COMINCH FILE
UNITED STATES FLEET
HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
 
NAVY DEPARTMENT
 
WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
 
  FF1/A16-3(17)                                                                                             3 AUG 1944  
  Serial:  02636  
     
 
From: Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
To    : Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
   
Subject: Anti-Submarine Coordinated Actions Including USS ENGLAND, USS GEORGE, USS RABY, USS SPANGLER, and USS HAZELWOOD of 19-31 May, 1944.
   
Enclosure: (A)  Analysis of Subject Actions.
 
     
          1.        Enclosure (A) is forwarded for information.  
     
     
                                                                                      
                                                                                              F. S. LOW  
                                                                                       Assistant Chief of Staff.  
     
  Copy to:  
 
  CinCLant ComAlSeaFron
  ComFourthFleet ComHawSeaFron
  ComEighthFleet CoMorSeaFron
  ComTwelfthFleet CO U.S. NavTraCen Miami
  ComThirdFleet DE Shakedown Group Bermuda
  ComFifthFleet LantASWUnit Norfolk
  ComSeventhFleet Naval War College
  ComDesLant FltSoundScol San Diego
  ComDesPac ComCortDiv 39 (USS SPANGLER)
  COTCLant ComCortDiv 40 (USS FOREMAN)
  COTCPac CO USS GEORGE (DE-697)
  ComEastSeaFrom CO USS RABY (DE-698)
  ComGulfSeaFron CO USS ENGLAND (DE-635)
  ComCaribSeaFron CO USS HAZELWOOD (DD-531)
  ComPaSeaFron CO USS SPANGLER (DE-696)
  ComWesSeaFron FltSoundScol Key West
 
     
     

 

     
     

CONFIDENTIAL No. 6200  
 
ANALYSIS OF ANTISUBMARINE ACTION BY USS ENGLAND (DE-635)
     
 
Employment Anti-Submarine Hunt
Time 0225 GCT 19 May 1944
Position 05-10S/158-17.5E
Depth of water 950 fathoms
Weather conditions Clear; Visibility excellent; Sea calm; wind E, Force 3
Sonar conditions Good
Contact first made by Sonar
Range 1800 yards
Number of attacks 5
 
     
  1.  BRIEF OF NARRATIVE.  
          (a)  On 19 May 1944, GEORGE (ComCortDiv 39 O.T.C.), RABY and ENGLAND (ComCortDiv 40) were conducting an antisubmarine search.  Ships were formed on a scouting line, distance 4000 yards.  At 1325 (Zone minus 11) ENGLAND made a doubtful sound contact which was investigated and evaluated as a submarine.  GEORGE and RABY were directed to assist.  ENGLAND made five hedgehog attacks at 1340, 1350, 1413, 1423 and 1433.  On the second hedgehog attack, two explosions were obtained four seconds after the projectiles hit the water.  On the third attack, air bubbles were observed to be rising.  On the fifth attack, two or three hedgehog explosions were heard twelve seconds after striking the water and a fathometer reading of 54 fathoms was obtained.  About two minutes later, a series of smaller muffled explosions were heard followed by a tremendous explosion of such intensity several men on the fantail were knocked off their feet.  No water plume was observed to result from this explosion.  
          (b)  Twenty minutes later debris began rising to the surface and about an hour later, oil was observed to be bubbling to the surface in large quantities.  After a local search for an hour, ENGLAND was directed to remain in the area while RABY and GEORGE conducted a retiring search until sunset.  About 2000 all ships left the area but returned about dawn in accordance with a dispatch received during the night.  The following morning oil was observed still rising at the scene of the last attack.  The oil slick had spread over an area six miles long and from two to four miles wide.  
     
  2.  EVALUATION OF TARGET.  
          (a)  Submarine.  
     
  3.  EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE.  
          (a)  Hedgehog detonations followed by a heavy underwater explosion resulted in oil and debris coming to the surface.  
     
                                                                                                   Enclosure (A) to  
                                                                                                   CominCh conf ser __02636__  
                                                                                                   dated __3 August 1944.__  
     
     

 

     
     

CONFIDENTIAL  
 
Debris recovered was:
 
  1 Bag of rice, weight approximately seventy-five (75) pounds; wrapped in a heavy rubber container enclosed in burlap and tied with rope with Japanese writing on the bag
  1 Tube about 1-1/2" long containing a yellow powder.
  1 Strip of wood, 3' x 2-1/2" with a brass lock and silver plated handle.
  4 Cork stoppers.
  1 Wooden plug, approximately 3" long.
  5 Pieces of cork, various sizes.
  1 Wooden mechanism resembling a paddle, approximately 6" in length, with a metal male plug in one end.
  1 Piece of wood, 14" x 3" x 1/2", with metal dowel on side, numerous tacks, and a cloth strip on one side.
  11 Pieces of lumber, various sizes and shapes.  No distinguishing features.
 
     
  4.  ANALYSIS OF ATTACKS.  
          (a)  General  
                  These appeared to be well conducted attacks.  Although England had no difficulty in maintaining a sonar contact, it is considered the RABY and GEORGE, who had been ordered to assist, should have actually assisted by maintaining sonar contact and passing information as to the submarine's course and speed to the attacking ship.  
     
  First Attack  
 
  Time 1340 LZT
  Range at which contact was made 1800 yards
  Range at which contact was lost 200 yards
  H.E. "Possibly"
  Doppler Slight low
  Target movement Away and slightly to the right
  Number of charges Hedgehog
 
     
                                                                                                   Enclosure (A) to  
                                                                                                   CominCh conf ser __02636__  
                                                                                                   dated __3 August 1944.__  
     
 
- 2 -
 
     
     

 

     
     

CONFIDENTIAL  
 
        On this attack, a deep quarter case was assumed.  While all evidence indicates a good attack was made, ENGLAND's report stated she believed the pattern was fired too far to the left.
     
  Second Attack  
 
  Time 1350 LZT
  Range at which contact was made 1300 yards
  Range at which contact was lost 200 yards
  H.E. Not stated
  Doppler Slight low
  Target movement Away
  Number of charges Hedgehog
 
     
          On this attack a quarter target turning away was assumed.  During the first attack, the submarine made slow speed and appeared to "fishtail" and to increase speed and turn directly away from the attacking vessel during the final phase of the attack.  
     
  Third Attack  
 
  Time 1413 LZT
  Range at which contact was made 880 yards
  Range at which contact was lost 215 yards
  H.E. None
  Doppler None
  Target movement Left
  Number of charges Hedgehog
 
     
          This attack is difficult to evaluate since ENGLAND was using considerable rudder on the approach.  A plot of the data submitted and the recorder trace suggests the submarine turned hard left during the final phase of the attack and that as stated in the report, "the miss was caused by insufficient lead".  
     
  Fourth Attack  
 
  Time 1423 LZT
  Range at which contact was made Contact not lost
  Range at which contact was lost Contact not lost
  H.E. None
  Doppler Closing
  Target movement Toward attacking ship
  Number of charges Hedgehog
 
     
                                                                                                   Enclosure (A) to  
                                                                                                   CominCh conf ser __02636__  
                                                                                                   dated __3 August 1944.__  
     
 
- 3 -
 
     
     

 

     
     

CONFIDENTIAL  
 
        Very poor recorder traces were obtained on this attack.  It appears a bow case was correctly assumed but there is no information contained in the data submitted to confirm the reported "fish-tailing" maneuvers on the part of the submarine.
     
  Fifth Attack  
 
  Time 1433 LZT
  Range at which contact was made Not lost
  Range at which contact was lost 210 yards
  H.E. None
  Doppler Low
  Target movement Left
  Number of charges Hedgehog
 
     
          While the track chart indicates a quarter changing to beam target, the recorder trace indicates a stern or deep quarter case.  The explosions reported by ENGLAND are confirmed on the recorder trace.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
                                                                                                   Enclosure (A) to  
                                                                                                   CominCh conf ser __02636__  
                                                                                                   dated __3 August 1944.__  
     
 
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