DE635/A16-3                               U. S. S. ENGLAND (DE 635)
Serial No. 020
                                                                                                                  c/o Fleet Post Office,  
                                                                                                                  San Francisco, Calif.,  
  CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                   27 May 1944.  
     
 
From: The Commanding Officer.
To    : The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
   
Via   : (1)  ComCortDiv 40.
  (2)  ComCortDiv 39.
  (3)  Commander Third Fleet.
  (4)  Commander Seventh Fleet.
   
Subject: Destruction of Japanese Submarine on 26 May 1944 - report of.
   
Reference: (a)  Pacific Fleet Confidential Letter 2CL-44.
   
Enclosure: (A)  ASW-1 for attack.
 
     
          1.        The following report is submitted in accordance with reference (a).  
     
          2.        On 26 May 1944, enroute Seeadler Harbor, Maune Island in accordance Com Third Fleet's secret despatch 242009 of May, in company U.S.S. GEORGE (DE 697), with ComCortDiv 39 aboard as OTC, U.S.S. RABY (DE 698), and with ComCortDiv 40 aboard the ENGLAND, in formation scouting line normal to base course, interval 16,000 yards, base course 220° T, the U.S.S. RABY obtained radar contact on surface target bearing 180° true at 14,000 yards at 2303 Love.  
                  At 2304 Love ENGLAND made radar contact and closed to attack.  RABY and GEORGE were also closing but, since sub was headed for us on the surface we were the first to obtain contact.  
                  From the time of contact, 2304, until sub was sunk the time was nineteen (19) minutes.  
     
          3.        The team worked well and efficiently.  
 
 
     
                                                                                                 W.B. PENDLETON  
     
  Advance Copy:  (1)  Cominch  
                            (2)  ComDesPac  
  Enclosures to Advance Copy (1):  (A)  ASW-1 for attack (2 copies).  
                                                       (B)  DRT track  
                                                       (C)  Recorder traces.  
     
     

 

 

 

     
     

IV.  NARRATIVE  
 
        U.S.S. RABY reported radar contact at 2303 bearing approximately 180° true, 14,000 yards.  At 2304 ENGLAND obtained radar contact (SL) bearing 243° true, range 12000.  Immediately sounded General Quarters and made preparation for illumination by star shells, projector Mark 10 attack, torpedo attack and depth charge attack.  Changed course to head for sub and CIC reported sub headed for us.  Own course was 245° true, speed fifteen knots, sub course 065° speed 11 knots.  At 2312 changed course to 180° to get abeam of sub to illuminate or fire torpedoes.  Apparently sub wanted no part of this as he submerged at 2314, bearing 265° range 4100.  Immediately changed course to head for point of submergence.  After picking up radar contact we had ceased echo ranging in order to close submarine unobserved.  Commenced echo ranging after sub submerged.  At 2315 CIC directed slow to 2/3 speed, ten knots.  (CIC - up to time of contact, had conned ship, directed fuse settings and elevation for star shell illumination, and after sub submerged gave sound search which picked up sub).  At 2318 made good sound contact bearing 277° true, range 1700.  Attack was bow (lead on) changing to beam, with sub drifting left at time of firing.  Fired two or three degrees to left of center bearing. 
          After projectiles hit cleared course to open out.  Regained possible sound contact in explosion area and opened range to about 1200 yards and came left to hold contact.  However, at this time what was believed to be sub completely disappeared and though area was thoroughly searched, no further contact was obtained.  
                  After explosion GEORGE and RABY circled explosion area in clockwise direction at range 2000 yards while ENGLAND circled explosion area counter-clockwise at 1000 yards.  This was continued for about an hour and then OTC ordered RABY to take station on GEORGE for a retiring search.  Retiring search was conducted by those two ships to sub's sven hour circle, at which time they changed course to rejoin the ENGLAND in the attack area.  In the meantime ENGLAND had remained in vicinity of attack area.    
                  All ships departed area for destination at 0830 Love, 27 May, without further contact.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

     
     

FBE4-39/  
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
ESCORT DIVISION THIRTY-NINE
     
                                                                                                    USS SPANGLER(DE696)  
                                                                                                    June 12, 1944  
  CONFIDENTIAL  
     
  SECOND ENDORSEMENT to  
  DE635/A16-3  
  Serial 020  
  Dated 27 May 1944  
     
 
From: Commander Escort Division THIRTY-NINE
To    : Commander-in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Via   : Commander Third Fleet.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
          2.        This was by far the most expeditious attack accomplished during the operation.  
                                                                                                   
          3.        Prior to departure from the area, Commander Task Group THIRTY point FOUR in HOGGATT BAY was requested to cover the area by plane during the day, low fuel preventing further operation by the destroyer escorts.  This air cover failed to gain any further contacts.  
     
     
                                                                                                     
                                                                                                    HAMILTON HAINES  
     
  Copy to:  
         CCD 40  
         USS ENGLAND  
     
  Advance Copy to:  
         Cominch  
          Comdespac