DE635/A16-3                               U. S. S. ENGLAND (DE 635)
Serial No. 021
                                                                                                                  c/o Fleet Post Office,  
                                                                                                                  San Francisco, Calif.,  
  CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                   31 May 1944.  
     
 
From: The Commanding Officer.
To    : The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
   
Via   : (1)  Commander Escort Division Forty.
  (2)  Commander Escort Division Thirty-Nine.
  (3)  Commander Third Fleet.
   
Subject: Destruction of Japanese Submarine on 31 May 1944 - report of. 
   
Reference: (a)  Pacific Fleet Confidential Letter 2CL-44.
   
Enclosures: (A)  ASW-1 for attack.
 
     
          1.        This report and enclosures are submitted in accordance with reference (a).  
     
          2.        On 31 May, 1944, the U.S.S. GEORGE, with ComCortDiv 39 aboard as OTC, U.S.S. RABY, U.S.S. SPANGLER, and the U.S.S. ENGLAND were steaming on course 212° true conducting radar search for enemy submarines.  About 0245 two destroyers from Task Group 30.4 contacted OTC (CCD39) by TBS and requested two destroyer escorts to assist in operations.  This conversation was not heard by the ENGLAND as we were, at that time 16 miles on starboard beam of the GEORGE, and the destroyers were to port.  Shortly after this time the GEORGE and RABY proceeded to join the destroyers and CCD39 ordered CCD 40 to take charge of the ENGLAND and SPANGLER and continue the search to the southwest.  
                  We continued on down the line until 1300 on the 30th, at which time we changed course to search back up the line.  B/C was 040° true.  When conversation emanating from the GEORGE and RABY was heard at 0324 the SPANGLER was stationed 8 miles abeam to port.  The GEORGE was estimated to be 20 miles southeast of us.  
                  What had happened to the GEORGE and RABY in the meantime (since our separation) is not exactly known and is not included in this report.  
                  The attack that followed after the ENGLAND obtained contact was quick, well executed and decisive.  Sub believed destroyed.  
     
     
                                                                                                 W.B. PENDLETON  
     
  Advance Copy:  (1)  Cominch  
                            (2)  ComDesPac  
  Enclosures to Advance Copy (1):  (A)  ASW-1 for attack.  
                                                       (B)  REcorder traces of attack.  
                                                       (C)  DRT track.  
     
     
 
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  IV.  NARRATIVE  
     
          At 0324 Love 31 May, 1944, ENGLAND and SPANGLER were running up line on b/c 210° true, conducting radar search for enemy submarines, when we began to hear conversation on TBS between the RABY and the GEORGE.  From their conversation it was obvious they had a submarine contact.  ComCortDiv 40 ordered ENGLAND and SPANGLER to close to be available if they needed any assistance.  By 0500 we had closed to within 5000 yards and were told by ComCortDiv 39 to circle clockwise on the 5000 yard circle and be available to act as needed.  
          At the time of the writing of this report little concise information is available as to what had happened prior to our arrival in the area, consequently this report will cover only what is known.  However, on our arrival at the scene CCD39 informed us by TBS that several firing runs had been made since their departure 32 hours before and that the GEORGE had hit on one attack.  Whether GEORGE had hit this particular sub or not was not clear.  
          When ENGLAND took station on the 5000 yard circle the RABY was maintaining sound contact on the submarine, as the OTC (CCD39) had ordered the RABY and GEORGE to hold contact until daylight and then attacks would commence.  Shortly after this the RABY lost contact and the GEORGE regained and held until about 0640 when the OTC ordered the ENGLAND and SPANGLER to close in to 4000 yards to be available to attack and ordered the GEORGE to attack.  At 0651 the GEORGE fired full salvo Mk. 10 projector, negative results; at 0700 the RABY, making attack on orders OTC fired full salvo and missed.  At this time the ENGLAND was expecting to be called in, but, contrary to our expectations, the OTC ordered the SPANGLER to contact and attack.  SPANGLER fired full salvo at 0715, also negative results.  ENGLAND was ordered to make contact and attack.  Contact made at 0729, fired full salvo at 0736:05, 17.2 seconds after firing charges hit and at 0742 terrific explosion occurred.  Followed lost contact procedure but could not regain.  Obtained doubtful,mushy contacts in area, but on investigation they proved to be false.  Searched in and around area until 1500 without further contact.  Was able to pick up debris and oil as previously noted.  About an hour after explosion CCD 39 in the GEORGE departed area to investigate an oil slick eleven miles to the NW that had been reported by a plane.  As he departed area he requested CCD 40 to have the SPANGLER and RABY conduct retiring search.  This was ordered and when we departed area at 1500 they were directed by OTC to search until dawn 1 June.  
          Prior to our attack on this submarine an oil slick had been noticed in the area.  When the oil slick from this submarine we had hit had formed and was its thickest, and while debris was being picked up in this area, there was another oils slick in approximately the same area as the one in the morning bearing NW about 4.5 miles distant.  Both oil slick were distinct and separate slicks and both very thick oil.  
          The RABY and GEORGE, prior to our attacks had both reported a very tricky submarine.  On the ENGLAND's attack, however, the sub must have been getting very tired for he used comparatively slow speed (1 to 1.5 knots).  At first attack seemed like quarter attack, turning into stern chase at the end.  There is little wake on recorder trace and a good firing time was obtained.  Conning officer fired on center bearing.  There was little bearing change throughout the attack.  
     
          It is believed this submarine was destroyed.  It seems that practice does make perfect.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

     
     

FBE4-39/  
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
ESCORT DIVISION THIRTY-NINE
     
                                                                                                    USS SPANGLER(DE696)  
                                                                                                    June 17, 1944  
  CONFIDENTIAL  
     
  SECOND ENDORSEMENT to  
  DE635/A16-3  
  Serial 021  
  Dated 31 May 1944  
     
 
From: Commander Escort Division THIRTY-NINE
To    : Commander-in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Via   : Commander Third Fleet.
 
     
          1.        Forwarded.  
     
     
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                    HAMILTON HAINES  
     
     
  Copy to:  
         CCD 40  
         USS ENGLAND  
     
  Advance Copy to:  
         Cominch  
          Comdespac  
     
     

 

The following log by USS George is Enclosure A to Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force, 3rd Endorsement of CO USS England conf. ltr. A16-3 ser. 022 dated 2 June 1944.  USS England conf. ltr. A16-3 ser. 022 is the USS England's summary report of antisubmarine actions - the first report on the USS England webpage.

 

     
     

S-E-C-R-E-T
  
Log of A/S Action 30/31 May 1944
 
By USS George (DE 697)
 
     
  (All Times Love)  
 
0200 CCD 39 heard message from HAZELWOOD to RABY asking position of DEs.
0220 CCD 39 asked HAZELWOOD if help wanted from DEs.
0230 Reply affirmative, CCD 39 ordered GEORGE and RABY to depart for area.
0248 CCD 39 directed CCD 40 to take charge of ENGLAND & SPANGLER and continue sweep of the line.
  Position of HAZLEWOOD at time (0220) of first attack 00 - 53' N., 150 - 06' E.
  Relative Position of DD and DEs at 0230 as shown in diagram.
   
                                                       
   
0335 GEORGE & RABY arrived vicinity of HAZELWOOD attack.
0335 GEORGE relieved HEERMANN.
0400 RABY, trying to get sub contact from HAZELWOOD; reported momentary radar contact at 0405 close astern of HAZELWOOD.
  RABY, GEORGE and HAZELWOOD continued search of area until 0430 when CCD 39 released HAZELWOOD, since no sure contact had been made for an hour.
0435 RABY reported another momentary radar contact within 2000 yds.
0437 GEORGE proceeded toward point of last sure contact made at 0330 to commence single ship retiring search plan beginning toward the West.
0528 RABY regained sound contact 7 miles South of point GEORGE was searching.
0528 RABY directed to attack, GEORGE to close and assist.
0530 RABY suffered recorder casualty on way in to attack, fired Hedge Hogs with stop watch.  No hits.
0532 RABY regained sound contact, advised she'd hold contact for arrival of GEORGE.
0600 GEORGE made sound contact; RABY directed to discontinue pinging.
0610 GEORGE fired first run.  No hits, fathometer reading 30 fathoms over sub.  Water noises heard as target was crossed.
0620 2nd run - No hits - 25 fathom reading.
0630 3rd salvo - at least 3 hits - 25 fathom reading.
0639 4th salvo - no hits - no soundings.
0703 5th salvo - no hits - no soundings.
0708 Lost contact.
0710 RABY obtained contact.
0714 RABY fired 1st salvo - no hits.
0724 RABY fired 2nd salvo - no hits.
0744 RABY fired 3rd salvo - 1 hit.
 
     
                                                                                                                         ENCLOSURE "A"  
     
 
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S-E-C-R-E-T
  
Log of A/S Action 30/31 May 1944
 
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  Fish tailing, circling, violent evasive maneuvers by sub were encountered throughout most runs.
0745-0845 no firing, but contact maintained.
0835 Plane zoomed at GEORGE indicating desire to have GEORGE proceed to N.E.  Found oil slick 1/2 mile long and 1/4 mile wide, oil still rising about 4 miles from previous position.
0850 RABY lost contact.
0915 RABY regained contact.
0917 GEORGE took over contact from RABY.
0940 GEORGE laid 13 charge pattern, lost contact, continued circular sweeps.
0956 GEORGE thought periscope sighted, proceeded to point and regained contact at 1304.
1034 Contact established as good and located approximately 3/4 mi. N.W. of depth charge attack delivered as 0940.
1040 GEORGE suffered steering casualty.
1046 RABY had contact - reported doubtful due wake interference.
1059 GEORGE obtained doubtful contact.
1140 GEORGE layed to while pinging.  Good sub trace obtained tho much interference & practically no doppler.
1337 After considerable maneuvering, sub now presented good target, clear of wake.
1346 GEORGE made HH attack - 3 or more hits - 31 fathom reading over target.  Sub seemed to slow down, stop maneuvering after delivery of attack at 1346.  This raised possibility of presence of uncharted reef.
1550 GEORGE got soundings up to 41 fathoms with fathometer and 50 fathoms with a lead line in water charted as 2200 fathoms or more.  Considerable water noises, bubbling, hissing & gurgling in sound gear while lying to.  No further runs or firing.
  Prior to dark GEORGE made sweep to North to approximate position of HAZELWOOD's last contact, found (same slick as at 0835) slick covering several square miles with very thin oil.
  Meanwhile RABY held contact, hoping to wear out sub and bring it to surface.  GEORGE returned to join RABY before dark and got radar contact 5 mi. to Southwest, proceeding at once to investigate.
  Radar contact disappeared almost immediately.  Search made in vicinity with results negative.
1945 Several violent underwater explosions felt (thought by GEORGE to be 7 or 8) apparently originating in area where RABY was holding contact.  RABY reported only two (2) violent explosions at this time apparently located in her immediate vicinity.  Explosions described as "extremely" violent, similar to explosions heard on three other occasions after HH hits.  Last HH hits had been made at 1346 by GEORGE.
  Contacts not regained by RABY after these violent explosions.
  GEORGE returned to area patrolled by RABY and at 2038 regained contact near where RABY had lost contact at time of violent explosions.
  GEORGE held this contact until a sub was seen to surface between the RABY and the GEORGE.  GEORGE reported occasional strong smell of diesel oil in the search area during this night contact period.
0302 May 31, RABY reported sub surfaced.
 
     
 
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S-E-C-R-E-T
  
Log of A/S Action 30/31 May 1944
 
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0304 GEORGE lost sound contact, picked up radar contact.  Sub surfaced for 4-5 minutes, but GEORGE & RABY were apparently in each others line of fire and sub submerged before firing could begin.
  GEORGE immediately closed in, regained sound contact.
0335 GEORGE lost sound contact.
0344 RABY regained sound contact, at 0350 lost contact again.
0409 RABY regained contact, attacked, fired HH - no hits - fathometer reading 33 fathoms.
0415 GEORGE regained contact and held.
0500 ENGLAND & SPANGLER joined GEORGE and RABY, deployed for immediate attacks in rotation.
0649 GEORGE attacked - fired HH - fathometer reading 30 fathoms over target.
0619 RABY fired HH - no hits - 32 fathom reading.
0713 SPANGLER fired - no hits - doubtful fathometer reading 90 fathoms - contact lost at 196 yards.
0735 ENGLAND fired obtaining several hits at depth of 225 feet.
0741 Violent under water explosion felt by GEORGE, RABY, SPANGLER, circling at 2000 yds.  Similar to previous explosions after HH hits.  No bubbles, water turbulence noted.  It was tremendous "shock" type of explosion without visible local disturbance.
  Retiring search continued without contact.  RABY, SPANGLER and ENGLAND remain in area.
  GEORGE proceeded about 2 miles N.W. to investigate oil slick smelled during night contacts.  This believed different slick from one investigated previous day.
  GEORGE found heavy coating of oil, 2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide.
  While in this area, plane circled requesting investigation of another oil slick approximately 11 miles to N.W. determined to be same on as investigated day before from markers left in area.
  Black fuel-oil sludge samples picked up.
  GEORGE returned to scene of morning attack, were ENGLAND had recovered deck planking bearing Jap characters, small pieces of cork and other debris, also thin oil slick found 2-1/2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide.
  No further contacts reported.
 
     
 
END
  
     
     
     
     
     
 
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