War Patrol Report (Patrol 2, Endorsement1, page 1)

FC5-26/A16-3 SUBMARINE SQUADRON TWENTY-SIX                     Rn
   
Serial ( O41) Care of Fleet Post Office,
  San Francisco, California.
CONFIDENTIAL 29 December 1944
First Endorsement  
USS BERGALL  
SS320/A16-3/A9 serial 0113 of 23 Dec., 1944  
   
From: The Commander Submarine Squadron TWENTY-SIX
To: The Commander in Chief, 7th Fleet
Via: (1) The Commander Submarines, SEVENTH FLEET
  (2) The Commander SEVENTH FLEET
   
Subject: U.S.S. BERGALL (SS320) - Report of War Patrol Number Two
   
1. The second war patrol of the U.S.S. Bergall was of 21 days duration, 9 of which were spent north of the Malay Barrier. One enemy contact was made which resulted in a successful torpedo attack. Damage from enemy gunfire following this attack forced BERAGLL to return to port. One special mission assigned was not completed due to this damage.
   
2. During a two and one half hour surface chase, in a night surface radar attack, fired 6 bow tubes at a TONE or ATAGO class cruiser and an overlapping unidentified cruiser. Two torpedoes were seen and heard to hit the near cruiser, the resulting explosion and blinding flame prevented observation of the results of the other torpedoes. The near cruiser was broken in half and the forward section sank; when last observed the after section was burning furiously and apparently in a sinking condition. After opening range for a torpedo reload BERGALL commenced an approach on the second cruiser which had stopped after the first attack and was then dead in the water. At a range of 9,000 yards this cruiser fired three salvos of two rounds each; BERGALL was hit through the forward torpedo loading trunk by an estimated eight-inch shell of the first salvo and retired. The fact that this cruiser was stopped and did not follow up her offensive action indicates that she was probably damaged.
   
3. With his pressure hull holed and unable to dive the Commanding Officer made a rendezvous with U.S.S. ANGLER and transferred all personnel not vital to handling the ship. After making such temporary repairs as were possible, with eight officers and 21 men aboard, by brilliant planning and skillfully taking advantage of weather conditions, he succeeded in returning from the heart of enemy controlled waters undetected without further damage. Fortunately there were no injuries to personnel.

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