboat was contacted. She was
tracked for several hours in the moonlight to make sure she was not a
native sailboat, and at 0220 she was attacked with deck guns at a range of
1000 yards and sank nine minutes later. She was 200 feet long and estimated
to be a 750 ton oil barge carrying sails for camouflage.

At dusk that evening a tremendous explosion followed by a fire was
sighted over the horizon. The BESUGO closed the fire and discovered one
survivor of a sunken enemy tanker clinging to a floating plank. He was
rescued and found to be a Japanese native with serious burns over about
60 per cent of his skin. Efforts on the part of the ship's Pharmacist
Mate kept him alive until the end of the patrol. U.S.S. BREAM had sunk
this tanker.

During the period from 22 April until relieved by U.S.S. RAY on
12 May 1945, BESUGO patrolled off Soerabaja and in the Java Sea along
the north coast of Java as far west as Batavia on a series of lifeguard
missions for our own bombing planes and scouting for enemy vessels approach-
ing our landings on the west coast of Borneo. On the morning
of May 2nd an enemy plane succeeded in bombing the BESUGO before she could
complete a dive to evade. One of the four bombs was very close, but did
only slight damage.

She made transit of Karimata Strait on 13 May and received orders to
join the wolf packs along the Malay coast in the Siam Gulf. On the
evening of 16 May she departed Siam Gulf for Subic Bay, P.I. where the
patrol was terminated on 20 May 1945.

ANTHEUS refitted the submarine while the crew enjoyed two weeks rest
at Camp Coo. Training and loading was completed on 13 June.

FIFTH WAR PATROL: Combat Insignia Not Awarded.

The Fifth War Patrol of the BESUGO commenced on 13 June 1945 at
Subic Bay, P. I. It was to be a lifeguard patrol for our air strikes off

— page 13 —
(History of
        U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)
                                                                - 11 -

FRENCH INDO CHINA. Captain C. W. Merritt of the Fifth Air Force (Army)
was on board as a liaison officer, but no opportunities were presented the
submarine to effect rescue of downed aviators. During the patrol the sub-
marine searched diligently for enemy vessels, but so far as is known none
entered her area.

Most of the patrol was spent within 100 miles north and south of
Camranh Bay, French Indo China until the evening of 5 July, when U.S.S.
COD relieved BESUGO on station. BESUGO then proceeded to the south coast of
BORNEO via Karimata Strait for a week in that area, but no enemy contacts
were made. During the period in the Java Sea, BESUGO had no enemy use
of native sailboats closely. A report of these observations was made, and
was of value to the higher echelons of command in determining that a change
of policy relative to the sinking of enemy-used native sailing vessels was
warranted so long as safety of native crews was provided for. BESUGO had
left her area for Fremantle when the change was instituted.

She transitted Lombok Strait uneventfully the evening of 19 July and
completed the patrol at Fremantle, W.A., on 25 July 1945. U.S.S. CLYTIE
commenced the normal refit, after which training for the Sixth War Patrol
was commenced.

END OF WAR AND RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES:

BESUGO was at sea conducting training when word of the official end
of the war came. She was standing by to commence a practice submerged
approach when the word was received. The practice was executed, and it is
believed thereby BESUGO became the first submarine to conduct a peacetime
practice approach following World War II.

Upon surfacing, word was received to return immediately to port,
where loading for another war patrol was completed. Readiness for patrol
was maintained at Fremantle, W.A., until 29 August 1945, on which date,
in company with FLOWER and CHARR, she departed for Sydney, Australia via
the Great Australian Bight.

After two days in port fueling, provisioning, making minor repairs,
and being entertained by the British Navy and the Australian populace,
BESUGO departed Sydney on 7 September 1945 enroute to San Diego,
California, where she arrived on 26 September 1945.

The following is a summary of damage done to enemy shipping during

— page 14 —
(History of
U.S.S. BESUGO Cont.)                                     - 12 -

World War II by U.S.S. BESUGO:

Patrol No. 1 (Combat insignia awarded)

1 Destroyer Escort (UN-2 type)      Sunk (torpedo)          700 tons
1 Heavy Cruiser (Nachi class)      Damaged (torpedo)    10,000 tons
1 Patrol Boat                      Damaged in gun fight     300 tons

Patrol No. 2 (Combat insignia awarded)

1 Oil Tanker                       Sunk (torpedo)         5,000 tons
1 Barge, large                     Sunk (torpedo)         3,000 tons
1 Merchantman                      Damaged (torpedo)      7,500 tons

Patrol No. 3 (Combat insignia awarded)

1 Large Tanker                     Sunk (torpedo)        10,000 tons
1 Destroyer (LITSU class)          Sunk (torpedo)         1,000 tons
1 Medium Tanker                    Damaged (torpedo)      2,500 tons

Patrol No. 4 (Combat insignia awarded)

1 H.S.M.T.E. class Gunboat         Sunk (torpedo)         1,200 tons
1 German Submarine (U-183)         Sunk (torpedo)           740 tons
1 Large Auxiliary Schooner         Sunk (guns)              750 tons

Patrol No. 5 (Combat insignia not awarded)

No Damage to Enemy.

TOTAL WARSHIPS SUNK                                       2,640 tons
TOTAL WARSHIPS DAMAGED                                   10,300 tons
TOTAL MERCHANT SHIPS SUNK                                18,750 tons
TOTAL MERCHANT SHIPS DAMAGED                             10,000 tons

TOTAL SUNK AND DAMAGED                                   42,690 tons

     This record is unique in that the BESUGO has sunk as many enemy war-
ships as merchantmen. In particular she specialized in attacking the
small, difficult targets that were the Japanese anti-submarine patrols.
Of these she sank three and damaged one. The total tonnage is low for
the total number of ships sunk because of the small size of these enemy
warships. No opportunity to rescue aviators occurred on any patrol. Two
enemy prisoners were taken on the fourth patrol.

— page 15 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

SS321/A16-3
Serial 027                                                              4 November 1944

[STRIKETHROUGH: DECLASSIFIED][HANDWRITTEN: I-A-L]

From : Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321).
To : Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) Commander Task Group 17.7.
      (2) Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
      (3) Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War
         Patrol.

Enclosure: (A) Subject Report.
           (B) Track Charts (Comsubpac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the first war patrol
of this vessel conducted in Japanese Empire waters during the
period 26 September 1944 to 5 November 1944, is forwarded
herewith.

[SIGNATURE: T. L. WOGAN]
T. L. WOGAN.

DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/21/72]

DECLASSIFIED

[HANDWRITTEN: 97564]

— page 18 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321); Report of First War Patrol.
6 October 1944 Cont'd. ATTACK NO. 1

1931(K) Radar contact bearing 282°T, range 5000 yd. Mann-
          ed tracking stations. Target is small patrol boat
          lying to, drifting. After informing GABILAN and
          RONQUIL of contact ordered them to proceed as
          scheduled. Made approach with intention of fir-
          ing torpedoes. Angle on bow appeared sharp, with-
          drew circled target at about 4500 yards and comm-
          enced another approach.

2102(K) At range of 1250 yards, angle on bow estimated at
          70° starboard, fired 3 torpedoes and missed. Tor-
          pedoes must have run under. Target still did not
          suspect our presence. Withdrew. Moon was rising.
          Stations for battle surface. Again circled target.
          Target started his engine and moved about a mile
          and a half, then lay to again. Put target in moon
          path nicely silhouetted and commenced approach for
          gun attack.

2228(K) Opened fire with 5" gun and 20 mm. At a range
          of 1400 yds. 5" fire ineffective. On account of
          swells and visibility 5" could not maintain an eff-
          ective rate of fire. Closed to 900 yds., the
          20 mm were just beginning to be effective. Several
          20 mm hits in after part of target. Observed very
          small explosion on his after end. He commenced
          returning our fire with sporadic light machine gun
          fire. By this time we had circled while closing
          the range and target was no longer silhouetted by
          moon. The 5" could see nothing hence was silent.

2233(K) Then, both 20 mm guns jammed, and there we were
          at 800 yards with no guns shooting. This was the
          signal for the target to come to life. As soon as
          we stopped firing he commenced in earnest. We
          closed the range to 500 yards and opened up with a
          .50 cal machine gun. He did some pretty wild shoot-
          ing but he did manage to scoop our deck a couple
          of times and register some hits. In the meantime
          his light machine gun fire continued, but did not
          bother us. We opened the range and withdrew to
          look the situation over. One of his .50 cal armor-
          piercing shells had struck our periscope shears just
          above the lookout platform. The steel bullet
          cleanly holed the shears and the flying fragments
          of the bullet's copper jacket wounded a lookout in
          the leg and the gunnery officer in the hand. While
          remaining out of machine gun fire range, continued
          tracking target.

- 3 -

— page 20 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War Patrol.
_10 October 1944_

0329(I) Cont'd
        Maneuvering radically we kept him in general
        astern and finally lost him on SJ radar at about
        12000 - 13000 yards range. The contact lasted
        for about 30 minutes. The whole incident was
        nerve-racking, but very fine experience. We
        learned that we could remain on the surface and
        avoid night flying radar equipped planes, even
        though they came fairly close.

0439(I) Changed course to north, entered patrol area.

0533(I) Dived at dawn for submerged patrol during day-
        light in southern part of area. During day sight-
        ed one BETTY and one MAVIS.

        During night proceeded north into the approaches
        to BUNGO SUIDO. During night had indications of
        land based and aircraft radar. No planes bother-
        ed us. Zigzagging.

_11 October 1944_

0417(I) Picked up SJ radar interference from RONQUIL to
        westward.

0419(I) Heard the first of a large number (about 50) of
        distant underwater explosions. Explosions con-
        tinued for several minutes.

        During day conducted submerged patrol in the
        central sector of approaches to BUNGO SUIDO.
        Sight d one plane during day (RUFE).

        During night patrolled same sector north of Lat.
        32°N. Shore based radar indications throughout
        the night. SJ radar interference from RONQUIL to
        westward. Uneventful.

_12 October 1944_

        Submerged patrol in central sector of approaches
        to BUNGO SUIDO. Uneventful.

        During night patrolled central sector north of
        Lat.32°N. until midnight then crossed over into
        eastern sector relieving GABILAN. Land based
        radar indication during night.

_13 October 1944_

0426(I) Radar contact bearing 057°T. range 8000 yds.

        - 5 -

— page 22 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War Patrol,
15 October 1944 (Cont')

1107(I) Sighted mast bearing 349°T. Closing to invest-
        igate. Ship identified as destroyer (HATSUHARU
        class) making high speed (estimated 25kts) zig-
        zagging wildly.

1110(I) Sighted masts and upper works of large ship at
        range of about 14000 yards. Definitely a large
        man of war, probably a CA.
        The destroyer is patrolling at high speed be-
        tween us and large ship.
        Angle of bow of large ship is greater than 90°
        starboard.
        Attack on destroyer might have been possible;
        however, in view of our definite orders none
        was attempted and none was made. Avoided des-
        troyer.
        Enemy course estimated 135°T., speed 20 kt.
        Remainder of day uneventful patrolling near
        OKINO SHIMA.
        Observed structure which resembled bed spring
        radar antenna and mast on top of small island
        515 ft. high northwest of OKINO SHIMA.
        Immediately after surfacing at dark transmitted
        contact report to COMSUBPAC and COMTHIRDFLEET
        concerning sortie this morning.
        During night crossed over to patrol west sector
        of BUNGO SUIDO approaches. Informed RONQUIL,
        who relieved us in eastern sector, of sortie
        and approximate routing of enemy ships which
        roughly followed the 100 fathom curve.

16 October 1944

        Conducted submerged patrol in western sector of
        BUNGO SUIDO approaches.
        During day sighted 10 planes and one sampan.
        Planes were 1 ADAM, 4 BETTY, 1 patrol bomber, 1
        LIZ, 2 NELL, 1 CHERRY. Otherwise uneventful.
        During night patrolled western sector north of
        Lat. 32°N.

- 7 -

— page 23 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO(SS321), Report of First War
Patrol.
16 October 1944 (Cont') ATTACK NO. 2

2120(I) Radar contact bearing 345°T., range 12500 yds.
        Commenced tracking. Two large targets making
        high speed on southwesterly course. Sighted
        target at 8000 yds. Targets zigzagging at
        speeds 20 - 22 kts. No escorts.

2150(I) Identified as 2 CA's.

2200(I) Started in for surface attack.

2210(I) Started firing 6 bow tubes at nearest CA.
        Just after we started shooting target sounded
        2 blasts on his whistle and zigged right (away).
        TDC zigged him 30° right for last 3 shots. After
        completion of firing swung right for stern shots
        but target was out of range.

2212(I) Observed one hit just abaft bridge on nearest
        CA, followed by a rumbling explosion which was
        heard and felt, but not seen.

        Both cruisers milled around for about 8 minutes;
        then the damaged one headed generally southwest
        while the other one covered his retreat, both
        zigzagging and making speeds ranging from 12 to
        18 kts.

        In the meantime we stood off at about 6000
        yards and reloaded and tracked both ships.

2235(I) Heard four explosions.

2255(I) Ran through very heavy oil slick covering wide
        area.

2305(I) Heard 6 underwater explosions (source unknown).
        Both targets heading directly for the beach.

2350(I) Targets inside the 10 fathom curve, skirting the
        shore line about 1/2 to 1 mile off, making 16
        knots. Any further attack in those waters was
        impossible. Tracked target until 0030(I).
        Both ships returning to port.

17 October 1944

0031(I) Broke off the contact, resumed patrolling.

        Sent contact report to COMSUBPAC and COMTHIRD-
        FLEET.

        Remainder of night uneventful.

        - 8 -

— page 24 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BISUGO (SS321), Report of First War Patrol.
RONQUIL is patrolling western sector south of
Lat.32°N., BISUGO western sector north of Lat.
32°N., and GABILAN in vicinity of OKINO SHIMA
in the eastern approaches.

- 9 -

— page 28 —
## The following is a detailed analysis of the provided image, focusing on the text content and its implications within the context of a WWII submarine patrol report.

**Transcription and Analysis:**

**Header:**
*   **C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L**
    *   **Analysis:** This classification indicates the sensitive nature of the document, typical for military operational reports during wartime.

**Subject Line:**
*   **Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War Patrol.**
    *   **Analysis:** Identifies the submarine (USS Besugo, hull number SS-321) and the purpose of the report (its first war patrol). This is crucial for indexing and understanding the context of the events described.

**Date and Section Title:**
*   **24 October 1944 (Cont') ATTACK NUMBER 3**
    *   **Analysis:** The report continues from a previous entry on October 24, 1944, and specifically details "ATTACK NUMBER 3." This suggests the submarine has engaged the enemy multiple times during this patrol.

**Chronological Entries for 24 October 1944:**

*   **1008(I) Sighted plane (RUFE) to westward, circling.**
    *   **Analysis:** At 10:08 AM, a Japanese "RUFE" (Nakajima A6M2-N floatplane

— page 30 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS231), Report of First War Patrol.
29 October 1944 Cont'.

0426(I) STERLET had radar contact with BB's. Changed
        course to 105°T to intercept. We are expecting
        radar contact within 40 minutes. STERLET putting
        out good course and speed dope.

0500(I) Enemy changed course to north, we changed course
        to 330°T.

0537(I) Enemy changed course to 335°T, we continued on
        330°T.

0543(I) STERLET lost contact.

0551(I) Sighted STERLET to westward distance 6 miles
        (now daylight).

0557(I) Changed course to 030°T. The chase is hopeless
        if enemy continues on northerly or northwesterly
        courses. Our only chance to intercept is for him
        to change back to northeast after his change
        (dawn) to NNW. It is reasonable to presume that
        his destination may be YOKOSUKA, in which case he
        must come back to NE. We continued on 030°T at
        18 knots on this slim possibility.

0604(I) Having asked STERLET if she sent contact report
        and not having received a satisfactory reply,
        BESUGO sent report for STERLET.

0723(I) RONQUIL made contact to westward. Enemy course
        now north.

0831(I) RONQUIL lost contact.

0845(I) RONQUIL driven down by aircraft. Aircraft radar
        indications on APR.

0853(I) SJ Radar contact on aircraft to westward range
        20000 yards.

1005(I) Transmitted second report to COMSUBPAC giving him
        last known position, course and speed of battle-
        ships as reported by RONQUIL.

1030(I) Submerged, BB's are gone.

        Remainder of day uneventful.

        During night returned to Area 7 West. RONQUIL
        assigned Area 7 East.

        Shortly before midnight contacted RONQUIL by radar
        and exchanged calls.

        - 15 -

— page 31 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War
Patrol.
30 October 1944

Early in morning shifted patrol area to south-
eastern part of area. Conducted surface patrol.

During forenoon began intercepting messages of
SILVERSIDES, TRIGGER, and SALMON indicating they
are chasing some enemy ships northward into this
area. A running plot was maintained of all con-
tacts from those 3 boats. During forenoon and
afternoon BESUGO conducted search based on SILVER-
SIDES, TRIGGER, and SALMON information. We ex-
pected contact at any time from 1130(I) on. The
situation late in the afternoon was estimated as
follows:

(a) Navigation of the 4 boats involved was in-
    accurate. This was entirely understandable in
    the heavy overcast prevailing for the last two
    days.

(b) There were possibly 3 enemy convoys in this
    vicinity: 2 heading northeast being trailed
    and attacked by SILVERSIDES and SALMON each
    consisting of 1 AO and 3 escorts, and one
    convoy of 3 "ships" being trailed by TRIGGER
    on course north, making more speed than others
    (about 16 knots). Late in afternoon SILVER-
    SIDES contact was on northwesterly course.

(c) No contacts by 1600(I) indicated BESUGO and
    RONQUIL were ahead of enemy and between him and
    BUNGO SUIDO, his probable destination.

(d) The plot indicates SILVERSIDES and SALMON may
    have been reporting same convoy; however, to
    work on this assumption was not considered sound;
    better to assume 3 enemy convoys in this vicinity.

(e) Submarine present BESUGO, RONQUIL, SILVERSIDES,
    TRIGGER, SALMON, and STERLET.

Comtaskgroup 17.17 in BESUGO assumed command this
area and attempted to straighten out the situation.

1644(I) SILVERSIDES reported results of attack-tanker stopped-
        and gave position.

1722(I) SALMON reported enemy circling at 12 knots in a pos-
        ition 30 miles southwest of SILVERSIDES position.

- 16 -

— page 41 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of First War Patrol.

AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)

CONTACT NUMBER                                7       8       9       10      11      12

S Date                                        10/15   10/15   10/15   10/15   10/15   10/15
U
B Time (Zone)                                 0700 I  0840 I  1013 I  0937 I  1014 I  1102 I
M Position: Lat.                              29-55N  32-30N  32-33N  32-32N  32-29N  32-32N
A           Long.                             132-37E 132-37E 132-32E 132-03E 131-58E 131-59E
R Speed                                       2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0     2.0
I Course                                      330     000     270     005     005     005
N Trim                                        Per.    Per.    Per.    Per.    Per.    Per.
E Minutes Since Last
  SD Radar Search                                     SD radar not used

A Number                                      2       1       1       1       2       1
I Type                                        RUFE(2) PETE-ADAM RUFE    PETE    ADAM    BETTY   BETTY
R Probable Mission                            H       H       H       H       H       H
C How Contacted                               Per.    Per.    Per.    Per.    Per.    Per.
R Initial Range                               5mi.    4mi.    6mi.    4mi.    6mi.    6mi.
A Initial Bearing                             4       10      14      8       12      2
F Elevation Angle
T Range & Relative
  Bearing of Plane
  When it Detected
  S/M                                         ND      ND      ND      ND      ND      ND

C (State
O Sea: Beaufort)                              2       2       2       3       3       3
N (Direction(Rel)                             SW      SW      SW      NNE     NNE     NNE
D Visibility(Miles)                           10      10      10      5       5       5
I Clouds: (Height in
T Ft.                                         1600    1600    1600    6500    6500    6500
I (Percent
O Overcast)                                   .3      .3      .3      .3      .3      .3
N Moon: (Angle                                Day     Day     Day     Day     Day     Day
S (Bearing(Rel)                               Day     Day     Day     Day     Day     Day
  Illum.                                      Day     Day     Day     Day     Day     Day

Type of S/M Camouflage on this patrol LIGHT GREY .

-25-

— page 48 —
AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (REVISED)
CONTACT NUMBER | 49 | 50
S | Date | 11/1 | 11/1
U | Time (Zone) | 0623 I | 0920 I
M | Position: Lat. | 30-00N | 20-04N
M | Long. | 133-46E | 133-08E
A | Speed | 12.0 | 8.0
R | Course | 280 | 290
I | Trim | Surf. | Surf.
N | Minutes Since Last | |
E | SD Radar Search | -- SD radar not used |

— page 50 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of First War Patrol.
1. C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of First War Patrol.

— page 51 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War Patr
FILE: 2210 I TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 DATE: 10/16/44
LAT: 32-30N
LONG: 132-36E

TARGET DATA-DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description of target: Heavy cruiser, believed to be a
NACHI class in formation with another heavy cruiser, no
escorts and making high speed. It was a dark night but
visibility was good. Initial contact made by radar.

Ship Sunk: None

Ship Damaged or
Probably Sunk: One heavy cruiser damaged.

Damage Determined by: One torpedo was seen to hit just
abaft the bridge and another explosion was heard
approximately six seconds after the first explosion.

Target Data: Draft: 16.5' Course: 160-190
Speed: 20kts.

Own Data: Course: 280 Speed: 10kts.
Depth: Surface Angle:

Type Attack: Night surface attack, good visibility,
dark night. The initial approach was made using
radar ranges and bearings. During the attack phase,
TBT bearings and radar ranges were used. The target
appeared to be on a base course of 190°T. at a speed
of 20kts. The target was on course 160°T. with a 60P
track. Two torpedoes were fired while the target was
on course 160°T, one on the "knuckle" and three tor-
pedoes were fired when the target was on course 190°T
presenting a 90P track. The target speed used on the
TDC was 18.5kts. and the torpedo run was 2200yds. when
the first torpedo was fired. All torpedoes were Mk.
18 Mod. 1 and apparently ran hot, straight, and normal.

-35-

— page 54 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of First War
         Patrol.

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA #3
              2         3         4
Tube No.
Track Angle   104P      101P      112P
Gyro Angle    346       349       338
Depth Set     0         0         0
Hit or Miss   One hit
Erratic       No        No        No
Mk. Torpedo   18-1      18-1      18-1
Serial No.    55415     55694     56831
Mk. Exploder  8-5       8-5       8-5
Serial No.    9020      10407     10236
Actuation Set.Cont.Per. Cont.Per. Cont.Per.
Actual ActuationCont.Per.
Mk. Warhead   18-2      18-2      18-2
Serial No.    2300      3391      3131
Explosive     TPX       TPX       TPX
Firing Interval         10sec.    10sec.
Type Spread   4° Divergent
Sea ConditionsModerate sea with slight swells.
Overhaul ActivityPearl Harbor
Remarks       No end of run explosions were heard.
              All torpedoes apparently ran hot, straight, and
              normal.

-38-

— page 56 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) -- Report of First War Patrol.

(I) MINES

No data. One mine was seen at latitude 300-21'-30" N.,
longitude 1330-52'-30" E. It was obviously a moored mine which
had broken adrift from its moorings. It was about 4½ feet in
diameter and had 6 or 8 horns around the top. It was not des-
troyed. We were in a hurry.

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS

In looking back over this patrol I have the impression that
we in the BESUGO have had more concentrated enemy air anti-submar-
ine activity than has been encountered by any submarine to date on
a single patrol. This is merely an impression and it is real-
ized that such a conclusion may be entirely erroneous. Let it be
further understood that we in the BESUGO fully realize that there
is no glory to be had from encounters with enemy anti-submarine
measures. I do sincerely believe that we have gained some inval-
uable experience in countering the latest enemy equipment; namely,
his air-borne radar.

In view of the foregoing, a discussion is here presented
covering our experience with Japanese air-borne radar.

Enroute to the patrol area three submarines were in company
or in same general vicinity at all times. This covered a period
of nine days. The last three of these days traversed Japanese
air patrolled waters. During this period only one aircraft contact
was made. This was within 30 miles of SOFU GAN in the BONIN's.
The only man who saw the plane was an inexperienced lookout; no
one else was able to verify the contact. Some doubt exists in
the mind of the Commanding Officer as to whether or not there was
an actual contact.

The lack of aircraft contacts while traversing these normally
well patrolled waters is attributed to the fact that not one of the
three submarines in company used the SD radar at any time. We de-
pended on our APR to give us warning of radar equipped planes, and
on our lookouts to spot the planes first. The results, while not
conclusive, are indicative of the wisdom of the above procedure.

Our first brush with enemy aircraft equipped with radar oc-
curred during the night that we entered the patrol area. We had
radar indications on the APR on 147 mc. with the radar obviously
closing us. Then the SJ radar picked up what we now believe to
have been a false contact at 1600 yds. We remained on the surface
making full speed and reversed course with full rudder.

- 40 -

— page 66 —
COMMANDER TASK GROUP SEVENTEEN POINT SEVEN

CTG-17.7/A16-3/jhg
Serial: (014)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
10 November 1944.

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. BESUGO 1st War
Patrol report dated
4 November 1944.

From: Commander Task Group SEVENTEEN POINT SEVEN.
To : (1) Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
(2) Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET.
Via : Commander-in-Chief, PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of First War Patrol.

1. The first War Patrol of the BESUGO was conducted in the
approaches to Bungo Suido. BESUGO, with RONQUIL and GABILAN, formed a
coordinated search and attack group under the Commanding Officer of the BESUGO,
to prevent the undetected sortie of major Japanese Naval units. During the
early phase of this operation the primary mission of the group was to report
contacts prior to attacking.

2. Excellent close-in coverage of Bungo Suido was effected by
this group in the face of intense air activity. This was rewarded on 15
October by BESUGO contacting and reporting a large enemy task force, informa-
tion of which was doubtless of great value. No opportunity for attack was
presented on this contact. On the next night, however, BESUGO made contact
with two heavy cruisers and obtained one hit which damaged one and resulted in
both ships returning to port, thus depriving the enemy of these two ships at a
critical time. On the night of 24 October BESUGO sank a new type DE in a
daring and beautifully executed attack after the large and heavily escorted
ship which was the primary target zigged away so as to make attack on her
impossible. On 29 October BESUGO, with STERLET and RONQUIL engaged in the
chase of two enemy BB returning to Empire ports but none of these submarines
was able to close those targets for an attack. On 30 October the Commanding
Officer of the BESUGO assumed command of the six submarines assembled in the
vicinity of the badly damaged SALMON, and efficiently organized the start of
her successful return to port.

3. Attacks are summarized as follows:

Torpedo Attack No. 1 and Gun Attack No. 1 - A night surface
attack on a small patrol boat in which the three Mk 18-1 torpedoes fired
missed or ran under and the use of the 5" gun was ineffective due to a heavy
swell. The Commanding Officer decided to accept a draw when both 20 mm guns
jammed, because delay in arriving on station could not be accepted.

Torpedo Attack No. 2 - was a night surface attack on two high
speed zig-zagging heavy cruisers. The speed of the targets precluded any
preliminary tracking. It was unfortunate that BESUGO fired on the knuckle and

- 1 -

— page 68 —
FF12-10/L16-3(15)
Serial 02674
CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
BESUGO Report of
First War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 579
U.S.S. BESUGO - 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. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of First War Patrol.
(26 September to 5 November 1944).

1. The first war patrol of the BESUGO was conducted in
the approaches to Bungo Suido. The BESUGO, along with the U.S.S. RON-
QUIL (SS396) and the U.S.S. GABILAN (SS252), formed a coordinated at-
tack group with the Commanding Officer of the BESUGO as Group Comman-
der. Initially, the primary mission of this group was reconnaissance
preliminary to the major operations against and the capture of Palau.

2. The BESUGO not only accomplished her initial mission
of detection of enemy non-of-war departing the Bungo Suido, but caused
two heavy cruisers to return to port, one of which suffered one and
possibly two hits from torpedoes fired by the BESUGO. In addition,
the BESUGO rounded out an outstanding first war patrol with a gun at-
tack on a patrol boat, the sinking of a destroyer escort, the organi-
zation of the escort for protection of the U.S.S. SALMON (SS182) after
her famous gun battle and successful return to port in an almost
fatally damaged condition.

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

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congra-
tulates the commanding officer, officers, and crew for this aggressive,
successful first patrol. The BESUGO is credited with having inflicted
the following damage upon the enemy:

S U N K
1 - DE (UN-2 Type) (EC) - 700 tons (Attack No. 3)

D A M A G E D
1 - CA (Nachi Class) (EU) - 10,000 tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - MIS (Patrol Boat) (EU) - 300 tons (Gun Attack No. 1)

[STAMP: FILMED]
TOTAL DAMAGED 10,300 tons
TOTAL SUNK & DAMAGED 11,000 tons

Authentication and distribu-
tion on following page.

- 1 -

12 01214
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Care of Fleet Post Office;
San Francisco, California,
29 November 1944.
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

C. ... LOCKWOOD, Jr.
[STAMP: EXTRA - ORIGINAL
SORG. MICRO
PHOTO-LAB OP-16
RETURN TO F-4253]
[HANDWRITTEN: 54]

— page 69 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02674
CONFIDENTIAL
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
BESUGO Report of
First War Patrol.

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

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 579
U.S.S. BESUGO - FIRST WAR PATROL.

Subject:
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of First War Patrol.
(26 September to 5 November 1944).

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7)
CNO (5)
Cincpac (6)
Intel.Gen.Pac.Ocean Areas (1)
Consorvpac (1)
Cinclant (1)
Consubslant (8)
S/M School, NL (2)
CO, S/M Base, PH (1)
Consopac (2)
Consowespac (1)
Comsubwespac (2)
CTG 71.9 (2)
Comnorpac (1)
Comsubspac (40)
SUBAD, MI (2)
ComsubspacSubordcon (3)
All Squadron and Div.
Commanders, Pacific (2)
Substrainpac (2)
All Submarines, Pacific (1)

[SIGNATURE: C. F. Hynes and]
E. L. HYNES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary.

[HANDWRITTEN: 55.]

— page 70 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

U. S. S. BESUGO (SS321)
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.

4 December 1944

SS321/A16-3
Serial (029)
C-DECLASSIFIED-A-L

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321).
To : Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Commander Submarine Division 262.
  Commander Submarine Squadron 26.
  Commander Submarines Seventh Fleet
  Commander Seventh Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Second War Patrol.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
  (B) Track Charts (Commander Submarines, Seventh Fleet
  only).

  1. Enclosure (A), covering the second war patrol of this
vessel conducted in SOUTH CHINA SEA and LINGAYEN STRAIT (PHILIPPINE
ISLANDS) during the period 10 November 1944 to 4 December 1944, is
forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: T. L. Wogan]
T. L. WOGAN

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: OF-0989C DATE 5/24/72]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: 101478]

— page 71 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Second War Patrol.

(A) PROLOGUE

    Arrived SAIPAN from first patrol 5 November, 1944. Moored
    alongside U.S.S.FULTON (AS11). Fuel ed and provisioned to cap-
    acity. Five days voyage repairs. Shifted torpedo loading plan
    - Mark 23's forward, Mark 18's aft. No training. Ready for
    sea 10 November, 1944.

(B) NARRATIVE

    10 November 1944

    1520(I) Underway from alongside U.S.S. FULTON, stood out of
            TANAPAG Inner Harbor.

    1600(I) Anchored TANAPAG outer harbor.

    1634(I) Underway, cleared TANAPAG HARBOR, and fell in with sur-
            face escort, U.S.S. CAUTION, and seven other submarines.
            Set course west southwest.

    2130(I) Changed course to northwest, making two engine speed,
            dropped astern of other submarines.

    11 November 1944

    Cruising on surface at 2 engine speed. Made training
    dives, held drills day and night.

    12 November 1944

    Cruising on surface at 2 engine speed. Made dawn dive.
    During forenoon held machine gun drill and firing.

    1340(I) Sighted mast to southward, changed course to close.

    1427(I) Identified contact as friendly submarine headed south-
            west, perhaps GABILAN. [HANDWRITTEN: not Zebrin] Continued westward at 2 engine
            speed. Continued training dives and drills including
            battle surface (firing machine guns), and night track-
            ing drill.

    13 November 1944

    Cruising on surface at 2 engine speed. Training dives
    throughout day. Drills during night and day.

    1015(I) Sighted a Liberator, exchanged recognition signals.

-1-

— page 91 —
Okay, let let's break down this image and transcribe the text. It appears to be a page from a WWII submarine patrol report, specifically for the USS Besugo (SS321).

Here's the transcription:

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Second War Patrol.

— page 92 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BENGU (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK # 1 PATROL NO. 2
Time: 0520(H) Date: 22 Nov. 1944 Lat.11°-40'N, Long.119°-36'E

Target Data & Damage Inflicted
Description: Medium tanker, approximately 6000 tons, length
about 400 feet. Apparently loaded with gasoline,
towing a barge.

Ship(s) Sunk: One medium tanker, 6000 tons.
Damage determined by: Tanker was observed to sink.
Target Draft: Est. 25 ft. Course: 210° Speed: 7.9 kts. Range: 1810

Own Ship Data
Speed: 10 kts. Course: 315° Depth: Surface Angle: ______

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type attack: Night surface attack, target was sighted. Attack
was made using TBT bearings and radar ranges.
Fired four Mk.23 torpedoes; torpedo run was 2100
yards, 100 port track. Using a 2° divergent
spread. All torpedoes appeared to run hot
straight and normal. One hit was made.

-19-

— page 93 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U. S. S. BESUGO (SS321)

Tubes Fired             - # 3 # 4 # 5 # 6
Track angle             - 102P    106P    109.5P  105.5P
Gyro angle              - 333     329     325.5   329.5
Depth set               - 6       6       6       6
Power                   -
Hit or Miss             - ON      ON - Probably last torpedo.
Erratic                 - No      No      No      No
Mark Torpedo            - Mk.23   Mk.23   Mk.23   Mk.23
Serial No.              - 41411   62556   41116   62539
Mark Exploder           - 6-4     6-4     6-4     6-4
Serial No.              - 750     11921   175     1467
Actuation Set           - Con.Por Con.Por. Con.Por. Con.Por.
Actuation Actual        -
Mk. Warhead             - Mk.16   Mk.16   Mk.16   Mk.16
Serial No.              - 4105    4068    4317    7692
Explosive               - TPX     TPX     TPX     TPX
Firing Interval         -         8       8       8
Type spread             - 2° divergent
Sea conditions          - Slight swells, calm.
Overhaul activity       - U.S.S. FULTON (AS-11)

-20-

— page 94 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. SUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 PATROL NO. 2
TIME: 0530(H) DATE: 22 Nov. 1944 LAT. 11°-44'N, LONG:119°-32'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description: Barge about 300 feet long.
Estimated 3000 gross tons.
Ship(s) Sunk: One barge.
Damage inflicted: Torpedo was seen to hit. When last seen stern
by: was underwater and bow out at an angle of 45°.
Ship probably on bottom.
Target Data: Course: 210° Speed: 0 Range: 1650

Own Ship Data
Speed: 7.4 Kts. Course: 307° & 102° Depth: surface. Angle: ---

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type Attack: Night surface attack. Attack made using TBT
bearings and radar ranges. Fired two Mk.23
torpedoes forward. 85 Port track, 1800 yard
torpedo run using a ½° divergent spread,
Fired two Mk.18-1 torpedoes aft. 80 Port
track, 1900 yard torpedo run using a ½°
divergent spread.

— page 95 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
                                                                ATTACK # 2
                                                                PATROL # 2
Tubes Fired:             - # 1         # 2         # 7         # 8

Track angle              - 086P        087P        079P        080P
Gyro angle               - 359         000         187         188
Depth set                - 6           6           6           6
Power                    - -           -           -           -
Hit or Miss              - Hit         Miss        Miss        Miss
Erratic                  - No          No
Mk. Torpedo              - Mk.23       Mk.23       Mk.18-1     Mk.18-1
Serial No.               - 61941       52778       55525       56767
Visual run               - 6-4         6-4         8-5         8-5
Serial No.               - 18298       2942        10061       10325
Actuation arm            - Con.Per.    Con.Per.    Con.Per.    Con.Per.
Actuation actual         - Con.Per.
Mk.Warhead               -             Mk.16       Mk.18-2     Mk.18-2
Serial No.               - 3339        7639        3549        3334
Explosive                - TPX         TPX         TPX         TPX
Firing Interval          -             8           10          10
Type spread              - One half degree (½°) divergent
Sea Conditions           - Slight sea low swells.

Overall activity - U. S. S. FULTON (AS-11): S/M Base, Pearl
                   Harbor.

— page 96 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3 PATROL NO. 2
TIME: 2136(H) DATE: 22 NOV.1944 LAT: 11°-37'-30"N LONG:119°-25'00"E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description: Ship was a cargo vessel with the lines of a
new ship, raked bow, cruiser stern and com-
posite superstructure. He was heavily laden
and cruising at 15 knots. A good conserva-
tive estimate; he was a 7500 ton cargo vessel.

Ship(s) Sunk: None
Ship(s) damaged or
probably sunk: None

Target Draft: Est.25 ft; Course: 170° ; Speed: est 14; Range:1410

Own Ship Data
Speed: 4 knots; Course: 300°T; Depth: Surface; Angle: ____

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
No. 1 surface attack. Target was picked up by
radar at a range of 12060 yards. The approach
was made using radar ranges and bearings. The
target was making 20° to 10° right and left
zig-zags on course of 210° and making 15 knots.
Fired four Mk.23 torpedoes, 75 port track,
torpedo run 900 yards using a 3° divergent
spread.

-23-

— page 97 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)                               ATTACK # 3
                                                    PATROL # 2

Tubes Fired         - # 3      4      5      6
Track angle         - 066P   076P   082P   078.5 P
Gyro angle          - 344    334    328    331.5
Depth set           - 6 ft   6 ft   6ft    6 ft
Power               -
Hit or Miss         - Miss   Miss   Miss   Miss
Erratic             - No     No     No     No
Type torpedo        - Mk.23  Mk.23  Mk.23  Mk.23
Serial No.          - 61845  62061  52895  41248
Hydro odor          - 6-4    6-4    6-4    6-4
Run time            - 8399   2894   8425   18197
Actual run          - Cont.Per.Cont.Per.Cont.Per Cont.Per.
Mark warhead        - Mk.16  Mk.16  Mk.16  Mk.16
Serial No.          - 7636   7752   4304   4097
Explosive           - TPX    TPX    TPX    TPX
Firing Interval     -        8      8      8
Type spread         - 3° divergent
Sea conditions      - Slight sea, low swells.
Overhaul activity   - U. S. S. FULTON (AS11)
Remarks             - Torpedoes appeared to run HSN.
                      Reason for misses appears to be short
                      torpedo run, Gyro angles and under-
                      estimation of target speed.

— page 98 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO.4 PATROL NO. 2
TIME: 2242(H) DATE: 22 NOV.1944 LAT: 11°-22'N LONG:119°-07'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description: Same ship as attack No.3
Ship(s) Sunk: None
Ship(s) damaged or
probably sunk: One 7500 ton cargo vessel.
Damage determined by: Torpedo was seen to hit. Target stopped.
Target Draft: Est.25 ft.; Course: 195° Speed: 15 Range: 2060

Own Ship Data
Speed: 5.3 Course: 300° & 085° Depth: Surface Angle:

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type attack: Night surface attack. The entire approach was made
using radar ranges and bearings. Target was zigging
on base course of 210° making 15 knots. Fired four
torpedoes Mk.23 forward, 75 port track, 1500 yard
torpedo run using a 2° divergent spread. Fired four
Mk.18-1 aft 95 Port Track.

-25-

— page 99 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)                                    ATTACK # 4
                                                        PATROL # 2

Tubes fired      - # 1        2        3        4        7        8        9        10
Track angle      - 072.5P     074P     078P     075P     093P     095P     096P     084P
Gyro angle       - 002.5      001      357      000      197      195      194      206
Depth set        - 6 ft       6 ft     6 ft     6 ft     6 ft     6 ft     6 ft     6 ft
Power            -
Hit or miss      - Miss       Miss     Hit      Miss     Miss     Miss     Miss     Miss
[UNCLEAR: Gyro setting] - No         No       No       No       No       No       No       No
Mark             - Mk.23      Mk.23    Mk.23    Mk.23    18-1     18-1     18-1     18-1
Serial No.       - 52802      52788    41168    62022    56906    56828    55098    56846
Mark             - 6-4        6-4      6-4      6-4      8-5      8-5      8-5      8-5
Serial No.       - 11538      12951    11203    1774     10023    10598    10435    10331
Activation       - Cont. Per. on all torpedoes.
Activation       - Cont. Per. on all torpedoes.
Mark Warhead     - Mk.16      Mk.16    Mk.16    Mk.16    18-2     18-2     18-2     18-2
Serial No.       - 7661       10010    4056     3962     3479     3320     3357     3605
Explosive        - TPX        TPX      TPX      TPX      TPX      TPX      TPX      TPX
Firing interval  -            8        8        8        10       10       10       10
Type spread      - 2°div      2°div    2°div    2°div    2°div    0°       4°div    0°

Sea conditions- Slight sea, low swells.
Overhaul activity-U.S.S. FULTON (AS11) : S/M Base, Pearl Harbor
Remarks          - One hit amidships. Misses aft were caused by target
                   having stopped after one torpedo of bow salvo hit.

— page 100 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5 PATROL NO. 2
TIME: 2256(H) DATE: 22 NOV.1944 LAT:11°-22'N LONG:119°-07'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted

Description: Same ship as attacks No. 3 and 4. He was
stopped due to a torpedo hit from attack
No.4

Sunk: No: 0

Damaged or One 7500 ton cargo ship.
Sunk:

Determined by: Torpedoes were seen to hit. Explosions
were felt and heard.

Draft: Est.25ft Course: Speed: 0 Range: 2000

Own Ship Data

Course: 280° Depth: Surface Angle:

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type attack: Night surface attack. Target was dead in the
water. Fired two Mk.23 torpedoes forward, 90
port track, torpedo run 2000 yds. Both fired
to hit bow.

-27-

— page 101 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                 ATTACK # 1
                                                              PATROL # 2

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
Tubes fired                 -    # 1                      # 2
Track angle                 -    90 P                     90 P
Gyro angle                  -    000.5                    000
Depth set                   -    10 ft                    10 ft
Power                       -
Hit or Miss                 -    Hit                      Hit
Erratic                     -    No                       No
Mark torpedo                -    Mk.23                    Mk.23
Serial No.                  -    41361                    62020
Mark exploder               -    6-4                      6-4
Serial No.                  -    11919                    12673
Actuation set               -    Cont.Per                 Cont.Per
Actuation actual            -    Cont.Per                 Cont.Per
Mark warhead                -    Mk.16                    Mk.16
Serial No.                  -    4306                     2248
Explosive                   -    TPX                      TPX
Firing interval             -                             8
Type spread                 -
Sea conditions              -    Slight sea, low swells.
Overhaul acticity-          -    U.S.S. FULTON (AS11)

                                                              -28-

— page 102 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U. S. S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 6 PATROL NO. 2
TIME: 2331(H) DATE: 22 NOV.1944 LAT: 11°-22'N LONG: 119°-07'E
Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description: Same ship as attacks No's. 3, 4, & 5. Target
stopped due to torpedo hits from attacks
4 and 5.
Ship(s) Sunk: None
Ship(s) Damaged or One 7500 ton cargo ship. Damaged from attacks
probably sunk: 4 and 5.
Target Draft:Est 25 ft. Course: Speed: 0 Range: 1240

Own Ship Data
Speed: 0 Course: 077° Depth: Surface Angle:

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type attack: Night surface attack. Target was stopped dead
in the water. Fired one Mk.18-1 aft, 90 port
track, torpedo run 1240 yards. Fired to hit MOT.

-29-

— page 103 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                        ATTACK # 6
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)                                        PATROL # 2
Tubes fired             - # 9
Track angle             - 90P
Gyro angle              - 188.4
Depth set               - 8 ft
Power                   -
Hit or Miss             - Miss
Erratic                 -
Mark torpedo            - 18-1
Serial No.              - 55527
Mark exploder           - 8-5
Serial No.              - 8944
Actuation set           - Cont.Per.
Actuation actual        -
Mark Warhead            - 18-2
Serial No.              - 7744
Explosive               - TPX
Firing interval         -
Type spread             -
Sea conditions          - Slight sea, low swells.
Overhaul activity       - U.S.SUBMARINE BASE, PEARL HARBOR
Remarks                 - Torpedo #55527 had a flooded afterbody a
                          few hours previous to attack. This casualty
                          was remedied. Torpedo appeared to start
                          normally but it is not certain that it ran
                          HSII. The reason for the miss is not known.

                                        -30-

— page 104 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 7 PATROL NO. 2
TIME: 2344(H) DATE: 22 NOV.1944 LAT: 11°-22'N LONG:119°-07'E

Target Data - Damage Inflicted
Description: Same ship as attacks No's. 3,4,5 and 6.

Ship(s) sunk: None
Ship(s) damaged or One 7500 ton cargo ship due to previous hits
probably sunk: from attacks 4 and 5.

Target draft: Est.25 ft. Course: ______ Speed: 0 Range: 1000

Own Ship Data
Speed: 2 knts. Course: 087° Depth: Surface Angle: ______

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type attack: Night surface attack. Target was stopped.
Fired one Mk.18-1 aft, 90 port track,
torpedo run 1000 yards and gyro angle
180. Torpedo was fired to hit MOT.
The failure to hit is not understood.

-31-

— page 105 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L                                        ATTACK # 7
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)                                         PATROL # 2
Tubes Fired             - # 10
Track angle             - 90P
Gyro angle              - 180
Depth set               - 3 ft
Power                   -
Hit or Miss             - Miss
Erratic                 -
Mark torpedo            - 18-1
Serial No.              - 55397
Mark exploder           - 8-5
Serial No.              - 9118
Actuation set           - Cont.Por.
Actuation actual        -
Mark Warhead            - 18-2
Serial No.              - 2195
Explosive               - TPX
Firing interval         -
Type spread             -
Sea conditions          - Slight sea, low swells.
Overhaul activity       - Pearl Harbor
Remarks                 - Could not engage gyro spindle on torpedo
                          #55397. Gyro was set on zero.

                                                              -32-

                                                                                             [HANDWRITTEN: 36]

— page 106 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY SIX

FC5-26/L16-3
Serial: 015

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
December 6, 1944.

CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to U.S.S.
BESUGO - Report of Second
War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY-SIX.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarines, Seventh Fleet.
(2) The Commander Seventh Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Second War Pat-
rol.

1. The second war patrol of the U.S.S. BESUGO
covered a period of twenty-five days, eleven of which were
spent under operational control of Commander Task Force
Seventy-One north of the MALAY BARRIER. The patrol was
commenced from SAIPAN and terminated at FREMANTLE, WESTERN
AUSTRALIA.

2. The outstanding event of the patrol was the
three-day aggressive reconnaissance off LIKUPACAN STRAITS,
inside the off lying dangerous waters, during which an
area was covered that the enemy apparently considered invulner-
able. The aggressive conduct of the BESUGO during this
portion of the patrol was highly commendable.

3. Four contacts on enemy vessels were made. Two
of these were developed into successful attacks, one was lost,
the other abandoned in order to accomplish an attack on a
large vessel. Twenty-four torpedoes were fired in one day
with five observed hits resulting in one tanker exploding and
sinking, a barge which was in a sinking condition when last
observed and three hits in a large merchant vessel which
was left resting on the bottom.

..ttack No. 1: After a surface radar approach on a
medium tanker four torpedoes were fired at a range of
2100 yards resulting in one hit amidships which put
the target on fire. The remaining torpedoes missed,
probably due to an over estimate of target speed.

..ttack No. 2: Immediately following the above attack a
barge, which had apparently been towed by the tanker sunk
on attack No. 1, was picked up by radar and, after

- 1 -

— page 107 —
705-26/A16-3
Seri l: 015
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject:

SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY SIX
Care of Fleet Post Office;
San Francisco, California,
December 6, 1944.

U.S.S. BLUGO (SS321) - Report of Second
War Patrol.

...ll four main engines will require overhaul and double hatches
will be installed in the after battery, engine room and after
torpedo room during the normal refit period.

6. The Squadron Commander notes with concern
the statement in paragraph (M) of the subject report concern-
ing radar equipment. It is considered that this equipment
can be of considerable value when kept in proper operating
condition and used intelligently, particularly in areas
where experience has shown that enemy planes are not radar
equipped.

7. The Squadron Commander congratulates the
Commanding Officer, officers and crew for their aggressive
conduct which resulted in an excellent and successful war
patrol and in inflicting important damage on the enemy.

[SIGNATURE: J. Hutton]
J. HUTTON

— page 108 —
Reg. No. [HANDWRITTEN: : 2.53]
R.S. No. [STAMP: 12 '04363]

FE24-71/A16-3
Serial 01523
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

UNITED STATES NAVY
13 December 1944.
12a/hr

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr. A16-3
dated 4 December,
1944. Report of Second War
Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET.
To: The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via: The Commander, SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Second War
Patrol - Comment on.

1.
BESUGO's Second War Patrol was conducted in the
SOUTH CHINA SEA in the western approaches to LINAPACAN STRAIT.

2.
On the third day spent in offensive reconnaissance
patrol between the outlying reefs and the entrance to LINAPACAN
STRAIT, in a pre-dawn surface attack, BESUGO sank an unescorted
medium tanker and a large barge that was being towed. That night
sixteen torpedoes were expended in a series of five
attacks on a large unescorted AK. Three hits left the target
stopped and considerably settled in the water.

3.
The Commanding Officer expressed the opinion that
the AK had settled on a six fathom spot in the vicinity of the last
three attacks. This is considered possible, but since the ship was
not sighted subsequently by the daily plane searches over this area,
it must be assumed that the ship was salvaged.

4.
The award of the Submarine Combat Insignia is
authorized for this patrol.

5.
The Force Commander welcomes BESUGO's Commanding
Officer, Officers and Crew to this Force and congratulates them on
inflicting the following damage on the enemy:

SUNK
1 - AO (Medium - EU) 5,000 Tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - Barge (Large - EU) 3,000 Tons (Attack No. 2)
Total 8,000 Tons

[STAMP: FILMED]
- 1 -
[STAMP: EXTRA : ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: SORG. MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]
[HANDWRITTEN: 40 ⊥]

— page 109 —
FE24-71/A16-3 UNITED STATES NAVY
12a/hr
Serial 01523 13 December 1944.

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

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
Conf. Ltr. A16-3/FE24-71,
Serial 029, dated 4 December,
1944. Report of Second War
Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Second War
Patrol - Comment on.

DAMAGED

1 - AK (Large - EU) 7,500 Tons (Attacks No. 3A,B,C,D,
and E)
Grand Total 15,500 Tons

R. W. CHRISTIE.

DISTRIBUTION:

Cominch (3) - Direct CTG-71.5 (2)
Vice Opnav (2) - Direct CTG-71.8 (2)
Vice Opnav-23c (1) CTG-71.9 (2)
ComlstFlt (1) ComSubRon-12 (2)
Com2ndFlt (1) DivComsSubRon-12 (1 each)
Com7thFlt (2) DivComsSubRon-18 (1 each)
ComSubslstFlt (50) DivComsSubRon-26 (1 each)
ComSubs2ndFlt (4) ComSubDiv-162 (1)
CTF-71 (7) S/I School F.L. Conn. (2)
CTG-71.3 (2) Subad, Mare Island. (2)
CTG-71.4 (2) S/Iis 7thFlt (1)

THIS REPORT WILL BE DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTRY INTO ENEMY CONTROLLED WATERS.

[SIGNATURE: J. B. Miller]
J. B. MILLER,
Flag Secretary.

- 2 -

[HANDWRITTEN: 41]

— page 110 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST CONT]

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

SS321/A16-3
Serial (030)
15 February 1945

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED T-1-A-L]

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321).
To : Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) Commander Submarine Division 202.
(2) Commander Submarine Squadron 26.
(3) Commander Submarines Seventh Fleet.
(4) Commander Seventh Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Charts (ComSubsSEVENTH Flt. only)
(C) Wolf Pack Communication Log (ComSubsSEVENTH Flt.
only).

1. Enclosures (A) and (B), covering the third war
patrol of this vessel, conducted in the SOUTH CHINA SEA off the
entrance to the GULF OF SIAM and off the coast of MALAYA, during
the period 24 December 1944 to 15 February 1945 is forwarded
herewith.

2. This report also covers salient features of the
operations of the coordinated search and attack group commanded
by the Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321). The U.S.S.
BESUGO (SS321), U.S.S. HARDHEAD (SS365) comprised this group,
with U.S.S. COBLIA (SS245) joining for a period of six days and
U.S.S. BLACKFIN (SS322) joining for a period of nine days.

T. I. MORAN

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY O9R9C DATE 5/24/72]

[HANDWRITTEN: 112559]

DECLASSIFIED

4 01637

— page 113 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BRSUCC (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

0755(H) Fired three torpedoes, missed. Target was small inter-
island freighter about 1000 tons.

0831(H) Surfaced, proceeded.

Numerous native sails in sight throughout the day.

1110(H) SD radar contact, 8 miles, dived.
1150(H) Surfaced.

1238(H) SD radar contact, 6 miles, dived.
1320(H) Surfaced.

1455(H) Sighted plane, DAVE or PETE, distant about 8 miles,
dived.

1610(H) Surfaced.

1650(H) Sighted plane, DAVE or PETE, distant about 8 miles,
dived.

1733(H) Surfaced.

1 January 1945

Cruising westward through JAVA SEA. Occasional native
sails in sight during day.

During afternoon exchanged calls and information with
BECUNA. Tracking drill, BECUNA target.

2 January 1945

During early morning prior to daylight made uneventful
transit of KARIMATA STRAIT, entered SOUTH CHINA SEA.

1350(H) SD radar contact, 11 miles, dived.
1457(H) Surfaced, continued at 2 engine speed.

3 January 1945

Proceeding to patrol area at 2 engine speed.

2205(H) Received contact report from GURNARD on southbound
convoy including possible battleship.

- 3 -

— page 116 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS 321), Report of Third War Patrol.

1000(H) Received orders to cover southern approaches to CAPE
 KAMAO to intercept an enemy task force which may sortie
 from vicinity of CAPE KAMAO. Shifted scouting line to
 a point 75 miles south of CAPE KAMAO, direction of line
 east - west, covering a 40 mile front.

 This is a strategic location. It gives the most prac-
 tical coverage of CAPE KAMAO from southward and still
 covers two convoy routes. Depth of water is about 165
 ft. During night BESUGO and HARDHEAD made a sweep in
 closer to the CAPE in the 75 ft. water, returning to
 original scouting positions by daylight next day.

8 January 1945

 Surface patrol maintaining scouting line 75 miles south
 of CAPE KAMAO.

1306(H) SD radar contact, 8 miles, dived.
1311(H) On bomb, not close.
1540(H) Surfaced.
 Shifted scouting line 65 miles to eastward. This will
 cover two convoy routes and still maintain coverage of
 south southeastern approaches to CAPE KAMAO. Consider
 that our discovery renders enemy task force interception
 in present location most improbable.

9 January 1945

 Surface patrol on scouting line with HARDHEAD, 80 miles
 SSE of CAPE KAMAO.

1058(H) SD radar contact, 6 miles, dived.
1313(H) Surfaced.
 Shortly after surfacing sighted HARDHEAD to eastward.
 HARDHEAD informed us of dispatch orders from Task Force
 Commander to move to southward.

1400(H) Set course 195° T. speed 17 kt.

10 January 1945

0230(H) BESUGO and HARDHEAD in new assigned position.
0500(H) COBLA, who joined this pack yesterday, in assigned
 position.

- 6 -

— page 119 —
Okay, I will transcribe the text from the image.

Here's the transcription:

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS 321), Report of Third War Patrol.

— page 131 —
The provided image is a page from a document, likely a report or log, given the format and content. It appears to be a historical document, possibly from a military context, specifically a submarine patrol report, given the mention of "U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)" and terms like "periscope," "torpedoes," "depth charges," and "radar."

Here's the transcription of the text from the image:

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

— page 136 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

(C) WEATHER

The weather was at all times fine and moderate. "Glassy
Seas" existed about one third of the time. Good "Periscope
Approach Seas" existed the remaining two thirds of the time.
Visibility was unlimited during 95 percent of the time on
station with almost a complete absence of rain. Temperatures
were invariably cool and pleasant.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION

The currents encountered in area D-2 were consistent and
agreed with the predicted currents shown in H.O. Misc. No.
11530-1, "Submarine Supplement to the Sailing Directions".
The currents varied in strength from .4 to .7 kts. and in set,
from south through southwest to west. The only exception to
this was in the vicinity of GREAT REDANG ISLAND where the set
shifted from west to south twice daily. The strength of the
current here was .5 kts.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

Charts of all areas traversed were entirely satisfactory.
No navigational lights were found to be burning. A steady and
weak white light (mentioned previously on some patrol reports)
was seen on SIBUETOE ISLAND (KARIMATA STRAIT). In the vicinity
of the navigational light shown on the chart. Since this light
was extinguished while being observed, it is believed that this
is merely a beach light".

The large tanker sunk by this vessel in 30 fathoms of
water at Lat. 06° - 57' N., Long. 102° - 57' E. is believed to
constitute a danger to submarine navigation.

(F) SHIP CONTACTS

| No. | Time Date | Lat. Long. | Type | Init. Range | Est. Course | Speed | How Cont. | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2318(H) 12/30/44 | 08°39'00"S 115°41'00"E | Patrol Boat | 9900 | 000° | 10 | R | LOMBOK STR. AVOIDED. |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 | 2329(H) 12/30/44 | 08°37'00"S 115°45'00"E | Patrol Boat | 7200 | Unknown | Unknown | R | LOMBOK STR. AVOIDED |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 3 | 2354(H) 12/30/44 | 08°31'00"S 115°48'00"E | Patrol Boat | 12200 | Unknown | Unknown | R | LOMBOK STR. AVOIDED |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

- 26 -

— page 138 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BASSUGO (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

No. | Time | Lat. | Type | Init. | How | Course | Remarks
| Date | Long. | | Range | Cont. | Speed |
6 | 1058(H) | 07°00'30"N | Unknown | 8 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/9/45 | 105°32'30"E | | | | | |
7 | 0934(H) | 04°36'30"N | Unknown | 6 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/10/45 | 104°28'00"E | | | | | |
8 | 1110(H) | 04°48'00"N | Unknown | 10 mi | SD | 355° | 2 engine
| 1/10/45 | 104°28'30"E | | | | | 120 kt. | landplane.
9 | 1351(H) | 04°12'00"N | Unknown | 6 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/11/45 | 104°55'00"E | | | | | |
10 | 1445(H) | 04°11'15"N | Unknown | ½ mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/11/45 | 104°57'15"E | | | | | |
11 | 0931(H) | 04°55'00"N | SALLY | 10 mi | SD | 180° |
| 1/12/45 | 105°08'00"E | | | | | 150 kt. |
12 | 0926(H) | 05°46'30"N | Unknown | 5 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/13/45 | 103°41'15"E | | | | | |
13 | 0753(H) | 06°00'30"N | BETTY | 7 mi | SD | 100° |
| 1/14/45 | 103°40'30"E | | | | | 150 kt. |
14 | 1155(H) | 05°55'00"N | BETTY | 8 mi | SD | 280° |
| 1/14/45 | 103°37'15"E | | | | | 200 kt. |
15 | 1608(H) | 05°57'30"N | RUTH or | 5 mi | SD | 330 |
| 1/14/45 | 103°42'00"E | BETTY | | | | 150 kt. |
16 | 0934(H) | 05°59'00"N | BETTY | 15 mi | SD | 110 |
| 1/15/45 | 103°39'30"E | | | | | 180 kt. |
17 | 1434(P) | 05°54'00"N | Unknown | 11 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/15/45 | 103°34'00"E | | | | | |
18 | 1314(P) | 06°00'00"N | Unknown | 9 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/17/45 | 105°12'00"E | | | | | |
19 | 1019(H) | 06°02'00"N | Unknown | 9 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/18/45 | 105°12'00"E | | | | | |
20 | 0911(E) | 06°07'00"N | Unknown | 9 mi | R | Unknown |
| 1/19/45 | 105°13'30"E | | | | | |

- 28 -

— page 150 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T -A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING
Torpedoes | Fuel | Provisions | Personnel Factor
5 | 7000 gal. | 20 days | 15 days

This patrol was terminated by provisions of the operation
order. 32 days was spent in the area with one additional
day awaiting life guard duty which assignment was cancelled
and we were ordered to return to base.

(U) REMARKS

1. This patrol was conducted in a relatively shallow
water, open sea area. The patrol area abutted the coast
of MALAYA at only one point, northwest of GT. REDANG IS-
LAND.

The plan followed in covering the area with two
submarines was based on the only information available;
viz, the Japanese Shipping Routes (Seventh Fleet Intell-
igence Center A29-44) and the discovery of an additional
route close to the western boundary of the area. An exam-
ination of the chart will show that 200 miles separate
the easternmost and the westernmost routes. The northern
area of convergence of routes lies in shallow water where
submarine operations are impossible. It was obvious that
all routes could not be covered, therefore we chose the
western or inshore routes because of the well know Jap
preference for coastal routes over open sea routes. The
eastern routes gave them the minimum of open water to
traverse.

It was further decided to keep the submarines of
the pack concentrated in so far as practicable, maintain-
ing a standard scouting distance of 20 miles with the scout-
ing line always athwart one or more convoy routes. It was
apparent that a surface patrol was necessary for effective
coverage. The entire patrol followed this general scheme.
We covered the area west of Long. 105° - 15' E.

Two places suggested themselves for patrol: (1) the
convergence point of two convoy routes at Lat. 06° - 52' N.,
Long. 104° - 03' E. and (2) off GT. REDANG ISLAND. Some
little time was also spent immediately south of the south-
ern boundary of Area D-2. Each departure from the assigned
area was well considered and made for specific reason, with
due regard for the submarines operating to the southward. We
definitely did not interfere with other submarines at any
time.

- 40 -

— page 151 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Third War Patrol.

2.
It is believed that the enemy may at any time move
his submarines into this area for anti submarine work.
They will constitute a definite hazard. If we continue
to work this area, we will have to utilize patrolling
on the surface. Under these conditions the counter meas-
ures to be employed by our submarines are at least eight
knots speed at all times, travel zig-zagging, dawn and
dusk dives, frequent change of patrol points, and naturally
the utmost vigilance.

3.
The patrol was a long and arduous one. Materiel and
personnel stood up excellently. Only one major casualty
occurred - the loss of the artillery man for the entire
patrol. This caused inconvenience, but did not affect
operations.

4.
The ship is in fine materiel condition, and will
require a normal refit.

5.
The wolf pack operations are covered in the narrative.

- 41 -

— page 152 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1 PATROL 3.
TIME 0755 DATE 12/31/44 LAT. 07°-16.7'S LONG. 115°-08'E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED
Description: Small interisland freighter with raised fore-
             castle and poop, composite superstructure with
             no masts or kingposts. Estimated about 600 tons.

Ship(s) Sunk: None.

Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk: None.

Damage Determined by: None.

Target Draft. Est. 6 ft. Course 269 Speed 08 Range 2100.

OWN SHIP DATA
Speed 3 Course 310° Depth 65 ft. Angle 1° Down.

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA
Type Attack: Day periscope attack. Fired three Mk. 14-3A
             torpedoes, torpedo run was 2450 yds. for first
             torpedo, track angle was 130 Port using ½° div-
             ergent spread between torpedoes.

- 42 -

— page 153 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
                                                                ATTACK   1
                                                                PATROL   3

Tubes Fired:                                     # 1       # 2       # 3

Track Angle             -                       128.2P    130.3P    131.2P
Gyro Angle              -                       010.3     008.7     007
Depth Set               -                       0         0         0
Power                   -                       High      High      High
Hit or Miss             -                       MISS      MISS      MISS
Erratic                 -                       No
Mark Torpedo            -                       14-3A     14-3A     14-3A
Serial No.              -                       66322     64402     66221
Mk. Exploder            -                       6-5       6-5       6-5
Serial No.              -                       19742     37717     19800
Actuation Set           -                       Con.El.   Con.El.   Con.El.
A Actuation Actual      -                       -         -         -
Mark Warhead            -                       16-1      16-1      16-1
Serial No.              -                       175508    34245     16392
Explosive               -                       TPX       TPX       TPX
Firing Interval         -                       0         8         8
Type Spread             -                       0         ½°L       ½°R
Sea Conditions          -                       Flat calm
Overhaul Activity       -                       U.S.S. ANTHEDON (AS24).
REMARKS: Commanding Officer saw wake of first torpedo.
         Sound tracked two of them out but did not hear
         #3 run.

                                                - 43 -
                                                                        [HANDWRITTEN: 44]

— page 154 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 PATROL 3 .
TIME 2117 DATE 1/6/45 LAT. 06°-57'N. LONG. 102°-57'E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description: Target observed through periscope at 26500 yds.
while on surface. All that could be seen was top
of bridge and his enormous fat stack. Stack height
estimated 65 ft. As he turned, he was observed to
be a very large, loaded tanker, with two masts and
king posts in long well between bridge and poop.
Estimated as new very large Jap tanker of 15000
gross tons. Our radar lobe switched and accurately
tracked at range of 27500 yds. The only ship com-
parable to this is our new 17000 ton tankers which
we have previously tracked.

Ship(s) Sunk: One large, loaded tanker, estimated 15000 gross tons.

Damage Determined by: First torpedo hit halfway between MOT and
stern, second hit MOT, third hit 1/3 way between
MOT and bow. Tanker stopped, on fire, listed
heavily to port, capsized and sank stern first. Bow
remained out of water at angle of about 60°, stern
on bottom.

Target Draft 32 ft. Course 000° Speed 13 Range 4250.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 13 Course 130° Depth Surface Angle .

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack: Night surface attack on tanker escorted by 1 DD
and 2 DE's. DD ahead about 1500 yds, DE's on each
quarter on base course. Target group on base course
about 10 minutes with about 5 minute legs 35° right
and left of base course. Biggest zig 35°. Approach
was made using radar ranges and bearings. During
the attack phase, TBT bearings and radar ranges
were used. The target was zig-zagging on a base
course of 035° T. and was cruising at 13 kts. Fired
6 Mk. 14-2A torpedoes, on a 60° port track, torpedo
run of 3450 yds. for first torpedo, using a 1° div-
ergent spread between torpedoes. Hit target with
three torpedoes: Used target course 000°T. for
torpedoes #1 and #2; then plot detected a target
zig 30° away to course 030°T. TDC used this new
course of 030°T. for torpedoes #3 and #4; then plot
informed TDC target had not zigged and was still on
course 000°T. and TDC used course 000°T. for tor-
pedoes #5 and #6.
- 44 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 45]

— page 155 —
E-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
                                                                ATTACK   2
                                                                PATROL   3
Tubes Fired             | # 1   | # 2   | # 3   | # 4   | # 5   | # 6
Track Angle             | - 060P | 061.5P | 063P | 064P | 061P | 058P
Gyro Angle              | - 350 | 348.5 | 347 | 346 | 349 | 352
Depth Set               | - 6   | 6     | 6   | 6   | 6   | 6
Power                   | - High | High  | High | High | High | High
Hit or Miss             | - HIT | HIT   | HIT | MISS | MISS | MISS
Erratic                 | - No  | No    | No  | No   | No   | No
Mark Torpedo            | - 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A | 14-3A
Serial No.              | - 19864 | 66413 | 66291 | 66244 | 66272 | 66433
Mk. Exploder            | - 6-5 | 6-5   | 6-5 | 6-5  | 6-5  | 6-5
Serial No.              | - 25281 | 26391 | 26438 | 19695 | 25770 | 17479
Actuation Set           | - Con.El. | Con.El. | Con.El. | Con.El. | Con.El. | Con.El.
Actuation Actual        | - Con.El. | Con.El. | Con.El. |
Mark Warhead            | - 16-1 | 16-1  | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1
Serial No.              | - 16655 | 16613 | 16639 | 17938 | 17479 | 17304
Explosive               | - TPX | TPX   | TPX | TPX  | TPX  | TPX
Firing Interval         | - 0   | 12    | 8   | 11   | 8    | 8
Type Spread             | - ½°R | ½°L   | 1½°L | ½°L  | ½°R  | 1½°R
Sea Conditions          | - Low swell, slight sea - few white caps.
Overhaul Act.           | - U.S.S. ANTHEDON (AS24).

REMARKS:
Torpedoes hit at following intervals after firing the
first torpedo: 2 minutes 14 seconds, 2 minutes 22 sec-
onds, 2 minutes 30 seconds. The spacing of torpedo
hits along the target and times of run indicate torp-
edoes #1, #2, and #3 hit.

                                                                - 45 -
                                                                [HANDWRITTEN: 46]

— page 156 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. [HANDWRITTEN: 3] PATROL [HANDWRITTEN: 3]
TIME 0715 DATE 1/24/45 LAT. 06°-07.8'N. LONG. 103°-33.5'E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description: Unidentified tanker about 10000 tons, similar
to HUZISAN MARU. At time of attack, the tanker
was being escorted by a 14-18 class mine-
layer. No escorts were dropping depth charges
during approach and attack.

Ship(s) Sunk: None.

Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk: One large tanker similar to HUZISAN MARU.
Estimated 10000 tons.

Damage Determined by:Observed first torpedo to hit in stern just
forward of tanker's stack. HARDHEAD saw
another hit in tanker's bow. Analysis of
firing data confirms two hits.

Target Draft Est. 12 ft. Course 180° Speed 13.5 Range 2100.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 2.2 Course 270° Depth 65 ft. Angle 1°D.

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Typo Attack: Day periscope attack on tanker escorted by
one escort vessel about 2000 yds. broad on
tanker's port bow. Target was zig-zagging
on base course 270° T. and cruising at
13.5 kt. Fired 6 Mk. 14-3A torpedoes on a
90° set up track with a torpedo run of 2200 yds.
for the first torpedo and a 2300 yd. torpedo
run for the last torpedo fired. A 1° diver-
gent spread between torpedoes was used.

- 46 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 47]

— page 157 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
                                                                        ATTACK [HANDWRITTEN: 3]
                                                                        PATROL [HANDWRITTEN: 3]

Tubes Fired             # 1     # 2     # 3     # 4     # 5     # 6

Track Angle     - 91P   95P     99P     98P     98P     98P
Gyro Angle      - 359   355     351     352     352     352
Depth Set       - 3     3       6       6       6       6
Power           - High  High    High    High    High    High
Hit or Miss     - HIT   HIT     MISS    MISS    MISS    MISS
Erratic         - No    No      No      No      No      No
Mark Torpedo    - 14-3A 14-3A   14-3A   14-3A   14-3A   14-3A
Serial No.      - 66254 66262   66314   66337   66387   66341
Mk. Exploder    - 6-5   6-5     6-5     6-5     6-5     6-5
Serial No.      - 26437 32654   32669   26387   26446   26389
Actuation Set   - Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.
Actuation Actual- Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.Cont.Elec.
Mark Warhead    - 16-1  16-1    16-1    16-1    16-1    16-1
Serial No.      - 17048 16596   17827   17893   17894   16671
Explosive       - TFX   TFX     TFX     TFX     TFX     TFX
Firing Interval - 0     8       8       8       13      6
Type Spread     - ½°R   ½°L     1½°L    ½°L     ½°R     1½°R

Sea Conditions - Low swells, glassy sea.
Overhaul Act. - U.S.S. ANTHEDON (AS24).

REMARKS: Explosion was heard one minute and twenty seconds after
         first torpedo was fired. This was followed by several
         explosions. Escort was dropping depth charges through-
         out and after attack. The first torpedo was observed to
         hit tanker in stern just forward of the stack. HARD-
         HEAD saw a hit in tanker's bow.

                                - 47 -
                                                                        [HANDWRITTEN: 48]

— page 158 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 4 PATROL 3.
TIME 0227 DATE 2/2/45 LAT. 04°-32.5'N. LONG. 104°-30.0'E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description: Target was small destroyer, estimated about 1000 tons.
Length was definitely established as at least 300 ft.
(with an angle on the bow of 95° starboard, target
subtended 4° at a range of 1600 yds.) He was cruising
in a line of bearing normal to his base course in
company with two DE's and another small destroyer.
The two DE's flanked the two destroyers. Target was
the port destroyer. Estimated distance between ships
was 1500 yds.

Ship(s) Sunk: One small destroyer, estimated 1000 tons.

Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk: None.

Damage determined by: Sinking observed by M.R.HEAD.

Target Draft Est. 10 ft. Course 160° Speed 14 kts. Range 1800.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 2.0 kt. Course 250° Depth 65 ft. Angle 0°.

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack: Night periscope attack. The initial approach was
made using TBT bearings and radar ranges. Target was
zig-zagging on a base course of 180°T., at a speed
of 14 kt. He was zig-zagging 30° right and left of
the base course using 10° zigs and staying on each
leg for approximately 6 minutes. Target was cruising
in a line of bearing with one other destroyer and
two DE's. Fired four Mk. 14-3A torpedoes on a 110
starboard track; torpedo run for first torpedo was
1800 yds. and for last torpedo 1950 yds. Used a 3°
divergent spread between torpedoes. TDC used target
course 170°T. and speed 14 kt.

- 48 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 49.]

— page 159 —
ATTACK 4
PATROL 3

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

Tubes Fired: # 7 # 8 # 9 # 10
Track Angle - 111S 115S 119.5S 112S
Gyro Angle - 201 205 209.5 202
Depth Set - 4 4 4 4
Power - High High High High
Hit or Miss - HIT MISS MISS MISS
Erratic - No No No No
Mark Torpedo - 14-3A 14-3A 14-3A 14-3A
Serial No. - 66386 26417 66831 66216
Mk. Exploder - 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-5
Serial No. - 26396 32618 25432 17217
Actuation Set - Cont. Elec. Cont. Elec. Cont. Elec. Cont. Elec.
Actuation Actual-Cont. Elec.
Mark Warhead - 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1
Serial No. - 14208 16622 17886 16643
Explosive - TPX TPX TPX TPX
Firing Interval- 0 7 8 8
Type Spread - 1½L 1½R .4R 4½L
Sea Conditions - Low swells, slight sea
Overhaul activity- U.S.S. ANTHEDON (AS24).
REMARKS: Torpedo explosion heard one minute and nine seconds.
after firing of first torpedo. Torpedo run and time
of explosion indicate #7 torpedo hit.

- 49 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 50]

— page 160 —
FC5-18/A16-3
Serial 0165
CONFIDENTIAL

SUBMARINE SQUADRON EIGHTEEN Mk
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
13 February 1945.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron EIGHTEEN.
To: The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via: (1) The Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET.
     (2) The Commander SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESHUGO (SS321) - Report of Third War Patrol.

1. The third war patrol of the U.S.S. BESHUGO was conducted in the
SOUTH CHINA SEA and was 53 days in length, 40 of which were spent north of the
equator. The Commanding Officer of the BESHUGO was the OTC of a coordi-
nated attack group consisting of the BESHUGO and the HARDHEAD. The COBIA was
attached to the group for six days and the BLACKFIN for nine days.

2. Area coverage of the BESHUGO and coordinated search and attack
group was excellent. Five contacts were made with targets suitable for torpedo
fire, four of which were developed into attacks.

Attack No. 1. Three torpedoes were fired on a track of 130 port,
torpedo run 2100 at a small AK, depth set zero. All missed. The Commanding
Officer thought no more torpedo expenditure against this ship justified.

Attack No. 2. In the late afternoon of 6 January 1945, contact
was made with a single tanker with three escorts. Target was tracked until
HARDHEAD had contact. A night surface attack was made and six torpedoes fired.
Three hits were obtained and the target sank nine minutes later.

Attack No. 3. After a contact by BLACKFIN, BESHUGO closed a con-
voy consisting of a large tanker and four escorts. Shortly after BESHUGO made
contact, BLACKFIN attacked, damaged tanker and sank one escort. BESHUGO was
forced to dive by dawn and escorts. The tanker made a fortunate zig and alert
sound man detected it while the Commanding Officer of the BESHUGO was busy avoid-
ing a close escort. Six torpedoes were fired for two or three hits. The tank-
er was still able to proceed while the BESHUGO was held down by a depth charge
attack which had commenced before the torpedoes were fired.

Attack No. 4. On night of 1-2 February 1945, the BESHUGO made
contact with four enemy ships estimated as two small DD's and two DE's on an
anti-submarine sweep. After tracking from ahead until the BLACKFIN had contact,
BESHUGO dived for attack and delivered a daring stern tube attack of four torpe-
does on one of the DD's while underfoot of another. One hit was heard and the
target was observed to sink by the HARDHEAD. Surprisingly, no counter attack
developed.

HEAD. The BESHUGO made a daylight end around to get on target's track. Evi-
dently the target changed base course and eluded both the HARDHEAD and the
BESHUGO.
[HANDWRITTEN: 4 01687]

- 1 -

— page 161 —
FC5-13/A16-3
Serial 0165
CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS BESUGO (SS321) -
Report of Third War
Patrol.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON EIGHTEEN
MK
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
18 February 1945.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Third War Patrol.

— page 162 —
FE24-71/A16-3
Serial 0481

UNITED STATES NAVY
14/pr
9 March 1945.

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
COMSUBPAC Serial
A16-3 Serial 030 dated
15 February 1945. Report
of Third War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET.
To: The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via: The Commander, SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Third War
Patrol - Comment on.

1. The Third War Patrol of the BESUGO, under the
command of Commander T. L. O'GAN, U.S.N., was conducted in the SOUTH
CHINA SEA in the Northeastern approaches to SINGAPORE and in the
entrance to GULF of SIAM. The Commanding Officer of the BESUGO was
OTC of a Co-ordinated Group consisting of BESUGO and HARDHEAD, and
augmented for short periods by the addition of BLACKFIN and GABILAN,
and for a few days by the PERCH, GABILAN and SEALION.

2. The work of BESUGO in co-ordinating the operations
of from two to seven submarines in the area is outstanding. The
problems of command and communications were thoroughly understood
and admirably solved. BESUGO made four attacks. The first one
was unsuccessful, but the second was a beautifully executed night
surface attack in which a large loaded tanker, escorted by one DD
and two DE, was destroyed by three hits from six torpedoes. BESUGO's
third attack was made from a submerged position and despite the fact
that the depth charge attack had already begun, he fired six tor-
pedoes and scored two hits which further damaged a tanker which had
already been hit by BLACKFIN. The fourth attack was made upon a
DD which, assisted by another DD and two DE, was making an anti-
submarine search. HARDHEAD saw the target blow up as a result of
one BESUGO hit.

3. The entire patrol was conducted in a short, aggres-
sive and effective manner despite the obstacles presented by a
shallow water area. A total of thirty three days were spent in the
area, and all were spent in surface patrol except one day which was
spent submerged while being depth charged following the third attack.
The war has progressed to a point in the SOUTH CHINA SEA where there
are fewer enemy targets than formerly. This is a measure of our
success, and it must be taken into consideration when the relative
merit of performance on patrol is evaluated. This patrol is out-
standing.

- 1 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 4 01637]

— page 163 —
FE24-71/A16-3
Serial C481
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr.
A16-3 Serial 030 dated
15 February 1945. Report
of Third War Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Third War
Patrol - Comment on.

— page 164 —
FE24-71/A16-3
Serial 0481

UNITED STATES NAVY
14/pr
9 March 1945.

[HANDWRITTEN: C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L]

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr.
A16-3 Serial 030 dated
15 February 1945. Report
of Third War Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Third War
Patrol - Comment on.

DAMAGED
1 - AO (Medium - EU)
1 - AO (Medium - EU) [HANDWRITTEN: BESUGO]
[HANDWRITTEN: BLACKFIN] same AO 5,000

Grand Total 30,500

[SIGNATURE: J. A. Fife]
JAMES FIFE.
ORIGINAL COPY

DISTRIBUTION:
Cominch (3) Direct CTG-71.8 (2)
Vice Opnav (2) Direct ComSubRon-20 (2)
Vice Opnav Op-23c (1) DivComSubRon-12 (1 ea)
ComlstFlt (1) DivComSubRon-18 (1 ea)
Com2ndFlt (1) DivComSubRon-26 (1 ea)
Com7thFlt (2) S/M School, N.L. Conn. (2)
ComSubslstFlt (30) Comdt. NYD, Puget Sound (1)
ComSubs2ndFlt (4) SubAd, Mare Island (1)
CTF-71 (7) S/Ms 7thFlt (1)
CTG-71.3 (2)
CTG-71.5 (2)

[HANDWRITTEN: J. B. Miller]
J. B. MILLER, THIS REPORT WILL BE DESTROYED PRIOR TO
Flag Secretary. ENTRY INTO ALLIED CONTROLLED WATERS.

- 3 -
4 01687

— page 165 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 20]
[STAMP: Reg. No. 2070]
[STAMP: R. S. No. 4 0163]
[STAMP: 4 APR 1945]

UNITED STATES FLEET
COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET

A16-3(S)(F-3-4/whr)
Serial 01200

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr.,
Serial 030 dated 15
February 1945.

From: Commander Seventh Fleet.
To: Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Third War
Patrol.

1. Forwarded.

2. The Commander Seventh Fleet congratulates the
BESUGO on the damage inflicted on the enemy and the man-
ner in which the coordinated attacks were conducted.

[SIGNATURE: T. C. Kinkaid]
T. C. KINKAID

Copy to:
ComSubs, 7thFlt
ComSubRon 18
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)

— page 166 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1st copy]

U. S. S. BESUGO (SS321)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

SS321/A16-3
Serial (031)
[STAMP: C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

20 May 1945

From: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) Commander Submarine Division TWO SIXTY TWO.
(2) Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY SIX.
(3) Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET.
(4) Commander SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fourth War Patrol.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Charts (Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET only).

1.
Enclosure (A), covering the fourth war patrol of this vessel
conducted in the JAVA SEA, SAPE STRAIT and CHINA SEA areas during the period
24 March to 20 May 1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: H. E. MILLER.]
H. E. MILLER.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY OP-09B9C DATE 5/24/72]

[STAMP: C 05567]

— page 172 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject:           U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fourth War Patrol.

— page 179 —
C-O-N-F-I-
          -D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BFSUCO (SS321), Report of Fourth War Patrol.

1401(I) One distant depth charge. First and second escorts are
        going up eastern side of channel at nearest range 7000
        yds. First appears to be a DE UN- (EU) about 8000 yds.
        behind cruiser, and a CHIDORI (EU) is 8000 yds. further
        behind. SC #7. Both track at 18 kts. at about 315 RPM
        and have heavy deck loads of troops.

1405-06(I) Escort No. 1 has reached waters cruiser depth charged
        and has dropped a pattern of 10 on his contact with
        cruiser's depth charge boils.

1411-12(I) Escort No. 1 has reversed course and dropped a second
        pattern of 11 depth charges over first pattern, then
        continued on through STRAIT.

1417-18(I) Watched second escort depth charge the same area near
        SAPEKAH ROCK - 8 depth charges. He kept going north.
        Shifted attention to third escort.

1445(I) Third escort SC #8 believed to be one of the newest
        AM's(EU) or a TRAD torpedo boat, has a deck load of
        troops and tracks at 16 kts. with a very high turn count.
        He is going to pass us at range 3500. Escort No. 4 is
        in sight with zero angle on the bow. He may be bigger,
        for he has three destroyer type yardarms. Shifted app-
        roach to No. 4. We will get No. 3 when he comes back to
        help No. 4 after our attack.

1500(I) Target has a large deck load of troops. He has tracked
        on a steady course at 14 kts., turn count 270. We have
        opened out on his port bow to 900 yds. off his track
        and are swinging in for 60° track straight bow shots.

1505(I) At "final bearing", diving officer hit a bad pocket and
        ducked to 70 feet. Making standard to get up, swinging
        left to keep reasonable gyros.

1508(I) Fired four Mk. 18 torpedo spread from bow tubes, depth
        set 4 feet, range 600 yds., gyros 100° left track 150° -
        170° port.

1509(I) Saw and heard first torpedo hit under bridge. When the
        smoke cleared his bow had sunk and his after section was
        floating high, undamaged aft of the foremast, dead in
        the water, and crawling with troops preparing to abandon
        ship. The foremast is bent back over the stack like a
        broken soda straw, and a small fire is burning in what
        is left of his superstructure on the starboard side.
        Lighted LILLY bomber overhead. (AC #8).

1514(I) Two explosions, probably bombs, not close.

- 13 -

— page 193 —
## The Story of the "Flying-A"

The "Flying-A" was a brand name used by the Tidewater Oil Company, later known as Tidewater Associated Oil Company, and then Phillips 66. It was a prominent brand for gasoline and other petroleum products in the United States, particularly on the West Coast, for much of the 20th century.

**Origins and Early History:**

*   **Tidewater Oil Company:** The Tidewater Oil Company was founded in 1887 in New York. It grew to become a significant player in the oil industry, involved in exploration, production, refining, and marketing.
*   **"Flying-A" Trademark:** The "Flying-A" logo, featuring a stylized "A" with wings, was introduced as a trademark for Tidewater's gasoline products. It quickly became recognizable and synonymous with quality petroleum.
*   **Associated Oil Company Merger:** In 1926, Tidewater Oil Company merged with the Associated Oil Company of California, forming the Tidewater Associated Oil Company. This merger significantly expanded the company's presence, especially in the western United States, where Associated Oil had a strong network of service stations. The "Flying-A" brand continued to be used for gasoline and other products across the combined entity.

**Growth and Prominence:**

*   **Marketing and Advertising:** The "Flying-A" brand was heavily marketed through various channels, including print advertisements, radio, and later television. The winged "A" logo was prominently displayed on service stations, gasoline pumps

— page 199 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

(F) SHIP CONTACTS

NO. | TIME | DATE | LAT | LONG | TYPE | INIT. RANGE | EST. COURSE | SPEED (T) | HOW CONTACTED | RESULT
--- | ---
1. | 1010 | 3/27/45 | 19°30'S | 113°25'E | Friendly Submarine | 25000 | 210°(T) | 10 | High Periscope | Avoided
2. | 1200 | 3/27/45 | 19°20'S | 113°27'E | Friendly Submarine | 25000 | 210°(T) | 10 | High Periscope | Avoided
3. | 2110 | 3/27/45 | 17°31'S | 114°04'E | USS BRILL | 15000 | South | 15 | SJ | Closed for Conference | SJ
4. | 2100 | 3/31/45 | 05°51'S | 117°00'E | NATORI CL 4 Escorts | 15000 | 010°(T) | 14 | Sound & Periscope | No attack. Surfaced and trailed, followed by attacks #1 & 2
5. | 1125 | 4/4/45 | 06°57'S | 117°17'E | NATORI CL 4 Escorts | 16000 | 110°(T) | 14 | Sound & Periscope | Attack #3 Missed. Picked up ringing on 19.6 Kc. prior periscope sighting. Also in use. Target speed 14 Kts. 17.6, 19.6 and 21 Kc.
6. | 1335 | 4/6/45 | 06°30'S | 119°17'E | NATORI CL | 4800 | 330°(T) | 18 | Periscope | Attacked Attack #4 One Sunk
7. | 1350 | 4/6/45 | 08°00'S | 119°17'E | Two Escort Vessels | 10000 | 330°(T) | 16 | Periscope | Not attacked
8. | 1430 | 4/6/45 | 08°39'S | 119°18'E | Two Escort Vessels | 10000 & 20000 | 330°(T) | 16 & 14 | Periscope | Attacks #5 & 6. Avoided
9. | 1641 | 4/17/45 | 27°24'S | 112°12'E | American Submarine | 22000 | Southeast | 15 | High Periscope | Avoided
10. | 1946 | 4/17/45 | 26°58'S | 112°42'E | Allied Submarine | 5000 | South | 10 | Lookout & Radar | Avoided

[HANDWRITTEN: 32-A]
[HANDWRITTEN: 34]
[HANDWRITTEN: 519]

— page 200 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
NO. | TIME | DATE | LAT. | LONG. | TYPE | INIT. RANGE | EST. TONNAGE | COURSE | SPEED | HOW CONTACTED | REMARKS
|
**(F) SHIP CONTACTS (Continued)**
|
11. | 1155 | 4/21/45 | 10°00'S | 115°00'E | Vessel | | 12000 | 020°(T) | 12-19 | SJ Radar | Avoided Us
| in by
| interference until
| contacted.
12. | 2125 | 4/21/45 | 08°37'S | 115°00'E | Vessel | | 4500 | North | 10 | Lookout | See
| Narrative
| for
| details.
13. | 2120 | 4/22/45 | 08°40'S | 112°15'E | USS BLOWER | | 10000 | 250°(T) | 10 | SJ Radar | Avoided Us
| in by
| interference until
| contacted.
14. | 1350 | 4/23/45 | 04°05'S | 112°15'E | U-183 | | 10000 | 055°(T) | 11 | Periscope | Sink. Attack #7.
| Exchanged
| information.
15. | 0715 | 4/25/45 | 05°25'S | 114°25'E | USS BLOWER | | 12000 | 090°(T) | 12 | Lookout | Sun
| information
| provided.
16. | 2208 | 4/26/45 | 05°07'S | 107°25'E | 750 ton type | | 13250 | 300°(T) | 5 | Stopped Radar | Sink by guns
| | | | | | with sails | | | | | |
17. | 0253 | 4/30/45 | 05°00'S | 111°07'E | USS BREAM | | 11000 | | | Lookout | Avoided
| in by
| high sea and around
| periscope lost after
| dark.
18. | 1810 | 5/9/45 | 06°23'S | 110°30'E | 3 motor sam- | | 25000 | 240°(T) | 5 | Periscope | Oiled. Not able to
| | | | | | pans or patrol | | | | | | communicate.
| | | | | | boats | | | | | | Tracked but did
| not attack.
19. | 2255 | 5/11/45 | 05°39'S | 110°45'E | USS BAYA | | 6340 | Southeast | 10 | SJ Radar | Oiled.
| Tracked but did
| not attack.
20. | 0136 | 5/16/45 | 07°00'S | 101°30'E | Two junks | | 11150 | 145°(T) | 3 | SJ Radar | Oiled.
| Tracked but did
| not attack.
21. | 0702 | 5/19/45 | 13°33'S | 112°00'E | USS BIENNY | | 20000 | 031°(T) | 10 | Lookout | Oiled.
| Tracked but did
| not attack.
22. |
[HANDWRITTEN: 35]
[HANDWRITTEN: 519]
- 32-B -

— page 201 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

NO. | TIME | DATE | LAT. | LONG. | TYPE | INIT. RANGE | HOW CONTACTED | COURSE | SPEED | REMARKS
--- | ---
1. | 1342 | 3/31/45 | 06°50'S | 170°56'E | Float Plane | 10 mi. SD | Lookout | East | 100 kts. | Task force air cover.
2. | 1406 | 4/3/45 | 06°45'S | 170°16'E | Unknown | 10 mi. SD | Lookout | East | 100 kts. | Task force air cover.
3. | 1320 | 4/4/45 | 06°29'S | 169°56'E | Float Plane | 10 mi. Lookout | Lookout | East | 100 kts. | Task force air cover.
4. | 1503 | 4/4/45 | 07°07'S | 168°20'E | Float Plane | 9 mi. & SD | Lookout | East | 100 kts. | Task force air cover.
5. | 1705 | 4/4/45 | 07°24'S | 168°32'E | Unknown | 16 mi. SD | Unknown | Unknown | Task force air cover.
6. | 1806 | 4/4/45 | 07°38'S | 168°35'E | Unknown | 15 mi. SD | Unknown | Unknown | Task force air cover.
7. | 1350 | 4/6/45 | 08°38'S | 169°16'E | Float Plane | 2 mi. Periscope | Circling | Cruiser air cover.
8. | 1509 | 4/6/45 | 08°37'S | 169°17'E | LILLY | 2 mi. Periscope | Circling | Task force air cover.
9. | 1920 | 4/6/45 | 08°32'S | 169°17'E | Unident. | 10 mi. Lookout | Circling | A.S. search.
10. | 2155 | 4/21/45 | 08°29'S | 169°49'E | LILLY | 500yd sighted | Heard, then North | 200 kt. | Sighted us as he passed
    | 100 yds. ahead to port.
    | Plane fired one explosive
    | as he passed.

- 32-C -
[HANDWRITTEN: 36]
[HANDWRITTEN: 519]

— page 202 —
(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (Continued)

| NO. | TIME | DATE | LAT | LONG | TYPE | INIT. RANGE | HOW CONTACTED | COURSE | SPEED | REMARKS |
|---|
| 11. | 0820 | 4/25/45 | 05°55'S | 114°38'E | PETE | 8 mi. | Lookout | North | | Dove. Detected. Sighted | later on surface - still | searching. |
| 12. | 0936 | 4/25/45 | 05°55'S | 114°31'E | Land based | 8 mi. | Lookout | West | | Dove - not detected. |
| | | | | | fighter | | | | |
| 13. | 0910 | 5/1/45 | 06°25'S | 113°08'E | RUFE | 1 mi. | Lookout | West | | Dove - received 4 | light bombs. |
| 14. | 1237 | 5/2/45 | 06°26'S | 112°55'E | RUFE | 8 mi. | Lookout | South | | Put astern. |
| 15. | 1234 | 5/2/45 | 06°26'S | 112°55'E | TWO | 12 mi. | Lookout | Circling | | Dove. Probably |
| | | | | | RUFES | | | | | not detected. |
| 16. | 1135 | 5/4/45 | 05°55'S | 113°34'E | Unknown | 6 mi. | SD | Unknown | | Dove. Not detected. |
| 17. | 0825 | 5/5/45 | 06°02'S | 113°33'E | RUFE | 8 mi. | Lookout | South | | Dove. Not detected. |
| 18. | 1451 | 5/5/45 | 05°51'S | 113°28'E | Unknown | 10 mi. | SD | Unknown | | Dove. Not detected. |
| 19. | 1509 | 5/7/45 | 06°32'S | 112°44'E | RUFE | 10 mi. | Lookout | South | | Dove. Not detected. |
| 20. | 1216 | 5/8/45 | 06°47'S | 114°55'E | Unknown | 21 mi. | SD | Circling | | Dove. Not detected. |
| 21. | 1351 | 5/15/45 | 06°53'N | 102°26'E | Unknown | 10 mi. | SD | Unknown | | Dove. Not detected. |
| 22. | 1719 | 5/15/45 | 07°05'N | 102°13'E | Unknown | 16 mi. | SD | Unknown | | Dove. Not detected. |

[HANDWRITTEN: 519]
[HANDWRITTEN: 37]

- 32-D -

— page 203 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (Continued)

NO. | TIME | DATE | LAT. | LONG. | TYPE | INIT. | HOW | COURSE | SPEED | REMARKS
| | | | | | | RANGE | CONTACTED | | |
23. | 0930 | 5/19/45 | 13°-49'N | 115°-25'E | Unknown | 18 mi. | SD | Unknown | Unknown | Part astern.

[HANDWRITTEN: 38]
[HANDWRITTEN: W519]
- 32-E -

— page 205 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fourth War Patrol.

Turn counts encountered:

ISUZU CL 130 to 140 turns average 14 kts.
ISUZU CL 180 turns 18 kts.
DEUN 2 315 turns 18 kts.
OTORI T.B. 315 turns 18 kts.
HASHIDATE GUNBOAT 270 turns 14 kts.
C-183 240 turns 11 kts.

All tracked by periscope ranges and bearings.

Numerous float planes sighted north and east of SUR-
ABAJA in second half of patrol always worked in pairs.
Prisoner-of-War confirms this and that they each carry four
120 lb. bombs. One caught us on surface and dropped 4
light bombs, one close. When we were sighted by a plane
NIPS immediately put two pairs of planes over. For several
hours, one pair split and searched the general area singly
at about 500 ft. and the other chased each other in tight
circles close to the water. Believe the latter may
have been using some type of magnetic detector. If so,
the following system was always effective in evading them;
Dive to 100 ft. and make a radical turn at standard speed,
remaining at 100 ft. for ½ hour on a course at least 45°
from heading when sighted before coming back to periscope
look.

No air cover encountered in west JAVA SEA.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE

1. MACHINERY

(a) VAPOR COMPRESSION STILLS

Six days after the start of the fourth war patrol,
both stills, with approximately 80 hours of operation,
began to produce water of high salt content. The water was
potable but unsuitable for battery water. After four hours
of redistilling fresh water, a satisfactory battery water
test was obtained from No. 1 unit. The water from No. 2
unit remained unsatisfactory. This condition showed bad
leakage in both units.

During voyage repairs alongside the U.S.S. CLYTIE,
a complete new set of coils was installed in No. 1 unit,
and a reconditioned set of coils installed in No. 2. The
stills were then tested and produced very pure water.

After 120 hours of operation during the second half
of the patrol, both stills again began to produce salty

- 34 -
J

— page 214 —
## Transcribed Text:

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

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fourth War Patrol.

— page 216 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

U.S.S. BESUGO
TIME 0358(I) DATE 5 April 1945 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1 PATROL NO. 4
LAT. 09°-05'S LONG. 120°-25'E

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description - Definitely established as the HIJMS ISUZU, NATORI
class cruiser, characterized by three stacks, high
box-like fire control well forward with stick
masts removed.

Ship(s) Sunk - None.

Ship(s) possibly
damaged - One CL, ISUZU (EC), 5170 tons. (Doubtful).

Damage Determined
by - Sound tracked torpedo into target, followed by
about five minutes of breaking up noises. Explo-
sion not seen.

Target Draft 15'10" Course 110 Speed 10 Range 2200.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 03 Course 221 Depth 63' Angle 0.

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type Attack: This attack was made after a 14 hour chase. With target
obviously suspicious of our presence, dove to radar depth at
14390 yds. and to periscope depth at 8060 yds. Target stopped and
gave us a zero angle on the bow while three of his escorts passed
on by searching for us. With target speeded back up to turn count
for 14 kts., an estimated angle on bow of 40° port and a ping range
of 2300 yds., fired six MK. 18-1 torpedoes, depth set 8 feet, with
a two degree divergent spread on 60° port track. Used 10 kt. speed
for target because his bearing rate did not check for 14 kts. It
was assumed he was still accelerating and would average 10 kts.
during torpedo run. Torpedoes tracked out heading for target for
6 minutes, when one explosion was heard. Torpedoes that were missi
could still be heard running after explosion.
It is believed that while we were watching near escort
astern with cruiser stopped, cruiser had changed course to give us
a 140° port track instead of the 40° port that we used. This
assumption accounts for the spread continuing to close the target.
Ping range was mushy and is believed to have been taken
on knuckle of targets turn. Executive Officer at periscope
estimated range to be greater than ping range.
After explosion was heard, breaking up noises heard
through hull for five minutes.

- 45 -

— page 217 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Tubes Fired | # 1 | # 2 | # 3 | # 4 | # 5 | # 6
Track Angle - | 157P | 157P | 159P | 153P | 150P | 148P
Gyro Angle - | 352 | 354 | 355 | 001 | 004 | 006
Depth Set - | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8
Power - | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Hit or Miss - | Miss | Miss | Possible | Miss | Miss | Miss
| | | Hit | | |
Erratic - | No | No | No | No | No | No
Mark Torpedo - | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1
Serial No. | 57214 | 55987 | 56023 | 56711 | 55774 | 55774
Mark Exploder - | 8-5 | 8-5 | 8-5 | 8-5 | 8-5 | 8-5
Serial No. | 9213 | 9037 | 10507 | 8687 | 10856 | 8919
Actuation Set - | C-O-N-T-A-C-T | P-E-R-C-U-S-S-I-O-N
Actuation Actual - | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mark Warhead - | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2
Serial No. | 3114 | 3583 | 3916 | 3592 | 3909 | 1653
Explosive - | TFX-2 | TFX-2 | TFX-2 | TFX-2 | TFX-2 | TFX-2
Firing Interval - | 0 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10
Type Spread - | 2° | 2° | 2° | 2° | 2° | 2°
Sea Conditions - | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm
Overhaul Activity - U.S.S. EURAYLE (AS 22)

REMARKS: Torpedoes all started, and ran hot, straight and
         normal. There was a timed explosion heard 5 minutes
         and 47 seconds after tube #3 was fired. The quality
         of the noise leads us to believe this torpedo possibly
         hit the target. It may also have been an end of run
         explosion.

                                                              ATTACK #1

- 46 -

— page 218 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO
TIME 0404(I) DATE 5 April 1945
TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 PATROL NO. 4
LAT. 09°-05'S LONG. 120°-25'E.
TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description - Escort-type vessel.
Ship(s) Sunk - None.
Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk - None.
Damage determined by -

Target Draft Est. 5' Course 231 Speed Est. 09 Range 700.
OWN SHIP DATA
Speed 03.3 Course 206 Depth 63' Angle C.

Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Type Attack - Night periscope attack. Fired one MK. 14-3A "down
the throat", using periscope bearings and estimated
range, attempted ping range, no return.

- 47 -

— page 219 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Tubes Fired # 8
Track Angle - 0
Gyro Angle - 205
Depth Set - 3
Power - Hi
Hit or Miss - Miss
Erratic - No
Mark Torpedo - 14-3A
Serial No. - 26805
Mark Exploder - 6-3
Serial No. - 14012
Actuation Set - CONT. PER.
Actuation Actual - ---
Mark Warhead - 16-2
Serial No. - 18001
Explosive - TPX-2
Firing Interval - 0
Type Spread - 0
Sea Conditions - Calm
Overhaul Activity - U.S.S. EURYALE (AS22)
REM.RKS: This torpedo was tracked by sound out past the target
         and apparently ran hot, straight and normal.

                                                                ATTACK #2

                                        - 46 -

— page 220 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3 PATROL NO. 4
TIME 1340(I) DATE 6 April 1945 LAT. 08°-33'S LONG. 119°-15'E.
TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description - HIJMS ISUZU, seen through periscope, bright
daylight, and definitely identified as a NATORI
class cruiser. The three stacks, tripod mast
topped by fire control tower clearly seen.

Ship(s) Sunk - None.
Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk - None.
Damage determined
by -

Target Draft 15'10" Course 330 Speed 18 Range 700.

OWN SHIP DATA
Speed 03 Course 271 Depth 63' Angle 0.

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type Attack - Day periscope attack. Target sighted at about 5000
yds. range, zero angle on bow. Attack was made
using periscope ranges and bearings, firing stern
tubes first at 500 yds. range then the bow tubes.
Fired three MK. 14-3A torpedoes on 120° port track,
using 4° divergent spread. Changed course to right
and fired six MK. 18-1 torpedoes on 170° port
track, using ½° divergent spread.

- 49 -

— page 221 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Tubes Fired                                                     # 8   # 9   # 10
Track Angle -                                                   113P  125P  133P
Gyro Angle -                                                    126   114   106
Depth Set -                                                     8     8     8
Power -                                                         Hi    Hi    Hi
Hit or Miss -                                                   Miss  Miss  Miss
Erratic -                                                       No    No    No
Mark Torpedo -                                                  14-3A 14-3A 14-3A
Serial No. -                                                    19092 18098 40630
Mk. Exploder -                                                  6-3   6-3   6-3
Serial No.                                                      26394 26301 26435
Actuation Set -                                                 C-O-N-T-A-C-T . P-E-R-C-U-S-S-I-O-N
Actuation Actual -
Mark Warhead -                                                  16-2  16-2  16-2
Serial No. -                                                    16487 19591 14400
Explosive -                                                     TPX-2 TPX-2 TPX-2
Firing Interval -                                               0     9     24
Type Spread -                                                   4°    4°    4°
Sea Conditions -                                                Calm  Calm  Calm
Overhaul Activity - U.S.S. EURYALE (AS22)
REMARKS; Fired stern tubes, three MK. 14-3's on 125° track.
        All torpedoes ran hot, straight and normal.

                                                                ATTACK #3 (1)
                                        - 50 -

— page 222 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Tubes Fired                               # 1   # 2   # 3   # 4   # 5   # 6
Track Angle -                             163P  171P  176P  176P  177P  178P
Gyro Angle -                              060   052   047   047   048   049
Depth Set -                               8     8     8     8     8     8
Power -
Hit or Miss -                             Miss  Miss  Miss  Miss  Miss  Miss
Erratic -                                 No    No    No    No    No    No
Mark Torpedo -                            18-1  18-1  18-1  18-1  18-1  18-1
Serial No. -                              56192 55159 55179 55647 55603 54164
Mk. Exploder -                            8-5   8-5   8-5   8-5   8-5   8-5
Serial No. -                              9351  9573  9202  10201 11085 8688
Actuation Set -                           C-O-N-T-A-C-T         P-E-R-C-U-S-S-I-O-N
Actuation Actual -
Mark Warhead -                            18-2  18-2  18-2  18-2  18-2  18-2
Serial No. -                              3051  3658  3128  3685  3478  3165
Explosive -                               TFX-2 TFX-2 TFX-2 TFX-2 TFX-2 TFX-2
Firing Interval -                         0     10    11    10    11    10
Type Spread -                             ½°    ½°    ½°    ½°    ½°    ½°
Sea Conditions -                          Calm  Calm  Calm  Calm  Calm  Calm
Overhaul activity - U.S.S. EURYALE (AS22).

REMARKS: Fired bow tubes, six MK. 18-1 torpedoes, on 170°P
         track, using ½° divergent spread. All torpedoes ran
         hot, straight and normal.

- 51 -

ATTACK #3 (2)

— page 223 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO
TIME 1509(I)
TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 4 PATROL NO. 4
DATE 6 April 1945 LAT. 08-31S LONG. 119-14.5E

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description - Target was a gunboat, with a single stack, main-
  mast twice the height of the stack, slightly raked
  bow. Similar to the HASHIDATE class gunboat
  except mainmast was slightly further aft with four
  shielded dual purpose guns grouped around it. A 4.7
  gun forward of mast on deck, a 3" shielded gun
  aft on deck and on each side of mast and a 20 MM
  or 25MM tucked into corner forward and outboard o:
  after shielded gun. A flak ship with depth charge
  racks. Estimated 1200 tons.

Ship(s) Sunk - None.

Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk - One gunboat, HASHIDATE class (EC). 1200 tons.

Damage Determined
by - Periscope observation of explosion. Bow forward
  of the bridge structure was blown off and sank
  immediately leaving the rest of the ship afire
  forward.

Target Draft Est. 5' Course 330 Speed 14 Range 600 yds.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 03 Course 095 Depth 63' Angle 0.

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type Attack - Day periscope attack. Target was the last in a loose
  column of ships, and was attacked using periscope
  bearings and ranges. Fired four MK. 18-1 torpedoes
  on approximately 155° port track, own course changing
  to left. Heard and saw one torpedo hit, time 73
  seconds after firing tube #1. Estimated torpedo run from
  tube #1 hit target, thereby giving a torpedo run of
  1070 yds. Target was stopped by the hit, her bow
  blown off, and lay drifting in the current.

- 52

— page 224 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

                                # 1    # 2    # 3    # 4
Tubes Fired

Track Angle -                   144P   153P   163P   165P
Gyro Angle -                    266    260    255    253
Depth Set -                     4      4      4      4
Power -
Hit or Miss -                   Hit    Miss   Miss   Miss
Erratic -                       No     No     No     No
Mark Torpedo -                  18-1   18-1   18-1   18-1
Serial No. -                    57016  56404  56078  56696
Mk. Exploder -                  8-5    8-5    8-5    8-5
Serial No. -                    8775   9783   8223   10327
Actuation Set -                 C-O-N-T-A-C-T         P-E-R-C-U-S-S-I-O-N
Actuation Actual -              Per    ---    ---    ---
Mark Warhead -                  18-2   18-2   18-2   18-2
Serial No. -                    2327   3658   3540   1330
Explosive -                     TPX-2  TPX-2  TPX-2  TPX-2
Firing Interval -               0      7      16     11
Type Spread -                   2° Divergent spread -
Sea Conditions -                Calm   Calm   Calm   Calm
Overhaul Activity -             U.S.S. EURYALE (AS22).

REM.RKS: Fired four MK. 18-1 torpedoes on 160° port track,
         all torpedoes ran hot, straight and normal.

                                - 53 -
                                                                .TT.CK #4

— page 225 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO
TIME 1525(I)

Description -

Ship(s) Sunk -
Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk -
Damage Determined
by -

Target Draft

Speed 03

Type Attack - TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5
DATE 6 April 1945 LAT. 08°-31'S LONG. 119°-14.5'E
TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED
Gunboat, HASHIDATE class, damaged after BESUGO
attack #4, bow off, drifting in the current in
SAFE STRAIT.

None.
None.

Est. 5' Course 305 Speed Stopped Range 1100.
OWN SHIP DATA
Course 184 Depth 63' Angle 0.
Fire Control and Torpedo Data
Day periscope attack. Fired one torpedo, MK. 14-3A,
on 140° port track. Target was stopped, and
attack was made with enemy planes overhead.
Proximity of plane overhead necessitated going deep,
and the wake of the torpedo could not be observed.
Since there were no screw noises from the target,
sound analysis is not possible. Torpedo probably
ran under target.

- 54 -

— page 226 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Tubes Fired - # 10
Track Angle - 132P
Gyro Angle - 172.5
Depth Set - 3
Power - HI
Hit or Miss - Miss
Erratic - No
Mark torpedo - 14-3A
Serial No. - 63835
Mark Exploder - 6-3
Serial No. - 25285
Actuation Set - CONT.PER.
Actuation Actual - ---
Mark Warhead - 16-2
Serial No. - 13034
Explosive - TPX-2
Firing Interval - 0
Type Spread - AIMED TO HIT
Sea Conditions - Calm
Overhaul Activity - U.S.S. EURYALE (AS22).
REMARKS - Torpedo tracked by sound, ran hot, straight and normal.

- 55 - .TT.CK #5

— page 227 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO
TIME 1713(I)

TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 6 PATROL NO. 4
DATE 6 April 1945 LAT. 08°-29.5'S. LONG. 119°-14'

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description - Gunboat, HASIDATE class, damaged after BESUGO
attack #4, bow off, drifting in current. 1200 ton

Ship(s) Sunk - Gunboat, HASIDATE class (EC). 1200 tons.

Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk - None.

Damage determined
by - Torpedo observed by periscope to hit target under
stack with a violent explosion. Target sank bow
first.

Target Draft Est. 5' Course 267 Speed Stopped Range 900.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 03 Course 180 Depth 63' Angle 0.

Fire Control and Torpedo Data

Type Attack - Day periscope attack. Attack was made after a one
hour and forty eight minute effort to put the target
astern, and have her present a 90° angle on the
bow. The eddy currents of the STRAIT, combined with
the enemy's aerial efforts lengthened the time
necessary to sink the target. During this time, the
target was observed on every course of the compass
rose, and was drifting at a speed of about 1½ kts.
on course north. Fired one MK. 14-3A torpedo in
low power, on a 90° port track. Torpedo observed
to hit under stack and target sank 1 minute later.

- 56 -

— page 228 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T -A-L

Tubes Fired - # 8
Track Angle - 90P
Gyro Angle - 177
Depth Set - 0
Power - Low
Hit or Miss Hit
Erratic - No
Mark Torpedo - 14-3A
Serial No. - 66185
Mark Exploder - 6-3
Serial No. - 32511
Actuation Set - CONT.PER.
Actuation Actual - Per.
Mark Warhead - 16-2
Serial No. - 10485
Explosive - TPX-2
Firing Interval - 0
Type Spread - Aimed to hit
Sea Conditions - Calm
Overhaul Activity - U.S.S. EURYALE (AS22)
REMARKS: Torpedo tracked by sound and periscope, ran hot,
straight and normal.

- 57 -
TT.CK #6

— page 229 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 7 PATROL 4
TIME 1426(I) DATE 23 April 1945 LAT. 04°-57'S., LONG. 112°-52'E

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description: One GERMAN 740 ton submarine, with single gun for-
ward, old type single step conning tower, flying a
JAPANESE flag. Identified by prisoner as the U-183
740 tons (EC).

Ship(s) Sunk: One GERMAN submarine, the U-183, 740 ton type.

Ship(s) Damaged or
Probably Sunk: None.

Damage Determined by: Explosion heard, wreckage and oil slick
found, survivor taken prisoner.

Target Draft 16' Course 089 Speed 11 Range 1700.

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed 03 Course 148 Depth 63' Angle 0

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack: Day periscope attack. Target was sighted in the
periscope, while submerged, at an estimated dis-
tance of 14,000 yds. Attack was made using per-
iscope bearings and estimated ranges. Target was
zig-zagging radically on base course 035°(T).
Fired six Mk. 18 torpedoes, on a 115°Fort track,
with a 2° divergent spread. The only explosion
heard occurred one minute and forty-five seconds
after the firing of tube #1, to give a torpedo run
of 1660 yds. and a hit at the MOT. Target sank
within 4 seconds, leaving a big oil slick, debris,
and a survivor to mark its position.

- 58 -

— page 230 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Tubes Fired | # 1 | # 2 | # 3 | # 4 | # 5 | # 6
Track Angle | 112P | 116P | 119P | 118P | 118P | 118P
Gyro Angle | 008 | 005 | 002 | 003 | 003 | 003
Depth Set | 8' | 8' | 8' | 8' | 8' | 8'
Power | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Hit or Miss | Hit | Miss | Miss | Miss | Miss | Miss
Erratic | No | No | No | No | No | No
Mk. Torpedo | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-2 | 18-2
Serial No. | 56877 | 56921 | 54508 | 57204 | 57708 | 57616
Mk. Exploder | 8-5 | 8-5 | 8-5 | 4-2 | 8-5 | 8-5
Serial No. | 9408 | 11059 | 10853 | 10341 | 10963 | 10733
Actuation Set | C-O-N-T-A-C-T | F-E-R-C-U-S-S-I-O-N
Actuation Act. PER. | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mk. Warhead | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-2 | 18-2 | 18-2
Serial No. | 3535 | 1697 | 1894 | 3207 | 3531 | 1360
Explosive | TPX-2 | TPX-2 | TPX-2 | TPX-2 | TPX-2 | TPX-2
Firing Inter. | 0 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9
Type Spread | 2° D-I-V-E-R-G-E-N-T S-P-R-E-A-D
Sea Conditions | Chop, with slight swell.
Overhaul Act. | Torpedo Station, Subiaco, Western Australia.
REMARKS: Fired six Mk. 18 torpedoes, on a 115P track, with a 2°
divergent spread. Sound tracked all six torpedoes, and
apparently all ran hot, straight and normal. Target
sank too quickly to allow more than one torpedo hit.

- 59 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 519]
[HANDWRITTEN: 65]

— page 231 —
U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

GUN ATTACK REPORT

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) GUN ATTACK NO. [HANDWRITTEN: 1] PATROL NO. [HANDWRITTEN: 4]

Time 0220 (I) Date 29 April 1945 Lat. 05°-45'S. Long. 104°-49.8'E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Sunk: One large auxiliary schooner, with a very large junk-type
      sail on mainmast, square schooner type foresail, no sail
      up on jigger. Length 200 ft. by binocular formula. Est-
      imated 750 tons, large lifeboat on davits across stern.
      Similar to type "E" vessels.

Damaged or Probably sunk: None.

Damage Determined by: Observed to sink from bridge.

DETAILS OF ACTION

Night moonlight gun attack. Target was contacted by radar
at 12700 yds. Tracked using T.B.T. bearings and radar ranges.
Closed to check identity, opened fire with five inch gun and
machine guns. With the expenditure of 15 rounds of five inch
ammunition, 1 round of 40 mm, 240 rounds of 20 mm, 375 rounds of
.50 Cal., 400 rounds of .30 Cal., the target sank. 5" obtained
about 50% hits on steel hull of vessel. One shell observed to
throw sparks and ricochette off deck without exploding. Two shells
penetrated side and exploded inside hull. Other hits exploded
on contact. All were set for point detonation. First round from
5" had defective primer - fired nine times, then unloaded overboard.
Second round from 40 mm split its case, jamming the gun for the
remainder of the action. Enemy may have answered briefly with a
light machine gun.

- 60 -

[HANDWRITTEN: 519]
[HANDWRITTEN: 66]

— page 232 —
FC5-25/A16-3 SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY SIX. My
Serial: ( 0118 ) Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L 25 May 1945.

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO USS BESUGO (SS 321)
Report of Fourth War
Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY-SIX.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarines SEVENTH FLEET.
(2) The Commander SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS 321), Report of War Patrol Number Four.

1. The Fourth war patrol of U.S.S. BESUGO under command of
Lieut-Comdr. H. E. MILLER, U.S.N., his first patrol in command, commenced
at Fremantle, W.A. on 24 March 1945 and terminated with her arrival in
Subic Bay on 20 May 1945. The patrol was interrupted for torpedo reload
and minor repairs at Fremantle during 12 - 16 April 1945. The first
phase of the patrol was coordinated with CHARR (Pack Commander) and
GABILAN in the FLORES SEA, SAPE STRAIT and SOEMBA STRAIT. The period
4 to 6 April was spent in the tenacious pursuit of the escorted cruiser
ISUZU during which six torpedo attacks were made and an escorting HASHIDATE
class gunboat was sunk. The second phase of the patrol was conducted in the
Java Sea and enroute to and in the GULF OF SIAM. The outstanding event of
this phase was the sinking of the German Submarine U-183 and the recovery
of Warrant Officer KARL WISNEWSKI, UN2101/343, German Navy from this ship.

2. The patrol throughout was characterized by aggressiveness and
excellent area coverage. That torpedo fire control was not impressive
when judged by the number of hits produced is considered mainly due to
the exceptionally difficult conditions under which attacks were made. Twenty-
eight torpedoes were fired during seven attacks for three hits; one gun attack
was made.

TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1: Following a 14 hour chase of the CL ISUZU with
4 escorts an approach was made at radar depth to 8,000 yards and
continued at periscope depth. Six electric torpedoes were fired from the
bow tubes at an estimated range of 2200 yards. The actions of the
convoy clearly indicated that BESUGO had been sighted before going
to radar depth and the conclusion of the C.O. that the alerted cruiser
had changed course is concurred in. One explosion was heard after a
run of six minutes but it is considered unlikely that this was a hit in
the target. An error of approximately 90° in target's course was
probably made.

TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2: Immediately following attack No. 1 a single steam
torpedo was fired from a stern tube "down the throat" of an approaching
unidentified escort vessel. The remaining two torpedoes intended for this

- 1 -

— page 233 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY SIX My
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
25 May 1945

FC5-26/A16-3
Serial: (0118 )
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO USS BESUGO (SS 321)
Report of Fourth War
Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS 321), Report of War Patrol Number Four.

— page 234 —
FE24-71/A16-3
Serial 028-A
[STAMP: C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L]
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr. A16-3
Serial 031, dated 20 May,
1945. Report of Fourth War
Patrol.

From:
To:
Via:

Subject:

1.
FLORES SEA and JAVA SEA areas under the command of Lieut. Commander
H. E. MILLER, U.S.N.

2.
Commanding Officer who covered his assigned areas thoroughly and
aggressively.

3.
torpedo fire control performance are concurred in and it is regretted
that the BESUGO was unable to inflict any damage on the Cruiser ISUZU
after a long and tenacious chase. However, the sinking of a
HASHIDATE Class escorting gunboat was some compensation.

4.
German U-Boat (U-183) and taking prisoner, the Navigator, who was
OOD at the time of sinking.

5.
authorized for this patrol.

6.
men of the BESUGO for this fine aggressive war patrol in which the
following damage was inflicted on the enemy:

[STAMP: RECEIVED]
[STAMP: 15 JUN 1945]
[STAMP: COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET]
[HANDWRITTEN: 082490]

UNITED STATES NAVY

12/pr

2 June 1945

The Commander Submarines SEVENTH FLEET.
The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
The Commander SEVENTH FLEET.

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Fourth War
Patrol - Comment on.

The BESUGO conducted her Fourth War Patrol in the

This was the first war patrol in command for the

The remarks of the Squadron Commander concerning

The highlight of the patrol was the sinking of the

The award of the Submarine Combat Insignia is

The Force Commander congratulates the Officers and

- 1 -

— page 235 —
FE24-71/A16-3 UNITED STATES NAVY 12/pr

CONFIDENTIAL
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L 2 June 1945

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr. A16-3
Serial 031, dated 20 May,
1945. Report of Fourth War
Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Fourth War
Patrol - Comment on.

S U N K

1 - HASHIDATE Class Gunboat (EC) 1,200 Tons
1 - German Submarine (U-183) (EC) 740 Tons
1 - Large Auxiliary Schooner 750 Tons
Total 2,690 Tons
[SIGNATURE: James Fife]
JAMES FIFE.
[STAMP: ORIGINAL COPY.]

DISTRIBUTION:
Cominch (3) Direct CTG-71.8 (2)
Vice Opnav (2) Direct ComSubRon-22 (2)
Vice Opnav Op-23c (1) ComSubRon-26 (2)
ComlstFlt (1) ComSubRon-30 (2)
Com2ndFlt (1) DivComsSubRon-22 (1 each)
Com7thFlt (2) DivComsSubRon-26 (1 each)
ComSubslstFlt (30) DivComsSubRon-30 (1 each)
ComSubs2ndFlt (4) S/M School, N.L. Conn. (2)
CTF-71 (7) Comdt. NYD, Puget Sound (1)
CTG-71.5 (2) SubAd, Mare Island (2)
S/Ms 7thFlt (1)

THIS REPORT WILL BE DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTRY INTO ENEMY CONTROLLED WATERS.

H. H. MELANSON,
A. Flag Secretary.

- 2 -
[STAMP: 6 05667]

— page 236 —
UNITED STATES FLEET
COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET

A16-3(8)(F-3-c/whr)
Serial [HANDWRITTEN: 04064]

[STAMP: Rec'd Ha. F 119]
[HANDWRITTEN: C 0.005]
[STAMP: R.S. 13 JUN 1945]

CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT on:
CO, USS BESUGO (SS321),
Conf. Ltr., serial 031,
dated 20 May 1945.

From: Commander Seventh Fleet.
To: Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fourth War
Patrol.

1. Forwarded.

2. The Commander Seventh Fleet notes with great
satisfaction the sinking of important enemy warships on this
patrol and sends a well done to the BESUGO.

[SIGNATURE: Thos. S. Combs]
Thos. S. Combs
Chief of Staff

Copy to:
ComSubs7thFlt
ComSubRon 26
CO, USS BESUGO (SS321)

— page 237 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

SS321/A16-3
Serial: 010-46
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED I-A-L]

25 July 1945

From: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321).
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
(1) Commander Submarine Division THREE ZERO TWO.
(2) Commander Submarine Squadron THREE ZERO.
(3) Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET.
(4) Commander SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fifth War Patrol.

Enclosures: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Charts (ComSubsSEVENTH FLEET only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the fifth war patrol of
this vessel conducted along the FRENCH INDO CHINA coast and off
the south coast of BORNEO in the JAVA SEA areas during the per-
iod 13 June 1945 to 25 July 1945, is forwarded herewith.

H. E. MILLER.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0448, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY OP-09B9C DATE 5/24/72]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: 138347]

— page 244 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321), Report of Fifth War Patrol.

1200 Position 12°39'N., 109°32'E.
1910 Surfaced and headed northeast to commence scheduled surface
     patrol.
2210 Converted No. 3 and 5 main ballast tanks.

30 June 1945
1035 SD contact at 4 miles (AC #6), submerged.
1200 Position 13°12'N., 111°04'E.
1525 Surfaced. Remained down because it may have been friendly
     and we know the FIFTH AIR FORCE doctrine is to gambit over
     a submerged submarine for 4 hours. During night patrolled a
     3 engine speed on retiring search plan that covers a swath
     30 miles wide and will intercept any south bound vessel maki
     13 kts. at not over 6000 yds.

1 July 1945
     Closed FRENCH INDO CHINA to 30 miles during day and opened
     out again.
1200 Position 12°57'N, 109°44'E.
2314 Good radar contact at 1700 yds. on starboard beam. Lost
     immediately while putting it astern. Picked up weakly again
     for a moment at 3200 yds. Opened out to south to let him
     surface if it is a submarine. May be driftwood.
0500 Received word that a plane has been down in this sector at
     an unknown position since 0900 yesterday. An air search for
     him will be on today. It will be a perfect day with absolute
     flat calm. Commenced return to last night's contact in
     case it was a rubber boat.
0900 Conducted box search at two mile intervals out to 10 mile
     square around point of last night's contact. During process
     had two contacts exactly similar to last night's on schools
     of fish.
1200 Position 13°01.5'N., 110°55'E.
     Discontinued box search and commenced searching to southwest.
     Did not contact any of the search planes. Continued off -
     shore retiring search curve during night. Our FIFTH AIR
     FORCE passenger says that there is no hope of finding this
     plane. He says his organization would not even both to look
     - 7 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 516]
[HANDWRITTEN: 8]

— page 254 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
(F) SHIP CONTACTS

NO. | TIME | LAT. | TYPE(S) | INIT. | COURSE | HOW | REMARKS
    | DATE | LONG. |         | RANGE | SPEED | CONT. |
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
1.  | 1327 | 10°5.5'N. | iscope  | 2000  | ?      | L     | Put astern and
    | 6/16/45 | 110°21'E. |         |       |        |       | dove
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
2.  | 1540 | 10°56.5'N. | USS CAP- | 24000 | 090°   | P     | Closed for
    | 6/16/45 | 110°19'E. | ITAINE  |       | 13     |       | conference.
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
3.  | 2200 | 11°44'N. | USS COD | 14800 | 350°   | R     | Closed for
    | 7/5/45 | 109°24'E. |         |       |        |       | conference.
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
4.  | 1339 | 04°49.5'S | U.S.Sub- | 25000 | NW     | High  | Dove.
    | 7/13/45 | 113°52'E. | marine. |       | 12     | Per.  |
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
5.  | 1915 | 04°58'S | USS RAYA | Un-   | Un-    |       | Communicated by
    | 7/13/45 | 114°14'E. |         | known | known  |       | radar.
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
6.  | 0628 | 05°56'S | USS     | 8600  | 090°   |       | Communicated by
    | 7/18/45 | 113°45'E. | BLENIT  |       | 12     |       | radar and VHF.
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
7.  | 1955 | 07°10'S. | JAP HOSP. | 25000 | 270°   | L     | Inspected at
    | 7/18/45 | 115°02'E. | SHIP    |       | 12     |       | 5000 yds.
----|------|-------||-------||-------|
8.  | 0123 | 07°30'S. | USS     | 8100  | NE     | R     | Exchanged calls
    | 7/19/45 | 115°17'E. | BOARFISH |       | 11     |       |
----|------|-------||-------||-------|

L - Lookout         P - Periscope         R - Radar

Sailboats, of which hundreds were sighted, are not recorded as
ship contacts. Sail traffic along the INDO CHINA coast was
mostly northbound.

Sail traffic in mid JAVA SEA was west and southwest bound. A
number of these JAVA SEA sailboats were closed to 25 feet for
examination. All were carrying bagged grain or rice in their
holds and those having sound EUROPEAN type hulls carried large
crews of young male native adults. Native praus also carried
foods, but their crews were the usual native families.

- 16-A -

— page 255 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

NO. TIME      LAT.        TYPE      INIT. HOW COURSE REMARKS
    DATE      LONG.                 RANGE CONT. SPEED

1.  1535      13°34'N.    B-24      9 mi. R     Cir-   Circled over
    6/15/45   115°12'E                        cling  USS CHARR

2.  1235      11°17'N.    PBM       2 mi. P     North  Friendly.
    6/20/45   109°17'E.                       150

3.  1208      11°48'N.    B-25      5 mi. P     North  Friendly.
    6/24/45   109°19'E.                       200

4.  1155      11°29'N.    B-25      10 mi. L    Circled Communicated
    6/26/45   109°43'E                        ship   with him

5.  1205      10°40'N.    B-25      5 mi. P     SW     Passed over POULO
    6/27/45   109°02.5'E.                     200    CECIR de MIR

6.  1035      13°11'N.    Un-       4 mi. R     Unknown No bombs
    6/30/45   111°03.5'E. known

7.  1228      11°22'N.    B-24      15 mi. L    070°   Friendly
    7/3/45    109°32.5'E.                      200

8.  1330      11°15'N.    B-24      10 mi. L    100°   Spoke him.
    7/3/45    109°38'E.                        200

9.  1342      10°55'N.    B-24      10 mi. L    Cir-   Spoke him.
    7/4/45    109°07'E.                        cling

10. 1256      11°15'N.    B-24      17 mi. L    Search- Spoke him.
    7/5/45    109°16'E.                       ing.

11. 1350      01°19.5'N.  TESS II   20 mi. L    Search- Did not dive.
    7/8/45    106°27'E.                       ing.

12. 1500      01°00'N.    TESS II   14 mi. L    Cir-   Dove at 1508.
    7/8/45    106°47'E.                       cling

13. 1637      04°32'S.    Unknown   25 mi. R    Unknown Not sighted.
    7/10/45   110°52'E.

14. 0735      05°57'S.    Float     12 mi. L    Unknown No bombs.
    7/18/45   113°54'E.  plane

15. 1457      06°51'S.    Unknown   20 mi. R    Unknown Believed
    7/18/45   114°40'E.                               friendly.

16. 1900      Off Vlaming Seven 16 - 22 mi. L    South  Friendly.
    7/22/45   Head Light B-24's

R - SD Radar
P - Periscope
L - Lookout

- 16-B -

— page 257 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. LUSUGU (SS321), Report of Fifth War Patrol.

3. VAPOR COMPRESSION STILLS

     During the last refit both vapor compression stills were
broken down. Numerous loose nipples in the tubing of No. 1
still were found and tightened. A set of reconditioned coils
was installed in No. 2 still. Both tested satisfactory during
training period, but on the fifth day of patrol with 75 hours
on each, both had developed sufficient leakage to prevent mak-
ing battery water direct from sea water. Battery water of
sufficient purity could be re-distilled from fresh water
throughout the patrol.

4. AUXILIARY ENGINE

     On 1 July the auxiliary engine control governor with
897 hours use became erratic. It was replaced with spare and
operation became normal.

     On 1 July with 2150 engine hours, the auxiliary engine
lub oil relief valve by-pass line developed a leak. Line was
removed, annealed, brazed, and replaced, but the same casualty
occurred occasionally throughout the patrol. All copper lines
on the auxiliary engine will be annealed at the first oppor-
tunity.

5. MAIN ENGINE FLEXIBLE LUB OIL DISCHARGE LINE

     Flexible rubber discharge lines from main engine attach
lub oil pumps failed as follows:

     #1 Main Engine          -     2980 Engine Hours.
     #2 Main Engine          -     2940 Engine Hours.
     #3 Main Engine          -     2880 Engine Hours.
     #4 Main Engine          -     2865 Engine Hours.

     The above failures occurred as follows: A bulge would
appear in the rubber covering near the flange end. After a
short time the rubber in the bulge cracked, allowing serious
leakage. The line on No. 1 was replaced with a spare when
it had reached the bulging stage. The bulged section was wire
wrapped and the line retained as a spare until the end of the
patrol.

     In view of the uniformity of failure of these lines it
is recommended that they be replaced the first refit after
passing 2500 engine hours use.

6. #3 MAIN ENGINE

     On 17 July 1945, a crack was found in the liner of No. 11
unit of No. 3 main engine. It was replaced with a spare.
Engine hours 2960.

                                  - 18 -
                                                                        J

— page 263 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. PINTADO (SS321), Report of Fifth War Patrol.
B-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

— page 265 —
FC5-30/A16-3
Serial: (0125)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS BESUGO (SS321) -
Report of Fifth War
Patrol.

From:
To :
Via :

Subject:

1.
tenant Commander H. E. MILLER, U.S. Navy, was conducted off the French Indo
China coast and off the South Coast of Borneo. Patrol was of forty-two days
duration of which twenty-seven days were spent in the assigned areas. Life
guard services were conducted at various times during this patrol but no res-
cues were made.

2.
there were no contacts worthy of torpedo fire. Ship contacts consisted of one
properly marked hospital ship, friendly submarines and numerous native sail
boats. Off the French Indo China coast the sailboat traffic was mostly north
bound, while in the Java Sea it was west and southwest bound. Sailboats were
closed for examination but allowed to proceed due to friendly character.

3.
condition. Major material deficiency appears to be the main storage battery,
the condition of which will be investigated and such corrective action as is
possible will be taken. It is expected that refit will be completed in normal
time.

4.
officers and crew on a well planned and conducted patrol which provided no
opportunity to inflict damage to the enemy.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY
Ce
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
26 July 1945.

The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY.
The Commander in Chief, U.S. FLEET.
(1) The Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET.
(2) The Commander in Chief, SEVENTH FLEET.

U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Fifth War Patrol.

The fifth war patrol of the BESUGO under the command of Lieu-

Area coverage was excellent and the patrol well planned; however

The BESUGO returned from patrol clean but in fair material

The Squadron Commander congratulates the Commanding Officer,

[SIGNATURE: C. C. Smith]
C. C. SMITH.

9 01055
[HANDWRITTEN: 5/6]
[HANDWRITTEN: 29]

— page 266 —
FE24-71/A16-3
[HANDWRITTEN: Serial 23]
[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

UNITED STATES NAVY
11/an
9 August 1945.

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr.
A16-3, Serial 010, dated
25 July 1945. Report of
Fifth War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarines SEVENTH FLEET.
To: The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via: The Commander SEVENTH FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Fifth War Patrol -
Comment on.

1. The Fifth War Patrol of the BESUGO under the command
of Lieutenant Commander H. E. MILLER, U.S.N., was characterized by
well planned and thorough area coverage off the INDO CHINA Coast
and South Coast of BORNEO.

2. The remarks of the Squadron Commander are complete
and are concurred in.

3. The award of the Submarine Combat Insignia for this
patrol is not authorized.

4. The Force Commander congratulates the Commanding Of-
ficer, Officers and Crew on the completion of this war patrol and
hopes that this fighting ship, which has fought so aggressively and
successfully in its previous four patrols, will have better hunting
next time.

[SIGNATURE: JAMES FIFE]
JAMES FIFE
ORIGINAL COPY

-1-

[HANDWRITTEN: 1 9 01055]
[HANDWRITTEN: 516]
[HANDWRITTEN: 30]

— page 267 —
FE24-71/A16-3
Serial 0372-A
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BESUGO Conf. Ltr.
A16-3, Serial 010, dated
25 July 1945. Report of
Fifth War Patrol.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Fifth War Patrol -
Comment on.

— page 268 —
[STAMP: REG. NO F 3465]
[STAMP: R.S. NO 9 01055]
[STAMP: REG. SHEET NO 1]

UNITED STATES FLEET
COMMANDER SEVENTH FLEET

[HANDWRITTEN: 30 AUG 1945]

A16-3(8) (F-3c/gtc)
Serial: [HANDWRITTEN: 05894]

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

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to:
CO, USS BESUGO conf ltr
A16-3, serial 010-46,
dated 25 July 1945.

From: Commander Seventh Fleet.
To : Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BESUGO (SS321) - Report of Fifth War
Patrol - Comment on.

1. Forwarded.

[SIGNATURE: R.L. Carroll]
[UNCLEAR: DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF]

Copy to:
ComSubs7th
CO, USS BESUGO (SS321)

[STAMP: FILMED]

[HANDWRITTEN: 516]
[HANDWRITTEN: 32]