During the early World War 2 years, American submarines were limited in number and were assigned missions to patrol certain areas. Marcus Island was not a primary target of interest at the time, although it was a sore spot to the submariners as they passed near it on their way to their primary stations.
Beginnining in ___________ a US submarine was usually assigned to maintain a watch over Marcus Island and to act as a “plane guard” to rescue downed airmen.
PATROL OF THE USS JALLAO – April 1945 through
20 April 1945: The USS JALLAO, under the command of Commander Joseph B. ICENHOWER, a veteran of 10 previous wartime patrols, gets underway from Midway Island for their patrol area.
28 April 1945: Receives message from ComSubsPac changing station to lifeguard duty off Marcus Island. They set their new course for their new station, at maximum sustained speed on the surface.
(Pic: US Navy)
30 April 1945: Sighted Marcus Island bearing 009 degrees T at 13 miles. Just under three hours later, at 1422K, they sighted bomb explosions on the island.
1 May 1945: Saw bomb hits on Marcus Island and light antiaircraft fire.
5 May 1945: One B24 Liberator was seen approximately 12 miles away.
7 May 1945: Bomb explosions and antiaircraft fire were seen on Marcus Island. That night, at 2354K, they received word of unconditional surrender of the Germans.
8 May 1945: Twelve B-24 Liberators were seen approaching Marcus Island. At 1600, bomb explosions and antiaircraft fire was seen on the island. Three of the B24s made dummy runs on the USS JALLAO. JALLAO replied with flares, IFF, and visual searchlight signals. A US Navy PBM was seen about an hours after the B24s left.
The USS JALLAO sights six Japanese aircraft approaching from the west at low level and landing at Marcus Island.
Then at 1555K, a total of six large unidentified planes approached Marcus Island from the west at a low altitude. The planes circled to the southwest and at1405K commenced landing. The USS JALLAO sent a message at 1814K to ComSubsPac notifying them of the enemy activity.
9 May 1945: Still on the surface from a night of charging their batteries, the lookouts of the USS JALLAO sight four planes approaching Marcus again from the west at a very low altitude, approximately 100 feet. Another single plane is seen approaching from the west too, again at 100 feet above the water. Believing these planes were more Japanese aircraft, the submarine dove for protection. They had not been notified of a scheduled airstrike that morning by US Navy PB4Y Liberators and Privateers from NAS Tinian.
While submerged, a total of six US Navy Liberators/Privateers attacked Marcus Island at altitudes less than 100 feet. Several of the Japanese aircraft were hit and began burning. A few of the Japanese aircraft were able to escape by taking off and leaving the area. The Japanese anti aircraft proved to be very accurate and two US Navy aircraft were shot down. Another one was hit badly that it was written off when it returned to Tinian. Another two Navy aircraft inbound were told by their squadron commander to jettison their bombs and return to base. Unlike the US AAF B24s who attacked from high altitude, the US Navy used their Liberators and Privateers to attack shipping from extremely low altitudes. less than 100 feet. In fact, they did not even carry bombardiers, the pilot would release the bombs from altitudes as low as 50 feet above the waves. It was hard to miss when you were that close and low. It was also much more dangerous as the enemy guns could also hit with increased accuracy. The low level attacks were directed by “higher headquarters” as they wanted to assure destruction of any possible Kamikaze aircraft staging out of Marcus Island that might attack their main anchorage at Ulithi atoll. The US Army Air Force B24s were also directed to attack from low altitude “If any aircraft were at Marcus”. They never did and the US Navy Liberators/Privateers never attacked Marcus Island again as it was deemed a suicide mission.
The USS JALLAO resurfaced about two hours later at 0930K. Smoke could be seen coming from Marcus Island so they knew an attack had taken place. At 1007 they received a message of “four life rafts five miles north of Marcus Island.” The sub went to flank speed and proceeded to that point.
1246K: A PB4Y-2 Privateer was seen flying in the area by the submarine crew and communications were established with him. He stated he had not seen any rafts but was searching.
1330K: The plane sighted a single raft nine miles north northeast of the island and vectored the submarine to it.
1425K: On arriving in the area, the USS JALLAO sighted the life raft and approached it to take aboard survivors. Five men were in the raft, all injured, two seriously.
1440K: Two survivors had been taken aboard but two of the most seriously wounded were still in the raft when all of a sudden, the waters around them erupted in explosions. The Japanese on Marcus Island were shelling them with their coastal guns. On shell landed 50 yards ahead on the port bow. Four more landed within 25 to 75 feet from them, spaced about 30 seconds apart. It was decided to hasten the boarding of the last three survivors and they were quickly man handled aboard and taken down into the submarine. “Although seriously wounded and suffering from great shock, no more than suppressed groans were heard from the last three while being manhandled below” as the artillery shells were landing in the water around them. As the last survivor was gotten below, the order to dive was quickly given and the submarine dove to 100feet.
The survivors were all PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER crewmembers from VPB 108 based on NAS Tinian. They were: Lt Maurice R. WALLACE, (0-83074); Ensign Jerome PALMA (0-368813); ARM2c Elthus J. LASSITER, jr, 8464232; ARM3c Harrison J. HENDERS, 7028531; AOM S1c Robert LIVESAY, 8735612. The Privateer plane captain, , reported that his plane had crashed in two parts and that there were only five survivors. He further stated that there was another plane that had crashed to the east of Marcus Island. It had burst into flames with no survivors possible. He stated that their raft had been circled by a Japanese JUDY aircraft from Marcus and a Japanese patrol boat had passed nearby them a few hours before the sub arrived.
PATROL OF THE USS PETO: May 1945 through
12 May 1945: The USS PETO (SS-265) relieves the USS JALLAO as lifeguard submarine for air raids on Marcus Island
On leaving, the USS JALLAO warned the USS PETO that the Japanese were very accurate with their shore batteries. From a range of 18,000 yards (10.3 miles), the Japanese greatest error was 75 yards and nearest miss was 25 feet. PETO stated that it is hard to believe but they would not try to verify it!
12 May 1945: They USS PETO arrives at their LIFEGUARD station 20 miles south of Marcus Island at 1030L. About 3 hours later, at 1340L, they made SD radar contact at 18 miles on the approaching B24 bomber group with their IFF. Overheard the pilots trying to find the island. The submarine coached them on us with SD radar ranges when they finally made radar contact with Marcus Island. and commenced their bomb run. Marcus Island was enveloped in smoke and at 1455L the bombers reported the raid was completed with no troubles and they had no assignment fo the submarine. They were unable to communicate by VHF.
13 May 1945: They remained surfaced throughout the night and at 0500L they received radio notifications of another bombing raid that day scheduled for 1700L. At 0525, they submerged 4 miles south of Marcus Island for a look at the island. They noted three very high radar towers on the SE corner of the island, two of which have bed spring antennas. Several small building are scattered along the southern end and one large structure is between the radar towers. On the southern side are three radio towers. A small pier near the center of the south coast has a small cargo boom which may be used for servicing sea planes. There was no apparent damage to any of the installations. We want a better look at closer range but fell reticent about closing the coast due to our complete lack of information on the area. Our only chart (#2930) is inadequate, being devoid of any soundings and since our original assignment was to the Lifeguard League, we were given no information on Marcus Island.
They proceeded submerged to the south of the island and surfaced 14 miles south. At 1638, they made SD radar contact with the bombers at 28 miles. The 10 B-24s bombed the island and departed to the south without any problems.
Approximately an hour later, at 1725L they made SD radar contact with an aircraft at 9 miles distance and sighted it shortly thereafter. No IFF was noted. When the plane reached 5 miles distance, the plane headed in and the USS PETO dove. No definite identification could be made in the hazy visibility but it was thought to be a Japanese MAVIS flying boat. At 1837L they surfaced and sent to ComSubPac a message noting the possible enemy aircraft contact.
14 May 1945, Monday: Routine patrol until 1330L when they made SD radar contact on a plane at 13 miles with no IFF. They lost contact with it 20 minutes later. At 1500L they received instructions from ComSubPac to rotate their stations close enough to Marcus Island to observe landing or take-offs of planes on Marcus Island. They were concerned for Kamikaze planes staging through Marcus Island to strike the American anchorage at Ulithi Atoll.
15 May 1945, Tuesday: Received information on a B24 raid tomorrow. Two squadrons of B-24s were to be over target from 1830 until 1845L at low altitude. They stated “This should be a good show”. They then discovered no one on the boat knew how many planes were in a “squadron”.
At 1805, sighted a US Navy PBY at 12 miles out. The plane closed and circled at 1 mile but refused to answer our challenge nor did he use IFF. He used our SubCall B call instead of our lifeguard call to tell us he is covering the strike too. But by 1930L, with no word form the bombers, the PBY shoved off telling us he had served his time and was returning to base. Shortly afterwards we heard the PBY talking to someone. Then he asked us if we had contact with Boxcars? We did not and the raid never materialized. Decided they couldn’t find the island.
16 May 1945, Wednesday: SD contact was made at 18 miles, friendly at 1357. However, by 1438, all SD contacts were lost and planes were never sighted. There are no indications of a raid and no communications were established.
At 1850L made SD contact on a single plane at 8 miles and closing. The plane continued to close and with no identification, the submarined submerged.
At 1935L sighted explosions via the periscope of explosions on Marcus island. The USS PETO subfaces and sighted many B-24s returning from this unannounced raid. They noted “Why doesn’t someone tell us these things?”
At 1946L, a lone straggler B-24 sighted, much lower than his comrades, which have disappeared to the west. It closed to within one mile. Plane still on a westward course and fired two red flares. It is getting dark and don’t believe he sees us. He must be in trouble. the submarine answered with green rockets. He immediately circled us and flashed his light at us. We turned on our searchlight on him and fired more rockets. He finally circle into a cloud and was lost on SD radar at 12 miles, indicating his low altitude. We went to full speed heading his last bearing and sent message to ComSubPac asking if plane was ok. All efforts to contact this plane on 4475 and VHF failed. The sub continued to fire green flares every 15 minutes.
At 2300L, received belated information on today’s raid. Msg 161246 said 12 Liberators will hit Marcus at 160745 and again at 160800. Also informed that there is no word on the plane in trouble. The search for the plane was abandoned at 2340L.
PATROL OF THE USS PIRANHA: May 1945 through
17 May 1945, Thursday: The US Navy submarine USS PIRANHA (SS389) gets underway on her fifth war patral from Midway Island under air escort. She proceeds at 15 knots enroute to Marcus Island to act as LIFEGUARD, relieving USS PETO on station.
23 May 1945: The USS PIRANHA (SS-389) arrives on station in the waters around Marcus Island, relieving USS PETO
23 May 1945: Sights Marcus Island at 1000K. She dove and did a reconnaissance around the island. That night, she surfaced 9 miles west of the island and continued her reconnaissance. She approached within 7000 yards from the east on the surface, but saw no torpedo targets.
The submarine USS PIRANHA torpedoes Marcus Island.
24 May 1945: After spending the night on the surface charging her batteries, The USS PIRANHA dove in the early morning and approached Marcus island again from the east. At 1000K she sighted a floating pier, a marine railway on the beach, and large kingposts and a cargo handling boom on the pier on the south side of the island. The CO decided that since this appeared to be the only place ships or submarines could approach and unload supplies, he would try to destroy it with a torpedo.
At 1211K he fired one MK 14 torpedo set in low power, zero feet depth setting at a range of 4000 yards. The torpedo was seen to run erratic to the right, broaching several times. There was no explosion and the torpedo was deemed a miss and a dud. The sub cleared the area to the south and did not try again to damage the unloading area. At 1518K they surfaced and took up their Lifeguard station on the west side of Marcus Island. They maintained a listening watch on the agreed lifeguard frequencies of 500kc and on VHF radio. At 1720, 26 B24 bombers were seen to bomb Marcus Island, in two waves. All planes left to the southeast and there was no apparent trouble with any of them. No communications were heard on the assigned frequencies.
The Mark 14 torpedo was notorious for failures, with over a 50% failure rate. Submarine commanders complained loudly about them, but the higher command, who was responsible for developing the torpedo, stonewalled further testing of “their” torpedo. Infighting by area commanders and Ordnance department chiefs seeking to extend or protect their spheres of power were responsible for the slow reaction. First the magnetic exploder did not work, so Nimitz issued an order on 24 June 1943 to deactivate them. Then they found the contact exploders did not work often either. It was through testing ordered by the Admiral Lockwood that they found the problem to it. (1)
The USS PIRANHA continued to patrol the waters around Marcus Island for the next few days. On the 26th of May 1945, they closed to within 4000 yards of the pier for a good look just at morning twilight. Sighting nothing, they retired to the south. Twenty minutes later, shore batteries on Marcus Island fired several rounds at their periscope, with no damage noted. At 0900K they surfaced 10 miles south of Marcus Island and picked up a large piece of Japanese shrapnel lying on their after deck.
26 May 1945, Saturday: At 1756K the USS PIRANHA received a ComSubPac dispatch telling them of an eight plane B-24 strike on Marcus Island . They immediately set a constan listening watch on 500kc and VHF and at 1756 sighted nine B24 Liberators over Marcus Island. After the bombing, at 1800K, the leader of the B24s reported all planes were ok and they were on their way back to Guam. A minute later, Japanese shore batteries fired four salvos, 3 doubles and 1 singleton, at the submarine. The singleton landed 50 yards from the submarine on their starboard quarter. They immediately increased speed to 19 knots and opened the distance between them and Marcus Island. The salvos all fell short. They took note that 22,000 yards (12.5 miles ) was the maximum range of the shore battery.
27 May 1945: The USS Piranha conducted a surface patrol in the vicinity of Marcus Island, making complete circuits of the island, staying at least 12 miles out.
28 May 1945: The submarine conducted another surface patrol around the island. At 1855K, four search lights were sighted on Marcus. After watching the lights for about an hour, they decided the Japanese were trying to assist landing aircraft find the island. The USS Piranha made a sweep around the island to investigate. At 2041K the sub’s SD radar made contact on two planes about 10 miles south of Marcus Island, and about four miles from the submarine. They immediately dived and watch the island through their periscope. It was a bright moonlit night and the airfield was lighted. The island radar towers were let with red lights. They believe they landed planes but were unable to see any. At 2102K they retired to the south and surfaced so they could notify ComSubPac of the probable Japanese planes landing at Marcus Island. By 2230K, all lights were out on the island.
SD RADAR: The first SD radars installed on US submarines was a basic air-search radar. It was not directional but it could give the boat a warning if a plane was within six miles of the submarine. Subs would almost always dive at the first approach of an unidentified aircraft
30 May 1945 Wednesday: At 0100L in the early morning, the submarine USS PIRANHA received a reply back from ComSubPac. ComSubPac dispatch 291136 notified them that twelve B24 Liberators would be making a strike on Marcus Island that day at 1300K. They assumed their Lifeguard station south of the island and set up their radio watch on 500KC and VHF 4475. At 1330K they sighted 10 Liberators 20 miles southwest of Marcus Island. All planes completed their bomb runs safely and turned to head home. The sub was never able to see more than 10 airplanes and assumed two must have turned back.
That night while on the surface recharging their batteries with the diesel engines, they received ComSubPac serial 34 telling them to leave Marcus island on 1 June 1945 and to proceed to Saipan for fuel. The USS PILOTFISH is to relieve them.
As a parting shot to the island, the submarine USS Piranha bombards Marcus Island with their deck guns on their last night on station
31 May 1945 Thursday: At 2300K, the USS Piranha approached Marcus Island from the west and went to battle stations gun action. They were going to bombard the island with their 4″ deck gun. The moon was just rising in the east. Scattered rain squalls and clouds were present. With the island between them and the moon, and the dark background of the clouds behind them, they believed it would be difficult for the Japanese to see them.
At 2331K, they commenced firing, passing down the westward side of the island on a southerly course, speed 5 knots. Surprisingly, the Japanese did not return fire. About 45 minutes later they ceased fire. They had fired 88 rounds of 4″ ammunition at the island. Two fires were started in about the center of the island, with a smudgy black smoke and dull flame in each fire. They cleared the island to the south.
A large number of fleet submarines were re-equipped with this deck gun. A former surface ship gun (these were the standard main armament on World War I destroyers), it was better with regard to shell size and range, but the pedestal mount allowed only limited elevation, and the long barrel, intended to improve accuracy, was far less effective on a submarine’s lively deck. (US Navy)
1 June 1945 Friday: After patrolling Marcus island all day, the submarine USS PIRANHA with its 79 men aboard, departed the area for Saipan at a speed of 15 knots, 1034 miles away. They had spent 9 1/2 days on station at Marcus island.
PATROL OF THE USS PILOTFISH: june 1945 through
2 June 1945: The USS PILOTFISH (SS-386), a Balao class submarine, arrives to take over the watch at Marcus Island
The USS PILOTFISH made a routine patrol of the Marcus Island waters until 4 June 1945.
4 June 1945: At 1140I, four unidentified aircraft were sighted over the island. They appeared to be medium bombers and many explosions could be seen. They have had no notification of any US bombing raid to take place that day. About four hours late, at 1535, they sighted a Japanese BETTY or LILLY circling four miles from the island. And, a hour later, at 1647I, another BETTY or LILLY was sighted circling three miles offshore.
12 June 1945: After several more days of uneventful patrolling, several planes were noted around Marcus Island. The only communication heard was the all planes were undamaged and were returning to base.
16 June 1945: After an uneventful 15 day patrol, the USS PILOTFISH and its 77 men left the waters of Marcus Island and proceeded to Saipan. During that period they had been forced to submerge as unidentified planes approached the island. It seemed that there was a reluctance on the part of the B24 bombers to leave their IFF turned on, which would have provided positive friendly identification.
In their Report of Fifth War Patrol, the USS PILOTFISH made the following comments on Lifeguard Communications: Communications on the lifeguard frequencies were generally satisfactory. Initial contact with plane cover was sometimes made on 4475kcs, but VHF communications usually prevailed with aircraft. The introduction of the new A.S.R. Coordinating Channel shortly before we left station presented difficulties, since it necessitated a guard on 4475kcs, VHF, Sub Fox, the A.S.R. Coordinating Channel, at all time, with 500kcs being added during the air strikes. A minimum of three radiomen on watch was necessary, even with speaker watches being stood on VHF and 4475kcs, and these, added to the coding officer, filled the radio shack to overflowing.
PATROL OF THE USS SEA FOX: June 1945 through
18 June 1945: The USS SEA FOX (SS402) arrives on station at Marcus Island for Lifeguard duty
18 June 1945 – Monday: The USS SEA FOX submerges for a first look at Marcus Island close in. “Observed the western and southern sides of the island from four miles. Noticed no activity. Buildings, radio and radar towers standing, apparently in good condition, despite previous air attacks. Sighted no aircraft.” They changed course and put some distance between them and Marcus Island, then surfaced.
19 June 1945- Tuesday: The SEA FOX received a dispatch from ComSubsPac at 0700L notifying them of a planned B24 Liberator air strike that day at 1600L. They then proceeded to their designated Lifeguard station 20 miles west of Marcus Island.
1500: Established communication with a US PBY-2 DUMBO (rescue) aircraft who would also be on station for the air strike.
1551: Sighted flights of Liberators, 11 planes in the first flight and 10 aircraft in the second flight. They passed overhead the submarine on their way to Marcus Island. Ten minutes later, a huge column of smoke begins to rise over Marcus Island. The surfaced submarine watched the planes fly back over them on the way home and noticed one Liberator had an engine that was leaving a trail of dark smoke.
1615: The US Navy PBY notified the USS SEA FOX that all the planes were on the way home. “Everything seems to be all right. If we need you, we will give you a call.” The sub acknowledged the message but decided to head in the direction of the departing B-24s in case the smoking Liberator needed help. They kicked in all four diesel engines to build up their speed. And it was a good thing they decided to follow the formations. Fifteen minutes later, the PBY came back up on the radio and said : “We have one casualty, apparently no one is hurt, He is limping home.”
1703: The PBY DUMBO informed the sub that there is a good possibility that the smoking B-24 will have to ditch and asked the sub to head in their direction.
1822: The PBY DUMBO again contacted the USS SEA FOX and stated that the B-24 Liberator had just ditched at position N20 50′ E150 55″. The sub changed course to head to the ditching location using all four of her diesel engines. They noted they would have to go through a “Air-Surface Zone” (essentially a free fire area) and sent a dispatch to ComSubsPac for permission to go through it. ETA to arrive at the ditching site is 0630L.
The SEA FOX finds the ditched B-24 Liberator aviators scattered throughout the ocean and picks them up
The following is taken verbatim from the USS SEA FOX War Patrol Report describing the action on 20 June 1945:
20 Jun 1945 – Wednesday:
0050: Received dispatch from ComSubsPac informing us to proceed to the position of the downed pilots.
0630: On station. Commenced steering courses conforming to search pattern. Sent dispatch to ComSubsPac concerning search area.
0813: Sighted three Liberators on horizon. Planes commenced searching area.
1100: Liberators departed. Five planes (PBMs and PBYs) appeared and commenced searching.
1200: Position: Lat 20 59 45N Long 151 15 45E
1207: PBM dropped two smoke bombs near object in water three miles ahead.
1212: Picked up empty and deflated rubber boat.
1222: Planes dropped smoke bombs in three different positions about tow miles apart, distance six miles. Proceeded at best speed to one dead ahead.
1233: Sighted yellow dye in water. On searching area, sighted body of aviator in “Mae West”. Body was about three feet under water. Commenced to pick up body.
1235: Body sank out of sight when alongside. Body was later identified as: Sergeant John Francis Barret, USAAF, Radioman of downed Liberator.
1237: Sighted two survivors swimming in water, bearing 045 R, distant one mile – maneuvered to pick them up.
1241: Picked up two survivors, both weak and chafed by the sun and sea. Sent them below for treatment. Our “box car” hand and foot grips on each side of the sea ladder are very effective in helping retrieve weak aviators.
1303: Pick up third survivor hanging on to partially inflated life raft. Proceeded to another raft two miles on port beam.
1311: Recovered four survivors in life raft. Plane dropped smoke bomb near raft two miles on port quarter. Proceeded to that position.
1337: Picked up another survivor in life raft.
1356: Picked up another survivor who was asleep in life raft. He was startled and had a very surprised look on his face when we came alongside the raft and shouted at him.
In all, we had recovered nine the crew of eleven. On member of the crew known dead, and one remained with the plane which later crashed near Tinian.
Following are listed the names of survivors received aboard: 1Lt Robert Carman DAVIS, 0-750957, USAAF; 2Lt Joseph James ARENA, 0-929856, USAAF; 2Lt Floyd William BEANBLOSSOM, 0-674548, USAAF; Flight Officer Anthony August DI BENEDETTO, T-129651, USAAF; Sergeant Ronald Moore BUTLER, 15128168, USAAF; Sergeant Joe Lewis FREIMAN, 1613791, USAAF, Sergeant Thomas Milton POWERS, 13180939, USAAF; and Corporal James Arthur MC DONALD, 36737608, USAAF; all members of FORTY SECOND Squadron, ELEVENTH Bomber Group.
1404: Commenced maneuvering to pick up five rubber life rafts and a parachute.
1525: Set course for return to lifeguard duty off MARCUS. Sent dispatches to ComSubsPac with results of rescue.
21 June 1945 – 0830: On station fifty miles west of MARCUS. Made trim dive.
For the rest of the day, the B-24 aviators got used to submarine life. The USS SEA FOX’s captain, Commander Roy C KLINKER, decided to put on a show for them as nothing was happing around Marcus Island. That afternoon, they inflated one of the rubber boats they had picked up and rigged a radar reflector mast on it for tests of their radar and for gunnery drills. Set adrift, they were able to track the raft out to 4,700 yards on their SJ (Surface) radar. They then submerged to begin their gunnery drill. “Battle Surface guns” was called by Commander KLINKER and the boat came up rapidly and the gun crews spewed upon the wet deck of their submarine to the5″ gun forward of the conning tower and to the 40mm Bofors cannons on the conning tower. Two minutes after surfacing, they opened up on the rubber raft with their 5″ gun and their 40mm cannon.
At 1417 they secured from battle stations and resumed patrolling the area around Marcus island on the surface. That night, they received a dispatch from ComSubsPac notifying them of another B24 Liberator strike the next day on Marcus Island. Three B24s from Guam would hit the island at 0545 in the morning on 22 June 1945. They set course to their Lifeguard station 20 miles west of Marcus Island.
22 June 1945: Patrolling to the west of Marcus Island, they noted the Marcus island radar towers bearing 040 (T) by their high periscope. By 0545 the lookouts on the USS Sea Fox still had not seen the three B24s. At 0610, ComSubsPac notified them that the B-24s had cancelled. They submerged and closed to within 3 miles of the island. A motion picture was taken of the southern side.
After an uneventful few days, they received word that two B-24 Liberators would hit Marcus at 0600 on 24 June 1945 and then twenty one B-24s would hit it at 1400 the same afternoon.
24 June 1945: On the surface west of Marcus Island, the USS Sea Fox sighted a B17 Dumbo at 0550. Flying out of Iwo Jima, the specially modified B17s had just recently arrived at Iwo Jima and were a part of the increased US AAF interest in air sea rescue. They could drop a powered boat by parachute to a downed aircrew in the water.
And at 0635, smoke was sighted rising over Marcus island from bomb hits. At 0704L they received word that all the airplanes were safely returning to their home station. While waiting for the afternoon strike, the submarine picked up an airborne radar contact on their SD radar at 18 miles at 0828L. They could not get a friendly identification on it so were forced to dive by the time the plane reached 9 miles. Surfacing later R 0925, an all clear was given. They established contact with a DUMBO aircraft covering the strike on their VHF radio. And, at 1407L, two flights of Liberators passed overhead them as they flew toward Marcus Island for another bomb run. Shortly afterwards, they then noted bomb burst and heavy black smoke rising over Marcus island as the two wave of bombers hit the island.,
It was over by 1428L and they received a message from the flight leader that everything is all right and the planes are returning to their base in Guam.
For the next few days, the submarine USS Sea Fox, with their 9 surviving air crew members watching, patrolled off Marcus island and observed several more days of B-24 strikes on the island.
29 June 1945: In the early morning, ComSubsPac notified the USS Sea Fox that this would be their last day on station near Marcus and and that they could depart Marcus at sunset today and proceed to Saipan.
From back to front and left to right, first group of 12 boats:
Sand Lance (SS-381)
Tunny (SS-282)
Aspro (SS-309)
Lionfish (SS-298)
Guvania (SS-362)
Sunfish (SS-281)
Macabi (SS-375)
Gurnard (SS-254)
Pampanito (SS-383)
Mingo (SS-261)
Guitarro (SS-363)
Bashaw (SS-241)
From back to front and left to right, second group of 12 boats:
Sealion (SS-315)
Hammerhead (SS-364)
Bream (SS-243)
Seahorse (SS-304)
Tinosa (SS-283)
Pintado (SS-387)
Mapiro (SS-376)
Pipefish (SS-388)
Moray (SS-300)
Batfish (SS-310)
Hackleback (SS-295)
Bluegill (SS-242)
From back to front and left to right, third group of 12 boats:
Hawkbill (SS-366)
Menhaden (SS-377)
Perch (SS-313)
Loggerhead (SS-374)
Barbero (SS-317)
Baya (SS-318)
Hardhead (SS-365)
Spadefish (SS-411)
Springer (SS-414)
Devilfish (SS-292)
Kraken (SS-370)
Dragonet (SS-293)
From back to front and left to right, fourth group of 12 boats:
Lamprey (SS-372)
Piranha (SS-389)
Manta (SS-299)
Pargo (SS-264)
Rancador (SS-301)
Archerfish (SS-311)
Mero (SS-378)
Sawfish (SS-276)
Spot (SS-413)
Lizardfish (SS-373)
Jallao (SS-368)
Icefish (SS-367)
From back to front and left to right, last group of 4 boats:
Steelhead (SS-280)
Puffer (SS-268)
Stickleback (SS-415)
Trepang (SS-412)
From back to front, Submarine Tenders group of 4 ships:
Pelias (AS-14)
Aegir (AS-23)
Euryale (AS-22)
Griffin (AS-13)
REFERENCES
- WAR BENEATH THE SEA, Peter Padfield; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; New York