On August 8, 1944, Darter left Brisbane for her fourth and last war patrol
in the Celebes and South China Seas. On September 10, 1944, she refueled and
underwent minor repairs at Darwin, and headed back to the Celebes Sea. On
September 27, 1944, she refueled at Mios Woendi, and on October 1, 1944,
sailed with the USS Dace (SS-247) to patrol the South China Sea as part of
preparatory efforts for the Seventh Fleet's planned invasion of Leyte. On
October 21, 1944, Dace and Darter headed for Balabac Strait to intercept
Japanese shipping moving to reinforce the Philippines or attack the Leyte
landing forces.

On October 23, 1944, Dace and Darter made contact with the main body of the
Japanese Center Force approaching Palawan Passage. This enormous flotilla,
under the command of Admiral Takeo Kurita, consisted of 6 battleships, 10
cruisers, 2 light cruisers, and 15 destroyers. Its mission was to slip
through San Bernardino Strait, turn south and meet up with the Japanese
"Southern Force" consisting of another two formidable flotillas under the
commands of Admirals Shji Nishimura and Kiyohide Shima. The Southern Forces'
mission was to pass through Surigao Strait. Together the two great IJN
forces would annihilate the Seventh Fleet landing forces at Leyte.

Darter immediately sent a contact report, one of the most important of the
war, since the location of this Japanese task force had been unknown. The
two submarines began the first enagement of the decisive Battle for Leyte
Gulf when they attacked the Japanese Center Force cruisers early on the
morning of October 23. Darter put four torpedoes into the cruiser Atago,
which was Admiral Kurita's flagship. The torpedoes destroyed the ship and it
sank. Darter also hit the cruiser Takao, blowing off its rudder. Dace
attacked and destroyed the cruiser Maya.

Darter and Dace tracked the damaged cruiser Takao through the tortuous
channels of Palawan Passage until just after midnight on October 24 when
Darter grounded on Bombay Shoal. All efforts to get her off failed. All
confidential papers and equipment were destroyed, and the entire crew
boarded Dace. When demolition charges planted in Darter failed to destroy
her, Dace fired torpedoes which exploded in the shallow reef. As Dace
submerged, Darter was bombed by an enemy plane. Dace reached Fremantle
safely with Darter's men on November 6, 1944.


On 3/31/08 10:00 AM, in article
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wrote:


Not my pictures, all Usenett downloads but interesting. Enjoy!