UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
FLAGSHIP OF THE COMMANDER SubDiv EIGHT
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TO: SUBMARINE SQUADRON COMMANDERS, SubPacFlt
FROM: ComSubPac
DATE: DECEMBER 1941
SUBJECT: MISSION ORDERS Cycle 1 (December 7, 2004)
RMKS 1)
The Japanese Military forces have attacked the United States Naval base at Pearl Harbor. The U.S. Fleet has been severely damaged by this sneak attack. All Commanders are ordered to commence unrestricted submarine warfare against all Japanese Merchant and Military units.RMKS 2)
As directed by the CNO, the 'London Treaty Agreement' on submarine warfare restrictions has been renounced by the United States Government. You shall interpret this order to mean that when attacking Japanese vessels you are NOT required to surface, obtain the vessels surrender, and put the crew and passengers in lifeboats before sinking the vessel. Instead, upon ascertaining that it is a Japanese - Flag or Japanese controlled vessel, you may shoot on sight.RMKS 3)
There are NO U.S. or allied vessels besides yourselves currently, or soon to be, operating North of Manila in the Philippines or North of the Gulf of Thailand in Indo China.RMKS 4)
The MK VI Magnetic Exploder has been issued to all ' Fleet ' subs carrying MK XIV torpedoes. This Exploder is a secret technologically advanced device that is expected to produce High Sinking Ratios when used properly, that is, set to explode beneath the enemy vessels keel. Therefore ALL SUBMARINES SO EQUIPPED ARE DIRECTED TO SET THEIR TORPEDOS TO FOR A RUNNING DEPTH AT 10 TO 20 FEET BENEATH THE KEEL DEPTH OF THE VESSEL BEING ATTACKED! Thus, for a target with a draft of 20 feet, the torpedo running depth should be set to 30 to 40 feet.RMKS 5)
Because of the ' High Effectiveness ' of this exploder and a possible shortfall in torpedo inventory, if possible sink Merchant ships with ONE torpedo, use TWO only if necessary. For Capitol Ships, use the number of torpedoes as the situation demands without being profligate.RMKS 6)
Target priority is as follows:1) Capitol Ships and Cruisers
2) Loaded Troop Transports
3) Light forces, Transports, Supply ships & Auxiliaries
4) Oil Tankers
RMKS 7)
Submarine Squadrons are assigned to the following areas:All SubRon Commanders are to deploy their boats patrol areas that the boat in question is able to reach due to fuel supply.
All the S-class boats should be deployed close to the Philippine Islands or surrounding areas due to their limited fuel range.
As you are aware the P class boat has a limited range also and should be deployed accordingly. The S, M, T, and larger Fleet boats should be deployed to effect the maximum damage to the Japanese Home waters.
The following are the Patrol Areas available at this time.
PacFlt:
Caroline Islands
East China Sea ( Formosa )
Empire ( Northern Japan )
Empire ( Southern Japan )
Yellow Sea
SubAsiadac:
IndoChina
South China Sea
Philippine Islands
COMMENTS:
In the event of any Submarine being on station for 10 or more days without sighting the enemy, the submarines CO should contact his SubRon CO for a request for redeployment to another area.All Squadron Commanders are to acknowledge these orders!
Good Luck and Good Hunting, Hit'em Hard
Rear Admiral Thomas Withers Jr.
ComSubPacFlt
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