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Enclosure (C)
to
ComDesPac Conf. Serial. O1744
Dated
29 August 1944
Brief of Tactics used in Subject Actions.
1. Tactics of Japanese
Submarines.
During attack
slow speed of 0 to 3 knots was characteristic. In two or three cases the
submarine apparently stopped. In most cases he would present his stern; if
not, he would always be in a turn. There was some evidence of
fish-tailing. It was common practice for the submarine to take advantage
of the wake of the firing ship after each run.
When not under attack, or when
no ship had contact, he tried to clear the area with speeds of 3 to 6
knots.
There was evidence of the
submarine echo ranging on the attacking ship, in order to cause confusion.
Submarine depths, obtained from
fathometer, varied from 120 to 324 feet.
2. Search Tactics of Hunter-Killer group.
During daylight, ships were
maintained on scouting line, distance 4000 yards. During night, ships were
disposed on radar Scouting line, distance 16,000 yards. Although a greater
scouting distance could. have been employed at night, concentration of
ships upon contact was a factor to be considered in order to engage the
enemy effectively.
3. Procedure on contact.
Any ship making contact
reported to O.T.C. by TBS and proceeded to attack. The other ships in the
line promptly took stations on what was called the "standby
circle", proceeding at best speed to stations. The true
bearings of these ships on arrival in the standby circle were designated
by the O.T.C., and ship thereafter maintained a relative bearing of about
90º between themselves and submarine, distance about 1500 to 2000 yards,
circling the submarine and attacking ship at 15 knots. Upon loss of
contact by attacking. ship, or when directed by O.T.C., the attacking ship
took station on circle
and the newly designated ship took up search on last known position and
attacked when in contact. If contact was not gained, he proceeded across
circle on straight course and another ship in advantageous position on
circle took up search.
Standby ships were designated
to search from dead ahead to
20º abaft outboard beam. This procedure was discontinued in most cases as
interference reduced effectiveness of the operator on attacking ship.
4. CIC Procedure.
Each ship maintained
accurate plot of the submarine at all times, on information given by
attacking ship. This enabled standby ship to be instantly ready to take up
search and attack.
DRT was
maintained in center of plotting sheet with scale of 500 yards per inch
set up and instrument turned off. Upon contact plot was immediately
starting and maintained during contact.
5. TBS and RADAR.
TBS radio
silence was maintained until contact. After contact attaching ship had
priority and continuously reported position and negative information. A
strict log of this circuit was kept with time of transition noted to the
nearest 30 seconds, in order to facilitate plotting. IFF and SA radar were
normally turned off and kept under strict supervision of O.T.C. SL radar
was user at night and was most effective.
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