American World War II Submarine Operations

American submarine and U.S. naval operations March, April, and May 1944

The following narrative details specific World War 2 events which occurred during March, April, and May 1944. It includes specific Pacific War and Atlantic Theater submarine activities and naval operations. These events provide the historical background for Pacific Thunder Campaign Cycle 10.

March 1944

03/01 Wed. United States Naval Base, Milne Bay, New Guinea, and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Tanaga, Alaska, are established. German submarines sunk: U-603, by destroyer escort BRONSTEIN (DE-189), North Atlantic area, 48 d. 55' N., 26 d. 10' W.; U-709, by destroyer escorts THOMAS (DE-102), BOSTWICK (DE-103), North Atlantic area, 49 d. 10' N., 26 d. 00' W.

03/02 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) delivers ammunition and supplies and evacuates certain personnel from Butuan Bay, Nasipit, Mindanao, P. I.

03/03 Fri. President announces that the Italian Fleet will be distributed among the United States, Great Britain, and Russia. Japanese naval vessel sunk: River boat KARATSU, by submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), Philippine Islands area, 08 d. 52' N., 123 d. 23' E.

03/04 Sat. Army and Naval land-based aircraft attack Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands. Allied task force (Rear Adm. V. A. C. Crutchley, RN) including 2 United States cruisers and 4 United States destroyers, bombards Japanese shore batteries and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands in the Admiralty Islands; bombardment is repeated on 6 and 7 March.

03/05 Sun. NARWHAL (SS-167) delivers cargo and evacuates certain personnel from Tawi Tawi, P. I.

03/06 Mon. United States naval vessels sunk: Submarine SCORPION (SS-278), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer NICHOLSON (DD-442), by coastal defense gun, Bismarck Archipelago area, 02 d. 00' S., 147 d. 00' E.

03/07 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-337, by coastal defense gun, eastern New Guinea area, 04 d. 09' S., 144 d. 50' E.

03/08 Wed. Japanese aircraft attack United States position on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.

03/09 Thu. United States Naval Air Facility (Lighter than Air), Santa Cruz, Brazil, is established. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer LEOPOLD (DE-319), by submarine torpedo, south of Iceland.

03/10 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser SC-700, by fire, Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands.

03/11 Sat. German submarine sunk: U-380 and U-410, by Army aircraft, Toulon, France.

03/13 Mon. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Light cruiser TATSUTA, by submarine SANDLANCE (SS- 381), off Honshu, Japan, 32 d. 58' N., 138 d. 52' E. German submarine sunk: U-575, by aircraft (VC-95) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-9), destroyer HOBSON (DD-464), destroyer escort HAVERFIELD (DE-393), Canadian vessel, and British aircraft, North Atlantic area, 46 d. 18' N., 27 d. 34' W.

03/16 Thu. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer SHIRAKUMO, by submarine TAUTOG (SS-199), off Japan, 42 d. 25' N., 144 d. 55' E. German submarines sunk: U-392, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-63) and British surface craft, western Mediterranean area, 35 d. 55' N., 05 d. 41' W. U-801, by aircraft (VC-6) from escort carrier BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), destroyer CORRY (DD-463), destroyer escort BRONSTEIN (DE-189), west of Cape Verde Islands, 16 d. 42' N., 30 d. 26' W.

03/17 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk: PT-283, by coastal defense gun, Solomon Islands area, 06 d. 27' S., 155 d. 08' E.

03/18 Sat. Task group including 1 carrier, 2 battleships, and destroyers (Rear Adm. W. A. Lee) bombs and bombards Japanese installations on Mili Island in the Marshall Islands. Destroyers bombard enemy in Wewak area, New Guinea; bombardment continues on 19 March. United States naval vessel damaged: Battleship IOWA (BB-61), by coastal defense gun, Mili Island, Marshall Islands.

03/19 Sun. German submarine sunk: U-1059, by aircraft (VC-6) from escort carrier BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), Atlantic area, 13 d. 10' N., 33 d. 44' W.

03/20 Mon. Naval attack group (Commodore L. F. Reifsnider) lands 4th Marine Division (Brig. Gen. A. H. Noble) on Emirau Island, Bismarck Archipelago. Task force including 4 battleships, 2 escort carriers, and destroyers (Rear Adm. R. M. Griffin) bombards and bombs Kavieng, New Ireland. Submarine ANGLER (SS-240) evacuates 58 persons including women and children from west coast of Panay, P. I. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Auxiliary submarine chasers Nos. 47 and 49, by Army aircraft, north of New Guinea, 02 d. 55' S., 143 d. 40' E.

03/23 Thu. Destroyers bombard enemy installations on Mussau Islands in the St. Matthias group, Bismarck Archipelago. United States Naval Air Facility, Dunkeswell, England, is established. Japanese submarine sunk: I-42, by submarine TUNNY (SS-282), off Palau Islands, 06 d. 40' N., 134 d. 03' E.

03/24 Fri. Japanese submarine sunk: I-32, by destroyer escort MANLOVE (DE-36), and submarine chaser PC-1135, Marshall Islands area, 08 d. 30' N., 170 d. 10' E.

03/25 Sat. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine chaser No. 54, by submarine POLLACK (SS- 180), north of Bonin Islands, 28 d. 34' N., 142 d. 14' E.

03/26 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine TULLIBEE (SS-284), probably by circular run of own torpedo, north of Palau Islands, Caroline Islands.

03/27 Mon. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-121 and PT-353, accidentally by friendly bomber, Bismarck Archipelago area, 05 d. 17' S., 151 d. 01' E. United States naval vessel damaged: PT-207, by naval gunfire, Italian area, 41 d. 27' N., 12 d. 40' E.

03/28 Tue. Destroyers bombard Japanese positions on Kapingamarangi Atoll, north of New Ireland.

03/30 Thu. Fast carrier forces under Commander Fifth Fleet (Adm. R. A. Spruance) commence intensive bombing of Japanese airfields, shipping, fleet service facilities, and other installations at Palau, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai in the Caroline Islands group. Extensive minefields are planted by carrier-based aircraft in and around the channels and approaches to the Palau Islands. Attacks continue until 1 April. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine GRAYBACK (SS-208), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. United States naval vessel damaged: Submarine TUNNEY, (SS-282), accidentally by friendly aircraft off Palau Islands, 07 d. 29' N., 134 d. 26' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk, Palau, Caroline Islands raid: Repair ship AKASHI, oilers OSE, SATA, and IRO, submarine chasers Nos. 6 and 26, auxiliary submarine chasers Nos. 22 and 53, and patrol boat No. 31, by carrier-based aircraft.

03/31 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Old destroyer WAKATAKE, by carrier-based aircraft, off Palau Islands, Caroline Islands.

April 1944

04/04 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer HALL (DD-583), by coastal defense gun, Marshall Islands area, 09 d. 30' N., 170 d. 00' E.

04/05 Wed. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 46, by carrier-based aircraft, Caroline Islands area.

04/07 Fri. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer CHAMPLIN (DD-601), by intentional ramming of German submarine and by gunfire, North Atlantic area, 40 d. 18' N., 62 d. 22' W. Japanese submarine sunk: I-2, by destroyer SAUFLEY (DD-465), north of New Ireland, 02 d. 17' S., 149 d. 14' E. German submarine sunk: U-856, by destroyer CHAMPLIN (DD-601) and destroyer escort (DE-145), North Atlantic area, 40 d. 18' N., 62 d. 22' W.

04/09 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser SC-984, by grounding in New Hebrides. German submarine sunk: U-515, by aircraft (VC-58) from escort carrier GUADALCANAL (CVE-60), and destroyer escorts PILLSBURY (DE-133), POPE (DE-134), FLAHERTY (DE- 135), and CHATELIN (DE-149), off Madeira Island, 34 d. 35' N., 19 d. 18' W.

04/10 Mon. German submarine sunk: U-68, by aircraft (VC-58) from escort carrier GUADALCANAL (CVE-60), off Madeira Island, 33 d. 25' N., 03 d. 58' W.

04/11 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer escort HOLDER (DE-401), by submarine torpedo, western Mediterranean area, 37 d. 03' N., 03 d. 58' E. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer AKIGUMO, by submarine REDFIN (SS-272), Celebes Sea, 06 d. 43' N., 122 d. 23' E.

04/12 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-135, damaged by grounding, Bismarck Archipelago area, 05 d. 29' s., 152 d. 09' E.; sunk by United States forces. Rescue tug ATR-98, by collision, Azores area, 44 d. 05' N., 24 d. 08' W.

04/13 Thu. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer IKAZUCHI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257), Central Pacific area, 10 d. 13' N., 143 51' E.

04/15 Sat. Alaskan Sea Frontier (Vice Adm. F. J. Fletcher) with headquarters at Adak, Aleutian Islands, and Seventeenth Naval District (Rear Adm. F. E. M. Whiting) with temporary headquarters in Adak and permanent headquarters at Kodiak, Alaska, are established. United States Naval Base, Abemama, Gilbert Islands, is established. Carrier HANCOCK (CV-19) is commissioned at Fore River, Mass.

04/16 Sat. Battleship WISCONSIN (BB-64) is commissioned at Philadelphia, Pa. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer escort GANDY (DE-764), by intentional ramming of German submarine, North Atlantic area, 40 d. 09' N., 69 d. 44' W. German submarine sunk: U-550, by destroyer escorts PETERSON (DE-152), JOYCE (DE-317), and GANDY (DE-764), North Atlantic area, 40 d. 09' N., 69 d. 44' W.

04/17 Mon. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine TROUT (SS-202), Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost. German submarine sunk: U-986, by minesweeper SWIFT (AM-122), and submarine chaser PC-619, North Atlantic area, 50 d. 09' N., 12 d. 51' W.

04/19 Wed. Allied naval force (Adm. J. F. Sommerville, RN), including United States carrier SARATOGA (CV-3) and three United States destroyers, strikes enemy positions at Sabang, Netherlands East Indies.

04/20 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: Destroyer LANDSDALE (DD-426), by aircraft torpedo, western Mediterranean area, 37 d. 03' N., 03 d. 51' E. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-45, by submarine SEAHORSE (SS-304), off Marianas Islands, 15 d. 19' N., 145 d. 31' E.

04/21 Fri. Naval task force (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher), including carriers, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, bombs and bombards enemy airfields and defensive positions at Hollandia, Wakde, Sawar, and Sarmi areas of New Guinea; attacks continue on 22 April.

04/22 Sat. Army forces land at Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay, and Humboldt Bay in New Guinea. The assault operation is under the control of Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey and supported by gunfire and carrier-based aircraft from Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher's carrier task force. Submarine REDFIN (SS-272) lays mines off Sarawak, Borneo.

04/23 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer AMAGIRI, by mine, Makassar Strait, Netherlands East Indies area, 02 d. 12' S., 116 d. 45' E.

04/26 Wed. Japanese submarine sunk: I-180, by destroyer escort GILMORE (DE-18), North Pacific area, 55 d. 10' N., 155 d. 40' W. German submarine sunk: U-488, by destroyer escorts FROST (DE-144), HUSE (DE-145), BARBER (DE-161), and SNOWDEN (DE-246), mid-Atlantic area, 17 d. 54' N., 38 d. 05' W.

04/27 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk: Cargo ship ETAMIN (AK-93), by aircraft torpedo, western New Guinea area, 03 d. 09' S., 142 d. 24' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Light cruiser YUBARI, by submarine BLUEGILL (SS- 242), southwest of the Palau Islands, 05 d. 20' N., 132 d. 16' E. Minelayer KAMONE, by submarine HALIBUT (SS-232), off Ryukyu Islands, 27 d. 37' N., 128 d. 11' E.

04/28 Fri. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox dies at Washington, D. C. United States naval vessels sunk: LST 507, and LST 531, by torpedoes from surface craft, English Channel, 50 d. 28' N., 02 d. 51' W. Japanese submarine sunk: I-183, by submarine POGY (SS-266), off Kyushu, Japan, 32 d. 07' N., 133 d. 03' E.

04/29 Sat. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher), including 12 carriers, commence 2-day bombing attack on Japanese shipping, oil and ammunition bumps, aircraft facilities, and other installations at Truk, Caroline Islands. United States naval vessels sunk: PT-346 and PT-347, accidentally by friendly aircraft, Bismarck Archipelago area, 04 d. 13' S., 151 d. 27' E. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine I-174, by aircraft from light carrier MONTEREY (CVL-26) and destroyers MACDONOUGH (DD- 351) and STEPHEN POTTER (DD-538), Caroline Islands area, 06 d. 13' N., 151 d. 19' E. River gunboat TAHURE, by submarine FLASHER (SS- 249), South China Sea, 13 d. 02' N., 109 d. 28' E. German submarine sunk: U-421, by Army aircraft, Toulon, France.

04/30 Sun. Cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf) bombards enemy positions on Satawan Island, in the Namoi Group, Caroline Islands.

May 1944

05/01 Mon. Battleship and carrier group (Vice Adm. W. A. Lee) bombards and bombs wharf area, enemy seaplane base, and other facilities on Ponape Island in the Caroline Islands.

05/02 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer PARROTT (DD-218), by collision off Norfolk, Va., 36 d. 41' N., 76 d. 18' W.

05/03 Wed. United States naval vessels damaged: Destroyer escort DONNELL (DE-56), by submarine torpedo, North Atlantic area. Destroyer escort MENGES (DE-320), by submarine torpedo, western Mediterranean area.

05/04 Thu. United States Naval Base and Naval Air Facility, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands, are established. German submarine sunk: U-371, by destroyer escorts JOSEPH E. CAMPBELL (DE- 70), PRIDE (DE-323), and British and French surface craft, western Mediterranean.

05/05 Fri. Admiral S. Toyoda's appointment as Commander in Chief of Japanese Combined Fleet is announced; he succeeds Admiral Koga, killed in an airplane crash on 31 March 1944. United States naval vessels sunk: Destroyer escort FECHTELER (DE-157), by submarine torpedo, western Mediterranean area, 36 d. 07' N., 02 d. 40' W. PT-247, by coastal defense gun, Solomon Islands area, 06 d. 38' s., 156 d. 01' E.

05/06 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer escort BUCKLEY (DE-51), by intentional ramming of German submarine, mid-Atlantic area, 17 d. 17' N., 32 d. 24' W.

05/08 Mon. Carrier TICONDEROGA (CV-14), is commissioned at Newport News, Va.

05/09 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk: Submarine chaser PC-558, by submarine torpedo, 38 d. 41' N., 13 d. 43' E.

05/10 Wed. United States Naval Base, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands, is established. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Old destroyer KARUKAYA, by submarine COD (SS-224), Philippine Islands area, 15 d. 38' N., 119 d. 25' E.

05/11 Thu. Submarine CREVALLE (SS-291) evacuates 28 women and children from Negros, P. I. United States Naval Advanced Amphibious Base, Southampton, England, is established.

05/13 Sat. Naval land-based and Army aircraft stage heavy bombing attack on Japanese installations at Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands; attack continues on 14 May. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-501 (ex German U-1224), by destroyer escort FRANCIS M. ROBINSON (DE-220), mid-Atlantic area, 18 d. 08' N., 33 d. 13' W.

05/14 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk: Destroyer INAZUMA, by submarine BONEFISH (SS-223), Celebes Sea, 03 d. 08' N., 119 d. 38' E.

05/15 Mon. United States Naval Air Bases, Ebeye and Roi-namur, Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, are established. German submarine sunk: U-731, by United States naval land-based aircraft (VP-63) and British surface craft, western Mediterranean area, 35 d.54' N., 05 d. 45' W.

05/16 Tue. Japanese submarine sunk: I-176, by destroyers FRANKS (DD-554) and HAGGARD (DD-555), north of Solomon Islands, 04 d. 01' S., 156 d. 29' E.

05/17 Wed. Army troops land at Wakde-Toem area, New Guinea, preceded by cruiser and destroyer bombardment (Rear Adm. R. S. Berkey). Allied task force (Adm. J. F. Somerville, RN) including United States carrier SARATOGA (CV-3) bombs enemy shipping and harbor installations at Surabaya, Java. Destroyers bombard Japanese defenses on Eniben Island, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands. German submarine sunk: U-616, by destroyers GLEAVES (DD-423), HILARY P. JONES (DD-427), ELLYSON (DD0454), HAMBLETON (DD- 455), RODMAN (DD-456), EMMONS (DD0457), MACOMB (458), NIELDS (DD-616), and British aircraft, western Mediterranean area, 36 d. 46' N., 00 d. 52' E.

05/18 Thu. United States Naval Base and Naval Air Station, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, are established.

05/19 Fri. James Forrestal of New York, Under Secretary of the Navy since 1940, becomes Secretary of the Navy. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) bomb Marcus Island; attack continues on 20 May. Japanese submarine sunk: I-16, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-635), Solomon Islands area 05 d. 10' S., 158 d. 10' E. German submarine sunk: U-960, by destroyers NIBLACK (DD-424), LUDLOW (SS- 438), and British aircraft, western Mediterranean area, 37 d. 20' N., 01 d. 35' E.

05/21 Sun. Naval land-based and Army aircraft heavily attack enemy positions on Wotje Atoll in the Marshall Islands. United States naval vessels sunk: LST 43, LST 69, LST 179, LST 353, LST 480, by accidental explosion, Pearl Harbor. T. H.

05/22 Mon. Destroyers bombard installations in the Wotje Atoll, Marshall Islands. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Destroyer ASANAGI, by submarine POLLACK (SS-180), southeast of Japan, 28 d. 20' N., 138 d. 57' E. Submarine RO-106, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE- 635), north of Bismarck Archipelago, 01 d. 40' N., 150 d. 31' E.

05/23 Tue. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) bomb buildings and other targets on Wake Island. United States naval vessels damaged: Light cruiser PHILADELPHIA (CL-41), and destroyer LAUB (DD-613), by collision, Italian area, 41 d. 11' N., 12 d. 30' e. Japanese submarine sunk: RO-104, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-635), north of Bismarck Archipelago, 01 d. 26' N., 149 d. 20' E.

05/24 Wed. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on Samar, P. I. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine RO-116. by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE- 635), north of Bismarck Archipelago, 00 d. 53' N., 149 d. 14' E. Frigate IKI, by submarine RATON (SS-270), Netherlands East Indies area, 01 d. 17' N., 107 d. 50' E.

05/26 Fri. Destroyer bombard enemy shore batteries and installations on Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands. Japanese naval submarine sunk: RO-108, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-635), north of Bismarck Archipelago, 00 d.32' S., 149 d. 56' E.

05/27 Sat. Army forces land on Biak in the Schouten Islands off New Guinea under cover of naval gunfire from cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. W. M. Fechteler). United States naval vessel sunk: PT-339, damaged by grounding in western New Guinea area, 04 d. 01' S., 144 d. 41' E.; sunk by United States forces. United States naval vessel damaged: Submarine chaser SC-699, by suicide plane, western New Guinea area, 01 d. 12 S., 136 d. 13' E.

05/28 Sun. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer STOCKTON (DD-646), by coastal defense gun, Biak Island, Schouten Islands, off New Guinea, 01 d. 00' S., 136 d. 00' E.

05/29 Mon. Destroyers bombard enemy installations on northern coast of New Ireland. United States naval vessel sunk: Escort carrier BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), by submarine torpedo, northwest of Canary Islands, 31 d. 13' N., 23 d. 03' W. United States naval vessel damaged: Destroyer escort BARR (DE-576), by submarine torpedo, northwest of Canary Islands, 31 d. 13' N., 23 d. 03' W. German submarine sunk: U-549, by destroyer escorts ABRENS (DE-575), and EUGENE E. ELMORE (DE-686), by submarine torpedo, northwest of Canary Islands, 31 d. 13' N., 23 d. 03' W.

05/31 Wed. Japanese naval vessels sunk: Submarine RO-105, by destroyers HAZELWOOD (DD-531) and MCCORD (DD-534), destroyer escorts ENGLAND (DD-635), GEORGE (DE-697), and RABY (de-698), north of Bismarck Archipelago, 00 d. 47' N., 149 d. 56' E. Frigate ISHIGAKI, by submarine HERRING (SS-233), North Pacific area, 48 d. 36' N., 151 30' E.