- 4 months ago
The USS Batfish is ordered to intercept some enemy submarines that are carrying very important Japanese officials.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykes, retired.
00:29So many people have asked me whether submarines ever fight submarines.
00:36In this chapter of the Silent Service, we're going to take you along to the South China Sea
00:42as a passenger in the United States submarine Batfish on her Sixth War Patrol.
00:47There's nothing like getting the answer firsthand.
00:50In February 1945, units of the Eighth Army under Lieutenant General Hall had landed at Zambales in the Philippines.
01:04The U.S. forces were at the height of their power.
01:18The Japanese were on the run.
01:30With the United States in command of the sea and the air, there was no hope for a Dunkirk-type rescue.
01:39So they tried to save the important ones in a mad scramble.
01:45Some hoped to make it by air, only to fall victims to the relentless air patrol that blanketed the fields.
01:52Only a short distance to Formosa.
01:57They traveled in anything that would move.
02:00Some didn't get there.
02:02At sundown on the evening of February 9, 1945, the Japanese submarine I-41 departed from Apari.
02:11She was loaded with key Air Force personnel that would be needed in the defense of Formosa.
02:17Having finally reached what they thought was a haven of safety, they were feeling pretty good.
02:31Just one more hurdle.
02:33The USS Batfish.
02:35A skipper was Lieutenant Commander John K. Fyfe from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
02:45The executive officer was Lieutenant Clark K. Sprinkle from Youngstown, Ohio.
02:51Lieutenant John L. Fromm, Jr., from Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, brought the captain a message.
02:57Japanese apparently intend rescue of important people from the port of Apari by destroyer or submarine.
03:04Take station off that port without delay.
03:07There will be five submarines north of you at intervals on track to Formosa.
03:11Be careful to identify submarine targets before shooting.
03:15This puts us back in the big league, Larry.
03:18Right full rudder. All ahead, full.
03:34Here, let me see.
03:35One second.
03:41Time!
03:44Time!
03:45Time!
03:50Time!
03:51Time!
03:52Time!
03:53Time!
03:54Time!
03:55except at night.
03:56They'll have to leave Luzon early in the evening
03:58in order to get well clear before daylight.
04:01Now, ships coming down from Formosa
04:03will arrive about dawn.
04:05A sub could get a little jump on that time
04:06by starting out submerged in the afternoon.
04:09That's right.
04:10So we've got to take a position that'll get them either way.
04:12And this is it, right here.
04:1430 miles north of Apari.
04:16We should be able to catch them on the service
04:18any way they play it.
04:19If we catch them going north,
04:20they'll be loaded with Japanese generals.
04:23Yeah, going south, they'll be loaded with ammunition and supplies.
04:27Remember, if we knock off a southbound ship,
04:29they'll never take anyone north.
04:31Yeah, well, there it is.
04:33Any questions?
04:35This spot puts us pretty close to the area
04:37where the archbishop is operating, Captain.
04:40If he stays south, one of us might get hurt.
04:43This position has the best chance of paying off.
04:46And we're not moving out of it because of something
04:47that may never happen.
04:49You're the navigator, Sprink.
04:51Just make sure we stay south of his area
04:53and let him take care of himself.
04:54Aye, aye, sir.
04:57Well, Captain sure knows what he wants.
04:59Yeah, I hope he's right.
05:00Well, this is our sixth patrol,
05:02and he hasn't been up till now.
05:04We still have to be careful, Larry.
05:07Look, I have the best night vision on the ship.
05:09And both the captain and me on the bridge.
05:11We're not going to shoot our own people.
05:13Yeah?
05:15What guarantee can you give me
05:16that they're not going to shoot at us?
05:17Remember, that boat has one of the best
05:18shooting records in the force.
05:21I guess I can.
05:23Look, it's like our position.
05:24I know where we are, but do they know where they are?
05:27Looks like we're going to have to trust you, Sprink.
05:29Let's go get a cup of coffee.
05:30No, you go ahead, Larry.
05:31I'm going to take a star sight.
05:41That's for luck, baby!
05:43Hey, fellas!
05:52Here comes a spy from the forward torpedo room.
05:56What you doing back here, Lions?
06:00Can't you tell when the man's just slumming?
06:02Slumming, eh?
06:04Yeah, you don't think I'd be back here
06:05for any other reason, do you?
06:07All right, spill it.
06:09We got work to do.
06:11Okay, okay, simmer down.
06:14It's just the sporting proposition
06:16my men asked me to make to you.
06:18It's just this.
06:19We found some real expensive dolls
06:21back in Honolulu.
06:22And when we get back,
06:23we want to take them on a full-power run.
06:25Now, since we travel first class,
06:27it takes dough.
06:28The type of dough we just don't happen to have.
06:31If this is another one of your sucker schemes...
06:35Now, wait a second.
06:36Are you afraid to make a fair bet?
06:38All right, what is it?
06:39Spill it.
06:40We'll make a $500 bet
06:41we get more hits from the forward torpedo room
06:43than you guys get from back here.
06:48There must be a gimmick in this somewhere.
06:51You've got twice as many torpedoes as we have.
06:54Yeah, that's why we said we'd make twice as many hits.
06:57Look, it's an even bet.
06:58Even?
06:59It's easier for the old man to shoot from forward.
07:02Throw him out!
07:03Now, wait a second.
07:04You haven't heard the whole deal.
07:05Out!
07:05Now, wait, we'll make it more than twice as many hits.
07:07We'll even throw an introduction into the girls.
07:09They're USO dancers.
07:10Hold it.
07:14Look, let's face it.
07:15The girls aren't any good to us unless we have the dough.
07:18How many?
07:19Six.
07:20And are they put together?
07:23You've got a deal.
07:25But you'd better deliver.
07:37We're not going to see very far tonight.
07:53Yeah, pretty dark.
07:56Good for shooting from the surface.
07:59It's good for a lot of other things too, Larry.
08:01If it weren't for this cockeyed war.
08:05Feeling kind of sentimental, huh?
08:07I've had it bad all day.
08:09I thought something was bothering you.
08:11When you got so worried about plugging one of our own boats.
08:19Maybe I am too worried, Larry.
08:22And I've got a hunch this war is winding up fast.
08:24I'd hate to think we were responsible for some of our own guys getting it.
08:28Contact on the radar.
08:32How does it look like?
08:33It's a small ship, Mr. Sprinkle.
08:35Bearing south.
08:3711,000 yards.
08:42Captain, the conning tower. Captain, the conning tower.
08:44Could be a submarine.
08:46Could be.
08:49Small ship bearing south. 11,000 yards. Could be a submarine.
08:52What's the range, Jerry?
08:53Closing, sir.
08:54Battle stations!
08:55How's our chance, boys?
09:03Now's our chance, boys.
09:08After torpedo room, man, when ready.
09:11We'll have to shoot this by radar, Larry.
09:13I don't think we'll ever see him.
09:14You're not afraid about being ours, sir?
09:16No, it's coming up from the south. None of ours should be down there.
09:20Watch those targets zigzagging at 12 knots. Space course 3-4-0.
09:34Make ready for the forward torpedo tubes.
09:38Aye, aye, sir.
09:39Make ready for the forward tubes. Set depth at 6 feet.
09:44Tubes forward, aye.
09:45Make ready for the tubes. Set depth at 6 feet.
09:49Oh, boy. This war is commencing to be a pleasure.
09:52Come on. Snap it up, you guys. Let's go.
09:56Range 2100 yards.
09:57Can you see them yet?
09:59No use radar bearings and commence firing as soon as ready.
10:11Make those bearings good.
10:12Aye, aye, sir.
10:14All set.
10:16We can shoot any time.
10:18Forward tubes are ready.
10:21Stand by.
10:24Fire!
10:28There they go.
10:31Oh, these electric torpedoes. There's no wake to follow.
10:34Can you see them yet?
10:36No.
10:38Right full rudder. All ahead, full.
10:52Torpedoes should be hitting now.
10:55They must have missed them, Captain.
10:56Yeah, we'll try again.
10:58Reload the forward tubes.
10:59Reload the forward tubes.
11:00Reload the forward tubes.
11:10This time, Larry, we'll move in to where we can see them.
11:13He's still going ahead.
11:17It's those weakness fish.
11:19He didn't see them.
11:26I've got it.
11:35I've got it.
11:36It's a submarine.
11:37It's not ours, is it?
11:38I can't tell you.
11:40I see it.
11:41It's enemy.
11:42Eye-class boat.
11:50Head drawings from the bridge.
11:56Park.
12:01Park.
12:06Park.
12:07What's that?
12:10Fire!
12:26He's going down.
12:35He's gone.
12:38All ahead, full.
12:40Maybe we can find a prisoner.
12:41Fall.
12:54Stop.
12:55Not a single survivor.
13:09Yes, she went down too fast.
13:15And it only took one hit.
13:25This room looks pretty sharp.
13:33We keep everything in good shape, Mr. Fromm.
13:36It doesn't do much good.
13:38Why not?
13:39The captain doesn't shoot from back here.
13:41Doesn't he know he can depend on this room?
13:43Sure he does.
13:44But he has to shoot the best way he can.
13:47Getting so, I'm having morale problems, Mr. Fromm.
13:51Not bad.
13:53Yes, sir.
13:53Maybe you could ask the old man, I mean the captain, to shoot from aft next time.
13:59Will you, sir?
14:00Sure.
14:01And he'll do it if he can.
14:02Thanks, Mr. Fromm.
14:17The batfish continued on its mission.
14:19And the men who are about to go topside were adapting for night vision.
14:26What are you doing out of your bunk this time of night?
14:28I told you to get some rest.
14:30Well, that's the point of lying down.
14:32That cloud cover's prevented by getting star sights again.
14:35You know, it's hard enough trying to get to sleep wondering if the archerfish knows where she is.
14:38But I'm not sure where we are either.
14:42Did you try checking it with the depth of water as shown on the chart?
14:45Yeah, I've been doing that.
14:46But the bottom's so irregular you can't tell anything for sure.
14:49Well, we've been lying for the current in here.
14:51I don't see how it can be far off.
14:53I'm sure we're somewhere in our assigned area right now.
14:56But if this weather keeps up, all I can say is you better take a good look at that target before you shoot.
15:02Captain of the bridge, battle station, torpedo.
15:11Where is he, Larry?
15:11I can't see it yet, but radar says it looks just like the last one.
15:14Which way is he moving?
15:15He's coming up from the south.
15:17And he's not far away.
15:18Make ready all torpedo tubes.
15:21Forward tubes are ready.
15:23Tubes up.
15:24Aye.
15:24Here's where we get even, boys.
15:27Make them ready.
15:28Let's go, gentlemen.
15:28Let's go.
15:34There she is.
15:43Good position for the stern tubes.
15:46Stand by the stern tubes.
15:48Stand by the stern tubes.
15:50Aye.
15:51Told you, Mr. Cromb wouldn't let us down.
15:54Maybe they'll turn.
15:55Maybe they'll turn.
15:56Maybe they'll turn.
16:00He's turning.
16:03He's turning.
16:04He's turning.
16:05Standing by the forward tubes.
16:06Yee-hoo!
16:08Let's go!
16:10Fire one.
16:14Fire two.
16:15Fire two.
16:20Fire two.
16:20Fire one.
16:21And the first one did get her.
16:23In fact, she sank so fast that the second torpedo passed right over her plunging hull.
16:28She was a Japanese submarine R-O-112.
16:32Two enemy submarines in less than 48 hours.
16:37This was a record. Spirit and the Batfish was soaring, and they weren't finished yet.
16:44At 1.55 in the morning of February 13th, they made another radar contact.
16:49But this one had them worried. It was coming from the north.
16:58Sprink, are you sure we're in our own area?
17:02No, I'm not. It's been too overcast for star sites.
17:07And this could be the archer fish. If we can't get sight, he can't either.
17:11I hope we don't have to shoot until we can get a good look.
17:14Yeah. While we're doing it, I hope he doesn't let us have it.
17:20It sure is dark under this overcast.
17:23We're going to be lucky to see this guy at all.
17:32Look, since we've got two hits, we'll give you four to one for another hundred.
17:35Tie you in. We'll take it.
17:41Knock off the chatter on this circuit.
17:51Bearing, zero, one, two. Range, three, five, double O.
17:56Keep the bow pointed right at him, Sprink.
17:59Make ready the forward tubes.
18:01Forward tubes again!
18:26They don't have to try out.
18:27We'll kill him.
18:28See you.
18:29Go!
18:30Go!
18:31Go!
18:32Go!
18:51The pitch is disappearing.
18:52it's gone
18:56we've lost the pep
19:00he must have died
19:01he couldn't see us, did he?
19:03no
19:04he must have us on radar
19:05it could be the archer fish
19:07whoever it is, he could be making an approach on us
19:10secure the forward tubes
19:21hey, they're securing the forward tubes
19:23we've still got a chance
19:24right full rudder, all ahead, one third
19:27right full rudder, all ahead, one third
19:38we'll turn and keep all ahead of them
19:40they can't hurt us that way
19:42and we'll see what happens
19:43we'll have moonlight in about a half hour
19:47oh, come on
19:49this is nakari
19:51too
19:53here is the river
19:54It was the river
19:57in a mix of the island
19:58the river
19:59here is the river
20:00trip
20:01Sounds like they're blowing their ballast tanks.
20:31Radar contact.
20:51There he is!
20:55Turn the bridge, turn the bridge!
21:01Dive, dive!
21:12Have security.
21:25Left full runner, study on course zero nine zero.
21:29Left full runner, study on course zero nine zero.
21:34Make ready the forward torpedo tubes.
21:38That did it!
21:40The forward tubes again.
21:48Japanese, our old class.
21:51He's digging, he's going astern of us.
21:53Make ready the stern tubes, on the devil.
21:56Make ready the stern tubes!
21:59Tonscope.
22:10Stern tubes ready.
22:11Tonscope.
22:12Hot bangs.
22:13215.
22:14Set.
22:15Fire!
22:16Fire!
22:27Fire!
22:29Fire!
22:47Fire!
22:48Fire!
22:49Fire!
22:50Fire!
22:51Fire!
22:52Eight hundred.
22:53Eight twenty.
22:54Eight forty.
22:55Eight sixty.
22:57Eight eighty.
22:58And nine.
22:59I guess that'll teach you not to bet so much money.
23:02Yeah, my boys and I are in a bad spot, Captain.
23:04There's no point for us ever going ashore now.
23:06We might just as well start right out in another patrol.
23:08When are we starting home, sir?
23:09We got a dispatch from the Force Commander a little while ago.
23:12Lots of congratulations and orders to leave at sunset tonight.
23:16Message from our relief boat.
23:18We are entering your area tonight.
23:22Suggest you study silhouettes of U.S. submarines and do not shoot.
23:28Repeat, do not shoot.
23:31I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:39This patrol of the Batfish hung up a record that has never been equaled by another submarine
23:48of any nationality.
23:51Three submarines in roughly seventy-six hours is truly remarkable.
23:56Now I want you to meet the Fighting Executive Officer of the Batfish, Mr. Clark K. Sprinkle.
24:02Sprink, will you tell us about the last submarine you sank?
24:06The post-war record shows that it was the RO-113 and it was loaded with ammunition for their forces on Luzon.
24:13She went up with quite a roar.
24:15You must have had some anxious moments until you identified her as Japanese.
24:20We sure did.
24:22But all of our submarines were very careful on that point.
24:25There wasn't a single case of one boat shooting another in the whole war.
24:29Keeping one's own forces apart is one of the fine arts of warfare.
24:34But no system can substitute for the care and sound judgment you demonstrated.
24:38I know I express the feelings of our audience when I say congratulations to you and the fine
24:44ship's company of the Batfish on a truly remarkable performance.
24:50I hope you will be with us when the silent service brings you another thrilling submarine patrol.
24:58I hope you will be with us when the silent service brings you another way.
25:17I hope you will be with us when the silent service brings you another way.
25:23The silent service brings you another way.
25:44The silent service brings you another way.
25:49Oh, my God.
Be the first to comment