U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS-312) — war patrol report SS-312_BURRFISH_Part1.pdf

— page 1 —
START OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: AR-18777]
[HANDWRITTEN: H-108]

||||1.0
||||1.1
||||1.25 ||||1.4 ||||1.6

||||4.5 ||||2.8 ||||2.5
||||5.0 ||||3.2 ||||2.2
||||5.6 ||||3.6 ||||2.0
||||6.3 ||||4.0 ||||1.8

OPERATOR [SIGNATURE: C. Miller]
DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 4-13-77]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[SEAL: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA with eagle emblem]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET, START & END
NAVEXOS 3969

— page 3 —
NAVY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
DIVISION OF NAVAL HISTORY (OP 09B9)
SHIPS' HISTORIES SECTION

HISTORY OF USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

USS BURRFISH is named for a species of fish, known in the Chesapeake
Bay and along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to Florida under the
scientific name of Chilomycterus schoepfi. The Burrfish is so named
because of the numerous short stiff spines in the skin. The fish, when
alarmed, inflates by taking air and water through its mouth until the
spines in the skin stand out like the needles in a pin-cushion or the
spines on a burr. They have mouths which resemble the beak of a parrot,
and the jaws of this fish are so powerful that it can snap a small rope
in two or crush crabs or shellfish. The species has no commercial value
and the flesh of this type of fish is said to be poisonous.

BURRFISH (SS 312) was built by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, New
Hampshire. Her keel was laid 24 February 1943 and she was launched on
18 June 1943, under the sponsorship of Miss Jane Elizabeth Davis, daughter
of the Honorable James J. Davis, United States Senator from Pennsylvania.
The fleet submarine was placed in commission on 14 September 1943,
Lieutenant Commander William B. Perkins, USN, in command.

BURRFISH cleared the submarine base at New London, Connecticut, on
21 November 1943 for seventeen days of training from the Fleet Sound
School at Key West. She then transited the Panama Canal on her way to
Pearl Harbor where she arrived on 6 January 1944 for final training in
the Hawaiian area.

BURRFISH was underway from Pearl Harbor on 29 January 1944 to conduct
her first war patrol. She topped off with fuel at Midway on 2 February
and dived for an enemy bomber on 10 February before she entered her
assigned area at dawn of the 13th, off the West Caroline Islands. Near
high noon of 14 February she closed a convoy of a fleet oiler and two
large cargo ships but four torpedoes missed their mark. Three escorts
joined in a hunt to hold her down and the fighting submarine became heavy
aft as her engine air induction leaked a full stream through the drain.
She went down to 450 feet with an up-angle of ten degrees and attempt to
pump trim was without success by the time eighteen depth charges rained
down to explode in the sea nearby. Water in her forward engine room
bilges was about three feet deep at the after end, and at one time, she
was down as far as 500 feet with a fourteen degree up-angle. She increased
speed which brought her up to 375 feet and could hear the escorts pinging
in the distance as she made her way clear. BURRFISH secured at nightfall
from silent running to repair the leaky engine air induction. This task
kept her men occupied throughout the next day as she sped to a station
calculated to put her in position to intercept any enemy warships which

— page 4 —
USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

might escape from the devastating carrier air strikes on the enemy
fleet anchorage at Truk (16-17 February 1944).

An enemy destroyer passed well beyond her range on the morning of
17 February and BURRFISH made no contacts with other Japanese shipping
until the early morning of the 29th. After trailing a troop transport
and two destroyers, she slipped just inside the port escort near the
noon hour. That enemy destroyer was not more than 800 yards away when
BURRFISH let go with a salvo of three torpedoes at the transport. She
heard no rewarding explosion of hits as she hunted deeper water. Two
destroyers and a first plane kept her under the surface for the rest of
the day but she escaped these killers under cover of the night.

On 2 March BURRFISH was kept away from a freighter by two destroyers
and two planes. She continued to trail until near midnight, then headed
in for attack. She was "beat to the punch" by fleet submarine PICUDA who
scored three hits and slowed the target who now steered almost every
course on the compass. BURRFISH moved in the next morning and was chased
off by the escorts after missing with a salvo of three torpedoes. Float
planes appeared overhead as daylight came on and two escorts hovered about
the cripple who was well down by the bow and listing to starboard.
BURRFISH closed within 8 miles of the Woleai Island group on 12 March and
moved in to reconnoiter the lagoon. She spotted enemy bombers taking off
and landing and opened out seventy-five miles to sea that afternoon before
opening up on the radio to flash word back to base. She passed out of her
patrol area on 15 March and reached Midway Island on 22 March 1944 for
refit.

BURRFISH departed Midway on 14 April 1944 and entered the area of
her second war patrol the night of 23 April when she dived fifteen miles
north of Tori Shima Island. Only small fishing craft were sighted as she
covered shipping lanes between Van Dieman Strait and Ashizuri Saki. She
submerged about ten miles south of Muroto Saki near daylight of 7 May and
at 0705 sighted a single tanker. Three deadly torpedoes were on their
way in twenty-one minutes and the 5,894-ton Japanese tanker ROSSBACK had
her entire bridge structure displaced by the force of the exploding hits.
She immediately took on a list and sank to the bottom of the Pacific
(33°-14' N; 134°-40' E.). As BURRFISH viewed this sight two aerial bombs
hit the distant sea and she stayed deep as an intensive search for her
was carried out by aircraft during the day. Her patrol along the coast
of Honshu went unrewarded by 26 May and she took to the great circle
course for Midway. She topped off with fuel at the last named base on
31 May and terminated her second war patrol at Pearl Harbor on 4 June
1944.

BURRFISH accomplished several well planned and splendidly-handled
special missions during her third war patrol. She put to sea from Pearl
Harbor on 11 July and learned a lesson on lighting while making a
training dive the 21st. Red bulbs over the diving station did not
provide necessary illumination for view of the diving indicators as she

2

— page 5 —
USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)
went under from the brilliant sunlit surface. This resulted in a
rather spectacular 20 degree (plus) dive angle owing to the stern planes
not getting unlocked. Needless to say, white bulbs soon replaced the
red over the diving indicators for day use.
BURRFISH was off Anguar Island on 30 July and divided her time
between that island and Peleliu as she took photographs of the north,
east and south coast of Anguar, made reports on Japanese shore-based
radar in the vicinity, and collected current data or other side of the
passage between the two islands. Study of the beaches and the isirds
was conducted while photographic and current data run wave made. There
was no evidence of activity among weil covered beach defenses and other
camouflaged positions. Sne dodged a well organized air-surface search of
the enemy the night of 4-5 August but knew a moment of terror when an
enemy plane came "out of the moon" and dropped one stick of three bombs
which exploded not far from the surfaced submarine.
BURRFISH made rendezvous with fleet submarine BALAO the night of 9
August 1944 and transferred her mail. The bright moonlight together with
plane contacts and much radar activity prevented any beach work until the
night of 11 August 1944. On that night a spec.al reconnaissance party
under Lieutenant C. E. Kirkpatrick, USN (Retired), reconnoitered the
beach on Peleliu to determine its suitability for landing craft operations.
The same party was landed on the beach on the south tip of Yap the night of
16 August and reported it satisfactory for all types of landing craft and
vehicles. Two nights later, three men out of a crew of five, were lost in
an attempt to reconnoiter the beach on Gagil Tomis Island of the Yap group
where the beach was found unsatisfactory for any type of landing. The
fate of the missing men was not known at the time. They simply did not
return to the rendezvous point. The men had searched along the reef for
possible boat passages, having been instructed not to go farther toward
the shore if the reef were not passable for landing craft. As this last
mentioned point was being debated, a roller caught them and left the five
men no alternative. They were swept across the reef with the surf and
anchored their rubber boat with great difficulty in seven feet of water
about a thousand yards from shore. One man was left to guard the boat
while four others made for the beach. These men split up in pairs and
one man returned to the boat within twenty minutes, completely exhausted.
He and the guard waited in vain till forty-five minutes past the deadline
given to depart for rendezvous with BURRFISH, then abandoned all caution
and made their way through the surf to flash their flashlights all around
on shore. They had no success and rowed out to rejoin the submarine.
The survivors begged for permission to return and search for their comrades
but this was ruled out because of the approaching daylight. It was
learned after the war that the three missing men were captured upon
reaching the beach, and in a few days, were sent to Palau Island. They
were not among the liberated prisoners of war and their fate after being
sent to Palau is not known. The photographic coverage of the beaches on
the southern tip of Yap Island and of the beach northeast of Pelak
entrance on Yap, was completed by 20 August 1944. BURRFISH returned
from her third war patrol to Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands on 27
August 1944.
3

— page 6 —
USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

On her fourth war patrol BURRFISH joined seven other submarines
in an anti-patrol vessel sweep to the areas north of the Bonin Islands.
This picket-boat line was designed to warn the Japanese of any approach
to the home islands and was the intended target of destruction when
fast carrier air strikes were planned. The strikes by the fast carriers
were cancelled but the plan went forward to demolish this picket line in
"Operation Hotfoot." BURRFISH was underway from Majuro on 18 September
and hunted targets on her way to Saipan where she was to form in the
wolfpack for "Hotfoot". She moved in on a convoy off Tori Shima the
night of 24 October but an escort came in fast to illuminate the surface
with flares and open with deck guns. BURRFISH slid under the surface in
a deep silent run which took her clear to the northeast as three or more
escorts combed the area in an attempt to box her in. She surfaced 40
miles west of Tori Shima at nightfall of 25 October after a submerged
run of eighteen hours during which one enemy escort had made a complete
circle about her.

BURRFISH made a sudden swing in the early morning darkness of 27
October 1944 to pass undetected between the escorts of a convoy and let
go with six torpedoes. Hits completely obscured the target with yellow-
tinged smoke and no depth charges were dropped as BURRFISH found herself
astern the convoy with not enough darkness remaining for end-around on
the surface for another try. She closed the reported position of an
enemy tanker the night of 30 October and was driven off by shell fire.
After midnight she heard five distant explosions which reported the
sinking of an enemy target by the fleet submarine STERLET.

BURRFISH reached Tanapag Harbor of Saipan on 5 November and was out
to sea with a wolfpack of six other submarines on the 10th for "Operation
Hotfoot". Raids of the Third Fleet carriers left few targets in her area
but on the afternoon of 16 November, she reversed course to intercept
enemy patrol boats contacted and reported by RONQUIL. She reached the
scene in dark of night and on the early morning of 17 November 1944, one
of two patrol boats opened with machine gun fire on RONQUIL, then headed
for BURRFISH who opened fire to assist in sending that 200-ton enemy under
the sea. A patrol boat astern turned towards BURRFISH about this time
and catching her offguard, scored several hits on the bridge. One of her
men suffered a leg flesh wound and a second man had a bullet pass through
his left side and lodge in his back muscles. The enemy patrol boat was
destroyed but RONQUIL had two holes torn in her pressure hull and made
emergency repairs. At daylight BURRFISH heard one aerial bomb in the
distance and escaped from one close aerial bomb the morning of 17 November
as she continued the sweep. She was ordered back to Saipan that night
and reached Tanapag Harbor on the 21st. Her wounded men were transferred for
medical treatment on board the submarine tender FULTON and she was
underway the following day for Pearl Harbor where she arrived on 2
December 1944.

BURRFISH spent her fifth war patrol in the southern Nanpo Shoto area,
plagued by much bad weather and lack of targets. She was underway from

4

— page 7 —
USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

Pearl Harbor on 3 January 1945 and arrived on lifeguard station off
Hachija Jima on the 24th. Her torpedoes ran under the shallow draft
of a submarine patrol craft on the 25th. She continued on lifeguard
duty 50 miles off Haha Jima until 26 January without an opportunity
for rescue of downed airmen, then shifted to an area off the Northern
Bonins. When off the western side of Chichi Jima on 11 February 1945
when a single torpedo missed a submarine chaser and the target came back
down the wakes of the torpedo track to rock her with a string of 13 depth
charges which caused some damage to lights and fittings. Nearly forty
close depth charges and some twenty aerial bombs were dropped by the
enemy before she eluded the enemy about three hours before midnight. She
was ordered off Okino Daito Shima and reached her station on 20 February
to look over the landing place and a phosphate plant. The general layout
was noted and photographs taken before noon of 21 February. She made a
rendezvous with fleet submarine PETO at ten o'clock the next day. As she
received a patient with ruptured appendix, a plane was reported coming in
at 15 miles range and all weapons were manned skyward. To the great relief
of all concerned, this plane turned out to be a friendly B-24 and BURRFISH
raced with her patient for Apra Harbor, Guam, where she arrived on 24
February 1945.

BURRFISH was a part of a "wolf-pack" which left Guam on 25 March 1945
to patrol Luzon Strait, the South China Coast and waters along the east
coast of Hainan. This wolf pack was known as "Wallings' Whalers" and was
comprised of BURRFISH, BANG (SS 385) and SNOOK (SS 279). The submarines
were also to perform life-guard duties for Philippine-based planes as
directed by radio dispatch. The pack disbanded on 31 March when BURRFISH
was ordered on lifeguard station off Formosa. She was often assisted by
B-17 and other search planes overhead. One plane passed overhead at 150
feet in the near darkness of 11 April 1945 and scared the control room
watch half to death not to mention the men on BURRFISH's bridge. This
plane appeared to be turning so the submarine did not press her luck.
She was relieved off Ryukyu Sho and was straffed the night of 22 April as
her stern went under. Later examination showed the stern hit in three
places by what were probably 20-mm shells. She suffered no serious damage
and was on her way home the
early morning of 30 April but took time out to close Bataan Island and
bombard the radio station with 4-inch/50 caliber shells. She terminated
her sixth war patrol at Tanapag Harbor of Saipan in the Marianas Islands
on 4 May 1945.

BURRFISH sailed from Tanapag Harbor on 5 May and reached Pearl
Harbor on the 13th. She was out to sea three days later and entered San
Francisco Bay on the 23rd. She got underway on 31 May for the Portsmouth
Navy Yard where she arrived on 19 June 1945. She was in overhaul status
in that yard until 10 October 1945. After trials out of Newport and New
London, she celebrated Navy Day at Baltimore on 27 October 1945.

BURRFISH resumed local operations from the submarine base at New
London, Connecticut, on 31 October 1945 and left that port astern on

5

— page 8 —
USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

18 February 1946 for a cruise which took her to the submarine base at
Balboa, Canal Zone (25 February-17 March), thence by way of the Virgin
Islands for return to New London on 27 March 1946. She entered the yard
of the Electric Boat Company on 1 May 1946 and shifted to the Portsmouth
Navy Yard on 28 June for inactivation. She was placed out of commission
in reserve at Portsmouth on 10 October 1946.

BURRFISH was recommissioned at New London, Connecticut, on 2 November
1948 and shifted to the Portsmouth Navy Yard on 5 February 1949 for
conversion to a radar picket submarine. Her hull classification was
changed to SSR-312 on 27 January 1949 and she was out of the yard on 11
February 1950 for local operations out of New London. She cleared that
port 15 March to base at Norfolk as a unit of Submarine Squadron 6 and
she put to sea on 4 April for training out of Guantanamo Bay. She
joined a task force which included the carrier PHILIPPINE SEA (CV-47) in
the Virginia Capes operating area for exercises along the northeastern
seaboard which included a call at New York (19-22 May).

BURRFISH resumed local operations from Norfolk on 25 May and sailed
on 16 September to join units of Submarine Division 61 at Augusta, Sicily.
She reached the last named port on 29 September 1950 and was underway the
next day for maneuvers which took her to the Malta operating area, Navarin
Bay, Greece; Toulon, France; Suda Bay, Crete; Taranto and Naples, Italy.
She put to sea from Naples on 3 January 1951 and called at Bizerte,
Tunisia, and Oran, Algeria, on her way back to Norfolk where she arrived
on 2 February 1951.

BURRFISH spent the next six months in operations from Norfolk which
included radar picket duties on ocean stations in cooperation with Air
Force and Naval aircraft concerned with the air defense of the eastern
seaboard approaches to the United States. She underwent overhaul in the
Charleston Naval Shipyard (13 September 1951-23 January 1952) and made a
refresher training cruise to Puerto Rico before she cleared Norfolk on
22 April 1952 for another tour of duty with the SIXTH FLEET in the
Mediterranean. She returned from this cruise to Norfolk on 24 August
1952 and intervened her air defense operations from that base, with
maneuvers which included a stay at the Submarine Base at St. Thomas,
Virgin Islands (10 January-13 February 1953) and submarine warfare
maneuvers along the eastern seaboard from Norfolk to waters of Guantanamo
Bay. Overhaul in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (29 June-18 December
1953) was followed by a refresher training cruise to Hamilton, Bermuda,
and alterations in the drydock of the Boston Naval Shipyard (27 March
1954-4 April 1954).

BURRFISH cleared Norfolk on 4 May 1954 and joined units of the
SIXTH Fleet at Gibraltar on 18 May for maneuvers which took her to Naples,
Malta, and the French ports of Hyeres and Cannes. She resumed ocean
picket station duty at Norfolk on 22 July 1954 and cleared that base on
24 January 1955 to spend the winter in the Caribbean Sea while based at
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, Virgin

6

— page 9 —
USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

Islands. She returned to Norfolk from her winter cruising grounds on
4 March 1955 and was underway independently from that base on 27
September 1955 for Atlantic Fleet Submarine Exercises which took her
over the Arctic Circle. The flagship of Submarine Division 62 during
this duty, she joined submarine REDFIN (SSR 272) at Reykjavik, Iceland
(6-7 October) and followed up subsequent maneuvers with visits to
Copenhagen, Denmark, and Oslo, Norway.

BURRFISH resumed her air defense duties from Norfolk on 12 November
1955, cruising as far south as the operating areas off Jacksonville,
Florida. This duty came to an end on 4 June 1956 when she left Norfolk
to enter the Submarine Base at New London, Connecticut. After transferring
her ammunition and defueling, she entered the yard of the Electric Boat
Company for inactivation overhaul. She was clear of the railway in that
yard on 16 November 1956 and completed her inactivation at the Submarine
Base at New London, where she was decommissioned and placed in reserve
on 17 December 1956. She is scheduled for loan to the Canadian Navy
under terms of a loan agreement between the State Department and the
Canadian Ministry of External Affairs. The pre-transfer overhaul will
be accomplished at the expense of Canada in the Philadelphia Naval
Shipyard. BURRFISH will have the distinction of inaugurating a
submarine service in the Royal Canadian Navy at the transfer ceremonies
to be held in New London in May 1961. She will serve the Royal Canadian
Navy under the name of HMCS GRILSE.

USS BURRFISH (SSR 312) received six engagement stars and other awards
for the operations listed below:

1 Star/ASIATIC-PACIFIC RAIDS:
    Truk Attack: 16-17 Feb 1944

1 Star/SECOND WAR PATROL-PACIFIC: 14 Apr-4 Jul 1944

1 Star/THIRD WAR PATROL-PACIFIC: 11 Jul-27 Aug 1944

1 Star/FOURTH WAR PATROL-PACIFIC: 19 Sep-2 Dec 1944

1 Star/IWO JIMA OPERATION:
    Assault and Occupation of Iwo Jima: 15-21 Feb 1945

1 Star/OKINAWA GUNTO OPERATION:
    Assault and Occupation of Okinawa Gunto: 29 Mar-30 Apr 1945

7

— page 10 —
[MARK: X]

USS BURRFISH (SSR 312)

LIST OF COMMANDING OFFICERS

Lieutenant Commander William B. Perkins, USN: 14 Sep 1943 - 20 Dec 1944
Lieutenant Commander Morton H. Lytle, USN: 20 Dec 1944 - 29 Dec 1945
Commander Robert F. Conrad, USN: 29 Dec 1945 - 12 Feb 1946
Commander Frank M. Eddy, USN: 12 Feb 1946 - 28 Jun 1946
Lieutenant Frederick J. Ruder, USN: 28 Jun 1946 - 10 Oct 1946
Lieutenant Commander Paul R. Schratz, USN: 2 Nov 1948 - 17 Mar 1949
Lieutenant (jg) Robert H. Armour, USN: 17 Mar 1949 - 22 Aug 1949
Lieutenant Philip A. Beshany, USN: 22 Aug 1949 - 2 Sep 1949
Lieutenant (jg) Walter S. Rose, USN: 2 Sep 1949 - 5 Oct 1949
Lieutenant Commander James Mercer, USN: 5 Oct 1949 - 7 Sep 1951
Lieutenant Commander Philip P. Cole, USN: 7 Sep 1951 - 26 Jun 1953
Lieutenant James T. Traylor, Jr., USN: 26 Jun 1953 - 20 May 1955
Lieutenant Commander Stanley R. McCord, USN: 20 May 1955 - 22 Dec 1955
Lieutenant Commander Robert R. Hale, USN: 22 Dec 1955 - 28 May 1956
Lieutenant William P. Cantwell, Jr., USN: 28 May 1956 - 17 Dec 1956

ORIGINAL STATISTICS

LENGTH OVERALL: 311 feet, 6 inches
EXTREME BEAM: 37 feet, 3 inches
STANDARD DISPLACEMENT:
    Tons: 1526
    Mean Draft: 15 feet, 3 inches
SUBMERGED DISPLACEMENT:
    Tons: 2391
DESIGNED DEPTH: 400 feet
DESIGNED SPEED:
    Surfaced: 20.25 knots
    Submerged: 8.75 knots
DESIGNED COMPLEMENT:
    Officer: 6
    Enlisted: 60
ARMAMENT:
    Torpedo Tubes: (10) 21-inch
    Secondary: (1) 4-inch/50 caliber
             (1) 40-mm
             (2) .50 caliber

8
Compiled and stenciled 26 Oct 1960 (ks)

— page 11 —
[HANDWRITTEN: BURRFISH (SS-312)]
[HANDWRITTEN: ALL MATERIAL IN THIS PACKET IS DECLASSIFIED]
[HANDWRITTEN: FOR SHIPS LOGS SEP 43-DEC 45 CONSULT THE]
[HANDWRITTEN: NATIONAL ARCHIVES WHICH HAS CUSTODY.]

[HANDWRITTEN: J.A. KOONTZ]

— page 12 —
SS312/A16-3
Serial (018)
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From:
To :
Via :

Subject:
Enclosure:

1.
conducted in the Western Carolines during the period February 2, 1944 to
March 22, 1944, is forwarded herewith.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.C]
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/25/72]

(6)
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312)
c/o Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, California.

March 22, 1944.

The Commanding Officer.
The Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
(1) The Commander Submarine Division SIXTY-ONE.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force PACIFIC FLEET, Subornadite
    Command.
(3) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET.
(4) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.
U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of War Patrol number One.
(A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart covering subject patrol (to Comsubpac only).

Enclosure (A), covering the first war patrol of this vessel

[SIGNATURE: W. B. PERKINS.]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[STAMP: 70104 FILMED]

— page 22 —
(16)
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - FIRST AR PATROL.
1323(K)
1412(K)
1510(K)
1930(K)
2000 (K)
0514(K)
0706(K)
Surfaced.
SD contact 16 miles. Dived.
Surfaced.
Passed FARAULEP Island abean to port, distant 14 miles.
Changed course to 194°(T).
March 12, 1944
Dived about 10 miles east of WOLEAI and commenced closing submerged.
Sighted three steam pampens patrolling to south and to eastward of
main entrance to East Lagoon. They are steaming slowly back and
forth, stopping intermittently. One is dead sheed about 4,000 yds.
Changed course to go south of him. The mast on the one ahead is
painted white. Think we can make out mests of a ship on other side
of WOLEAI. Continued circling the islands to get a better look.
Come up to 60 feet for better look can sec large ship at 14,000
yards, smoking, with a much smaller ship to left of him. Went to
battle stations, thinking he was coming out.
1015(K)
1117(K)
Target has turned out to be a permanent fixture, either anchored
or moored well up in East Lagoon. He has four goal posts and
resembles KOGYO MARU. Continued observing him at 15 minute
intervals and cutting him in on chart. We are working over to
westward.
1415(K)
Sighted 2 BETTYS over WOLEAI.
1510(K)
Sighted 4 lend type biplanes over OLEAI. Continued observation of
lagoon until sunset.
1912(K)
Surfaced about 8 miles west of island group and commenced patrol
on north and south linc.
March 13, 1944
0502(K)
Dived about 9 miles west of WOLEAI Island group and proceeded in
submerged.
0710(K)
Sighted 3 low-wing land planes resembling ZEKES which appeared to
be taking off from WOLEAI.
0812(K)
Saw two BETTYS, apparently taking off.
1000(K)
Saw one BETTY landing, wheels down.
1210(K)
1310(K)
1436(K)
1625(K)
1913(K)
0125(K)
The large AK has been in sight since 0730 end cuts in at same
position as yesterday. He is anchored or mocred about 700 yards
south of western tip of OLEAI. Occasionally he smokes for a few
minutes. The smaller ship sighted yesterday is also anchored in
the lagoon and has not changed position.
Sighted one BETTY over WOLEAI.
Sighted 4 small biplanes teking off.
Sighted one BETTY at 4 miles with wheels down.
Commenced retiring to westward.
Surfaced. Decided to open cut 75 miles from OLEAI before opening
up on radio and to proceed on out of area. Have a comfortable amount
of fucl left for return to base and can just about get out of the
area on scheduled time. Changed course to 000°(T), speed 14.0 knots.
March 14, 1944
Completed radio transmission and changed course to 053°(T).
-10-
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 24 —
X
A
CONFIDENTIAL
(F) SHIP CONTACTS
No. | Date | Time | Latitude | Longitude | Types | Initial Range, Yds | Est. Course | Speed | How Contacted | Remarks
1. | Feb.14 | 1030K | 9-50 N | 146-30 E | 1 Tanker, 2 ΑΚ, 5 escorts. | 36,000 | 315° | 11 Kts. | R, SD | Tracked and attacked.
2. | Feb.16 | 0800K | 8-10 N | 147-10 E | Convoy, 2 ships, unidentified. | 40,000 | 110(T) | 11 Kts. | Smoke, SD | Tracked, target ran banks, ran around, no subsequent contact. Dived, avoided.
3. | Feb.17 | 1250K | 7-31 N | 149-57 E | D.D. | 14,000 | 270° | 6-7 K-s. | SD | Passed 8000 yds. abearm. JP
4. | Feb.17 | 1630K | 7-28 N | 149-50 E | D.D. | 24,000 | 270° | 10 Kts. | JP | tracked out to 28000 yards.
5. | Feb.18 | 1830K | 7-25 N | 150-05 E | D.D. | 14,000 | 0900 | 25 Kts. | Sound | Changed course and avoided on surface.
6. | Feb.18 | 0030K | 7-30 N | 150-00 E | 1 large ship uniden- tified, 1 escort. | 30,000 | 110°, 7 Kts. | 15 Knots | R | Apparently detected at 16000 yds. Target changed course for banks.
7. | Feb.18 | 0150K | 7-25 N | 150-12 E | D.D. | 10,000 | 240°, 7 Kts. | 12 Kts. | R | Passed astern of contact at 8,000 yards.
8. | Feb.23 | 1235K | 7-18 N | 148-43 E | Submerged submarine | 1,500 | 115° | Unkown. | SD | Turned away and cleared area.
9. | Feb.29 | 0740K | 11-04 N. | 146-35 E | 1 Freighter, 2 D.D. | 27,000 | 150° | 9 Kts. | SD | Tracked and attacked with three torpedoes.
10. | Mar.2 | 1138K | 6-45 N | 147-35 E | 1 A.P., 2 D.D. | 16,000 | 100° | 6 Kts. | (Smoke) P | Could not close track, trailed.
11. | Mar.12 | 0650K | 7-20 N | 144-02 E | 3 patrol sampans | 6,000 | Various | P | Patrolling entrance east lagoon Molaei Island.
12. | Mar.12 | 1015K | 7-25 N | 143-54 E | Large AK | 12,000 | Moored | P | Hoored in cast lagoon Wolaei. Observed for two days.
| Mar.12 | 1100K | 7-24 N | 143-53 E | Inter Island type steamer | 12,000 | Moored | P | Stack and masts only visible. Observed for two days.

I

13
(18)
X
-12- ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 25 —
[HANDWRITTEN: H]
CONFIDENTIAL
(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS:
No. | Date | Time | Latitude | Longitude | Type | Range | Est. | How | Remarks
    |     |      |          |           |      | Miles | Course | Contacted |
1. | Feb. 6 | 1700(L) | 21-30 N | 145-35 E | Unidentified | 3 | 145 | Visual | Dived
2. | Feb. 10 | 1100K | 15-20 N | 154-55 E | Unidentified | 5 | 240 | Visual | Dived
3. | Feb. 12 | 1300K | 12-45 N | 146-30 E | Unidentified | 6 | 120 | Visual | Same plane sighted at 1315 - Dived
                                                                               again.
[HANDWRITTEN: 1xho]
4. | Feb. 17 | 0720(K) | 07-30 N | 149-35 E | Unidentified | 3 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
5. | Feb. 20 | 0900(K) | 07-35 N | 150-03 E | Unidentified | 3 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
6. | Feb. 21 | 1100(K) | 07-32 N | 150-03 E | Betty | 6 | 065 | Visual | Dived
7. | Feb. 23 | 0930K | 07-25 N | 149-02 E | Unidentified | 10 | 135 | Visual | Dived
8. | Feb. 23 | 0740(K) | 07-22 N | 147-12 E | Betty | 14 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
9. | Feb. 25 | 1358(K) | 07-12 N | 147-02 E | Dave | 8 | 320 | Visual | Dived
10. | Feb. 25 | 0925(K) | 10-40 N | 145-40 E | Unidentified | 3 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
11. | Feb. 29 | 1100(K) | 10-50 N | 144-10 E | Unidentified | 14 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
12. | Mar. 1 | 1440(K) | 07-10 N | 147-50 E | Kawanishi | 5 | Circling | Periscope | Over position of torpedo attack.
13. | Mar. 1 | 0600(K) | 07-10 N | 147-50 E | Unidentified | 97 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
14. | Mar. 2 | 1203(K) | 06-40 N | 148-00 E | Unidentified | 3 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
[HANDWRITTEN: 14]
15. | Mar. 2 | 0725(K) | 06-40 N | 148-00 E | 2 - Daves | 5 | Circling | Periscope | Convoy air coverage.
[HANDWRITTEN: (19)]
16. | Mar. 10 | 147-30 N | 10-58 E | Unidentified | 28 | Unknown | Radar | Covering crippled ship.

-13 ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 26 —
CONFIDENTIAL
(G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS (Continued)
No. | Date | Time | Latitude | Longitude | Type | Range Miles | Est. Course | How Contacted | Remarks
16 | 1115(K) Mar.8 | 11-58 N | 147-32 E | 2 - Sally | 15 | Unknown | Radar | Dived
17 | 1000(K) Mar.10 | 11-58 N | 147-32 E | Unidentified | 28 | Initial | Visual | Lost contact at 30 miles.
18 | 1135(K) Mar.10 | 11-58 N | 147-32 E | 1 Unidentified | 15 | Unknown | Radar | Dived.
19 | 1030(K) Mar.11 | 09-45 N | 145-09 E | 3 Unidentified | 29 | Unknown | Visual | Dived on visual contact - 15 miles.
20 | 1412(K) Mar.11 | 09-10 N | 145-55 E | Unidentified | 15 | Unknown | Radar | Dived.
21 | 1415(K) Mar.12 | 07-20 N | 144-49 E | 2 - Bettys | 5 | Circling | Periscope | Over Woleai Island.
22 | 1510(K) Mar.12 | 07-22 N | 144-49 E | 4 - land biplanes | 8 | Circling | Periscope | Over Woleai Island.
23 | 0710(K) Mar.13 | 07-21 N | 144-45 E | 3 - Zekes | 6 | Circling | Periscope | Apparently taking off from Woleai.
24 | 0812(K) Mar.13 | 07-20 N | 144-45 E | 2 - Bettys | 8 | Circling | Periscope | Apparently took off from island.
25 | 1055(K) Mar.13 | 07-20 N | 144-57 E | Betty | 7 | Circling | Periscope | Wheels down - landed on island.
26 | 1210(K) Mar.13 | 07-20 N | 144-57 E | 4 - land biplanes | 7 | - | Periscope | Over Woleai.
27 | 1310(K) Mar.13 | 07-20 N | 144-57 E | Betty | 4 | Circling | Periscope | Apparently taking off from island.
28 | 1436(K) Mar.13 | 07-20 N | 144-57 E | Unidentified | 12 | Unknown | Radar | Wheels down.
29 | 1532(K) Mar.15 | 13-25 N | 150-47 E | Betty | 6 | [HANDWRITTEN: 060] | Visual | Dived.
30 | 1130(K) Mar.16 | 13-25 N | 154-16 E | Betty | 6 | [HANDWRITTEN: 060] | Visual | Dived.

[HANDWRITTEN: x]

[HANDWRITTEN: 10]
[HANDWRITTEN: 1xha]
[HANDWRITTEN: (20)]

[HANDWRITTEN: -14-]

— page 32 —
CONFIDENTIAL

TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 3 - continued

Tubes Fired:                               #7        #8        #9

Track angle                                120P      120P      120P
Gyro angle                                 180       180       180
Depth set                                  8         8         8
Power                                      Low       Low       Low
Hit or Miss                                M         M         M
Erratic (Yes or No)                        No        No        No
Mark Torpedo                               14-3A     14-3A     14-3A
Serial No.                                 26048     26480     25221
Mark Exploder                              6-4       6-4       6-4
Serial No.                                 4965      1785      10222
Actuation Set                              Contact   Contact   Contact
Actuation Actual                           --        --        --
Mark Warhead                               16        16        16
Serial No.                                 9193      3030      2021
Explosive                                  TPX       TPX       TPX
Firing Interval                            15s       15s       15s
Type Spread                                No spread
Sea Condition                              Calm with moderate swells
Overhaul Activity                          U.S. Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor.

Remarks:
Torpedoes apparently ran normally. All exploded at end
of run. Misses believed due to extremely long run of
torpedoes. They were well aimed and the target had
been observed to be dead in the water for at least two
hours.

[HANDWRITTEN: (26)]
-20- ENCLOSURE (A)
[HANDWRITTEN: 21]

— page 33 —
X
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. BURRFISH - FIRST AR PATROL.
Subject:
(I) MINES
No mines or mining activity observed.
(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASIVE TACTICS.
All ships contacted were heavily escorted. The first convoy of three
large ships had five escorts, two of which were destroyers. The two single
ships encountered each had two destroyer escorts and one had two DAVES as air
coverage. The ship contacted on the morning of February 18, 1944 had only one
escort. After each submerged attack, depth charge attacks were immediate and
accurate. One escort would keep station while the other made his run. Both
[HANDWRITTEN: Distant]
pingers and listeners stopped intermittently to listen. Charges were dropped, [HANDWRITTEN: 10th Flot]
in general, in patterns of at least four. In neither case did the depth charge
attack last longer than thirty-five minutes, although one escort stayed in the
vicinity three hours after the first attack and both escorts stayed over three
hours after the second attack.
In two instances attempts were made to close very slow or stopped escorted
targets on the surface at night. In the first case we were apparently detected
at 17,000 yards (making 17 kts) and in the second case visual contact was
impossible at both times and it is believed that we were detected by some sound
gear. The performance of our JP gear with the sound conditions obtaining in
the area tends to confirm this suspicion.
hile in crea we averaged diving once every two days for aircraft. The
coverage seems to be general.
Three patrol sampans were observed petrolling off the entrance to East
Lagoon of WOLEI Island, obviously protecting the large ship moored in the
lagoon.
Evasive measures employed in all cases were deep (400 feet) and silent
running with course changes to keep the escorts abaft the beam.
(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE
Engine air induction piping. On routine dive February 13, 1944
discovered engine ir induction piping to be leaking through forward engine
room drain. Opened hull flapper and located leak in vertical flange just
outboard of hull. Water was spraying in and a section of the gasket was
slightly pushed in. Tightened flange bolts that night but next dive showed
leak to be still present. Tightened bolts again on following night but did
not stop leak. Decided the leak was around the bolts, so made up grommets of
lampwick and white lead. Installed grommets around flange bolts the next night
and succeeded in stopping this leak.
On February 19 new leak developed. This one was in the next vertical
flenge forward and admitted about the same amount of water as the first leak.
Again the gasket was slightly pushed in. Gromets were installed and flenge
bolts tightened that night, successfully stopping the leak.
Torpedo Tubes. The muzzle door gasket on number six torpedo tube was
pushed in for a space of about two inches, making it impossible to use this tube
during the greater part of the patrol.
-21-
ENCLOSURE (A)
[HANDWRITTEN: D]
[HANDWRITTEN: 3xho
22]
(27)

— page 35 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - FIRST AR PATROL.

(M) RADAR

SJ INSTALLATION.
No major casualties occurred in the S.J. rader installation during
this patrol. There were tube failures and a few definitely minor casualties that
never required more than an hour to remedy.
The performence of the S.J. radar was excellent during the entire
patrol. The outstanding instance occurred when three large ships were picked
up at 38,000 yards with a good echo. This contact was made in the daytime
before the lookouts or a high periscope watch saw the ships. It is doubtful if
any contact would have been made had the radar not been manned.
One item of interest occurred in that the antenna assembly became
detuned to such an extent that a 150 foot high island could not be picked up at
a distance of 14,000 yards. Upon adjusting the two antenna tuning stubs, it
was possible to maintain contact with this island out to approximately 17,000
yards. It is believed that previous depth charging may heve caused this detuning.
The lock nuts were tight and there was no apparent reason for the equipment to
become detuned.

SD INSTALLATION.
No major casualties occurred in the S.D. radar installation
during this patrol. However, the performence of the 8014-A transmitter tubes
was decidedly poor. Had it not been that 300% spares were carried (200% in
excess of allowance) the S.D. would have been inoperative for at least the final
one-third of the petrol.
During the first 2 weeks of the patrol a bad diplexer tuning adjust-
ment plus intermittent operation of the radar (30 sec. out of every minute)
allowed planes to get into two or three miles without detection.
After retuning the diplexer and using continuous operation, the
performance was good. Planes were consistently picked up at 10 to 15 miles.

(N) SOUND GER AND SOUND CONDITIONS.

During a depth charge attack a large rise angle caused water in the
torpedo room bilges to flood JK sound gear training motor. The training motor
fields were bakes out, rcinsulated, and replaced. During the same attack, the
relative bearing repertor failed in the conning tower. This repeater was re-
placed by the true bearing repeater and normal operation gained. The JK gear
was out of commission one week incident to these repairs. Excellent sound
conditions were encountered which demonstrated the superiority of the JP sonic
gear over super-sonics under certain conditions. With a calm sea, an injection
temperature of 84°F, and no density layers, a 25 knot Destroyer was picked up
at an estimated 25,000 yards. This was at Lat. 7°-30'N, Long. 149°-40'E, At
this range the reccition of the screws was very clear and steady. Later the JK
picked up this contact at approximately 17,000 yards, and bearings between the
two units matched well. At two other instances, Lat. 9°-45'N, Long. 145°-30'E,
the JP picked up heavy terget screws at between 10,000 and 12,000 yards and
tracked the target to approximately 6,000 yards before the JK and QB gear
picked up the screws. This praisworthy operation by the JP sound gear proved

(69)
-23- ENCLOSURE (A)
24
X

— page 36 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject:
U.S.S. BURRFISH - FIRST WAR PATROL.
invaluable to the approach problem. It is noteworthy that the best long range
searching was accomplished at the 3,000 cycle filter band.
No merked density layers were encountered and many Bathythermograph
cards were taken up to depths of 450 feet.
It is suggested that greasing connections for the JP shaft be led
up to the deck to facilitate greasing on patrol. It was necessary on patrol
to send men into the superstructure to accomplish this.

(0) DENSITY LAYERS.
On only three observations out of forty-three taken during this patrol
were temperature gredients encountered. These layers were of 3°, 4° and 5°,
all negative - and all occurred between 350 and 450 feet.
These gradients occurred at the following positions:
5° gradient - 7°-15'N and 150°-13'E
4° gradient - 13°-30'N and 151° E
3º gradient - 11 N and 141°-30'E

(P) HEALTH, FOOD, AND HABITABILITY.
Health of officers and crew throughout the patrol was very good.
The following cases were treated:
(1) Appendicitis, acute 5 sick days.
(2) Bursitis No sick days.
(2) Boils No sick days.
(12) Athletes foot (not new cases).

Food was well prepared and of sufficient variety. Dehydrated
potatoes were used occasionally, but were not as palatable as the canned
variety.

Habitability has been excellent. However it is necessary for the
crew to use five hot bunks. In the case of the officers, one has been sleeping
in the forward torpedo and two in the wardroom. During coming refit it is
planned to move all CPO's to the after torpedo room and use their quarters
as an officers bunk room. hereas this will improve the officers situation,
it will necessitate the use of more hot bunks by the crew. There are on board
now 74 men and 9 officers.

(Q) PERSONNEL.
The performance of duty of officers and crew during this patrol has
been excellent. The alertness of the lookouts and bridge watches was particu-
larly gratifying. This was the first war patrol for 53 members of the crew.
A total of nine officers were carried, two of which were assigned
to the ship just prior to departure. It is believed that they received valuable
training.
Daily training dives during which battle problems were conducted were
[HANDWRITTEN: (30)]
made while enrouté area.
-24-
ENCLOSURE (A).
[HANDWRITTEN: 25]
X

— page 37 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - FIRST WAR PATROL.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED.
Midway to Area 2500 miles 19,000 gals.
In area 4561 miles 34,000 gals.
Area to Midway 2500 miles 24,000 gals

(S) DURATION
Days to area 9
Days in area 32
Days enroute to base 8
Days submerged 12

(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING.
Torpedoes | Fuel | Provisions | Personnel Factor
---|---|---|---
14 | 16,000 | 14 days | 30 days.

Limiting factor this patrol - fuel, coincident with provisions
of Operation Order.

(U) REMARKS
The following men are worthy of commendations for voluntarily
entering and working in inaccessible parts of the superstructure in connection
with repairing leaks in the induction piping and freeing the JP sound gear:

RUTHERFORD, Kenneth P., 655 20 40, MoMMlc, V-6, USNR.
JOHNSTON, Earl H., 600 82 55, Flc, V-6, USNR.
LOUDER, Hughston E., 656 14 08, RM3c, V-6, USNR.
BAINES, Donald C., 225 24 49, RM3c, USN.

The night lighting installed on the TDC has proved highly
satisfactory.

-25- ENCLOSURE (A)
(31)
26
X

— page 38 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION SIXTY-ONE

FB5-61/A16-3
Serial 059
CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
USS BURRFISH Report
of First War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Division SIXTY-ONE.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
Subordinate Command, Navy No. 1504.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(3) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS 312) - Report of First
War Patrol (2 February 1944, to 22 March 1944) -
Comments on.

1. The first war patrol of the BURRFISH was also
the first for her Commanding Officer. Thirty-two days were
spent in the assigned area of the Western Carolines and seven-
teen days enroute to and from the area.

2. Area coverage was good. A total of nine worth-
while contacts were made, of which three were developed into
attacks.

3. (a) Attack number one was made on a convoy consist-
ing of one AO and two large AK's with five es-
corts. An unfortunate zig at 8,000 yards range
placed the BURRFISH 40° on starboard bow of
nearest AK. Course was changed for a 110° star-
board track and speed increased to standard.
Four torpedoes were fired with gyro angles 15-20°
when an escort at 2,600 yards and the AK at 3,500
yards were in line and presenting a 90° angle on
the bow. No hits resulted. A position some
1,000 yards nearer the track at time of firing,
and smaller gyro angles would have resulted had
full speed been ordered when the large angle on
the bow was first noted.

(b) There were two contacts with enemy DD's on Feb-
ruary 17th and two on February 18th, of which
three contacts were avoided and one passed well
clear of effective torpedo range.

[HANDWRITTEN: (4)]

- 1 -

[HANDWRITTEN: 27]

— page 40 —
A16-3
Serial No. 072
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

COMMANDER SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
SUBORDINATE COMMAND, NAVY NO. 1504.

(Mc)
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
27 March 1944.

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. BURRFISH Report
of First War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
Subordinate Command, Navy No. 1504.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of First War
Patrol (2 February 1944, to 22 March 1944) -
Comments on.

1. Forwarded.

2. It is not considered damage can be assessed as claimed
on Attack No. 2 on 29 February 1944.

3. Results have proven enemy destroyers to be excellent
targets and attacks thereon should not be avoided unless the attack would
prevent probable attack on a more valuable target.

4. It is further believed extensive training of the fire
control party is in order and greater effort should be made on the part
of the Commanding Officer to reach better attack position prior to firing
torpedoes.

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

[HANDWRITTEN: (3)]
[HANDWRITTEN: 29]

— page 41 —
4 01831
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16)
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0622
CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
First War Patrol.
F4253
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
1 April 1944
NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.
mr
COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 398
U.S.S. BURRFISH - FIRST WAR PATROL.
From:
To :
Via :
Subject:
1.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
The Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet.
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of First War Patrol.
(2 February to 22 March 1944).
The first war patrol of the BURRFISH was the first for the new
Commanding Officer, as such. The patrol was conducted in the West Caroline Is-
lands Area.
2.
Of the numerous contacts, the BURRFISH was able to close three
and make torpedo attacks which were unsuccessful. No damage was inflicted upon
the enemy.
3.
It is expected that the experience gained and additional train-
ing will make the second war patrol of the BURRFISH more productive.
4.
The extreme ranges obtained in the JP gear is of note.
5.
This patrol is not designated as successful for Combat Insignia
Award.
DISTRIBUTION:
C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.
(Complete Reports)
Cominch
(5)
CNO
(5)
Cincpac
(6)
Intel.Cen.Pac.Ocean Areas
(1)
Comservpac
(Adv.Base Plan. Unit)
(1)
Cinclant
(2)
Comsubslant
(8) All Squadron and Division
S/M School, NL
(2)
Commanders, Subspac
(2)
Comsopac
(2) Comsubstrainpac
(2)
Comsowespac
(1) All Submarines, Subspac
(1)
Comsubsowespac
(2)
CTF 72
(2)
Comnorpac
(2) [SIGNATURE: E. L. Hynes 2nd]
Comsubspac
(20)
SUBAD, MI
(2) E. L. HYNES, II,
ComsubspacSubordcom
(3) Flag Secretary.
(2)
[STAMP: FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: Entering
Kard]
30

— page 42 —
SS312/A16-3
Serial (027)

[HANDWRITTEN: C][STAMP: DECLASSIFIED][HANDWRITTEN: A L]

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Second War Patrol, Report of.

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

1. Enclosure (A), covering the SECOND war patrol of this vessel
during period 14 April, to 4 June 1944, is forwarded herewith.

U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

4 June 1944

[SIGNATURE: W. B. Perkins]
W. B. PERKINS.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/25/72]

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[STAMP: 76601 FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 1]

— page 53 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U. S. S. BURRFISH - Second War Patrol, Report of.

(C) WEATHER.

No unusual weather conditions were experienced. The weather in general
conformed to data contained in H.O. Misc. No. 10,638 - Meteorological Data
For JAPAN - 1943.

(D) TIDAL INFORMATION.

No unusual conditions of tide or current not covered in Japan Pilot; Vol.
II, 1940 (Admiralty Publication) and Japan Pilot, Vol. II, 1943, H.O. 123B were
encountered. The statement that the set and drift of the Japan Stream is varied
and unpredictable in the Nanpo Shoto was found to hold true when different sets
were experienced on successive days on several occasions.

(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS.

The only aids to navigation encountered were the following:

(1) Miki Saki Light. - C.Fl. (3) ev. 30 sec. - (south coast of HONSHU)..
Characteristics conform to those in Light List, except that the
brilliance of the light is considerably reduced, binoculars being
needed to see the light at seven miles off shore.

(2) INAMBA SHIMA - Fixed white light - (Southern Islands). This
light is not listed but its installation is a great aid in this
area where currents and overcast weather make navigation a
problem.

- 11 - ENCLOSURE (A)

12
X

— page 54 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U. S. S. BURRFISH - Second War Patrol, Report of.
F. SHIP CONTACTS.
No. Time
Date Long.
1. 4-14 28-15N
2030 178-26W
+12
2. 4-25 30-30N
2149 137-45E
-9
3. 4-27 30-45N
0842 135-30E
-9
4. 5-2 32-30N
2120 132-08E
-9
5. 5-7 33-13N
0705 134-14E
-9
6. 5-8 32-52N
2003 136-08E
-9
7. 5-9 33-10N
0908 135-30E
-9
8. 5-9 33-09N
2250 135-43E
-9
9. 5-10 33-20N
0025 136-10E
-9
10. 5-13 33-40N
0820 136-15E
-9
11. 5-13 33-36N
1117 136-18E
-9
12. 5-13 33-36N
1145 136-18E
-9
13. 5-13 33-36N
1215 136-18E
-9
14. 5-13 33-50N
2250 136-22E
-9
Lat.
Type(s)
Initial
Range
Est. Course
and Speed
How
Contacted
Remarks
Unknown 1100 Yds. Unknown SJ Radar Possibly enemy sub
- made contact.
report.
Unknown 4500 Yds. 300°T SJ Radar Not visible - two
8 K small pips lost at
5600 yards.
Fishing 6000 Yds. Various Periscope Patrolling
Trawler vicinity.
Unknown 4500 Yds. Unknown SJ Radar Pip disappeared at
at same range.
Possibly a sub.
Tanker 7500 Yds. 130°T Periscope Sank with three
5000 Ton 9 K torpedoes.
Small 7200 Yds. 270°T SJ Radar Sighted visually at
patrol 6 K 6500 yards in
boat. moonlight.
Trawler 5000 Yds. 215°T Periscope Patrolling or
6 K fishing.
Small 3100 Yds. 270°T SJ Radar Lost contact at
Craft. 10 K 2300(-9). Turned on
white light at 2330.
Probably fishing.
Small 5600 Yds. 230°T SJ Radar
Craft 7 K & visual.
Three 3000 Yds. Various. Periscope.
fishing
launches
Fishing 2000 Yds. 225°T Periscope.
Trawler. 6 K
Fishing 1500 Yds. 225°T Periscope. Joined up with
Trawler. 8 K trawler abov
Fishing 1200 Yds. 225°T Periscope.
launch. 8 K
Small 4500 Yds. 215°T Visual. Showing dim white
craft. 6 K light at masthead.
Picked up on radar
at 3000 yards.

- 12 - ENCLOSURE (A).
13

— page 63 —
.CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U. S. S. BURRFISH - Second War Patrol, Report of.

SD RADAR. - Operation.

The SD radar performed satisfactorily with no major casualties. Only two
SD contacts were obtained, one at eleven miles, the other at 28 miles.
While in the vicinity of two known Japanese radar installations a listening
watch was posted on the SD. Nothing was heard indicating either that the Jap
equipment was not in operation at the time or, which is more likely, its
operating frequency is not in the vicinity of that of the SD (114 MC)

(N) SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS.

Insufficient contacts were made to form a good estimate of the underwater
sound conditions. On the one large ship contact in Lat. 33°-13'N, Long 134°-14'E,
the screws were picked up on sonic and supersonic gear at about 3,000 yards,
at which range they came in suddenly and loud. A gradual negative gradient
of 3½° down to 300 feet obtained at that time.
Numerous and loud fish and subterranean rumbling noises, as reported in
other patrol reports, were heard daily. These noises seem to increase in
frequency and intensity as you move east along the coast of HONSHU.
The QC side of the port sound head failed electrically early in the patrol.
Investigation showed that an internal hydraulic leak was allowing the shaft
containing the lead-in cables to fill with hydraulic oil under pressure which
may have caused derangement of the QC lead-in cables. Repair at sea was not
considered feasible. The JK side of the gear continues to function normally.
No other material casualty occurred.

(O) DENSITY LAYERS.

Few marked density layers were encountered possibly due to the fact that
most operations were conducted at periscope depth. Occasionally a slight
gradient (1°-2° negative) was encountered near periscope depth which made
depth control difficult.
Only four dives to depths greater than 150 feet were made. The following
conditions were noted on these dives:

Long.        Lat.        Temp.        Type
177°-20'W    20°-10'N    9°           Negative - Gradual
                                      surface to 400'
132°-04'E    32°-11.5N   6°           Negative - Gradual
                                      surface to 400'
135°-12'E    32°-50'N    3½°          Negative - Gradual
                                      surface to 300'
136°-20'E    33° - N     4°           Negative - Gradual
                                      surface to 150'

- 21 -        ENCLOSURE (A).
[HANDWRITTEN: 22]

— page 65 —
X
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U. S. S. BURRFISH - Second War Patrol, Report of.
(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING.
Torpedoe s | Fuel | Provisions | Personnel Factor
21 | 14,000 gal.(at Midway) | 18 days. | 18 days.
Limiting factor this patrol - terminated by Operation Order.
(U) REMARKS.
The JICPCA Bulletin #38-44 was found to be of inestimable value.
The information in it appears accurate and complete.
Our maximum speed on two engines is less than 14 knots. Ninety
percent of full power on three engines will average about 15 knots and consume
about 5800 gallons of fuel per day. Cur bottom paint job is none months old.
The ship is not fast in her present condition and fuel consumption is
prohibitative for sustained running at moderately high speeds.
Ship is painted with dark gray camouflage paint. It is thought to
be an excellent color for blending with the gray haze horizons encountered in
the areas visited.
- 23 - ENCLOSURE (A).
24
X

— page 66 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY-FIVE

FB5-45/A16-3
Serial (059)

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

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO BURRFISH W.P. Report
SS312/A16-3 Serial (027)
of 4 June 1944.

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Second War Patrol, Report of.

1. The Second War Patrol of the U.S.S. BURRFISH was of 52 days
duration of which 31 days were spent in the area. The patrol was terminated
by provision of the Operation Order.

2. In the first and only attack three Mk 14 torpedoes were fired
in a daylight submerged attack on 9 May, at a medium tanker (EU) of about 5000
tons, using track angles between 57s and 74s, depth setting 6 feet, nearly
straight bow shots, range about 600 yards. Three hits were observed and the
tanker was seen to sag in the middle and settle rapidly, turning aft, with bridge
structure displaced. Loud breaking up noises were heard after going deep and
swinging to get clear of the torpedoed tanker. It is considered that this ship
sank. There were no surface escorts but two aerial bombs eight minutes after
firing indicated the presence of air cover.

3. On the night of 18 May a properly marked hospital ship was
sighted and allowed to pass. There were fifteen other radar or sight contacts
evidently on small patrol or fishing craft. The unidentified radar contacts of
short duration on 14 April and 2 May were believed to be submarines.

4. The effect of distant land on SJ radar performance as noted on
6 May and 12 May and in section (M) is of particular interest.

5. The health and moral of the officers and men upon return from
patrol were excellent. The ship was clean and in generally good material con-
dition. It's expected that all refit work will be accomplished in the normal
period. The Burrfish will be docked during this refit.

6. The officers and crew of the Burrfish are congratulated on the
damage inflicted on the enemy during this patrol.

[SIGNATURE: K. C. Hurd]
K. C. HURD.

[HANDWRITTEN: 25]

— page 67 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
11/jak
FC5-4/A16-3
Fleet Post Office,
Serial: 0223
San Francisco, California.

7 June 1944.

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

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to:
USS BURRFISH Report of
Second War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
To: The Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via: (1) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC FLEET.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH Second War Patrol, Report of.

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

2. The Commanding Officer, officers and crew are
congratulated on the successful completion of a patrol result-
ing in damage to the enemy.

C. E. ALDRICH.

[HANDWRITTEN: 26]

— page 68 —
6 03307
[HANDWRITTEN: F 4253]

FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16)
Serial 01169

CONFIDENTIAL

SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
hch
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
11 June 1944

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
Second War Patrol.

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

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 448.
U.S.S. BURRFISH - SECOND WAR PATROL.

From:
To :
Via :

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

Subject:
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of Second War Patrol.
(14 April to 4 June 1944).

1.
The second war patrol of the BURRFISH was conducted in
areas south of the Empire.

2.
The one contact worthy of torpedoes sighted during the
patrol was successfully attacked by the BURRFISH and resulted in the
sinking of a tanker.

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

4.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the Commanding Officer, officers, and crew for having inflicted
the following damage upon the enemy:

S U N K

1 - Tanker (EU)
- 5,000 tons (Attack No. 1).

C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.

Distribution and authentication
on following page.

[STAMP: FILMED]
- 1 -
[HANDWRITTEN: Xtra]
[HANDWRITTEN: micro]
[HANDWRITTEN: 27]

— page 69 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16)
Serial 01169

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
Second War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 448.
U.S.S. BURRFISH - SECOND WAR PATROL.

Subject:

— page 70 —
SS312/A16-3
Serial (023)

U.S.S. SUNFISH (SS312)
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, Calif.

27 August 1944.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

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

Subject: U.S.S. SUNFISH, Report of War Patrol number THREE.

Enclosure: (A) Subject report.
(B) Track Charts. (to ComSubPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the third war patrol of this vessel
conducted in the I. LAU - XII area during the period 11 July to 27 August,
1944, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: W. B. Perkins]
W. B. PERKINS.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY OPRGC DATE 5/25/72]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

— page 83 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Third War Patrol.
(C) WEATHER.
Weather conditions were normal for this area and were similar to conditions
as stated in the coast pilot and JICPOA confidential bulletin No. 29-44. No
severe storms or seas greater than force five were encountered.
(D) TIDAL INFORMATION.
In general the current in the vicinity of PALAU and YAP Islands set to the
south west at 0.2 to 0.5 knots.

PELELIU and ANGAUR Islands.
Considerable current data was obtained in the close vicinity of these islands.
No tidal effect was noted. From all observations the current sets in southerly
and southwesterly directions parallel to the east and west coasts of PELELIU
and ANGAUR, sets southwesterly north of the eight fathom shoal and changes to
a westerly set along the north coast of ANGAUR. The drift varied from point
five to one point five knots.

YAP Islands.
Close to the southern shores the current set southwesterly on ebb tides
with a tendency to set northwesterly along the east coast on flood tides.
Drift varied from point five to one point zero knots.
(E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS.

PELELIU and ANGAUR Islands.
On both H.O. 5423 and H.C. 6073 the tangents of both islands and the 206'
lighthouse on ANGAUR cut in well and gave good fixes. Rader ranges and bearings
on these islands were used to good advantage in obtaining positions at night.
An aircraft signal tower was noted on PELELIU in position Lat. 6-59-53 N, Long.
134-14-15 E. This signal tower may be distinguished from near by towers by
it's heavier construction and the appearance of a platform near the top.

YAP Islands.
A delapidated stone tower at Lat. 9-31-42 N, Long. 138-11-26 E and a
prominent tree at Lat. 9-26-49 N, Long. 138-02-23 E are valuable in obtaining
fixes. Tangents and peaks, when properly identified as shown on H.O. 5421 give
good fixes. The light shown at Lat. 09-30-29 N, Long. 138-07-23 E, was at no
time lighted.
Reef noises were used on several occasions to assist in fixing the ship's
position.

- 13 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 84 —
CONFIDENTIAL

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Third War Patrol.

(F) SHIP CONTACTS.

No. Time      Lat.      Type        Initial   Course    How Con- Remarks
    Date      Long.                 Range     Speed     tacted
1.  27 July   10-39 N   Two small   5000      270°T     Sight.   Picked up by SJ
    1945(-9)  132-38 E  Patrol.     yards.    5 Kts.             at 4000 yards.
2.  27 July   10-40 N   Two small   5000      270°T     Sight.
    2134(-9)  132-29 E  Patrol.     yards.    5 Kts.
3.  5 Aug.    7-00 N    Not         10,000              Sight.   Disappeared
    0020(-9)  133-50 E  identified. yards.    Variable           while held down
                                                                 by plane.
4.  31 July                                                      During this period, each day we were close to PELELIU and
    to                                                           ANGAUR Islands, two or three small motor sampans were
    13 Aug.                                                      observed making transit between these Islands.

- 14 -                                                ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 98 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Third War Patrol.

(P) HEALTH, FOOD AND HABITABILITY.

Health was good. Aside from several cases of constipation and common colds,
ailments were successfully treated:

No. | Disease | Sick Days.
2 | TRICHOPHYTOSIS of the feet. | None.
2 | FURUNCULOSIS | None.
1 | SEPTICEMIA, left hand | 6
1 | URETHRITIS, acute. | None.

Food was plentiful, diet varied and the preparation was better than on
previous runs. Potatoes were carried in the trunk of the mess room hatch -
this additional stowage providing a sufficient total quantity to last for in
excess of 30 days. BAKER, W.C.J., SClc, is deserving of credit for improving
the mess.

Habitability was very good. Since the installation of the booster air
conditioning unit in the forward battery, the forward torpedo room has become
the least comfortable of all living compartments.

The advantage of air conditioning was keenly appreciated when the plants
were out of order during one all day dive.

(Q) PERSONNEL.

(a) Number men on board during patrol | 72 plus 11 passengers.
(b) Number men qualified at start of patrol | 53
(c) Number men qualified at end of patrol | 66
(d) Number unqualified men making their 1st patrol | 10
(e) Number men advanced in rating during patrol | 4

A school for unqualified men was organized and a course of study laid out.
The Chief Petty Officers cooperated to the fullest extent by serving as
instructors and otherwise promoting interest in the school. The school course
was in addition to the usual practical instruction throughout the boat.
Condition of training is considered satisfactory, although the constant
turn-over of personnel and loss of experienced men can be keenly felt. We are
rapidly approaching the point where the designation "key man" is a hollow term.
Instruction does not take the place of experience.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED.

Pearl to MIDWAY | 1400 miles | 15,000 gal.
MIDWAY to Area | 3500 miles | 36,000 gal.
In Area | 3700 miles | 28,000 gal.
Area to MAJURO | 2000 miles | 30,000 gal.

- 27 - ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 102 —
FB5-102/A16-3
Serial (053)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SUBMARINE DIVISION 102

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO BURRFISH Report of
Third War Patrol.

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Third War Patrol - Comment on.

1.
The third war patrol of the BURRFISH was devoted
to the accomplishment of special missions upon which separate re-
ports have been submitted.

2.
Attention is invited to the commanding officer's
report on shore based radars which, coupled with land based air-
craft Harassed the BURRFISH during her patrol.

3.
BURRFISH returned in generally good material condi-
tion. A normal refit will be conducted by SPERRY and Division 101.

4.
The spirit of the crew is high but both officers
and men clearly show the effects of an arduous patrol. Commander
Submarine Division 102 welcomes them to a restful recuperation at
Myrna Island and congratulates them upon the efficient performance
of an important task.

Copy to:
CO BURRFISH

ref
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
29 August 1944.

T.F. [SIGNATURE: Klahring]
T. B. KLAHRING.

— page 103 —
FC5-10/A16-3
Serial 0223

CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO BURRFISH Report of
Third War Patrol.

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Third War Patrol - Comment on.

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

Copy to:
Comsubdiv 102.
CO BURRFISH.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON TEN

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
1 September 1944.

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

— page 104 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)/(16)
Serial 01987
CONFIDENTIAL
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
Third War Patrol.

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

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.
[HANDWRITTEN: 30 Sep 44
LAH]

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 524.
U.S.S. BURRFISH - THIRD WAR PATROL.

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of Third War Patrol.
(11 July to 27 August 1944).

1. The third war patrol of the BURRFISH was conducted in
the Palau-Yap Area. The primary task assigned during this patrol was
accomplishment of special missions which are the subject of separate
reports to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific
Ocean Areas.

2. This arduous patrol was well planned and splendidly
handled by the BURRFISH.

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

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the commanding officer, officers, and crew for an important job
well done.

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
CominCh (7)
CNO (5)
CinCpac (6)
Intel.Cen.Pac.Ocean Areas (1)
ComServPac (1)
CinClant (1)
ComSubsLant (8)
S/M School, NL (2)
ComSoPac (2)
ComSowesPac (2)
CTF 72 (1)
ComNorPac (1)
ComSubSPac (40)
SUBAD, MI (2)
ComSubsPacSubOrdCom (3)
All Squadron and Division
Commanders, Pacific (2)

C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.

SubsTrainPac (2)
All Submarines, Pacific (1)
[SIGNATURE: C. H. Hynes]
E. L. HYNES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary.

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

— page 105 —
U.S.S. BURRFISH ($5312)
SS312/416-3
Serial (024)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California.
2 December 1944.

DECLASSIFIED

From:
To :
Via:
The Commanding Officer.
The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
(1) The Commander Submarine Division THREE HUNDRED TWENTY ONE.
(2) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY TWO.
(3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of War Patrol number Four.

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

1. Enclosure (A) covering the fourth war patrol of this vessel
conducted in the NANSEI SHOTO area during the period 19 September to
2 December 1944 is forwarded herewith. During the period 10 November 1944
to 17 November 1944 this vessel operated as a member of a special
coordinated search group under Commander T. B. KLAKRING (CTG 17.24).

[SIGNATURE: W. B. PERKINS.]
W. B. PERKINS.

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.10
BY OP-09B9C DATE 5/25/72

DECLASSIFIED

— page 106 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.

(A) PROLOGUE.

Arrived MAJURO on August 28, 1944 from third war patrol and was assigned to
U.S.S. SPERRY for refit and to CSD 101 for administration.
Refit was accomplished by U.S.S. SPERRY and Submarine Division 101 relief
crew during the period 29 August to 10 September inclusive. Regular crew moved
back aboard on 11 September. Independent operations and test dive were conducted
on 12 September followed by one day alongside tender for post repair work. A
three day training period was begun on 14 September. CSD 101 was on board 15
and 16 September. Final loading was accomplished on 17 and 18 September and
ship departed for fourth war patrol on 19 September.
Following work was accomplished during refit in addition to routine items:

(a) Removed both periscopes to shop, cleaned internally, cleaned bearings,
reinstalled.

(b) Installed additional stop valve between #4 F.C.B. tank and F.C. transfer
line.

(c) Docked in ARD-18 for routine bottom work.

(d) Renewed port propeller due to damage inflicted by submarine alongside
leaving nest.

- 1 -
ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 111 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.
1400(-9) east of NAKAGUSUKU WAN. Approaching land on course 250°(T).
1857(-9) ICHI BANARE island distant 4 miles, changed to easterly course.
Surfaced 14 miles from land. Commenced surface patrol to eastward.

15 October 1944
0100(-9) Changed to northerly course. Will patrol submerged today in center of
area.
0543(-9) Dived. Course 020°(T).
1200(-9) Changed course to 270°(T).
1841(-9) Surfaced ani commenced patrol 25 miles east of OKINAWA JIMA.
2230(-9) Changed course to 285°(T) and increased speed to full on 4 engines.
Wish to get through pass north of YCHON JIMA as rapidly as possible
since land based radar have been strong in that vicinity. No radar
signal at presert.
2308(-9) Strong radar signal on APR at 150 MC. searching.
2340(-9) Approaching center of pass - radar now trained dead on us and
continued that way until 0004. Judging by strength of signal and
consistency of train, they definitely watched us pass through.

16 October 1944
0005(-9) Entered new area to westward of OKINATA JIMA.
0200(-9) Well clear of pass. Slowed to 10 knots. Received instructions from
Comsubpac to patrol close to OKINATA until further orders.
0530(-9) Dived 18 miles west of IHEYA JIMA, course 180°(T).
1910(-9) Surfaced 12 miles west of KID SHIMA and patrolled eastern part of area
north east of AGUNI SHIMA during darkness.
1916(-9) Dived for APR and SJ contact on aircraft 10 miles distant, closing.
2002(-9) Surfaced.

17 October 1944
0503(-9) Sighted blinking white light over ZAMPA MISAKE making characters
SK-SK-SK, possibly airplane. Also could see loom of white light on
land near by which later appeared as a vertical display of two or thre
white lights flashing on for about 15 seconds.
0524(-9) Dived midway between AGUNI SHIMA and IYE SIMA, heading toward ZAMPA
MISAKE.
0904(-9) Sighted BETTY, distant 4 miles.
1030(-9) Sighted BETTY, distant 6 miles.
1100(-9) Sighted BETTY, distant 8 miles.
1130(-9) Sighted ZEKE at 10 miles.
1200(-9) Sighted two trawlers on southerly courses, distant about 4 miles.
They are headed to round ZAMPA MISAKE.
1240(-9) Sighted 3 BETTYS in formation, distant 3 miles, apparently patrolling
this vicinity - they were seen repeatedly until about 1400.
1855(-9) Surfaced. Patrolled same general area as last night.

- 6 - ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 116 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.

29 October 1944
0550(-9) Dived 15 miles south west of AKUSEKI JIMA. Commenced passage
         submerged between that island and TAKARA JIMA. Found a current of abou
         2 knots setting eastward in the pass. Sea calm, visibility excellent.
1855(-9) Surfaced 30 miles south east of SUWANOSE JIMA, course 085°(T) to clear
         patrol area.
2340(-9) Sent serial No. 2 to Comsubpac. Have been in area of intense electrical
         disturbances during evening - completely nullifying the worth of the
         AFR.

30 October 1944
0400(-9) Course 085°(T), speed 13 knots, departing area.
0547(-9) Reversed course to 270°(T), when Comsubpac 291839 was received.
0802(-9) Dived. Lat. 29°-30' N, Long. 129°-20' E.
         Heard the first of a series of distant explosions resembling depth
         charges.
1314(-9) Heard 18 distant depth charges.
1314(-9) Surfaced, commenced surface patrol.
1815(-9) Submarine reported having enemy tanker stopped to north west of us.
         Changed course to 300°(T), speed 15 knots and notified him that we
         were approaching from distance of 30 miles.
2022(-9) Heard several distant explosions.
2117(-9) Arrived at reported position of enemy tanker by D.R. No contact.
         Changed course to 000°(T).
2213(-9) Sighted flashes of gun fire bearing approximately 075°(T), distant.
         Changed course to 060°(T).
2227(-9) Sighted searchlight beam to the north eastward.
2228(-9) More gun fire at 105°(T), possibly same source as previously seen.
         Changed course to 100°(T).
2240(-9) Sighted ship on horizon at 035°(T), changed course to head for it.
2256(-9) SJ radar made contact on the ship bearing 048°(T), distant 18,000
         yards. Went to Battle Stations, slowed to 10 knots and commenced
         tracking.
2302(-9) SJ contact on a second ship, bearing 060°(T), distant 14,000 yards.
2308(-9) Range to initial contact closed to 11,000 yards. Can observe a large
         angle on bow from bridge. Ship doubtfully identified as a DE or
         large type escort. Commenced swinging left to parallel and continue
         tracking.
2310(-9) The second ship contacted, which was never visible from the bridge,
         fired a salvo of six 4 or 5 inch shells at us from radar range of
         about 9,000 yards. The firing ship was on bearing 130° relative. The
         CCD, Commanding Officer, and stern lookout all observed the firing of
         the salvo and there is no question that we were the target. Dived.
         Casualty to starboard controller mechanism limited propulsion to port
         shaft only. Continued on normal approach course on shaft until other
         was repaired and back in commission at 2359. No sound contact of any
         description during this time.

Note: Subsequent conversations with other ships present near the scene of
      the attack on the tanker lead me to believe that our initial contact
      was on the tanker itself. Time of breaking up noises agree with that
      of STERLET'S attack.

- 11 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 117 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.

31 October 1944
0030(-9) Sound reported fast screws at 1150(T), not elose.
0038(-9) Heard five distinct explosions, several of which may have been
torpedoes.
0043(-9) Heard breaking up noises on sonic and supersonic gear which continued
until 0100.
0207(-9) Surfaced. Am reasonably certain that the breaking up noises came from
the tanker. Changed course to 210°(T) to clear vicinity. Experienced
much SJ interference from various bearings throughout morning.
0415(-9) SJ radar failed.
0451(-9) Dived. Course 110°(T).
0808(-9) Heard 23 distant explosions.
1015(-9) Sighted MAVIS patrolling Low. Lat. 29-26 N, Long. 133-37 E.
1755(-9) Surfaced.
1852(-9) Dived for two radar equipped aircraft detected by APR with strong,
saturated signal. Lat. 29-43 N, Long. 133-53 E.
1950(-9) Surfaced.
2138(-9) Received Comsubspac 310234. Changed course to 160°(T) to head for
SAIPAN.

1 November 1944
0025(-9) Transmitted BURRFISH Serial THREE to Comsubspac.
1216(-9) Dived.
1752(-9) Surfaced.

2 November 1944
On course 160°(T), zigzagging.
0027(-9) Transmitted arrival despatch to C.T.G. 17.7.
1046(-9) Dived for BETTY close aboard, flashing a light at us, sending a series
of double dots. Lat. 24-00 N, Long. 137-28 E.
1710(-9) Surfaced.

3 November 1944.
1112(-9) Dived, routine.
1730(-9) Surfaced.

4 November 1944
0330(-9) Entered safety lane.
0745(-9) Friendly plane contact, SD and IFF. Did not dive.
1010(-9) Sighted three friendly submarines on opposite course. Exchanged calls
with SHAD and REDFISH.
1336(-9) Sighted large patrol plane, distant. Presumed friendly, did not dive.
2300(-9) Transmitted to C.T.G. 17.7, requesting rendezvous instructions.
Instructions had been previously sent on the FOX schedule but was
missed because we were submerged.

5 November 1944
0502(-9) Made rendezvous with PGM-9 and USS BESUGO and proceeded in company to
SAIPAN.
1029(-9) Moored alongside USS FULTON at SAIPAN.

- 12 - ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 122 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.

1900(-9) HALIBUT informs us that she wishes to proceed independently - told him
         to go ahead and to call me by radio if he needed further help.

                                   23 November 1944.
0701(-9) Made dummy trim dive. Boat couldn't go under. Surfaced.
0740(-9) Found that bow buoyancy vent was not opening - trouble outside of hull
         which indicator light indicates proper operation. Removed manhole
         cover from tank top.
0826(-9) Made trim dive.
0855(-9) Surfaced.
0900(-9) Advanced clocks to (-10) time.
1121(-9) Sighted and exchanged calls with USS RAZORBACK.
1800(-10) SJ interference, presumably U.S.S. HALIBUT.

                                   24 November 1944
0953(-10) Made trim dive.
1017(-10) Surfaced.
1800(-10) SJ interference to starboard. Presume it is HALIBUT.

                                   25 November 1944
Made six hour test battery discharge for capacity. Realized 105%.

                                   26 November 1944
Shifted motors on port shaft.

                                   27 November 1944
0600(-11) Trim dive.

                                   28 November 1944
0300(-11) Decided to try two motors on port shaft. They run well separately.
         Reconnected both motors in cubicle.
1310(-12) Trim dive.
1347(-12) Surfaced.
1932(-12) Motors have run OK at 17 knots (80-90 on 3 engines). Decided to try
         full power.
2000(-12) All ahead flank for Full Power Trial.
2150(-12) Discontinued full power - sudden and extreme sparking and unbalance
         between port main motors - also maximum air temperature.
2400(-12) Crossed 180th Meridian. Will repeat this day.

                                   29 November 1944
1000(+12) Dived to 350 feet to test for leakage to reduction gear lube oil sump.
1358(+12) Surfaced.
1428(+12) Submerged for trim.
1505(+12) Surfaced.

                                   - 17 -                               ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 130 —
CONFIDENTIAL
---
Subject: U.S.S. BURIFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.
---
CONTACT NUMBER | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25
Date (October) | 17th | 19th | 19th | 24th | 31st | Nov.2nd
Time (Zone)(-9) | 1300 | 0925 | 1120 | 1407 | 1015 | 1045
Position: Lat. N | 26-33 | 27-18 | 28-27 | 28-27 | 29-26 | 24-00
Long. E | 127-39 | 126-08 | 126-28 | 126-28 | 133-37 | 137-28
Speed | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 15
Course | 330 | 120 | 120 | 030 | 110 | 160
Trim | Per | Per | Per | Per | Per | Surf
Minutes Since | Not Manned....... | | | | |
SD Radar Search. | | | | | |

— page 134 —
CONF IDENTII.
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report of.
(H) ATTACK DATA.
Tubes Fired | #1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Track Ingle | 118-30S | 118--305 | 121-30S | 119-30S | 124-30S | 117-30S
Cyro Ingle | 18-30 | 18-30 | 21-30 | 19-30 | 24-30 | 17-30
Depth set | ó ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft.
Power | High | High | Figh | Iligh | High | High
Hit | Fit | Hic | Miss | Hit | Miss | Miss
Erratic (yes, or no) | No | No | No | No | No | No
Mark Torpedo | 14-30 | 14-34 | 23- | 23-- | 14-3 | 14-34
Sorial No. | 26647 | 25176 | 41058 | 41119 | 40061 | 40568
Mark Exploder | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-4 | 6-44 | 6-4 | 6-4
Serial No. | 11996 | 17662 | 8785 | 4009 | 2504 | 1.416
Actuation Set | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact | Contact
Actuation ctual | Contact | Contact | Contect
Mark Warhead | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1 | 16-1
Serial No. | 13418 | 2954 | 345 | 3067 | 10235 | 12723
Explosive | TPX | TEX | TPX | TPY | TPX | TPX
Firing Interval | 8 sec. | 8 sec. | 2 sec. | 9 sec. | 9 sec.
Type Spread | Divergent
Sea Conditions | Force 3 (slight chop with whitecaps).
Overhaul Activity | U.S.S. SPERRY.
Remarks: Misses are believed due to spread employed.

- 29- ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 138 —
X
CONFIDENTLL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth ar Patrol, Report of.

DETECTION OF SUBMARINDNEY A/S SURFACE CRAFT
Submarine: U.S.S. BURRFISH (8832), Patrol No : 4 Incident Serial No. 1
Type Camouflage This Patrol: Dark Grey.
Time (Zono) and Date when 3/M was Contacted: 0055 (-9), 23 October 1944.

WHEN S/M IAS DETECTED LT NAS:
S/M Position: Lat. 27-23 N. Long.: 127-48 E
S/ Speed: 15 Kts. Course: 330 Trim (or Depth): Surfaced.
Sea: State: 3 Direction: From 020°(T).
Visibility: 6 - 10,000
Clouds: Height 6,000 Percent: 30
Moon: Elev. Antle None Percent: Bearing(T):

DETECTING CRAFT:
Type of Surfaco Craft: Small DE. Tonnage: 1100
What was Apperent mission or Duty of Surface Craft Prior to Detection of Submarine?
Escort for Convoy.

Submarine Detected by: Sight.
Echo Ranging Frocnency Amployed:
Hand or Automatic Keyed? Automatic.
Echo Ranging Frior to Detecting S/1? Ios.
Range of A/S Craft at Time of Detection: 3000
Bearing (T) of /S at Time of Detection: 160°
Tactics of Sighting Craft fuer Detection: Turned toward Sub and opened fire
with sun.
Tactics of S/ after Detection: Deep Submergence.
Time Contact Lost by Surface Craft: 0100
Did A/S Craft icke Attack on S/? Yos.
Cunfire or Depth Charge? Gunfire.
S/L Evade on Surface or Submerged? Submerged.

Remarks: Submarine detected visually while turning away in attempt to get more
advantageous attack position on quarter of convoy.

- 33 - ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 142 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH - Fourth War Patrol, Report on

One hour after leaving SAIPAN, 22 November, and developing less than 80%
power, the former trouble returned; unable to balance the load and both #2 and
#4 m.m. sparking. Cut out #2 m.m. and continued on #4. At 2200, 26 November,
cut in #2 m.m. and cut out #4 to see if #2 would operate satisfactorily by itself.
Ran #2 m.m. until arrival at P.H., T.H., about 6 days.

It is requested that this trouble be thoroughly investigated. At no time
since this ship has been in commission has it been possible to make full power
for more than 4 hours except on initial trials in cold water.

Reduction Gear Sump.

At 2000, 11 September, found almost a pint of salt water in No. 1 and #2
reduction gear sumps. On the advice of the tender pumped 15 gals. out of each
sump with the hand pump and then took quart samples for analysis.

Test showed no presence of salt and sumps were dumped, cleaned and refilled
with #2190. L.O. cooler was tested to 200 psi. These sumps were cleaned during
refit and it was believed that manhole gaskets might be defective; renewed
gaskets. The packing on attached pumps was also tightened.

At 0400, 19 September, sample showed a slight indication of water in star-
board reduction gear sump; none in port. Samples taken every four hours continued
to show a few bubbles of water in st'bd. sump; none in port. At 2100 stopped
st'bd shaft. Pumped oil from sump to storage and then purified back to sump with
after eng. room purifiers. 0030 20 September shaft back in commission. Subsequent
samples every four hours showed no water.

At 0800, 27 September sample showed slight indications of salt water in
st'bd sump; none in port. Pumped about 15 gals. out; subsequent samples showed no
water. At 0745, 3 October, sample showed salt water in st'bd sump; port none. At
1130 sample again showed water even though about 10 gals. had been pumped out
before taking sample.

At 1335 flooded maneuvering room bilges so that all L.O. piping in bilges
was well covered. At 1500 samples showed no definite increase in water. Pumped
down bilges. It is impossible to put an air test on the sump at sea, since
attached pump and all lines have to be blanked off. Pumped out about 20 gals.
until sample tested clear.

On the 04-08 4 October took sample before deep dive with no water, but
sample after deep dive showed slight amount of salt water. At 1224 secured the
st'bd shaft and replaced L.O. cooler with spare. Purified oil in sump again. 1722
St'bd shaft back in commission.

Made deep dive for a bathythermograph card October 5 and samples taken both
before and after showed no salt water. On 6 October st'bd sump showed a few
bubbles of water; port none. From this time on st'bd continued to show a few
bubbles each day; port none. On 24 October purified oil in st'bd sump. After
purifying sample showed no water.

- 37 - ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 155 —
FB5-321/A16-3
Serial (01)

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

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO BURRFISH Report of
FOURTH War Patrol.

From:
To :
Via :

Subject:

1.
ed in two phases, was of 75 days' duration, 31 of which were spent in
the assigned area of the NANSEI SHOTO, and 5 days in a sweep NW to NE
of the Bonin Islands as part of a coordinated search group. Excellent
area coverage resulted in twelve contacts of which three were worthy
of torpedoes and one was successfully attacked.

2.
until sunset. After a short surface chase, sight contact was made
with a convoy of 3 ships and 5 escorts. BURRFISH decided to trail
until moonset. At 0045 attack position was gained, but the attack was
frustrated by gun fire from the fast closing escort which forced sub-
mergence. Persistent search by the escorts continued about seven
hours and prevented regaining contact.

ATTACK NUMBER ONE - night, radar surface - 27 October.
A night radar contact on two ships with one large and three small
escorts was tracked for course and speed. Three times hits were
obtained on the near target from six air torpedoes fired at an average
range of 2700 yards. When last seen the target was completely envelop-
ed in smoke and later the radar pip disappeared at 8000 yards. BURRFISH evaded
on the surface, and with insufficient darkness remaining for another
surface attack she proceeded to the north westward for a submerged
attack position in the event of a radical westward zig at dawn. It is
believed that attack opportunity would have been assured had contact
been maintained during the end around. Contact was not regained.

SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE TWENTY ONE

Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
3 December 1944

The Commander Submarine Division THREE TWENTY ONE.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.

(1) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-TWO.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(3) The Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific
Fleet.

U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of FOURTH War Patrol.

The FOURTH War Patrol of the U.S.S. BURRFISH, conduct-
On 24 October a smoke contact was trailed submerged

- 1 -

— page 157 —
FC-32/A16-3
Serial (001)

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

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO BURRFISH Report of
FOURTH War Patrol.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY-TWO.
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
3 December 1944

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-TWO.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
      (2) The Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific
          Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of FOURTH War Patrol.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks and recommended
damage assessment of Commander Submarine Division THREE TWENTY-ONE.

2. The Commanding Officer, Officers, and Crew of the
U.S.S. BURRFISH are congratulated on the successful completion of
this 75 day patrol, complicated by shore and airborne radar, and on
the damage inflicted on the enemy.

[SIGNATURE: J. R. Waterman]
J. R. WATERMAN.

— page 158 —
[HANDWRITTEN: F4254]
[HANDWRITTEN: hch]
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
13 December 1944.

FF12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02823

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
Fourth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 603.
U.S.S. BURRFISH - FOURTH WAR PATROL.

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

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of Fourth War Patrol.
(19 September to 5 November and 10 November to
2 December 1944).

1. The fourth war patrol of the BURRFISH was conducted in
two phases. The first phase was conducted in the Nansei Shoto Area.
During the second phase, the BURRFISH was one of seven submarines con-
ducting an anti-patrol vessel sweep in areas north of the Bonin Islands.

2. During the first phase, the BURRFISH covered the entire
Nansei Shoto area thoroughly. Scarcity of targets caused by the Third
Fleet air strikes in the area allowed the BURRFISH but one torpedo at-
tack. This aggressive night surface radar attack against an escorted
convoy cost the enemy one large freighter.

3. During the second phase, the BURRFISH came to the as-
sistance of the RONQUIL, and helped destroy a large patrol vessel by
gun fire.

4. Award of the submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol
is authorized.

5. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the commanding officer, officers, and crew for this aggressive
and successful patrol, and for having inflicted the following damage
upon the enemy:

S U N K
1 - Large AK (EU) - 7,500 tons (Attack No. 1)
1 - Patrol Vessel LIS. (EU) - 100 tons*(Gun Attack No. 1)
TOTAL SUNK 7,600 tons

*NOTE: RONQUIL and BURRFISH both credited with destroying this 200 ton
patrol vessel.

Distribution and authenti-
cation on following page.

- 1 -

EXTRA - ORIGINAL
C. A. LOGWOOD, J. MICRO
PHOTO-LAB OP-16
RETURN TO F-4253

— page 159 —
FF12-10/A16-3(15)
Serial 02823
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
Fourth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 603.
U.S.S. BURRFISH - FOURTH WAR PATROL.

Subject:

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch
CNO
Cincpac
Intel.Cen.Pac.Ocean Areas
Comservpac
Cinclant
Comsubslant
S/M School, NL
CO, S/M Base, PH
Comsopac
Comsowespac
Comsubsowespac
CTG 71.9
Comnorpac
Comsubspac
SUBAD, MI
ComsubspacSubordcom
All Squadron and Division
Commanders, Pacific
Substrainpac
All Submarines, Pacific

[SIGNATURE: E. L. Hynes] [HANDWRITTEN: and]
E. L. HYNES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary. SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET.

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

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

U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of Fourth War Patrol.
(19 September to 5 November and 10 November to 2
December 1944).

— page 160 —
SS312/A16-3
Serial (041)
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

                                                U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312)

                                                c/o Fleet Post Office
                                                San Francisco, California
                                                24 February 1945.

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

Subject:    U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of War Patrol number Five.

Enclosure:  (A) Subject report.
            (B) Track Charts (to Comsubspac only).

            1. Enclosure (A), covering the fifth war patrol of this vessel
conducted in southern NANPO SHOTO area and on weather station, from
3 January to 24 February 1945, is forwarded herewith.

                                                [SIGNATURE: M. H. LYTLE.]

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/25/72]
                                                [STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

111002
[STAMP: FILMED]

— page 168 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.
1320 On station. Submerged Lat. 28-00 N., Long. 141-42 E.
1740 Surfaced and took southerly course for CHICHI JIMA.
1844 Received CTG 17.7 message telling of aviator down off IWO JIMA. We had
missed previous amplifying message but figured we were to go after him
so at
1902 Went ahead full on course 180°(T) with 180 miles to go.
1915 Received CTG 17.7 message which we had missed and telling of another
aviator down off IWO but farther out. Wolf Pack was cancelled and
RONQUIL directed to go to lifeguard station for B-29 strike. Apparently
I had misinterpreted CTG 17.7's message promulgating the Pack because
I had brought us far south of RONQUIL's lifeguard station. However, the
result was the same because I was some 250 miles closer to the downed
aviator than I would have been.
2054 Aircraft sighted close aboard crossing our bow (Aircon #10). Seen by
OOD and two lookouts. We were making 18 knots and night was very dark.
We have been having APR contacts on practically every frequency in the
book - CHICHI and HAHA must be loaded with radar.

4 February 1945
0204 Received CTG 17.7 message telling us to go after farthest out aviator
and giving us a rendezvous with a DUMBO.
0300 Changed course to head for new rendezvous with B-29.
0543 SJ contact on aircraft at 8000 yards. (Aircon #11).
0543-30 Submerged.
0613 Surfaced. Continued towards rendezvous.
0824 At rendezvous. Lat. 24-35 N, Long. 142-38 E. Commenced station patrol
awaiting search plane.
0941 Decided to commence search. Began a search plan covering 5 miles either
side of axis of wind and sea (115°T) and advancing 3 miles at each end.
0958 Sighted PBY (Aircon #12). He closed us but we were unable to communicate
and he headed away.
1045 Sighted PBM (Aircon #13). Same as above.
1355 Sighted PB4Y (Aircon #14). Same as above.
These planes must be search planes yet they make no effort to
contact us on 4475 KC. nor do they answer our calls.
1758 Secured search plan on account of darkness after covering a total
advance of 18 miles. Will patrol on station at this position along
axis (115°T) and resume search plan at daylight.
1805 SJ contact on aircraft at 21000 yards (Aircon #15). Contact did not
close.
2042 SJ contact on aircraft at 7000 yards. (Aircon #16). Closing.
2045 Submerged on sighting plane close aboard. Had heard loud voice on APR
and had had IFF on AFR. Lookout saw red running light on plane so I'm
certain it was one of ours.
2052 Surfaced.
2158 SJ contact on aircraft at 7000 yards (Aircon #17). Maneuvered to avoid.
2206 Can hear and see plane circling us but he does not seem to be sure of
our exact location. Keyed SD - no IFF response. Plane headed in
directly for us.
2209 Submerged. I don't like any part of this. I feel sure these are our
own search planes but they are making no effort to identify themselves

- 8 - ENCLOSURE (A)
9

— page 173 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.

1000 Surfaced.
1250 Received orders cancelling return to port and directing us to proceed
     25-00 N, 132-00 E for special mission. (Lat. 26-00 N, Long. 138-00 E).
1830 Performed weekly topside greasing.

                     13 February 1945
0620 Submerged for sound test. Still have external rattles and vibrations
     above 70 rpm.
0708 Surfaced. Continuing to station. Lat. 25-30 N, Long. 133-20 E.
1245 On station conducting surface patrol.
1830 Searched superstructure for loose gear. Discovered after bulkhead of
     bow buoyancy tank has cracked its weld and is causing most of our noise.
2030 Received Comsubspac serial 57 giving our duties for coming week.
2200 Sent BURRFISH FIFTH to Comsubspac and Comsubspacomd.

                     14 February 1945
0207 Interference on SJ radar bearing to southward - very weak and consider
     it to be one of own subs.
0620 Submerged. Conducted sound test. Only noise sources now are reduction
     gears and bow buoyancy tank bulkhead.
1300 Surfaced.
1830 Sent BURRFISH SIXTH to Comsubspacomd. Lat. 25-09 N, Long. 132-15 E.

                     15 February 1945
0615 Submerged.
1250 Surfaced.
1414 Sighted plane distance 15 miles. (Aircon #26)
1415 Submerged.
1755 Surfaced.
1945 Sent BURRFISH SEVENTH to Comsubspacomd. Lat. 24-55 N, Long. 132-02 E.

                     16 February 1945
0220 APR contact 155 mc. Did not saturate and
0250 Disappeared.
0340 APR contact 155 mc. Reached heavy saturation and at
0350 Keyed ASD - no contact.
0418 APR contact gradually faded out after having shown all indications of
     having had us. Sky overcast - light rain.
0622 Submerged.
1330 Surfaced.
1714 APR contact 155 mc. - weak. Sky partially overcast so at
1715 Submerged.
1830 Surfaced.
1915 Sent BURRFISH EIGHTH to Comsubspacomd. Lat. 25-30 N, Long. 132-50 E.

                     17 February 1945
0100 APR contact 155 mc - nearly saturated.
0103 APR at 155 mc. saturated. SJ contact at 5000 yards, decreasing. (Aircon
     #27).

- 13 - ENCLOSURE (A)
[HANDWRITTEN: 14]

— page 176 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.

1430 Completed careful check - nothing wrong. "Ground" disappeared.
1600 Sent BURRFISH FOURTEEN to CTG 17.7

Enroute Guam. 23 February 1945

24 February 1945
0029 Sent BURRFISH SIXTEEN to CTG 17.7.
1300 Rendezvoused with U.S.S. ROE (DD418).
1620 Moored alongside U.S.S. APOLLO at Apra Harbor, GUAM.

- 16 - ENCLOSURE (A)
[HANDWRITTEN: 17]

— page 182 —
X
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject:
U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.
CONTACT NUMBER
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Date 2-7-45 2-7-45 2-10-45 2-10-45 2-15-45 2-16-45 2-19-45
S
Time (Zone -9) 2110 2130 1350 1930 1414 0103 0021
U
Lat. N 26-18 26-18 30-42 30-22 24-52 25-00 24-56
B
-Position:
M
Long. E 142-04 142-08 142-12 142-08 132-30 132-26 132-04
A
Speed 10 15 15 15 10 5 10
R
I
Course 090 090 140 180 290 283 180
N
E
Trim Surf. Surf. Surf. Surf. Surf. Surf. Surf.
Minutes Since Last
SD Radar Search.

Number 1 1 2 1 1 1 1
A
Type Unk Unk B-29 Unk Unk Unk Unk
T
R
Probable Mission Unk Unk Lifeguard Unk Pat. Pat. Pat.
C
R
How Contacted Vis SJ. Vis Vis Vis SJ & SJ &
APR APR
A
F
Initial Range (Li.) 0.1 13 10 - 12 4 15 2½ 8
T
Elevation Angle 45° 4° 5° 10
4
Range & Relative
Bearing of Plane when ND ND 8 mi. ND ND ND ND
it Detected Submarine 020° Rel.
C
Sea: (Direction (Rel)
(State (Beaufort)
4 4 4 4 1 1 1
045 045 160 290 330 020 235
N
Visibility (Miles) 2 4 Unlim 2 30 4 Unlim.
D
I
T
Clouds: (% overcast)
(Ht. in Ft.) 1500
100
1500
50
6000
30
5000
30
3000
60
2000
100
5000
10
I
0
N
Moon
(Bearing(Rel)
(Angle
S
(Percent Illun. O 0 0 0 0

Type of S/ Camouflage on this patrol: HAZE GRAY.

- 22 - ENCLOSURE (A) 23

— page 186 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol. [HANDWRITTEN: 10TH FLT. DESLANT.]

— page 187 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.
(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE - (Continued)
Torpedo and Gunnery
After a severe depth charging, inspection of tube #6 showed that the stop
bolt did not operate correctly in that it would not lower all the way. By
breaking the "Ready to Fire" interlock it was found that the retraction mechanism
functioned properly when the interlock was broken. The "Ready to Fire" inter-
lock was disconnected, impulse pressure bled down, solenoid air secured, and the
ready light switched off. Thus the tube was secured safely and could be used
in the future without the "Ready to Fire" interlock.
See Mark 18 report for details of guide stud damage to all torpedoes in
tubes during depth charging.
Hull
The after bulkhead of bow buoyancy tank has cracked its weld and vibrates
excessively both surfaced and submerged. This condition was probably caused by
heavy seas and further agravated by depth charging as it was following the latter
that it was discovered. During the 4th Patrol of this vessel the bow section was
damaged by heavy seas and it is recommended that additional strength members be
installed during next Navy Yard overhaul.
The port shaft strut bearing squeals noticeably and loudly when on the
surface but is quiet submerged. This condition arose after the first departure
from MIDWAY and has continued ever since.
Damage caused by Depth Charging of 11 February 1945
Forward Torpedo Room
[HANDWRITTEN: J-
BUSHIPS.]
1. Xmas Tree light for Escape Trunk Door showed open position due to damage
to rocker arm of switch.
2. Flood and blow valves in Escape Trunk partially backed off.
3. Sight Glass for oil level in bow plane tilting broken.
4. Caused misalignment of after track in pit in such a way that is is
impossible to lock pit skids.
5. Partially sheared guide studs of torpedoes in tubes #4, 5, and 6. (No's
1, 2, and 3 were empty.)
6. Caused misalignment of tail buffer of No. 4 tube.
7. Stop bolts on tubes 5 and 6 bent out of alignment.
8. Gyro spindle on No. 6 tube bent due to spindle not be completely
disengaged.
Control Room
1. Broke bellows connection and decommissioned the forward shallow depth
gauge. Gauge was secured.
[HANDWRITTEN: 2-XTRA-
28]
- 27 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 196 —
CONFIDENTIAL
[HANDWRITTEN: NRL]
[HANDWRITTEN: CRD]
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.
[HANDWRITTEN: 2-XTRA]

| No. (-9) | Date | Time | Position | MC Freq. | Pulse Rate | Pulse Width | Antenna Training | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15. | 2-7-45 | 2000 | 26-34 N<br>141-51 E | 161 | 550 | 5 | Slow, hand. | HAHA SHIMA surface<br>search. |
Remarks: Had this and #6 at same time, both saturated.
| 16. | 2-8-45 | 0120 | 26-38 N<br>141-54 E | 310 | 500 | 8 | Switching<br>antennas. | Airborne; probable<br>surface search. |
Remarks: Weak signal.
| 17. | 2-8-45 | 1900 | 26-52 N<br>141-18 E | 208 | 500 | 18 | Hand train. | Possibly CHICHI<br>SHIMA. |
Remarks: Very weak signal.
| 18. | 2-8-45 | 1910 | 26-52 N<br>142-18 E | 103<br>97(later) | 500 | 16 | Hand train. | CHICHI SHIMA air<br>search. |
Remarks: Moderately strong signal.
| 19. | 2-8-45 | 2130 | 27-02 N<br>142-54 E | 300 | 500 | 7 | Sector, hand<br>train. | CHICHI SHIMA<br>surface search. |
Remarks: Medium strength.
| 20. | 2-8-45 | 1905 | 26-52 N<br>142-18 E | 160 | 500 | 11 | Hand train. | CHICHI SHIMA<br>surface search. |
Remarks: Saturated signal for some time. Double pulsing for awhile.
| 21. | 2-9-45 | 0200 | 27-44 N<br>142-27 E | 153 | 500 | 7 | Switching<br>antennas. | Airborne surface<br>search. |
Remarks: Strong signal but plane did not close.
| 22. | 2-15-45 | 1830 | 25-34 N<br>132-45 E | 153 | 1000 | 7 | Keying gear. | Airborne surface<br>search. |
Remarks: Moderate strength.
| 23. | 2-17-45 | 0105 | 25-00 N<br>135-24 E | 153 | 1000 | 9 | Switching<br>antennas. | Airborne, surface<br>search. |
Remarks: Strong Signal.
| 24. | 2-17-45 | 1755 | 24-20 N<br>132-12 E | 160 | 350 | 8 | 3 sec. interval<br>keying. | Fit all ABK<br>characteristics. |
Remarks: Moderate strength.
| 25. | 2-19-45 | 0010 | 25-56 N<br>133-04 E | 155 | 1100 | 10 | Switching<br>antennas. | Airborne, surface<br>search. |
Remarks: Saturated signal before we dived.
| 26. | 2-19-45 | 0205 | 25-54 N<br>132-10 E | 155 | 1150 | 15 | Switching<br>antennas. | Airborne, surface<br>search. |
Remarks: Saturated and then faded out.
| 27. | 2-20-45 | 1935 | 25-10 N<br>131-37 E | 118 | 60 | 10 | Keying | U.S.S. SPRINGER. |
Remarks: Picked up on SJ later.

- 36 - ENCLOSURE (A)
[HANDWRITTEN: 37]

— page 197 —
CONFIDENTIAL                                USS BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.
[HANDWRITTEN: 86]                               [HANDWRITTEN: 86]
1                                           13

2                                           14

3                                           15
                                            [HANDWRITTEN: NRL]
                                            [HANDWRITTEN: CRD]
                                            [HANDWRITTEN: 2-XTRA]
4                                           16

5                                           17

6                                           18

7                                           19

[HANDWRITTEN: 8]                            20

[HANDWRITTEN: 9]                            21

10                                          22

11                                          23

12                                          24

                                            [FADED TYPED: 27]
                                            [FADED TYPED: ENCLOSURE (A)]
                                            [HANDWRITTEN: 38]

— page 198 —
CONFIDENTIAL USS BURRFISH, Report of Fifth War Patrol.
[HANDWRITTEN: 25] [HANDWRITTEN: 26]

[HANDWRITTEN: 26]

[HANDWRITTEN: NRL]
[HANDWRITTEN: CRD]
[HANDWRITTEN: 2-XTRA-]

- 38 - ENCLOSURE (A) [HANDWRITTEN: 39]

— page 201 —
FB5-282/A16-3
Serial (06)
CONFIDENTIAL
SUBMARINE DIVISION TWO EIGHTY-TWO
c/o Fleet Post Office, San Francisco, Calif.
FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO BURRFISH (SS312) Conf.
Ltr. SS312/A16-3, serial
(041) of 24 Feb. 1945.
From:
To :
Via:
Subject:
1.
25 February 1945.
The Commander, Submarine Division TWO EIGHTY-TWO.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
The Commander, Submarine Squadron TWENTY EIGHT.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States, Pacific Fleet.
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of War Patrol
Number Five.
The Fifth War Patrol of the U.S.S. BURRFISH was
conducted in the NANPO SHOTO area and extended over a period of
fifty-two days. Thirty days were spent on station and the patrol
was terminated by the provisions of her operation order.
2.
Practically the entire patrol was spent life-guard-
ing for airplane strikes but in spite of diligent efforts no fliers
were rescued. No worthwhile torpedo targets were encountered and
not having had a shot at anything during his entire time on station,
the Commanding Officer elected to fire three Mark 18-2 torpedoes
at a three hundred ton patrol vessel the day before he was sched-
uled to depart. One torpedo prematured which alerted the enemy and
he turned toward BURRFISH and delivered a series of depth charge
attacks which caused some damage of an inconsequental nature to
the torpedoes and tubes. It is noted that the heaviest barrage of
depth charges was directed against a noise-maker discharged by
BURRFISH.
3.
It is believed that this patrol was well conducted
and it is regretted that there were no torpedo targets encountered
to break the monotony of the fruitless search for the downed
aviators.
4.
BURRFISH arrived in an excellent state of cleanliness
and in very good material condition. Investigation of her noisy
reduction gears will be conducted and the causes of superstructure
noises found and eliminated. It is expected that the refit will
be of normal duration.
5.
The Commanding Officer, Officers and crew of the
BURRFISH are congratulated on the completion of an arduous and
well conducted patrol.

[SIGNATURE: Thomas M. Dykers]
THOMAS M. DYKERS.
[HANDWRITTEN: 42]

— page 202 —
FCS-28/A16-3
Serial No. 055
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
USS. BURRFISH (SS312) Conf.
ltr. SS312/A16-3, serial
(041) of 24 Feb. 1945.

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

Subject: U. S. S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of FIFTH War Patrol.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of The Commander Submarine
Division TWENTY TWO in the first endorsement.

[SIGNATURE: J. M. WILL]

SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY-EIGHT
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
27 February 1945.

[HANDWRITTEN: 43]

— page 203 —
FF12-10(L)/A16-3(13)
Serial 0456

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
BURRFISH Report of
Fifth War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 687
U.S.S. BURRFISH - FIFTH WAR PATROL.

From: The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Report of Fifth War Patrol
(3 January to 24 February 1945).

1. The fifth war patrol of the BURRFISH, under the command
of Lieutenant Commander M. H. Lytle, U.S. Navy, was conducted in the
Southern Nanpo Shoto area. The BURRFISH performed lifeguard duties as
well as offensive patrol, and at times joined with the U.S.S. RONQUIL
(SS396) and the U.S.S. POGY (SS266) as a coordinated attack group with
the commanding officer of the BURRFISH as group commander.

2. Much bad weather was encountered during this patrol
and unfortunately the BURRFISH, despite determined efforts, was af-
forded no opportunity to effect rescue, and contacted nothing but
small Japanese patrol vessels. One torpedo attack was made on a small
patrol vessel but no hits were obtained. The BURRFISH was heavily
depth charged following the torpedo attack and made good use of noise
makers during her evasive tactics.

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

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Reports)
Cominch (7)
CNO (5)
Cincpac (6)
JICPOA (1)
AdJICPOA (1)
Comservpac (1)
Cincslant (1)
Comsubslant (8) ComsubspacSubordcon (3)
S/M School, NL (2) All Squadron and Div. (2)
CO, S/M Base, PH (1) Commanders, Pacific (2)
Comsopac (2) Substrainpac (2)
Comsowespac (1) All Submarines, Pacific (1)
ComsubSowespac (2)
CTG 71.9 (2)
Comnorpac (1)
Comsubspac (3)
ComsubspacAd (20)
SUBAD, II (2)
[HANDWRITTEN: F 4254]
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET. [HANDWRITTEN: BT02898 MF]
[HANDWRITTEN: R-W.S.]
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
[HANDWRITTEN: 3-23-45] 10 March 1945.

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

J. H. BROWN, Jr.,
Deputy ComSubPac.

[STAMP: FILMED]
[SIGNATURE: HANDWRITTEN: @ f. Hynes]
E. L. HYNES, 2nd,
Flag Secretary.
[STAMP: EXTRA : ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: SORG. MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]
[HANDWRITTEN: 44]

— page 204 —
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312)

SS312/A16-3
Serial: 050
C O N F I D E N T I A L
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
13 May 1945.

From: The Commanding Officer, U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312)
To: The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via: (1) The Commander Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED FOUR.
     (2) The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
     (3) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of War Patrol Number SIX.

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

1. Enclosure (A), covering the SIXTH War Patrol of this vessel
conducted in the area off SW FORMOSA during the period 25 March 1945 to
13 May 1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: M. H. Lytle]
M. H. LYTLE

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/25/72]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

— page 214 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.
0903 Commenced circling on lifeguard station.
1006 B-17 and PBM joined up.
1038 Sighted eighteen B-25s.
1053 B-17 and PBM departed.
1146 Four P-38s joined up.
1200 Lat. 21-48 N, Long. 119-56 E.
1305 Sighted 22 planes returning from strike.
1420 P-38s departed.
1530 Submerged.
1810 Surfaced.
2311 SJ contact on aircraft at 15 miles - keyed SD and had contact
at 16 miles.
2318 Lost contact.

17 April 1945.
0030 SJ contact on aircraft at 9 miles.
0035 Lost contact.
0507 SJ contact on aircraft at 5 miles. Verified by SD. Lost Contact.
0514 Submerged.
0830 Surfaced on lifeguard station.
1035 Sighted five B-24s overhead.
1107 Sighted P-38 overhead.
1200 Lat. 22-04 N, Long. 119-54 E.
1206 Sighted six B-24s.
1235 Three P-38s joined up.
1400 P-38s departed.
1402 Sighted two PD4Y2s.
1530 Submerged.
1810 Surfaced. Set course to patrol FORMOSA - LUZON Line.

18 April 1945.
0519 Submerged.
0611 Surfaced. Continued to lifeguard station.
0830 On station.
0934 Sighted B-17, not detected.
0948 PBM closed and circled.
1015 Three P-38s closed and circled. PBM and two P-38s departed.
1145 Four P-38s closed and circled. Single P-38 departed.
1200 Lat. 22-17 N, Long. 119-39 E.
1358. Air cover departed.
1530 Submerged.
1812 Surfaced.
1928 SJ contact on aircraft at 17,000 yards. Closed rapidly to
5,000 yards. Not contacted on SD.
1930 Submerged.
1945 Surfaced.
2027 Lying to making repairs to #1 main motor. (See Section K). Since
it is necessary to kill all power in control cubicle we have been
taking advantage of our air cover for lying to. However, tonight
should finish the job.

-10-
Enclosure (A)

— page 216 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.
1202 . Submerged.
1501 Surfaced,
2000 Patrolling west of SW FORMOSA.

22 April 1945.
0523 Submerged.
1005 Surfaced on lifeguard station.
1021 FBM closed and commenced orbiting,
1200 Lat. 22-15 N, Long. 120-01 E.
1212 Four P-51s closed and commenced orbiting.
1324 Air cover departed. Sighted many friendly aircraft during period
of strike.
1853 Commenced closing coast.
2039 SJ. contact on aircraft at 4,000 yards - verified by SD. Bright
moonlight night.
2040. Submerged. Believe we were strafed as stern went under.
2100 Surfaced,
2110 Commenced patrol 5 - 8 miles off SW FORMOSA.

23 April 1945.
0456 Submerged 6 miles off KAIKO WAN and closed coast.
0523 Sighted sailing junk close inshore.
0627 Closed to within 3 miles of beach - no shipping nor objects of
interest noted. Commenced opening from coast at standard speed
in order to surface and reach lifeguard station. Have covered
the SW coast of FORMOSA thoroughly several nights and now have
had a good look during daylight; there just does not seem to be
any traffic.
0915 Surfaced. Proceeding to lifeguard station,
0932 Sighted twenty four B-24s.
1016 Sighted sixteen B-25s.
1025 Sighted PBM.
1055 On station. Inspection of stern showed we had been hit in three
places by plane last night. From shell holes it appears to have
been 20 mm. No serious damage was sustained.
1200 Lat. 21-44 N, Long. 120-11 E.
1236 Air cover (two P-38s) arrived.
1325 P-38s departed.
2000 Patrolling to westward of south tip of FORMOSA.

24 April 1945.
0512 Submerged.
0950 Surfaced near lifeguard station.
0956 Sighted twenty-three B-24s.
1013 Sighted six B-24s
1050 Circling on station.
1200 Lat. 21-51 N, Long. 119-58 E.
Contacted air cover by VHF but they seemed unable to locate us
so we were without cover today,

-12-
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 220 —
C O N F I D E N T I A L
C L A S S I F I E D
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.

— page 223 —
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.
(I) MINES (continued)

| LAT. | LONG. | NO. OF MINES | REMARKS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22-00 N | 119-36 E | 2 | Exploded |
| 22-03 N | 119-28 E | 1 | Sunk |
| 21-55 N | 119-08 E | 1 | Sunk |
| 22-13 N | 119-16 E | 1 | Exploded |
| 22-16 N | 119-05 E | 1 | Exploded |
| 21-59 N | 120-25 E | 1 | Ignored |

[HANDWRITTEN: M]

Mines were of the spherical, horned type and appeared to be well
rusted or coated with red lead. 20 mm. fire would sink but not explode
the mines even though the horns were knocked off. 40 mm. H. E. fire
caused mines to explode in each instance where used.

(J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS.
No anti-submarine craft were encountered.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DIMAGE.
Hull:
Frosting of the suction line to #2 Air Conditioning Plant indicat-
ing a frozen or sticking expansion valve upon investigation proved to be a
cracked oil seal. Trouble was located by a loss ofoil and evidence of oil
leakage on the flywheel. The oil seal was renewed and the plant returned
to normal operation. Total time lost was less than eight hours.

The pressure in #2 Periscope commenced to drop off gradually upon
leaving for Patrol. When the pressure had dropped to 4 pounds the per-
iscope was recharged to 7 pounds and all connections were tightened. The
pressure again dropped off but as the periscope did not fog too much it
was decided to not recharge. The pressure finally dropped to less than
one pound; the periscope still remaining usable. The source of leakage
was not located.

Inability to get a sufficient down bubble until after bow buoyancy
tank had been revented upon submerging led to the discovery that the after
vent was not opening. The tank was opened and the vent freed by placing
the hydraulic valve in the open position and striking the linkage with a
maul.

-11-
ENCIOSURE (A)

— page 224 —
[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.

Hull:(continued)

No particular cause was noted, no corrosion, etc. existed around the pins
or pivots, and grease was present on the shaft. A procedure of cycling
the vent at the beginning of each watch was started and no further trouble
developed.

It is believed that the failure was caused by binding of the non-
lubricated pins and improper adjustment of the yoke stops in the tank.
These stops unless properly adjusted will allow the yoke to pivot on one
vent linkage for the full throw of the hydraulic piston in the event any
binding or sticking occurs on the other vent linkage.

Machinery:

April 15, 1945. While making full speed ( 80/90 ) on the three
engines, No. 1 main motor developed a 350 volt ground. Pulled the motor
links on No. 1 main motor and continued running until able to investigate
the ground.
Upon investigation ground was found to be in the cables from the
series field to the reverser contactor. One cable read zero and the other
three read between zero and fifty thousand ohms.
The cables were disconnected from the motor and from the bus in
the cubicle. The bus was removed from the cubicle and the loose ends of
the cable were secured. Four cell jumpers were used to replace the cables.
Two cell jumpers in series and the set in parallel. The bus that was re-
moved from the cubicle was used to fashion a new bus that would fit the
lugs on the cell jumpers.
The cell jumpers were further insulated with glass tape, cambric,
linen, friction tape and glyptol.
The cell jumpers were installed and temperature data recorded for
various amperages drawn. The installation proved satisfactory.

Ordnance and Gunnery:

At 0050, April 10, 1945, a battery explosion occurred in the
*torpedo in #1 tube. The torpedoman on watch had observed five minutes
prior to that time, that the indicator light had gone out, but the shunt
wire was glowing red. An ammeter reading was taken and the current was
3.5 amps. The bulb was replaced and as he took another reading, the
explosion occurred. The torpedo was pulled and found to be smoking, with
#5 & 6 hand hole spiders sprung. The torpedo was ventilated with low
pressure air to clear it of smoke and residual hydrogen. The cells in the
vicinity of #1 were found with tops exploded and badly smoking. Ventilation
caused the fire to become worse and could not be extinguished with CO₂.
The torpedo room became so filled with smoke that it was necessary to survey
the torpedo and it was fired with propeller lock on.
The explosion occurred two days after being charged and 32 hours
after hydrogen circuit was tested. *Torpedo No. 58040.

-20-
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 228 —
DECLASSIFIED
IDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH, Report of Sixth War Patrol.
(L) RADIO (continued)
(c) sent without difficulty and NDP4 rogered for it with proper
authentication 16 minutes after the first call up.
4. Aircraft Communications:
(a) 4475 Kilocycles:
Communications on this frequency were normally excellent.
In several cases, however, planes were unable to hear us while
other planes equally distant read us loud and clear. We be-
lieve this to be caused by the height and position of plane in
relation to the propagation pattern of the transmitted signal.
Constant enemy jamming was encountered but proved ineffect-
ual. See under "Communication, Radar, and Sonar Countermeasures."
(b) VHF:
Communications with planes were excellent under 10 miles
range, uncertain between 15 and 20 miles range, and impossible
in excess of 20 miles. At all ranges communications improved
with increased height of plane, Reception of VHF signals was
frequently possible on the AFR-SFA when impossible on the VHF
recciver. VHF transmission was invariably better than VHF
reception and the possibility of communications by VHF trans-
mission and APR-STA reception exists.
5. Wolf-Pack:
Reception on WOPACC or inter-area frequencies was uniformly
good. We received two transmissions addressed to us both of
which were originated by IH68/A but believe it to be the call
sign of a search plane. Both transmissions were addressed to
the BURRFISH with the CW call given in "SUBSCALL (A)". We
believe there is a possibility that this call may be duplicated.
The first transmission was a message in aircraft code received on
2160 KCS., 0100Z, 10 April 1945. The message would not break
completely but seemed to be indicating a position. The second
transmission was received on 2006 KCs., 0020Z, 16 April 1945 and
requested the originator's signal strength by means of an oper-
ator's signal. Proper shackle cipher authentication was included.
6. SCR 610:
The Signal Corps Radio Receiver and Transmitter proved very
satisfactory up to 10 miles, ship to ship, and was used for
training purposes when enroute to area in company with U.S.S.
BANG and U.S.S. SNCCK.

-23-
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 235 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION ONE HUNDRED FOUR

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
14 May 1945.

FB5-104/A16-4
Serial: ( 004 )
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
DECLASSIFIED

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. BURRFISH
SIXTH WAR PATROL

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

Subject: U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) SIXTH WAR PATROL - Comments on.

 1. The Sixth War Patrol of the U.S.S. BURRFISH was conducted in the
area off southwest Formosa. The patrol was of 50 days duration.

 2. Most of the patrol was carried out conducting lifeguard duty. No
opportunities were presented to rescue any downed aviators. No contacts were made
worthy of torpedo fire. However, an abandoned sampan was destroyed by gun fire.
In addition the U.S.S. BURRFISH successfully bombarded the radio station on Batan
Island.

 3. The U.S.S. BURRFISH returned from patrol in a good state of cleanli-
ness and in a fair material condition. She will return to the West Coast for a
modernization overhaul.

 4. The Commander Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED FOUR congratulates the
Commanding Officer, officers and crew for the bombardment of Batan Island and for
the efficient performance of lifeguard duty.

[SIGNATURE: E. W. Grenfell]
E. W. GRENFELL.

— page 236 —
FC5-4/A16-3
Serial: 0376
C
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
15 May 1945.
11/wft
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) - Re-
port of Sixth War Patrol.
From:
To
:
Via:
Subject:
The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
The Commander-in-Chief, UNITED STATES FLET.
(1) The Commander Submarine Force, PACIFIC
FLEET, Administration.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.
U.S.S. BURRFISH (SS312) Report of Sixth War
Patrol.
1.
Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the Ad-
ministrative Commander Submarine Division ONE HUNDRED FOUR.
2.
The Squadron Commander congratulates the Command-
ing Officer, officers and crew of the U.S.S. BURRFISH upon the
completion of that vessel's Sixth War Patrol.

[SIGNATURE: W.2. O'Regan]
W. V. O'REGAN.

— page 238 —
[STAMP: UNCLASSIFIED] [HANDWRITTEN: CONFIDENTIAL] [HANDWRITTEN: 8-9]

ROUTING SLIP
DIVISION OF NAVAL COMMUNICATIONS
OPNAV-20-554 (REV. 12-44)

Indicate sequence of routing by inserting numerals in "TO" column

| FROM | SECTION | ROOM | TO | INITIALS | FROM | SECTION | ROOM | TO | INITIALS | FROM | SECTION | ROOM | TO | INITIALS |
|---|
| | OP-20 | 2524 | | | | 20-F | 2527 | [HANDWRITTEN: 4] | [HANDWRITTEN: P] | | 20-R | 1530 | [HANDWRITTEN: 9] | [HANDWRITTEN: B] |
| | 20-1 | 2524 | | | | 20-F-1 | 2531 | | | | 20-R-1 | L-1401 | | |
| | 20-X | 2524 | | | | 20-F-2 | 2533 | | | | 20-R-2 | 1522 | | |
| | 20-3* | 1721 | | | | 20-F-3 | 2531 | | | | 20-R-3 | 1530 | | |
| | 20-4 | 2546 | | | | 20-F-4 | L-1030 | | | | 20-R-4 | 1641 | | |
| | 20-5 | 2548 | | | | 20-F-5 | 2527 | [HANDWRITTEN: 1] | [HANDWRITTEN: JHS] | | 20-R-5 | 1530 | 20-G* | 1721 | [HANDWRITTEN: 2] | | | 20-R-6 | 1530 | | |
| | 20-A | 2528 | [HANDWRITTEN: 13] | | | 20-K | L-1044 | [HANDWRITTEN: 11] | | | 20-R-7 | 1642 | | |
| | 20-A-1 | 1527 | | | | 20-K-1 | L-1046 | | | | 20-S | 2545 | [HANDWRITTEN: 1] | [HANDWRITTEN: RBS] |
| | 20-A-2 | L-1018 | | | | 20-K-2 | L-1046 | | | | 20-S-1 | 2545 | | |
| | 20-A-3 | 1529 | | | | 20-M | 3541 | [HANDWRITTEN: 8] | [HANDWRITTEN: Y] | | 20-S-2 | 2545 | 20-M-1 | 3541 | | | | 20-S-3 | 2545 | | |
| | 20-B | 2532 | [HANDWRITTEN: 5] | [HANDWRITTEN: mhm] | | 20-M-2 | 3541 | | | | 20-Y | 1727 | [HANDWRITTEN: 10] | [HANDWRITTEN: JSK] |
| | 20-B-1 | 2534 | | | | 20-M-3 | 3541 | 20-B-2 | 2534 | | | | 20-M-4 | 3541 | | | | 20-Z | 2542 | [HANDWRITTEN: 6] | |
| | 20-B-3 | 2532 | | | | 20-M-5 | 3541 | | | | 20-Z-1 | 2543 | | |
| | 20-B-4 | 2536 | | | | 20-M-6 | 3541 | | | | 20-Z-2 | 2543 | | |
| | 20-B-5 | 2536 | | | | 20-M-7 | 3541 | | | | 20-Z-3 | 2543 | | |
| | 20-B-6 | 2536 | | | | 20-N | L-1505 | [HANDWRITTEN: 12] | 20-B-7 | L-1020 | | | | 20-P | 2521 | [HANDWRITTEN: 3] | [HANDWRITTEN: (stylized initial)] | | OP-19 | 2630 | [HANDWRITTEN: 14] | |
| | 20-E | 2547 | [HANDWRITTEN: 7] | [HANDWRITTEN: D] | | 20-P-1 | 2551 | | [HANDWRITTEN: ✓ WK] | | 19-A | 2630 | | |
| | 20-E-1 | 2547 | | [HANDWRITTEN: D] | | 20-P-2 | 2523 | | [HANDWRITTEN: ✓ JK] | | 19-C | 2625 | | |
| | 20-E-S | 2547 | | [HANDWRITTEN: D] | | 20-P-4 | H-216 | | [HANDWRITTEN: ✓ JK] | | | | | | |

*Route correspondence for 20-G and 20-3 via Room 1721, Navy Building

[ ] FOR ACTION | [ ] GIVE ME MEMO | [ ] RETAIN
[ ] FOR COMMENT | [ ] SEE ME FIRST | [ ] PREPARE REPLY
[ ] FOR RECOMMENDATION | [ ] ANYTHING ON THIS? | [ ] SIGNATURE OF:
[ ] FOR GUIDANCE | [X] FOR INFORMATION |
| | (LAST office on routing finish file) [HANDWRITTEN: ✓] |

[HANDWRITTEN: m]

— page 239 —
END OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: AR-187-77]
[HANDWRITTEN: H-108]
_

1.0     4.5  2.8  2.5
        5.0  3.2  2.2
        5.6  3.6
        6.3  4.0  2.0
        7.1         1.8
1.1     8.0
        9.0
        10
        11
        12.5
        14
        16
1.25    1.4  1.6

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

[HANDWRITTEN: D-62264]