Specials

Special Fatal War Patrol  of  O 19

By Siem Spruijt, crewmember of the Dutch Submarine O 19.

Translated by me from an article I wrote in a Dutch newspaper in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war.

Things had finally returned to normal after that horrible previous patrol, where crew and boat hardly escaped from merciless depth charging by those unyielding Japs.

Repairing the ship had taken quite some time, which gave us the opportunity to get in good shape and made us eager to go on the next patrol, to pay them "chinks" back for what they had done to us.

O 19 surfacing	(Photo: © Collection F. Toon)

We left Fremantle on the 25th of June 1945 carrying 40 dummy mines and important stores for the American base at Subic Bay in the Philippines, from where the actual patrol was to start.

After topping off our fuel tanks at Onslow, east of the Gulf of Exmouth, we passed Lombok and Karimata Strait into the South China Sea, expecting to reach Subic Bay on the 10th of July.

Two days earlier, however, fate decided differently.

Hardly relieved from watch at four in the morning and just about to get into my bunk, the world seemed to have come to a stand still all of a sudden and I was practically flying through the air and thrown against the bulkhead. A violent shaking of the boat immediately followed. What happened? The sub, doing 18 knots, had struck Ladd Reef, coral reef in the South China Sea submerged due to high tide. The impact was immense. Just imagine 2300 tons and with a speed of 18 kts coming to a complete standstill within 20 meters! The heavy shaking was caused by both diesels full astern while the screw tips where hitting the reef.

O 19 on the Ladd Reef (Photo: © Collection G.D. Horneman).

I will now quote my senior engineer officer Mr. Kiepe (deceased) in technical command:

"..........At low tide it appeared that the boat was grounded at various places around amidships. The CO reported the mishap and requested assistance, whilst the ship's company commenced transferring heavy weights from the forward to the stern of the boat. Water and fuel not needed for the journey to Subic were blown overboard. The anchor and chain dropped on the reef, as did the mines which could be dropped out of their bins.

Just after dark the following night, the U.S. submarine Cod arrived at the scene ready to give assistance.

USS Cod (background) takes the crew of the O 19 on board

We found a way to make the boat jump, which would hopefully be of use. When a boat has main ballast tanks fitted with Kingstons, the low-pressure turbo blower can be used to put as much pressure in as it can stand. By opening the Kingstons suddenly, the released air makes the boat jump some inches, which should be helpful during pulling. With the USS Cod assisting, the attempt to pull O 19 off had a higher chance of success. The attempt began at high tide, with both diesels running astern at full power, torpedoes being fired from all bow tubes, the gun being fired, the jump-effect being used and the Cod pulling on the screws with her powerful engines. All to no avail, as the O-19 did not move an inch. A smooth hull submarine would have come off I am sure, but O-19 had open mine bins lodged in the reef, making it impossible to shift. A number of attempts were made, all of which were abortive. There was nothing else to do but to comply with Com. Task Force 71's order for the destruction of the boat on the 10th of July........."

In the afternoon, we abandoned our beloved sub on which we had been so very successful against the Japs and which had also shielded us with her strong body against ever so many depth-charges.

USS Cod takes the crew of the O 19 (background) on board. (Photo: © Collection J. Fakan)

And this time the USS Cod was there to save our lives once more.

With our captain as the last one to leave, the destruction began shortly thereafter. Charges exploded inside, two torpedoes and a number of 5" shells were fired into her hull. I felt very sad as we sailed for Subic Bay in such a different way than we had first expected.

As I write this 50 years after the war and in remembrance of those who gave their lives, I can only do so because I was so fortunate that providence sent the USS Cod our way. Although I never again met any members of that gallant crew after throwing them an unforgettable party, occasions like this always bring them to mind.

 

By Siem Spruijt, crewmember of the Dutch Submarine O 19.

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