1. Patrol Plane Commander’s Narrative: |
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74-P-2 departed Aratu at 1120 Peter on routine AS patrol, to search sector 040 to 080 distance 200 miles. Weather in vicinity of base was .9 overcast, light rain, visibility variable 2 - 10 miles. Weather improved to the Northeast after 40 minutes of flying, resulting in a ceiling of 2500 feet, .5 cumulus, with scattered cumlo-nimbus, visibility 35-40 miles, wind 120 true, 8-10 knots. |
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When weather improved, altitude of search was increased from 500 feet to 2500 patrolling even with cloud base. At 1351 FOOTE, R. F., AMM3C, who at this time was at the bomber’s window, reported a ship 1 point on the starboard bow at which time the Radar Operator also reported an object on port beam 45 miles (proved to be the shore line). I first directed my glance to port, realizing the land indication I then looked forward. A matter of 2 or 3 seconds elapsed before I sighted a white wake at a distance of approximately 15 miles. Upon closer investigation with glasses a submarine was revealed traveling with decks awash and making about 12 knots. At 1353 run was started altering course about 15 degrees to the left, base course before change 042 true, course of submarine approximately 35-40 degrees true. Run was made from out of the sun and on a target angle of about 190 degrees relative to submarine course. During the run in it was apparent to me that the submarine had decided sometime before our sighting to submerge as it was already in the process of slow submergence. Speed was increased to 180 knots using 45” M.P. and 2450 RPM’s. All stations were in readiness for the attack. Distance closed very slowly and at one point it seemed we would arrive over the spot at the time the conning tower would disappear. When approximately 1 mile away the U/B was seen to disappear, leaving a swirl estimated to be 75-100 feet in diameter. At 1357 six MK 44 DC’s were dropped, altitude of release 50 feet, air speed 165 indicated, Intervelometer settings 180 knots, 75 feet. Spacing of bombs (Observed by Plane Captain in port waist) No. 1 65 feet from near edge of swirl, second bomb 20 to 25 feet from edge, No. 3 and No. 4 slightly to starboard edge of swirl about normal to point of submergence of sub. Nos. 5 and 6 entry points were not observed due to obstruction by tail assembly. A sharp turn to port was made upon release and altitude increased to 1200 feet. Regular depth bomb stick observed, brown in color cut by blue and green streamers. The dispersion of the slick was marked by definite travel to the starboard, in an easterly direction. On the second circle a large object, about 100 feet long and 25 feet wide, dark brown in appearance, was sighted about 100 yards from the bomb explosion; object or slick could not be identified. I dragged the area but could see no signs of destruction. I then made a landfall, after marking the spot with a bronze slick, ad corrected the position of attack. Conducted gambit for 1 1/2 hours before returning to base. Landed Aratu at 1735 Peter. |
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No evasive action noted. It is my opinion that the sub never sighted plane. |
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2. Observation of Others, Comments: |
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The second pilot started the stopwatch when the U/B was identified. About “half way in”, the pilots decided that it was already in the process of slow submergence. All agree that the last moment of submergence could not be determined. When the second pilot thought the U/B was under, he glanced at the watch: time, 2’ 59”. Bombs were released at 4’4”. His judgement of four miles distance is consistent, and is concurred in by two crew members forward. The Navigator, Ens. Lauri, judged the distance as two miles or less, and a “few seconds” after the disappearance, “dived” down the hatch to go aft and take pictures. In the meantime, McGANN, in the Port Waist, had opened the hatches and looked forward till he saw a “boiling white wake” at a distance of 1/4 to 1/2 mile. He reached for the camera, charged it (2 seconds) and as he looked out to take a picture forward, the first bomb dropped. He turned aft to photograph the drops, and at this point Ens. Lauri arrived, took the camera, and caught the entry of two bombs in his first picture. |
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The judgement of Lieut. Gibbs was that with “ten more knots” they could have caught it on the surface. Until shaken by evidence of the stop-watch reading, his conviction was that the U/B was only twenty seconds under at the time of the attack. This judgement is supported both by the action of Ens. Lauri and the behavior of the water. If the time was in fact over a minute, an experienced pilot would have been more concerned as to correction of deflection. |
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If the time, was in fact over a minute, the chart in V is meaningless; it is therefore drawn in support of the hypothesis that the pilot’s judgement was correct (20-30 seconds); that the U/B did not see the plane, and that the stop-watch reading was in error. |
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COMMUNICATIONS LOG OF ATTACK, MAY 16 |
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