SS 306/A16-3
  Serial 09                                  May 15, 1944
  CONFIDENTIAL
 
 

  From:     The Commanding Officer
  To  :     The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet
  Via :     The Commander Submarine Division 141
            The Commander Submarine Squadron 14
            The Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet
            The Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet

  Subject:  U.S.S. TANG (SS 306), Report of War Patrol #2.

  Enclosure:     (A) Subject Report.
                 (B) Track charts. (ComSubPac only)

       1.  Enclosure (A), covering the second war patrol of this vessel conducted
  in areas northwest of Palau, east of Davao, and at TRUK, during the period 16
  March 1944 to 15 May, 1944, is forwarded herewith.

                                     R. H. O'KANE
 

                                    (A) PROLOGUE

       Returned from first patrol March third and completed refit on the eleventh.
  As no difficulties were expected or experienced, post repair was combined with
  two day and one night training period.  Finished loading on the fifteenth, and
  departed on second patrol at dawn March sixteenth.

                                    (B) NARRATIVE

                                    March 16 (12)

  0655 Left Midway for Palau, proceeding at two engine speed.

                                March 17-22 (-12-11)

       Enroute area conducting routine drills and dives.

                                   March 23 (-11)
  0512 Sighted trawler on patrol and avoided on the surface.  Our position, 150
       miles East of PAGAN Island, indicates that this vessel probably was a
       spotter, and not fishing.
  1235 Dived for half an hour on sighting an unidentified plane.
  1712 Dived until dusk to avoid being sighted while passing between PAGAN and
       ALAKAMGA Islands.  Delayed an hour to insure peak radar operation while we
       had land contacts available.  In spite of the excellent wave meters and
       other apparatus now provided for tuning this equipment there is nothing
       like a good land contact to demonstrate its proper operation.  Even the
       experts concede this.

                                   March 24 (-10)

  0907 Changed course to north to intercept U.S.S. BARB's convoy.
  1406 Dived for thirty minutes to avoid a patrol type aircraft.
  1608 Dived for two SD contacts at ten miles.
  1632 Surfaced and proceeded long reverse of expected convoy track until dark,
       and then proceeded toward assigned area west of PALAU, as our orders will
       not permit further delay.

                                  March 25-26 (-9)

       Enroute area.

                                    March 27 (-9)

  1651 Dived and avoided an unidentified aircraft.
  2000 Entered area 10W, then proceeded to position sixty miles bearing 255d from
       TOAGEL MLUNGUI pass, as assigned for strike on PALAU.

                                    March 28 (-9)

       On assigned station.  Conducted submerged patrol as ordered, by searching
       continuously with 17 feet of both periscopes, sound, and guarding 450 KC on
       the SD mast.

                                    March 29 (-9)

       Patrolling submerged as on previous day.
  1210 Sighted patrol type plane.
  1823 Just prior to surfacing, sighted thin raked mast of a ship.  Conducted
       submerged approach at six knots until dark but could not close it
       sufficiently to determine its identity.
  1857 Surfaced, continued tracking, and took position ahead for moonlight
       submerged observation and possible firing, although the "blurb" of the
       target at 7000 yards seemed very small.
  1950 Almost simultaneous with lightning flashes which revealed the target to be
       a PA type patrol, six large planes in groups of two arrived on the scene.
       They had on both running and landing lights and proceeded with what
       appeared to be a routine submarine search.  As we were in an unfortunate
       position ahead of the first PC, which was later joined by a second, it
       required two hours at periscope depth and finally deep submergence to get
       clear.

                                    March 30 (-9)

       Conducted submerged patrol, searching with seventeen feet of periscopes.
  1217 Heard a good explosion, followed by a second fifteen seconds later.  As the
       horizon was absolutely clear,
  1227 surfaced for a better look.
  1258 Sighted three planes, believed friendly, simultaneous with radar contact at
       seven miles.  Dived and continued submerged patrol.

                                    March 31 (-9)

       Patrolled submerged on assigned station.
  0721 Sighted bomber, fairly close.
  1700 sighted medium bomber on easterly course.
  2232 Sighted two planes on the SD at about 16 miles which bothered us for half
       an hour as they conducted a search under the half moon.  As the did not
       close inside eight miles, remained on the surface.

                                    April 1 (-9)

  0553 sighted a large plane on the horizon, dived and commenced usual high
       periscope submerged patrol for the day.

                                    April 2 (-9)

  0104 sighted flash over the horizon on bearing of PALAU, followed by apparent
       loom of searchlights.
  0553 Commenced submerged high periscope patrol.
  2000 Departed at one engine speed for newly assigned station 120-150 miles ease
       of DAVAO CITY, MINDINAO.

                                    April 3 (-9)

  0100 Passed to operation command of ComTaskFor Seventy-One.
  0808 Dived for onehalf hour and apparently avoided detection by a patrol plane.
  2400 Entered new area east of DAVAO GULF.

                                    April 4 (-9)

       Patrolled on surface in center of assigned area, searching with both
       periscopes, sound to detect echo ranging, and SJ during reduced visibility.
  0347 Dived for three-quarters of an hour and apparently avoided detection by a
       plane sighted on SD at twelve miles.

                                    April 5 (-9)

       Searched on surface as on previous day.
  1042 Dived for forty minutes and apparently avoided detection by a plane sighted
       on the horizon.

                                    April 6 (-0)

       Patrolling on surface.
  2100 Departed area, proceeding ease at five knots on the auxiliary engine to
       conserve fuel.  Our number 4 MBT could not be converted by Submarine Base,
       Midway, during the last refit.

                                    April 7 (-9)

  0752 Dived for twenty minutes and avoided plane sighted on horizon, then
       proceeded toward former area at five knots, searching as usual with
       everything we've got.
  0900 Passed to operational command of ComTaskFor SEVENTEEN.

                                    April 8 (-9)

       Patrolling on the surface enroute newest area north west of PALAU.
  0900 Commenced passing through a field of oil drums which continued throughout
       the day.
  1500 SJ radar out of commission on afternoon test.  The radar officer, radio
       technician, and leading radioman were relieved of all other duties and
       commenced "round the clock" repairs.

                                    April 9 (-9)

  0330 Sighted an unidentified plane which did not close, so continued on the
       surface.  Numerous oil drums were again in sight all day.

                                    April 10 (-9)

  0058 Sighted plane on SD radar which closed to five miles before opening.
  0813 Dived for forty minutes for a plane on SD at 8 miles.  Apparently avoided
       detection due to overcast skies.
  1017 Sighted single mast and deck house of an apparent PC type patrol boat.
       Dive and attempted to close to investigate, but height of eye range and
       change of bearing, when next observed form forty feet, showed him on a
       northeasterly course, at better than fifteen knots. and out of reach.  As
       we were then about fifty miles from TOAGEL MLUNGUI pass, and expecting
       shipping within a day, continued on submerged to close the island
       undetected, but searching with 17 feet of periscope.  It was a long haul
       from MINDINAO on the auxiliary engine, but other wise we would not have had
       sufficient fuel to complete the patrol.

                                    April 11 (-9)

       conducted submerged patrol ten miles west of NGARUANGL passage, with
       periodic high periscope searches.  From this position we would have been
       able to intercept shipping through this passage or around VELASCO reef,
       headed for TOAGEL MLUNGUI, and at the same tine, been able to spot and
       trail for night attack any traffic from this latter pass.  We considered
       this our first "likely spot" in nearly four weeks of patrol.

                                    April 12 (-9)

       As the TRIGGER was delayed in entering her lower half of area 10 NW,
       patrolled submerged five miles of TOAGEL MLUNGUI passage, covering her area
       as well as our own.

                                    April 13 (-9)

       Conducted submerged patrol between three and four miles off TOAGEL MLUNGUI.
  1220 Sighted four motored flying boat which apparently landed in the lagoon.
       Repairs were completed to the SJ today, and it worked with peak performance
       on surfacing.  As we have patrolled close in and enjoyed bright nights, it
       is doubtful that any shipping slipped by us, especially as TOAGEL MLUNGUI
       pass would hardly be used at night, unlighted.

                                    April 14 (-9)

  0154 Sighted U.S.S. TRIGGER on the SJ radar, as she crossed our area.  Closed
       her and made preliminary arrangements for mutual assistance ion covering
       this area, and established sound communication for later use.
       Patrolled two miles off TOAGEL MLUNGUI during forenoon.
  1400 As passing squalls developed into steady rain, surfaced, moved out to five
       miles from the pass, and conducted radar search.  After dark, moved out to
       contact TRIGGER, but SJ failure prevented early rendezvous.

                                    April 15 (-9)

  0011 Sighted U.S.S. TRIGGER, and sent over the following by the tin can-line
       throwing gun method: (1) All new information we have concerning this area.
       (2) Our ideas for its most effective coverage by two submarines.  (3) A
       duplicate copy of the coordinated attack doctrine and signals, for possible
       use.  Received compatible ideas for coordinated patrol,  and a report of
       TRIGGER's super convoy and her damage, for delivery to ComSubPac.  Returned
       to TOAGEL MLUNGUI before dawn and conducted submerged patrol three or four
       miles off pass during the day.
  1056 Sighted four engine flying boat.
  1638 Sighted four engine bomber.
  2152 Made rendezvous with TRIGGER who sent a rubber boat to TANG.  Supplied her
       with compressor valves and cages, radar tubes, and our spare battery blower
       motor to use as a sound training motor.

                                    April 16 (-9)

       Patrolled submerged two to three miles off TOAGEL MLUNGUI.
  0740 Sighted bomber.
  1400 As TRIGGER was patrolling out today, proceeded southwest about three miles
       off the reef to investigate lower lagoon and western entrance to MALAKAL
       HARBOR.  No evidence of any shipping could be detected.
  1552 Sighted bomber over lagoon.

                                    April 17 (-9)

       Patrolled submerged three miles off TOAGEL MLUNGUI.
  1215 Sighted large flying boat which apparently landed in lagoon.

                                    April 18 (-9)

       Patrolled submerged off TOAGEL MLUNGUI.
  1013 Sighted flying boat over lagoon.
  2130 Made rendezvous with TRIGGER.  Sent over compressor valves to her and
       exchanged spare SJ modulator units in hopes of fixing our ailing SJ radar.
       Completed repairs during the night.

                                    April 19 (-9)

       Patrolled in same vicinity as on previous day, withdrawing as usual to the
       northwest during the night to insure a night radar run on any inbound
       convoy.

                                    April 20 (-9)

       Patrolled as on previous day.
  0750 Sighted flying boat.

                                    April 21 (-9)

       Patrolled three miles off TOAGEL MLUNGUI.
  0619 Sighted bomber on westerly course.

                                    April 22 (-9)

  0439 Sighted searchlight over the horizon in vicinity of harbor.
  0504 Commenced submerged patrol closing to former position off TOAGEL MLUNGUI.
  1143 Sighted five bombers flying south over the island.
  1305 Sighted another bomber over lagoon headed west.
  1440 Sighted flight of six bombers over the island.
  2040 Departed for area fifteen to perform lifeguard services, proceeding at one
       engine speed.  Though we regretted leaving this area without making our
       presence felt, our observations lead us to believe that it will remain
       stagnant for some time and that our route to TRUK will offer better chance
       of contact.

                                    April 23 (-9)

       Enroute TRUK at one engine speed, searching with both periscopes, sound to
       detect echo ranging, and SJ radar during passing squalls.
  1840 In anticipation of bombarding the phosphorite refinery on FAIS Island the
       following evening, commenced firing seven rounds to determine the limiting
       point of twilight for accurate pointing and training, and t establish the
       ballistic to make the sight bar range equal radar range to the splashes.

                                    April 24 (-9)

  0600 As we were sufficiently ahead of schedule, changed course to close FAIS
       Island, forty miles north of our track.
  1000 Dived fifteen miles from the island and closed at four knots.  As we were
       aware of the reported gun emplacements, established the bearing line
       between lookout tower and refinery as 128dT, then proceeded around the
       island for bombardment by indirect fire.  Surfaced in evening twilight with
       lookout tower, our point of aim, bearing 308dT, range 7300 yards, and
  1828 commenced firing 33 rounds of four inch.  To insure crossing the refinery,
       employed a rocking ladder of 200 and then 100 yard steps, and applied
       deflection spots as previously computed to include other structures in the
       installation.  Though the results were not discernable, the shell
       detonations sere nicely visible at the bottom of the ladders and the target
       area was crossed several times.  As expected, their guns, placed to protect
       the installation on the west side of the island, were unable to return any
       fire.
  1845 Set course for new lifeguard station off TRUK at one engine speed.

                                  April 25-26 (-10)

       Enroute TRUK.

                                   April 27 (-10)

  0859 Dived for a six mile SD contact simultaneous with high periscope sighting
       of smoke to the southwest near HITCHFIELD BANK.  On return to periscope
       depth eight minutes later, sighted the plane going away, and then the smoke
       from fifty feet.  There were two patches tracked on a westerly course at
       about ten knots.  Our attempts to "end around" before the enemy might reach
       GRAY FEATHER BANK were frustrated by the air coverage which drove us down
       five times before noon, the last with a "swish", perhaps of a dud bomb, and
       a rattle of machine gun bullets.  Continued trailing for three more hours,
       but sighted not more smoke.  The enemy was now an hour on the bank, and a
       hundred mile chase faced us with no assurance that we could guess where he
       would again strike deep water.  Faced with this, and the problem of
       reaching our lifeguard station by the following day, regretfully set course
      for TRUK.

                                   April 29 (-10)

  0714 Dived on boarder of assigned area northwest of TRUK, and apparently avoided
       detection by a distant twin engine bomber.  Continued high periscope
       submerged patrol throughout the day.
  1522 Sighted distant plane on easterly course in direction of island.
  1718 Sighted tow float planes.
  1859 Shortly after surfacing dived for a six mile SD contact which closed slowly
       to two miles.  Remained submerged for an hour.

                                   April 29 (-10)

       Continued submerged high periscope patrol, working around to lifeguard
       position east of TRUK for strike from MARSHALLS.
  0550 Sighted float plane fairly close.
  1928 About a half hour after surfacing commenced tracking attacking Liberators
       which passed seven miles north of us enroute TRUK, which was thirty miles
       distant.
  1950 Observed several explosions in direction of island.
  2000 Commenced diving at approximately one hour intervals to avoid a determined
       search of the area along our bearing from TRUK.  As our bearing was 110dT
       from DUBLON, quite to the south of the track of Liberators returning to
       ENIWETOK or other MARSHALLS base, it was at once considered that this
       search was for us.  Their search consisted of dropping increasing numbers
       of flares as the approached us from the island, employing three to four
       planes.  The closest flares were about five miles distant.  The plane
       contacts would continue to close to from three to four miles where they
       would fade out, most probably as the searchers came low to locate us by
       silhouette, for dead in the water we were probably invisible from overhead.
       Naturally we dived at this point for their search.  After three such dives
       we moved out to forty miles from the island and were no longer troubled,
       although moonset may have caused them to fire up.  It certainly appeared
       that the planes were vectored out along our bearing and that they did not
       know as distance from the island.  Further, our distances checked with data
       concerning the DF'ing of the SD radar received subsequently.

                                   April 30 (-10)

       On surface in assigned position for carrier strikes on TRUK, 40 miles
       bearing 180d T from MOEN Island.
  0400 Sighted strong radar interference on the SJ on mean bearing 240d T,
       obviously from our approaching task force.
  0436 Sighted low flying plane or planes on SJ radar, which passed 4600 yards
       from us headed toward our task force.
  0530 Sighted first planes on SD.
  0610 Watched plane go down in flames over DUBLON Island.
  0630 Dived for thirteen minutes and avoided a group of possibly unfriendly
       planes which closed rapidly to two miles.
  0643 On surfacing, flights of up to fifty planes were continuously shuttling
       between TRUK and the southwest.  With the possible exception of a sinking
       maru, this was the most encouraging sight we've witnessed in this war to
       date.
  0815 Sighted tops, then superstructures of our task force.
  1025 Received first report of downed plane and headed for reported position two
       miles off FOURUP Island at emergency speed.  Bombers working over PALAU and
       OLLAN Islands were most reassuring, and with numerous fighters to guide us,
       locate the life raft promptly about four miles west of its reported
       position.
  1156 With Lieutenant (junior grade) S. SCAMMELL, USN, J.D. GENDRON, AMM2c, and
       H.B. GEMMELL, ARM2c on board, withdrew six miles to the south.
  1559 Proceeded at emergency speed on a course to round KUOP Islands to reach
       life raft outside reef on the east side of TRUK.  Fifteen minutes later
       however a second raft was reported to the north of us in the approximate
       position of our first recover.  As the latter could be reached during
       daylight, returned at emergency speed to this position two miles east of
       OLLAN and one mile off the reef.  The hovering bomber and two fighters
       seemed perturbed that we wouldn't follow them over to the actual position,
       some five miles inside the reef.  As a twenty minute search with periscopes
       and from atop the shears did not locate the raft, headed south again to
       carry out the original plan.  All planes had now been recalled, leaving us
       a bit naked, so to avoid a prolonged submerged retirement, opened fire with
       4" H.E. on the gun emplacements on the southwest end if OLLAN Island.  Our
       ballistic of the previous week again proved correct, for with sight bar
       range 300 yards less than radar range, the first shell burst nicely low in
       the trees intended to conceal the emplacements.  Fired twenty rounds of
       H.E. and common when retiring, quite agreeably amazed at the ability of the
       4" to stay on the target.  Corrected radar range fed continuously to the
       gun, with occasional salvos spotted short, appears a simple and adequate
       means of fire control.  At 3500 yards trained in and turned tail, a bit
       prematurely, however, for the nips crawled out of their holes and let fly
       at us.  Their first splash was about 1000 yards short, the second we didn't
       spot.  Remained submerged for forty minutes, then surfaced and proceeded
       toward east side of TRUK at emergency speed.
  2143 From position six miles ease of FEINIF Island on the eastern reef,
       commenced zigzag search to the southwest at ten knots.  Fired green Very
       starts every fifteen minutes at the turns and midway of each leg, hoping
       for any sort of answer from one of the rafts.  The only reply, sighted on
       some occasions, was a series of red or white lights in the neighborhood of
       UMAN Island, which changed bearing rapidly as if flashed along a runway.
       One of the pilots we recovered the following day had sighted our stars, but
       was afraid to answer them.

                                     May 1 (-10)

  0330 Proceeded east to a position for second day's strike, ten miles closer to
       the Island then on the previous day.
  0340 Sighted radar interference of our task force.
  0600 Sighted conning tower of jap submarine proceeding south around KUOP from
       OTTA pass.  Submerged and commenced approach.  Tracked him on straight
       course 180d at 12 knots.  When the generated range was 3000 yards and angle
       on the bow 30 starboard, suddenly lost sound contact.  Took a quick look to
       observe our bombers and fighters overhead and to confirm our fears that the
       enemy had dived.  Dropped to 150 feet and rigged for silent running, by was
       unable to regain contact.  Headed southwest for an hour at standard speed,
       then surfaced and proceeded to the northwest toward the reported raft of
       the evening before.  Spread large colors on deck to help identify us, then
       reported enemy sub to the task force commander for possible attack.
  0828 Headed at emergency speed for life raft reported two and a half miles
       southwest of our favorite OLLAN Island.  Before we reached the scene, a
       float plane from the U.S.S. NORTH CAROLINA capsized in the cross chop in
       the attempt to rescue.  The other NORTH CAROLINA plane made a precarious
       landing and on our arrival was towing both raft and fellow pilot clear of
       the island.  This action was most helpful, for we expected competition from
       OLLAN, and nearby fighters were already strafing her gun emplacements for
       us.
  0917 After lieutenant J.J. DOWDLE, USNR, Lieutenant (junior grade) R. KAUZE, for
       whom we had searched the night before, and R.E. HILL, ARM2c, were on board,
       and the second plane from the NORTH CAROLINA  had somehow gotten into the
       air again, we proceeded to sink the capsized plane with 20mm fire.  At this
       time a smoking torpedo bomber was spotted hitting the water about seven
       miles to the east.  Proceeded down the bearing at emergency speed, and
       opened fire on nearby OLLAN as we passed.  They had removed the trees
       intended to camouflage their position, evidently feeling it was no longer a
       secret.  It gave us an unobstructed point of aim, however, and our hitting
       4" H.E. with a few common sandwiched in, supported by strafing fighters and
       topped off with two bombers, must have discouraged them for they did not
       return any fire.
  1004 Sighted life raft and survivors ahead under circling fighters.
  1020 With Commander A.R. MATTER, USN, J.J. LENAHAN, ARM2c, and H.A. TOMPSON,
       ACM2c, on board, proceeded at emergency speed to round KUOP to reach three
       life rafts reported off the eastern reef.  As our track took us close by
       our submarine contact of the morning, requested and promptly got air
       coverage.  Blown high, with safety, negative and the fuel group dry, and
       even our Fairbanks-Morse smoking a bit, rolled through this spot at twenty-
       one knots fairly confident that the jap would get no more than a fleeting
       glimpse.  As Lieut(jg) BURNS had landed his NORTH CAROLINA float plane off
       the eastern reef, requested that he attempt to tow the rafts clear.  He was
       a big jump ahead of us however, having taken all seven men from three rafts
  1328 on board and taxied with them to seaward.  They were now in no immediate
       danger, so followed our escorting planes to a raft off MESEGON Island in
       the bight between KUOP and TRUK.  As we thoroughly expected to be driven
       down, rigged a free running line and life ring to the SD mast for towing
       the raft clear while submerged, but our strafing escorts evidently
       discouraged any opposition.
  1325 Recovered Lieutenant H.E. Hill, USNR, then headed for a fighter pilot
       reported in the water just off the eastern reef of KUOP.  By the time of
       our arrival planes had dropped a rubber boat to him, but he was too weak to
       do more than climb aboard one.
  1410 After pulling perhaps our most grateful passenger aboard, Lieutenant
       (junior grade) J.G. Cole, USNR, backed up wind clear of the reef and headed
       for the waiting float plane at emergency speed.  She was well clear, about
       three miles east of SAEAT Island, and no difficulty was experienced in
       bringing the following on board: Lieutenant R.S. NELSON, USNR; Lieutenant
       (junior grade) R. BARBER, USNR; Lieutenant (junior grade) J.A. BURNS, USNR;
       Ensign C.L. FARRELL, USNR; J. LIVINGSTON, ARM1c; R.W. GRUEBEL, AMM2c; J.
       HRANEK, ARM2c; O.F. TABRUN, AMM2c; and R. HILL, ARM2c.  The action of
       Lieut(jg) BURNS, in making the rescue possible by deliberately placing
       himself in as precarious a position as any of the downed personnel. will be
       made the subject of a special report.
  1515 Sunk the float plane, which had a flooded battered tail, with 20mm fire,
       and proceeded at emergency speed to round KUOP to the last reported raft
       south of OLLAN Island.  As all planes were recalled as of 1630, and we
       could not reach the raft until sunset, requested two night fighters to
       assist in locating it.  Our passage through the area was of our morning
       contact was not quite as comfortable without air coverage, but again
       twenty-one knots took us through in a hurry.  The night fighters joined us
       at sunset as we were approaching the las reported position three and a half
       miles south of OLLAN, and immediately commenced their search.  Fifteen
       minutes later on of the fighters circled then fired several red Very stars
       four miles northwest of us.  Closed at emergency speed, spotting the raft
       from atop the shears, as it was now too dark for periscopes.
  1830 With Lieutenant D. KIRKPATRICK, USNR, and R.L. BENTLEY, AOM2c, on board,
       dismissed the planes and commenced slow speed search west of the atoll.

                                     May 2 (-10)

       Conducted submerged high periscope search off the western reef.
  0955 Sighted flying boat over the lagoon.
  1135 Sighted land plane near TOL Island.
  1211 Sighted land plane in the west on a northerly course.
  1220 Sighted probably same patrol on easterly course.
  1605 Sighted unidentified aircraft in the northwest, headed for TRUK.
  2005 Sighted A/A fire and explosions on TRUK from liberator raid.

                                     May 3 (-10)

       Searched as on previous day.
  1725 Sighted float plane headed west.

                                     May 4 (-10)

       Conducted submerged high periscope patrol in most likely spot to intercept
       traffic for OTTA pass.  Conducted search after dark, retiring to vicinity
       of OTTA pass for submerged patrol.

                                     May 5 (-10)

       Conducted submerged patrol off OTTA pass.
  0615 Sighted float plane to the south.
       After dark proceeded outside forty mile circle to position east of DUBLON
       for Liberator strike on TRUK.

                                     May 6 (-10)

  0056 Several planes passed seven to twelve miles from us, tracked by SD radar.
  0110 Sighted radar interference of U.S.S. PERMIT entering area.
  0116 Observed explosions on bearing of DUBLON.
  0200 Though all large plane contacts had disappeared, we were again bothered by
       searchers which maintained contact with us for another hour.  We stopped
       and headed up moon streak when they came within five miles, and avoided the
       closest on at three miles on a rain squall.,  The three pips then moved out
       to seven and finally twelve miles, and then disappeared.
  0300 With all planes departed and our relief in the area, set course for PEARL
       at two engine speed on prescribed routing.
  0557 Three quarters of an hour after our trim dive, submerged for twenty minutes
       and avoided a float plane, probably searching from the HALL Islands, fifty
       miles distant.  Had two plane contacts outside thirty miles during the
       remainder of the day.  After dark, sent message concerning airmen aboard.

                                     May 7 (-10)

       Enroute PEARL.
  0701 Tracked plane at forty miles on SD for some minutes.
  0825 Dived for twenty minutes to avoid a large low flying plane.
  1202 Tracked plane in from 14 miles.
  1204 Though sighted and identified as a TBM at eight miles, dived as his
       approach was menacing.
  1500 SJ radar out of commission on afternoon test.  The last modulator unit,
       obtained form TRIGGER, has also leaked its oil.  Commenced round the clock
       repairs.
  1800 Held demonstration of all identification flares and stars (ex-smoke bombs)
       for the benefit of the aviators on board, none of whom had seen them
       before.

                                     May 8 (-11)

       Enroute PEARL.

                                     May 9 (-11)

  0513 In position 120 miles from WAKE, dived for plane sighted on the SD which
       closed rapidly from 10 to 7 miles.  Though our position is nearly on a line
       between ENIEWETOK and WAKE, it is doubtful that a friendly plane would be
       hear at dawn.
  1137 Sighted plane on SD which closed from 17 to 12 miles before opening.
  1300 Slowed to one engine to conserve fuel.

                                     (C) WEATHER

       The weather was normal for the areas and periods covered.

                                (D) TIDAL INFORMATION

       The tidal conditions were normal.

                                (E) NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

       None sighted.

                                  (F) SHIP CONTACTS

       See charts.

                                (G) AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

       See charts.

                                   (H) ATTACK DATA

       No attacks.

                                      (I) MINES

       None observed.

                   (J) ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS

       Extensive use of aircraft was bothersome day and night.  It is not believed
       that any were radar equipped, but some were obviously searching along our
       bearing from TRUK as noted in the narrative, most probably as a result of
       DF'ing our SD.  Off PALAU a combined aircraft and surface search was
       encountered which was avoided at deep submergence below a 26 degree
       gradient.
 

                            (K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE

       None.
                                    SHIP CONTACTS
 

  No.  Date   Time    Lat.    Long    Type    Range Cse Spd  How    Remarks
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
  1  3/23/44  0512  18-40N  148-30N  Fishing  5000  var  Un  Sight  Evaded on
                                     Patrol                         Surface
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2  3/29/44  1823  7-10N   133-35E  Patrols  14000 090  8   Per.   Tracked then
                                     2                              evaded
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3  4/10/44  1030  8-25N   134-05E  Patrol   20000      13  Per    D1sappeared
                                                             surf   over horizon
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4  4/27/44  0900  6-50N   148-50E  Smoke    30000 270  10  Per    Forced down 5
                                                             surf   times by air
                                                                    contact
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5  5/1/44   0800  7-10N   151-45E  Sub RO   14000 180  12  Per    Sub dived for
                                     Class                   surf   our planes
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

                                  AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

  No Date     Time  Long.   Lat.     Type     Range Crse Alt        How Sighted
  1  3/23/44  1235  18-15n  147-00e  Unknown  10 mi      1000 ft    Sight
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2  3/24/44  1406  17-37N  143-45E  Patrol   10 mi 140T 1000 ft    Sight
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3  3/24/44  1608  18-03N  143-41E  Not      10 mi                 Radar
                                     sighted
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4  3/27/44  1651  09-030N 133-05E  Unknown   5 mi 045T            Sight
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5  3/29/44  1210  07-21N  133-24E  Patrol    8 mi 050T 1000 ft    Periscope
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  6  3/29/44  1950  7-10N   133-40E  Unknown  Various               Running lts
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  7  3/30/44  1258  7-18N   133-31E  Unknown   7 mi 135T            Radar & Sight
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  8  3/31/44  0721  7-13N   133-08E  Twin Tail 2 mi 070T 200 ft     Periscope
                                     Twin Eng.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  9  3/31/44  1700  7-13N   133-08E  Medium    6 mi 090T 500 ft     Periscope
                                     Bomber
                                     2 Eng.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  10 3/31/44  2230  7-16N   133-31E           17 mi                 SD
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  11 4/1/44   0553  7-20N   133-42E  Medium    7 mi 095T 1000 ft    Bridge Lookout
                                     Bomber
                                     2 Eng.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  12 4/3/44   0308  7-17N   131-28E  Float     8 mi 121T 900 ft     Bridge Lookout
                                     Type
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  13 4/4/44   0847  7-41N   127-41E  Radar    12 mi                 SD
                                     Cont.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  14 4/4/44   1427  7-41N   127-41E  Flying    4 mi 200 ft          Sight
                                     Boat
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  15 4/5/44   1042  6-42N   127-45E  Unident   9 mi                 Sight
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  16 4/10/44  0058  6-40N   133-35E  Unident   6 mi                 Radar
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  17 4/10/44  0813  8-35N   134-00E  Unident   8 mi                 Radar
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  18 4/13/44  1220  7-39N   134-24E  Flying   14 mi 130T 500 ft     Periscope
                                     Boat
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  19 4/15/44  1056  7-38N   134-25E  Flying    3 mi 160T            Periscope
                                     Boat
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  20 4/15/44  1638  7-38N   134-25E  Bomber    3 mi 150T 1000 ft    Periscope
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 

   NO.  DATE   TIME  LAT    LONG     TYPE  RANGE  COURSE  ALT     HOW    REMARKS
                                                                SIGHTED
   21  4/16/44 0640 7-36N  134-23E Bomber  3 mi  270 T   1000' Periscope Outbnd

   22  4/16/44 1652 7-28N  134-19E Bomber  5 mi  40      1000' Periscope Inbound

   23  4/17/44 1215 7-34N  134-23E 6 mi    6 mi  Circ.   500'  Periscope Inbound
                                                 for
                                                 landing
   24  4/18/44 1015 7-39N  134-    2 motor 7 mi  Circ.   1000' Periscope Inbound
                           256E    flying        for     down
                                   boat          landing

   25  4/22/44 0620 7-43N  134-20E 2 eng.  6 mi  070 T   800'  lookout   Twin
                                   bomber                                tail

   26  4/22/44 1145 7-38N  134-24E   "     7 mi  190 T   800'  Periscope 5 in
                                                                         form.

   27  4/22/44 1305 7-36N  134-25E land    4 mi  230 T   900'  Periscope
                                   bomber
   28  4/22/44 1340 7-36N  134-25E 6       20 mi 100 T   1050' Periscope 6 in
                                   bombers                               form.

   29  4/23/44 1643 9-05N  137-12E bomber  15 mi 257 T

   30  4/25/44 1445 9-02N  143-45E 2       10 mi 220           sight     Doubt
                                   bombers

   31  4/27/44 0900 6-50N  146-50E fighter 6 mi  220     1000' SD
                                                               Periscope
   32  4/28/44 0705 6-55N  151-05E bomber  15 mi north         lookout

   33  4/28/44 1521 6-55N  151-05E flying  20 mi               Periscope
                          &n