|
Post by crushedhat on Feb 28, 2021 5:57:33 GMT
As the name implies, this thread is relating experiences form the other side of the war, both geographically (the Pacific Theater) and politically (The exploits of an American Navy PT Boat crew - using Devil Boats).
1 July 1943. The Solomons.
This was it, what we’d been training for; our first combat patrol. Hopefully it wasn’t going to be as disappointing as Rendova PT Base had turned out to be. Though only a JG, I was senior by a couple of days to the other two JGs, while Russ Jenkins of the 104 was an Ensign, so I drew the leadership slot. Our assignment was to conduct an offensive patrol (search for the enemy) in the Vella Gulf between Kolombangara and Gizo.
The weather was less than ideal, overcast with scattered rain. While it would be miserable, it would also help conceal us from any Aircraft overhead. We set out shortly before sunset, sailing south of Wana Wana and then taking the Ferguson Strait to Vella Gulf where we began searching in earnest for Jap barges. At 2217, TMc2 Harry Mason reported that he could no longer make out the 102 boat off our port side. In the darkness, LT(jg) Walt Butler in the 102 boat got separated from the Division. I was relieved to learn upon returning that he and his crew made it safely back to Rendova.
The stillness was shattered at 0000 when a battery of 3 guns supported by an MG on Kolombangara opened up on us. After a brief and inconclusive exchange, we withdrew back into the rain and dark, hoping to still locate some barges. Such was not to be our lot tonight.
With dawn approaching, I turned the RON for home and an uneventful cruise back to Rendova, arriving shortly after sunrise.
Richard Cox, LT(jg), USNR, Commanding, PT 101
|
|
|
Post by crushedhat on Feb 28, 2021 5:58:39 GMT
2 July 1943. The Solomons.
Our second patrol and it started out pretty much like the one the night before; same mission, same patrol area, same lousy weather. Once again, I was in command of a four-boat Division consisting of my own PT 101, as well as the 102, 103, and 104 boats.
We left Rendova shortly before sunset, sailing through the Solomon Sea and Fergusson Strait to Vella Gulf off Kolombangara. At leas the seas weren’t as worked up as they had been the night before, saving some wear and tear on our knees and backs.
At 2332 PT 104 pulled alongside, ENS Russ Jenkins reporting his men detected a larger shadow approaching from the NW. It turned out to be a Terazuki class DD. Thanks to the miserable weather the Jap lookouts either weren’t paying attention, or just couldn’t see us. In any event, as per Squadron SOP we deployed into an echelon formation to attack, releasing two torpedoes each at the target. Both 103 and 104 had a launch failure. Of the remaining six fish, at least tow hit. While it wasn’t enough to sink the DD, it definitely alerted them to our presence.
Alarms and whistles started going off on the DD. Then she popped some searchlights as her guns swung around in our direction. LT(jg) Walt Butler and the 102 were caught in the searchlight and down rained the 4.7” shells, one causing some flooding for the 102, but not enough for Butler to withdraw. Maybe he was still smarting from last night. At any rate, I wasn’t prepared to leave the job half done, so we made another pass, letting go with the other fish. I’m not sure how many fish hit, but there was a massive explosion that broke the DD’s back (OOC - 1 out of 8 hit, but with spectacular results). The DD sinking and us out of torpedoes, we withdrew to continue searching for barges.
At 0316 our diligence was rewarded as two barges were silhouetted. While it was brief, it was enough to positively ID them as Type As. Again the poor weather worked to our advantage, letting us move to within medium range before opening fire, catching the barges by surprise. Multiple hits were scored on the rear barge, sinking it. We then found ourselves in a running gun battle with the lead barge. Both the 103 and 104 boats received incoming fire, with ENS Jenkins of the 104 reporting taking some small caliber hits. Our own bow 20mm jammed during the engagement. While the barge was damaged, it managed to slip away before we could finish the job.
Then another barge, a Super A appeared. Alerted by the preceding firefight, he immediately took the 103 under fire. Fortunatley, the Jap’s aim was off. No so ours as tracers from all four boats arced to the doomed barge, out third victim of the night.
Now low on ammo, and with morning only a few hours away, I turned the Division for home. We retraced out path, arriving at Rendova shortly after sunrise. And feeling much better about our night than we had the previous one.
While the damage to PT 104 is minimal, the 103 would be available for patrol again until the 4th. Thankfully none of the men were injured.
Richard Cox, LT(jg), USNR, Commanding, PT 101
|
|
|
Post by crushedhat on Sept 24, 2021 2:19:31 GMT
3 July 1943. The Solomons.
So far, we’ve managed to avoid any of the various jungle fevers that seem to be affecting the other divisions in the Squadron. We set out for our third patrol the evening of 3 July. Chuck (LT(jg) Pierce) and crew were using the spare (105) boat as their regular (103) boat was still undergoing repairs form last night’s mission. We were returning to the Blackett Strait in the hopes of catching the Tokyo Express. Unlike the previous two nights, this one offered clear skies and calm seas. While it meant for a more pleasant ride for us, it also meant that Tojo had a better chance of spotting us, especially from the air. We followed the Southern coast of the islands, managing to avoid any unwanted entanglements and arriving on station around 2000 hours.
Initially, it looked like it was going to be a quiet night. Our first contact wasn’t until the early hours of the 4th when Llyod (SM1c Richardson) detected shadows moving against the dark horizon. It proved to be a pair of barges, a Type A and a Type C. The Division started to move in to medium range at slow speed, trying to avoid creating a telltale wake. However, the clear skies and calm seas let the Japs see us coming and they opened up on both us and the 105. Thankfully, their aim wasn’t as good as their night vision and they missed. With no reason to be stealthy anymore, the division opened up with everything we had, all four Boats concentrating on the Type C. With our focus on the larger barge, the Type A managed to slip inshore and hide. The Type C didn’t fare as well, eventually going to the bottom while all four PTs came out remarkably untouched. With a couple of hours left before having to run for home to beat the sun, I kept the Division on station.
Shortly before 0400 the lookouts spotted a Rufe (A6M2-N) making for the Division. We kicked it into high gear and started filling the sky with lead, scoring several hits on the Rufe. While he strafed the Division, the Rufe scored no hits and, heavily damaged, decided to call it a day. To my great relief, despite our high-speed maneuvering the Division managed to remain together. Seeing no point in lingering any longer I turned the bow for Rendova.
The trip home was as thankfully uneventful as the trip out and we pulled up alongside the refueling pier as the sun was coming up. After some warm chow and resupply, we’ll be ready to go out again tonight. LT(jg) Pierce will have his own (103) Boat back.
Richard Cox, LT(jg), USNR, Commanding, PT 101
|
|