23 - 30 April 1932
10 boats on patrol
9 boats in transit
1 boat returning to base
2 boats in bases
1 boat in repair
As expected Japan quickly looked at Luzon side. One of patrol aircraft detected large landing force heading to Lingayen Gulf in the night of 23rd April. Immediately four closest submarines are send to intercept enemy units. First boat in area was S-41, which attacked and sunk small gunboat. Enemy escort forced her to crash dive, and depth charging for next hour inflicting serious damages to boat. Other responding boats have no luck. S-36 found fat juicy 12000 tons troopship, unfortunately dense escort didn't give him any chance to take attack position. S-40 and S-30 to avoid detection from aircraft sail too far north and did not spot enemy ships. In one word the submarine force failed to preventing landing in Luzon or even seriously hurt a landing enemy.
S-32 on South China Sea spotted large convoy heading south-west. After taking good attack position boat made a salvo at big closest merchant. Suddenly small patrol boat crossed the one of torpedos path, explosion throwed water and debris around. Rest of salvo hit the target creating another explosion. Repositioned boat attack again hitting 3000 tons cargo ship, sinking in total 3 ships with 9000 tons, before safe retreat.
Next day S-35 encounter same convoy more on south-west, but was not so lucky. Two destroyers quickly reacted on fruitless attack, seriously damaging her.
On east side of Luzon S-39 only detect fast task force before, with big flat-top and battleship in the middle of formation, they disappear behind the horizont. More lucky S-39 sunk 2000 tons maru from other convoy. Other boats attacks give no ships sunk.
This week total: 5 ships, 12000 tons
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