User Guide

APPENDIX B:
TACTICS
by William P. Gruner
Torpedo Attack
Tactics employed, whether making a surface or submerged torpedo attack, were
governed by a number of different factors. These were:
1 Torpedo range and speed capabilities
2 Target group size and disposition, including escorts
3 Target group course, speed and zigzag pattern
4 Target group air cover
5 Choice of the primary target(s) and its (their) types and sizes)
6 Ranges to the target(s) and escorts throughout the approach
7 Submarine speed and submerged endurance capabilities
8 Sea conditions
9 Visibility conditions
10 Number of torpedoes available and their location (forward or aft); and
11 Single submarine or wolfpack coordinated attack.
Basic Approach Objective
Try to launch torpedoes at a distance of 500 to 1,500 yards off the target track to
achieve a 90º torpedo track angle, in order to hit the target broadside (this
assumes that torpedoes run as set and that exploders function properly, which
they did not always do). Set torpedo depth depending upon the type of target :
♦
6 to 8 feet for merchant ships and destroyers
♦
0 feet for a cruiser
♦
12 to 15 feet for a carrier or battleship.
SILENT
HUNTER
68 APPENDIX B — TACTICS
This attack became the finale of Skate operations directly involved with the Fifth
Fleet. However, she did make several more attacks on Japanese shipping during
the balance of this patrol, but none resulted in confirmed sunk or damaged ships.
In one night surface attack on a small escorted convoy off Palau she instilled the
fear of the Lord into the enemy when another faulty Mk.14-3A torpedo exploded
prematurely shortly after being fired. Thereupon, every ship in the convoy partici-
pated in a fireworks display rivaling an Independence Day celebration. Colorful
tracers and starshells flew in all directions to illuminate the area.
To further her reputation as a big game hunter, Skate, on her fifth patrol, sank
the large Fubuki class destroyer Usugumo in the Okhotsk Sea. Then on her last
patrol under the command of Commander Richard B. Lynch she penetrated the
mine field protecting the Sea of Japan to sink the large submarine I-122. Finally,
to end her career, this famous ship became a target for both air and underwater
nuclear weapon tests at Bikini in July 1946. Although surviving with extensive
damage, this fine warship was later intentionally sunk off the California coast.
1
“The Simon and Schuster Encyclopedia of World War II.”
2
ComSubPac Patrol Report No. 298 of 11/6/43, USS SKATE - First War Patrol.
3
ComSubPac Patrol Report No. 345 of 1/13/44. USS SKATE Second War Patrol.
4
Extract from a post-war report prepared by the Naval Technical Mission to Japan on the loss of major units of the
Japanese Fleet.
5
ComSubPac Patrol Report No. 393 of 3/26/44. USS SKATE Third War Patrol.
SILENT
HUNTER
67 APPENDIX A — U.S.S. SKATE AND THE FIFTH FLEET