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Guardfish (SS-217) In the summer of 1942, the USS Guardfish made 77 enemy contacts in half that number of days, without the benefit of search radar. With incredible accuracy she made an outstanding record of 11 hits and eight sinkings. The Guardfish was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the patrol in which she set the record for number of enemy ships destroyed on a single patrol.
Transcript
00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykerz, retired.
00:29The story in this chapter of the Silent Service happened in the rough days of 1942.
00:35The USS Guardfish came back with one of the fullest bags of enemy ships ever recorded on a single patrol.
00:42In order to do this, they had to move in extremely close to the coast of Honshu.
00:47In fact, so close that they became absorbed in watching through the periscope some very intriguing Japanese horseplay on the beach.
00:59The story really began in early March of 1942 in the office of Captain Bowen, Submarine Force Chief of Staff.
01:08Bowen's guest was the skipper of the S-17, Thomas Burton Clackering of Annapolis, Maryland.
01:14A fine submariner, a man with a flair for the unusual and the daring.
01:19Line patrol, Bert.
01:21Thank you, sir.
01:22A little unorthodox, perhaps. Trying to ram a U-boat.
01:26It's a matter of position, sir. I had no alternative.
01:29Seems to me I recall several instances of your inventiveness.
01:35Important quality inventiveness. I think we can put yours to good use. I have some good news for you.
01:40We are sending you to command the new submarine Guardfish.
01:47She's building right here in New London, isn't she, sir?
01:52Yes.
01:54And she's ready for her crew right now.
01:56But she's no more ready than I am, sir.
01:59The following weeks were busy ones for Lieutenant Commander Clackering.
02:07And while, with his customary thoroughness, he prepared his new command, another scene was taking place.
02:13A scene between two experienced torpedoes, temporarily stationed at a naval barracks while awaiting further orders.
02:20The men, torpedoes Charles Cullen, familiarly called Arkansas,
02:23and torpedoes Bernard Bartell, familiarly called a variety of names.
02:30Say the magic word, boy. Speak in your native tongue. Come on.
02:34The guardfish, Bernie.
02:36Ha!
02:37You've made the seven.
02:38You mean it!
02:39We're still together, Bernie.
02:41Could they separate Damon and what's-his-name? A boy and his dog?
02:44The army and powdered eggs? They want to win the war, boy, not blow it.
02:50Just think of it, Archie. Honolulu.
02:52Honolulu.
02:53Swaying palms.
02:55And similar type girls.
02:58Hey.
02:59You know what we need?
03:00A scheme.
03:01A scheme to keep us there.
03:03A nice disabling injury.
03:04Something painless but permanent, you know?
03:06Now, Bernie, before you go thinking up any of your wild schemes,
03:10you better take a look at the name of our skipper.
03:13Clackering.
03:15Glad to have him aboard.
03:17Heard about him.
03:18Now, any fella that steps right up and tries to ram a U-boat
03:21ain't the kind of fella to hold still for any messin' around.
03:25Sounds like a good seaman.
03:27Probably do his credit.
03:29Hey, wait a minute.
03:31Hey, wait a minute.
03:33Maybe not, not an injury.
03:35Maybe a nice, obscure disease.
03:37Now, that has possibilities, huh?
03:39Bernie, you're gonna get us in the doghouse before we're even aboard.
03:43You hurt me, boy. You're hurting me.
03:46Right here.
03:48Alright.
03:49I'll think of something before we get there.
03:51Bernie.
03:52And if I don't, we'll make a few patrols.
03:54After all, they are paying us.
03:56I just hope those guys are better poker players on the last boat, huh?
03:59On 6 August 1942, the new submarine Guardfish moved silently away from the docks of Pearl Harbor,
04:11a destination in the coastal zone of northeastern Honshu for combat and coastal reconnaissance.
04:17In addition to his pride in his new command, Captain Clackering would have good reason to be equally proud of his officers and crew.
04:23Among them were the executive officer, Lieutenant Herman Koslow of Portsmouth, Virginia,
04:28an experienced and most dependable submarine.
04:31Lieutenant Bladen D. Clackett of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, gunnery officer of the Guardfish.
04:37And Lieutenant Ernest L. Schwab, Jr. of Brooklyn, New York.
04:40Schwab was the communications officer.
04:43Suit ya?
04:45Well, any little thing we can do for you, just feel free.
04:48Well, just make sure it stays ship-shaped.
04:49Two bits says you're never finding anything but.
04:52A betting man, huh?
04:54No, Chief, but a small wager from time to time, I'm not adverse.
04:57You'll lose more than the bet if I ever catch those racks out at you.
05:00Always open, Chief. Cover anything at top odds.
05:03Kentucky Derbies.
05:05Price fights.
05:07License plate numbers.
05:09Enemy sinkings.
05:11No sporting blood.
05:13Bernie, don't you think maybe you're rushing things a might?
05:16We only just about cleared Pearl.
05:19I'm just laying the groundwork. Gotta stir up the action.
05:23Here we're gonna have plenty of it. But not the kind you mean.
05:26Oh, fat little ear to the ground, huh? Splendid. Splendid.
05:30Now tell me, where does the rumor factory have us going?
05:33All the way. Them things is really gonna be a-flying.
05:36I got a feeling you ain't gonna have much time for betting.
05:38Marky, how are you ever gonna get anywhere without some adaptability, huh?
05:45Huh? That's a sweet little piece of machinery. Sweet!
05:48Tell me something. Every time you fire one, what says you can't bet on it?
05:52On 19 August, after running out of a vicious storm, the guard fish had reached a position just outside a patrol area.
06:03For a submarine that was to make 77 enemy contacts in half that many days, without the benefit of search radar,
06:10a very first contact produced strange results.
06:13The target, a Japanese merchant ship that should have been a sitting duck.
06:17All three exploded prematurely. That's fine.
06:32I couldn't be anything else, sir. We haven't called.
06:37Escort, Captain. Coming fast.
06:40Hold her at periscope depth.
06:42Maybe we can get a shot at her.
06:43She's turning.
06:47Brick for depth charge.
06:49Brick for depth charge.
07:01You're the betting man, Bernie.
07:03What's the price on depth charges today?
07:08I'll make you a price.
07:10The trouble is collecting if they hit.
07:14We don't even get our shot here. She played it safe. Ran. We're just showing her muscle.
07:18Take you 180 feet.
07:20We'll stay submerged the rest of the day and then enter the patrol area after dark.
07:25Captain, about those torpedoes. All three should have been hits.
07:29I'd rather think we fired them into the wide open spaces. A miss is a miss.
07:33But if those warheads are defective...
07:35Well, they're gone now.
07:37That's not the point.
07:39How many of the rest of them are faulty? That's the point.
07:41What's the point?
07:49I'll see you. Loyal shipmates and crew.
07:56Dine, friend. All dine.
07:59Hey, do you know that in China a straight beats a flush?
08:02Tell them, native. Spread the knowledge.
08:03I wouldn't know. I play mountain style.
08:08Ah, my chief. Come, be mortal. The labors of the day are behind.
08:12Relax. A hand, perhaps, huh?
08:15You guys know what's good for you. You'll break it up. Or at least walk on eggs.
08:18Skipper ain't exactly happy.
08:21Oh, them messes, huh?
08:23Just play it soft.
08:25Well, I've fixed the quid, anyway. I think I've just about had it.
08:29Might if I sit in?
08:32Well, the old master just about had it, too.
08:35To be continued, huh, fellas?
08:36Good job, fellas.
08:46Burning.
08:48Yeah.
08:49As long as I've known you, I've never seen you hurt nobody.
08:52Now, why'd you try to freeze out that kid?
08:55I don't know, Aki.
08:57I didn't do it to be rude.
08:59I just...
09:01I just don't know.
09:03You said it yourself, Captain.
09:05There isn't any way of knowing about the rest of those torpedoes.
09:08Maybe only those three were...
09:10Maybe isn't good enough, Herm.
09:12Endangering officers and men when you're maneuvering for shot is one thing.
09:16But to do it when you're not even sure of your torpedoes...
09:19What are you going to do, Captain?
09:21The only thing I can do...
09:22You said for me, Captain?
09:24We'll surface in a little while.
09:25I want to send a radio message to the Force Commander.
09:27Yes, sir.
09:29I'm requesting permission to try for contact hits,
09:32rather than none of the keel magnetic explosions,
09:34because of the uncertainty of the warheads.
09:36You understand?
09:37Yes, sir.
09:38That's all.
09:42It comes down to one simple thing.
09:44I've got a feeling it's going to get real busy.
09:46We want to make the most of it.
09:48I don't mind the enemy trying to stop us,
09:50but I don't want us giving him any help.
09:52That night, the guard fish moved silently into its area of patrol.
10:07The waters off the northeastern coast of Honshu.
10:12Captain Clackring now waited eagerly for two things.
10:15He replied to his radio message,
10:16and the moment the guard fish would draw first blood.
10:19The captain was not kept waiting at all.
10:23Battle stations, gun action, Clacket!
10:25Clacket!
10:28Did you make him out, Captain?
10:29Trawler!
10:32I'm Trawler! She's your baby, Clacket!
10:34Yes, sir.
10:36Gun crews on deck!
10:38Gun crew?
10:40That ain't nice, with all that pretty fish of sitting back there.
10:43I must recommend this crew. It's never a dull moment.
10:45It's never a dull moment.
10:46It's never a dull moment.
10:47It's never a dull moment.
10:48No, it's never a dull moment.
10:49No, it's never a dull moment.
10:50You can see that.
10:51It's a good moment.
10:52A Trawler.
10:54A trawler?
11:13Not exactly a tanker, but we've got to take them as they come.
11:22Plenty of fight in her.
11:24She sure doesn't like being taken.
11:25Clackett's boys know their way around that deck gun. Any minute.
11:41Not much doubt about that cargo, sir.
11:43Oil.
11:44A lot better than I hoped for.
11:45That's a lot of oil the enemy's gonna do without.
11:47Well, this is something you won't be unhappy about either, sir.
11:50I got your radio reply from the Admiral just before I started up here.
11:53She says permission granted, Captain.
11:54Get them any way you can.
11:55Good.
11:56Good.
11:57It was a beginning.
11:59It was a beginning.
12:01And once it had begun, the patrol area began to prove its worth as a hunting ground.
12:06Slowly at first, and with fortune seeming to reserve her smiles for the gun crew of the
12:11guard fish.
12:13And in less than 24 hours, it had repeated a similar performance, this time against a small ship.
12:22Captain Clackering had indeed summed it up when he said, we have to take them as they come.
12:27Well, I reckon about the only way to get any action on this, Tubbs, to join up with the gun crew.
12:36There's action and action native.
12:39Care for the gentler kind?
12:41Ah.
12:42I'll play Bernie.
12:43I was only kidding, Joe.
12:45I mean, I'm a little too restless.
12:47A little later, huh?
12:49You sore at me or something, Bernie?
12:52What are you talking about?
12:53What a ridiculous thing to say.
12:54Stole it!
12:55Huh?
12:56How long did you think it was going to take him to get the eye to his bin brushed?
13:06A year?
13:07No, look, native.
13:08Bernie.
13:09I know some fellas have to have at least one patsy, but I never even suspected to choose
13:15one of them fellas.
13:16Are you kidding?
13:17I wouldn't do a thing like that.
13:18That's a nice kid.
13:19Then why are you brushing?
13:22The...
13:23Well, this is more like it.
13:32Virgin Man coming out of Kinkasan Harbor.
13:34Make ready all torpedo tubes.
13:35Set depth to ten feet.
13:42Bearing.
13:43Mark.
13:44Zero, four, two.
13:45Range.
13:46Mark.
13:47One, nine, zero, zero.
13:49Fire one.
13:53He's going down with the screw still turning.
14:08That's the real start.
14:09Let's hope there's plenty more.
14:12Captain Clackering never dared hope how completely his wish was to be answered.
14:18While large numbers of angry enemy patrol craft searched for the guardfish, he managed
14:23to maneuver into position and add another freighter to the credit side of the guardfish's
14:27legend.
14:29There was no way of knowing that within 48 hours, guardfish was to set an incredible record
14:42that still stands.
14:48Use another player?
14:52Okay, small stakes like always.
15:13Three freighters hold down on the horizon.
15:16Might be the advanced section of a convoy, though.
15:19Ready as you go.
15:34Raise.
15:40Joe, what are you proving, huh?
15:42We started playing for pennies, right?
15:45You've raised it how many times now?
15:47Now I'm looking down your throat and you're still raising.
15:50Come on, knock it off.
15:51I made my bet.
15:56I caught you.
16:02Three tens.
16:05What's good?
16:20Look, I don't want charity.
16:25I owe you 80 bucks.
16:27All right.
16:28You'll get it.
16:29The convoy captain?
16:30Two fat ones.
16:31Look like ore carriers.
16:32Make ready old torpedo tubes.
16:33No bets on this here fish?
16:34I had enough betting for a while.
16:36Range!
16:37Mark!
16:38One five.
16:39Zero, zero, zero.
16:40Pidotubes!
16:44No bets on this here fish?
16:55I had enough betting for a while.
17:04Range!
17:05Mark!
17:061-5-0-0!
17:08Par 1!
17:101-5-0-0!
17:20Settle down!
17:21Settle down!
17:22There's still one standing!
17:25Fire 2!
17:28Fire 3!
17:29Two in less than a minute.
17:46That's country fair shooting, Captain.
17:48I got a feeling this is our day, and it's young yet.
17:51Put us on course for Fujiwan Bay.
17:52That harbor does a lot of business.
17:54Maybe we can get some of it.
17:55Yes, sir.
17:59Bernie, why did you try to keep from playing with Joe?
18:08A feeling.
18:10Been playing cards long enough.
18:11You can spot a guy who's running, scared, afraid to lose.
18:15I wish I knew why.
18:17Just found out from his buddy.
18:19Coleman?
18:21You were right.
18:23Joe's scared.
18:25Got no right to play, even for pennies.
18:27Been married for less than a year.
18:29Got a kid on the way.
18:31Still supports his folks.
18:33Them pennies count.
18:36What did I do?
18:37What do you think?
18:38I won his 80 bucks.
18:41Not after you tried to throw it back to him.
18:44That's a mighty nice thing for you to do, Bernie.
18:46Yeah.
18:47Only it didn't work.
18:50I don't know.
18:52I'll figure out a way.
18:54Somehow.
18:54Somehow.
18:59Captain Clackering was right.
19:03It was his day.
19:05For less than an hour later, outside of Coogee Bay, still a third freighter appeared in the crosshairs of the scope.
19:11This one fully 6,500 yards away.
19:13Bearing.
19:16Mark.
19:16One, four, three.
19:18Range.
19:20Mark.
19:20Six, four, nine, three.
19:23Fire, four.
19:26Captain fired a single shot.
19:28A lone torpedo that took almost seven and a half minutes to travel to Nelly four miles to the target.
19:39Another hour saw still a fourth enemy vessel slide to the bottom.
19:42Another victim of the guardfish's incredible accuracy.
19:46Down scope.
19:47Oh, believe it.
19:49Four in three hours.
19:50The crews and those freighters, maybe.
19:52We're still not finished.
19:53That coastline information?
19:54Right.
19:54Set your course and we'll get it now.
19:56We finish that and we can head for Midway.
19:58Yes, sir.
20:06Shallow beach areas with ragged, almost perpendicular cliffs in back of that.
20:11You got it?
20:12Yes, sir.
20:17Haram, would you say this has been an unusual day?
20:25Yes, Captain.
20:27Well, it isn't over.
20:28Take a look.
20:32Do you see what I see?
20:36Yeah, I thought I'd had it too.
20:38A horse race.
20:39Japanese racetrack.
20:41How do you like that?
20:42I can see everything, even the colors.
20:48Okay, everybody take a look, but we can't waste too much time.
20:52Al, take a look.
20:56Guy?
20:56Are you sure?
21:04Sure is sure.
21:05It's a real horse race.
21:08Oh, I got it.
21:09I got it, fellas.
21:09This is it.
21:10Why let it pass?
21:11It's too good.
21:12Here's what we do.
21:13We have a pool.
21:14Everybody chips in a few bucks.
21:16Now, the winning number is the combination in order to finish, okay?
21:20Yeah, but how are we going to know?
21:22I'm off watch.
21:23I'll kind of ease up to the tower, look pathetic, and the old man's a good guy, you know?
21:28He'll give me a look.
21:29That's my boy.
21:30Come on, man.
21:31Everybody in?
21:32Let me have that pepper.
21:41Yes, Bartell?
21:42Oh, sir?
21:44I, uh...
21:45I, uh...
21:46Yes, I know.
21:46You were just passing by, huh?
21:48Well, don't mind me, sir.
21:49I just heard some laughing.
21:50I figured maybe, uh...
21:51Well, I hope you're a better torpedo man than you are an actor.
21:54Well, what are you waiting for?
21:55Go on, take a look.
21:56Yes, sir.
21:57Thank you, sir.
22:03A horse race.
22:04A real life horse race.
22:07I could smell the two yen window, man.
22:10Oh, man.
22:10Now, Bernie, you quit.
22:11Come on, who wins?
22:13Oh, the pool.
22:15Uh, 183.
22:16Who's got 183?
22:17Well, you got the last, man.
22:18I...
22:19Oh, yeah.
22:19Okay.
22:20Let's see.
22:21183.
22:24183 is Williams.
22:26Joe Williams.
22:34You got a little over 100 bucks coming to you, kid.
22:36I'll get it for you, huh?
22:38Bernie.
22:39Look.
22:41Thanks.
22:43Don't thank me, kid.
22:44Thank the horses.
22:45They did the running.
22:46Just don't make a hobby out of there, okay?
22:48I won't.
22:49But...
22:50Thanks.
22:51Right.
22:57Bernie.
22:58Yeah?
22:59You know, he's still gonna insist on paying that poker debt.
23:03Well, what's to stop me from sending the money to his wife?
23:06You gotta get up pretty early in the morning to fool Bernie.
23:09Right, Native?
23:10I got a feeling Bernie just did a little fooling of his own.
23:16Now, come on.
23:17Tell the Native boy.
23:18Did 183 really win?
23:22Bernie?
23:24Bernie?
23:26I don't know.
23:27I never did see the horse race.
23:29I was watching a dame all the time.
23:31When on 15th September, the guardfish entered the lagoon at Midway,
23:40she had fired all but one of her 24 torpedoes.
23:43Her 11 hits and 8 sinkings are still talked about in the silent service,
23:47as is the presidential unit citation conferred upon her for the daring patrol.
23:52Before the war ended, she was to win a second such honor for her valiant efforts.
23:56I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
24:08We have with us Captain Herman Kossler,
24:11Commander of Submarine Squadron 2,
24:13who is the Executive Officer on the guardfish
24:15and the patrol you've just witnessed.
24:18Herman, as I remember, this patrol, the guardfish,
24:20gave us all a record to shoot at for some time.
24:23We were pretty proud of that run.
24:24You had every reason to be.
24:27The whole submarine force was proud to know you.
24:30Now tell us about this horse racing business.
24:32Well, with the periscope in high power,
24:35it brought the race course up close enough for us to watch what was going on.
24:39I understand your skipper was honored by the racing officials when you got back.
24:43Yes, he was, sir.
24:44He was made an honorary member of the New York State Racing Commission,
24:48and there was a Commander Clackering Day at Pimlico.
24:51Herman, you had a wonderful experience,
24:53and we are mighty pleased you could be here.
24:54Thank you, sir.
24:56Please be with us again for another exciting story of the silent service.
25:01Take her down, there's not been light
25:06Through the deep blue underneath the ocean
25:10We'll control the ocean's wide
25:15From down, down underneath the sea
25:19Save the force, but pass the word
25:23In the future's yet to be
25:27That will save a submarine
25:29That will save as long as there's
25:32A submarino underneath the sea
25:35So wait for a dive and take her down
25:40Down, down, go down, down underneath the ocean
25:44There's men, we'll find enough
25:48In the deep blue, underneath the sea.
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