USS BOWFIN Catches the Bus

Here is another submarine story of the caliber that will keep the cigars glowing and the anecdotes going so long as the smoking lamp is lit.

On August 10, 1944, BOWFIN (LCDR John H. Corbus) went in for a close-up look at Minami Daito, an island centrally located in the Nansei Shoto chain. There was a narrow channel and a bay beyond, and the periscope found several ships of a convoy heading in to moor alongside a new concrete wharf. Corbus decided to go in and get them the following morning. So BOWFIN did.

The approach was a ticklish one, but the submarine tiptoed in, and the Japanese AK's were lined up there like so many tramp steamers at Hoboken. BOWFIN was ready, and Corbus, squinting at the periscope, drew a careful bead on a target alongside the quay. Then he paused. A bus had rumbled out on the Wharf and a group of Japanese was piling down the steamer's gangplank - obviously a shore party. There was a lot of bustle and chatter as these passengers boarded the bus. Corbus felt he could enliven the proceedings.

He fired three torpedoes at a freighter, which was anchored off the quay, and three more at the ship alongside. A hit smashed the anchored freighter, throwing up a great cloud of smoke and debris. Another torpedo struck the vessel at the quay. And apparently a torpedo struck the quay itself, for there was a mighty blast that filled the air with powdered cement. When the smoke cleared away, that section of the quay where the bus had been loading was obliterated. So was the bus.

Corbus turned BOWFIN on her tail and sent her seaward. Some A/S vessels chased and the submarine was treated to more than the usual "going over." But afterwards the submariners were sure it was worth it. To date, at least, BOWFIN remains the only submarine able to claim, "TWO SHIPS, ONE QUAY, ONE BUS."

Unfortunately the vessels torpedoed could not be identified. And nowhere on the submarine inventory list was there a column labeled "Buses."

USS BARB’s Greatest Patrol

To conduct its second patrol as a coordinated attack group, Loughlin's wolf-pack left Guam on December 29, 1944 and headed for the southern end of the East China Sea. This area just inside the Formosa Strait bottleneck promised action. The Japanese front might come backfiring from Manila any day. Formosa was the season's target for China-based Army planes and Navy Air. The drivers of the United States offensive were planning a leap at the Nansei Shotos where Okinawa was on the amphibious agenda.

To meet the threat, the Japanese were running reinforcements to the Nansei Shotos and rushing reserves down the East China Sea to Formosa. That island was hotter than Tophet, and the waters around it were a-boiling. But if the waters were hot, so were "Loughlin's Loopers," whose previous patrol cost the Japanese merchant marine a tidy 51,000 tons.

New Year's Eve the three submarines were well on their way. The pack was composed of QUEENFISH (CDRs Loughlin), PICUDA (E.T. Shepard) and BARB (E.B. Fluckey).

Once more these "Loopers" were determined to knock the enemy "for a loop." But as Fate spun the wheel of fortune, the play consistently fell to Fluckey's submarine. So this is BARB's story, and no one is better qualified to tell it than her eloquent command officer.

On the evening of the third night out, Fluckey noted in his log, "Celebrated the advent of what we hope is the final year of the war." Then, on January 1, 1945, "The Patrol started by the sinking of a small Japanese craft with gunfire."

On January 8 the wolf pack was roaming the northern reaches of Formosa Strait. About an hour after noon, the submarines picked up a large convoy which, trudging southward, was evidently headed for Takao. The wolf pack containing "Lucky" Fluckey tracked for five hours while PICUDA, the submarine farthest away, was coached to an intercepting position. BARB, as will be noted, held back to give her teammates time to enter the battle. Fluckey continues the story: 

"It would be a snap to get in the center of this outfit. However, it is imperative that we bend them to port and prevent them from heading towards the shallow China coast. Holding off on the starboard bow. Plan to smack the four goal-poster with the four escorts in the port echelon since she is probably the most important ship, then use the other three bow tubes on the leading engine-aft job in the starboard echelon, following through with a stern tube attack on the second ship."

Finally at 1724 Fluckey sent BARB boring in on a day-periscope attack. His account goes on:

"Coming in nicely. Made ready all tubes. Fired six torpedoes.
"Left full rudder. All ahead standard. Swinging for stern shot.
Four torpedoes hit close together, the third of which was a thunderous explosion. At the time, being intent on coming stern shot, I idly remarked, "Now that's what I call a good solid hit."
I heard someone mutter, "Golly, I'd hate to be around when he hears a loud explosion!"

"This, accompanied by the tinkle of glass from a shattered light bulb in the conning tower and the expressions on the faces of the fire control party, snapped me out of my fixation and the full force of the explosion dawned upon me. BARB had been forced sideways and down. Personnel grabbed the nearest support to keep from being thrown off their feet. Cases of canned goods had burst open in the forward torpedo room. Later we found a section of deck grating ripped out of the superstructure aft. QUEENFISH later told us that this last ship hit blew up and was obviously an ammunition ship.”

"Sound reported high speed screws all around. Rigged ship for depth charge. Steadying up and attempting to climb back to periscope depth. A look at our results is paramount. Breaking-up noises. "All screws going away on sound. At periscope depth. A smoke cloud where the torpedoed ship had been. The stern of the transport sticking up at a 30-degree angle with two escorts close aboard. Her bow is evidently resting in the mud. Depth of water, 30 fathoms. One ship is on fire amidships, just above the waterline. The whole formation has turned away and appears to be stopped. Amazingly, we appear to have leprosy. All escorts have scampered over to the unattacked side of the formation. The destroyer has reversed course."

“Evidently the ship with her bow resting at 30 fathoms in the mud was the 5,892-ton freighter SHINYO MARU. The ship on fire seems to have been the target in the starboard echelon - the "engines-aft job.” probably the 2,854-ton tanker SANYO MARU. While the convoy floundered in consternation and the escorts dashed in the wrong direction, Fluckey rushed preparations for another attack.”

"Can feel aggressiveness surging through my veins, since the escorts are more scared then we are. Commenced reload forward. Heading towards convoy with another ship in our sights. Destroyer suddenly turned towards us! Nice spot for 'down the throat' shot, but no torpedoes forward. Aggressiveness evaporated. Assumed deep submergence of 140 feet. Mud below that.”

"QUEENFISH and PECUDA attacking convoy.”
"BARB makes second and third attack, surfaced.”

"Three hits observed followed by a stupendous earth shaking eruption. This far surpassed Hollywood and was one of the biggest explosions of the war. The rarefaction following the first pressure wave was breathtaking. A high vacuum resulted in the boat. Personnel in the control room said they felt as if they were sucked up the hatch. Personnel in the conning tower who were wearing shortened shirts not tucked in at the belt, had their shirts pulled up over their heads.”

On the bridge, as the air was wrenched from my lungs, somehow it formed the words, "All ahead flank." The target now resembled a gigantic phosphorous bomb. In the first flash as the torpedoes hit, all we could ascertain was that the target had a long superstructure and a funnel amidships. The volcanic spectacle was awe inspiring. Shrapnel flew all around us, splashing in the water in a splattering pattern as far as 4,000 yards ahead of us. Topside, we alternately ducked and gawked.”

"The horizon was lighted as bright as day. A quick binocular sweep showed only the one ship ahead remaining and a few scattered escorts. No escorts close to the ammunition could be seen. These were probably sunk, except that I figure that four ships sunk, one probably sunk and one damaged is about all the traffic will bear for a twelve torpedo expenditure.”

"At this point of the game I was ready to haul ashes. However, the Engineering Officer, who had never seen a shot fired or a ship sunk in five runs, from his diving station, really had his guns out. Frantically, he pleaded that we couldn't let the last ship go; besides he loved to hear the thump, thump, thump of the torpedoes and to see millions of bucks go sky high.”

"Good sales talk.”

"Commenced the approach for a stern tube attack on the ship ahead. Then QUEENFISH said she wanted to attack. PICUDA said she would follow QUEENFISH. We had our share, so we gave them the green light. Passed our target (what a temptation) and headed down towards the pass between Formosa and a minefield to make sure nothing escaped."

“BARB's victim in this spectacular instance seems to have been the 9,256-ton passenger/freighter ANYO MARU. Fluckey noted that QUEENFISH concluded the foray by sinking the tanker. The shooting was over. This last victim, cornered by the wolf pack and downed by QUEENFISH, was the 2,854-ton tanker HIKOSHIMA MARU.”

The explosions described by Fluckey's pen serve to highlight the fortunes of Commander Fluckey, nicknamed "Lucky." But "luck is where you find it." and as someone once remarked, "To find it, you have to look for it." Fluckey was not the officer to loll on Easy Beach waiting for his ship to come in. He looked for the ship. On January 10 he had BARB patrolling northward on the 20-fathom curve along the China coast. Ships were not readily found. For the next week and a half, BARB dodged Japanese patrol planes, ducked around fleets of Chinese junks and sighted nothing bigger than a good-size canal barge. Fluckey took time out to analyze the enemy's traffic:

"While our forces are hammering Formosa, no shipping is moving around Keelung. All traffic is now running that inshore route along the China coast. No lights have been observed burning along the coast. Consequently, the Japanese are running only in the daytime, when it is impossible for a submarine to attack along the new, close coast route. Anchorages being used are probably Shanghai, Wenchow, Foochow, and Lam Yit, all of which are well mined and a day's run apart. In conclusion, our prospectus appears poor, unless we can find a suitable opportunity at night to resort to torpedo boat practice.”

"Basing the remainder of our patrol on the latter assumption, made a complete study of the China coast from Wenchow south to Lam Yit. Recent unknown mining has taken place north of Wenchow. If our assumptions are correct, the present convoy, for which we are searching, is anchored at Foochow tonight (January 21) and will be en route Wenchow tomorrow. To substantiate our conclusions, plan to mingle with the Junk Fleet north of Seven Stars tomorrow afternoon at a point ten miles inside of the 20 fathom curve and 15 miles from the coast where we can observe the passage of our convoy.”

“The following day two ships were sighted traveling inside the 10-fathom curve in 8-fathom water. The sky was heavily overcast, and Fluckey decided to tackle the targets that night if the overcast blindfolded the moon. BARB tracked the vessels throughout the day, only to lose contact that night. Fluckey deduced that the ships had anchored, and he determined to search the coast - a hazardous venture as the absence of junks offshore hinted at the presence of a minefield. But again luck is where one finds it, and Fluckey was a persistent hunter.”

"January 23, at 0030 started an inshore surface search for convoy anchorage. Maneuvering constantly to avoid collision with junks. Present entourage consists of several hundred darkened junks. At 0300 rounded Incog Island and contacted a very large group of anchored ships in the lower reaches of Namkwan Harbor! Slowed to take stock of the situation."

“Instead of turning up one ship, BARB's skipper’d found an entire convoy! It may now be observed that Dame Fortune makes a final demand of those who court her guerdons. To locate the grab bag is not enough - one must reach in to get the prizes. The manner in which Commander Fluckey reached into the Namkwan grab bag is described below by the Skipper. As a demonstration of astuteness, capability and drive - balancing the odds and then accurately shooting the works - it remains a classic of submarine warfare.”

"Fully realize our critical position and potential dangers involved. Estimate the situation as follows:"

"a.  Recent unknown mining in this vicinity is a known fact. Mines could be laid from Incog Island to Tae Island. However a more effective minefield would be from Incog Island to Pingfong, the eastern entrance to Namkwan Harbor, which would provide a protected anchorage behind it. Since the position of the anchored convoy is too close to this line, assume the latter minefield does not exist. The former, though doubtful, must remain a possibility, particularly in view of the absence of junks.

"b.  One escort appears to be patrolling several thousand yard northeast and a second escort to the east of the anchored ships covering the most logical position for entry and attack. A third escort is working close to Incog Light, apparently more concerned with keeping himself off the rocks. Visibility is very poor.

"c.  Assumed the closely anchored columns would be heading about 050 degrees true, heading into the wind and seas with a current of one knot. Plotted the navigational position from which we would attack, making our approach from the southeast.

"d.  Elected to retire through an area marked "unexplored" on our large scale chart which contained sufficient "rocks awash" and "rocks position doubtful," to make any over-ambitious escorts think twice before risking a chase. This would also cross the mass of junks, which would be a definite and final barrier to all pursuit.”

"e.  Countermeasures expected will be searchlights, gunfire, and hot pursuit. Against this we will have a stern tube salvo, 40-mm's and automatic weapons.

"f.  Inasmuch as our attack position will be six miles inside the ten fathom curve and 19 miles inside the 20 fathom curve, we will require an hour's run before being forced down. Consequently, our attack must be sufficient to completely throw the enemy off balance. We have four torpedoes forward and eight aft. No time will be available for reload; for a speedy darting knife thrust attack will increase the probability of success.”

"Figure the odds are ten to one in our favor.”

"Man battle station, torpedoes.”

"Seriously considered placing crew in life jackets, but the atmosphere throughout the boat is electric. The men are more tense than I've ever seen them. Save for an occasional sounding "...six fathoms..." the control room is so quiet that the proverbial pen would sound like a depth charge. Discarded the idea of life jackets as definitely alarmist with so many hearts doing flip-flops.”

"Do not consider it advisable in our present precarious position to send a contact report to the PICUDA. She could not possibly attack before dawn and get out. Will send one after the attack, when our presence is known. "Range 6,000 yards. All tubes ready.

"Ships are anchored in three columns about 500 yards apart with a few scattered ships further inshore. This frankly, must be the most beautiful target of the war. Ships are banked three deep. Even an erratic torpedo can't miss. Estimate at least 30 ships. Our biggest job will be to prevent too many torpedoes from hitting one ship!

"Chose one of the large ships to the left of center of the rear column as target. "Fired one. Fired two. Fired three. Fired four.

"Right full rudder, all ahead standard. Sounding, five fathoms. Shifted target to right for ships ahead in near column.

"Fired seven. Fired eight. Fired nine. Fired ten.
"All ahead flank! Commanding Officer manned bridge.
"Torpedo number two - hit on target. Timed and observed.
"Torpedo number three - hit on target. Timed and observed.
"Torpedo number one - hit in second column. Timed and heard.
"Torpedo number four - hit in third column. Timed and observed.
"Torpedo number six - hit in first column. Timed and observed.
"Torpedo number eight - hit in first column. Timed and observed.
"Torpedo number five - hit in second column. Timed & observed.
"Torpedo number seven - hit in third column. Timed & observed.
"Large AK in first column was hit by torpedoes two and three. Target observed to settle and undoubtedly sink. "Unidentified ship in second column was hit by torpedo after turn to right. Damaged.
"Large AK in third column, bit by number four torpedo, shortly thereafter caught on fire. Fire later flared up five or six times then went out in a manner similar to a sinking ship. Ship probably sunk.
"Torpedo number six hit in the first column. Believed to have hit in ship struck by number two and three torpedoes. Observation not sufficiently accurate to claim additional damage.
"Large AK hit by torpedo number eight. Ship belched forth a huge cloud of smoke. Damaged "Unidentified ship in second column hit by torpedo five. The whole side of this ship blew out in our direction in a manner similar to an ammunition ship or magazine of a large warship. Ship sank.
"Large ammunition ship in third column hit by number seven torpedo. Ship blew up with a tremendous explosion. Ship sunk.

"Tracers of all description flew out from the two ships which exploded. At the same time several large caliber projectiles estimated 6-12 inch, with tracers, hurtled through the air. A moment after this, searchlights were seen sweeping about for a short while. Smoke from the ships hit, on fire and exploding, completely obscured all ships and prevented any further observation of the other damage.

"BARB is now highballing it for the 20 fathom curve at 21.6 knots, broken field running through the Junk Fleet, wildly maneuvering when some of the junks are inside the sea return. Expect to see a junk pile up on the bow at any second.

"Gunfire from well astern. Some poor junks are getting it. Sent contact report to PICUDA. "One hour and nineteen minutes after the first torpedo was fired, the Galloping Ghost of the China Coast crossed the 20 fathom curve with a sigh. Never realized how much water that was before. Life begins at forty fathoms!

"Thirty-eight minutes later, it was dawn. Assume the Japanese will expect us to submerge, so will stay on the surface!"

That evening BARB headed for Midway. She reached that base on February 10th. The Japanese left no record of the ships which were sunk in the Namkwan smash-up, and it has since been impossible to estimate the tonnage downed during that raid. But SubPac Headquarters estimated that BARB's performance would merit a Presidential Unit Citation.

Commander Eugene B. Fluckey, for his COURAGE, INITIATIVE, RESOURCEFULNESS AND INSPIRING LEADERSHIP, COMBINED WITH BRILLIANT JUDGMENT AND SKILL... AN INSPIRATION TO ALL SUBMARINE PERSONNEL,

FLUCKEY was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

EDITOR NOTE – GENE FLUCKEY

He was a guest here some years ago and we were to see him when he hand-signed one of our fine-art prints. He is a quiet, unassuming man and a great American.

RADM FLUCKEY has been a Member for many years and has served on our Advisory Board for ten years.

He is the most highly decorated American submariner EVER in history and he is the most highly decorated American veteran alive today. Adding up all the medals earned by the men of his boat, USS BARB is the most highly decorated American submarine. He told us that he was very proud that none of his men ever earned the medal which he honors most – the Purple Heart. “Lucky” FLUCKEY always brought his men uninjured.

His book Thunder Below was a huge seller and all his royalty checks went – not into his pocket, but he used the money in recent years to take his crew and their wives on wonderful cruises aboard such ships as the DELTA QUEEN and QUEEN ELIZABETH II.

Sadly, as we earlier reported, the dreaded scourge of Alzheimer’s descended on him a couple years ago and he was no longer able to communicate with anyone.