War Patrol Report (Patrol 1, endorsement1, page 1)
| SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY-SIX | |
| A16-3 | c/o Fleet Post Office |
| Serial 01 |
San Francisco, California |
| CONFIDENTIAL | 14 November 1944 |
| 1st Endorsement to | |
| USS BERGALL ltr. A16-3/A9 | |
| Serial 0102 of 11/8/44. | |
| From: | Commander Submarine Squadron Twenty-Six |
| To: | Commander in Chief, United States Fleet |
| Via: | (1) Commander Submarines, Seventh Fleet. |
| (2) Commander Seventh Fleet. | |
| Subject: | U.S.S. BERGALL (SS320) - Report of First War Patrol. |
| 1. | The first war patrol of the BERGALL covered a period of sixty days, 31 of which were spent in the South China Sea Area. The patrol commenced as Pearl Harbor, T.H., and terminated at Fremantle, W.A. |
| 2. | Area Coverage was good and most of the patrol was made on the surface. Twelve enemy aircraft contacts were made and two of them dropped bombs or depth charges. There were four worthwhile ship contacts and three of these were developed into effective torpedo attacks. The fourth, a fleet type destroyer, was observed at a range too great to be closed. A total of eleven torpedoes were fired for seven hits on three targets. |
| 3. | Torpedo Attack No. 1. On 9 October a
submerged approach was made on a small coastal AK (about 700 tons) and three Mark 18 torpedoes fired. One of these hit and completely demolished the target. Torpedo Attack No. 2. On 13 October a submerged approach on a medium AO in convoy resulted in two hits out of four Mark 23 torpedoes fired at the AK. Prompt and persistent depth charging by the escorts prevented further attack on the small tanker. Torpedo Attack No. 3. On 27 October a night sur- face attack was made on two large tankers, escorted by two des- troyers. Four hits, from six Mark 23 torpedoes fired, were followed by disappearance of the pip from radar screen. Counter attack by the escorts was ineffective, and BERGALL avoided on the surface. Shallow water, the proximity of navigational dangers, and impending daylight caused the Commanding Officer to abandon any attempt to attack the second ship of this convoy. Gun Attack No. 1. On 3 October a small cargo craft was attacked by gunfire which was ineffective, due to excessive range, and inaccurate gun pointing. The target turned toward the beach, and the attack was abandoned immediately before arrival of an enemy plane. |
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