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Member
It seems fitting that I play a little Silent Hunter 4 (WWII Submarine simulator) on Memorial Day. In fact, I changed history a bit for the Battle of Midway...
USS Gar: June 3rd, 1942. -Using TMO 1.9
Left port sometime after the strike force left Japan, and arrived Northwest of Midway just before they did. Eventually, we picked up the contact report on the fleet, supposedly from PBY recon. Moving West at full speed, lookouts sighted a Destroyer on the horizon just before dusk.
Sound General Quarters.
Kept our distance from the destroyer, and began to see ships on the horizon. Just before nightfall, while still keeping our distance, began to position the boat along the path the fleet appeared to be taking. -Fleet appeared to be heading East-Southeast.
Two more destroyers came into view, and we couldn't keep our distance. Ordered the boat down to 250 feet, and rigged for silent running. While moving at dead slow, destroyer picks us up on his sonar. Evaded depth charge attack (No damage) and picked up new sound contacts. Brought boat up to periscope depth and raised the attack scope.
New contact ID'ed as Hiryu class Carrier (Maybe Soryu or Hiryu), with destroyer escort. Estimated speed 17 knots.
Estimated torpedo range at intercept about 1000 yards. Opened tubes 1-6. Fired all six, aiming forward of bridge. All six torpedoes hit, along the entire length of the carrier. Massive explosion in engine room, followed by a large number of secondary explosions on the deck. -Presumably from aircraft on the deck and ordinance. Carrier now on fire, she begins to sink while rolling to port.
Down scope. Dived to 250 feet again to evade escorting destroyer and previously evaded destroyers.
New sound contact picked up, similar to previous carrier & escort combo. Positioned boat to fire from stern tubes, and returned to periscope depth. Up scope. 2nd Hiryu class Carrier spotted. (Whichever is left: Hiryu or Soryu) Appears to be taking an evasive zig-zag pattern, and varying speed. Opened tubes 7-10 and fired at a range of 700 yards, aiming forward of bridge. First torpedo missed. Remaining three hit amidships. -No secondary explosions.
Dived to 250 again. Escort destroyer commenced depth charge attack. -Negligible damage (A few leaks), and one wounded. Soundman reports the carrier's engines have stopped. Once clear of destroyer, secured from silent running and ordered the tubes reloaded. Began maneuvering toward the carrier, when sound detects secondary explosions on the bearing to the carrier's estimated position. Soon after, we begin to hear the ship break up, through the hull. Returned to periscope depth and sighted several lifeboats along with a large burning oil slick on the water. -No sign of any ships stopped to pickup survivors.
...So there we go. Jack Fletcher and Ray Spruance only have two carriers to worry about. 
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Member
It seems fitting that I play a little Silent Hunter 4 (WWII Submarine simulator) on Memorial Day. In fact, I changed history a bit for the Battle of Midway...
USS Gar: June 3rd, 1942. -Using TMO 1.9
Left port sometime after the strike force left Japan, and arrived Northwest of Midway just before they did. Eventually, we picked up the contact report on the fleet, supposedly from PBY recon. Moving West at full speed, lookouts sighted a Destroyer on the horizon just before dusk.
Sound General Quarters.
Kept our distance from the destroyer, and began to see ships on the horizon. Just before nightfall, while still keeping our distance, began to position the boat along the path the fleet appeared to be taking. -Fleet appeared to be heading East-Southeast.
Two more destroyers came into view, and we couldn't keep our distance. Ordered the boat down to 250 feet, and rigged for silent running. While moving at dead slow, destroyer picks us up on his sonar. Evaded depth charge attack (No damage) and picked up new sound contacts. Brought boat up to periscope depth and raised the attack scope.
New contact ID'ed as Hiryu class Carrier (Maybe Soryu or Hiryu), with destroyer escort. Estimated speed 17 knots.
Estimated torpedo range at intercept about 1000 yards. Opened tubes 1-6. Fired all six, aiming forward of bridge. All six torpedoes hit, along the entire length of the carrier. Massive explosion in engine room, followed by a large number of secondary explosions on the deck. -Presumably from aircraft on the deck and ordinance. Carrier now on fire, she begins to sink while rolling to port.
Down scope. Dived to 250 feet again to evade escorting destroyer and previously evaded destroyers.
New sound contact picked up, similar to previous carrier & escort combo. Positioned boat to fire from stern tubes, and returned to periscope depth. Up scope. 2nd Hiryu class Carrier spotted. (Whichever is left: Hiryu or Soryu) Appears to be taking an evasive zig-zag pattern, and varying speed. Opened tubes 7-10 and fired at a range of 700 yards, aiming forward of bridge. First torpedo missed. Remaining three hit amidships. -No secondary explosions.
Dived to 250 again. Escort destroyer commenced depth charge attack. -Negligible damage (A few leaks), and one wounded. Soundman reports the carrier's engines have stopped. Once clear of destroyer, secured from silent running and ordered the tubes reloaded. Began maneuvering toward the carrier, when sound detects secondary explosions on the bearing to the carrier's estimated position. Soon after, we begin to hear the ship break up, through the hull. Returned to periscope depth and sighted several lifeboats along with a large burning oil slick on the water. -No sign of any ships stopped to pickup survivors.
...So there we go. Jack Fletcher and Ray Spruance only have two carriers to worry about.
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Member
Oops, my mistake. I left port on the 31st. I sank the carriers on the 3rd of June, at 20:26 and 20:52 respectively.
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Senior Member
Good report and job well done. Jack and Ray send their thanks.
If you work it right you can catch them on the way home as well. Give you a shot at the last two CVs.
If I remember right they are a little East of where you found them taking about the same route.
Magic
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Member
Thanks.
I got another contact report after the battle. However, I wasn't in a good position to intercept. Besides I had to refuel, since I used up so much rushing from Pearl to Midway.
It certainly ended the jinx on USS Gar. My first few patrols were not so successful.
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Junior Member
Do you remember by any chance where exactly did you find them? I've been trying passed couple of days even though I looked up the coordinates for the battle, I still can't seem to find them.
